Koukami - Fighting Kings of the New World (IC Thread)

**Mellon** · July 14th, 2016, 09:38 AM

Urashima Island.

The state-of-the-art artificial island constructed by the Jinkai Corporation, Urashima was notable for many things. It was the world's largest generator of solar energy, generating approximately a tenth of Japan’s electricity. It was one of the largest hubs of international science research, employing over fifteen thousand researchers from around the world. Countless tourists poured through the Urashima Harbour daily to discover the wonders of this marvel of engineering. And, of course, the international headquarters of one of the largest and most eponymous corporations on Earth was located here as well.

And now it was also responsible for hosting the largest and most elaborate competition ever designed.

The God of Steel Tournament.

In Arena #7, one of the now nearly fifteen fighting arenas that littered the man-made island, a crowd of more than a thousand was rambunctiously roaring. In the middle of the arena, stood a gigantic translucent pillar of azure, with the seats lined up around it in a great circle.

Suddenly an enthusiastic voice, no doubt amplified by countless speakers, boomed across the arena.

“Aaaaaand we are live~! Greetings ladies and gentlemen in the audience and those watching at home! My name is Francesco Abbiati and it is my pleasure to be responsible for hosting Bracket C of the “Positioning Melee” for the God of Steel Tournament!”

The announcers dusky face appeared on the numerous large screens that were hanging over the arena. His excitement was palpable, both in his tone and on his face, as his bright eyes seemed to almost beam down at the audience. As the image on the screens pulled back, revealing the announcers lounge filled with black leather, the impeccably dressed gave a welcoming gesture to the audience and turned towards the other, slightly older, individual in the rather elaborately furnished studio.

“And I am joined today by the legendary Vasili Kuznetsov! The Caspian Lion himself! The man who, even now, over twenty years after his retirement, still holds the largest number of confirmed kills in the Russian military and who, reputedly, broke the back of a live bear with his bare hands! ”

The older man in the room hardly looked like the image of a glorious soldier that Francesco was painting with his words. Slightly pudgy, short and with thick reading glasses, the white-haired old man excluded a certain kind of aura that could only be associated with the elderly. One which conveyed nothing but disdain towards the younger generations, born of either experience or nostalgia.

“Hmh…!”

If Francesco was in any way concerned by his co-hosts rather standoffish nature, he let none of it show on his face.

“As I already mentioned earlier, we shall kick off the God of Steel Tournament with a number of show matches collectively called as the “Positioning Melee”. While these matches are not decisive in the overall Tournament, they will decide the “Position” of the team in question on the Steel Chart! The higher the teams position on the Steel Chart, the more perks they will get, allowing them to use more and more of the various facilities here on our lovely Urashima Island, ranging from training facilities to hospitals and equipment stores! As such, at this moment, no less than ten fights between the greatest martial artists on the planet are about to occur on this lovely island of ours!”

As he said those words, a seemingly involuntary shudder of excitement seemed to run across Francesco’s body.

“I am positively quivering with anticipation. What kind of spectacular fights shall we see during the starting bang of our great tournament?”

“But speaking of the team positions… while the teams position on the Steel Chart will change naturally during the course of the Tournament, it would still be beneficial to gain a leg-up on your opponents, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Kuznetsov?”

“In the short term, perhaps. But, all these perks will make these brats too soft and careless. No doubt half of them will eventually blame their losses on inaccurately calculated training algorithms or some other nonsense like that.”

“Ahahaha. You are correct, of course. Losing one’s edge is no doubt a real threat for those who aren’t quite used to overcoming adversity. But discussions of that nature are still some ways off, so we should probably focus on the challenge at hand!”

The image of the leather-filled black studio vanished and was replaced by a rather detailed depiction of the blue pillar in the middle of Arena #7.

“This, rather elaborate, contraption in the middle of the stadium is called the “Pillars of Dust” and it serves as the central battlefield for Arena #7. As you can see, the arena is composed of four pillars, each holding up a large platform. It is precisely those platforms that will serve as the battlefield for us today. Each of the ascending platforms is smaller in size and can, therefore, support fewer and fewer individuals. As the randomly selected natural hazard today is “wind”, we... ”

“A snipers “roost”, huh?”

“A very astute observation, Mr. Kuznetsov! Indeed, the winds buffeting the pillar have been set up in a manner that makes ranged attacks against individuals at a higher elevation level ineffectual. On the flip side, as the air is funneled downwards, the higher you are, the harder your projectile attacks hit against enemies located at lower levels!”

“A battlefield that not only tests your fighting skills, but also your speed and quick thinking!”

Suddenly, the map that had been displayed on the numerous screens, disappeared, replaced by footage of what appeared to be some sort of machine. Countless cords, both small and huge, ran into what seemed to be a gigantic sphere of azure. Pulses of bluish energy lashed out at set intervals, making the entire thing look almost like an electronic heart of some description.

“But our brave fighters have nothing to fear, as all numbered arenas on Urashima Island have been equipped with the Jinkai Corporations own patented Alternative Life Link system, a system capable of simulating the participants wounds and injuries, with no real harm to their actual bodies!”

The flamboyant host let out a small burst of laughter.

“That being said, receiving drastic injuries while under the Alternative Life Link system does seem to induce rather considerable headaches and drain stamina, so relying on it too much could prove hazardous for our participants in the long run!”

“Hmph!”

The pudgy man next to Francesco let out a not so subtle snort, making his own opinion of such a system quite clear. No doubt the retired officer wanted to do nothing more than to launch into a tirade on the woes and weaknesses of the current generation, but simply had to restrain himself due to the circumstances at hand. The Italian presenter, however, simply continued without even paying attention to the older man’s antics.

“But enough of the explanations and let us get to the meat of things! In the first match of today, two teams shall face each other in a no-holds-barred beatdown! Both of these teams come from nations renown for their history and martial tradition, so this matchup should be one for the ages, no?”

Vasili Kuznetsov simply gave a non-committing grunt in response to the other host’s obvious goading.

“Hmhrh. The winner of this match should be obvious, no? Even if they are only Russian in name and filled with spineless foreign agents.”

“Ahahahaha. I think we can see where your allegiances lie, Mr. Kuznetsov!”

The image on the screens flickered once more, as two platforms started to rise from the depths of the Arena.

New Battlefield - Pillars of Dust (Wind)

Turn Order and Starting Placement

Team Europe
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:57

Watching things from next to the stage wasn’t truly to your liking. Being in the thick of things was the way of a warrior, not standing and simply gawking at one’s enemies. But, this one time, you had to restrain yourself. It was simply not your turn. Team Japan and Team Russia were the ones fighting now and you would have your go once they had finished. However, perhaps you could learn something here. Even if you were not enemies today, it was likely that you would end up facing them sometime in the future.

New Challenge!

“Fucking hell this sucks. If they had at least stuck us somewhere where I didn’t have to watch, it would be more bearable, but we pretty much have front row seats here.”

“Tch… my luck can’t get any worse here, now can it?”

And these were your opponents.

Team South Africa.

Or well, one of them at least. The other two figures were wrapped in an almost identical indiscernible cloaks, with nary a speck of individuality reflecting off them. They had almost certainly been treated with spiritual energy, as that was the only way to explain the almost painful aura of mundanity that they excluded. The third coat, meanwhile, had been completely casually discarded on the bench by the sandy blond girl that wore it, who was now listlessly wondering in the waiting area, accompanied only by the clinking sound of the chain attached to her skirt.

“Well, I can’t be blamed if they put me in this situation to begin with.”

With a casual walk, the girl waltzed over to the vending machine that had been placed in the waiting area and slammed her fist into its side, leaving a fist-sized dent in its steel frame. Over a dozen cans of various different soda drinks poured out of the vending machine in what seemed to be a neverending tide. This clearly seemed to improve the girl's mood, as she started to pick up the fallen cans while joyfully humming some tune you couldn't quite identify.

A delinquent. This girl was definitely a real delinquent.

Noticing a gaze on her back, the girl’s eyes lit up and a wide smile blossomed on her face as she turned towards Team Europe.

“Oh, you want some?”

**palad1n** · July 14th, 2016, 11:31 AM

Rosalind Ainslee
Team Europe
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:57

The girl from the South Africa team certainly left quite an impression. From the way she talks to her action of breaking the vending machine, it took every ounce of her willpower not to immediately berate the girl.

'Calm down Rosalind, calm down. Not everyone has the same upbringing as yourself, the world is vast and large, you knew that since the first time you entered Summer Youth Olympics. Not to mention your own teammate is dressed more... inappropriately...'

Taking some deep breaths to calm herself down, Rosalind reassess her situation. Team Europe is currently waiting alongside Team South Africa, with Team Japan and Russia being the first to fight. This would be a great opportunity not only to learn the fighter's weaknesses from both teams, but to also know her teammates better.

But still...

Looking at her teammates, its quite obvious that she's the youngest, and even if she ignores the age gap Rosalind Ainslee had never been the most talkative or sociable person. So when she saw a girl of her age in the waiting room, she felt... relief, perhaps, before the girl in question turns out to be a delinquent. As a girl who is raised in a proper and high-class environment, she naturally has a negative affinity and view towards delinquents.

Originally Posted by South African Girl

"Oh, you want some?"

And now, her thought is broken by the smile of said delinquent. There is no malice or any hidden intention from the looks of it, and Rosalind feels that the offer is genuine. Her face must have looked funny, because at this moment she doesn't really know how to respond; just a moment ago the girl was angry and cursing, but now all traces of that is gone to the wind...

"I shall respectfully decline." Rosalind finally said after some deliberation. "Although I appreciate the offer."

She wanted to comment on 'breaking the vending machine' and 'not paying for any of it' part, but its unlikely that the girl will listen or change just from that; Besides, she wanted to avoid angering the girl if possible, so she decided to ask the girl another question.

"The first match is starting soon, so if I may ask, why aren't you interested in watching it?"

At any rate, the moment the fight begins Rosalind will immediately focus her attention to the fight. After all, seeing world-class fighters fight each other from up-close is not an opportunity that happened everyday, and she may learn a thing or two from it.

**Dranes** · July 14th, 2016, 10:32 PM

Daigo Shime
Team Japan
Urashima Islanmd - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

"Looks like we're against a bunch of weirdos."

It was the only thing Daigo Shime had to say about his opponents even as the announcer kept running his mouth and riling up the crowd for the fight. Their first opponent was Team Russia and arguably...none of them really looked Russian, at least it was far from the image he had for the team, they looked like a mismatch of different peoples rather than a Russian Powerhouse.
Well it's not like his own team didn't have its own set of weird.

This was going to be some kind of spectacle, that's for sure.

...Just how did that American get on their team anyway?

He gave a sigh as he clenched his fist, with this atmosphere it wasn't surprising that something within would begin to stir.

"Well I guess we're not much better, huh..."

But in here he wouldn't have to hold back...he couldn't hold back, not if he wanted to get some answers.

And anyways, with whatever tech they had here, he didn't have to worry about killing them right?

"I'll take the her out, you guys can handle the rest, right?"

Pointing out the person he singled out to his time, he didn't give them much time to respond just leaving it to them to actually follow up. That was just the reckless nature of Daigo Shime as his hand ignited in a pale-blue flame before quickly expanding.

"Oni..."

Ghostly and unnatural, he didn't give the chance for either friend or foe to process just what he was doing as he rushed forward like a missile, with the power to match. A brutal beat down of unnatural energies and raw might, this was his attack.

"SPIRIT RUSH!"

And his target: Viola Santiago.

Wise up!

**Ayakashi** · July 15th, 2016, 05:02 AM

Mihoshi Shirosawa
Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

The chant of a maddened crowd, the deafening enthusiasm of the people to see men and women hurl themselves at each other's throat... this thirst for violence, even if it was a non-fatal one, proved most amusing to her. While during the preliminaries, the Russian public had been kind enough to get stirred up a little bit, the commotion here at Urashima island was a whole new world above everything she had experienced before.

Such were the musings of the Asian woman dressed in a rather chic suit, a light smile on her lips as she observed her surroundings -- seeing the choice of her attire, it seemed more like she had gotten dressed for a formal meeting of sorts than an actual fight... but then, it wouldn't be the first time for fighters to wear something totally ludicrous, no, rather, in these times such a farce might as well be accepted as the standard.

She concurred however, that these clothes of hers were rather... ill-suited for the circumstances in which she was about to find herself thrown in. She kept wearing these only for the sake of keeping the 'surprise' of her return intact. She had yet to reveal herself as something more than a Shrine Maiden for all these preliminaries her team hard participated in... but now, it was rather obvious that Sergei and Viola wouldn't be able to do the heavy lifting by themselves.

Or was it all an excuse that she made up for herself? A convenient veil to hide the fact that all these years of patience and repressed murderous desire... were now taking a toll on her? These voices, these countless voices in her head... they have been tormenting her ever since that fateful day. She has kept them waiting for all these years, for the sake of a cold, well-served vengeance... but perhaps that now... perhaps that now it was truly time to unleash it all.

Even if this was just a match that would not impact future outcomes that much, every little advantage gained was one worth it.

Casting it to the winds like a cape that stood in her way, Mihoshi discarded the suit, being simultaneously enveloped by a darkness pouring out of her chest. The light smile that she had worn all along did not change, but the sudden shift of colour in her eyes, into an otherworldly golden hue, gave an even more eerie aura to Mihoshi. Her new attire brought the final touch to this new sinister ensemble, turning her into what one could easily think as a shrine maiden of the darker gods.

"It begins."

A pool of darkness appears out of nowhere below Mihoshi, and monstrous hands wreathed in shadows pull her into it like demons drowning their victims. She does not flinch however, for this is all of her own design, all according to plan.

Higher grounds await.

------

Atop the second floor of the Pillars of Dust, a shadowy pool spewed forth the very Black Maiden that had been on the very ground floor but a few moments ago. She had reached this place in an instant, yet the time it took her to fully accomplish the teleport was not something the Black Maiden was satisfied with.
But now was not the time to revise what had gone wrong, nor was it the time to curse the after-effects of Jinkai Coporation's machinations, after-effects that still plagued her a year after she was 'freed', and which probably would ail her till the end of her life.

This body, as degraded as it was, would have to suffice.

Mihoshi raised her arm as she looked down below on the ongoing battle, and amidst the many targets she could opt to attack, a particular one caught her attention out of the bunch -- one could call it a hunch, but that girl with a scarf had a strange form of innocence on her visage. Yes, this vigour, this youthfulness... it all prompted a festering wish to grow inside the Black Maiden's thoughts, the wish to wipe that innocence off this young girl's face. It made the many demons inside churn, whispering to their hosts that she release them... let them partake and revel in that youth's energy as they laboured to tear it from her grasp.

"Eheheheheheh..."

From her raised hand spewed forth a mass of shadow, wrapping itself around Mihoshi's entire arm and consuming it, till all that one could observe was an abnormally large, crow-like wing brimming with darkness.

In one swift movement, the wing flared out open, and the wreathing shadows dissipated to reveal the razor edges that every single feather bore -- what ensued, perhaps was most logical:

A rain of destruction upon Kitamura Kaede.

Originally Posted by Actions

- Teleport to 2F
- Attack Kitamura Kaede

Wise-Up!

**Katie** · July 15th, 2016, 08:27 AM

Kaede Kitamura
Team Japan
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55
Mood: Burning Justice

It was windy.

She had spent an incredible amount of time on the streets, being grounded, but nothing beat the feeling of wind of your face on the rooftop. This reminded her of home, and she’d been homesick for a while. It was an absolutely spectacular break in the pace of smashing people’s face in, although now she had to do just that.

She cracked her knuckles. And all at once, the demure girl image melted away, replaced by uncontrolled heat, wisps of flame dancing from the end of her scarlet scarf, the faint smell of smoke tainting the air, despite the gales pounding her from above.

Now matter how ferocious the storm, her spirit would burn even brighter, even hotter!

"I'll take her out, you guys can handle the rest, right?"

And in a rush, Daigo was gone, charging ahead recklessly. Wasn’t that her role, to go diving in like an idiot?

Well, she couldn’t let herself get upstaged. Not by that guy or the wind blowing around her. Closing one eye, she randomly pointed to her target, the woman tainted by darkness. A sign of destiny, no doubt.

After all, a heroine of justice needed a villain to defeat!

“This hand of mine glows with an awesome power! Its burning grip tells me to defeat you!”

Her hand glowed, like molten metal, the very air warping to match her strike. If she was going to hit her target, she had to quell the wind with brute force.

“SCARLET BLAZE!”

Heat dispersed into her windswept surroundings, forcing the turbulent air to expand in one direction with a crack of thunder. Rather than anything resembling finesse, it was a weaponized explosion, aiming to pin down the maiden who had clearly revealed herself to be a villain in need of defeat.

Wise up!

**Zagrin** · July 15th, 2016, 10:33 AM

Albrecht von Kirchensittenbach
Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

"Ahaha, it seems we are together again."

That cheerful greeting came from the man in the lab coat. The man in question was Albrecht von Kirchensittenbach, a German who looked to be in his late twenties to early thirties whose appearance made it clear that he was far more suited to being in a laboratory rather than any sort of grand fighting tournament yet even so here he was with the rest of his one quarter Russian team. Nonetheless just like everyone else here he too had his reasons for joining the tournament and if it meant bending the Hippocratic oath just a tiny bit to reach his goal, he'd do it.

"Still three Japanese and an...American for Team Japan? Huh, well I suppose it makes sense with how the war ended. Not as if our little group is any better, my condolences nonetheless however."

He maintained his cheerful tone while making that assessment of their team's enemies. It is likely the other team would find what he said to be an insult, but they had to understand he didn't mean any offense he was simply blurting out the honest truth on what was in front of him and besides if they really had any issue with it now was the time to vent such an opinion on him. After all once this match was over who knows when they would fight Team Russia again.

"Well since going on the attack is more your forte I'll be sure to have your back should they try anything, Fräulein."

With that Albrecht gave a thumbs up to Mihoshi.

Albrecht is defending Mihoshi.

**Kuroyuki** · July 15th, 2016, 10:37 AM

Haruna Fujibayashi
Team Japan
Urashima Islanmd - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

My name is Haruna Fujibayashi. Age 16. Sophomore from Ooarai High School. Absolutely average in my recorded materials. Anyone who knew me from school could say that without a doubt that I would never make it through the preliminaries of a normal martial arts tournament... Let alone a high level tournament like this.

If that was the case, then why am I here? Standing in the middle of a huge arena by thousands of people and more watching at home. I waved energetically to the crowd acting like a school girl happy to be in front of so many people.

If only I was actually happy to be here, if anything this tournament has essentially ruined my perfectly normal high school life. The perfectly normal high school life I worked and "died" for! Gone just for the amusement of some CEO. So my goal in this tournament is win it and destroy it before I go back to my normal life with maybe a transfer in schools.

Well that's assuming the other participants aren't intelligence operatives like a certain American on our team. I don't believe for a fact that this American just "SOMEHOW" got to Japan and "SOMEHOW" got onto the team. He's just plain fishy. Probably CIA or FBI intent on stealing some secrets or personnel from the corps. I mean I didn't leave any traces when I took my "middle school" trip to America, but yeah could have a mission to pay me back from back then.

Upon hearing the "GO" from the announcers, I quit musing about my misfortune and focused on the enemy. Team "Russia" with only one Russian member. One Italian American, one Neo Nazi, and a slightly familiar Japanese face. Oh I think I recognize it, she had something to do with the next assignment I was supposed to have done.

Our Oni went straight forward and into the enemy. The other girl aimed her explosion arte at some enemy. I don't know the enemy's capabilities just yet so I do this.

I let my swords and daggers stay in their sheathes instead my hands blurred to form some handsigns. If someone from back home didn't recognize me at first, they certainly remember me now.

The air around me started to crackle and streams of electricity formed before rushing towards my enemies. A pulse of electricity intent on shocking anyone in its way.

Wise-Up!

**Mormarth** · July 15th, 2016, 04:28 PM

Viola Santiago
Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

Why'd I have to get involved with this pack of loons? I had it all planned out, meet up with the wrestler, find that other guy, sign up.

Instead, the idiota goes and gets himself lost, and hanging with Japan, and I'm having to go and finagle my way through some old phone numbers and favors, kissing up to the commies.

And I don't even know where that other loser went off to, maybe he's lying in a ditch somewhere.

I fumed impotently.

Truly, I was cursed with misfortune.

Perhaps it was the malocchio? Certainly I was being looked at by a fair amount of people, it could be anyone!

I puffed out a breath, then nodded, if the wind of misfortune was going to descend upon me, my only recourse was to seek better winds.

Conflict should do nicely.

I cast my eye across the opposition, fixing upon the eager-looking fellow positively chomping at the bit.

I brought up my fists, legs trembling with excitement.

Right.

Let's start the show.

I dashed towards my opponent with all due hast, eager to rush in to combat.

[Melee Attack @ Daigo]

Wop wop

**MssrNeko** · July 15th, 2016, 07:49 PM

Max Steele
Team Japan
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

Max flashes a brilliant smile with a shine that is visible even in the far seats of the arena. He had had some bad luck before coming to this strange island with its extravagant venues and mysterious tournament. Max's flight was cancelled and through some slick words and smiles he managed to catch a seat filled with Japanese tourists. Arriving on the island he had lost his identification papers and was given the bad news that one of his teammates was absent from registration. Team America was disbanded and at the time, Max's dreams of a comeback tour shattered like his heart. But to his surprise and glee, the mysterious benefactor of the island granted Max and his ex-teammate spots on two other teams (the two teams, funnily enough, that were fighting each other right now).

Sure his teammates were a bunch of kids who looked barely out of high school and spoke mostly Japanese gibberish that he could not understand but Max was not deterred by this at all. Like a spark igniting the ashes of a once-dead Phoenix, Max's determination burns proudly at yet another second grace given to him by Fate. Lucky day!

Max throws his head back in a hearty laugh that echoes throughout the battlefield and spectator stands. His perfectly styled blond hair reflects the bright sun above as he begins to speak. "Alright, team. Lets give these people what they came here for!"

Max's muscles bristle in excitement underneath his patriotic-patterned leotard, the familiar sense of adrenaline pumping through his system. The tension of being in [The Ring] and the roars and cheers of [The Crowd] blast through the years of neglect and harmful nostalgia that he had to endure. This is what he lived for and now he was back.

In a daring pose showing off his herculean back outlined in the red, white, and blue of his home nation the Man of Steel points at the Russian team and challenges them,

"Now who wants a piece?"

"A piece of the real deal?
The Real Steel,
Max Steele!"

**RacingeR** · July 15th, 2016, 11:15 PM

Sergei B. Adaksin
Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

“Initial placements, da?”

The one who spoke in a frivolous tone is none other but the young blonde man that seems to be standing at the team’s center. Although he is the only actual Russian in the whole team, he seems to be the least noticeable by far, wearing indistinct blank clothes and what seems like a friendly smile. However, his dark blue eyes don’t smile as he examines the opposite team and then the battlefield.

He doesn’t seem to be very interested in the fight or in the tournament at all, and he doesn’t even seem to be taking the whole thing seriously. Yet, as he stares towards the announcers, his smile thins and becomes sharper.

“You sure are putting unnecessary pressure on us, old man.” He says in an easy-going tone, as he looks at his teammates. The german and the… American seemed as ready as ever, and Mihoshi seemed to be doing good as well. This was her long-awaited debut, after all. It wouldn’t do if the girl didn’t get to show off a bit of her strength. Sergei looked forward to that. And he hoped she wouldn’t damage the suit she had snatched from his wardrobe.

“Well, if it is like that, then I guess I gotta show off, just a bit.” Without altering his smile at all, Sergei took a single step…

And the next time anyone could perceive him, his blade was already striking at Kitamura Kaede, thrust directly at the spot below her neck from an odd, impossible angle that made the attack nearly unreadable. It was not the strike of a warrior, but the blade of an assassin who moved in incomprehensible ways, one that, following the method he had been taught, aimed at the target that had seemed the least prepared to engage in melee and who had looked like the biggest mystery on the enemy team when it came to her fighting style.

It was not that Sergei had moved so fast that he couldn’t be seen: it was that his movements had seemed to be almost incomprehensible to the minds of even the most expert of martial artists.

Wise up!

**Mellon** · July 16th, 2016, 01:58 PM

Team Japan and Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

As soon as the word “Fight!” appeared on the massive screens overhanging the arena proper, the fighters on the battlefield burst instantly into furious motion.

Not even a second passed, before the first clash of the day had already manifested itself. Cloaked in an intense blue blaze, Daigo rushed towards Viola with what could only be described as superhuman speed. Waves of dust filled the air in the demonic youths wake as he nullified the distance between himself and the Italian boxer in less than a fraction of a second. An azure shockwave of force and dust exploded out, as the blonde impacted his target with what could only be described as an explosion of force.

Francesco’s voice echoed throughout the arena.

“Ooooh! A strong start from Team Japan as Daigo Shime quickly charges at Viola Santiago from Team Russia! With such speed and force behind him, could fighter Daigo finish off the Italian “Sunlit Striker” before she could even move!?”

“No. The Japanese boy was definitely fast and grabbed the initiative there, but that girl’s reflexes are first class. It won’t be enough.”

True enough to Vasili’s words, Viola’s figure suddenly emerged out of the cloud of dust in a mad dash, looking slightly worse for wear, but clearly eager to claim her own pint of blood from her opponent.

Miniature shockwaves rippled through the air as the two fighters engaged in a veritable storm of fists, with their blows passing cutting through the surrounding air faster then the naked eye could see.

“Oryaaaaaaa!”

“Atatatatatatatata!”

Damage Calculations - Viola & Daigo

Wise-Up - Viola - Hurricane Boxing.

Meanwhile, the rest of the fighters engaged in a chaotic melee that was as far removed from the, almost noble, single combat duel that Daigo and Viola were conducting. Moving in almost perfect synchronization, both Sergei and Kaede struck out before anyone could react. Throwing her hand forward with a shout, a wave of superheated wind flew forwards, causing the air in front to shimmer as the temperature rapidly increased. Meanwhile, Sergei slid past the incoming attack with almost snakelike agility and descended upon the Japanese girl’s form.

It was only through a terror-filled semi-stumble and her madly screaming instincts that Kaede managed to avoid the twisting fists that aimed to take her life.

A dissatisfied grumble resounded through the stage speakers.

“Tch, that girl has more luck than sense. She basically tripped her way out of that.”

Not even a moment had passed before an azure bolt of lightning burned through the air, fired by Haruna, struck the Russian assassin’s form, wreathing his body in an azure glow and filling the arena with an unmistakable stench of ozone. Meanwhile, the blast of air that Kaede had fired off mere moments ago was racing towards the shrine maiden in the distance. However, just before the blast would struck Mihoshi, it was intercepted by Albrecht's fearless charge.

A resounding boom, along with waves of hot air, spread throughout the arena as the robed doctor too the brunt of the attack, his white cloak flapping madly in the lashing wind.

But that brief moment of respite was more than enough for shrine maiden behind him.

In an elegant whirl of motion, Mitoshi’s body seemingly melted into the shadows themselves, only to reappear higher up the battlefield in a similar whirl of darkness. Francesco’s excited voice echoed throughout the battlefield at this sudden and new revelation.

“And it seems that one of the Russian fighters has taken the initiative at climbing the tower! Before anyone could even react, contestant Mihoshi has already reached the second floor! Now, how shall she take advantage of her positioning advantage?”

His Russian co-host, however, was deathly silent, his dark beady eyes boring into the figure of the girl that now stood above all of the other fighters.

As the laughing shrine maiden’s hand morphed into a gigantic black wing, even the Italian host, for once, was deathly silent. A wave of black feathers, harder than steel, suddenly rained down on the battlefield below.

And in the midst all of this chaos, Max Steele was doing his very best to hype up the crowd.

Not that they needed much encouragement, judging from fast the audience started roaring about "Real Steel".

Damage Calculations

Turn Order - Turn 2

Team Europe
Urashima Island - Arena 7 - Observation Area
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

The sandy blonde let out a brief burst of laughter at Rosalind’s rather polite words.

“Hahah. No need to be so polite with me.” If the South African girl was in any way put off by the other girl’s slightly disapproving demeanor, none of it was visible on her face. “We are going to be attempting to beat each other to a pulp soon anyway.”

The open smile on her face was completely out of touch with the rather morbid words coming out of her mouth.

“Let's leave superficial politeness to the politicians, shall we?” The girl extended her hand towards Rosalind in welcoming gesture. ”The name is Annabel. Annabel Englebrecht. You?”

“Oh, but you can call me Anna, if you want to.” Another rather sheepish grin blossomed on her face. “In fact, I would prefer it if you did that, all things considered.”

"The first match is starting soon, so if I may ask, why aren't you interested in watching it?"

The delinquent girl popped open one of the soft drinks she had picked up earlier. A fizzle of frothy Pepsi erupted from the can, coating the girls rather slim fingers with sugary froth. Briefly overcome by irritation, the girl shook her hand in a frustrated manner.

“Shit, should have been more careful with this bloody thing…” Her attention refocused back on Rosalind and her question. “Oh, that… No. Not really. Or more accurately, I’d rather not. I get too excited otherwise and might actually rush to the field myself, y’know?”

“I have somewhat of an issue with restraining myself in these situations. It's a pain, but not really something I can do about.”

“What about your friends over there? They speak or are they boring mutes like these two?”

Her thumb poked out at the two shrouded figures deeper in the waiting area.

**Janx** · July 16th, 2016, 04:09 PM

Team Europe
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:57

Calista could barely contain herself. Here she was, at the end of her long journey, at The God of Steel Tournament. However, her greatest challenges were still ahead of her. Getting here was the warmup, the true battle was still ahead.

It took a colossal amount of will to not just jump in there. But alas, despite her ‘appreciation’ for the rules, such would likely cost her and her team any chance of true victory. For now, she would have to content herself by munching on her fifth fleischkase while spectating.

The two teams were off to an intense start, as expected by being the top of their respective nations. However, they seemed to be surprisingly more of a cultural hodgepodge. The Japanese team possessed an American who, in their typical fashion, seemed to be boasting about how great he was. The crowd seemed to enjoy it though.

Curiously, the Russians had someone who seemed like they should have been on the opposite team. A Japanese beauty possessed of dark powers. Calista wondered what her story was. Unfortunately, she then had her attention rudely torn away from the fight.

“What about your friends over there? They speak or are they boring mutes like these two?”

Calista grabbed her sixth and unfortunately last fleischkase and strolled towards Rosalind and her soon-to-be enemy. Her coat seeming to flutter in the breeze.

“Eh? I was merely trying not to spoil a good show,” Caslita took a bite out of her snack, “I figured we’d get to know each other soon enough, mate. But if we must do introductions…”

With a flourish of her hat she bowed.

“I am Captain Calista Tomás!”

Standing, the pirate then cozily wrapped her arm around Rosalind before hugging her to her bikini-covered bosom, "I see ye've already made friends with our fine englishwoman here. Well if we're making this into a paty, I don't suppose that machine's got some rum there does it?"

**Mormarth** · July 16th, 2016, 05:29 PM

Viola Santiago
Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

My opponent of choice was an up-front gentleman it seemed, rocketing forward in a blaze of light to meet my charge, but I'm not one to just open up and bare it all for just anyone, and I ducked past the worst of it, taking it on the side rather than head-on.

We traded a frenzy of blows, clashing off of one another in the heat of combat, I held the advantage of speed, and dashed a few jabs into his midsection, and received a reply of a sharp upper into my ribs.

A dull ache spread outward, making me feel faintly ill, but I clamped down on it hard, gritting my teeth into a snarling grin, pain to adrenaline, an oil to ignite the fire within.

A cacophony of lights and sound blustered around our dance, the commentator's chatter skittering along the edges, and I sucked in a breath of air.

The wind shifted.

My arm shuttered forward, snapping off a sharp probe of focused energy at my opponent.

[Gusto]

I'd allowed him the opening shot, it was time to make my retort.

My feet shifted, and the world slowed to a crawl.

The wind called to me, it brushed past the presences around my self, the ones stained with blood and darkness, tragedy and sin mating to create one.

A-a ninja?

The weight of industry and science, more factory than fighter.

My opponent.

And a pure soul crying for justice. (Katie)

Right.

I moved.

[Cyclone Cross]

Five buffeting blows against the soul of justice (Katie 5x), and ending with a swift sextet upon my opponent's disoriented form. (Dranes 6x)

I would not allow his assault to go unanswered.

Still, though.

I got an unwelcome feeling from above. Might need to move quickly.

Save the date!

**Dranes** · July 16th, 2016, 05:38 PM

Daigo Shime
Team Japan
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:55

A good first clash but he underestimated her.

"Damn..."

A clean hit to the face, it smarted a bit but that wasn't going to take him down. Far from it in fact...if anything it made Daigo Shime's blood boil with excitement. With his left hand, he cleaned the blood from his mouth, the taste of copper still fresh...it was a familiar taste but today it felt different, like he could go much further.

"Pretty good..."

He took a stance once more, his eyes set on his opponent.

"But lets get serious."

No sooner had he said that then he rushed at the girl again, pulling his fist back.

But there was something different to him this time.

The demon inside was already waking up, it was time to use some of that power now before he completely lost it. The pressure he exuded changed, as if a warning to the girl in front of him. If she thought that the last move hurt, than this one was going to really sting. His fist flew forward at a break-neck speed, like a bullet it reached the girl in no time.

"ONI..."

In a second the punch had landed.

But that was just the opener, he wasn't about to let her off that easy.

He grabbed her before launching the both of them into the air, it was clear what was going to happen next, this was the type of fighting style of a demon.

"FALLING HAMMER!"

Time to eat some dirt!

Wise Up!

**Ayakashi** · July 16th, 2016, 06:25 PM

Mihoshi Shirosawa
Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

As her projectiles lodged themselves into the girl's calves, and a pained grimace flashed on her face, Mihoshi couldn't help but smirk at the rewards of her labour... yet that she somehow miserably dodged out of Sergei's first strike was a little bit upsetting, but then, this rain of razor-sharp feathers might've finished her and kicked her out of this fight already.

That would have been a little bit inconvenient wouldn't it?

"A meal has to be eaten whole to be enjoyed at its best~"

Yes, the more, the better. Obliterating a single fly with what she was about to unleash would be... most anti-climatic.

"Burn... burn them all... swallow them in this fiery vengeance, in this all-consuming hatred that binds us, that binds you!"

The voices inside were beginning to override her reason-- while this course of action was supposedly planned to a certain extent, Mihoshi was not to go ahead until it was clear that her teammates would be able to get out of the mess unscathed... something that seemed to be most unlikely, seeing that they were engaged in quite the intense brawl below.

But did it really matter now? Reason had already begun to leave her from the moment this agonising pain had taken hold of her.

The hardships sprouting a demon from her arm, all of it incessantly gnawing at her common sense with a numbing, excruciating pain.

Without warning, another wing tore itself from the prison that kept it sealed, appearing on Mihoshi's back this time, revealing that this was just not some sort of transformation, but the actual releasing of an entity that inexplicably dwelled inside Mihoshi.

"...ah...ehehehe...AHAHAHAHAHA!"

Laughing like a maniac, Mihoshi's eyes turned bright red as she hunched over, letting everyone see the massive emerging monstrosity that could vaguely be described as a "crow". Physically, there was nothing tearing itself apart on the young woman's back -- her flesh was whole, even her clothes were unaffected, but visually, it was like the monstrosity was tearing apart the Black Maiden's very soul to break free of its shackles.

Rising high above in the heavens as it left Mihoshi, the monster only did what it knew best; incinerate its foes in a glorious blaze of fire, giving a display that resembled the very fury of the sun descending upon mortals below.

It's not like anyone is going to die, right?

She muttered to herself in the middle of her fit of hysteria.

If these were words of genuine benevolence, or rather a sadistic complaint... not even Mihoshi herself knows.

Originally Posted by Actions

- Perform Artes "Yataragasu - Sunfire". Target Ground Floor.

Wise-Up!

**Kuroyuki** · July 16th, 2016, 07:30 PM

Haruna Fujibayashi
Team Japan
Urashima Islanmd - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

I watched as my Static Wave land solidly onto the target while no one engaged me. I surveyed the battlefield and saw everyone's styles. The Neo Nazi was an endurance fighter or healer based off of his choice to take a hit willingly. The miko, a certain Shirosawa Mihoshi, was a ranged combatant and knowing a little history about her also a strong Ki user. The Italian American was a boxer. The one I targeted had some kind of style meant to throw off his opponents.

Currently Shirosawa and the Russian was targeting Kitamura. The Italian American was targeting Shime. They're aiming to pick us off one by one. A time-tested and respected strategy since our American didn't do anything but hype up the crowd. Ranged picks off people while everyone is busy dealing with the frontliners. The endurance fighter can hold on just long enough for the ranged to eliminate someone with the Russian's help. There's just one problem with that.

Me. Lightning streamed from my body despite all logic and science saying that I shouldn't be capable of doing this alive. Then to defy that logic even more, I burnt even more of my Ki to turn into Lightning. To the world, there wasn't a "Haruna" standing in that place, but lightning shaped to the form of a person.

"Takamakuri!"

If Shirosawa Mihoshi and her bodyguard had time to react to that then they must have god's favor or something just as strong on their side for lightning just struck the miko. And whoever said lightning doesn't strike twice was lying because afterwards I attacked Shirosawa Mihoshi with my katana. My blade not aiming for the critical points of her body, but instead aiming to disable. To weaken her.

Actions:
Instant Cast: Takamakuri at Shirosawa Mihoshi
Melee Attack: Shirosawa Mihoshi

Wise-up!

**Katie** · July 16th, 2016, 11:27 PM

Kaede Kitamura
Team Japan
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58
Mood: Burning Justice

The blow she had been confronted with could only be called indescribable. As it was, even to a combat expert, the movements were difficult to follow and outright bizarre. Any martial artist faced with this would find it difficult to process, let alone evade.

Sadly, the target was the idiot known as Kitamura Kaede.

It didn’t matter if she wasn’t able to comprehend the blow—such things would always be far beyond her. Lacking in common sense and trusting her gut, she tumbled out of the way, letting out a rather pathetic scream in the process. A bit damaging to her reputation as a hero, but damn, was that close.

Nevertheless, a heroine of justice would be undeterred against having a cut the size of her body, and fearlessly, recklessly, idiotically, she concentrated her burning passion into her fist. Roaring with the crackle of flame, her blow, nothing special, nothing fancy, swerved towards its target, the Russian who had tried to gut her like a fish fillet.

”Wise up”

**MssrNeko** · July 17th, 2016, 02:24 AM

Max Steele
Team Japan
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

The sounds of combat tore through the air as the two teams collided with an opening clash of phenomenal proportions. In the chaos of frenzied fisticuffs, fierce close-combat struggles, and mysteriously dangerous flurries of magical feathers Max stoked the crowd. And above all the cacophony, the cries and roars of the audience were heard by the wrestler. No matter if he were in a wrestling ring back in the past or in this strange three-layered arena the crowd will always be the same. Whoever controlled the crowd held a power few people comprehended except for those as experienced as Max.

Finished with his opener Max immediately turned his attention to the battlefield raging around him, changing poses to avoid breaking character and to give him perspective without looking clueless. The other contenders were fighting each other with theiJesus H. Christ what the hell is going on?

One must understand that with all of his prodigious skill and strength, Max Steele was still a completely normal athlete and competitor. The most strangest event he came across as a fighter was a crossover between the IWF and its Mexican sister branch involving El Tigre, himself, twenty pounds of bacon grease, and one very confused goose. But this fight was something completely apart from Max's world. Max's eyes bulged as the very air boomed and ripped under the pressure of the two fighters punching each other. His jaw threatened to drop as a hysterical girl, who somehow got to the top of the second floor, rained glowing lasers of death at his teammOh god those are feathers why does she have a wing arm.

A storm of uncertainty and fear raged beneath the veneer of cockiness and showmanship of Max Steele as he looked at this superhuman display of might.

In that moment, a switch flipped in his brain as Max's mind made sense of the impossible scene in front of him. The CG effects in this tournament are amazing! he thinks, ignoring the laser spewing winged elephant in the room throwing five hundred punches a second. Almost got me there but at least the crowd is digging it.

Spotting his next gig, Max's eyes burn with the passion of a man seeing a gold mine of opportunity. With a final pose Max dashes towards the spunky young girl (with her limbs on fire [The fire looks almost real!]) fighting the serious-looking man with snake-like movements. With a roar, Max announces his approach in a clear boom,

"Hey you! Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"

The crowd will love the angle of "Saving the Diva from the Heel."

----------------------------
[Max moving to Defend Kaede!]

**RacingeR** · July 17th, 2016, 03:41 AM

Team Russia
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:58

“That stings.” The Russian man emerged from the electric burst looking barely affected by the burns in the side of his body, still wearing his smirk, and staring down at the girl that had dodged his attack by pure luck. His eyes scanned the battlefield as if he was more interesting in evaluating the combatants rather than fighting the fight itself.

He didn’t seem to pay much mind to the chaos all around him, or even to the attack being sent his way, instead exchanging a meaningful look with his german… teammate, and then looking upwards to the sky, at Mihoshi’s bombardment. “Oi, I did say to not show-off too much, you know?” He objected weakly, and then shrugged his shoulders.

Originally Posted by MAX STEELE

"Hey you! Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"

Sergei stared at the wrestler that had suddenly inserted himself between him and the heat girl for a moment, looked slightly surprised. The man was giving some good advice, after all.

“Okay!” He gave the wrestler a thumbs up, and then he attacked. For a moment, it looked like he was moving in the direction of his two opponents, but somehow, the punch that should’ve gone towards the wrestler and the girl he was protecting became a kick that scythed towards Daigo’s spine, aiming to break it with a well placed hit.

Wise up!

**palad1n** · July 17th, 2016, 04:32 AM

Rosalind Ainslee
Team Europe
Urashima Island - Arena 7
14th of July, 20XX
14:57

"Rosalind Ainslee." The English girl replied as she shook Annabel's hand, giving a polite smile as she did so. "I shall call you Anna then. In exchange, you may call me Rosa if you wish to."

It was quite the strange feeling. Rosalind normally doesn't associate herself with delinquents, but something about Anna is different from normal delinquents. Perhaps it was the cheerfulness or the sheepish grin that blossomed on her face when she talked, but she could felt her initial animosity disappearing as they talk.

And then, the fight began.

It was, quite frankly, different from any fight Rosalind has ever witnessed. Heat surges, lightning strikes, teleportation... All of these are only possible through the use of spiritual artes. While it was not the first time she had witnessed artes, it is the first time that she see them to this degree; Her own arte doesn't really compare to the artes used by the fighters in the arena.

Still, that doesn't mean she will lose. After all, she is not alone, and Rosalind trusted her own skills in archery like no other.

As for the fighters initial assessment...

Daigo Shime and Viola Santiago are clearly excellent melee fighters. The girl with red scarf, Kaede, seems to excel at using attacking artes, and she couldn't even fathom what the blond Russian had even done; Rosalind mentally notes to avoid him at all cost in close combat. A ninja is a ninja, of course the American is riling the crowds, the german doctor seems to have good durability to fearlessly tank an attack like that, and the girl that he protected, Mihoshi...

Rosalind shuddered.

'...She's not normal.'

From what she had seen, there are a few fighters that seemingly have low durability. The most likely is Mihoshi, being protected by her teammate and immediately warping to a higher zone to avoid damage; The second is Kaede based on her reaction and panic to Sergei's attack, but it may also be the general reaction to the Russian's fighting style. The last one likely to have low durability is the ninja if she is anything like a traditional ninja.

At the moment everything is still pure hypothesis, so she'd need to see more before she can say anything for sure.

And just as Rosalind is starting to get lost in her thoughts...

Originally Posted by Calista

“I am Captain Calista Tomás!”

The sudden hug from the scantily-clothed female jolted Rosalind back to the real world, yelping loudly in an un-ladylike manner from the closeness of her teammate. Face flushed as she barely contained her embarrassment, Rosalind was just about to turn her face and scold the so-called Captain before she realized she is locked to Calista's... bosom...

"C-Calista!" The English girl all but squeaked despite her best efforts, her face even redder than before. "I thought we already discussed this, but physical contact this close is... forbidden, so please release me..."

Calista Tomas, the other member of Team Europe and the constant source of embarrassment for Rosalind thanks to her choice of clothing - She cannot fathom why the woman is not embarrassed wearing a miniskirt and an open coat which shows her undergarments - but at the same time a kind and dependable woman who acts like an older sister to the young English girl. At least that's what she thought as the eldest daughter of her family.

But still, while she really appreciates Calista, she is prone to do something like this. Rosalind is not really used to this kind of closeness - only her sister Liliana could do it without making her feeling embarrassed - so she seek help to the last member of the team which is unusually quiet today.

"Mister Alonzo, a little help?"

	Mihoshi Kurosawa
CLS	?
DEF	?
WPN	B
KI	B
ACT	D

	Mihoshi Kurosawa
CLS	?
DEF	?
WPN	B
KI	B
ACT	D

Thread: Koukami - Fighting Kings of the New World (IC Thread)

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