un: ultimatelysuperior | video

[ikeasnob]

[The video is at a weird angle, as if the person (or hedgehog in this case) isn't aware they turned on video. Which is the case, Shadow was aiming for audio. Anyway, this looks like the Shadows that are here already, although he is a bit...

Scruffier? But also not as fluffy. If the video was better shot, it'd be easier to tell that he is also taller but oh well. Oh yeah, and when he finally speaks? he sounds nothing like either Shadow.]

I have a simple question for all of you here, it certainly shouldn't be too hard for even the biggest dolt to answer...

Who is the best here in your opinion?

[He has a reason for asking, but he's not going to tell.]

Comments

[ikeasnob]

Hm, that depends on one factor. Are you human?

[houndofmanchester]

No. I am Fairy Knight Barghest, formerly the Black Dog Duchess of Faerie Britain. I am, of course, a faerie myself.

[ikeasnob]

I see. Then I have no qualms in fighting with you.

[Not sparring, fighting.]

[houndofmanchester]

[Barghest definitely picks up on the difference. So he's that sort, is he?]

Hmm. Then I won't hold anything back myself. Do you know where the Titanic Dome is?

[ikeasnob]

Unfortunately no, I've arrived a few days ago and I am still acclimating to this world.

[houndofmanchester]

It's out in the segments, near the border between Winter and Spring. It can be easily reached through the Guild's teleport crystals, so simply knowing it's there should be sufficient.

[ikeasnob]

I see. Judging by your own words, it's not an issue to get out there via the Guild. Good to know.

[houndofmanchester]

It is specifically a place for those who are too destructive for the coliseum to fight. Making it easy to get to must have sounded like a good idea. There will likely be observers if we don't reserve a private arena, but I care little about that.

[ikeasnob]

I'm used to having others watch my battles, so we're in agreement with that.

Video --> Action

[houndofmanchester]

I'll meet you there.

[Barghest closes the connection as she steps outside her home. It doesn't take her long to reach the nearest teleport crystal, and she's soon at the Titanic Dome.]

[ikeasnob]

[Unfortunately it does take Shadow a while to get there, since he had to actually go to where he can use the crystal and find the Dome as well once he arrived... But hey that is a 4'3" tall hedgehog showing up, all scowly and such.]

The video does not do justice to your form.

[houndofmanchester]

I get that a lot.

[That actually gets a small smile out of Barghest before she turns serious and gestures to the hallway.]

I've already taken the liberty of arranging an arena for us.

[ikeasnob]

[The fact she said she went ahead to arrange things gets the briefest look of surprise on his face, but it's gone very quickly.]

I see, thank you. [And he'll head into the hallway, but not too far. Since she probably knows where they need to go after all.]

[houndofmanchester]

[She heads down to the arena, her armor appearing over her casual wear in a flash of gold. Once she's taken her place at one end, her sword does the same.]

Prepare yourself all you need.

[ikeasnob]

[He doesn't need to do much to prepare, as he takes his own place across from her. And as he does that he does take in what he can see the arena here, and once he's in position?

He stretches a little and then cracks his knuckles.]

Whenever you are ready then.

[houndofmanchester]

In that case, let us begin.

[A sudden oppressive feeling fills the air as Barghest lets Wild Rule loose. It hungrily tears at any form of energy it can find, only not weakening the barrier between them and the audience by Barghest's own will.]

I'll let you have the first move.

[ikeasnob]

[Oh, that's unique. He's never felt anything like that before, so he smirks a little.

As to her saying he can go first? That's fine by him, he's not going to go all out at first. Gotta test the waters first, as he dashes towards her to close the gap. His air shoes doing their thing, with the built in jets, to up his speed so it's within a second that he's there and aiming a kick at her knees.]

[houndofmanchester]

[And his kick meets Fairy Sword Galatine's blade, its wielder having moved it to block the blow in an instant.]

Heh. You made me work for that. Impressive.

[And with that same speed that would be blinding to most, Barghest strikes out with the flat of Galatine's blade.]

[ikeasnob]

[He jumps out of the way, also with a speed that one wouldn't expect from a hedgehog, all without using his Chaos Control.]

It wouldn't be worth anything if it was easy.

[And he just gives a "come here" hand gesture.]

[houndofmanchester]

[She slashes her blade in Shadow's direction, launching a burst of fire at him. Whether it hits or not, she's not far behind it with a diagonal strike from Galatine.]

[ikeasnob]

[he has to act quickly, so he does what is the quickest way to avoid the flames. Which is to teleport out of range while remaining in the arena, although with Wild Rule in play? Means he probably doesn't get as far as he likes, so he will get singed and the strike from Galatine will connect.

Much to Shadow's annoyance.]

[houndofmanchester]

I have to say, your power has an interesting taste to it. It's constantly shifting, never just one thing. I can't say I dislike it.

[Being careful to not overextend and leave herself vulnerable, Barghest pulls back to prepare for Shadow's counterattack.]

[ikeasnob]

[Her words do make him pause, because "taste" seriously? Weird.]

It's not just my power, it's a natural occurrence in the world.

[At least that's how he knows Chaos energy to be, as he moves to close the gap she made and aims to punch her where he can reach. Gut is his goal, but height differences are a problem of course.]

[houndofmanchester]

True, but you've made it your own, haven't you?

[The strike connects, but it's like hitting a solid stone wall before it even reaches her. What force does get through, she takes without flinching.

Her own attack comes in the form of the chains hanging off her left gauntlet springing to life, lashing out like a whip.]

[ikeasnob]

[He's beaten people through walls before, so it's only the fact that he feels that before he connects with her that he takes note of.]

It's called being adaptable.

[He hadn't been paying much mind to the chains until they start moving, he's going to do his best to grab them when they strike out at him all whiplike.]