Elise's feet stomped across the concrete over and over again in the night time city. Her quick and sharp breathing drowned out by the sirens in the distance. Not from being out of breath, but from the shear adrenaline and fear pumping through her veins. Crossing the street, her feet skidded to a stop behind a small shop. Pressing her back against the wall, she leaned her head back, her eyes clenched shut as she tried to slow her pounding heart beat.
Scoffing above on the roof, Tohopka let out a small chuckle to the girl below. His body crouched down with his hand on the ledge. "You're scared, girl. I hear that voice screaming in `pure fear inside your head."
Flinching, she quickly stood up straight. Her body going stiff as she turned around to glare up at him. Her jaw clenched. "You can shut up! Someone's head and thoughts are their own personal thing! You don't have a right to look at them!"
"Oh that's cute." He smirked, tilting his head. "You're trying to act all big and brave. Trying to sound intimidating enough to make yourself believe you are strong enough. Well here's a news flash." He launched himself up into the air, the shop cracking below at his feet as he did so. "It's not working! And you know it too! That heroic confidence of yours is a goddamn lie!"
Elise's eyes widened as she jumped back just as his body and fist slammed into the ground where she was once standing. She swallowed thickly, small debris rising up around her and falling to her sides as she skidded back to a stop.
"Look at you! Running!" He stood up, dusting pebbles off himself. He snarled a bit, flashing his teeth. "You're afraid. You know you're weaker. You know I am stronger. All you are is faster. But you're still going to lose!" He dove forward.
She growled a bit back, side stepping to the side to avoid his charge. Her eyes then widened, seeing the ruthless smile on his face. She shifted her gaze from him as he began to run past her, only to notice is large arm outstretched in front of her. Her jaw tightened as she felt the impact of his arm. And then the impact of the wall behind her which crumbled at her feet. Her aura shaky as it took the force of the heavy blow.
"Worthless!" Tohopka shouted as he saw the young girl cough and gasp for air. He reached over, not even letting her fall to her knees, grabbed the collar of the green hoodie she was wearing. "Weak! Pathetic!" He grunted a bit, taking a step forward as he heaved her over his body, tossing her into the city streets. Her body tumbling next to a car as her aura fizzled once again. "You can't do anything right!" He smirked, slowly stepping towards her. "If you can't protect one friend, how are you supposed to be a Huntress and protect the world?"
"Get... out of my head!" She shakily shouted, flexing her jaw tight as she rolled underneath the car. Her body trembling as sweat dripped down the side of her head. A trail of smoke soon leading out from underneath it and up before fading.
The brute blinked a few times, slowly looking up at a roof top as smoke scattered off the top of it. "Running again? What's the point? As long as I can see you, I know every move and every thought you think! I will always know where you go!" He shouted, jumping onto the side of the building, his bare feet and hands clawing deep into the bricks.
Rapidly breathing with wide and fearful eyes, Elise began to hyperventilate. She closed her eyes, flashing her teeth as she laid flat on the roof so he currently couldn't see her. "No, no, no." She shook a bit, bit her lip as she wrapped her arms around herself.
It was then a flicker of hope struck her. She slowly opened her eyes, hearing the crunch and climbing of him getting close. She gulped, her breathing slowing down a bit as she glanced down at the red bandana in her hand.
Letting out a warrior's battle cry as his hands reached the top, Tohopka hauled himself up with a heavy grunt and pure bloodlust in his eyes. His ears hearing the clash of two different kinds of Dust as the area became engulfed in steam. He chuckled softly, smirking as he slowly stepping around. His movements cautious. "What? Think because I can't see you means you'll somehow gain the upper hand? I can still crush your bones like this."
"I don't think! I KNOW I will!" The young girl shouted as he quickly turned around, his eyes darting all over the area. "And do you want to know why?!" She cried out, her feet landing on his back as hard as she could. He stumbled a bit forward, letting off a soft grunt. He went to reach back, only to stumble a bit more as he saw red. Elise tying the bandana as tight as she could around his eyes. "Because there's light that shines!"
The steam began to fade away as he let out a roar, his hand grabbing the back of the hoodie as he tossed her forward onto the roof. It nearly breaking away underneath her as it cracked. Her aura once again being heavily chipped away at.
"You damn brat!" He screamed, reaching up to tear the bandana off.
Exhaling, she shot to her feet, pulling an ice Dust dart from her pouch. Rather than loading it, she lunged forward, jumping onto his arm as she smashed the dart into the side of his face. Her aura triggering the Dust as ice wrapped around part of his head and the bandana. "And it's power is mine!"
He growled, sending his arm around to strike her in the side. Her body sent tumbling across the roof again. More of the steam fading away as well as her aura.
Seeing him raise a hand to tear off the red fabric, she shot to her feet again, this time pulling out two ice darts, one in each hand. She let out a battle cry this time, jumping on his other side as she shoved both darts against his head. Closing her eyes as the ice in cased all around the bandana. "And though my body's weak and breakable!"
Tohopka growled, grabbing her and jerking into her arms. His body crushing hers as he took a few steps forward. "I... am going to crush you slowly! Whether I can see you or not!" He flexed every muscle he had, smiling as he heard the young girl screaming in agony. "I don't have to read your mind to know what you think!" He took a few more steps forward. "I already know you know you can't do any-!" He stopped, his breath hitching as he felt the cracked roof give out below him.
The two came crashing down, debris falling on top of them as Elise groaned and rolled a bit away. Seeing the ice begin to crack on his face, she reached into her pouches, pulling out every type of Dust dart she had. Eight different kinds. She jumped up, landing on his back as she shoved the darts into his spine. "My spirit is indomitable..." She mumbled, taking a deep breath as she triggered her aura.
An explosion of wind, fire, water, lightning, earth, ice, steam, and gravity consuming the inside of the building, blowing out and shattering the windows like paper mache.
A bit later, Elise was exhausted as she sat on a street edge. Her aura completely depleted as she heavily breathed, watching as an unconscious Tohopka was restrained with heavy duty magnetic handcuffs. She fainty smiled, brushing back her now messy hair as she glanced at her lap, staring at the slightly beat up and dirty red bandana. The fabric just as beat up as her legs. Though, Kagami's hoodie looked as new as ever. She couldn't help but smile more, slowly shaking her head.
It was then she hear a noise from the distance. She slowly rose to her feet, her brows furrowed as she looked into the endless falling leaves of Forever Fall. Her eyes then widened, her shoulders dropping in utter exhaustion at the site of Creep rushing into the city. "No..."
Skidding back on her hands and feet, Eri demonicaly growled, her blood red eyes glaring as she pushed herself upright. She exhaled, blowing strands of her blonde hair from her face. Snarling, she flashed her teeth as she balled her hands into tight fist and shoulders squared. "I'm really fucking tired of you..." She hissed.
"Likewise." Kris said calmly, softly exhaling as she twirled her weapons around. Placing them both in her left hand, she started to undo the buttons on her red trench coat. "But I'm not running away this time and you're not running away this time." She pulled off her jacket, flicking her wrist as she let the toys scatters across the area. "You're not getting away this time." She dropped her coat, putting a weapon in each hand once again as she narrowed her eyes.
The blonde demon growled more, body tensing. "I bet that's a pain to have to pick up." She moved her wrist around, her weapons clicking quietly each time she did. "Did mommy never teach you to pick up your toys?" She cocked her head.
"Didn't daddy ever tell you it's not nice to stab people?" She flashed a faint smile, her muscles flexing underneath the black fabric of her thin body armor. The green and red plates shifting slightly around her forearms and shins as she lowered herself down into a fighting stance.
Something seemed to flicker in her eyes, something snapping all across her entire body. She gave off a wicked cry, bolting forward in a heavy sprint. Holding out her arms, she flicked her wrist, sending out the three blades in each gauntlet into the walls on either side of them. Wires attached to each. The second the blades lodged, she jerked on her arms, sending her body flying forward as she released the wire.
The young redhead crossed her arms, blocking a kick with them as she was pushed back. Eventually back flipping and landing on her feet to slow her body down as she skidded back. She glanced up, seeing blades pop back out of Eri's gauntlets. She pushed the blades out of her own, taking a few steps back as she blocked each strike. Her jaw clenching.
"You want to know what I got while you were playing rich girl and eating milk and cookies while playing with your toys?" Eri grunted a bit, this time blocking blows from the younger girl as she stepped back. "I got beat and assaulted and raped by my own family!" She threw her arms forward and down, bringing her foot up as she kicked her away. "That's why I killed them! I put my parents and brother and aunt all six feet under!"
Quietly inhaling, she looked up at her with calm green eyes. "You know what's sad?" She slid a foot back, raising both her arms as the blades retracted. "You could have probably been someone with that semblance of yours and your strength. But you let your life cripple you."
Growling back, she raised her arms in retaliation, firing off the needle like blades one after another with an ever growing look of disgust and hatred.
With her eyes darting around, Kris shot each blade down with her bullets, hearing them clatter on the concrete below. "You think everyone has a happy life? Well you're wrong! You let all your problems cripple you when you should have let them mold you into someone better!" Shooting down the last blade, she dropped to her hands, side swiping her leg across the ground as it gained a faint green aura.
She blinked, glancing behind her to see a wave of small toy cars and planes flying at her. She let out a heavy huff of air, jumping back as she dodged between each object. As the wave reached its end, she heard a click of blades, quickly turning around to interlock her own with Kris' weapons.
Grinding her teeth together, the redhead pushed back with all the strength she had. Her eyes slowly narrowing more and more at her. "You should have let it mold you..." She muttered, releasing the pressure she had on her weapons and stepping to the side. Retracting the blades to her candy canes, she brought both ends down onto her back, sending her into the ground with a loud thud.
Letting out a scream, she slammed her fist into the ground, pushing herself up slightly. She quickly spun around, side sweeping her off her balance as she lunged forward, her head colliding with her chin as she kicked her onto her back.
Grunting, she closed her eyes for a second, hissing a bit as she felt her spine throb. When she opened them, they widened. She brought both arms up in an x shape, Eri's weapons grinding and scraping across her duel weapons and metal plating on her arms. She swallowed thickly, feeling one of the points just hairs from her neck.
"Just one drop." The blonde she devil mocked, pushing down harder as she shifted her body forward. Her body hovering over hers. "Just one drop and I can make you kill yourself like the worthless bitch you are." She snarled.
Taking a few deep and shaky breaths, she faintly smiled up at her. "But I've already distracted you long enough?" She cocked her head.
"Long enough for what!?" She hissed, eyes narrowing as her arms shook from the amount of pressure.
"Long enough for that." She winked, looking behind her.
She quickly did so herself, heart beating slightly fast before her brows rose up in confusion a the sight of nothing. "Huh?"
"Heh." Kris smiled, throwing her arms outward as she brought her knee into Eri's stomach, knocking the wind straight out of her. Not stopping, she bashed her head against her face, sending her stumbling back as she gasped for air. She jumped up, using her weapons to back up against her body as fast as she could before quickly jumping several paces back. "Taught that one to Kagami."
Shaking her head as she stumbled around, Eri was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling as loose strands of her hair wrapped around her face. "You fucking cunt!" She screamed, teeth flashing as she ran forward.
Taking a deep breath, she set both her canes down, holding out her hands as they gained a green glow to them along with her eyes. "This is it." She muttered, watching the blonde slow down a bit as every toy she had scattered started to move, slowly making their way to her before coming at a great speed. Cars, planes, figures, everything, all wrapping around and attacking her.
She started to let off screams, swatting at the items as she tried to bat them away to no avail. Eventually, the small trinkets began to explode one at a time, causing a ringing in her ear as she stumbled. A cloud of smoke forming around her.
As the last of the explosions came to a silence, Kris dropped to one knee, panting heavily as sweat dripped down the side of her face. She swallowed, looking up as the smoke cleared to show Eri on her hands and knees shakily breathing as she coughed out smoke, clothes burnt slightly as her aura fizzled and disappeared. Letting out a quiet exhale, the redhead slowly rose to her feet with shaky knees. She was not done yet.
Back in the north east part of the city, officer Keegan gritted her teeth as she fired her glock twenty-two at Sanguine. The crime boss twirling her saber around as each bullet bounced off. Keeping her eyes locked on her, her left hand moved back followed by a faint white shadow. Her baton locking with a loud ting up against Katie's blade. Bringing her other arm around, she blocked the second with her gun and a soft grunt.
With sharp eyes, Sanguine faintly tilted her head before dashing forward and bringing her thin blade around to swipe at the officer's feet. Just as she suspected, she watched as she jumped upward without even looking, a trail of white at her feet. "Hmm." She jumped to the side just as the officer pushed herself back and jumped away.
"Ugh." Katie rolled her eyes, throwing her arms down as she flicked her wrist and twirled her serrated knives. "Can't you just give up and die already? This is boring. And you can't win." She shoved her blades into a set of sheaths, pulling them out slowly as red Dust was shaved off into the etchings made on them.
"Katie. Quiet." Her mother glanced at her for a second. "I told you, overconfidence and underestimating is the key to defeat."
"I'm NOT being overconfident! I already know I'm going to win!" She held out her arms, flipping her blonde hair a bit as her dog barked quickly from a distance away. She smiled to herself, bolting forward as the older blonde rolled her eyes.
Catching her breath, Keegan swallowed a bit as she released the empty cartridges in her gun letting them fall onto the ground clattering and reloading it with a magazine marked with a Dust crystal on it. She parried with her baton from one of the younger blonde's blades, jumping back as she took aim and fired.
The first bullet struck at Katie's feet, making her stumble a bit as shards of earth jumped up at her followed by a second loud shot being fired as she crossed her arms, blocking the bullet with her knives as an explosion of ice wrapped around her arms. She stumbled, hissing as she jerking her arms, the ice cracking.
Blinking, Keegan turned around, her baton blocking Sanguine's dagger as she blocked her larger blade with her gun. She flashed a faint smile, counting a bit in her head before firing the next bullet. A quick burst of wind shot out, recoiling against the gun and into the blade with enough force to make the blonde stumble back. As she did, the officer swiped at her feet, sending her onto her back as she fired her fourth shot just a few centimeters from her dagger, sending a jolt of electricity through the metal and into her body.
As she stood back up, she softly and tiredly exhaled, her body turning around with a faint white shadow behind as she blocked both of Katie's weapons with her own once again. "You're a pain." The young blonde woman hissed, the Dust on her wakazakis glowing a bright shade of red as she pumped her aura through it. "I have bigger good people to kill than some lowly officer."
"Shame." Keegan painted, her canine ears twitching a bit as she held her ground. "I don't have bigger criminals to put away for life." She sharply inhaled, her eyes widening a bit as she quickly squeezed the trigger of her gun. Firing a bullet straight into the ground. On impact, a rush of steam surrounded the area. And when it faded, she was on the other side of the road catching her breath.
Calmly standing where the officer once was, Sanguine gave a faint sigh, her red eyes filled with annoyance as she tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows. She currently had her daughter's blade locked with her's. Her saber blocking low and dagger blocking high. "Do I look like the target, Katie?" She cocked her head the other way.
Blinking, the younger blonde quickly withdrew as she held up her hands in retreat to her mother before quickly turned to glare at the Faunus, her fingers tightly wrapping around the handles of her knives so harshly her knuckles turned white. "That's a cheap shot!" She shouted, her jaw clenching as the heat rose to her face.
"What? Did I embarrass you in front of your dear old mother?" She painted softly, keeping her distance away as she tried to regain her stamina. Her semblance exhausting her and her aura from being triggered by being attacked from two angles. She had to keep them separated for a minute.
Growling, Katie shot froward before jumping into the air with her arms raised above her head. She was completely ignoring the shouts of her mother behind. The Dust on her blades charging with power from her aura as she brought her arms down along with the momentum of her body.
Groaning, the officer raised her left arm, grunting as she blocked the two blades with her baton. On impact, a fiery explosion set off between the two as they locked weapons. Inhaling, she brought her right arm up, following through with a punch to the young woman's abdomen followed by a shot. A burst of purple and black energy sending her flying back as her aura took the impact of the bullet.
The Faunus quickly exhaled, sliding a foot back as she took aim with both hands, firing another bullet at the younger blonde. This one, being blocked by her wakazakis as rush of water suddenly splashed across her, sending her farther through the air and onto the ground tumbling and soaking wet from head to toe.
Sighing, Sanguine reached up, rubbing her brow a bit before looking over at the officer with an intrigued smile. "You're quite strong for a Vale police officer. It's rather amusing and a nice change of pace. Are you sure you're not a Huntress?" She took a few struts forward.
"Hey, call time out and I'll show you my license." Keegan continued to breath heavily, swallowing thickly as she shifted around her footing.
"Doubtful. Under any other circumstance, possibly." She flashed her teeth with a cock of her head. "But from what I can tell, that little white shadow of your's takes an awful lot of your breath away. I won't give you the time to catch it." She smirked, lunging forward as she connected the hilts of her weapons together to form a two sided blade held in her right hand.
"Damn it..." The dark haired woman hissed, jumping back as she fired her last shot. It striking the blade and halting it in place for a moment as a small shield of hard light formed.
Losing her momentum, she stumbled a bit before regaining her footing as she continued forward, upward slashing with a back hand and using the dagger.
She brought her baton up with it, parrying it up and away from her body before crossing her gun and baton in and x, blocking the saber blade between the two and locking it in place. She gritted her teeth, canine ears twitching as she pushed her body forward.
The blonde stared back at her, smiling a little amused. "It's a shame things have to end like this. I wouldn't mind meeting someone like you again. Though it's doubtful anyone on that pitiful police force is." She grabbed the handle of her dagger, twisting it off in a reverse grip while bringing her hand upward and towards her body. The blade catching the officer's arm.
Keegan hissed, grunting in pain as her aura fizzled slightly at the blow which caused her to drop her gun and thus retreat back from the woman. Grinding her teeth, she went to bash with her baton only to feel a foot collide with her chest, sending her slamming onto her back as her baton fell from her grasp.
Landing on her feet with a quiet and soft sound, Sanguine slowly stepped up the the officer, twirling both blades once with a hushed humming of metal. "I'll admit, you put up one hell of a fight." She stood before her, watching as she crawled onto her hands and knees. Katie groaning as she stepped up beside her mother. Wet hair clinging to her face as she held her arm around her torso.
Heavily gulping, the canine Faunus heavily panted as she looked up at the two women, slowly licking her lips before lowering her head down between her shoulders. Her dog ears lowering as she gritted her teeth and closed her eyes.
Down south, Madder swung his guitar battle axe around, slicing through blast of red that exploded around him. Swinging it around, he slid the strap back across his body, bringing his right arm down with a yellow Dust pick across the cords. A massive rush of electricity bouncing through soundwaves in the air.
Cheyenne ducked down, eyes wide as she rolled behind a hay bale. Sparks dancing across the side of it and burning it. She sharply exhaled, changing the marker on her rifle to air Dust. Quickly standing back up, she took aim over the hay.
He scoffed, switching out the yellow pick for a blue one. "You think Imma just keep slashing at your fireballs...?" He coughed a bit, shaking his head as he strum it against the his strings. A spiral of water heading straight to her.
Smiling, the Faunus squeezed her trigger. "Knew you'd do that! You're not very bright." She muttered, watching her blast hit the water, freezing it instantly. She quickly reached down, changing the lever on her rifle to gravity. She fired, striking the ice as shattered shards flew back at the bandit.
"Oh..." He blinked, tilting his head to the side. He then sighed, inhaling as much as he could before closing his eyes. His shoulders pushed forward a bit before he shoved them back, pushing his chest outwards as he bent his arms. His fingers curling as he gave off a scream. Though, it was far from any sort of normal scream.
A piercing pain shot through Cheyenne's ears as a high pitch sound rung through the air. She could not help but grimace, falling to her knees with her hands over her ears. She cried out back, her voice muffled by the sound of his shrieking. She closed her eyes tight, the shards of ice shaking a bit in place before falling back towards her.
Heavily coughing, Madder stopped, his breathing raspy as he rubbed his throat. Shaking his head, he watched as the ice collided with the hay bale and the girl hiding behind it. He scoffed, quickly sliding a losange into his mouth. Exhaling, he slowly started to walk up towards the shredded mess of hay. "Man... that was too easy..." He stepped around it, not even having the chance to blink before his face met a hard piece of metal.
Grimacing with blood dripping from her left ear, the Faunus trembling a bit as she bashed her rifle up against his head a second time. And then a third time as hard as she could, sending him stumbling back. She took a few shaky breaths, one eye slowly closing and shutting as she caught her breath.
Stumbling, his vision swirled as he held a hand to his head, stabilizing himself. "Oh, shit... that hurt..." He groaned, taking a deep breath as he stood back up straight, his bloodshot eyes narrowing at her. "That really hurt..."
"So did your screaming..." She hissed back, a faint ringing still echoing in her ears. She took a few small steps back, keeping her eyes locked on him. She then blinked, cocking her head to the side as her brows rose and a question mark outlined in red appeared above her head. "Um, you're shoes are untied?"
"I know..." He chuckled softly, not even glancing down at his untied boots. "This way... I know you can't trick me... by saying my shoes are untied... and making me look down... I'm not stupid..."
"Uhhh." She stared at him, dumbfounded for a moment as the question mark above her head grew. She sighed, quickly shaking her head with a soft groan. "Couldn't someone just say your shoes are tied then to make you look?" She held out her hand.
He blinked a few times, glancing upward for a second before quickly looking at his feet. He then groaned, glaring up at her. "Well I already know they're untied...!" He coughed, grabbing a dark blue pick. This time, as he strum his strings, shards of ice shot forward through the waves.
Grinding her teeth, the Faunus swung her rifle around, taking steps back as she struck down each piece of ice. After they were all gone, she exhaled, sliding one foot back as she shifted to her second and larger barrel, firing a very large cyan blast of Dust.
He chuckled a bit, smiling in amusement. "And what's that supposed... to do this time...?" He inhaled, bringing as much air into his lungs as he could, letting out another deadly and high pitched scream at the blast.
As the sound waves roared through the air, she was already preparing herself. She slung her rifle onto her shoulder, dropping to her knees with both eyes clenched shut tight and the palms of her hands over her ears.
As the high pitch noise collided with the Dust blast, a wall of hard light formed, bouncing part of the sound back at the musician as some stretched around the shield, hitting Cheyenne. She grimaced, clenching her eyes shut tighter as she bared her teeth. Not as bad as the first time, but still agonizing enough to cause an ever pounding headache inside her skull followed by a dull ringing in her ears.
"Oh crud." Madder's shoulder's dropped a bit as his eyes widen. He spun around on his heels, crouching down as he shoved his fingers onto his ears. He braced himself, back arching as his shoulders rolled forward. His own sickening cry rushing across him as he grimaced. His body trembling as his ears began to ring.
As the sound faded, she slowly stood up, breathing heavily as she watched him rise to his feet as well. She groaned a bit, shaking her head slightly with a stiff neck before she went to glaring at him. Her hands rubbing her ears. "You know, you're really lucky you weren't the one to chase Kagami! She would be blowing your eardrums out by now!" She shouted, taking a few deep breaths as she straightened her spine.
"Huh...? You mean the other... green headed one...?" He coughed roughly, rubbing his throat with one hand and one of his ears with the other. "Hmm... no... she may have the chief's blood... but she ain't the chief..." He chuckled, his voice sharp and hoarse.
"You're right." The Faunus flashed a smile, catching her breath as she slid her rifle off her shoulder and into her hands. "She's better than all of you." She exhaled, switching back to her main barrel while changing the Dust setting to red once again.
He scoffed quietly, coughing slightly as he pulled a red guitar pick from his pocket. "You wish you were..." He raised his arm, bringing it down across his guitar cords. Vibrations filling the air as fired swirled around them, shooting out forward.
She inhaled softly, taking aim as she fired a red Dust blast. The two fireballs collided, erupting in a mass explosion the shook the ground and singed the the grass blades below. Bursting out between the flames, the two both charged forward, his axe blades locking with her rifle. The impact of the two weapons sending out a shockwave that pushed the remaining flames back and around the two before they slowly fizzled away and vanished.
Madder chuckled a bit, his teeth flashing as he leaned forward. "You know... a rifle isn't a melee weapon... you stupid freak..." He coughed, licking his lips as he pushed harder back on his axe.
"I know." She hissed a bit, grinding her teeth as her feet dug into the ground. "Usually I don't fight assholes hand to hand." She growled, her muscles straining as she held him back.
It was then an eerie screeching sounded off in the distance. Both fighters stopped, pulling back and stepping away from a moment as they looked up. Above the trees, a swarm of Griffon were flying in. The head of the flock shaking its head as it let out another echoing cry.
Smiling, the musician stepped back with his wicked teeth showing. "Well isn't this a predicament..." He began to walk away backwards, sliding his guitar over his back as he stared her down. "You're too much... of a goodie goodie to leave this place... and come after me..." He scoffed, shaking his head as he pulled out another losange. "You weren't even worth killing... with my own hands anyway..." He chuckled, turning around as he headed off into the treeline.
Grinding her teeth, Cheyenne gripped her weapon tight. Watching him run off, she shook her head as she changed the setting on her rifle to ice Dust. "I hope someone rips your larynx out some day!" She shouted, shooting at a Griffon, freezing its wing as it gave off a pained cry, falling into the trees below with a crashing thud.
In the northern part of the industrial district, Thanaton let out a chaotic war cry, slamming her gauntlet into the side of a building. There was a faint shockwave followed by a loud clap as part of the wall came crumbling down beside her. Without a moment's hesitation, she spun around, snatching up a few pieces of debris as she hurled them at the orange haired bandit.
Smirking, Cheng glanced at the burning cigar, swiftly moving his right hand around as his fingers curled. He then held up his left arm, taking aim with his hand canon. Calmly, he fired round after round, striking the objects as they exploded. "Going to need to be quicker than that." He added as he kept shooting, eyes locked on her.
Growling back, she flipped her purple hair back, holding up her gauntlets as she bashed them against his bullets. On impact the burst into small explosions, puffing out in a small ball of fiery red. She took several steps forward as she did so, watching as he took a few quick steps back. "What?! Don't like being up close with who you're fighting?!" She shouted.
"It's definitely not my type of forte." He flicked his right hand again, twirling his gun as he took out the empty magazine, reloading it in a matter of seconds before he retook his aim and began to fire bullets one after another again.
She let out a cry, bashing her gauntlets up against rounds as she tried to make her way closer to him. "Coward!" She shouted, slamming her arms downward to as the last two bullets exploded. "Why don't you face problems head on!?" She coughed a bit, shaking her head as a dull pain began to creep up on her as she reached down, grabbing rubble before hurling it in his direction.
"Because I'm not so chaotic. And not a teenage brat who wants nothing but attention." He shot the debris down mid air, watching them explode in balls of fire. "And I have learned my lesson in trying to do something I'm not very good at." Hearing nothing but a click from his weapon, he dropped down, landing in a low pushup as a couple explosions went off above his head. He quickly shot to his feet, taking a few steps to the side as he reloaded his hand canon. Once again, his right hand twisting momentarily.
Panting softly, Thanaton glanced around as she coughed a bit more. Shaking off the feeling, she blinked a few times as she picked up a much larger piece of debris. Her arms trembling a bit as she seemed to have trouble holding it. "Guess that's where you got those ugly scars on your face, Scarface!" Holding it with both hands, she took a deep breath, her lungs trembling a bit as she heaved it forward as hard as she could with a chaotic cry.
"Oh, these little old things?" He chuckled a bit, shaking his head as his right hand moved swiftly again. "These were from my youth, and my foolish actions back then." Instead of firing at the large chunk rubble hurling towards him, he holstered his gun, sliding one foot back as he crossed his arms and braced himself for impact.
A large explosion then shook the area, shattering the windows surrounding them. Panting heavier, Thanaton smiled to herself as she watched fire consume the place the bandit had been standing. Her smile faded quickly though at the sound of his voice echoing behind the rumble left over from her mass explosion.
"I chose to flirt with the wrong girl. And her brother had enough of it." He stepped out of the flames, his clothes smoking slightly as the fire burning around him faded away and back to the dimly lit area he was standing in. He eyed his cigar, which was still upright and burning. Nearly three fourths of it gone now. "But now I'm stronger. And a much deadlier force than I was back then." He moved his right hand fingers around, closing them into a fist. "And I can have any woman I desire. No backlash." He smirked.
Groaning, she held up her hand, coughing heavily for a moment before inhaling weakly. "Enough of this!" She jumped up into the air, bringing both her arms down with as much force as she could. Her gauntlets colliding with the ground, a massive shockwave pushing Cheng back a few feet as her body was engulfed by a mass explosion of mass proportions.
Everything around the two became unclear, walls tremblings and crumbling as orange and red swirled around and clouded everything. Bursting from the flames as the began to fade away, Thanaton flew from the air, screaming as she brought her arms downward with her.
Breathing sharply, Cheng jumped back just in time, barely dodging the young woman's wrath as she collided with the ground again. He groaned slightly, glancing around to spot his cigar. It had now fallen over and was almost burnt out all the way. "Come on." He mumbled, flicking his right hand again.
"Stop running away and fight!" Breathing heavily, she stumbled forward a bit before dashing towards him as fast as she could. She knew she had the stamina to fight this guy to the bitter end. Yet that didn't stop her from questioning why she was panting so much. But that also didn't stop her from pushing on forward.
"I'll pass." The bandit sighed some, grinding his teeth a little as he lunged to the side, barely missing her yet again. Smiling slightly, he noticed how hard it was to keep up with her breathing. It only made him smile more as he dodged between her blows, watching her get slower and slower and slower.
Seeing his cigar completely burn out, he grinned and jumped back, moving his right hand once more. "Your time is up." He stretched his neck, standing up straight with zero thought towards moving another step backwards.
Panting immensely with her chest and shoulders rising and falling, Thanaton glared at him coldly. "Like hell..." She swallowed heavily, taking a few steps before she started cough terribly. She reached up, her right hand cupping her neck as she stared to have trouble breathing, her head spinning. "What... did you..." She groaned, clenching one eye shut as she coughed more.
Chuckling softly to himself, he slowly started to walk towards her. "I told you. You had till that cigar runs out to live." He pulled out his gun, but instead of holding it by the trigger, he wrapped his hand around the barrel. "And I wasn't lying." He raised his left arm, bringing it down across her face as she collapsed to the ground.
"That wasn't just your ordinary cigar, little lady." He slid a foot back, sending it forward and into her chest as she went tumbling backwards. "It's a carbon cigar. Now, I don't know how smart you are, but I highly doubt you know. Carbon, when it's incompletely burned from lack of oxygen it will form carbon monoxide." He grinned, walking up to her as she tried to rise to her feet.
Watching her try to throw a bunch, he reached up, catching her fist which trembled in his grip. "I can control carbon. More importantly carbon monoxide. It's a tasteless, odorless, toxic chemical that can kill. And I have been slowly feeding it into your lungs this entire time." He gripped her wrist tighter, sending his fist into her stomach. As her body cripple, he held onto her as tight as he could, flipping her over his body and sending her into the ground with a thud.
With her vision blurring, Thanaton tried to take several deep breaths, only to groan as the pain in her head grew worse. Trying to stand, she collapsed back to her knees. She let out an aggravated and pained scream, following by more coughing. She raised her right hand, hitting her gauntlet against the ground. The ground around her cracked, cratering a bit as she hit it again and again. After a few seconds, she let out another quiet cough, falling onto her side and curling up. Breathing heavily and shakily, she glared up at him with one eye shut. Her vision fading.
"What?" Cheng flashed a smile, twirling his gun around as he stood above her. "Is this too much for little Miss Queen Explosion Murder?" He chuckled.
In the residential district of Vale, Kagami slid backwards with her back against the road, grunting softly. Slowing down, she shoved her feet into the ground, pushing herself up and back flipping onto her feet with a soft thud. Without a moment to catch her balance, she spun her sword around, blocking several large bullets as they deflected off with a soft ting as she back up a few steps.
"I'll tell you the same as I tell my daughter." Shinrin glared her down, his voice low yet still filled with power. Holding a pistol in each hand, he began to reload them without so much as glancing down. "You never bring a knife to a gunfight." His eyes narrowed as he raised his arms, squeezing the triggers one after another.
Groaning heavily, she continued to twirling her sword around, doing her best to keep up with him. Though it was hardly enough. In the matter of a second, her eyes trailed a bullet she had missed. Watching as it flew past her head. She felt the breeze rush through her hair as it narrowly missed her. Exhaling, she immediately looked forward again, continuing to spin her weapon. "Good thing I didn't bring a knife! I brought a sword!"
He rolled his eyes, ceasing fire for a moment as he went to reload.
Knowing she only had a second, maybe two, she dashed to the side, quickly bolting towards him preparing for a downward slash.
Locking the two new magazines into place as the empty ones clattered to the ground, the bandit chief kept his eyes locked on her the whole time. He raised his arms, crossing the barrels of his guns as he blocked her blade. His strength easily holding up against hers. "I'll admit. You surely have the fighting spirit of a Monomane."
"I've been told that a lot." She grinded her teeth, feeling her feet sliding back as she pushed harder. The muscles in her arms flexing with each breath she took. Exhaling, she shoved herself back just as he threw his arms down and stepped to the side.
"You know, normally I wouldn't even waste my time with squabble like you." He began to walk around, watching her mimic his actions. He twirled both his pistols before sliding them into his holsters. "Normally I would just let Grimm devour you and leave with what I want. But I'll make an exception here..." He reached down towards his right boot, pulling out a black cyclone triple edged twisted knife. Straightening, he spun it between his fingers before gripping it tightly.
"Thought you prefered your guns over blades?" The jadette raised an eyebrow with a weary smiling, keeping her guard u as she readjusted the grip on her sword.
"This isn't for your blood." He inhaled, his voice echoing as he reached up with the blade and placed it against his left bicep. He flashed a smile, not even hesitating as he slid the blade across his already scarred skin.
Kagami's eyes widened a bit as she took a step back. She watched as a slim red line appeared, blood slowly dripping down from the wound. His veins seemed to pulse heavily for a moment before his already large muscles seemed to grow in size. "What the..." She took a few more steps back.
"I'll let you in on a little secret." Shirin grinned, slicing at his left arm again as his form grew. "Most of these scars aren't from fighting worthless scum. A majority of them are from myself." He switched hands, stepping closer to her as he carved away at his right arm. "All I ever wanted to be when I was a young boy was stronger than everyone around me. To crush all the puny insects of this world. And my semblance let's me do just that." He slowly slid the blade across his shoulder, red swelling up as he grimaced slightly. "The more I make myself bleed and accept the pain, the stronger I get to be!" He raised his foot, stomping down on the road as it cracked.
She scrambled back, stumbling slightly as she felt the aftershock of his foot. Feeling her heart begin to race, she jumped back several times, her breathing shaking slightly as she gulp. Locking eyes with him for a moment, she inhaled and closed her eyes. He was already several times stronger than her and now, who knew how much stronger he was. She heavily swallowed, opening her eyes as the tea green color was a shade darker.
She raised her left arm, quickly placing the edge of her sword against her forearm. But that was it. She froze there. Her breathing echoing quietly in her ears as a cold sweat trailed down the back of her neck. She couldn't do it. Shakily lowering her arms, she glanced up as her eyes widened more.
The bandit chief plowed straight into her, knocking her back as she lost the grip on her weapon. "Coward." He spat, drawing his two handguns. Instead of firing, he waited for the young girl to stand before bashing her against the head with them. "I don't even understand how Jade could lose to someone like you!" He brought his arm down again, knocking her to her knees.
With her head pounding, the jadette's arms trembled slightly as she held on eye shut. Shakily exhaling, she growled faintly as she shot to her feet. Forcing herself to remain standing after another blow, she grabbed his right wrist, sending her foot straight between his legs with as much force as she could. "I don't care how strong you are! All men have the same weakness!"
Feeling his grasp loosen, she twisted the first pistol out of his hand, tossing it to the side as she turned around to grab his left arm. Disarming the second handgun, she stepped back, breathing heavily as she jumped up, bringing her leg around as she struck the side of his head. As she landed on her feet, he gave off a heavy grunt, dropping to one knee. She quickly turned around, eyeing her sword as she bolted for it.
Skidding to a stop next to it, she reached down, centimeters away before a bullet brushed passed, striking the ground. She immediately pulled back, her eyes wide as she glanced over to see Shinrin with his rifle charging at her. She didn't even have time to move before his large body tackled her to the ground, pinning her down.
"I'm going to crush you. Slowly and painfully." He growled, pressing his knees into Kagami's thighs as his hands gripped and nearly crushed her shoulders.
Down the road a ways, Jade while smiling in amusement. In a low crouch, he shook her short hair, pulling out three throwing stars as she rapidly tossed them through the air. Following behind them with a quick dash forward as she drew her Bowie knife.
Jumping up that side stepping to the left, Nihilus dodged as he brought up his Dust blade, locking it with her's. Sparks of electricity flickering as they pushed back against one another.
"You know, you're not half bad either with that katana of yours." She flashed a faint smile to him. "You sure we have to fight like this?"
"Hey, you started it." He muttered, shoving her back as he took a step back.
"No. We didn't." Her eyes narrowed a bit as she pulled out a double edge karambit and held it in her left hand in a reverse grip. "But we're finishing it." Her expression faded as she darted forward, slashing upward with the curved blade as she brought the other knife downward.
Stepping back to avoid the smaller knife, he quickly flipped his handle around, holding it in a reverse grip as he blocked the larger. The Bowie knife grinding against the Dust blade before shattering it. He jumped to the side, dodging and rolling away as he narrowly missed another swipe of the karambit. Crouching down, He reloaded he hilt of his weapon, a blade of red Dust forming instantly as he jumped back up and shot forward.
The green haired woman flashed a smile, blocking the now red blade. "So you can change the type? That's cool. You should do that more." She bared her teeth, smalls burst of energy exploding as their weapons pressed against each other. About to slice upward with her short blade, she blinked, glancing down to see it no longer in her grasp. As she looked back up, she watched as his eyed reverted from gold and back to normal. "What..." She managed to mutter before she was shoved backwards.
Watching as she slid back on her feet, Nihilus tossed the karambit out of his hand and to the side with a faint smirk. He then dashed forward, going for a wide swing, As their blades struck, a small burst of fire went off between them as his bade shattered once again. He turned around, taking a single step back as he turned around, reloading the Dust cartridge as a dark blue blade formed. Keeping his momentum from moving, he continued to spin, slashing again from the right.
Growling quietly, she pulled out a butterfly knife from her left. Almost instantly flipping it open as she blocked the ice katana. This time, the force knocking the smaller blade out of her hand. She quickly brought her Bowie knife down, colliding it with the Dust blade before he had time to pull it back. As it shattered, chunks of ice began to form, encasing her larger knife. She exhaled, taking a single step back. Her amused smile returning to her face.
"You enjoy the thrill of the fight, don't you?" He took a few steps back as well, reloading his handle as an orange blade formed.
"More than you can imagine." She unsheathed a survival knife. The blade itself shining against the moonlight as she tapped her fingers against the tree saw on the back.
Before the two had a chance to go at it again, there was a pained and bloody scream coming from the distance. They both looked over, seeing Kagami pinned down on her stomach with Shinrin's knees digging into her spine, His left hand squeezing her arm as his right pressed her head into the ground.
"Kagami..." Nihilus blinked once, deactivating his Dust blade. A second later, he was gone.
Jade blinked multiple times, her brows furrowing as she glanced around. "How does he do that..." Her eyes darted to her father who seemed just as confused.
Still kneeling, he hadn't even moved a single muscle, yet somehow, the girl below him was now no longer there. "What?"
Panting softly on the side, Nihilus was holding up Kagami though after a moment, he's knees gave out as she caught him. "You okay?" She quietly asked.
"Yeah, yeah." He reassured, taking a few deep breaths as he slowly stood back up on his own. "Just, little too long that time." He exhaled softly, a few strands of white hair suddenly forming.
She gave a quiet sigh, holding her arm around her torso as she gave a faint nod. "Well..." She lowered her head, taking a few deep breaths herself. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." He mumbled, pulling out his handle as he reloaded it with Dust. His signature lightning katana blade forming as he stepped forward.
Growling, Shinrin slowly rose to his feet while pulling out his spiralling dagger. "Take the girl, Jade." He muttered, heavily inhaling as he cut away at his shoulders. His eyes locked on Nihilus as his veins and muscles began to throb.
"Of course." The green haired young woman smiled, twirling the survival knife around in her right hand as she walked up towards her long lost cousin. "Pick up your sword." She smiled a bit, patiently standing there as she waited.
Faintly smirking, Kagami slowly lowered the arm around her chest, walking over to where her sword laid. She reached down, picking it up. "Still like fair fights, huh?"
"Makes it more fun." She flashed her teeth back at her.
"I thought we had a deal, you know." She twirled her sword, lowering her body down as she centered herself.
"I kept my word. We're not raiding Vale." She readied herself, eyes narrowing. "And we're not after you. We're seeking revenge and Vale just happens to be the battleground." She shrugged.
She rolled her eyes back, taking a deep breath. "Same thing."
Dodging between bullets as he ran forward, Nihilus kept his katana behind him, swinging upward towards the large bandit chief. He let out a faint cry, his blade sparking as he swung.
Shinrin jumped back, his feet skidding against the ground as he swung his rifle across his back. He let out a low growl, bringing his right arm back as his fingers curled up into a tight fist. He threw his arm forward with all his strength, stumbling slightly as the young man in front of him vanished into thin air.
His face was then met with a foot as Nihilus' collided with him. He pushed himself off him, jumping back and flipping onto the ground with his katana pointed outward. He's eyes fading to normal for a moment before they flashed gold.
There was suddenly as slash striking the back of the bandit's knees, forcing him to drop to one knee. And almost instantaneously after that, the dark haired time freezer appeared in front of him, eyes gold and panting softly with the hilt of his weapon driving into his solar plexus.
He vanished once again, leaving the green haired man to hunch over, struggling to breath as he shut his eyes. It was then he set a set of feet collide with his back, pushing him forward a little. "That's enough!" He snapped, reaching behind him to grab Nihilus' ankle. Giving off a warrior's cry, he swung him over his body, sending him straight into the road as it cracked.
Gasping heavily, he closed his eyes shut tight as the air was knocked out of him. Clutching onto his katana, his eyes shot open wide as a large hand wrapped around his neck, picking him up off the ground and slamming him into the wall of an apartment building.
Breathing heavily with blood dripping down his arms, Shinrin glared as he tightened the grip around his neck. His fingers digging into his skin. "Enough of your tricks... boy." He heavily exhaled, his muscles flexing.
Grinding his teeth, Nihilus' eyes flashed gold as the world around him lost color. He glanced around, trying to wiggle free to no avail. Groaning, hs eyes reverted back to blue as the world regained its color. With his left hand hold Shinrin's wrist, he slowly raised his right arm which held his katana blade. "You what..." He closed one eyes, twisted the hilt of his weapon as he pressed a button. "...fuck you..." He closed his other eyes, his weapon overheating as the Dust inside became unstable.
A second later, it exploded.
His eyes flashed gold instantly. The bandit chief's hand loose enough to let him slide out. With his head pounding, he stared at the colorless explosion in the making in front of him before scrambling away. He fell to his knees, hands covering his head as a large boom erupted.
Stumbling a bit, Kagami looked over after the explosion, watching as part of the building crumbled away and feel to the ground. "Nihilus!" She shouted.
"Dad!" Jade quickled said after, the two immediately glaring back at each other with tight jaws.
Grinding her teeth, the jadette flashed a smile as she twirled her sword. "Wanna know something?" She asked.
"What?" She hissed, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm actually left handed." She swapped her sword over, panting softly. "I usually don't wield my sword in my dominant hand to make things a little more challenging. And to have it as kind of a back up."
"What... the hell are you talking about?" She stared at her confused.
"I honestly don't know. This isn't my thing." She gave a small shrug. "But it did distract you, right?"
"Wait! Distract me from what?" Her shoulders squared as she pushed out her chest. Her fingers tightly wrapping around the handle of her survival knife.
"From that." She pointed behind her.
Grinding her teeth, she quickly glanced behind while raising her blade only to blink as she saw nothing. "What did..." She quickly turned around, seeing Kagami charging at her. She went to block, only a fraction of a second to slow as Kagami's fist collided with her face, sending her back.
Letting out a huff of air, the jadette quickly placed her sword back in her right hand, turning around on the balls of her feet as she bolted towards the explosion. She skidded to a stop, spotting Nihilus who was unconscious under a pile of debris. She took a deep breath, letting it out quietly as she saw his chest rise and fall. Her eyes then locked on a pile of blood, watching as it slowly trailed into the building. She gulped, slowly stepping inside the apartment building.
In the middle, Shinrin was standing still, his cloak draped over his shoulders. As she slowly walked around him, she spotted a yellow blade sticking out of his stomach. She froze for a moment, her eyes wide.
"Look... what you've done..." He spoke quietly, blood dripping out of his mouth. Multiple wounds stretched all across his body. He grinded his teeth together, staring at the blade as he slowly gripped it with shaky hands. He then closed his eyes, pulling it out with a scream.
"Wait!" Kagami shouted, taking a step forward. Too late, she watched as he threw the blade to the side, glaring back at her as he coughed up blood and snarled.
There was then a small noise that made both of them look over. A small child whimpering in his mother's arms. His father kneeling in front of the two of them with his arms out behind a couch that was turned over on its back.
The bandit chief binked a few times, slowly starting to smile a bloodied grin. He reached behind him, pulling his rifle out. "I'm not the only one dying..." He spat out blood, raising his arm as he snarled.
"No!" She screamed, darting forward. She ducked under his arm, resting his forearm against her neck and left shoulder to hold it in place as he pulled the trigger back, letting out wave of bullets that narrowly missed the family. "Stop this! You don't have to die here! People can help you! You don't need to do this!" She grimaced, his strength cracking the floor at her feet as they sunk into it.
Stumbling a bit as she came to the hole in the building, Jade leaned against the broken debris, eyes narrowing as she heard bullets flying. "Dad..."
Growling quietly, Shinrin spat out more blood. Breathing heavily as his strength rose. "I know I'm dying here... and so are they..." He snarled down at Kagami, keeping his finger on the trigger as his arm started to move.
"I said stop!" She demanded, holding her sword in a reverse grip with the edge placed against his neck. "Right now!" She winced, the floor breaking away more at her feet as her knees started to give in.
"You'll have to make me..." He coughed, his arm muscles flexing as he flashed his teeth which were now stained in red. "Or can you hold me back till I run out of bullets..."
Breathing heavily, Kagami's body began to shake under his shear force. She swallowed thickly, glancing back only for a second. The family was cowering in fear with bullets flying just over their heads. They were the innocent that needed protected. Protection given from Huntsmen and Huntresses. She inhaled slowly, her eyes narrowing up at Shinrin. But rather being filled with hatred and anger, they were filled with remorse.
Closing her eyes, she softly exhaled as she wrapped her fingers around the hilt of her sword, pressing it harder against his neck as she quickly slid the blade downward.
So, *stretches arms* Hey. *winks and smiles*
Alright, on a serious note. We all know what today is, and I know I'm posting this a little late at night, but that doesn't mean you can't do something tomorrow. I remember way back when The Monty Oum Project first became a thing the community decided to create. And it feels like centuries ago. But every year it always sticks with me. Anyway, for you lovely folks who don't know what The Monty Oum Project is, basically, instead of being sad and depressed and mopey, you get out there and do something today, tomorrow, next week, hell everyday if you want. You just do something. Anything that challenges you or gets you out of your comfort zone. Get up and do it. It can be anything ranging from writing every single day for a week to create a 10K word chapter even though you know it will still have spelling and grammar mistakes even though you haven't done that in months to taking up a new hobbies you've always wanted to, to try drawing or painting or 3D art or ceramics, finally start reading that book series you wanted to, watch that one series, call someone you haven't talk to in years, try dancing (Casey Lee Williams posted a little clip on her Instagram of her dancing even though it's out of her comfort zone bless you bae), literally just do anything. Anything. Just as long as it pushes you forward in life. "We all die. The goal isn't to live forever. The Goal is to create something that will." -Monty Oum
I never got to meet him, much like Stan Lee, Adam West, Neil Armstrong, and Stephen Hawking, (yes I'm a nerd I know) but knowing someone like him even existed is one of the greatest things ever. To be able to do even a fraction of what he's done some day would be amazing. You don't get many heroes to look up to in rea life, but Monty Oum is definitely one of them. There are very few great and wonderful and inspiring men in this world, and he is one of them. The amount he inspires me and pushes me is amazing. And he never even knew I existed. I may not have ever got to know him personally, but I will never forget him. And I am going to keep moving forward. And I hope all of you will too.
Do not hesitate, guys. Just do whatever it is.
Do not hesitate.