estoria | [02] [Open] ♚ All Aboard the Pain Train

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[02] [Open] ♚ All Aboard the Pain Train

Who:

capforthat, and YOU. Open to fighters or spectators!
When: Backdated to 1/22 (6/17)
Where: CERES Gardens
What: Immediately following this network post where Vegeta called out to fellow fighters.
Rating/Warning: Fighting, likely to contain violence, blood, and foul language
Important Note: Do not feel obligated to reply! I am more than happy to handwave any fights between characters. But if you do want to proceed, feel free to get in touch with me so we can talk things out. I am not completely familiar with all of the characters in the game and their various abilities, so I'd love to hear from you before we jump into things. You can contact me through any of these ways.

Option A. ROUND 1--FIGHT

[Vegeta was waiting.

The Saiyan was hovering above the gardens, about ten feet or so off of the ground, arms crossed over his muscled chest and his expression as stone-faced as ever. The anticipation for battle was beginning to tingle up his spine, but the man remained quiet and calm.

It wouldn't be too much longer.]

Option B. No fighting in the bleachers

[...or benches, more accurately. Bulma was seated on a bench with her hands cupped around a hot drink. Her eyes followed the fighting with keen interest, excitement even, and apparently without concern. She was confident that today's matches would be, if not fair (how could they be when a Saiyan was involved?), at least honorable.

Abruptly, she leaped to her feet and cupped a hand around her mouth to shout,] WOOHOO! GO GET'EM HONEY! KICK HIS FACE IN!!

Option C. Wildcard.

[Go nuts! If you'd like to start threads between other characters or try to brawl with some of the other fighters showing up, go for it!]

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[ridiculous muscles are nothing, Zoro's are showing since he never bothers to button his shirt. He scowls at the taunt, not because it actually hurts (it doesn't) but because a combination of taunting and flying out of his range speak of someone weaker than him, who can't handle his swordsmanship.]

If it'll make you feel better I'll blindfold the other eye so I can't see you at all, how about that?

[equal confidence bordering on arrogance. But that does bring up an idea, so for a moment Zoro turns his haki on his opponent, feeling out just how strong he could be.

The sensation slaps him hard enough to make his good eye widen in shock. Holy shit...what power...! For a moment he can't even move, but then he shakes himself alert and drops a hand to swiftly pull the third sword at his side, putting it between his teeth. He brushes off the unsettling feeling and grins around the hilt]

I can see this is going to be worth my time.

[let's see just how fast this guy is...Zoro springs from his place in a blink, not even bothering with low-level testing swings. Straight into an Oni Giri, crossing two swords over the third and diving through the path so that the impact of the three blades would - should - hit Vegeta dead center if he doesn't dodge.]

[You haven't even seen my final form!!!!!1

Vegeta's smirk sharpens at Zoro's appropriate reaction to his base power level, that absurb overconfidence of the prince's shooting up to record levels as the other man takes his battle stance and prepares for this fight.

True to his word, the Saiyan stands still before Zoro, arms still crossed all too casually over his chest, that twisting sneer at his lips the only thing keeping the boredom from his expression. He's watching the other man go through the motions, of course, but he's really trying to make a point of how inferior he is too.

What a swell guy, that trash Saiyan prince.]

[And then Zoro attacks.

It's not the strength of the blow--that Vegeta arrogantly takes dead center, like the idiot he is--that catches the Saiyan offguard, but that speed. The blow clashes down on him, sending the man reeling back and instictually throwing up his arms to defend himself.

Okay, okay. Maybe this guy isn't just another Yamcha of the world. Not strong enough to stand a chance--as if anyone could actually beat him--but a better opponent than Vegeta would have originally thought.

Once the initial shock wears away, the prince's face is all silent determination, that smirk long since wiped away by Zoro's display. Where his tone had been so obnoxiously cocky before, now Vegeta's voice is all a gravelly rumble.]

My turn. [Without wasting another minute, his body twisted, a leg coming up from the ground, aiming to kick the human in the face.]

[Zoro has spent enough time roughhousing with Sanji (or well maybe trying to genuinely kick his shitty ass) that he knows well how to anticipate a kick. But rather than dodge, he twists in place and lunges to block, taking the hit against all three swords crossed together.

For a moment the blades tremble, as his muscles strain against the power of that kick, and then he pushes off, not so much cutting anything as shoving himself backwards, his boots tearing up long lines the grass. Fighting against kenpo or any other hand-to-hand style is not an issue for him, but he can already feel that he's going to have to go all out even with his blades. Zoro digs his heels in and pushes off again, rushing for Vegeta and trying to stay in close, starting a sequence of slashes with each sword, one-two-three. Don't ask how he manages with the one in his mouth, he just does. He wants to keep up a rhythm, and see just what's hiding behind that aura.]

[Destruction of their environment is pretty much a huge part of how Saiyan's fight, so even as the peaceful terrain of the garden is being uprooted and ripped apart, Vegeta doesn't give his opponent a second to breathe, blocking his incoming attacks with graceful ease and still managing to throw out a handful of punches and kicks of his own.

Even overpowered, Zoro manages to keep the Saiyan's on his toes with his interest piqued. He doesn't quite understand why the third sword is at all necessary (or effective when it's grit between his teeth), but the human is surprisingly skilled at wielding his weapon.

In the midst of the clash of limbs and blades, Vegeta throws out an arm and aims a (small, mostly harmless) blast of energy at the man's feet, hoping to catch him off guard enough for his knee to find it's way into the other's stomach.]

[As he presses the attack, Zoro senses a hitch in the rhythm and knows something else is coming, but what definitely surprises him. He jerks back just enough that he can use the backward momentum to absorb some of the power of that blow. It still knocks him back again, clearing space between them.

Gotta step it up he curses himself, and twists to cross the two swords in his hands perpendicular to the one in his teeth, all the energy bunching in his arms and back before he whips the blades forward, lunging as he does. The Ul-Tora Gari doesn't need him to make contact as he brings the force of the cut downward sharply, the rush of cutting air is enough, but the blades themselves will be right behind it to double the slash.]

[Vegeta was swifter than anyone his size had any right to be, but even with that incredible speed on his side, the man barely threw up his hands in time to block the incoming double slash of Zoro's swords, the sheer force of that cutting air enough to send the shorter figure backwards, struggling against an unseen force.

Apparently this opponent had more than just normal swordplay on his side.

There's a few inches of distance between the pair when the figurative dust of their fight settles, Vegeta reaching up to wipe the slightest trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, a smirk curling there once his hand falls back to his side.] Is that all you've got or should I end this now?

Heh...I'm just getting warmed up.

[though he's already pulling out the big moves, there's still plenty more in Zoro's arsenal. He takes advantage of the moment's pause to yank the bandanna off his left arm and tie it over his head. Vegeta may not know what it means for him to go to that step, it's his own battle ritual.]

You want me to go all out, then?

[as he straightens his arms out and flicks the swords out to each side, there's a ripple of darkness down the blades. Shuusui is already black, but now Kitetsu matches it, turning black all the way down to his fist. It may be showing off, or it may be just preparing for all that power he can feel still waiting behind the proverbial dam.]

[This is exactly what Vegeta wanted.

The new show of strange power was flashy, the anticipation of a real challenge burning straight up through in the Saiyan's body. No matter how silly it may have sounded to those who scoffed at his heritage, craving conflict was in his blood, deeply ingrained into all Saiyans from birth. They were an aggressive, warrior race and the need to fight came as naturally as breathing.

Ever since arriving to Cerealia, since being informed of his son's death and how there was so little he could do but sit and wait, this was exactly what Vegeta had needed to clear his head and put his priorities in order.

Normal people would have talked out their feelings, but Vegeta had always been anything but normal.]

There it is! Finally! [The man shifts, feet spread apart and knees bent, ready to fight.] I'll give you thirty seconds. If you can't finish this in that time, I will put you down.

[Don't worry, Vegeta, there will be no talking about feelings with Zoro. Just fighting. He grins rather bloodthirsty-like around the hilt in his teeth, his whole stance shifting, shoulders lowering.]

If I can't finish this in thirty seconds, I'd deserve it.

[completely covering his doubts. He's not sure what'll finish this guy, though the trickle of blood earlier was a positive sign - it means he's not impervious. Anyone who can take damage can be defeated. What Zoro doubts is the growing concern that whatever this guy's got, it's bigger than a Logia Devil Fruit, meaning it'll take a lot more than just Armament haki to be able to cut him a second time.

He doesn't waste a single one of those seconds, kicking off and darting in again. He needs to wind up to his biggest move in order to put more strength and momentum behind it. The haki coating his swords and his own arms down past the wrists keeps them from breaking, and protects him to a point, but he's not using it to cover his vitals at all. Just his swords, which he swings in more of those short strikes in preparation for one last, big shot, the biggest thing in his arsenal to date. Ul-Tora Gari beheaded a dragon and it only just barely cut this opponent. There's no telling whether Sanzen Daisen Sekai will be effective, all he can do is put all his strength and will behind it and let it happen.

Once his physical momentum builds to a head, Zoro throws in a quick Crossing the Sixth Paths, spinning himself to throw six literally-simultaneous slashes at Vegeta, and then slams his feet to plant himself for the last rush. The swords his his fists spin in a blur before he springs, crossing them over the Wadou Ichimonji in his teeth to allow all three to just. Keep. Cutting. Slashes everywhere, from all sides. He doesn't stop until he's a few feet beyond his opponent, breathing hard and feeling the burn of exertion in his arms. Such a good feeling. But did it even do anything?]

[Who knew that thirty seconds could stretch on for so long?

From his fighting stance, Vegeta switches completely to staying on the defensive, arms raised to block as the man weaved back and forth, avoiding as many slashes of Zoro's rapidly spinning blades as possible. Even with his natural speed, there were only so many blows that he could completely avoid, especially when those six simultaneous slashes were flying his way.

It was impressive to see someone wield a sword so effortlessly, with such exact precision and controlled strength that it managed to not be entirely ineffective against an elite Saiyan warrior like himself. Most of the attacks bounced rather easily off of his skin--bullets did the same, as his wife knew too well--but there were some that hit and cut, droplets of dark blood trailing down Vegeta's arms, jagged tears forming in that blue battlesuit of his.

Sweat was beading at his brow, but still Vegeta's arms were a blur of motion against Zoro, deflecting attack after attack, somewhat awed by this fighter's spirit until the grand finale of an attack seemed to be at it's end.

He was bleeding and having some difficulty in catching his breath after that eventful show, but still the Saiyan stood strong and proud, unbeaten though clearly not completely as invincible as he believed.]

Well, well. Your time is up.

[Well, shit.

Zoro is not entirely surprised to hear that voice, and glances over his shoulder to see what he did manage to do. Hm, not bad. But clearly, there's something this guy has that no other opponent he's faced has ever thrown at him. To just stand there and take his hits and then shrug it off like it's nothing? Most hand-to-hand fighters avoid being cut. This guy's insane...

But also powerful. And that's something Zoro can't ignore.

He straightens up and turns fully around, lowering his shoulders and pointing the tips of his swords at the ground.]

That was the deal. Guess I get to see what you can do, now. Just do me one favor. [he lifts one hand, still with the sword, and thumbs behind him] No scars on the back. I got room on the front for a few more.

[No one would ever argue in favor of Vegeta's sanity, not with the way he so recklessly threw himself into fights without a chance of winning. For a man who prided himself on his legendary strength and brilliant strategical mind on the battlefield, he really did run straight off into trouble without thinking far too often.

Vegeta smirks at that, turning his head to meet eyes with the blue-haired woman sitting on the stands--a silent reassurance that he knew what he was doing and she shouldn't start harping at him to stop--before his gaze returns to Zoro, that trail of blood still dripping from his chin.]

Granted.

[And then the man was engulfed in golden light.

Vegeta has always taken satisfaction in overdramatic displays during battle. As easy as it might be to finish off your foe with one final punch to the gut, wasn't it just so much more satisfying taking five minutes to give a grand speech before that final hit? Or to take a quick beating before powering up to your real strength and utterly flattening your foe?

If Vegeta already was assured he was going to win this fight, why not prove to Zoro just how great a power gap lay between them?

Golden light surrounded the Saiyan, the earth beneath his feet cracking and crumbling, his ki rising steadily upwards. His upswept hair went yellow, the muscles in his body tensing under the strain of energy that crashed over his body. And then he was coming straight for the other man.

There were no ki blasts, no flashy named techniques. Just fists and feet, colliding with incredible speed and strength against Zoro's body. Vegeta was completely brutal in his relentless attack, but not deadly. He had no intentions of killing anyone today.]

[the unexpected change in appearance was nothing compared to the way that aura of power pressed against Zoro's haki, it almost knocked him back by itself. He'd stood near Luffy and felt the burst of his Conqueror's Haki like a gentle breeze brushing his senses - this was like a hundred Conquerors all at once. In the half-second before Vegeta came at him, Zoro tensed and flicked the swords back up, instinct driving him to defend himself at least a little bit. He agreed to fight to the end, after all, not to take a step backwards.

Never take a step backwards. Always forward, even into death.

Only the shred of Armament haki coating his swords kept them from breaking under the hailstorm of blows, and even then, his block was completely ineffective. Vegeta was fast, he could tell that if he genuinely attempted to block every hit, he'd be exhausted in no time. Head down, eye focused, he held his ground as long as he could, though the pummeling was clearly taking its toll, forcing him back, his heels sinking into the grass and then the dirt, his knees bending from the strain of holding him up. He couldn't even find an opening through which to counter if he had wanted to. All he could do was stand with arms crossed, maintaining that pointless block, while the never-ending parade of hits found their mark across his shoulders, arms, flanks, and legs. And yet, he grinned savagely around the hilt in his mouth. Looks like I still have a way to go, he reminded himself while he was still conscious.

There wasn't anything dignified and noble about the way he finally went down, he just took the wrong kick right in the gut and went flying through the trees, smashing through at least three before finally skidding to a stop in the dirt and shrubbery. It might have looked like the kind of hit he had gotten up from countless times before, but it wasn't. There was too much strength behind it, Zoro was down for real. Battered and dirty, his shirt shredded, and only clinging to consciousness by a thread.]

[And that was that.

The golden aura dissipates, Vegeta's rapid movements finally coming to a stop once Zoro fell, the fight finally leaving the two of them.

Despite Vegeta's stone-faced expression, he couldn't help the tiniest twinge of concern that he may have taken this just a step too far. Zoro was, regardless of his incredible skill, just a breakable human, one who would have to take a good deal of time recovering from these injuries. But the feeling retreats quickly enough, the Saiyan giving his opponent a glare. When he spoke again, he didn’t sound so amused anymore.]

Pity.

[Time for the next opponent. Hopefully someone would take pity on Zoro and at least get him out of the gardens before nightfall.]

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[02] [Open] ♚ All Aboard the Pain Train

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