The Championship Bout (Mandatory Thread)

[Rising Dragon]

"ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE!?"

The cry within the hallowed walls of the Colosseum was deafening as the announcer spoke, his voice amplified and broadcast through the entire dome through the advanced speaker system and the colossal monitors suspended over the ring and around the seats, energizing the crowd that gathered. Day after day, the sounds of steel clashing together, of angry shouts and pained cries, echoed within the gigantic arena that was Ymaggion's greatest battleground. Today would be no different: now was yet another clash, the sounds that would hail a new champion unequal to any other.

"WELCOME TO THE COLOSSEUM GAMES! EVERYONE, ASK YOURSELF: ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH, HERO ENOUGH, INSANE ENOUGH TO STEP INTO THE RING WITH YMAGGION'S GREATEST WARRIORS!?"

The roar was impossible to decipher. Thousands of people were crying at once, answering the announcer and demanding the carnage to unfold in the ring for their own entertainment.

"IF YOUR ANSWER IS 'YES', THEN YOU'RE A BIG FAT LIAR!"

More howls and bursts of laughter erupted through the stands as the announcer demonstrated his point: images and clips of great battles flashed across the screens, as a warrior in silver-blue armor raged across the arena against a god of fire, the flames of hell scouring the field. A man with the wings of a dragon clashed his spear against the giant blade of another whose armor blazed with gigantic wings of light, snarling at one another as electricity cut through the air from their clashing weapons. A deity in shining armor was struck away by a gigantic mechanical man clad in blue and red metal. A grim reaper in black armor and carrying a gigantic scythe blasted across the ring, his blade flashing down at the very leader of the Colosseum, even as his twin Gunblades flew up to strike.

No, no one in their right mind would dare step foot into the ring with these monsters.

"BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE WE'RE BRINGING THE GAMES TO YOU! TODAY WE BEGIN ONCE AGAIN OUR GREATEST CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT! THE GREATEST FIGHTERS ON THE PLANET ARE HERE TODAY TO MAIM AND DECIMATE EACH OTHER FOR THE TITLE OF THE MASTER OF THE ARENA, ALL FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR AMUSEMENT!"

Upon the top of the circular wall keeping the people from the ring itself, white light spun around the perimeter and flashed, causing hundreds of hexagonal plates of light to flash into existence, forming a protective barrier around the spectators. The inner ring shook as the battlefield was set; causing a rocky floor to manifest within, broken up by a number of a gray, circular panels set into it. Circles of light erupted at the far ends of the arena, shining as they expanded and charged a teleportation sequence.

"SO LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED! TODAY'S FIRST VICTIMS--OOPS! I MEAN, CONTESTANTS HAVE ARRIVED!"

A horn blared through the Colosseum, calling people's attention to the monitors as the names of the first two combatants appeared on the screen in bright, bold letters.

[[MICHAEL SAINT VERSUS SHIFTER]]

[steinerman]

Michael blinked as the massive doors ahead of him opened, his memory of how he came to this place was foggy. drugs, most likely, he thought grimly.

But he recognized the look of the Colosseum, heard the roar of the crowd, hungry for blood, most likely his blood. He still wore his full armor, and looked to the world like a Crusader of old, reborn.

He trudged slowly out to the middle of the ring, heard the crowds roar approval again, and shook his head sadly. What childish fools they are.
Without aplomb, he unsheathed Amoracchius, the broadsword shining brilliantly in the day's sunlight.

Come what may, I am a knight of the blade, I have a sworn duty to harm no innocent, he thought resolutely, If I can, I'll not kill my opponent. He realized though, that his opponent might not be so courteous in return.

He stood there, armor and sword shining brilliantly like a star in the mid-day sun. Waiting for his opponent to appear.

[Rising Dragon]

(OOC: Killing blows are okay in the Colosseum; safeguards are in place to prevent actual death.)

"HAILING FROM THE EARTH REALM OF AMERICA, WE HAVE THE FORGE MASTER! HE'S A SELF-EMPLOYED METALSMITH WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND THE HEAVEN'S FORGE BEFORE THE ANGELS COULD! GIVE IT UP FOR MIIIIICHAAEEL SAAAIIIINT!"

The barrier of the arena was buffeted at all sides by the ensuing roar from the crowd as they cheered for the first contestant. Within the arena, at the opposite side of the ring, the second contestant appeared within the teleportation ring.

Shifter's colorful outfit contrasted sharply with the white and silver armor that covered Michael's frame. He lifted a hand over his head, blinking as the sudden light struck his eyes. Man, these people are loud, he thought as the crowd became a dull roar in his ears.

Actually, he was surprised he was even able to enter the tournament. He hadn't thought he had gained eligibility yet. And he was put into the first match, even!

"AND HAILING FROM THE EARTH REALM OF ENGLAND, WE HAVE... THIS GUY!" came the voice of the announcer, causing Shifter to nearly fall over. Anonymity was murder.

"HE'S A RELATIVELY NEW PLAYER LOOKING TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF WITH HIS SPACE-SHIFTING POWER!" the announcer leered. "DOES HE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE THE CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT!?"

Taking a quick glance at the knight ahead of him, Shifter rolled his eyes at the statement. They certainly didn't plan on making it easy for him, he thought as he drew the katana off his back. It'd figure he'd have a slicing weapon and go up against an opponent with armor suited to stop cuts. He gestured with the weapon, slashing it in the air with one hand while he pumped his fist in the air in front of him. "Bring it on!"

The horn blared again, signaling the start of the first round.

"LET'S GET IT ON!"

[steinerman]

Michael nearly stopped in shock at the colorfully-dressed opponent, bearing a Katana no less. While he had the utmost respect for the weapon, he realized quickly that he held a hefty advantage due to his armor.

I seriously doubt they'd send me up against an untrained boy though, He heard Shifter cry a challenge, and silently raised his blade in return.

Michael sped into a steady trot, quickly crossing the distance to his opponent. Mentally preparing himself for the fight ahead.

"Very well, young one, Defend yourself!" He shouted as he grew closer, bringing Amoracchius up in preparation for a downward swing.

[Rising Dragon]

Shifter charged forward to meet his opponent head-on, crossing the distance faster than Michael could, seeing how he was unencumbered by armor. He cleared the distance with a leap, slashing out with his sword and parrying his opponent's blade before landing.

Shifter threw himself to the side as he did, rolling and bringing up his blade to bear. He doubt he could hurt this guy, but he knew he could tire him out by being faster than him.

[steinerman]

Michael spun cumbersomely and struck out again, realizing Shifter's movements were meant to tire him, and a tired warrior was a dead warrior.

He grunted and lashed out with his sword, simply to keep Shifter occupied, rather than a true blow.

So...that's the game you wish to play? He nodded to himself, this was going to be interesting.

[Rising Dragon]

"Yah!"

Shifter backpedaled away from Michael's counterattack, bringing his blade back up to bear. He spun it into a two-hand grip and darted in, making quick, serpentine cuts with his sword, trying to find an opening in the man's armor.

[steinerman]

Michael blocked the two-handed blow, grunting slightly as he did so. He then attempted to simply bowl his opponent over, hoping to send Shifter sprawling by dent of sheer bulk and weight.

[Rising Dragon]

Oh, crap, that's gonna hurt, Shifter realized instantly, recognizing Michael's tactic.

"Ahh!"

There with a sound of air filling a sudden vacuum as Shifter disappeared, reddish black smoke and dark matter bursting as he Space-Shifted out of danger. There with another sound and burst of smoke as Shifter careened out, attacking from Michael's left side using a heavy, two-handed swing of his blade.

"OH HO! LOOKS LIKE WE GOT A TRICKY ONE ON THE FIELD TODAY, FOLKS!" the commentator bellowed.

[steinerman]

Michael stopped and stared for a moment, but yes, his opponent had just telaported. Well...things just got a lot harder. He thought sourly. He spun with all his speed and struck out with a one handing swing, testing his opponent's reaction time, which seemed to be faster than usual.

[Rising Dragon]

Shifter looked shocked as Michael's sword crashed against his katana, causing sparks to fly as his arm was knocked aside. He blocked it? he thought in surprise, He actually managed to block it!?

He Space-Shifted again, disappearing from a possible counterattack, knowing he'd need to be a bit more creative for this fight. He appeared at another angle--up above--and plummeted down, slashing hard at Michael's shoulder.

[steinerman]

OOC: Ah crap. Forgot about that swing.


Michael froze again as Shifter disappeared from sight. He heard the whistling of air too late, and felt the heavy blow to his shoulder. He grunted and dropped to one knee, then lashed out with his mailed fist, hoping the shock of the downwards blow had stunned Shifter half as much as it had Michael.

[Rising Dragon]

Shifter managed to bring a sleeved arm up to ward off Michael's counterattack, and there was a muffled sound of metal hitting padded flesh as the gauntlet collided with Shifter's arm.

The attack knocked him back, as Michael had easily been able to put quite a bit of force behind it, and the boy could feel it beginning to bruise. Figuratively speaking, of course; the injury wouldn't translate into real life over the game. Pushing himself back up, Shifter threw himself at Michael again, slashing repeatedly with his katana.

[steinerman]

Michael blocked the first two of Shifter's slashes, then felt the third make a steely scream across his breastplate as it came into contact with the metal. He slapped away the fourth blow and then stepped forward in one violent movement, loosing a flurry of light jabs meant more to annoy than to actually damage.