Literally Snails

On 8/27/2020 at 7:52 AM, Unicorncob said:

Despite every inch of her hurting, Jade wasted no time in helping Tricis out of bed. She kept her eyes on her teacher as she looked out the window.

I did it... we did it...

She looked over at the picture and listened to Quill. The image was certainly uncanny, but if Thuum wasn't responsible...

"What if it wasn't his choice?" he suggested. "Perhaps something posessed both of them?"

@Dynamo Pad@DwhitetheGamer @dragon4111 @Canteen_the_unstable @reader8363

(It's been real, and I'm still open to doing a sequel, but I've clearly lost steam on this one. I appreciate you all for sticking around till we got to an end!)

"Were it so simple," was all Tricis said, still gazing out the window.

__________________________________________________________________________

Ray and Tatterhoof met up outside of the arena beside the hotel pool, watching fans clear out from the nearly obliterated stadium. "Dai said thomething about thtaying in Equethtria a while. Said she... needed to learn more about them."

"Then I guess my debt is solely to you." Tatterhoof said leaning on his Cane.

Tatterhoof and Ray stayed together after the tournament, but under Ray's leadership, they formed an actual circus act. Having been proven a less than capable fighter, Tattehoof's talents were used for what they always should have been for: entertainment.

Dai left the arena with Draco, but with little more than a vague promise to return to him, she parted ways with him to live amongst ponies. For what reason? She doesn't know.

___________________________________________________________________________

"Maybe Rokata thought it was some kind of penance, like he was guilty for feeling vulnerable and he never wanted to be vulnerable again, so he became the one thing he knew was invulnerable," Shining Armor theorised. "Maybe he admired the power Thuum had and really did become him. Maybe that's what made him feel so guilty. Maybe he was afraid of the way Tricis dealt with the tragedy, and took the extreme road so he wouldn't have to look back. Maybe he was just afraid of growing old."

___________________________________________________________________________

Onyx walked on foot for days with Selene's body before finally ariving at the ruined desert site that was his village. Amongst the husks of charred huts, a boulder was errected in its center, where a well once was, carved by hands with the names of the deceased. Behind the boulder was a cave carved in limestone. Onyx placed Selene's body at the foot of the boulder, resting her head against it like a pillow.

Onyx trained in solitude at his village, some nights confusing nearby travelers with sounds of earthquakes and tumbling rubble, but his efforts were directed at nothing. With Rokata dead, he would never know if he was even capable of reaching his goal.

___________________________________________________________________________

"Rokata isn't a pretty picture. He's a scattered puzzle. Every time you find a piece that fits you realize two others are in the wrong place, and he's willing to attack anyone trying to solve it, including himself." Shining Armor added.

___________________________________________________________________________

Topaz sat behind her fathers desk with a phone to her ear. The shades on the window behind her shrowded the room in moody darkness. "Yes, there's plenty of money from the proceeds for the repairs.... I don't care how long you say it's gonna take. It's getting done in a year." She leaned back in her chair. "The chairpony?" She paused and brought the phone away to take a deep breath before pulling it back. "You're talking to her."

Rail's plans were burried with the last of his fortune, leaving his daughter with only his tournament as inheritance. Though she'd never attempt the evils that he sought, she would continue his legacy through the dark tournament.

___________________________________________________________________________

Tricis and Rokata locked eyes, then Tricis turned to Jade and Dynamo. "I'm... tired. Let's go home," she said, a tear of joy, relief, and sadness crossing her cheek.

Cumulus was already perched in the open window on the farside of the room, tipping an invisible hat to Jade. "Right as rain! We'll fight again when you're better Jade!" He promised. Shining Armor suddenly snapped into action.

"Wait! You're a fugitive from justice!" He cried, dashing toward the window. Cumulus jumped out and flew away, leaving a trail of smoke. Shining Armor jumped through the ground floor window and could be heard barking orders at royal guards outside to pursue.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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.

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A week passed and the stadium was empty. Reconstruction wouldn't begin for another month and the ruins of the arena were left to crumble in the rain. A lone dark blue unicorn mare trudged through the muddy sod toward a pile of rubble beside a collapsed stadium wall and put up an umbrella.

"I was planning to wait here for years, but who is this?" Mason's haunting voice echoed from the very earth. A small shadow-like orb stretched from between two rocks, with a single red eye blinking up at her. "I haven't recovered yet. I can't see you."

"It's a pity to waste something that's survived for so long, laughing one," the mare said. She knelt beside the rocks, getting eye level with what remained of Tenebris. "You're going to love what I have in store for you."

On 8/25/2020 at 7:58 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade's heart soared when she saw Tricis begin to stir, and soon wake up. She smiled back, eyes starting to tear up. "I feel terrible."

She bowed her head to her teacher. "I'm so sorry for causing all this trouble. But, we did it. It's over now."

@dragon4111 @Dynamo Pad @DwhitetheGamer @reader8363

Tricis put a hoof on Jade's shoulder and turned to Shining Armor. "And Rokata is...?"

Shining Armor nodded.

"Help me up," Tricis said to Jade and Dynamo. She needed them to help her stand, and when she was able to stand, she walked over to the window by her bedside.

"Well, if that's all done with, I'm gonna leave," Dai said to Draco. "I don't think it'll be hard for either of us to find the other, when we need to."

Quill tugged on Shining Armor's elbow and spoke to him loudly enough that Jade and Dynamo could hear, but Tricis was already across the room. "There's something I was trying to find out, the reason I went to grab my notes when Rokata transformed. I was looking for this."

She pulled out a black and white picture of Thuum, the Gryphon warlord who attacked the dojo Tricis and Rokata's father used to teach at, who killed his father and slaughtered his students when tricis and Rokata where away. Tricis had told Jade that Rokata left to confront Thuum alone, and came back victorious, but forever changed. The picture bore a striking resemblance. The structure of the monstorous gryphon's muscles, the claws, and shape of his head and jagged teeth, it looked like Rokata in his final transformation.

Thuum wasn't a supernatural being, he couldn't have posessed Rokata or become him somehow, yet Rokata's transformation seemed to be designed after him. Whatever Rokata did to become what he was, he designed it after that monster.

"Why would he choose to look like something he hated so much?"

On 8/22/2020 at 8:00 AM, Dynamo Pad said:

"There's only one thing I can ask, if you don't mind. Selene maybe have been an enemy, but...she's still my friend. If you can, then please give her a proper burial. That's all I can ask is to give her some closure."

Onyx stopped for a moment, hearing Dynamo's request. He turned his head slightly to let Dynamo know he heard him, then he walked away without a word.

On 8/22/2020 at 7:50 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade's vision blurred in and out, but she could see the masses of injured fans taking up the wards and hallways. The fans injured from the destruction.

This is all my fault. If I hadn't pushed Rokata so hard, these creatures wouldn't be...

Her thoughts froze as she saw the body of her teacher laying peacefully in her bed. She tried to squirm onto her hooves. When Tricis awoke, Jade wanted her to see her pupil still moving under her own strength after emerging vicorious.

Stand tall... make her proud... apologise for the trouble I've caused...

The vial Rail provided was placed near Tricis and Shining Armor opened the cap. The purple lifeforce shot out and immediately seeked Tricis out, returning to her in the same way that Rokata had taken it less than a day earlier. A lifelike glow returned to her skin and Jade could see her distinctive aura return, like she could see the life return to her.  Her aura was still weak, having given nearly all of her energy to Jade, but she was alive.

Shining Armor stepped back, making sure Jade would be the first to see her as Tricis opened her eyes. She rose from the bed, smiling at her apprentice with a soft, knowing gaze. She barely had enough strength to talk at first, and her voice was raspier and weaker than usual, but she seemed to be recovering quickly. "You look terrible," she said.

On 8/19/2020 at 7:40 AM, Unicorncob said:

 

Jade didn't have the energy to stop Dynamo and Cumulus helping her, so she could only groan weakly and wiggle her hooves as she was lifted onto the Unicorn's back.

She heard Onyx's booming voice, and with what consciousness she still had, she wondered. How did she beat Rokata? Shao certainly helped, but his power alone couldn't have been enough, could it?

"Didn't give up," she eventually muttered. "Kept fighting... pushed to his limit..."

5 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

"I hope that answered your question. Look. If I knew the answer, then I'd probably tell you. At the moment, all I can say is this." The blue unicorn grew quiet as he tried to find the right words to say. "I think Jade had something special going for her. Rokata?

@DwhitetheGamer

Then I have my answer straight from her. Exactly what he said he wanted from me, but it was all a lie. I was never meant to beat him. I was used.

Onyx hoised Selene's body over his shoulder and walked away, passing by Copper as he exited through what remained of the west gates. He didn't say anything to the combatant, but gave him a passing look in his stoic expression, still with a hint of respect.

Cumulus and Shining Armor lead Jade back to the medical ward with the aid of Dynamo. It was far from a fully fledged hospital, and the treatment rooms were all full of fans injured from watching the finals, so many that their numbers spilled out into the halls and into lounges usually left for gambling and spectating. The room Tricis' body was housed in was still off by itself. The staff had kept it undisturbed under direct orders from Rail.

Tricis was right where they left her, laying on her back with her legs crossed over her chest and her eyes peacefully closed. Only a small sliver of sunlight shone through the curtains, illuminating the room.

On 8/18/2020 at 6:10 PM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails

"Enough of the blood shed?" Draco asked with a shake of his head. "Very well I'll see if I can get into contact wirth one of my contacts to see if they can hook you up with a trade. I know you can do it on your own but allow me to do this miss Topaz,"

"I doubt she wants a job, considering," Dai said, displaying more understanding of ponies than Draco. "You should join your friends."

2 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

"I'm sorry, but at the moment, Jade is completely exhausted and out of energy. She's fading in and out of consciousness. So, would it be okay if you could ask her a little later?"

"No."

1 hour ago, dragon4111 said:

Draco stopped in his tracks and said "You coming miss Topaz? I'm going to be giving my leader a call and there will be nothing of this arena. So please come with me to my guild," Draco stated with a charming smile on his battle worn face.

Topaz shook her head, wiping the expression from her face. "I've had enough of this. For this year at least." She said.

On 8/13/2020 at 8:50 PM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails

Draco looked to Topaz and said "Forgive me. It had to be done," he all but whispered as he stomped hard onto the lighter breaking it. "I have a job proposal for you Miss Topaz. if you'll hear it," Draco stated as he looked at the pony. "But coming from your father's killer probably you won't hear what I have to say. But hear me now we have an arena back home. Not a blood sport but it could use a beautiful announcer," Draco stated with a charming smile. "Think it over ma'am," Draco stated as he began to walk away.

On 8/13/2020 at 8:44 PM, Dynamo Pad said:

D-Did the button get pressed? W-What's going to happen now?" He wondered aloud as he didn't want to know what the button was for in the first place.

The lighter landed in the cracked ground, slightly dug into the dirt. The brass cover that once hid the button was pushed back over it when it dropped, safely preventing it from being pressed.

Topaz silently watched as Rail fell as well, landing next to his lighter. She gulped, swallowing down the shock without showing any other emotion. Rail always had a plan- a scheme- a backup. She couldn't be sad or angry. The surprise of realizing that this really was the end overwhelmed what little feelings she still had for him. When she looked back up, Draco was already walking away.

She picked her mic back up while the last of Rokata's ashes blew away and Rail's blood sank into the earth.

On 8/14/2020 at 8:21 AM, Unicorncob said:

"Ngh..."

Jade grunted, trying to force her eyes open. She'd lost consciousness for a moment, but her vision cleared up enough to recognise Dynamo in front of her.

"R-Rail... Tricis... n-need to..."

She tried to push herself onto her hooves and hobble toward the medical area. She needed to see her teacher alive before she could rest.

"Don't go out on me now. We haven't even botha'd your gran yet." She heard Cumulus' voice say as her eyes closed. He used a wing to prop Jade up on the opposite side of Dynamo. Tatterhoof had walked down through the thinning crowd as well, standing in the rubble of the ring next to Cumulus and Dynamo.

"So the show's finally over," Tatterhoof said before being startled into a jump when a massive hoof slammed onto the ground behind him. Onyx stood towering over them all after stomping on the lighter next to Rail's corpse. In his arms, he had the body of Selene.

The last living member of Team Rokata looked down at Jade, barely conscious, being helped by her friends. "Before you go," He said, "How? How where you able to beat him?" There was an accusatory sting to his voice, the culmination of a decade of hatred. "What did you have that I never did?"

On 8/12/2020 at 9:37 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade watched as Rail revealed the button, and tried to hobble past Shining Armour to confront him. Her wings were limp and her head was heavy. "I-I won't... I..."

Everything was blurry. Her hearing went muffled. White noise. She felt an ache on her side. Everything was side ways. Her eyes closed as she finally lost consciousness.

"If that's the case..." Rail hovered his lighter close, his aura surrounding the hidden red button, ready to press.

On 8/11/2020 at 8:06 PM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails@Unicorncob

"Unfortunate," Draco stated as he was close to Rail. "I was hoping to recruit you into my guild as well maybe becomes friends I do like to gamble," he stated sadly. "But now," he stated as he gathered his wind into the tip of his hoof. he shook his head. "Do forgive me for this miss Topaz," he stated gently upon the wind. "ANGEL'S MERCY!" Draco then sent a hoof into the business pony's chest. It was too bad he would have liked to have gambled against this bastard but oh well.

"GAH!" Rail stiffened up and held his mouth agape with a shocked expression plastered on his face. He didn't seem to expect one of Jade's companions to actually attack him. Sweat dripped down his brow and the veins in his forehead bulged as the blood pressure in his body sharply dropped thanks to the hole Draco put in his chest.

Topaz covered her mouth and dropped her mic. From Rose's interactions with her, she seemed disconnected with her father, like she cared more about the tournament, but the shock and distress was clear on her face.

Rail slowly turned his head to his lighter as the aura holding it faded. Then the lighter fell and clanked on the ground.

On 8/5/2020 at 8:47 AM, Unicorncob said:

 

Jade almost slumped to the ground when Draco set her down. She forced herself to stand, legs shaking from the effort. She tried to hobble over to him and Rail.

"N-no more," she muttered, looking ready to collapse any moment. "Enough...lives taken..."

@dragon4111 @reader8363 @Dynamo Pad @Canteen_the_unstable @DwhitetheGamer (I'm done dallying. Let's get a finale going.)

Rail tilted his head down, keeping his eyes trained on Jade, then Dynamo when he came to aid her. Rose wasn't faring much better. Team Lotus was exhausted, but victorious. After all, the threat had subsided.

"Do you really think that's wise?" He asked, the normally civil, businesslike tone to his voice suddenly dissolving into something more psychotic. Perhaps it was too much to expect a calm and peaceful resolution from someone who they found out had downright genocidal goals for Equestria.

"You're not a threat without your money or your goons, Rail," Shining Armor replied, standing between him and Dynamo. "You and I are gonna have a long talk about how many lifetimes you'll serve after this, but we don't execute prisoners."

"Are you sure about that? I could get my money again. I could escape." He said, speaking in a bizarrely playful tone, like he was entertaining the possibilities as a fun thought exercise. "Besides, what's the fun in a gamble if you know you can walk out on your bets?" Rail flipped his gold plated lighter upside down and popped off the latch to a hidden compartment at its base, revealing a tiny red button.

He shot one glance at Topaz, his daughter, who was standing directly behind him, and said, "Best to leave now. I'd like to leave something behind."

On 7/29/2020 at 2:11 AM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails@Unicorncob@Dynamo Pad@DwhitetheGamer

"Hmm tell me something all of you if you had a chance to wish someone back to life would you or to you, Dai would you reclaim what you have lost by making that pact with me?" Draco asked as he stopped. He looked to the sky. He closed his eyes he breathed in then out.

"That's a ridiculous question," Dai said with the flick of an ear. "Of course I'd reclaim that if I could. Anyone would!"

On 7/29/2020 at 8:01 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade could barely focus on anything going on around her. Her vision blurred and her hearing faded frequently as she fought to keep conscious. She was aware enough to be annoyed that she was laying limp on Draco's back, but her muscles were screaming to the point she couldn't move.

I must see her again... she must know... I succeeded... I...

She tried to keep her eyelids from closing.

"I'm not about to turn this into a choice." Rail said, tossing the vial to Shining Armor, who caught it without taking an eye off of Rail.

"And what are we supposed to do with you?" He asked.

@Dynamo Pad @DwhitetheGamer @Canteen_the_unstable @reader8363

It seemed like everyone else was leaving the rubble filled stadium, but there was another matter to attend to.

"Well, what happens with Tricis remains to be seen, but as for me, I've already lost my final bet." Rail explained, "You already agreed to the terms of the bet. Now, it's time for you to kill me."

Rail wasn't a threat anymore without his team and his money, but he seemed almost insistent.

On 7/23/2020 at 3:53 PM, Unicorncob said:

 

"Protected?" Jade could barely murmur, so exhausted that just talking was using up the last of her strength. "Then...?"

 Master Tricis... is alive?

Her hoof felt like like a ton-heavy weight as she lifted it and her muscles screamed as she took the vial. She began slowly limping toward the medical area, stumbling and almost collapsing on the way.

On 7/23/2020 at 4:42 PM, dragon4111 said:

@Unicorncob

Draco walked over to the mare and then picked her up onto his back. "That should do it. rest I'll walk with ya," Draco stated gently to Jade with a grin on his face. He chuckled as he looked at the tired mare. "You fought well Jade,"

"I can't believe it, but it really looks like Rail is telling the truth!" Shining armor added, walking to Quill's side, but then she dampened the mood in her typical, tone-death way.

"Indeed, you could use that to bring Tricis back," she said, "But do you think that's what she'd want? It seems to me that Tricis came here able and expecting to die. Would it not be wrong to change that?" She asked.

"That's absurd," Shining Armor shot back. "Of course she would want to live, she trained Jade to win this, and her life is the very prize she won!"

@dragon4111

As Draco left the arena, thinned by the crowd that was also leaving in slight trauma, Dai tugged on his tail, "Jade has a decision to make, maybe you could even help." She said, "I think Jade would want to come back, right? Years are so precious to you ponies since you get so few of them." She reasoned. "Then again, Tricis had already had more than most."

On 7/9/2020 at 7:02 AM, Unicorncob said:

 

Jade almost collapsed when the call was made, but she noticed Rail approaching her. Whatever he was going to say, apparently it was too important to wait. So she fought to keep herself standing. Her legs were shaking and her head felt a ton heavier, but she kept eye contact. As well as she could while her vision blurred in and out, at least.

@dragon4111 @Dynamo Pad @Canteen_the_unstable @DwhitetheGamer @reader8363

Rail lifted his tie and held out a small glass vial in his hoof. There was a purple, nonsolid, crystalline structure in the vial, swirling within the glass and emitting a faint light. "We had a bet." He said, "High stakes as I recall."

"What is that?" Quill asked, fascinated by the bizarre item. 

Rail tapped the glass, hearing the faint ring it made. "Of course I never expected to fail, but I ensured Tricis' body adequately protected, just in case."

On 7/9/2020 at 5:40 AM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails

Draco looked at Dai with a grin on his muzzle. "Luck, skill, and brutality," Draco stated as he gave her one hell of a kiss. "Now then," after He gave her that heated kiss he then began to stand up. He said "Well we've won eh jade?" Draco asked jokingly over the roar of the crowd.

@Unicorncob@Dynamo Pad

It certainly wasn't the first time Dai had been in that position, but it was her first time with a pony, and she wasn't expecting Draco to go for the kiss so suddenly, leaving her flustered. When Draco broke off from the kiss, she shook her head and rubbed her snout. "I... did owe you that." She said.

"Draco? You're alive?" Shining Armor asked. 

@Unicorncob @Dynamo Pad @dragon4111 @reader8363 @DwhitetheGamer @Canteen_the_unstable Sorry again. I've been moving my house these last two weeks while working long hours. I think I'll be able to make time tommorrow.

On 7/6/2020 at 10:40 AM, Unicorncob said:

She opened her eyes, revealing her pupils as the dragon's energy had depleted, returning her to normal. She watched as Rokata's body began to fade away, like cherry blossoms pushed off the trees by the wind. When she was freed, she could barely manage to spread her wings and glide down to the ground, her legs almost giving way as she landed. As the adrenaline wore off, she found her muscles screaming and her body aching all over. Her legs shook trying to hold herself up, but still she managed to bow her head to the cloud of dust scattering in the breeze.

Rokata, is this what you wanted? I hope I could give you the challenge you wished for. May you find some form of peace wherever your soul lies.

She lifted her head just enough to look toward Topaz's booth -- what was left of it, at least -- and she awaited the official call.

@Dynamo Pad @Canteen_the_unstable @reader8363 @dragon4111

Topaz watched the dust fade away in the wind, lowering her mic with an expression of shock. Rail walked up behind her when it became clear that she wasn't going to make a call. "It's alright," he said to her before raising the mic to pick up his voice. "The winner of the Dark Tournament is Team Lotus!" He lowered the mic and walked  closer to Jade. "Those of you who've remained in the audience will remember this for years to come."

He looked at Jade and Shining Armor. "And I believe we had an arrangement as well."

On 7/7/2020 at 7:36 AM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails

Draco opened up his eyes as he listened for the sound of Topaz announcing the winner.  Well that was a good a few seconds of a nap time to get up and surprise poor little Jade.He looked up at Dai. "I'm sorry I worried you my dear," He whispered softly to her and only her. For it was carried by the wind to her ears alone.

Dai shook her head softly. "I don't understand how someone like you has lasted this long," she whispered back.

On 7/4/2020 at 8:44 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade felt Rokata's arms around her, compacting her aura. She was protected from his strength for the moment, but she could feel him breaking through. She grit her teeth, pouring on as much energy as she had left.

I can't die here. I won't die here.

Rokata roared and Jade let out a scream as she gave him everything she had. Every ounce of power she had left to break his defences and finish him.

She could tell she was so close. She just had to get through.

@Dynamo Pad @Canteen_the_unstable @reader8363 @dragon4111

Rokata's claws glowed with an intense purple aura as he used all his strength to root himself in the ground and stop Jade's charge. After being pushed nearly to the opposite wall between where Onyx and Jade's teammate's were sitting, the movement stopped. Rokata was able to root himself firmly in the ground. Rokata stood tall, grasping the orb Jade was encapsulated in and slowly contorting it as his arms squeezed around it. His primal screams drowned out any sounds made by the remaining onlookers.

"Only a few more moments now," Rail said with a confident demeanor.

What Rail said was clearly true. Selene stood herself up and took a step closer to the two fighters, looking puzzled. He's right, but how is this nothing like I saw it? Total victory. That's what you were always destined for. You would show me the depths of true absolution, fulfill my final wish. What is it you want from this?

"I've never seen him give it his all before, not like this," Onyx said behind her, which made her realize what she was missing.

So this isn't about finding a worthy opponent at all. You aren't even the teacher.

Rokata squeezed the aura around Jade, compressing it until his claws locked around the other side. The blazing heat turned the skin and scales on the front of his body black, but the he never even closed his eyes, keeping them locked on Jade. "IT WASN'T ENOUGH!" He cried, then, with an enormous surge of power, purple lights lit the stadium in streamers emitting from his muscles. He clenched hard around Jade, holding the ball of energy steadfast until finally it erupted with a thunderous, deafening BOOM!

The loud eruption was followed by silence. Rokata stood in the same spot with his arms wrapped around Jade, claws clenching her hooves after breaking through her defenses. He had her wide open for a killing blow.

Seeing an end, Shining Armor hung his head. No one could have asked more of Jade but Rokata had stood through her best. "No..."

"Always such a messy business. I'll never have a game of chance like this again," Rail commented.

Onyx held his head and sighed. "Even I thought there was a chance she could have won. But he did give her plenty of warning-huh?" As he spoke, Selene collapsed next to him, her demonic eyes fading from her body. 

Always so cryptic, Rokata. Is there a reason I had to wait this long?

Rokata's grip on Jade stayed firm, but there was no driving force behind it. It was like she was being held by a statue, rooted in place. His unnatural face was twisted into a smile. He looked like he might say something, but instead he stared at her as his body chipped away. Like dust, his charred skin was wisped away by the wind. Jade was soon freed as his claws were washed away and within seconds, there was nothing standing before her but a cloud of white and black dust.

On 6/23/2020 at 6:56 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade bathed herself in fiery dragon energy, burning bright and fighting the resistance like a comet entering orbit. She grit her teeth as she fought harder to break through Rokata's defence. It was like a high-power drill trying to cut through a wall of diamond. No doubt anyone still in attendance could feel the heat pouring out of Jade as she kept forcing herself against Rokata.

His skin and muscle can regenerate, but his bones can only take so much. Let's see just how much.

She burned brighter, the fireball growing to the size of a house as she poured on more power. He wanted to be defeated, and she was eager to oblige.

"COME OOON!!!" Rokata cried again. His muscles strained as his wide, trunk-like arms wrapped around the ball of flaming magical energy. His singed skin cracked from the proximity of the violent flames. His feet dragged on the floor, claws crashing through rubble and dirt while leaving a deep fissure in the earth.

"I don't understand him. If he wants a fair fight, why isn't he dodging?" Rail asked with no one to answer. 

Selene was hunched against one of the still standing sections of wall beneath a chipped blotch of paint. He has to be waiting for something. He brought out everything from her, but there's still no way he can lose.

"Today is the day everything comes together. And you'll get what you're waiting for." She remembered him saying to her.

He would never break his word. But what is he waiting for?

Jade was encapsulated by a sphere of light, her own aura protecting her from Rokata's touch as she pushed him back. The white light surrounding Jade gained a hint of red as Rokata's arms squeezed the mass of energy, slowly crushing it like a balloon ready to pop. He let out a primal roar.

On 6/17/2020 at 10:35 AM, Unicorncob said:

When the dust cleared, Jade was nowhere to be seen. Not in the air, or on the ground. In that moment, it seemed she was finished.

But Rokata would likely know otherwise.

Soon, the rubble from the crushed stands stirred, and a ball of fire shot up from it. Jade floated in the air, looking eye-to-eye at Rokata.

"My turn."

She sped again, invisible to the naked eye, and aimed a sharp, burning strike to his throat.

After testing each other thoroughly, things were only going to get more dangerous. Each fighter knew the strength of the other, and it was so close that the only response was to go all out. As Rokata decided to stop holding anything back, Jade had ditched  her chains as well. Raising from the rubble bathed in dragonfire, she illuminated the stadium as if the sun itself had poked out of the clouds.

Rail took  a step back, his cigarette barely hanging from his lips.

"You may want to stay back." Selene said to him. Rail backed away closer to the edge of the field. Clearly, no one in the entire stadium was totally safe, but he wasn't going to obstruct his view by taking full cover. It wasn't worth it.

Rokata crossed his claws and stomped his left foot into the soil. As Jade sped toward him like a cannonball, she felt resistance before she even reached his arms.  It was like she was trying to trudge through snow against whirling winds. The bright magical flare surrounding her clashed against Rokata, making his feet dig deeper into the soil. He was trying to break her in her tracks, to see if he could block her in her full stride. His knees buckled and the skin on his arms were singed as he gritted his teeth and growled, "COME ON!"

Sorry. I'm working a long weekend. 26 hours in two days and it's still hard for me to write RP posts right now. I'll post on sunday.

16 hours ago, Unicorncob said:

He's testing me. He wants to find my limits. I'll be sure to surprise him.

The cuts forming on Jade's body were healing as quickly as they appeared, while watched Rokata reel back for another punch. She crossed her legs once again, prepared to block the attack.

@Dynamo Pad @Canteen_the_unstable @reader8363 @dragon4111

Before Rokata's attack even connected, the ring was filled with an ominous power, causing some small objects, pedals, and metal jewelry to vibrate and rise off the ground. Sensing danger, Topaz jumped behind a chunk of concrete and braced herself. Some of the few fans still in the stands took cover as well as a second explosion rang through the stadium. This time creating enough explosive force to shake the foundations of the dividing walls behind Jade, causing more of the stands to collapse.

Rokata's punch kicked up dirt, enveloping the  two of them into a plume of smoke. No one could see how Jade fared from the attack  until seconds later when the dust blew away.

On 6/11/2020 at 7:28 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade watched as Rokata raised his fist, and crossed her hooves over her face to block it. A wall of fiery energy built up in front of her.

You're certain this is not a trap?

If he wants me to impress him so badly, so be it. Besides, I want him to exhaust his options.

Rokata's fist trailed directly into Jade's hooves exactly like he said it would. No tricks. There was a resounding explosive *BOOM* as the dirt and ruble around them flew out in a spherical pattern. The force of the blow was sent back, causing the hairs on Rokata's head to shoot back for a moment before all the power from the blow dissipated. A deep grin on the monster's face showed how much he was enjoying this. Jade wasn't even pushed back a single inch.

Rokata pulled back his left fist, the bright aura swirled around it brighter and stronger than before. His aura flared up, extending to where jade was standing. It felt like she was in a sand storm with sharp, invisible objects creating tiny cuts on her skin  just from being so close. "Let's try something bigger!" He shouted, retracting his right fist and swinging at her with his left.

On 6/6/2020 at 9:12 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade's hoof collided with Rokata's hoof, their explosive impacts combining to create a shock wave sending the airborne pegasus hurtling back a few yards.

You know he's expecting you to attack from the front, yes?

Yes, I'm counting on it.

She sped back toward Rokata, zigzagging to make her movements more spontaneous but still possible to track. Just as she was meters away and reeling back for another straightforward punch, she seemed to vanish to the naked eye as she suddenly sped up.

She 'reappeared' in the air behind him and aimed a diving kick straight for his spinal cord.

Rokata was only fast enough to track Jade's movements. He traced  her running along his side, positioning herself behind him on stable footing, ready to strike at his back. He needed to turn and block the strike with his shoulder, but even with his previously-overwhelming speed, he only had enough time to hault his backward momentum before she struck him in the back, creating a ringing thud like a flat surface falling into still water. This was the first time in this fight, the first time in longer than Rokata could remember, that he'd been struck by an opponent he was trying to block. He didn't want to be hit, yet he couldn't stop it.

Rokata reeled forward  and quickly turned to Jade while purple blood ran down his back. He straightened his posture, creating a loud *POP* as his spine settled back in place. He huffed and shook his head, recovering from the worst of the damage, then he curled his right hand into a fist, his whitened knuckles swirling with a purple and red aura. "When I first met you on the first day of the tournament, a strike like this would have killed you." He claimed. "But now, I'm predicting you'll be able to block it." It sounded like he was issuing a challenge, encouraging her not to dodge.

The demon stepped forward, firmly planting his right hoof  in the ground while swinging his fist at Jade's chest.

On 5/8/2020 at 11:14 AM, Unicorncob said:

Jade stared Rokata down, noting the deep gash she made in his horn. Good, she did some damage.

I've never felt like this before. Hurting Rokata so badly... why does it feel so right?

I thought you could use an extra edge to help you along. You did some real damage to his horn.

Indeed, I thought he would have healed it by now... unless...?

Her blank eyes widened slightly.

It seems you've realised the same. Let's hope it to be true, then.

She sped toward Rokata again, this time varying her strikes. Kicks aimed at his jaw and joints, chops attempting to snap limb, strikes aimed at his horns once more.

Rokata was ready for her speed this time. She was back to her old tricks, or lack there of, attacking straight to the front. He sprang back, leaving a small cloud of  dust where he'd been standing. Jade could pursue him with her flurry of blows, but with his retreat she didn't have the proper footing to make a strong blow. Her punches were creating shockwaves of explosive power, similar to Rokata's own punches from earlier in the fight.

When Rokata landed, he leaned back and sent a fist at Jade's chest just as she punched at him, giving them a chance to see who could hit harder, or take a worse hit.

@Unicorncob @dragon4111 @Dynamo Pad @DwhitetheGamer @reader8363 @Canteen_the_unstable

Are you all still interested in continuing this? I know it's been a really long time but I'm feeling better.

I'm still alive, sorry guys.

On 4/21/2020 at 12:48 PM, Unicorncob said:

Jade vanished again as the blast fired, and when the white flash finally faded, she was nowhere to be seen.

He would then feel a sharp blast of pain on the back of his head as Jade's strike came down on his skull. If he were to turn and look at her, he would see the lack of irises and pupils in her eyes, just red sclera of pure anger.

She grabbed one of Rokata's horns and pulled, like she was trying to tear it right off his skull. She wanted to pierce his black heart with it. That was the only plan she had.

Rokata lowered his hoof and shifted his eyes across the rubble, unable to detect her until it was too late. He staggered forward from the strike on the back of his head and quickly turned around to sweep her away with his right elbow. She grabbed his horn before he hit her, but she was send flying back a few feet from the blow. Her hoof ended up leaving a deep scratch in his horn, cutting right through the fortified bone.

Rokata turned around and squared off to Jade. With a look of surprise, he tapped his horn, feeling the fissure Jade created. Then his expression twisted to a deep smile. Another new sensation. Was that fear? I haven't felt it in so long. At last I'm in a fight that I truly don't know the outcome of.

On 4/30/2020 at 11:37 PM, dragon4111 said:

@Literally Snails@DwhitetheGamer@Unicorncob@Dynamo Pad

Draco just laid there pretending to be dead.Good thing he accelerated the healing process. Because that hurt like hell. But he knew he would live. After all Rokata was a professional assassin he would know where to attack. But damn did it hurt. Oh well.

@Dynamo Pad 

Dai knelt at Draco's side next to Dynamo. She placed a hoof on his back and used the other to support him. "Draco, you need to fight this!" She shouted before her expression suddenly changed to something of confusion and she brought her snout closer to him. "That's odd. He has a steady pulse..." She said under her breath.

Sorry again guys. I'm gonna try to post tonight.