Flying Close to the Sun [Jackie]

Rime followed his senses, ignoring the Earthlings who looked at him strangely and gently pushing his way through the crowds. He could certainly sense someone - their power level had been lowered, but then it had spiked up again, just for a moment, and was now at a resting level. It appeared to be below his own, but knowing how effective Earthlings were at Ki Control, he wouldn't trust it. Having watched some of that Budokai tournament, at least bits and pieces along with the other Earthling martial artists he'd witnessed, it seemed that despite their lower natural power, their technique was second to none. He hadn't encountered any group with anywhere near as much ingenuity and efficiency on Arcose. He was very eager to learn more, even if just through demonstration.

Having pushed past the crowd, he saw as a grizzled-looking earthling, with quite the intimidating appearance, was walking away nursing wounds. His eyes glanced over to his opponent, who didn't seem quite as threatening. She looked like any other Earthling from here, though the ki that radiated from her gave away that she was much different to the others that he had caught around here. What was it that set her apart? The others had trained in what he would assume were typical Earthling martial arts, but whatever she knew, whatever techniques she had learned, they stood out as different.

Rather than wait or go through any process, Rime simply levitated into the air, floating over casually to the ring and setting down with a "klack" sound onto the tiles at the opposite side from Jackie. Almost immediately, he leaned forward and bowed in the way that was customary in Arcosian chivalry, though it seemed a bit extravagant and formal for somewhere like this. "I hope you don't mind the intrusion. I couldn't help but notice that you stand out amongst all the others here. My name is Rime, and I'm a..." He seemed to take a moment to think of what to describe himself as. "A guest on this world. I've heard so much about Earthling martial artists, and I want to see for myself what they can do. I'd like to challenge myself against you, if you'd do me the honour, that is."

His bowing, cadence and most likely his accent probably made him stick out like a sore thumb, just as much as his lizard-like appearance. He knew that this was more a place for the rough and tumble rather than polite, but this time, he didn't mind standing out as odd. It just might give him a better chance at getting to see what it was this Earthling knew.

WC: 444
TWC: 784

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Actions



Power Level: 15,000
KP: 6/6
MP: 0/6
Damage: 0/250%

Rime carefully watched her moves, attempting to analyze her stance as she took it, seeming quite eager to get to a fight herself. The way that she stood almost immediately made an impression. Every part of his opponent's body seemed ready to spring into action and attack, her ki burning in a way that he'd never seen before. Whereas Arcosian ki was calm and still, but for many, frigid, Earthlings' flowed smoothly. Saiyans were chaotic, with spikes of energy, each differing species seeming to reflect themselves in their energy. Yet, only Earthlings had such variety, such an odd difference in their disciplines. For most earthling martial artists, their ki was water and their body a canal. With Jackie, her ki was a raging fire only limited by her body not letting it out.

"The Budokai, and some work, yes. There's much we can learn from your planet's martial arts. I hope you won't mind if I adjust my energy a bit before we start - it's been a while since I've had such a workout." That was his issue; either an opponent was far too strong, or the natural power of his species had carried him far beyond them. Now, though? He had found someone who was quite equal. Rime set his stance with his arms at his side, and took a moment to suddenly spike his ki, before reducing it to a more controlled level, equal to Jackie's current. He had no clue what her true strength was, and if she decided to ramp up, then he would do so in kind. It was only fair, after all.

"That's better. Alright, then. I'll start." There was no such thing as 'ladies first' on Arcose, after all. Rime rushed forward with a rather open stance, opening as he attempted a combo of jabbing strikes with his straightened palms, aimed at Jackie's torso. Whether or not it worked, he would duck, assuming he was going to get a reversal aimed at him. He quickly turned and spun himself as he crouched, attempting to use his powerful tail to sweep Jackie's legs out from under her.

WC: 357
TWC: 1141

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Actions

Suppressed Power Level down to 5,000 with use of Training Weights!

Offensive Light || Cold Combination
Rime makes use of his own style of Arcosian martial arts, attacking with a sequence of combinations, utilising all four of his limbs as well as his tail to try and prod at an enemy's defences before suddenly rushing to exploit any hole he can find in them.

Power: 20% = 1,000.
KP Cost: 1


Power Level: 15,000 (Suppressed to 5,000)
KP: 5/6 (-1)
MP: 2/6 (+2)
Damage: 0/250%

Rime wasn't too surprised to see how quick Jackie was to parry and bat away his attacks - that was the kind of thing he was here for, after all. It seemed that her martial arts style reflected her ki just as much as everything else - even when she was fending off attacks, it was not standing her ground, nor flowing, graceful dodges. Instead, it was aggressive parrying and countering, defense converted into forceful offense. It still felt that fire was raging inside of her, desperately trying to break free and burn everything around it. He found such a thing incredibly fascinating, yet he couldn't place why.

He could feel how her power fluctuated, the fire lowering and then suddenly blazing during different parts of her combo sequence, while his remained the same the entire time. He had noticed how Earthlings had mastered this ability to adjust their ki's flow and strength so well that it came to them easily, without having to even think about it. Meanwhile, he still hadn't trained his body, even this true form which he could hold without issue, to even hold his full power. It was the arrogance of his people that had left them with great strength, but difficulty in accessing it. They could learn more than a thing or two by just watching one martial artist.

The Arcosian was able to recover enough after the batting away of his tail to get his hands both up, palms facing outwards and protecting his midsection. When the kick connected, the impact of it was diffused across his hands, preventing real damage. Yet, the sheer force of it still sent him sliding a few feet back across the tile stage. A smirk grew on his face. "Very much. We don't have events like this back home, we could use one or two like it. I've been thinking I may just have to speak with the people in charge and arrange one."

He seemed to speed up once more, rapidly disappearing and reappearing as he moved thanks to the afterimages he left behind. His attack strategy this time was a rush of light blows, more probing attacks as jabs, swings and kicks came from every direction, including a flying kick aimed towards her head as he leaped in the air. Rime wished to see her defences more than he was really committing to a certain pattern of attack - assessing your opponent was just as important as actually striking them, after all.

WC: 414
TWC: 1555

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Actions


Power Level: 15,000 (Suppressed to 5,000)
KP: 6/6 (+1)
MP: 3/6 (+1)
Damage: 0/250%

Another Arcosian, eh? Why wasn't he surprised? He could guess who that other kin of his likely was, but he would ask later on anyway, after this bout had concluded. Right now, he would focus on what was most important - learning and observing. What if he could make his ki similar to this? Raging and burning, pushing against his body and desperately attempting to get out and do something? He would bet that it would be difficult to replicate exactly what Jackie was doing, but he knew that there was some variation of it he could attemtpt. What would it do? Raw power would be too much for his body, but perhaps there were other applications.

He couldn't find a pattern in her movements, even in her defences, and that only interested him further. It seemed that Jackie's style was reckless, but everything he knew about Earthling martial artists was discipline, so it could not be that. More likely it was trained reflexes, a honed style, and a creative, improvisational mindset. Why was it that these people, with their naturally low power and propensity for being peaceful, social individuals had mastered these techniques, while his people stagnated into lazy clods?

Rime wasn't shocked to see her defend so well against his kick, but jumping up and catching him was unexpected. The Arcosian saw the flaming coming towards him, and for a moment, had to focus himself. He listened to his instincts and followed what training he had, his hand swiftly repositioning as his ki began to shine around it. He batted the strike away with what was usually an offensive technique, his ki just barely protecting him from the burn he would've received otherwise.

As he was spun in the air, Rime was surprisingly graceful, using ki and momentum to push himself further away as he spun like a top through the air, almost seeming to pirouette as he turned over in the air, landing gracefully on his feet and facing towards Jackie, though now a few feet away, similar to before. He cracked his neck from side to side, and tilted his head at her. "I wasn't born with the great power of my people. It's made them lazy, complacent, arrogant. A tournament like that could be exactly what they need. This is my true form, which is why it's so fetching, but I will admit that I have more energy in reserve. Would you like me to kick it up a notch?"

He stood quite casually, but his energy began to well as he spoke, as though threatening to follow through on what he said. The idea intrigued him; what would Jackie say, what did she get out of this fight? Did she seek to test her power, or her technique and form? Rime felt confident that her superior technique would make up any power difference, but he did wonder if he should let her cast the first stone, so to speak. He didn't attack again, not yet, curiously waiting for his answer.

WC: 505
TWC: 2060

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Actions

Offensive Light || Cold Combination
Rime makes use of his own style of Arcosian martial arts, attacking with a sequence of combinations, utilising all four of his limbs as well as his tail to try and prod at an enemy's defences before suddenly rushing to exploit any hole he can find in them.

Power = Increased to 30% due to Restrained Might (1,500) vs Blazing Strike! (1,000). Both techniques fizzle.


Power Level: 15,000 (Suppressed to 5,000)
KP: 5/6 (-1)
MP: 5/6 (+2)
Damage: 0/250%

Rime watched with curiosity, wondering what Jackie would consider, regarding his offer. He didn't know exactly how strong she was yet, and that was part of why he even asked. Did she know how strong she was? He wondered. Rime had noticed that Earthlings were loathe to push themselves to the absolute limit, though not through lack of trying. His ability to assess an opponent and understand them through their movements, speech and ki was something that he'd been trained on and a skill that he'd cultivated for years now. He chuckled a little at Jackie's mention of spikes and horns - at least now he had it confirmed who else she had met. "Arcosians can differ greatly in such aesthetics, much like Earthlings, but...yes. Being born with low power at birth made constantly being in this form much easier to handle and master."

That was the pain of it, though - Azoth's base form was more powerful than the resting power level of what was Rime's truest form. More than double it, in fact. This was why technique would matter, and why he would master what earthling martial arts he could; with any luck, he could convert it into a style all his own, and soon he'd be able to compensate for any power differences with whatever opponent he came across; it was nothing against Azoth personally, he was just a very useful measuring stick.

He raised an eyebrow curiously as he felt her ki, the raging fire, desperately trying to burn hotter, trying to be brighter. Yet, it felt as though...she could be burning even more. That the fire was pushing itself, but was held back, bound by something. Perhaps he could help with that. "Very well, I won't take it easy on you, then. Oh, I should mention - Arcosian duels do tend to be lethal."

The moment he finished his sentence, his power suddenly spiked as he began putting real effort into his movements. This time, he seemed to disappear completely, only leaving behind an afterimage. His words were only intended to scare, to pump the adrenaline going through her brain. From what he knew of Earthlings, they were an anxious species. They had lived as prey before becoming the dominant species of their world, and did their best up against a real, tangible threat.

Rime appeared behind Jackie once again, this time attempting to simply land a straight kick to her spine and send her flying. He wanted to shock the fire out of her. There was more of it, he knew it. There was an inferno building up, waiting to be let out. Perhaps even stronger than he could reach, or close to it. That would be surprising, but he wanted to see how far she could go. He was convinced that Earthlings had a potential within them, one they just didn't see.

WC: 480
TWC: 2540

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Actions

Stopped suppressing and transforms to Getting Serious (x2)

Offensive Light || Cold Combination
Rime makes use of his own style of Arcosian martial arts, attacking with a sequence of combinations, utilising all four of his limbs as well as his tail to try and prod at an enemy's defences before suddenly rushing to exploit any hole he can find in them.

Power = Increased to 30% due to Restrained Might. 9,000 potential damage. (1KP)


Power Level: 30,000
KP: 4/6 (-1)
MP: 6/6 (+1)
Damage: 0/250%

Lazy was certainly the last word that Rime would use for Earthlings. They tended to be industrious in almost any way that they could be - even if they would appear physically incapable or slothful, they would have some other task or talent or hobby that they pursued. Humans were restless and relentless, and that was what caught his eye so vividly. They presented an alternative, a way to live that was not stagnant, not caught in an old way. It made him wonder of what would be lost, if either of the candidates for Emperor decided to carry out their plans.

Rime looked pleased as Jackie got up, and now the fire seemed to burn far brighter, getting stronger and hungrier than he could have even thought. "That's more like it. Apologies for my deception, but I did think putting you more on edge would-" He stopped, interrupting himself in the middle of talking as he opened his eyes fully, realising that Jackie's power was continuing to increase, even more than earlier. Not good. Despite the fact that he was sure humans had certain limitations, she was suddenly growing to almost a level similar to his full power. How was that possible? Could even humans reach such a level at a young age like this?

The Arcosian's eyes widened as Jackie suddenly launched a massive attack of ki and plasma straight towards him, and the entire area seemed to bathe in its light as he now realised how big it was, speaking quietly to himself. "Oh, shit." Rime hurriedly forced as much power into himself as he could, sweating already more from the sudden anxiety rather than the sheer heat. He did all that he could to force his arms up in front of them nad charge them with as much Ki as he could.

He felt the burning, searing pain wash over him as the Ki blast broke on his arms, plasma and ki rapidly funneling past him and through the air. Once it was over, he stood there, breathing a bit heavier, smoke coming off of the bio-armour on his arms as there were a number of scratches and minor burns along his body. In a way, he felt lucky. Very, very lucky.

At the power level he had been holding, an attack like that could have disabled him instantly, if not outright killed him. He kept his arms up instinctively as he stared towards Jackie, feeling the slightest bit pleased with himself. "I knew you had far more you could bring out. I just wanted to see it. Perhaps I...overdid it, a bit." He finally lowered his arms, his wrists still smoking a bit as he looked down at himself, assessing the damage. He would gladly hold back from attacking again right now - he felt as though he needed a moment to compose himself again.

WC: 484
TWC: 3024

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Actions

Transformed to Full Power (x6)

Used Countermeasures (Defensive, 40%, 2KP) = 36,000 Power. Reduced damage from Flare to 12,300 damage. (14%)


Power Level: 90,000
KP: 2/6 (-2)
MP: 6/6 (+1)
Damage: 14/250%