FWL Tournament

 

            “Not a bad place to hold a tournament,” Silver Samurai said admiring the surroundings.

            The three of them, Silver Samurai, Leslee, and Forgotten One were moved from the FWL headquarters to a small opera house off the coast. The opera house was elegant to say the least. There was a huge stage up front where the fights were going to be held, surrounded by an empty orchestra pit. Leading off from there were row and rows of seats that were already full, and finally high above, Silver Samurai could see Emerald and New Samurai in a luxury box. As for them, they were under strict orders to stay backstage, and to make sure of that some members of FWL were set up as security guards.

            “The first match of the tournament, will pit White Phantom and Angela,” the voice of New Samurai said over the speakers, as White Phantom and Angela, stepped onto the stage, “Against Sparow and his female companion.”

            “So Sparow’s here,” Silver Samurai said to himself.

            “And he’s got a hot partner,” Forgotten One said, admiring the girl in red armor, besides Sparow.

            “Hey you’re married,” Leslee said as she hit Forgotten One on the arm.

            Sparow and the lady in red armor stepped onto the stage to face Silver Samurai’s old friends. White Phantom, former Co-Leader of the Heroes with Silver Samurai wasn’t looking too good now a’ days. The aging warrior was dressed in white armor, with a white cape, his face now consisted of a long white beard, and of course that scar running down the right side of his face. Silver Samurai could still remember that cold January day when his former pal got that scar, but that was another story. As for Angela, she was a sight for sore eyes. The once beautiful super model, had put on a few pounds, but still insisted on wearing the elegant dresses she used to model. She was wearing an old white gown of hers, that now must be at least two sizes too small for her, and her once gorgeous strawberry hair was now a tangled mess of dirty blond hair.

            “My first round opponent is nothing but a boy, what a joke,” White Phantom said as he pulled out his sword.

            “And look at that slut for a partner, look at how she is showing off her body, in the bright red armor,” Angela said, as she stared coldly at the lady in red armor.

            “I don’t have time for this,” Sparow said as he gracefully pulled out his sword, “Bring it on, old man,”

            White Phantom charged Sparow.

            “Boys, always have to try to look macho in front of their ladies,” The lady in red said, as the she aimed her whip at White Phantom sword hand.

            “Don’t you dare touch my man,” Angela said as she deflected the whip with her telepathic powers.

            “You, go away,” The lady in red, said as the tip of her whip glowed red and she blasted, Angela with a fireball.

            Before Angela had time to react the fireball hit her sending her crashing against the far wall, unconscious.

            “Angela!” White Phantom said taking his eye off of Sparow for a split second.

            “You’re getting old, old man,” Sparow said as he slices White Phantom across the chest, causing White Phantom to collapse.

            “It appears the winners are Sparow and Ruby,” Emerald said from high above.

            “So her name is Ruby, what a gorgeous name,” Forgotten one said, as he stared at Ruby with stars in his eyes.

            “Stop that!” Leslee said again punching Forgotten One, this time a little harder.

            “Ruby, huh?” Silver Samurai said as he thought to himself, “Why does she remind me of someone I know?”

 

            “The next fight is between Green Amber and Jewels,” the voice of New Samurai said, as the competitors stepped onto the stage.

            Green Amber was right you would call a modern day super hero, wearing green and red, with a GA on his chest, dark black hair, and a green mask covering his eyes, he looked very similar to the comic book hero Super Man. But for some unknown reason Green Amber could hardly bee seen anymore, rarely popping up every now and then, and never making a real impact when he does. As for his partner, the southern bell Janne. She was dressed in sturdy gray armor, in her right hand was a sword surrounded by fire, very similar to Silver Samurai’s white fire sword, her dark brown hair was in pony tail running down her back.

            “Versus Sapphire and,” long pause by New Samurai, “say what is this kid’s name anyways?”

            “Got me,” came the response from Emerald.

            Onto the stage stepped Sapphire and Silver Samurai’s son, who was commonly referred simply as ???. They were both dressed in blue ninja outfits, with a blue piece of fabric covering their mouth and nose, they both also had brown haired pony tails, Sapphire’s being slightly longer than ???’s.

            “What’s he doing here?” Silver Samurai asked himself, wondering why his young son was here, with a strange woman.

            “Who cares, look at that chick he’s with,” Forgotten One said starring at Sapphire.

            “Why you,” Leslee said as she punched Forgotten One in the arm.

            “I’m going to go find out,” Silver Samurai said, ignoring the fight going on beside him.

            Silver Samurai marched to the curtain, to go onto the stage, but two of the FWL guards quickly stooped him. With a blast of white fire, he set them both flying back.  He then marched through the curtains, to confront his young son.

            “What are you doing here, and where’s your mom?” Silver Samurai asked his son.

            ??? shrugged.

            “And who are you, and what are you doing with my son?” Silver Samurai asked, turning his attention to Sapphire.

            Sapphire just stared as Silver Samurai.

            “Great all I need, two mimes,” Silver Samurai said as he gave up on the two as went backstage.

            “Hey look at it this way,” Leslee said as she greeted Silver Samurai backstage, “At least they make a cute couple.”

            The fight itself was quick to say the least. As Green Amber tried, quite poorly, to hit ??? with his laser eyes, Sapphire and Janne had a nice little sword fight. Janne was a well trained fencer but Sapphire looked like she was born with a sword in her hand. Frustrated Janne tried a move, very similar to New Samurai’s, and attempted a flame wave. But with a flash of blue from the center of Sapphire’s sword, a gust of wind blow the flames right back at Janne and Green Amber. The fight had ended and Sapphire and ??? won.

           

            “Next up, Jewels and Mystic Knight, versus Nightmare and Celes,” New Samurai said over the speakers, before pausing, “Where’s Celes?”

            Mystic Knight and Jewels were already on the stage as well as Nightmare, when Celes heard she was up next. Mystic Knight and Jewels were both wearing white armor, which Celes thought was just a tad funny since they both worked for the Underworld, the darkest place on Earth. As for the man she rescued from the Rainbow City jail, just a few short days ago, Nightmare, he was wearing black armor, just like Celes’. You can never go wrong in black, she always thought to herself.

            Celes was up in the stands as her name was called, as she calmly walked down the set of stair to the stage, but not before knocking down a little shrimp her was blocking the staircase.

            “I’m right here,” Celes said as she stepped onto the stage, “You know the deal, right?” Celes asked her partner, Nightmare.

            “Yes, in return for you rescuing me from the jail, I help you destroy Silver Samurai,” Nightmare said as he pulled out his sword.

            ‘Men are so easy to control’ Celes thought to herself, “Then dispose of these pest and we can move one step closer to killing Silver Samurai.”

            “Very well,” Nightmare said reluctantly, “Nightmare attack!” black eyeballs started to appear in front of Nightmare, then with a sudden burst of speed, the eyeballs darted towards Jewels and Mystic Knight.

            The couple easily avoided the attack.

            “Now we will show you the power of true love,” Mystic Knight said, pulling out his sword and charging Nightmare.

            “True love conquers all,” Jewels said as she too pulled out her sword and charged Nightmare.

            Celes let out a sigh, “If you want to do something right, you got to do it yourself. Black Ice!” Celes said as she directed her black ice magic at Jewels and Mystic Knight.

            The black ice hit both of them, leaving nothing but two black ice statues.

            “Too easy,” Celes said as she re-entered the stands.

            Not long after her and Nightmare were pronounced the winners.

 

“Lets see, next fight is between… well look here, Marina and Rinyn,” New Samurai looks down to look at Marina. “Well Marina, I like to say it’s nice to see you still alive, but since you won’t be after this fight, I save it. Your opponents are Dark Crusader and Evil Angela.”

Dark Crusader and Evil Angela walk to the arena, both wearing simple black outfits, each with swords in hand.  Marina and Rinyn are on the other side of the arena, also with swords in hand.   Marina is wearing a green top, and denim shorts with many little pockets in them, and Rinyn is wearing black and silver armor.

“Hey isn’t that…”

“Marina,” Silver samurai said, finishing Leslee’s sentence.

“She helped us once, she’s quite a gifted fighter, do you think she stands a chance?” Leslee asked.

“Against Dark Crusader and Evil Angela, sure no problem,” Silver Samurai said, trailing off.

            “There’s a but to that, isn’t there?” Leslee asked.

            “Sure these two may not be much of a challenge, but if she wins, she has to take on Celes and Nightmare.” Silver Samurai said.

            “You don’t think her and Rinyn can beat them two?”

            “Nightmares a push over, but Celes is another story. Celes is cold hearted and never give up.” Silver Samurai said, recalling his own experiences with Celes.

            “Well Let’s just watch this fight, and hope for the best,” Leslee said, turning her attention to the fight.

            Dark Crusader decides to go first and he charges after Marina, who charges right back, really fast.  She dodges his sword VERY carefully, and blocks another hit with her own sword.  Meanwhile, Rinyn is having no trouble with Evil Angela as far as swordplay goes.   Marina gets a good kick to the leg from Evil Angela, who was trying to distract her long enough to be hit by Dark Crusader’s sword.  No luck.  Marina rolls out of the way just in time, before he hits the ground.  “This isn’t cool… can’t even afford a scratch in this match.”  Things got turned around, and Rinyn was now fighting Dark Crusader as Marina fought Evil Angela. 

            The force of Dark Crusader’s sword, which just cut a hole in the air, throws Rinyn back.    He gets up and charges Dark Crusader.  Dark Crusader is about to get a good slash into Rinyn when a huge ball of water blasts him.  “Don’t you listen to me?  What did I tell you about his sword?”

            “Eh… thanks… sorry…”

            “Your life, not mine.  Pay attention!”

            A soaking wet Dark Crusader is charging at Rinyn, who is ready for him, thanks to Marina.  They go back and forth, Rinyn getting in a few minor scratches, while dodging Dark Crusader’s sword.      

            Meanwhile, Marina and Evil Angela are having at it like a couple of cats.  Angela is throwing chairs and tables with her telekinetic powers, and Marina is pulling ninja stars out of the pockets in her clothing.  Each girl has a good few scratches.  Marina finally gets fed up with the whole thing.  “Celestial Crystal Power!”  She has her nifty transformation scene, and is now Mystic Rain. 

            “Cheater.”

            “You can’t cheat if there aren’t any rules.  Now then…  Rope of Entanglement!”  A long rope appears in her hands, which she thrusts at Evil Angela like a whip, grabbing her around the waist.  She then proceeds to throw her into Dark Crusader, who accidentally cuts Evil Angela’s leg with his sword.  Dark Crusader gets up in enough time to block Rinyn’s attack with another sword blast. 

            “Twin Ice Spears!”  Marina throws first one splash of water, and then two, both of which turn into very sharp ice shards.  One misses, and just as Dark Crusader starts to mock her the other hits him in the leg.  He gets up, leaning on his sword, and Rinyn takes the opportunity to jab his other leg, making him unable to stand.

            “We win!”  Exclaims Rinyn. 

            Marina smiles.

 

            “The next match is between my darling man, New Samurai and your gorgeous host, against…” Emerald paused as she saw New Samurai walk onto the stage with a bloody sword in his hand.

            New Samurai shacked his head no, as he held up the bloody sword.

            “Well then, I guess our opponents are unable to fight, so we win,” Emerald said, with a trace of cockiness in her voice.

            “Figures,” Silver Samurai said to himself.

            “What’s that?” Leslee asked, overhearing him.

            “That New Samurai would cheat in his own tournament,” Silver Samurai said, recognizing not only Bodyguard’s sword but also the smell and look of the ketchup dripping off of it.

 

            “The next fight is Black Shadow and Liz, versus Forgotten One and Leslee,”

            “Good luck bro,” Silver Samurai said as his brother stepped through the curtain.

            Forgotten One laughed, “I don’t need luck,”

            Forgotten One followed Leslee onto the stage and faced his two opponents, Black Shadow and Liz, two former friends of his until they turned evil.

            “Relax sweetie, I take care of this,” Forgotten One said putting a hand in front of Leslee, “I call forth the power of the Phoenix, Phoenix Strike!”

            A ball of fire leapt from Forgotten One’s fire rod, and soon transformed into a fiery bird. The firebird then raced towards Black Shadow and Liz, and before they had a chance to react the firebird sped right through them. The two collapsed like dominos.

            “The winners are Forgotten One and Leslee,” New Samurai said with anger in his voice.

            “Not bad, huh?” Forgotten One gloated as he stepped back through the curtain.

            “I just like to see you do that again in the next round against New Samurai,” Silver Samurai said with a smile.

            “No prob,” Forgotten One said with a big smile.

 

            “The next fight is between Silver Samurai and,” New Samurai said, as he stared down at the lone Silver Samurai stepping through the curtain, “It appears you have no partner Silver Samurai, so you…”

            “Not so fast, he has a partner,” an all too familiar female voice said from behind Silver Samurai.

            “It can’t be,” Silver Samurai said to himself, as he turned around to face the female voice, “It is!”

            Standing before him was his wife by law, Melisa. Although Melisa did look a lot different than what he remembered. Melisa was wearing a short white button down shirt, short plaid skirt, and knee high socks. In addition her long blond hair was in pigtails.

            “What are you doing here?” Silver Samurai asked, not pleased to see Melisa.

            “Avatar told me you needed a partner,” Melisa said with a smile on her face.

            “I would rather go partner less, than be partners with you, we are not a couple anymore, get that through your blond head.” Silver samurai said, annoyed at Melisa.

            “In that case…”

            “Fine, I be your partner,” Silver samurai said, before New Samurai could finish his sentence.

            “Very well your opponents are,”

            “Oh son, I think you deserve a spanking,”

            “Anybody but her,” Silver Samurai said to himself as he turned to face his opponents.

            “Disgruntled Housewife and Fox,”

            “Figures,” Silver Samurai said sourly, staring at his mother.

            His opponents were his mother Disgruntled Housewife, and her new “son,” Fox. Both of them Silver Samurai didn’t care for. His mom made his childhood miserable, his ex friend liked him in that other kind of way.

            Disgruntled Housewife was still wearing the suit of magic armor she “borrowed” from his dad, Spell Master, as well as the magic sword she also “borrowed.” As for Fox his black hair was still cut in a crew cut, he was still wearing the green jump suit from the Star Corps, as in his right hand was that damn blaster that had already hit Silver Samurai before.

“No come here, so I can give you the spanking you deserve,” Disgruntled Housewife said.

“No one is spanking my man except for me,” Melisa said, stepping in front of Silver Samurai.

“Oh brother,” Silver Samurai said, rolling his eyes.

“Fox, get rid of her,” Disgruntled Housewife ordered.

“You got it mom,” Fox said as he took carefully aim at Melisa.

“Good, I’ve been wanting to try out these Twin Vipers,” Melisa said as she removed what looked like two wooden Billy clubs with a lightning design on them, from the hems of her skirt.

With one fluid motion Melisa blocked the bullet from the gun with her twirling Twin Vipers. A couple of more shot resulted in the same thing. Eventually Fox got frustrated dropped the gun, and charged Melisa. A few quick strikes finished by a blow to the head by the Twin Vipers finished Fox off.

‘Not bad,’ Silver Samurai thought to himself.

“How dare you harm my son,” Disgruntled Housewife said as she charged Melisa.

Melisa again tried the same attacking procedure with her Twin Vipers on Disgruntled Housewife. But Disgruntled Housewife armor was a lot tougher than Fox’s jump suit, so the blow had no effect. Disgruntled Housewife grabbed Melisa by the neck and lifted her up.

“Now you little slut, will die,” Disgruntled Housewife said as she reared back with her sword arm.

Silver Samurai calmly walked over to Disgruntled Housewife and tapped her on the shoulder before she stroke Melisa, “Hey mom,”

“What is,” Disgruntled Housewife said harshly, turning her head to Silver Samurai.

“Heads up,” Silver Samurai said as he blinded his mom with a white fireball.

Disgruntled Housewife let out a large scream and dropped Melisa to the ground.

“Why you little brat,” Disgruntled Housewife yelled, as she started swinging wildly at Silver Samurai.

 Silver Samurai snickered as he easily walked backwards to avoid Disgruntled Housewife’s blows. It was until Silver Samurai found himself at the edge of the stage.

“Now I got you,” Disgruntled Housewife yelled, as she lunged at Silver Samurai.

Silver Samurai sidestepped Disgruntled Housewife, causing her to fall off the stage and into the orchestra pit.

“Ouch, that’s got to hurt,” Silver Samurai said, staring down at the motionless Disgruntled Housewife.

“The winners are Silver Samurai and Melisa,” new Samurai announced, not pleased at all.

“I guess I can relax until the next fight,” Silver Samurai said as he stepped backstage.

“Hey are you trying to get rid of me,” Melisa asked as she rushed backstage.

“Please don’t tell me I have to knock you off the stage too, to get rid of you,” Silver Samurai said.

“Sorry, you’re stuck with me,” Melisa said before quickly kissing Silver Samurai on the cheek.

 

“That tricky New Samurai,” Rosa said to herself as she and her son Hawk rushed off the boat.

If it weren’t for Hawk surfing the Internet on the Silver Hawk’s computer, she would have never found out that Silver Samurai was being held captive by FWL at this opera house. Her son told her it was a couple tournament, and if Silver Samurai did not have a partner in time for his fight, he would forfeit and remain under lock and key. She just hopped she wasn’t too late.

Rosa was stopped at the front door of the opera house by a lady in a green dress, “Please tell me I’m not too late,” Rosa pleaded with the lady in green.

“You must be Rosa,” The lady in green said, looking over Rosa, “I’m afraid Silver Samurai already found himself a partner.”

“What? Who?” Rosa asked.

“A lady by the name of Melisa, Melisa Short I believe,” the lady in green said with an almost wicked smile.

‘That little slut,’ Rosa thought to herself, recognizing the name of the woman Silver Samurai was with before her.

“But say, we got an opening in the tournament still, and I see you have yourself a partner,” The lady in green said, nodding at Hawk.

‘If I can get my hands around the neck of that slut, I gladly enter’ Rosa thought to herself before agreeing to enter.

“Very well, let me lead you to the main stage, for your first fight,” the lady in green said.

As they took the long walk down to the stage, Rosa almost regretted her decision. She was brought up by her mom, the powerful Phoenix, to avoid fights as much as possible, that’s why she lived in solitude in the Forest of Illusions with her two sons, while Silver Samurai went out every day to fight evil. But every time Rosa heard Melisa’s name is made her blood boil. True she met Silver Samurai first and they did marry, but her and Silver Samurai were destined for one and other, she even saved his life. But no, Melisa won’t let go of her man, going as far as refusing to sign the divorce papers.

“Mom?” Hawk asked as they neared the stage.

“What is it sweetie?” Rosa asked with a kind motherly voice.

“Why are we fighting, you taught us never to raise a sword unless if its to fight evil,” Hawk said.

“We have to save you father, that’s why,” Rosa said, wishing she could tell her son the whole truth.

“Awe it appear we found opponents for Blue Knight and Angel,” New Samurai said from high above, “Rosa and Hawk.”

Rosa peered over at her competition, Blue Knight and Angel, two members of the underworld. Blue Knight lived up to his name, wearing a full body blue armor suit, with a sword that consisted of a blue orb at the bottom of it. Angel also lived up to her name, sprouting two birds like wings from her back; she was dressed in a dark black outfit, with a sword in her right hand. Rosa could almost feel the evil emitting from this once pure hearted Angel.

“About time,” Blue Knight said, eager to get the fight going.

“Son you take care of blue boy over there, I get the black hearted one,” Rosa said.

“Ok mom,” Hawk said as he pulled out his sword and rushed Blue Knight.

“You think you can beat the Underworld?” Angel said as she flew high up into the air, “I show of the true power of darkness, Black Star Attack!”

Rosa closed her eyes and concentrated on her teachings. Soon a protective barrier surrounded her blocking the evil black star magic from Angel.

“I don’t have time for this, I need to clip the wings from this bird,” Rosa said as she opened her eyes, still maintaining the protective barrier around her. She reached behind and pulled out her bow, and pulled two arrows out. Then with careful aim, she shot each arrow at the wings of Angel.

Angel never saw the arrows coming, and without warning the two arrows struck both her wings, causing her to fall back to earth, landing on her own partner Blue Knight. With neither one of them able to get back to their feet Rosa and Hawk were announced the victors.

 

“Sister!” Sapphire yelled, breaking her silence, “What are you doing here?”

It was the second round of the FWL tournament and how luck would have it her and her handsome partner had to take on her own sister and the sly and cunning Sparow.

“I must stop her,” Ruby said staring at her sister, “And I won’t let anyone, even you, prevent me from stopping her,”

Sapphire knew full well who her sister was referring too, but she couldn’t let Ruby do that. She couldn’t believe Ruby would be willing to fight her just to get to this person.

“I understand,” Sapphire said as she pulled out her sword, “But understand, I won’t go down without a fight.”

Ruby removed her whip from her belt, and swung it at Sapphire.

Sapphire knew Ruby was a lot stronger than her, and there forth one hit from the whip would knock her out cold. But Sapphire was always the fast and hitting her be no easy task.

Sapphire dodged every blow from Ruby, and wondered if she should strike back. After all this was her sister, how could she fight her own sister? Her concentration was broken fro a split second at the sound of a sword hitting the ground. She turned her attention over to Sparow where he had his sword at ???’s neck.

“No!” Sapphire yelled as she took a step towards her partner.

Unfortunately this gave Ruby a clear shot at Sapphire, and Ruby’s whip caught Sapphire in the back of the head, knocking her out cold.

 

“The next match is between the couple of Celes and Nightmare versus Marina and Rinyn…” New Samurai looks down to see no Celes on the stage, “Ok where is she this time?”

Celes heard her name, and slowly walked down the steps to the stage. She only hoped her partner would be more useful this time around.

“You can all relax, your champion had arrived,” Celes said, simply to despite New Samurai/

“He he, long time no see, Marina,” Nightmare said searing at Marina

            “Yeah well, never is too soon,” Marina said.

            “Marina, you know this guy?”  Rinyn whispered.

            “We go way back, don’t we, Marina?  By the way, nice outfit.” 

            “I’m a bit stronger than when you saw me last, Nightmare.  In this form, I am Mystic Rain, and I have much, much more power than you would remember.”

            “Enough!  I’m bored with this!” Celes yelled, bored of the conversation between the two. She didn’t know of their history together nor did she care,

            “Of course, Celes.  We begin!”

            “Here goes”.   Rinyn mumbled.   He grabbed his sword and was at once glad for his armor.  Celes had been too quick for him, but it was only his arm, which had been protected by a bracer. 

            “Blue Tsunami!”  Marina throws a huge wave of powered blue water toward Nightmare.  He barely dodged the attack.

            “Nightmare Surround!”  Instead of firing at Marina, he threw the attack at Rinyn, knowing that it would throw them off guard.  Celes moved back, and started to laugh.

            “Rinyn!”  Marina surrounded him with water, just as the black bubble surrounded him.   Marina expanded the water around him large enough to protect him, but it was a little too late, as he had already passed out.  The black bubble disappeared, and Marina glared at Nightmare, as Rinyn fell to the ground.  “You did that on purpose!  You knew he couldn’t defend himself against that!”

            “But of course.”  Nightmare gleamed with self-pride.  He glanced at Celes who was snickering, and when he looked back at Marina she was in the middle of an incantation.  “What are you doing now?”

            Marina was floating a couple inches off the ground and whispering her spell.  Shards of ice started to appear around her, along with a lot of steam.  She threw all of it toward Nightmare tried to create a shield but was too late.  He was first cut by the ice shards, and then burned by the hot steam.  He stumbled out of the arena to escape, and fell to the ground unconscious. 

            “What the hell was that?”  Celes said, surprised at the power of this young girl.

            “Ice and steam, what did it look like?”

            “Well then, Black Ice!”  A storm of ice started swirling around Marina, cutting her skin, and pissing her off. 

            “Aqua Hurricane!”   She took out most of the black ice, but came out with quite a few good cuts.  She grabbed Rinyn’s sword and stood ready for Celes, who had her sword ready.  They fought back and forth for a while each getting quite beat up, when Celes got Marina in her side.  Marina fell to the ground holding her stomach. 

            “Stand up.”  Celes said coldly.

            “I- I can’t.  You win.”

“Wimp,” Celes said as she walked back up the stairs.

 

“Good luck bro,” Silver Samurai said just before Forgotten One and Leslee stepped through the curtain.

“I told you…”

“I know, I know, you don’t need luck,” Silver Samurai said cutting off his younger brother, “But if you go into the battle with that attitude you will surely lose.”

“You’ll see,” Forgotten One gloated.

“Yeah, we’ll see,” Silver Samurai said as Forgotten One stepped through the curtain.

What did his brother know? New Samurai is a wimp, Forgotten one has watched his brother defeat him numerous times surely he could do it once.

New Samurai appeared in front of Forgotten One and Leslee in a flash of fire, strangely his partner, Emerald was staying up in the luxury box.

“How nice to see you again Leslee,” Emerald said from high above.

“That voice,” Leslee said quietly, “It couldn’t be!”

“I see you remember who I am, well we can’t have that,” Emerald said as the ground started to rise under the feet of Leslee.

Before Forgotten One had a chance to react, the ground rose up on Leslee and slammed her against the stage wall, knocking her out cold.

“How dare you!” Forgotten One screamed, as he charged New Samurai.

Before New Samurai could react, Forgotten one knocked him first in the gut with his fire rod, then in the face.

“Keep your hand off my man,” Emerald yelled as a huge boulder came flying towards Forgotten One.

Forgotten One backed up a few steps and aimed at the boulder with his fire rod, “Fire Strike!”

The bolt of fire hit the boulder in mid air, causing it to shatter into many tiny pieces.

“I told you, I don’t need your help,” new Samurai yelled up at Emerald.

Forgotten One didn’t know why New Samurai didn’t want help from his partner but decided not to waste this opening. He charged New Samurai again.

“Not this time,” New Samurai said as he caught Forgotten One’s Fire Rod in his hand.

Using Forgotten One’s own Fire Rod as a catapult New Samurai flung Forgotten One in onto the opposite stage wall.

Forgotten One struggled to his feet, but was met by a black fireball as he stood up. Forgotten One fell flat on his face, unable to continue fighting.

 

“Next fight is between Silver Samurai and Melisa versus Rosa and Hawk,” New Samurai laughs, “This should be good.”

“I’m ready to teach that man stealer a lesson,” Melisa said as she walked onto the stage.

Melisa got no more than five feet when an arrow caught the fabric of her clothes right above her right shoulder, nailing her to the wall. A second arrow this time above her left shoulder prevented her from moving all together.

“What the,” Melisa asked, as she struggled to get free.

Silver Samurai walked onto the stage just in time to see Rosa take careful aim, and shoot a third arrow.

“Knock it off Rosa,” Silver Samurai said as he threw a white fireball at the arrow, incinerating it. Silver Samurai knew full well where Rosa was aiming, and didn’t find it very funny.

“She deserves it,” Rosa said protesting, “Now are you really going to fight your family?”

“You’re right, I forfeit,” Silver Samurai said as he laid down his sword.

“Sorry, no forfeiting allowed,” New Samurai said with an evil laugh, “so quite being a wimp and go out there and fight.”

“Yeah well, I have a few choice words for you too, but my kids here,” Silver samurai said before turning to his young son Hawk, “Well son come show me what I taught you.”

Hawk pulled out his sword, and slowly walked towards Silver Samurai. He took a few swings at Silver Samurai that couldn’t even hit a fly; Silver Samurai responded by quickly disarming his son, and putting his sword to Hawk’s neck, to show this was no test. Silver Samurai then backed off and let Hawk pick up his sword.

Hawk picked up his sword and charged Silver Samurai a second time, this time showing off the skills he learned from his father. Hawk was good, but his training was still a long ways off. Hawk did manage to get one shot in, a minor scratch right under Silver Samurai’s right shoulder. But Hawk was a little hesitant after the blow and Silver Samurai kicked Hawk in the chest sending him flying back, into his mother Rosa, and into the orchestra pit.

Silver Samurai has won the fight without meaning to. He quickly jogged over to the edge of the stage to check on his family.

“Are you two alright,” Silver Samurai asked, peering down at Hawk and Rosa.

“I’m fine,” Hawk said between clinched teeth, “But I think mom may have taken the brunt of the blow.”

“Take her home and she be fine,” Silver Samurai said as he turned to walk away, “Oh son.”

“What?”

“Good fight.”

“Hey aren’t you going to help me,” Melisa cried still straining to get free.

Silver Samurai looked at Melisa for a second, judging if he should help her, “Nah.”

 

“Next fight is Sparow and Ruby versus Nightmare and Celes,” New Samurai pauses, seeing no Celes on the stage, “Well let us just all sit her and wait until Celes decides to grace us with her presence.”

Celes was already almost at the stage. She had been looking forward to this fight with her son. She quickly hoped onto the stage and announced her arrival.

“Nice to see you again, mom,” Sparow said sarcastically.

“Like wise,” Celes said returning the sarcasm.

“You and me, let’s leave these other two out of this,” Sparow said as he pulled out his sword.

“Fine by me,” Celes said as she also pulled out her sword, “But how do I know your little girlfriend won’t interfere?”

“I stay out of this… for now,” Ruby said before turning to Nightmare, “What about big boy over there?”

“Never!” Nightmare yelled, “Celes, you may have rescued me from Rainbow City jail but you have been a lousy partner, I will do this…”

“Shut up!” Celes said as she froze her own partner.

Sparow charged Celes, using her momentary distraction to his advantage.  Sparow got in a few good shots, before Celes started to turn things around. Celes caught Sparow at the waistline, tearing apart his outfit and the bandages underneath. Now a wounded Sparow was easy pickens for Celes. Celes was brutal on her son, slashing him numerous times on the chest arms and legs. It wasn’t long until Sparow collapsed, holding his badly bleeding stomach.

“Sparow!” Ruby yelled rushed over to Sparow.

“Freeze,” Celes said as she added Ruby to her ice statue collection.

Celes looked down on her son, and shacked her head with disgust, “You are the same as you always were and always will be, pathetic, useless a waste of human life. I should kill you right now, but that be too good for you. I want you to live with the feeling that you were never good enough to get anything done. I want you to live with the fact that no one loves you and every will. And more importantly I want you to live with the fact that you are nor longer will be my son, you pathetic excuse for human life.”

Celes walked away, ready for the next round.

“Hey mom,” Sparow said weekly from behind Celes.

“I don’t have time to listen to your whining,” Celes said as she turned around, “Black Ice!”

Sparow blocked the black ice with his left arm, freezing it up to the elbow.

“If you want to beat me, you have to kill me,” Sparow said as he managed to get back to his feet.

Sparow charged Celes, this time with a lot more determination. But determination was not going to get him anywhere, he was already injured, and it only took Celes a few moments to disarm him.

Sparow collapsed again, but managed to make a dive for his sword. Celes simply kicked his sword aside and places her sword on Sparow’s neck.

“Since you seem to have a death wish, are there any last words you like to say before I grant it?” Celes said pressing the sword into Sparow’s neck.

“You are forgetting about the one present you ever gave me,” Sparow said as he quickly pulled a dagger from behind and plunged it into Celes’ stomach.

            “How dare you, that dagger was meant for Silver Samurai,” Celes managed to say before everything went black.

 

            “You again?” Silver Samurai asked as he faced his semi final opponent New Samurai.

            “It time to get rid of you once and for all,” New Samurai said, brandishing his black fire sword.

            “I like to see you try,” Silver Samurai said with a hint of cockiness.

            “Hey bitch in the green dress, are you coming down here to fight or what,” Melisa asked, twirling her Twin Vipers.

            Emerald gave no answer, instead closed her eyes as the tip of her staff glowed green. Then without warning the ground around Melisa rose up to form five pillars of rock, trapping Melisa in.

            “I don’t think your female companion going to be much help,” New Samurai said arrogantly..

            “No prob, I don’t need her help anyways,” Silver Samurai said as he motioned for New Samurai to bring it on.

            New Samurai charged Silver Samurai attacking with great hatred, but also with sloppiness and poor swordsmanship. The two traded a few blows, with Silver Samurai getting the better of the two when Melisa interrupted the fight.

            “Ground Shake,’ Melisa yelled, pounding one of the Twin vipers to the ground.

            The earth started to shake knocking the pillars of rock down, and the two samurais off their feet.

            “Now come down her and fight you bitch,” Melisa said turning her attention to Emerald, “Viper Strike!”

            A bolt of lighting charged out of one of Melisa’s Twin Vipers and head straight for Emerald. The bolt of lightning grazed Emerald neck, burning her skin.

            “You little slut,” Emerald yelled, as a big crystal of rock formed over her.

With a sudden force the crystal charged Melisa. The crystal hit Melisa in the stomach, and kept on going through her body, impaling her to the wall.

“Melisa,” Silver Samurai said, a little concerned for Melisa, consider all the blood that was quickly escaping her body.

New Samurai got to his feet and tried charging Silver Samurai from behind but Silver Samurai heard him coming. Without even turning around Silver Samurai blasted New Samurai with a white fireball.

“That’s it,” Silver Samurai yelled as he turned to face New Samurai, slumped against a wall, “You are responsible for the deaths of many, including my fathers and it will end today. No more killing! I will end it all right now.”

Silver Samurai closed in on New Samurai for the deathblow, when a storm of dirt, rocks and twigs hit Silver Samurai. Silver Samurai tried to protect himself from the storm, but ended up falling down to the ground.

 

“Are you ok bro?” Forgotten One asked as he helped his brother backstage

Silver Samurai hesitantly opened his eyes, “Is the fight over?”

“Yep.”

“Good,” Silver Samurai said as he sprung back to his feet, like nothing has happened, “Image me, the leader of the FWL.”

“Wait a minute, you faked your defeat?”

“Yeah you got a problem with that?”

“Yeah how are we going to get out of here now, New Samurai said when he shows everyone why he is the leader of FWL he is going to kill us.”

“Oh don’t be a wimp, we could escape at any time,” Silver Samurai said with a half-cocked smile.

“What about the guard, they are sure to stop any attempt at an escape.”

“You mean this bozo,” Silver Samurai asked as he blasted one of the guards with a white fireball, knocking him out cold, “Or this bozo,” Silver Samurai blasted the other guard with a white fireball, producing the same results.

“Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because I got the brains of the family,” Silver Samurai jokingly said.

“Very funny,” Forgotten One said with a tiny laugh, before turning serious, “But lets get out of here, I think Leslee and Melisa need some serious medical attention.”

“We will as soon as this fight is over,” Silver Samurai said as he turned his attention to the stage, “Come on Sparow I know you can win.”

“Why are you rooting for him, he wants you dead?”

Silver Samurai shrugged, “They both want me dead, I’m just rooting for the lesser evil.”

“The next fight is for control of FWL. The contest will be between your lovely host and her handsome groom to be, versus Sparow and Ruby,” Emerald said as three of the four fighter arrived on the stage, herself being the fourth staying up in the luxury box.

“Emerald stop this insanity now,” Ruby said staring up at Emerald, “Come home.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, sister,” Emerald said as she stared down at Ruby, “Why don’t we let the men play for now, and I deal with you later.”

“For now,” Ruby said, trailing off.

Both New Samurai and Sparow looked at the respective partners, a little dumbfounded, before facing each other.

“You may not be the right samurai, but you are just as evil,” Sparow said, as he turned his attention to New Samurai.

“No you are wrong there, traitor,” New Samurai said as he slowly walked over to Sparow and caught him off guard with a fist to the jaw, “I’m the most evil man on the planet!”

Sparow gently touched his mask briefly then responded with a spin kick to the face of New Samurai followed by a sword thrust to the sternum that was barely blocked.

“Is that the best you got,” New Samurai arrogantly questioned as he pushed Sparow down to the ground with his left arm.

Sparow quickly bounced back to his feet, and caught New Samurai off guard with a slash across the chest.

“Not bad,” New Samurai said sarcastically as he swung at Sparow head.

Sparow ducked the shot and responded with fury of kicks to the midsection before circling around to New Samurai backside.

New Samurai who seemed unfazed turned around to face Sparow with a wicked smile on his face, “You can’t hope to win, with them weak kicks, can you?”

Sparow responded with another high kick to New Samurai jaw, but again New Samurai seemed unfazed.

“This is getting tiresome,” New Samurai said with a yawn.

Sparow tried  a new strategy and clashed swords with New Samurai. New Samurai easily deflected Sparow’s blows, and responded with a few slices to the right arms of Sparow. It almost seemed like he was playing with Sparow.

“Time to finish this little game,” New Samurai said as he threw a black fireball at Sparow, causing him to fly back until hitting the wall, “Black fireball Rain!”

New Samurai raised his fist to the heaven calling for his black fireball to rain down, but Sparow was quick to respond.

“Ice-fire!”

Sparow ice-fire caught New Samurai black fireball sword, causing it to start freezing into ice.

“What the,” New Samurai yelled, throwing his black fire sword across the stage before his hand froze.

Sparow used the momentary distraction to his advantage and charged New Samurai. Just as New Samurai turned to face Sparow, Sparow jumped and nailed New Samurai with a jump kick to the chest. New Samurai slumped to the ground, stunned for the moment.

“You will be the first of two samurais I kill today,” Sparow said as he brunt his sword down onto New Samurai.

Sparow sword didn’t quite reach New Samurai and stopped dead on the staff of Emerald, who had teleported down to save New Samurai.

“I will not let you harm my man,” Emerald said as her staff started to glow a bright green, “I call forth the power of Trinity.”

“No sister, don’t,” Ruby said as she rushed towards Emerald.

Then in a blinding flash of green, Sparow, Ruby and Emerald disappeared from sight.

 

To be continued…