The Duel's Rebirth

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▼ Fighting Tournament

 

Who: Tournament Fighters and those who wish to watch them.
Where: Aries Arena & Televised
When: 22nd of March!
Summary: Let's bring back hope to the people...by beating the crap out of each other!
Warnings: D-D-DUELS!

▼ And now, back to you, Jay!

 

It wasn't the excitement of the Grand Prix that had occurred a year ago in January. Even if it had been over a year, it was something that most citizens would never forget.

But hope, it seemed, could never truly die. And so with the stadium finally rebuilt… and improved, came the question of when a new tournament should be organized. The answer: as soon as possible.

With most of its champions out of commission, and last year's winner dead… it fell to the Visitors to help with this monumental task.

Last minute preparations, and whispers of the Grand Prix happening this year had driven up the city into high spirits. For the ten warriors involved, it was quite a load on their shoulders. Five matches. Not a true Grand Prix, it was announced, but rather a demonstration, to get people excited again before it became a quarterly event as before.

What can they say? The show must go on. And the ratings must be high. Tonight depended on the Visitors. As did the security.

The entire place was filled with cheering spectators, surprisingly for a last-minute venue and the risks of last year repeating themselves. The time to get in had taken longer; now there was much more security walking around, a grim reminder of what had to be changed.

For those who couldn't attend the sold out event, the usual channels promised to stream the entire event life. Pay-per-view had extra side shows and cameras, interviews of normal civilians and asking them who they thought would win. Pubs were filled with rowdy after-work men and women passing sake around and drinking towards the future winners.

Gambling wasn't allowed… publicly. So naturally, it flourished underground. A few visitors were well known, but the newcomers faced lower odds; which meant a bigger payout should they win.

From their viewing box above the entire stadium, "Jay Queen" and "Bob Sternhammer", the two ringside announcers, excitedly begin the pre-game talk.

After all that's happened, what an amazing crowd today Jay! You can feel and hear the energy coming right off of 'em!"

"A stadium of ten thousand filled to the brim! The tickets were announced just a few days ago and looked at the thing, everyone's scrambling to be able to make it tonight!"

"Tonight's matches are sure to be interesting! Ten Visitors, along with a few usuals from last year warming up. This may not be a Grand Prix, but the crowd sure is actin' like it is."

"Can't blame 'em! Hinoto-Ri's future is looking better than ever, and this just proves we won't take this lyin' down. Now for those unlucky souls watching at home, we're gonna remind you of the few ground rules."

"Tonight's matches are primarily Visitors. Ten fighters, Five battles. Different skill levels. Seaside Dragoon, the new Arena chairman, is overseeing the entire affair himself."

"Names are drawn based on known skill. Randomization is under the supervision of the Hinoto-Ri Lotto Society."

"Contestants pick their own Evoker ten minutes before the duel, and are asked to fire a blank shot in the air to ensure security before it is scanned. Contestants then are brought into their isolation zones and are kept there until they are ready to be brought up to the ring."

"Turns are taken, each allowed only one command from their Personas, and one attack from a weapon of their choosing. Because this is a Visitor match, this weapon attack may be switched to a 'native' skill."

"Spells and items they had before coming to Hinoto-Ri basically! I've heard of things like Pocket Monsters myself..."

"As usual, Instant Death Spells are forbidden. You may not kill your opponent. If your opponent is knocked unconscious, they have ten seconds to get up. You are only allowed to attack your opponent’s Persona, even with your weapons and skills."

Someone walked the center of the stage, as the crowd began to scream.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Last year's Grand Prix was a dark moment in our history. Instead of the national anthem this year, we have decided on a moment of silence for the victims, including last year's champion please..."

The feed went silent for a minute, panning to various crowd members. Everyone stood up. Some had closed eyes, others were crying.

Once the minute was done, the announcer blew a kiss towards the sky. The crowd followed his movement.

"AND NOW! THE MAIN EVENT!"

The sudden shouts shook the stadium, becoming louder and louder.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE HINOTO-RI ARENA TOURNAMENT IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE OTHERWORLDERS! A SERIES OF BATTLES WITH STRICT SET OF RULES TO SHOWCASE THE AMAZING ABILITIES OF HINOTO-RI'S HEROES!"

Dramatically, the announcer leaned in closer, raising his hand as the crowd's enthusiasm broke into an even louder frenzy.

The crowed cheered, as a series of fireworks and music tore off into the sky.

"This is the start of a new era, Jay I can feel it!"

"I've never felt this much excitement before. Here's hoping that tonight's fighters are gonna give it their all! This is Bob and Jay live from the Otherworld Tournament!"

Comments

Persona Skill: Volt Carnage | Personal Skill: Veil of Mist | Weapon: Physical

[bakegarasu]

Yatagarasu reels back, but Otoha doesn't seem phased by the attack. He knows that he's taking damage but it's not significant enough to start slowing him down. That said, he's got to start picking them off. Multiple targets are easy enough to deal with when he can attack them, but the rules say he's only allowed to hit her Persona, which is a problem. He switches again, Itzpalt appearing once more as he drops into an attack stance.

"Volt Carnage." The Persona, boosted by the Mind Charge, unleashes a blistering series of electrical strikes at Cheehooit. Otoha, on the other hand, disappears in a puff of smoke. The seconds tick past.

One... two... three... four.

He appears again behind the group, leaping into the air to deliver a strong strike to the other's Persona.

Weapon: Physical

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha staggers a little as Chehooit takes the blow, Arthur doing a series of acrobatic backflips to reach the far wall as Scorpina starts gliding in circles above. As she steadies herself, bringing her staff around, she flashes a grin at Otoha.

"C'mon, lighten up!"

With that, she dashes in, launching a one-two-three strike at Itzpalt as she continues to talk, her tone of voice friendly.

"Stop looking so dour, huh? Have some fun with this!"

[bakegarasu]

Itzpalt takes the strikes, but Otoha really doesn't seem to care much, even as he staggers. He looks more annoyed than anything else. Well that's something he should have taken into account.

"If I didn't enjoy doing this I wouldn't have signed up." He just gets competitive about it, shh.

[unbroken_chain]

"If you're doing something you enjoy, isn't it better to be smiling?"

Since he bothered to answer her, Kotoha will just hold off on attacking and instead circle him warily, holding her staff defensively.

Weapon: Physical

[bakegarasu]

"Because I still take it seriously." Back to Yatagarasu, then. He considers for a moment and then makes a rush for Cheehooit, a slight smirk tugging at his face. He can't deny that the addition of the crowd makes this even better.

PERSONA SKILL: Scald | Weapon: Physical + Large Water

[unbroken_chain]

"Scald!"

As Kotoha invokes the technique, streamers of water start running over her body and weapon like thick blue cables. Ignoring defense, she strikes directly at Yatagarasu, sprays of water gushing out from the impact like poorly-censored jets of blood.

Persona Skill: Eiha | Weapon: Physical

[bakegarasu]

The great bird screeches, looming up and around Otoha like a cloak. It doesn't seem to be ready to surrender at all, or even entertain the thought. He twirls his sword around his hand, before grabbing it firmly and pointing at Kotoha's persona.

"Eiha."

Yatagarasu rears back and fires a ball of light out of its mouth. Otoha watches it fly towards Chehooit, before jumping to add an attack, himself.

Persona Skill: Sandstorm | Weapon: Physical

[unbroken_chain]

As the ball of light impacts against Chehooit, the streams of water surrounding Kotoha collapse in a single massive spray. Undaunted, she preps a new spell.

"Sandstorm!"

As Kotoha calls for the spell, the reclining figure of Chehooit rises from her worldthrone, a mass of swirling sand growing between her hands before she fires it out in a great beam as Kotoha swings her staff like a baseball bat.

[WEAKNESS HIT!] | Persona Switch: Itzpalt of Element

[bakegarasu]

Yatagarasu shrieks, curling around Otoha protectively. The man staggers, dropping to a knee for a moment while his mind tries to catch up to what just happened. Right. Weaknesses. Maybe he should switch - but then she'd just hit the other Persona and do the same thing.

He pulls himself up, holding his sword defensively. He needs to start hitting harder. Fine. He switches to Itzpalt again, Yatagarasu dissipating into the air around him. It'll take him a moment to attack again.

Weapon: Physical

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha carefully notes the weakness for that laser-eyed bird Persona and starts spinning her staff as she prepares to rush in. Overhead, Scorpina has stopped gliding in circles and landed next to Arthur, the two Pokemon sitting together next to the arena wall, the pair of them splitting a chocolate bar as they spectate the fight.

Kotoha leaps in, her form a strange mixture of kung-fu and ballet as she strikes at Itzpalt with her staff and pirouettes away.

[bakegarasu]

Otoha snarls, struggling to keep his balance. This isn't looking good. He refuses to lose, though. He has the distinct assistance of a thick skull, and so he only wavers a bit, waiting for an opportunity to strike again.

Persona Switch: Mitra | Persona Skill: Incinerate + Fire Pierce

[unbroken_chain]

The seven giants supporting the globe sink into the ground as Chehooit and her throne shatter into shards of glowing blue glass as Kotoha switches back to her Soul Persona.

"Incinerate!"

Persona Skill: Hell Frost

[bakegarasu]

Otoha grins through the fire. He doesn't mind this, now that it's back on better footing for him. Attacking Mitra won't do anything - he knows that now - but he needs to strike while he can. And if she's using fire, then maybe -

"Hell Frost." The mage Persona lifts his staff, firing off a wave of ice at Mitra. Otoha plants his feet carefully, bracing for whatever she's going to throw at him next.

Hit Weakness | Persona Switch

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha gets knocked to the ground by the attack, Mitra fading out behind her as she re-summons Chehooit.

Personal Skill: Veil of Mist | Weapon: Physical

[bakegarasu]

Perfect. Just the opportunity he was waiting for. Otoha springs forward, aiming to slam down a solid attack against Chehooit. He grins, trenchcoat flapping behind him like a cape.

And he disappears. One... two... three... four. He appears again, high in the air to try to allow gravity to aid him as he comes crashing down against the other's Persona.

Persona Skill: Diarahan | Weapon: Physical

[unbroken_chain]

As Kotoha flips to her feet, recovering from the attack, she casts Diarahan before lashing out at Itzpalt with her weapon.

Weakness Hit

[bakegarasu]

He stumbles backwards, cursing this Persona in his head. Why did he have to pick up one that was weak to Physical? That was a stupid move. And - crap. She has a healing spell. He probably should have gotten one, too. He can feel his muscles tightening in the way that suggests that his Persona has started taking way too much damage - but he refuses to back down. He'll keep going until he can't anymore.

Persona Skill: Whirlpool + Water Amp

[unbroken_chain]

Streamers of water gather above Kotoha's head as she casts a spell, resolving themselves into a spinning disc that she flings directly at Itzpalt.

"Whirlpool!"

Persona Skill: Mind Charge | Weapon: Physical

[bakegarasu]

Otoha huffs slightly as he takes the attack. Wearing her down won't be easy... so he'll have to hit as hard as he can.

"Mind Charge." The Persona draws in power, glowing slightly. Next time won't be easy to deal with. He can feel the strain, though. He can't keep going forever, at least not with how many spells he's been casting. He jumps forward again to try to hit her Persona.

Persona Switch: Mitra | Persona Skill: Shield All

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha accepts the hit, Chehooit shattering under the blow as she summons Mitra while twirling away.

"Shield All!"

As the barrier goes up, she casts an experienced eye over Otoha's form, trying to judge how much more he's got in him.

Physical Attack

[bakegarasu]

Oh great. He can't remember if it blocks magical attacks too. He might as well just waste an attack on it, even if he already knows Mitra reflects physical attacks. He jumps forward, swinging a fist at it instead of his sword. Better to literally pull his punches here.

Strangely, Otoha hasn't broken a sweat. His muscles are starting to show signs of tension, though. His attacks aren't really slowing down, though it does take a hair of a second longer for each movement.

Physical Attack

[unbroken_chain]

Shield All's nullification overrides Mitra's normal Reflection, so Otoha is not punching himself in the face with this attack. Kotoha does take advantage of the resistance from the shield to launch her own thrust with her bladed staff at Itzpalt, whispering under her breath to Otoha as she does so.

"There's a limit to how far you can push your body before it gives out, y'know."

[bakegarasu]

Otoha growls as his weakness is hit again, stunning him for a moment. He plants his feet, trying to keep his stance stable. "I won't lose."

He can't. Losing and failure are just things that he won't accept. Not for him, at least.

Persona Switch: Chehooit

[unbroken_chain]

As Mitra fades away, Chehooit popping up once more, Kotoha continues to whisper.

"It's not about losing, it's about ruining your body for no good reason."

Persona Skill: Volt Carnage (Mind Charged)

[bakegarasu]

"I heal easy and I don't feel pain. Going all out is the only fun way to fight."

Too many words. Not enough fighting. "Volt Carnage." The Mind Charged attack flies towards Chehooit as Otoha leaps backwards. This is going on too long - but she can heal. And if he switches to just physical attacks she'll just stay with Mitra.

... This isn't looking good.