CnC is welcome
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The halfbreed walked into the White Lotus and sat in his usual spot at the back of the diner. The place was next to empty with about three other tables occupied. It wasn't long before he was greeted by a familiar face, but when he looked up he was surprised at what she was wearing.
“What’s this?” Dracustos questioned, looking over Samantha’s kimono. It was white towards the top, fading to a deep purple at the bottom, and spotted with pallid pink and white cherry blossoms. The sleeves ended halfway down the forearm, and the kimono itself a few inches above the ankles.
“Iroh decided he wanted work uniforms,” she answered, “so he had some of these made. I think it adds to the atmosphere.” She twirled in it a bit. “You like it?”
“Yeah, it looks nice on you,” Dracustos said with a smile. The young woman returned the gesture before pulling out her little pad and pen.
“So, what can I get you?”
“I think I'll have the Jian Bing, and a hot cup of Red Chai.”
“Alrighty, I'll be back in a few with your tea.” She left to put in the order, and in what seemed like seconds she returned with the requested drink. She set it in front of the halfbreed before taking a seat across from him. “You up for going out again?”
Dracustos took a sip, the pleasant taste and smell of Chai spice and cinnamon flooding his senses. “Sorry, not today. I have a battle.”
“A battle, huh?” He looked up from his drink to find Samantha frowning. “Remind me again why you got into the RHG.” Dracustos took another sip as he thought.
“So I won't get lazy. Sometimes I get to travel. I meet new people, some of whom have become allies that can protect this town when I cannot. To get stronger, so I won't go down easily.” He closed his eyes and lowered his head. “I do it for my town. Yes, I've made enemies as well, but I think the pros outweigh the cons.”
“Not when one of those cons is you dying.” The Draconian turned his eyes back to the young woman. “I understand you don't want anything to happen to us; we're all you know, practically your family. You would die for us, and we owe you everything. But…” She took up the halfbreed’s free hand. “You need to start caring for yourself more. You’ve nearly died twice in the past few months...” She trails off. Dracustos was silent for a moment.
“I know you worry about me, Sam, all of you do, but I have to do what I have to do. Training at the dojo or with Dad can only do so much, can only give so much experience. If I'm going to guard Rejection, I need to know how in every possible scenario.” Samantha gave no response. She just stared down at the blue scaly hand between hers with a sorrowful countenance.
The Draconian remained silent in thought and sighed. His last two fights were the most dangerous, and though he had survived both, he didn’t come out unscathed. He was stuck in the Clinic for months after fighting Zalgo, and even died for a moment. He fared better against Abra, but according to Sam he nearly had his throat sliced open before Irascor took over.
Both had threatened his town. He fought them to protect his people. Everything he did was for his people.
He sighed. He didn’t know what to tell her to make her stop worrying so much; he had little experience with this sort of thing. Usually he was the one telling people to be careful.
“If it makes you feel any better… there’s a low chance of me ending up in ICU this time.”
“How’s that?”
“Her power is pyromancy, and she doesn’t have a weapon.” Samantha looked up. Her mood seemed to have changed to something less depressing.
“She? You’re fighting a girl?”
“Believe it or not, there are female Gladiators out there,” Dracustos replied with a halfhearted chuckle. “There may not be many, but… yeah. Worst that could happen is getting burned, and unless there’s lava or something in the arena, that’s not going to happen.” The halfbreed spotted Iroh through the kitchen window as the old man poked his head around the corner.
“Sam, just because Draco’s here doesn’t mean you get to slack off,” he called. The young woman turned with a wave.
“Sorry! I’ll see you later,” she said as she got up, then gave the halfbreed a quick kiss on the cheek. She got a few steps before Dracustos spoke up.
“If I don’t end up in the hospital this time, maybe we can go out again.” A pleased smile was given with a nod, and Samantha got back to checking with the other customers.
I can’t believe you’re courting one of their kind, Irascor growled. Dracustos rolled his eyes.
Well, if you know of any females of my kind, then please, enlighten me. There was no response as he sipped at his tea again. That’s what I thought. To be honest, I can’t believe it either considering she saw what you were like. Irascor continued to be silent for a moment.
Why do you assume I wish to harm everyone? The halfbreed sighed.
Because you act like it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that you didn't hurt her… but nearly everyone I've fought you've tried to tear apart. Just… try not to make anyone lose a limb this time.
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Dracustos looked up at the domed arena and frowned. Though he planned on staying on the ground, a roof would limit any flying he did. As he approached he spotted a familiar face waiting outside the door, sitting on a bench. He hadn’t seen that man since his battle with Light.
The Australian gave a wave as Dracustos approached. “Long time no see, mate!” The scaled beast took a seat next to the sniper.
“Long time indeed. It was Steve, right?”
“Blimey, I didn't expect you to remember. It’s been what, two years?” He received a shrug.
“Well, you were either brave or stupid enough to approach me when I was on the verge of losing control; either way I think it was commemorable. And you sort of pointed a gun at my face. Speaking of which, I’m guessing you're here to pop me should Irascor come out?” He gestured towards the sniper's rifle that was leaned against the bench.
“Yup. Though the walls of this place are pretty tough, the Organization doesn’t quite know the strength of your spirit friend. They tried to get your doctor to do it, but he was booked.”
“Heh, well hopefully we don’t add to his patient list.”
“Then let me give you a pointer. You know which arena this is?”
“Not really. I haven’t quite memorized them all yet.”
“This here is the Polymatter Arena. They can change the environment to simulate pretty much anything, so you’d best watch yourself. You never know if they'll change it in the middle of battle.” Steve’s watch began to beep, and he brought his wrist up to check the time and turn off the alarm. “Time for me to get into position.”
“Alright, thanks for letting me know about the arena,” Dracustos said as the man got up to leave. “I’ll try not to throw any fire your way.”
“No worries, mate. I’ll be way up top; unless you chuck a fireball at the roof, I should be fine.” Steve went to the doors and messed with the controls. They slid open into the wall like every sci-fi door in the history of sci-fi. “Oh yeah, the doors will open automatically when it’s time for you to fight.” Dracustos gave him a nod, and the sniper vanished from view behind the doors. A few minutes passed before they opened again. The halfbreed stood and went inside, greeted by cooled air.
The inside seemed bigger than it was with the entire interior being plain aside from pulsing, white grid lines on the floor. Four pillars housing elevators stood in cardinal directions. Looking up, Dracustos saw that they all connected to a catwalk, and in the center of that was a hub. He spotted Steve on the metal walkway and gave a wave. He received a thumbs-up from the sniper.
Turning his gaze back down, Dracustos caught sight of his opponent walking towards him. After a moment of hesitation, he followed suite. Her attire was somewhat flashy, as if she were about to perform at a carnival. They stopped a few feet from each other. At first there was silence, then the halfbreed decided to break it.
“I apologize in advance for any injuries you may receive. I don’t usually fight females, so I’m not used to holding back.”
“Don’t.” Draco raised his brow.
“You do know I could easily break your arm or something, right?”
“Comes with the job.”
“... You’re not wrong.”
An alarm went off, and a screen popped up between the pillars on the roof.
RANDOM MODE ACTIVATED
ENVIRONMENT:
Under the text, more text scrolled through options for where the Gladiators will be fighting. It settled on one, and a picture of a sandy habitat was shown.
ROCKY DESERT
The grid lit up before releasing a grey fluid. It built up under the fighter’s feet and lifted them up, both making sure to keep their balance as it rose and fell, forming whatever shapes it was told to. The temperature rose and the air became dry as the grey material turned into sand and stone until it made something like a canyon. An artificial sky was fabricated; whether it was dawn or dusk, Dracustos couldn’t tell.
A ball of fire flew past the beast’s head, and he snapped his head back to face Serra. She smirked, fire dancing around her hands.
“Come on Big Blue, let’s get this show on the road!” The Draconian grinned and gave a light chuckle. It was nice to have a fight that wasn’t for his life. He took a martial stance and gestured for her to attack first.
Serra quickly closed the distance between them, and fire trailed off her hand as she threw a fist. Dracustos stepped to the side and the flaming fist flew by, as did the next two blows, then a foot. He grabbed the girl’s hand as she swung again, his grip unfaltering from the burst of fire, and shoved her back.
“You need to work on your form, Maulra Yool,”
Dracustos was somewhat disappointed. This girl obviously had little expertise in hand-to-hand, and her fire was weakened by those gloves she had to wear. Perhaps if he found a way to get them off, they could have a real fight.
Serra stopped attacking for a moment, then let out a large wave of fire. Before it could reach him, Dracustos waved it apart, and caught a glimpse of his opponent running around a corner. He followed, then found multiple paths lay ahead of him. He quietly sniffed the air for her scent and followed the trail. He rounded a few corners, keeping an eye on the stone walls that rose and fell around him and the pillars of rocks precariously balanced.
Some sand and loose pebbles scuttered down a wall to his right. Dracustos froze and fixed his gaze, then quietly stepped towards it, prepared to pounce.
Something began to crumble behind him. He turned to find one of the pillars falling and jumped out of the way. The halfbreed was barely on his feet when Serra jumped him and managed to get a few hits in, but they had little effect. Dracustos reached for her wrist, and the next thing she knew she was being thrown over his shoulder. As Serra hit the ground she recognized the hiss of fire, then realized her left glove was missing and her hand was enveloped in blue flames. For a split second fear gripped her as she wondered where her glove could have gone, then her eyes widened in realization and she turned her gaze to Dracustos. It was in his hand.
“Hey- give that back!” Serra demanded as she scrambled to her feet. The halfbreed glanced between her and her glove.
“This?”
“Yes, that.”
“Wouldn’t you rather have an even fight?”
“I’d rather not burn this place down.” Dracustos chuckled, then tossed the glove back.
“If you say so.” No sooner than Serra put the glove back on, Dracustos swung his arm, sending the flames at his opponent. She jumped out of the way, nearly barreling into the rock wall, then took off back into the maze. With a flap of his wings the Draconian jumped to the top and gave chase. They came to a wide opening in the stone walls, where the halfbreed leaped to land in front of Serra. To keep her from fleeing back, he rose a wall of fire behind her.
“Come on kiddo, I thought you wanted to put on a show?” The girl glanced behind her, then back at the halfbreed. After a moment of debate she took a deep breath.
Serra flung her arm up, letting loose a wave of fire. Dracustos threw his own flames downward, parting the incoming wave. More fire was thrown, redirected, parted, and with each attack the two firebenders grew closer to each other.
Dracustos rolled to the side to avoid a ball of fire, then jumped at the girl with his claws flared. She easily ducked underneath and delivered an explosive punch to his midsection, but it remained ineffective. The halfbreed came at her again, and again she dodged, her hand pressed against his chest as she pushed him away to redirect him.
Fire left the Draconian’s mouth, but it was not his doing. He felt the heat leave his body, and felt as though his breath had been taken. The sensation stunned him, and he crashed into the sand.
What on Earth- He got back on his feet and turned to the girl. She stared at a fire in her hand, but it was different. It seemed to flow in reverse, and it changed colors. It was his Heartfire.
“Huh, so this is how you do it…” Serra mumbled. White fire was summoned in her other hand, and she played with it a bit as if it were a streamer. She turned her eyes to the half-dragon and grinned. “Guess we have an even fight now, don’t we?”
Dracustos opened his mouth to demand his Heartfire back, but before he could utter a sound a fireball was thrown his way. He jumped and rolled, then broke into a run as more fire came at him. He slid behind a boulder and fire pelted the other side, heating up the stony surface. Dracustos growled in frustration. He still couldn't use his teleportation, as his gem was still reforming, so he couldn't summon his Heartfire back into his hands. He couldn't just charge Serra either; she'd roast him before he could touch her.
The Draconian waited behind his cover as a few more bursts of fire hit its face. After a minute the fire stopped, but Dracustos didn’t dare to poke his head out. Instead he listened, and noticed his opponent was walking towards him. He shifted position, prepared to pounce once she got close.
He lept over the stone with a roar. Serra tried to move to the side, but her arm was caught by the beast’s talons and she was thrown off balance. She managed to steady herself before the halfbreed came after her again. She charged up another fiery punch as she ducked and rolled away from the half-dragon’s claws. A downward swipe to the right made an opening as she dodged to the left, and Serra hit him again in the midsection. Dracustos was sent to the ground by the burst of fire, scales turned to ash and skin burned from the white flames. He was quick to roll out of the way of another flaming fist, then got back to his feet and dashed back behind cover.
The alarm sounded again, the screen from before returning to display another message.
WARNING
ENVIRONMENT CHANGE
It scrolled through the options again, settling on a habitat of white and grey hues.
SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAIN
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Dracustos growled. The ground beneath him suddenly became soft as the matter returned to its grey form and began to shift. The temperature dropped as the fluid reformed itself into a slope, and it began to snow.
The cold bit into the halfbreed’s body, making him shiver. He had littl