Luca Aldebaran VS Colver Udikne [Tournament Battle]

[Horo]

Luca sighed as his name was called. How did he get roped into competing again? Right, he remembered: a bet with Soleth that he could go further. Sadly, this meant that he had to work his way up to Soleth. If he could make it that far… Clover Udikne, the Henko. Yes, this would be interesting. Luca pulled his hair back and put it in a single large braid. A knife was stored in his belt just in case he had to cut it mid fight.

He really hoped he wouldn’t have to. Luca walked out into the ring and looked around at the roaring crowd. “Time to give them a show.”

[Rikka]

Clover jumped up as her name was called. Excited she ran into the rink as she pulled out one of her favorite staffs that had a Pia Lamnia metal core and an outer shell of red wood from Pandora. She had specially made it because once a button was hit the 5 in blades at the ends of the staff would pop out and split into 5 small blades. Grinning at Luca she let her Black hair pull itself back into a braid.

"Hello Luca! A pleasure going up against you today." For luck today she had a right silver eye and a gold left eye. It was probably obvious who's DNA she was using.

Note: John helped me with this. The Pia Lamnia acts like Thors hammer. It syncs with the user and can't be picked up by any others.

[Horo]

Luca bowed to Clover as she entered the stage. ”The pleasure is all mine. I look forward to see what I can do to defeat a Henko. Sadly, I didn’t bring much in the way of metals with me. None that I care to use anyway.” Luca took up a fighting stance as the announcer walked into the middle of the stage.

”Ladies and Madmen! Are you ready to see some action? Are you ready to see blood? Brought to you from the depths of hell, these warriors here today are really getting it on! To my left we have the Father of Modern DNA Encoding, the Jack of All Trades! Luca Aldebaran! To my right we have the woman of many forms! Queen of DNA based Shape-shifting! Clover Udikne! Now folks, the rules are simple. You fight until either 1) someone gives up 2) you are knocked unconscious 3) You are removed from the arena. Death moves are allowed in this tournament, so be prepared! Now as you know, once a contestant comes within that last inch of life they will be automatically removed from the arena, declared the loser and then receive medical attention.

Now, LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!” the announcer looked to Luca and Clover, raising his arm high. Swinging it down he shouted

”HAGIME!”

Luca took up a fighting stance akin to Ryu from street fighter. He slowly began to step forward, the staff would be hard to counter from this range. He’d have to make his move fast, before she could pick up speed from swinging it.

Luca pressed on his speed and began rushing in for Clover. His hands pulled up at his sides, once in range he would begin punching and blocking the staff. Being that close, the staff would be a hindrance.

[Rikka]

Clover gave a slight bow as he did to show her respect. As he pointed out he hadn't brought that much metals she smiled. "Well then lets dance!" Even as she spoke the Announcer arrived on stage and began to shout about the rules. Well more like how to almost kill your opponent. Shifting her stance she slid her right leg back and closed her eyes. Taking a breath she did not need she let it out slowly. It was rather good way of calming her nerves.

As the announcer yelled Hagime her eyes shot open and started to track Luca's movements. Oh boy hes quick! Not as quick as the twins though. Quickly she blocked his hits with her staff. Ducking a punch she dropped to the floor and swung her staff out at his ankles before jumping to her feet. Using some speed she slammed one end of her staff against the floor and swung herself straight up into the air before unbalancing her weight and landing about a yard behind Luca staff in hand.

Maybe she could wear him down. Its not like humans could store extra nutrients like she did. Well they did but they couldn't use them at a moments notice. Her main goal was to stay away from option three. She wasn't all that big on trying to kill her opponents. Taking a defensive position she waited for him to come at her again.

[Horo]

Luca smiled, his tactic had worked out splendidly. Clover blocked each punch with the staff, and upon dropping down onto the ground he allowed himself to be tripped by the staff. Luca rolled backwards onto his feet as Clover landed three feet away from him. He slowly stood up with a large smile.

”Clover, would you like to forfeit this match? Your best opportunity to defeat me has already passed. Your skills will quickly become the instrument of your down fall.” Luca motioned politely with his hand towards the stair that lead away from the arena.

[Rikka]

Clover watched him smile as he blocked her attacks. Blinking as he offered to let her forfeit a big grin jumped to her face. "Don't worry. I wouldn't let you miss fighting me. I will either take you down or go down trying!" Deciding to change her tactic she moved in and swung her staff toward his right shoulder before shifting her grip and redirecting her momentum toward is head.

Jumping backward she moved in again aiming for his left knee cap with a lightning quick jab of her staff before she jumped over him and aimed her next blows at his right arm and strike toward his left side aiming for a nerve bundle in normal humanoids. If the nerve bundle was hit hard enough it could leave her foe with the inability to move.

[Horo]

Luca sighed, slightly sad that Clover didn’t forfeit at that moment. ”Very well.” Luca let his eyes relax as his thoughts emptied from his mind and he entered a Zen state of meditation. His body slowly began to move, as Clover swung her staff, stepping diagonally forward and to his left as her staff approached form the right. A slight lean allowed his head barely to avoid Clover’s tricky strike with ease.

Clover’s quick retreat allowed Luca time to root and recenter himself. Her low jab was avoided by a simple slid of his leg, moving it centimeters to the right. His knee turned down and left, pressing the staff further away from him before Luca took another step forward. Clover quickly recovered with a flip over his body, but Luca simply pivoted on the ball of his right foot and heel of his left to face her.

Luca stepped forward with his left foot as Clover’s strike came in towards his right arm and with a pivot around the left he flowed with the motion. His movements like water slowly moving down a creek Luca stepped into the final strike to the nerve cluster on his left side. (Going to assume it is the one in the armpit, it would have the effect you intend), placing his left hand on the middle of the staff and allowing his arm to compress as it finished its strike at a slowed rate while simultaneously preventing Clover’s intended effect. Luca was now three feet in front of Clover. His mind was blank and accepting of the world and whatever it gave to him.

Luca stepped forward lightly and twisted his body, pulling back and downwards on the staff in his left hand. The movement was gentle as it started but after his hips had put the attack in motion he “snapped” and shot a palm strike from his right hand, aimed at Clover’s chest, which ripping back on the staff, attempting to pull the Henko into his strike.

Side Notes: Luca is fighting using Taichi. Its movements are flowing, relaxed and when used to strike, "snap" out like a snake. The style is designed for joint minipulation and "sticking" to the opponent, he won't want to lose contact with your body. Luca isn't super-human (unless with magic, which he has yet to uset) but he is considered to be in peak physical form. Because of his powers, he is a master of many matrial arts, with ability depending on the skill of the practitioner he comes in contact with. With knowledge of his opponent's skills and his ability to see and copy muscle movemnt, he can read most attackers with ease. Luca still has a human body and resilience. He can be worn out, but it will take a long time if he isnt' hit. You can do it Rikka! You still have one or two tricks left that could help you beat him!

[Rikka]

Watching as he seemed to take on a relaxed air about him Clover was clearly surprised over his smooth movements and his ability to dodge her attacks by the smallest amount. As he turned on his heel she shifted her attack from the nerves in his side to the nerves in his armpit. Which was a mistake as he trapped her staff and yanked her forward into a palm strike toward her chest. She had two options.

One she could drop her staff and lose the surprise. Two take the attack and lose her best trick. Clover only thought about it for a spilt second as she loosened her cells in her chest and his palm strike flew straight through her chest. Hearing a ripping sound she sighed and looked down at her chest as she came face to face with Luca. Sighing she noted the tear in her pretty black tank and looked Luca in the eye. "Seriously. There is a better way to strip my clothes than tearing them. Also........Hmmmm. I don't think this counts as second base. Might wanna try again. Or not." Quickly she hardened her cells around his arm to see what he could do.

Luca smiled, looking into Clover’s eyes softly. ”No, I don’t think this counts as second base. Gender doesn’t really matter in a fight, so it’s just a chest strike.” Luca looked around the spot, taking it in. ”I’ve never punched through someone before. Interesting feeling.” Luca was now forced to think. His martial arts weren’t designed to handle the flexible and water like cell structure of the Henko body. Her defense was a double edged sword. He now knew all of her fighting techniques, but he was stuck inside of her. 

Luca stepped around Clover’s legs, placing his foot behind her and twisted at the waist in an attempt to throw her to the ground. 

Clover watched his eyes as he stared into hers softly. He didn't seem like the violent type. So why was he in this sort of tournament. ”Why are you in this type of tournament? You seem much gentler than some of the people who will be here.” Placing her right hand on her hip she watched him examine his stuck arm. ”Trust me this is not what a normal person feels like. I can loosen the cells at will but that would get me nowhere at the moment.”

Blinking she squeaked and hardened slightly more as he attempted to free his arm. Dropping her staff now that he didn’t have a hold on it and having no use at close range she grabbed hold of his shirt and attempted to take him with her as she fell. She was not letting go yet.

Luca chuckled at Clover’s question. I’m not the violent type he thought happily. Luca allowed his body to relax as he was brought to the floor with Clover, not wanting to cause damage to his trapped arm. ”I’m here for two reasons Clover. While I don’t get any joy from inflicting pain, I need to prove a point that I can if I must. Work related issues. The second reason is I’m in a bet with Soleth. I say I can go further than him in the tournament. If I beat you, I win.” Luca on top of Clover, his knees at her side and his hand still stuck in her chest. His first instinct was to strike with a knife hand, but his fear of getting another hand stuck gave him a new idea. 

Luca pushed himself backwards, pulling at his arm, hoping that Clover would release or get pulled on top of him. ”Please let my arm go.”

Clover heard him out and sighed. "Ah! A bet! That would do it. I like bets. I don’t like inflicting pain either but I do enjoy winning." Clover noted their positions and kind of wished his hand was in a better location. People Close would know what had happened while people far away from the ring would definitely have their minds in the gutter. It made her chuckle just thinking about it.

As he pushed himself backwards she followed so she was now on top of him. ”I wouldn’t mind losing so long as you go all out. I like to test my limits in terms of being strong enough.”

Luca blew Clover a kiss that only they and those with good eyes would be able to see just after she had landed on top of him. His face turned serious for a moment as he replied to her ”Well, I don’t want you to lose on purpose.” Luca took his free hand and began drawing a magical circle on his trapped arm. 

”severous” At his command Luca’s arm was sliced from his body allowing him to roll around freely. A second circle appeared on the wound and activated with the next word. ”conrectous” his arm magically regrew(and simultaneously dissolved from clover’s chest) onto his body in a manner of seconds. 

The high level spell had taken a toll on his body and left him with visible sweat present on his forehead. His breath began to slow back down as he stated. ”Alright Clover. That was a bit more difficult than I expected. Did you enjoy the trick?” Luca was stalling for time as he gathered the energy to draw another circle and push her away from him.

Clover grinned as he blew her a kiss. "You gonna make all your girl fans up close jealous by giving me all this special attention." As he became serious she rolled her eyes. "Well If I remember correctly about rumors of your affinity. You should know I never lose a battle on purpose. I like winning too much." Blinking as he started drawing on his arm that was trapped she watched at it was severed before he rolled away from her. Jumping to her feet she stared at the arm still inside of her before hearing him again and watching it dissolve while his arm regrew.

Noting the sweat on his forehead she watched him slow his breath down as Clover closed the hole in her chest. Plucking the edges of her shirt she sighed. ”This was one of my favorites.” Shifting her DNA to that of a male, her hair shortened to a spikey hair do and her chest flattened to that of a males as she pulled her shirt off. There was no saving it at this point in time. Maybe later. Throwing it in the twins direction she stepped toward Luca. ”Very nice Trick. I would ask to learn it but I can’t work magic. Just DNA.” Walking over to her Staff she slipped her toes under it she popped it up into her hands. Moving toward Luca she swung out at his mid-section.

Luca laughed at the comment about his female fans. (step forward in time)

Luca diverged from his normal tactics and retreated from the staff as it swung out. He took a deep breath and with his index fingers drew another magical circle in the air. It released a blast of energy, not harmful in nature or intention, to push Clover back from Luca as he fully recentered his mind. Luca took a very deep breath and let it out slowly, his eyes refocused on Clover. He had his plan. 

Luca began walking up towards Clover with his hands outstretched to his sides. His tacit would wait for the tell coming from Clover’s hips and shoulders for her next strike. He would step forward, twist to the side and dodge the staff, catch it with his forward hand if possible and try to manipulate her from afar. His timing would have to be absolutely perfect for the move to occur correctly.

Clover watched him retreat from her.....his staff as Luca started drawing circles in the air. Oh no! Racing forward Clover tried to get to him before he could finish but was blown backwards by a gust of energy. Gasping he dropped to the ground as Clover got pushed backwards before he could get a grip on the floor. Finally Clover stopped moving backwards as he stood back up and watched Luca. Luca was walking toward him with arms outstretched.

Blinking Clover watched him wondering what Luca was trying now. For a moment he stood watching Luca's eyes as they flitted between his shoulders and hips. He was definitely up to something. Deciding on a plan of attack he switched his grip on the staff. Clover's left hand moved toward the bottom of his staff and his right hand replaced his left hand on the higher grip. Moving forward Clover quickly swung out at Luca's chest before shifting his pole at a deeper angle aiming to knock his feet out from under him.

Luca twisted as he had planned, but his step was too shallow to save him from his shift in target. Luca rolled as he was tripped, but within a second he was back on his feet. He took a few steps forward and attempted to deliver a palm strike to Clover’s face. While his attack approached he threw a snap kick with his leading leg, hoping that his hand would distract Clover from the kick.

Clover watched him fall but in seconds he was up and attacking. Loosening his cells in his face he took the hit as Clover simply 'looked' at him through her membrane. Clover's way of seeing saved him from the kick as she shift her leg just enough that Luca's kick only momentarily shifted some her cells before they moved back to shape her leg again. Hardening his cells, Clover moved his arm to his left shoulder as his face reformed. "You know by the end of this you might have a new style of all black!" He grinned as he 'bit' Luca's stuck arm. It was actually just Clover rapidly dissolving some of the skin on Luca's arm in the form of a bite mark before stopping just before he started to bleed.

Luca’s face slowly grew a small smile as Clover played into his plan. He slowly began moving his fingers, writing another magical symbol on the palm of his free hand. Luca chuckled, as if tickled, while his trapped hand was ‘escorted’ through Clover’s body. ”Well, black isn’t really my color. I prefer to stay natural(color wise, like forest browns, greens, and navy blues) and plain(white) if possible. My red hair has enough color for character.”

With his hand planted in Clover’s shoulder, Luca sprang, whipping his legs up in an attempt to wrap them around the back of Clover’s neck, using his trapped hand as a support and then pull Clover down to the ground by leaning back and forcing a roll to occur. Luca would think of the next step of the plan if they both made it to the ground.

”You know, that doesn’t tickle.” He said in regards to the bite.

Clover felt Luca hand moving and blinked as his eyes widened spotting the circle being drawn and the smile on his face. Great he had played right into Luca's plan. Whatever that was. "Well your hair is a pretty red color. I think it would matching some of the DNA in my nucleus." Rebalancing his weight Clover was just a tad slower than Luca as he was yanked to the ground with him.

Clover had a feeling he needed to get off the ground if he was going to avoid being caught in Luca's trap. ”That was for ruining my favorite shirt.” Getting her left hand free she tried to hit the nerves in Luca’s right armpit again.

Luca pulled himself forward, sitting up and striking at Clover with his free left hand. His palm would impact with her/his chest if it was to hit. With Luca’s right arm stuck, he gritted his teeth, ready to take the impact of the nerve strike.

Clover trapped his free hand as it hit his chest. While Luca was stuck he quickly struck the nerves in Luca’s armpit.

The strike impacted with more punch than Luca was expecting. He had hopped that his movements would have, mixed with fatigue, caused the Henko warrior to miss his target. It was a gamble that the red haired daoist lost. Luca’s body fell limp on top of Clover. From the side of the rink, the referee came running up. His shaggy black hair bounced as he howled. ”STOP! This match has been decided!”

Griffin walked over to Luca and placed his hand on the man’s back, sending a burst of Pulse energy through his body to correct the pressures in his nervous system. Falling back onto his rear, he took a deep breath as he joked. ”That’s all the healing power I got. I’m not Horo, can’t use the Pulse stuff that well.” Griffin stood up and offered his hand to Clover. Once Luca was released he raised it high into the air. ”VICTORY BY NERVE KNOCK OUT! CLOVER!!!!!”

Luca slowly pushed himself from the ground and looked towards Clover. He lifted his left arm away from his opponent and snapped his fingers. The magical seal activated and an inferno formed in a small, but rapidly growing ball of fire. One reaching 5 ft. in diameter it burned out, lasting a total of 10 seconds. Luca walked over to his victor and with a pleasant smile extended his hand.

”It was a pleasure. I sadly wasn’t able to activate my spell before your strike connected. But, then again...” Luca looked back at the scorch marks left on the arena. ”Might be for the better.” Luca’s face was visibly tired, using magic drained him quickly, it was something he was going to have to work on. After any final words for him (from Clover), Luca turned and quickly exited the arena before he had to fight with the Twins.

Clover released Luca as he went limp on top of him. Laying there as the ref was done and sitting on the floor Clover gently rolled Luca over and softly laid him on the ground. Taking Griffin's hand he was pulled up and announced the winner. Clover turned to help Luca up but ended up jumping away from the fire. When it burned out he looked over at Luca. Taking his hand as it was extended he gave it a gentle shake.

"I am so glad you didn't have the chance to activate that. I would have been recuperating for weeks. As you would know now, Henko's can't be healed magically." Looking at the scorch marks as he let Luca's hand go and smiled. "If you ever want to spar to up your skills with Henko's I'd be happy to be your sparring partner."

Luca smiled. ”Yeah, I might not get my hand stuck with a fireball ready next time. I might take you up on that.”

The twins watched the fight end and smiled, they picked up Apple and handed her a piece of red hair they’d gotten from Clover’s shirt, knowing it was Luca’s. Here Apple, shift using this DNA, and go hug the redhead that Clover was fighting They thought as they handed her one of the little shirt and pants they had for her. Apple took the DNA and shifted using into a 2-foot tall replica of Luca; She put on the shirt and shorts she was offered by the twins. The twins grinned as they helped her off the bench and said Tell them your name is Luca, ok? The twins stood up and followed apple towards her goal.

Apple giggled and ran towards Luca and Clover as they exited the stage, dodging any attempts Clover made to catch her and ended her run by glomping onto Luca’s left leg and refusing to let go. (She’s 1.5 years old, grew up in a bar, and was adopted by Clover after attacking the twins by throwing apples at them.)
…...................................

A curious look arrived on Luca’s face due to the pressure that was exerted on his calf. Looking down Luca began to laugh, falling to the ground and holding his stomach. The little him was so adorable. Luca reached down and offered her hand to the small Luca. ”Come on, Little Luca. Let’s go for a stroll. You’ll see a lot more from a higher vantage point.” Luca rocked back onto his feet, now in a crouched position. His hand hovered as foot level with Apple. 

Luca turned his head back towards Clover and the twins and asked them politely. ”Is this a little friend of yours?” Luca figured that his Little Luca was actually Apple, a small Henko who Clover had adopted not long before, based on her actions and his reading of Clover’s memories. Still, it was more polite to ask then tell people. He didn’t need to be rude, after all, he wasn’t on the job.

----------------------

Clover attempted to catch Apple but she was getting rather quick and clover was ready to rest. Watching the baby henko latch on to Luca he looked over at the twins and knew they must have put Apple up to it. Clover grinned as Luca asked. She knew he didn’t have to but it was good all the same. ”Yeah. Her name is Apple and she likes to test out the DNA she gets.”

’Taighler, Taylour do you happen to have an extra shirt I can borrow? I only brought the one and I currently don’t feel like fixing it.’ He allowed his thought to drift around his mind as he thought of an Idea. ”How about we all go out for Apple pie and ice cream! You too Luca. It will be a celebration of a job well done.” Smiling Clover knew it would go over well with Apple and hoped Luca would join them.