Mission # 6: Starting a Blaze (Deth, Jack, Otto)

[BEX]

Jack was searching for a particular man whom he had met on one of his various adventures awhile back, but he had never gotten the chance to test his skill against the man’s power. The particular person didn’t have a bounty on his head nor was he anywhere near as famous as Jack himself had become, but nonetheless the young Pirate Captain searched eagerly throughout Illusia Kingdom searching for him. Where the hell is he? Jack questioned himself impatiently as he wandered from place to place in search the quiet, reserved swordsman whom Jack had met on Ohara Islands. He had wanted to fight the man since the first time he had met him,

“Where the hell is he?!” Jack cried to the sky in as exasperation as he couldn’t find the person that he was looking for. A man walked up to him starting to tell him that excessive noise wasn’t tolerated within the kingdom and Jack responded violently by clutching the man’s throat and then pinning him to the ground,

“Fine…if I don’t find him, maybe you’ll do” he said to the man with a serious edge to his voice. It was then that he heard the familiar footsteps that matched with the man he had met on Ohara,

Interesting…

“I finally found you” he stated as he stood to his full height releasing the man from his grip. Immediately the man scuttled off in some direction claiming that he would return with several officers to arrest Jack for his violent behavior. That didn’t matter though as he stood quietly with his back still turned to the person who he had been looking for. At least he hoped it was that Xun character or else he would be extremely pissed if some nobody stepped up to him with no excuse.

[deathrouge]

Somewhere else on the island Xun was resting in a tree. Reading the newspaper he held in his hand.

"Geez it looks like the guy I met is becoming famous." He said with a slight tone of annoyance in his voice. He nimbly hopped down from the tree limb he was on landing on the ground. He walked around wondering if he should pay Jack a visit while he was staying here. He headed to town weaving in and out between the trees. He reached the entrance as his stomach started to grow hungry. He walked toward the food stand and stole an apple when the merchant wasn't looking. He walked away it was never good to stay around a place you stole from. He should pay a visit to Jack he hadn't seen him in a while. Xun was tired now he needed some rest first before he would do anything. He walked towards Ganzimo's house. He was an friend that he met while staying on the island. Ganzimo taught him some new things about technique and styles of sword fighting. Xun neared his dojo entering it. He was teaching a class right now.
"Sorry I can come back later." Xun said despite that Ganzimo beckoned him inside.

[BEX]

Of course with Jack’s luck the man that he had thought to be Xun was just some punk pirate who stepped out of his shaded spot to intervene on the behalf of his reputation with his crew,

“I can’t let you do that again stranger” the man uttered in a deep, guttural tone. A small vein pulsated at Jack’s left temple as he feel a swell of irritation tempted to explode from the top of his head as he scratched voraciously at the back of his head before replying in a somewhat cool tone,

“Look, buddy. I don’t’ have time for small fries like you so if ya don’t mind…” Jack trailed as he waved the man away as one would wave away a small puppy that they didn’t want hanging around them. Suddenly all of the man’s posse stood up and began shouting a slew of curses at Jack as the man glanced nervously towards his crew members before responded to Jack,

“N-now I’m gonna have to pummel you for disrespecting me in my home town” he yelled at the top of his lungs to mask his fear. Jack snorted in disgust, You’ve gotta be sh*tting me right? he angrily thought; he still hadn’t found Xun.

[deathrouge]

Xun walked into the room with the eyes of all the students fixed on him like he was the most important person in the world. He entered the dojo going to the center of the room as Ganzimo introduced him to the students.
"Class this is Xun. He will be teaching you a few things today." He said eagerly. Xun was shocked for a moment before regaining his composure. He just came for a visit and now he was making him teach his class. He didn't mind, but he still had doubt about his skills. He was out of practice all he wanted was to have a sparing match with Ganzimo. He told the class to practice basic parries, blocks and strikes. He wondered where Jack was he wasn't the patient type and Xun wanted to see him before he left. He didn't notice as the students left.

"They are done already?" Xun asked to Ganzimo.

"Yes you came just when they were about to leave. Anyway why are you here?"

"I just came for a visit when you made me teach your class. I'm going go now. I was planning to spar, but now I'm just tired." He left the building as he said that Xun planned to look for jack wherever he was.

[BEX]

Moments after Jack had confronted the burly man that he stood up to him for no reason the fight was over with the man lying at Jack’s feet with several missing teeth coupled with a severe concussion. The man twitched from time to time only making Jack angrier than he already was; he hated weaklings that showed they were in pain after defeat. With his steel plated geta on his feet he drove his heel into the man’s side,

“Shut up” he spoke haughtily to the man before walking over to where the man’s posse stood cowering quietly at their leader’s demise. Leaning down into one of the scoundrels’ face he peered dangerously at the young boy in front of him; he hated kids even more than he hated weaklings,

“Tell me if you know where a guy by the name of Xun is. Calls himself “The Blaze” or some sh*t like that” he explained angrily. His wild tufts of hair making his gaunt, lanky form more intimidating than his dangerous attitude. The kid whimpered something about Xun having a friend running a dojo; a place where Xun was a regular. Satisifed with the answer he started walking in that direction before stopping abruptly and extending his hands towards the crew,

“How ‘bout for leaving your teeth in yer mouths you guys pay me an extortionist fee…” he demanded more than suggested. As he walked away from the teary eyed thugs, he felt the weight of a thousand extra beri jingling in the inside of his pocket as he sought out Xun with more direction.

[deathrouge]

Xun walked out into town moving in and out weaving in between people. He should probably start asking for the location of Jack. He saw many people any that he could ask. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a frightened man. Bingo he walked towards him grabbing a poster on the way. The guy was probably scared half to death. He should considered himself lucky that he wasn't badly injured.

"Oi, do you know this guy." He replied with a loud yelp and mumbled a blur of words before he ran off again. Man a moment on this island and your already attacking people. He thought. Well he at least gave him a general direction. He walked closer and closer to the entrance until he saw the merchant from earlier talking to an officer of this island. He stopped midway taking a long detour around the fruit stand. It looks like he figure it out. He thought to himself. He made his way through the short detour heading out in the forest listening for traces or beat up people screaming or yelling or possibly the most obvious clue a trail of destruction. Xun picked up his pace he didn't want to miss him.

[BEX]

“Dammit…” Jack grumbled as he came to what looked like an empty dojo. It seemed as if he had missed his chance at catching Xun here, but still he was absolutely determined to find that guy. Especially since they had unfinished business,

“Now…where could he be hiding?” Jack asked to no one while scratching his head in the middle of the road. Most citizens had walked by shooting him strange looks for standing in the middle of the road as if he were stupid, but Jack didn’t mind their stares after all he was only looking for one person. Why is this damn guy so hard to find? he pouted as he remained still eventually plopping himself on the ground in frustration. Small veins throbbed at both temples and Jack was visibly getting angry. Soon thoughts of razing the entire kingdom of Illusia entered his head, Maybe that would draw him out… he rationalized blindly. Unlike most people who would have seen the lack of rationale behind this train of thought, Jack was perfectly ready to do it. As he sat in front of the dojo he pondered how he could draw enough attention to himself that Xun would be able to find him,

“DAAAAMMMMMITTT!” he yelled wide mouthed to the sky. He hated being patient and he hated not finishing a fight that he started. Little did he know that a few yards down from him, Xun was searching for him as well.

[deathrouge]

Xun walked through the forest stopping abruptly at a group of bandits or thugs.
"Oi, you where is this guy." when Jack is on an island and you see scenes like this you don't have to guess what happened. One person spoke up giving him a specific location before collapsing on the ground. Xun wished that he could turn into his dinosaur form and lead Jack to him. It was too crowded to do anything of the sort. The trees were reaching up with their branches spreading out. There was no gap big enough for him to squeeze through.

He rushed toward the entrance of the town before he could walk off. He heard that he now has a new crew. He needed one at the moment. Xun thought about join his when he suddenly heard a loud screaming voice. It was Jack and by the tone of his voice it looked like he was mad. He picked up his pace it looks like Jack was searching for him too.
"WAIT A SEC!!!" Xun yelled out as the entrance came into view. The other guy from before said that he asked about the dojo. Xun should get there before he the dojo is destroyed. he finely reached it and on its steps a person he recognized from past adventures.
"Hey long time no see." He said happily.

[BEX]

"Hey long time no see." came the familiar voice behind him; it seemed that his waiting had finally come to an end.
Wordlessly Jack got to his feet with his back still to Xun; he was sure that it was him this time. It wasn’t just some wannabe thug trying to start a fight with him in order to increase their reputation. The irritation he had only moments before had washed away with the realization of finding the man that he had sought throughout the kingdom of Illusia. Brushing off his red gi, the wild-haired young man turned towards his old acquaintance,

“Been lookin’ for ya…” he chimed with a mischievous smile on his face. Since he had left Saint Reia there was no one like Xun. There was something about the man before that screamed a battle hungry soul dying to engage with the stake of his own life on the line. That was the impression that he had gotten from Xun the first time that they had met. Heaving a drawn out sigh as the biting West Blue winds gripped him through his shirt,

“I have an important question to ask you, but we got unfinished business as I’m sure you understand” he instigated while clutching the white hilt of his tsurugi with his slender hand. His blue prison tattoos gleaming slightly from the excited sweat that already began evaporating in the cold air. Now I’ll know for sure… Jack told himself.

[deathrouge]

Xun walked toward Jack who's back was still turn toward him. He got up and turned around without a word. He looked slightly different when Xun last saw him on Ohara.

"Been lookin’ for ya..." He said to Xun with a sly grin on his face. Something was off with this guy. He didn't trust him to begin with and now Jack was a wanted man he didn't want to be with him at least on a Government Island. People were already starring probably wondering what the pair would do next.

“I have an important question to ask you, but we got unfinished business as I’m sure you understand” Jack said to him next. It was oblivious to Xun what Jack proposed or rather demanded. He had interest in fighting now. He never really did, but if he came all the way here challenge me then there's no stopping him. Despite knowing this Xun walked away while saying.

"Sorry I have interest in that now." As soon as he said that he walked past Jack his hand on the hilt of his sword. Xun knew Jack was going to attack if it was now or a bit later.

(OOC: Spell check was off somethings might not make sense.)

[BEX]

Knowing what kind of person he believed Xun to be Jack didn’t believe for an instant that the man before him would back down from a fight like this; not against an opponent that seemed fairly worthy. His grin widened sinisterly as his gaze followed the man’s image walking away casually and Jack could feel as his body’s rhythm picked up with the excitement that usually came with fighting a strong opponent.

“Che…” he muttered as he walked slowly to his left where a fruit stand vendor gasped in horror at the idea of a bounty head coming towards him, but as he neared the vendor he altered his course so that he was going towards Xun again. The loud clacking of his geta on the cobblestone could be heard in the dead silence of the audience watching the scene. His pace picked up as he was now going directly at Xun from the angle that he had now created and his vision narrowed as everything outside his scope of focus blurred away. The controlled steps that he had been taking where now long sprinting strides. As he closed the distance between Xun and himself faster than any normal human could have he whipped his sword hand behind him in a wide arching slash with tones of weight and power behind it,

“GET SERIOUS, YOU A*SHOLE!” he recklessly shouted as his wide eyes made him look even more fierce than his original appearance made him out to be.

[deathrouge]

Xun waited for an attack as the sound of Jack's footsteps sounded inside his head. Xun was anticipating an attack anytime now. He tightened his grip on his sword. The pace of the foot steps picked up and Xun heard the soft, but distinct sound of a sword unsheathing. He unsheathed his own sword and as the slash came he manage to block it. The power behind the slash was enormous and it caused Xun to jump back to avoid it. The edge of the blade still managed to barley cut him on the arm. There was no turning back now. Xun ran to Jack closing the distance quickly. He brought the sword over his head and brought it down with an astounding amount of force. Xun took a half a step backwards next. Xun then took a quick slash across Jack's body before getting ready to block again.

"Your pretty good." He remarked. People that were watching them are now starting to run away in fear or to tell the marines. He couldn't let anything distract him though. Jack was a swordsman with a great amount of skill. He silenced the world around him as his eyes focused on the guy he was fighting.

[BEX]

Xun parried Jack’s attack with little difficulty and he didn’t even falter when the force of Jack’s strike sent him backwards a little bit. Wide-eyed with excitement Jack ducked into a crouch as Xun’s counter came swiftly with precision as he attempted to cut Jack into two. The sword swished over his head causing his hair to dance slightly from the wind that came along with the missed attack. His gi floated in the air above him as he already began to move to counter the strike,

"You’re pretty good." Jack heard.

“My a*s. I haven’t even gotten to the fun part of this little showdown” he said as he threw a sweeping leg kick at Xun’s legs in an attempt to take out the other feet from underneath him.

The two men moved with the speed and certainty that only swordsmen could move with, but Jack’s moves were different from Xun’s. Xun’s were refined and controlled; lethal, deadly and precise. While Jack’s own movements were wild and unpredictable; his limbs flying in various direction as he twisted and jived his body in ways that his opponent had never seen before. This was both the strength of Jack’s fighting and his weakness.

[deathrouge]

Xun was slightly distracted as he heard Jacks comment, but managed to jump over the sweep kick that came with it. Jack's movements suddenly turned from a fighting stance into a more acrobatic kind of form. He recognize none of these movements from his martial arts training before using a sword. Jack seemed to be doing more flips and somersaults than he was fighting now. It was hard to read his movements and predicting them was now out of the question. On top of that Xun couldn't tell if this style of fighting was aggressive or defensive. Foot came in his direction grazing him a bit. His movements are now almost on par with mine. That combine with his brute strength... Before he could finish the thought another body part came flying at him. This time it was at his chest where he held his sword.

He blocked it and backed up a bit it was crowded, but he would have to manage. He turned into his dinosaur form before aiming his beak at Jack.

Xun yelled out, "Tori Tori no Peck" before bringing his beak down many times. With each place struck leaving a small rounded hole.

[BEX]

Jack guarded the pecks with the edged part of his sword, but the strength of each blow drove him back despite him driving his heels into the dirt as hard as he could. Gritting his teeth he finally managed to get away from the assault by turning his back and eventually running towards a nearby house whose door seemed to be locked. As he ran thoughts blazed through his skull, Never seen that power. The HELL kinda bird was that? he asked himself. Even with those questions filling his head he couldn’t ignore the happiness that ran alight through his bones as he finally reached the door; he had to try and avoid attacking Xun in that form head on. Sides with his fighting style it was far more beneficial for him to spread the fight out. With several wild slashes at the wooden frame of the door, the wood split into several pieces that hung in the air momentarily before falling towards the ground,

“Here ya go a*shole!” he chirped as he caught one of the pieces carefully on his foot and lauched them at Xun’s form. Continuing the process until all the wood was launched at Xun, Jack then quickly snatched for a nearby heavy bag of barley and ran at the half-human, half-something else person. Throwing the bag in the air without looking at Xun Jack leaped after the heavy sack and sliced downward as both he and the bag fell back down towards Xun. As the contents of the bag spilled, Jack kicked through the spilling barley hoping that the material would hide his attack long enough for him to land a blow.