TOURNAMENT ARC: SHINING VS GAVIAL (continuing from this)
“You’re both sure about this?” The Doctor was looking at the two competitors, somewhat concerned. “We set up the alternative competition for Medics specifically, after all.”
“It’s fine, Doctor. I’ve been trying to get her to go all out for a while now - this is my best shot at that.” Gavial smiled nonchalantly, glancing at her opponent.
Shining, by contrast, had her eyes locked on the Doctor since the pair had walked in. “While I’ve made myself very clear on that end with her, considering there will be proper supervision for this battle, I’m comfortable dueling her as she desires. The broadcasters should put a warning regarding flashing lights, however.”
“We have it in the marketing for all the Redeemers’ fights,” Jessica noted, showing off a flyer. “Rest assured, Miss Shining, we are fully prepared for your Arts display.”
“I trust that you will be. Gavial, I will see you in the coliseum.” And with that, the Sarkaz left.
Once the door was closed behind her, the Archosaurian sighed. “If I die, take my ashes to Sargon, please, Doctor.”
“Please don’t joke like that, Gav.” He sighed, shaking his head. “You really think you’re that outmatched?”
“No, but if I did misjudge, someone should know my last will and testament…I don’t think she has it in her, though. We’ve ever drawn blood during our duels.”
The Feline, who had once seen a very different sign of the leader of the Redeemers, shuddered. “I th-think she knows how to control it pretty w-well.”
“Regardless, we have our best Medics, excepting yourselves, standing by.” The Doctor flashed her a thumbs-up. “Go out there tonight and remind Rhodes Island why you’re the chief of your tribe.”
“I’m not the chief, Doctor.” She twirled her staff like a baton before leaving his office.
He smiled. “No, you’re not…But you earned the right to be. Hey, Jess? Promise me you’re not going to take a fight like this when yours comes up.”
“Eh?” The scaredy-cat shook her head. “Of c-course not, Doctor.”
“Thanks. I don’t think RI’d be ready for the consequences.”
——–
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, Operators, Staff, and Esteemed Guests! Welcome one and all to the Top Operator Tourney!!! *crowd cheers*
“Thanks, Hung! Good evening, everyone. It’s me, your Doctor, refereeing from the commentator’s booth tonight with my darling Jessica next to me. Say hi, Jess.”
“Um, h-hi, everyone!”
“Perfect. We’re up here tonight because a) I wanted front-row seats, and b) watching this fight from any closer would definitely break my corneas worse than they already are. Care to tell the audience at home why that is, babe?”
“Mmm, are you sure we can, Doctor? I mean, it’s public record, but not all of it…”
“If anyone complains, they go through me first.”
“O-okay! Well, um, Gavial and Shining are both Medic Operators, but unlike many of our field healers, both have proper weapons training as well. Gavial is an accomplished wrestler and certified with at least three styles of fighting based on her tribe’s weapons of choice, while Shining is regarded by some to be a swordswoman of equal skill to some of our Guard Operators. N-not that that’s a knock on any of our Guards, of course! Just saying how highly regarded her skill is in several circles.”
“And why am I scared of going down there and watching this fight in person, to the point I closed off the arena to all personnel?”
“W-well, in addition to her healing Arts, M- Shining is also known for her…We call it ‘Light,’ but I’m not sure that’s the best word for it, since all of her Arts are bright?”
“I’ll take it from here, Jess. Thanks for setting the stage *smooch*. Shining has only used her Arts for offensive purposes while serving with Rhodes Island on four occasions - two of which were during duels with Gavial, in fact. My darling Jessie saw her use them during one of the other two in-field occasions; suffice to say, she’s very brave for coming here today, aren’t you~”
“O-only because you’re here, Doctor~ A-alright, our combatants are entering the coliseum now!”
“I guess that’s enough flirting for now…Don’t think I’m done yet, viewers!”
——–
Shining, wielding a sword Vulcan had forged for her in preparation for precisely this match, walked into the arena at the same time as her opponent…who was wielding her staff. “I thought your staff was a handicap, Gavial.”
“I’ve been practicing in my off hours,” she replied, twirling it behind her head with a grace she hadn’t been capable of the week before. “Now, I’d say it’s roughly equal to you fighting with an ill-fit sword.”
“Vulcan won’t be happy to hear you call her workmanship ill-fit.”
The Archosaurian chuckled. “She’s got thick skin - too thick for me to heal properly, anyway. You’re gonna give it everything you got?”
“I’ll fight you today as my enemy.” The Redeemer grimaced. “As much as the thought pains me.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it - I asked for this, remember? Shine your light for the world to see, d- Shining.”
The Sarkaz blinked. “What were you about to ca-”
“Think fast!” And she certainly had to, as the other Medic launched herself into bonking range by using her staff as a pole to vault off of. Of course, thanks to the verbal warning, Shining was able to defend against the attack, but it was certainly a surprise nonetheless. “Heh. Serves me right for calling my attack.”
“You and Margaret have been watching the same television shows, it seems.” Even with her first attack thwarted, Gavial was holding her own. Much better than their last duel, in fact.
Not that it was easy - once again, she couldn’t find a hole in the Redeemer’s defences, but at least the pugilist could keep up with the retaliatory strikes. “Heh, maybe. They certainly have taught me a few things.”
“Such as?” The Sarkaz finally saw an opportunity to land a blow, so, taking into account the possibility it was a trap, she took the chance-
“This!” Only for the Archosaurian to disarm her by striking her sword-bearing hand, then her chest, and finally knocking her off her feet with a solid blow to her chin. “Phew. That was good. Point.”
The lights illuminating the coliseum began to dim ominously. “There are no points tonight, Gavial.”
“I know that. Still, it was a nice exchange, wasn’t it?”
“…You still don’t understand.” Shining didn’t rise to her feet so much as rise off the ground, practically saturated with Arts energy as she began to glow. “You asked me to fight you as I would an enemy.”
The other Medic swallowed, closing her eyes. “Yeah, I did. I’ve been practicing fighting in the dark for this moment.”
“The dark? Why would you practice fighting the dark? I don’t deal in darkness, Gavial.”
“Eh?” Still not opening her eyes. “No, that’s not true, I’ve fought you before-”
All the lights flickered out as the Sarkaz swung the blade she’d picked up from off the ground, slashing open her opponent’s garments and chest with one stroke before forcing her eyes open with her free hand. “You have fought Shining before. Tonight, you fought me.” And then, she unleashed her full strength for a single moment.
The cameras shut off, their lenses burnt out; Jessica and the Doctor shielded their already-sunglasses-protected eyes; viewers at home saw nothing but black after a brief flash, but could still hear the broadcast just fine.
“And Shining takes the match,” the Doctor mumbled into his microphone.
“She’s s-so scary when she’s s-s-serious,” Jessica replied, also in his microphone. “D-Doctor, is Gavial-”
“Stand clear!” Warfarin yelled as she and Aak arrived with the crash cart.
Shining didn’t move. “I will fix this.”
“You’ve done enough,” Aak asserted, “so go celebrate your trophy and-”
“I. Am Not. Finished.” Her voice boomed from every part of the arena, amplified not only by its shape but some other means.
“…Shining?” A faint Gavial voice managed.
There was another flash of light, which the cameras should not have been able to catch but did in spite of their floundering sensory capabilities. “I Am Here, Gavial.”
“Thanks.” Feet shuffling on the ground - the Archosaurian was standing. “Well-fought, I guess.”
“No, it was not. Why did you let me grab my blade again?”
“I wanted to know if you’d do it.” A cough, wet and guttural. “You proved me wrong, in the end.”
“Did I?”
“I thought you’d hold back and let me try blind-fighting, honestly. Once again, I’m not worthy.”
Two pairs of footsteps approaching the exit; the official Medics on call left the competitors to their devices, even as blinded onlookers continued to eavesdrop. “Worthy?”
“Heh.” Gavial wiped her face. “If I can’t beat you in a fight, how can I protect you?”
“Protect me? Gavial, what are you-”
A staff is flung to the ground. “My tribe would never let me date you if I can’t win a duel against you.”
“…Is that what this was all about?” The Sarkaz stabbed her sword into the ground to prop herself up. “You’ve been prompting me to fight at full strength…so your tribe would see us as a good match?”
“I know Tomimi and Zumama are the only ones from there here to witness, but-”
A laugh - a pure, claxon bell of mirth ringing in the arena. “I thought you were a straightforward person, Gavial.”
“I am, but if you didn’t fight at full-” The audio cut for a moment, it seemed like. In reality, the would-be chief lost her ability to speak momentarily. “…You-”
“I’ve bested you in combat, no? By your own logic, if I want to date you, then I’m allowed, am I not?”
A body collapsing to the floor - Gavial, no doubt. “I…but-”
“I was waiting for you to speak up,” Shining continued, helping her back to her feet. “Now, let’s have Warfarin make sure I finished my work properly, and then you and I have some lost time to make up for.”
“…Heh. Yeah. That we do.”
The Doctor tapped his microphone once both competitors left. “I had planned another five minutes of flirting with my fiance on camera, but I think our competitors did well enough on that front. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been your referee for this evening, and I continue to be the Doctor. Let’s go home, Jess.”
“Let’s…Fiance?”
“…THAT’S what I was supposed to do during lunch today!”
