We're all gonna get in a fight! [EVENT: FITE NITE][Warning: Violence and Blood]

[smartass_captain]

People have been disappearing in the Nexus.

Going missing from work, from their homes, from the Plaza.

Locals are staying in their homes, shutting their doors. Even the more shut-in of Nexus goers will be able to tell that something is amiss around here. The Plaza is strangely sparse as far as foot traffic; many of the shops downtown are closing early.

Word is spreading in the Industrial District of an anomaly in the anti-violence field. Easy money for betting in cage fighting. Less easy money but larger amounts for competing in said cage matches. One on one, matches with and without weapons. Rounds go until someone surrenders, is knocked out, or dies. Who would set up such a thing? It's becoming very popular and many a coin is being generated. Are so many people really signing up for this?

Some are. Others are captured and drugged, thrown into the ring against their will with the ultimatum: Fight and get free, or die.

What do you do?

Are you looking to bet your wages? Sign up for a chance at riches? Are you one of the unwilling laying in a dark room?

Or.

Are you going to stand for this if not?

((Please view this OOC post to chat with other players before you jump into a fight! All fights must be agreed upon by participants ahead of time for severity of injuries. Outcomes can be agreed upon or will be decided by a coinflip by myself. Please do not come into this expecting to clean sweep someone without sustaining injuries unless you and your fight partner have agreed ahead of time that would be hilarious. If there are questins, concerns, or complaints PM me. TL:DR Have fun and don't be a dick!))

Comments

[red_room]

"Be lying if that wasn't a little bit of the reason."

Though she shouldn't need to go looking to break bones just to get a bit of excess frustration out of her system. Shouldn't. But she's hardly normal and should has never been something she fell within the realm of.

"Something like that. I need to assess threats. Find out where I stand."

[hellburger]

"I hear you. Around here the odds aren't great if you don't have magic or mutations or whatever bullshit power in your arsenal."

He snorts derisively. "Been thinking about that a lot lately after a couple'a run-ins with magic types."

[red_room]

"It's something I've been keenly aware of since the entire body-swapping affair." Natasha's lips draw into a thin line at the memory, posture stiffening even more at the feeling of helplessness she remembers. At being unable to do anything to stop it from happening.

Or to prevent it from happening again.

"If only all the problems in my life were as simple to be solved with a blade or a bullet."

[hellburger]

"Amen, sister."

Kaz leans in conspiratorially, or at least as far as he dares given Nat's tense aura. "Tell you what -- there's a lot of ground to cover. I'll keep you in the loop if I find any interesting solutions."

Miller pulls a small notepad and pen from his pocket, jots down a number and tears off the sheet. He offers it with a smile. "I know. Not the best presentation. Haven't had a chance to print cards yet."

[red_room]

"Your digits. How clever." Natasha folds the paper and tucks it away in a pocket that really must be made just for business cards because there's no way she's fitting anything bulkier than that in that skintight number she's wearing right now.

Still. She takes the pen and paper from Kaz and jots another number back before handing him the pad and pen together. Offering information has earned him the right to call her dump phone. She can always get rid og it or him if he abuses said privilege.

"None of this concerns you? How are they making a profit if they're paying the fighters such a large percentage of the winnings?"

[hellburger]

"Yeah, just picked up one of those cellular phones!" And boy does he love it. He takes back his notepad and tucks it safely back in his pocket. Whether or not he'll respect this privileged access depends on if he learns about selfies and how easy they are to send.

Kaz shrugs at the observation. "I'm gonna guess there's some match fixing going on. They've probably got a few high-profile bouts -- they'll work with the bookies to drum up bets and then pressure someone into throwing the fight in their favor. Make a nice stack of cash for the house over the course of the event.

"You've been here longer than me. You notice this operation before?"

[red_room]

"Nothing like it. This place wasn't even here a week ago. Not that that's unheard of in the Nexus." Streets don't always lead where they once did and new places pop up all the time and vanish just as easily.

"As soon as I caught wind of it I headed here." Natasha's gaze flits to the screen. "It's relevant to my interests here in the Nexus, after all." Natasha would go on more, but there's one of those maids in the rather risque outfits approaching.

She extends a perfectly manicured hand Kaz's way.

"Your match is up, sir." She murmurs quietly.

[hellburger]

"You know, I'm surprised this place isn't lousy with questionable stuff like this. You couldn't ask for a better criminal haven." A part of him is grateful to see it; for better or worse, his business thrives in more laissez faire environments.

"Can't keep the crowd waiting! We'll have to compare notes later." Miller tilts his sunglasses down and gives Nat a wink before turning his smile on the maid and taking the offered hand. "Lead the way, sweetheart!"

[magnetite_plz]

"Of course, Sir."

The maid is so graceful she could be gliding across the floor as she leads Miller through several hallways that all seem to lead upwards and then finally to the edge of the large caged in arena. Only here does she drop his hand and give a deep bow in her short skirt before taking a step back.

"Best of luck, sir." No one's opponent should be taken lightly here.

[youmeandpokemon]

[When Kazuhira enters the caged arena, the crowd erupts in cheers, excited to see the match that's about to unfold. After all, it's not everyday that a military man is pitted against...a turtle that's only a third of his size. Yes, tonight in this arena of blood and violence, a turtle has taken up the mantle to fight a grown man in combat.

Kaz might notice that it's not the leader of the Squirtle Squad, but rather, it's the runt who asked him for advice many months ago in the Nexus. It seems like time has been generous to the turtle though, as he's grown up a bit, looking considerably stronger than before, even without his glasses. Stepping forward confidently, the turtle gives Kaz a small salute, before getting into a fighting stance.

A bell rings out in the arena, signaling the start of the fight.]

[hellburger]

Kaz flashes his best smile for the audience and basks in the applause -- sweet, sweet nectar for his massive ego. He rolls his neck from side to side, and relaxes into a loose stance while he looks for his opponent. Back at the waiting room, he'd entertained the possibilities -- undead warriors, space babes, demons ...? Not this. When his eyes land on the squirtle runt, he straightens up again and looks more concerned than anything.

"Hey. Hey! How'd you get in here, little guy? Where's the rest of your squad?"

[youmeandpokemon]

[Squirtle is almost the complete opposite of Kaz: very calm, not smiling. He doesn't care about the praise, even the cheers from his fellow Squirtle brethren in the crown are ignored. He's on a mission. A mission to become that strongest Water pokemon in all the Nexus. Kaz is one of those obstacles.]

[The pokemon points to Kaz, then back to himself, one balled up fist pounding on the front of his shell.]

"Squirtle! Squirt!" [It's as if he's trying to tell Kaz his feelings, that this battle is a test of strength and a sign of respect. Not that he expects those words to be easily translated.]

[A demon sees to be hovering around the duo, wondering if he has t prod these fighters along.]

[hellburger]

A warrior's spirit is nothing if not universal; it's the same determination he sees in fresh recruits. Admirable, but untested. "Okay. Fine. So long as you understand what you're getting into."

He centers his weight, knees slightly bent and arms up. "What'd you learn from last time?"

[youmeandpokemon]

[It seems that the turtle could be considered like one of Kaz's recruits, determined and ready to prove his worth to the Commander. He gives Kaz a nod, an agreement and understanding to the pain this battle might bring. The pokemon doesn't even attempt to take a cheap shot at Kaz, jumping back a few feet, tail twitching furiously.]

Squirtle!!! [The best way to show Kaz what he's learned is actually acting out. He concentrates, aiming carefully, and begins firing rapid shots of water at Kaz. Time to see how the commander responds to this assault of the tides.]

[hellburger]

After their last encounter, Miller was expecting a ranged attack. He dodges narrowly, not anticipating the increased speed. "Wow, you've really got some power behind those things. Great for hitting your mark. So long as it holds still."

He reaches down to draw the combat knife from the sheath at his ankle and holds it blade-down in one fist, keeping the other hand free to block or grapple as needed. Thus armed, he charges forward to close the distance and take a swipe at the creature. The motion isn't incredibly elegant; he's not accustomed to fighting opponents this small.

[youmeandpokemon]

[Seeing Miller dodge the water doesn't catch Squirtle off guard, in fact, he was preparing himself for that to happen. Being in the wrong mindset is a weakness, and this pokemon knows his opponent is tough, someone he can't let his guard down against.]

[When Miller rushes in with the knife, the turtle hops backwards, his shell being lightly scratched by the blade. A small amount of damage there, but what worries the turtle is that Kaz kept his arm open. He's seen fighting pokemon do this, a way to keep their opponent in check. Close range combat is something the turtle is trying to avoid, so he takes a deep breath and breathes a stream of bubbles at his opponent, hoping to at least distract Kaz long enough to get some space between them.]

[hellburger]

The bubbles prove to be super effective thanks in part to those sunglasses. They cling, pop, and distort the view through the lenses, making Kaz pause long enough to prop them up on his hairline. He guffaws and wipes his face against his upper sleeve as he extends his arm back out. "Cute trick! Haven't seen that one before."

The attempt to maintain distance is obvious, and the bubbles have definitely bought the Squirtle several yards of buffer. That space is going to close up quickly, though.

[youmeandpokemon]

[The turtle would respond, but it's clear that he's filled with determination, focused on the fight. He can socialize or compliment Kaz later, once a clear winner is settled. Squirtle doesn't get much time to react when being rushed down, trying to duck into his shell quickly. Running away wont help, as the pokemon knows Kaz is fast.

From the looks of it, however, the pokemon isn't going to win this speed tie. Kaz should have enough time to score a hit or two if he tries.]