[Coolshaymin]

A girl walked into the arena, looking a lot like Arle in pink garb though may be a bit paler. This idea was... heavily flawed to say the least. She had to hope Arle would not notice or see this match or she'll be aware of her too soon. On top of that if she just happened to fight Arle... Well she already was well aware she was an inherently flawed copy. Still, the fact remained is she had to get use to her magic and this was one of the only ways that did not involve criminals or the infection... Personally she'd rather take her chances here than risk death or a fate worst than... Well, assuming the Grudge Matches here weren't deathly...

"... I need to get stronger if I am going to stand a chance. As it stands I'll stand no chance against the real deal... Okay I just need to hope I get lucky for once and things go according to plan... Why did I go through with this again?" she noted to herself quietly, taking a moment to scan the crowd.... She really hoped the real deal was busy. It'd be awkward if there was more than one Arle in the same place.... She had no idea. "... Okay, I am accepting challenges. I'll give it my all," and hope it does not blow up in her face.... Oh who was she kidding? Of course it was. She did not call herself 'failed Arle' for nothing.

HP: 160 Shield HP: 55 Status: Normal Appeal: 0

[Blade Unlimited]

"Oh hey Arle! Wow, fancy seeing you here." A voice piped up from across the stadium, not even moments after Farle had declared her open challenge to the world. It seemed almost too perfectly timed, but one look over to the other end would answer any questions on it's source as a certain ex-mage garbed in red walked out onto the stadium floor.

"Kept you waiting, huh--...Did you change your hair up?"

Shiya idly commented as he approached the Arle doppelganger with an air of warm friendliness and familiarity about his actions. Why wouldn't he? From his point of view, it was one of his best friends! She was looking a lot more pink than Red today... but it's not like he was one to talk about switching to pink sometimes. "You know, it kinda suits you. Gives you a whole 'comfortable but competent' look, ya know?" With a mild shrug of his shoulders and the wave of his hand, the non-magical youth finished approaching Farle; coming to a stop in front of the girl with a mild smile.

"Anyway uh... I just kinda came over her for the fresh air. Was getting kinda stuffy in my room... but I can be your opponent if you want me?" Shiya made a flexing motion, holding his other hand on his arm's bicep as he clenched his fist. What were friends for if not to act as semi-punching bags when you needed them? Shiya was nothing if not attempting to be a good friend, after all. "I'm warning you though: Just cus I don't have my powers anymore, doesn't mean you should underestimate me. I got a couple of sticks up my sleeve~"

Shiya Damage: 0%/180% Shield Durability: 65%/65% Status: Good-friending!

[Coolshaymin]

Farle, perhaps instinctively even if it's the name of the... Original, she looked in the red garbed man's direction... Was this a friend of Arle's? Well, that was not especially lucky. She wasn't even sure how to respond to this guy. What if he was one of the original's stalkers or something worse-... Wait, was he being actually nice to her? And he was calling her Comfortable AND Competent?! Still, the compliment felt... natural and genuine and not like some pickup line... Then why was he sparing her such... Oh right, of course. He's only doing that because he thinks she's the original. If he knew the truth he would just spite her like he should.

"..... Sure, that sounds nice. I'll be glad to fight with you. You better be ready like you say you are!" Farle began in a bit of annoyance that she tried to hide. This guy will be a decent practice target at least if he's powerless. Afterall, she has to get him back for being nice to her!... Kind of! "Let's start with some... um... basic spells..." the pink Arle continued until she started to lose her confidence. Come on, this guy literally just said he had sticks up his sleeve! He should be easy to practice on! "... Heat!" Farle declared as she launched a pink ball of heat at Shiya to try and burn him.

ARWJnICDp_1d20+3(Chaos Heat, 12% damage and 30% chance to burn if it hits)

"H-hey, that was not so hard... Why was it pink though?" Farle looked at her hands and... accidently said that out loud. "Alright! Here's spell number 2! Zap!" she continued  as she moved forward and thrusted her palm at Shiya and created a blast of sickly green electricity that was even sicker in nature.

p_1d20+3(Chaos Zap, 12% damage and Sickness)

"... Why... Why was it so green and ill looking?" she commented, looking at her palm again... "One more spell! Chill!" the doppel finished as she fired forth a series of spikey dark icicles at Shiya.... Though she sneezed while preparing it, making it's accuracy extremely poor.

p_1d20+3(Chaos Chill, 14% damage and a 40% chance of Terrified)

"... My magic seems off somehow..." Farle lamented in noting to herself. Still, she stood ready to continue. Maybe she'll have some better luck with higher tiers?... Yeah that really did not seem likely but she needed to figure out what was wrong with her magic.

p_1d20+2(Appeal)

HP: 160 Shield HP: 55 Status: Normal Appeal: 0

1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+2

[Blade Unlimited]

And of course, Shiya seemingly was oblivious to all of this. In his eyes he was just spending the evening having fun with one of his closest friends. Flashing her an encouraging grin, the ex-mage quite literally pulled two decently long sticks from his sleeves before getting into a loose fighting stance in preparation. "Works for me. Hey, how about we make this interesting too? Loser buys lunch?" If she accepted the bet, all the better. The power of hunger would give him strength.

Ignoring the fact that she was calling her powers "spells" (at this point Shiya had resigned to just let her be. Not like being wrong was hurting people), Shiya braced himself for the fireballs; twirling his two sticks in front of himself with his hands in an attempt to form shields. Something that clearly would only work in anime.

(Bubble Shield@ChaosHeat: 65 - 10 - 12 = 43%)

Of course his twirling sticks didn't deflect her fireball attack at all, weak magic or not. Instead they instantly caught fire. As soon as his "weapons" burst into effeminately colored flames, Shiya dropped the sticks like they were--well, on fire! "PALUTENA! HOT HOT!" Shiya oddly cursed with a small yelp, stumbling back as the flames devoured the sticks whole before dying out. "Okay, note to self: Don't use flammable weapons to deflect fire!" Well... no harm done, at least. Two more sticks of varied length and color slid down his sleeves to replace the previous two left in ashes merely a few moments prior. Just how many did he have up there?

z3I6GVrQp_1d20+1 (Chaos Zap Evasion - Success)

p_1d20+1 (Chaos Chill Evasion - Success)

This time, when two more spells were sent heading his way, Shiya actually had the foresight to dodge them instead of tanking them head one. After dodge rolling to the side of the strange electrical strike and sliding underneath the terribly aimed rapid fire of icicles, the youth ended up coming to a stop right in front of the doppel caster. "Hoo! That was close.... But also kinda weird? Don't think they're supposed to do that." Shiya lamented, standing up right in front of Farle with seemingly no sense of worry or fear of danger. In fact he even took the time to dust off some dirt on his pants before he reached into his cloak, withdrawing a bright-green handkerchief (adorned in strangely shaped ear/antenna patterns) before holding it out to his opponent with a smile. "Bless you, by the way."

"You feeling alright, Arle? You're not sick or anything, are you?" He asked, voice filled with slight concern. He didn't want to beat up his friend while they were sick or something; that was noooooo good! "We can always fight later."

Shiya Damage: 0%/180% Shield Durability: 43%/65% Status: Good-friending!

[/div][/div]1d20+1·1d20+1

[Coolshaymin]

"I am not a loser-er, I mean sure!" Farle called back, taken aback by Shiya's stakes. Wait, was he really planning to fight her with sticks? He... was joking, right? Where was he even keeping those?! Either way, not only did he manage to block her Fire with Sticks... Kind of, he also dodged her other magic pretty easily. She was really not doing well in this battle. Just then he got close so she had to prepare herself to-... Be handed a tissue? "Oh... Um, thank you," she replied in confusion as she took the offering...

"I'm fine! We are doing this! I am not holding back with this spell!" She called as she channeled her magic and formed a crystiline... Very jagged light blue orb around her. The shape of the magic sphere almost looked mishapen and a bit unstable. "I-I-I-Inferno!" she declared after a bit of a stutter as held her hands up and the orb exploded as a massive sea of bright yellow fire filled the arena quickly with a strong and harsh light and yet the fire did not seem to burn the skin but a harsh cold and it did apply a parasitic flower to the head with a chance. Though what it was surefire to do if it landed was make the opponent really noxious... Though Farle seemed afflicted as well.

"I... Feel a bit dizzy but I can still... Fight!" She said through determination to end this kindness as she stumbled a bit. Geeze, Shiya hasn't even touched her, she was doing it to herself at this point.

naZ12Izhp_1d20(Chaos Inferno + Chaos Blizzard Alchemy, deals 56 damage and inflicts Sickness and a 30% chance of Flower but Farle also gets sickness, a -3 to Wisdom Moves for the next turn, 9% recoil and a -4 to 1 dodge)

p_3d5(Magical Alchemy Charge)

p_1d20+1(Enduring Sickness)

p_1d20+2(Farle's Appeal... Well she is convincing at least)

HP: 141 (By Sickness) Shield HP: 50 (By Sickness) Sickness (7) Appeal: 12

1d20·3d5·1d20+1·1d20+2

[Blade Unlimited]

Well, if she said she was fine, there was nothing much Shiya could do but indulge her. Still, even as he took a step back to allow the girl to charge up her attack, a voice in the back of the ex-mage's mind nagged at him. There was something off about Arle today... Something he just couldn't put his finger on though. Something about her mannerisms, her clothes, her hair, all of it together just seemed... off?

As the stick fighter prepared to endure another one of Farle's attacks, his eyes suddenly widened; the teen recoiling at the sight of the girl executing a maneuver that actively harmed herself to pull it off. Rather than protect himself or try dodging, Shiya simply swiped his cloak over himself to curb the oncoming inferno before rushing Farle straight-on.

|FqVOAzRp_1d20+1 (Inferno Evahadsjfkhkljashfd)

"What the hell are you thinking?!" He sharply yelled into the girl's ear, dropping the red cape from his face. "You don't look okay at all. Are you trying to kill yourself?" Shiya was exaggerating a little, but the worry in his voice was clear and authentic. Seeing the girl stumble back, the concerned friend made a grab towards the doppel's hand; not only to momentarily restrain her from further harm but also keep her from falling over.

p_1d20+2 (Shiya attempting to grapple/steady Arle - No damage) 

"What's wrong with you today Arle? Did someone put you up to this or something? You're scaring me."

Shiya Damage: 0%/180% Shield Durability: 51%/65% Status: Concerned-friending!

1d20+1·1d20+2

[Coolshaymin]

OLSZDNahp_1d20-2

"I-I said I'm fine!" She said before she noticed Shiya hold her steady. Wha-he was still being nice to her despite her stubborness?... Of course he is! He's thinking something is wrong with the real Arle! He'd turn on her in a blink of the eye. No one can trust someone that know that was created to be a fake. Especially a fake as destructive as her. "L-Let go of me!" Farle declared as she used all her strength to try and pull her arm from Shiya and get some distance.

p_1d20-4(Grapple Resist)

Farle pulled her arm away from the strange man and stepped back. "Don't you get it?! My name is not Arle, it's Farle! I'm a flawed clone and you treating me with such kindness like I was her is insulting!" she declared in frustration as she raised her hands and started channeling magic, wincing a bit. "Thunderstorm!" she declared as she called down a purple bolt of thunder on Shiya. "Flame!" she followed up as she shot a green smokey fire at Shiya.

p_1d20(Chaos Thunderstorm on Shiya, 30% and inflicts Slow)

p_1d20(Chaos Flame on Shiya, deals 18% damage with a 30% chance of Poison)

"You know the truth now so you can stop treating me like the original and take me seriously!" she said as... if she was not failing to land a single blow on this guy. She coughed a bit afterwards though she tried to cover it up. At this rate she was probably going to tire herself out. If she lost to this guy without him even throwing a punch that would be BEYOND humiliating.... But not inappropriate.

p_1d20+2(The crowd has pity at least for the self-defeating clone)

HP: 138 (By Sickness) Shield HP: 50 (By Sickness) Sickness (6) Appeal: 12

1d20-2·1d20-4·1d20·1d20·1d20+2

[Blade Unlimited]

"You're clearly anything but fine!" Shiya's grip wasn't particularly strong, so even a moderate tug was good enough to pull Farle out of his hand. He was about to protest further before... well, the truth bomb dropped like that. "....Farle?" He parroted her name, face contorted in worried confusion. All of a sudden, everything was making a million times more sense. The messy hair, the clothing change, the volatile and unnecessarily reckless personality. Honestly, he felt stupid for not seeing it before.

Then again, people's first instincts when talking to their friend is to assume that they're a "clone" whenever they're acting funny.

Even after she began angrily charging back up her magic, Shiya stood there in prone shock; staring back at Farle in a mixture of emotions. The stunned stick warrior's mind raced a mile a minute. His body was still; the perfect target for a magical bolt of thunder to rain down the doppel's fury from above.

SoKBUKYEp_1d20+1 (Chaos Thunderstorm Evasion - Success)

Of course, she clearly didn't factor in Shiya shifting from the spot at the complete perfect time. Merely a second before he was cooked in the slowing electricity, the ex-mage took a single step forward; his gaze shrouded in uncertainty by his bangs. His intentions unknown.

"So... You're a clone, huh?"

Shiya continued his steady pace back towards Farle, another stick sliding down his sleeve which seemed to bear a lot more weight behind it than before.

(Bubble Shield@Chaos Flame: 51-10-18 = 23)

With a single swipe of his weapon, Shiya batted the poisonous flames away without care as his weapon burned to ash once more. "A clone..." He stated again, as if feeling the words on his tongue. Coming to a stop once again in front of the cloned mage, Shiya raised his arm; looking as though he were about to finally begin that retaliation Farle semingly craved so masochistically.

p_1d20+2 (Shiya attempting to grapple/hug Farle - No damage)

...But the only thing she'd end up feeling were Shiya's arms as they wrapped around her form in a loose... hug? "Who says a clone's worth any less than the original?" Words that Shiya had said a million times before; in a different context, sure, but not any less accurate. Instead of a look of worry or contempt, Farle would find a look of sincere empathy and compassion curling across the exmage's face in a smile. "That's always been my philosophy... Who knew I'd be applying it to something like this though."

Assuming she didn't immediately try to impale him or something, the scarlet fighter would pat her arm reassuringly. "Sorry though... I didn't know you were a different person. That's my mistake. Any way we could start over?"

"Hi, I'm Shiya. It's nice to meet you Farle. Want to be friends?" He asked as sincerely and calmly as he could. Good thing he had some experience with multiple Arles; still, who knew he'd run into a clone of her, here of all places... Well, no reason he couldn't be friends with her too, right?

Shiya Damage: 0%/180% Shield Durability: 23%/65% Appeal: 20 Status: Concerned-friending!

1d20+1·1d20+2

[Coolshaymin]

W7QlFi4Ip_1d20-1

p_1d20-3

Why can't she hit this guy?! Is she failing that bad that she can't land a single blow on him?  She was feeling a bit noxious but that was besides the point! His emphasis and apparent anger or resentment at her fail too meant he was actually trying now. How was she supposed to become perfect when she can't even handle a guy that is using sticks to deflect her?! Just then he made his charge to finally fight her seriously. Too winded for a dodge she braced herself to take the blow.... Until feeling it become a hug instead? He-He was still insistent on comforting her? But why?

"Who says a clone's worth any less than the original?!" this line caused Farle to fall short of her struggle out and look up. He... But... She wanted to refute with that it is true, she was trampled by Arle and her magic was inherently flawed. Despite that though she could not bring herself to... He was being sincerely nice and she never thought she'd hear and appreciate those words but he said it with such conviction... "... Even after all this..." Farle began until shaking her head. She looked down, for once actually a bit concerned for her goals... Still, she had to get stronger anyway but... Well, it's not like she can turn it down either. "... You know what? Sure, Shiya," She said, actually giving a small giggle. She has not felt this comforted since coming here.

"... I need to be able to control my magic though... Loser buys lunch was the deal, right? Don't worry, I need to get over this eventually, now is a good time," Farle began as purple electricity flowed through her body before bursting out in an electric burst of energy with the same slowing ability at massive output, she flinched a bit but she seemed insistent on not giving up. "Storm!" she declared before conjuring a pink flame to match. "Heat!"

p_1d20+3(Chaos Storm on Shiya, 30% damage, inflicts Slow)

p_1d20+3(Chaos Heat on Shiya, 12% damage and a 30% chance to Burn)

p_1d20+2(Farle's Appeal)

HP: 133 Shield HP: 50  Sickness (5) Appeal: 30

1d20-1·1d20-3·1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+2

[Blade Unlimited]

"Aww... Hugs are nice." Shiya hummed, quite happy with how this situation had resolved. He hadn't made a single attack this entire match, used his words and emotions to connect with his opponent, and ended up making a new friend! With a nod, Shiya released Farle from the hug, sufficiently satisfied with this turn of events. Wow, maybe hanging around the Magical Girl's Society and learning from them was really starting to pay off n-

"Storm!"
"Heat!"

"Nani?" Was all Shiya had a chance to utter before he was abruptly besieged by a viscious magical assault; simultaneously scorched and electrocuted. He barely even managed to take a step back before the point-blank attacks blew him back several meters into a heap on the ground. The surprise-attacked exmage lay there for a good few seconds, twitching in pain as the remaining volts exited his system and the flames died down. When Shiya had finally recovered, suffice to say he wasn't feeling 100%.

ZTOYnKcgp_1d100 (Not burned! Yay!)

".....Ow." He groaned, shakily crawling back onto his feet; a pained expression on the teen's face. Most likely due to the incredible pain he'd just experienced. "Oof... Why does the pacifist run hurt so much?" He lamented, sliding two sticks out from his sleeves and into his awaiting hands before pointing them towards Farle. "Oh no, I'm fine. Thanks for exploding my face without warning. I appreciate it!"

Well, pacifism was overrated anyway. If she really still wanted to fight that badly, then Shiya had no choice but to respect her wishes. "CHAOTIC NEUTRAAAL!!!" With a fierce battle cry, Shiya closed the distance between them before abruptly throwing a spray of wooden tree appendages in her face before immediately following through by swinging a rather hefty branch into her side.

p_1d20+4 ("Stick" Rain: AoE DMG 15%)
p_1d20+2 ("Stick" Assault[Medium]: DMG 18%)

He side-stepped around Farle, getting ready to launch another stick-related attack before an unexpected complication arose. In his haste to unload his haul of sticks, the pathway through his sleeves had accidentally been jammed by two dis-positioned sticks. In the heat of the moment, and a snap decision, he panicked.... and punched her. "Oops."

p_1d20+2 (Non-Electric Boogaloo: DMG 26%, Inflicts Stun, 50% Inflict Paralysis; 3 turn cooldown)

Right in the face too. It wasn't too hard, but it was still a potentially solid blow and you could sense the instant regret Shiya felt as he pulled his fist back. "Oh my god. That wa-I'm so sorry that was an accident. I panicked I di-You electrocuted me and lit me on fire; I feel like that's pretty justifie--Oh jeez, I swear that wasn't on purpose." He sputtered out in an attempt to apologize and cover himself. "Uhhhh... Meow?"

[...Is it too late to switch back to the pacifist route?]

Shiya Damage: 42%/180% Shield Durability: 31%/65% Appeal: 60 Status: ACT -> Meme Defensively! Slowed[DEX=0.5]: 3 turns

1d100·1d20+4·1d20+2·1d20+2

[Coolshaymin]

0k3RY9Oxp_1d20-3

p_1d20-3

"Well, this is a fight, if you weren't expecting that then-" Farle began before wincing as she got hit by a stick, but managing to deflect the second one as she tried to move away. Ow, he sure knew how to hit though that was sure. As he swerved around her he watched as he went for a punch to her face. Thinking quick her body seemed to take on a reflective property as her face seemed to shatter from outside the magic mirror barrier and she stepped back with a wince but seemed unhard... Shame Shiya probably got 7 years bad luck.

(Shielded Electric Boogaloo -36% sheilds=14%)

"... It's fine. I wanted this... Now I can backup your words that a fake is not any worst than... No, it can surpass the original!" Farle began as she memorized the effects of the punch that hit her Mirror Shield. Alright, time to add her own spin and make it better. "Storm...." Farle began as her fist surged with flowing with purple lightning that flailed around with energy that seemed hardly controlled and it seemed to singe her hand a bit as she focused all her magic and power for ONE PUNCH! "STORM PUNCH!" she said as she threw her fist with the plasmic energy surging even stronger until her eyes widened. Oh no oh oh no-

p_1d20-2(Critical Greater Electric Boogaloo Explosion, 102%, stuns, 50% chance to paralyze, probably will feel this for the next week)

p_5d5(The extra 16% damage from Magical Alchemy)

As the punch reached for Shiya there was a large explosion of electricity like a giant thunderclap that surged through the arena shaking the stands themselves with their immense power... It's a good thing Shiya had experience tanking gods if he got hit by this. She flew backwards and skidded across the ground from the force of the impact, shakily getting up as she breathed heavily. "A-Are you okay... I wasn't expecting that to happen..." she called out. Her ears were still ringing and she thinks she made her headache even worst.

p_1d20+2(Appeal)

HP: 105 Shield HP: 14 Sickness (4) Appeal: 72

1d20-3·1d20-3·1d20-2·5d5·1d20+2

[Blade Unlimited]

Shiya was incredibly bewildered as he withdrew his fist, only to see Farle perfectly fine.... Did he punch a mirror? How in the world did that happen??? No, more importantly why was Farle's fist suddenly sparking with purple electricity. No matter whichever way you looked at that, it spelled bad news for him! "H-Hey... Let's not be hasty here." Shiya weakly protested in an attempt to dissuade Farle as her power visibly grew. "Good spirit. Maaaybe we don't need a demonstration so much though? I mean we're all friends h-"

"STORM PUNCH!"

"OH MY GOOOOO-

gNgPGwPPp_1d20-2 (Critical Greater Electric Boogaloo Explosion Evasion - CRITICAL SUCCESS?!?!?!)

It took several long and arduous seconds for the dust to settle after the massive explosion Farle had caused with her punch. Pretty much everyone in the crowd was deathly silent; as an attack of such incredible proportions demanded after such a display.

And standing right in the same spot he'd been in prior, somehow miraculously unharmed, was the immortal memester Shiya Kirigraya. True, he wasn't physically unharmed.... mentally though:

"I ' v e   g a z e d   i n t o   t h e   a b y s s . . .   a n d   t h e   a b y s s   g a z e d   b a c k ."
He was "shooketh" to say the least.

After an indiscernible amount of time coping with how close to death he'd been in such a short and unexpected amount of time, Shiya was "ready" get back to fighting. Everything's relatively really. "I-I'm good. Ya know, I'm fiiine. That?! Pfft~That couldn't have hurt a fly--hahahahahahahahapleasedon'tdothatagainplease." Shiya spouted in a shaky attempt to not appear like he'd just stared into the depths of Hades in fisting form. Doing his best to push past that potentially traumatizing experience, Shiya rushed at Farle. Now he was especially keen on ending this fight ASAP.

p_1d20+2 ("Stick" Assault[Medium]: DMG 18%)
p_1d20+2 (^)
p_1d20+2 (^)

"Dooooon't stop me n-nooooow! I'm having such a goood tiiiime..... I'm having a ball!" Shiya's voice cracked slightly as he sang... for god only knows what reason. Maybe to distract himself, maybe to bolster his own spirits.... Either way it wasn't very good singing anyway, nor a suitable accompaniment for his attacks.

Shiya Damage: 42%/180% Shield Durability: 39%/65% Appeal: 86 Status: SHOOKETH Slowed[DEX: 12->6]: 2 turns Electric Boogaloo C.D: 2 turns

1d20-2·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2

[Mari]

"...It's always a little disheartening watching a girl get the stuffing beaten out of her. But that's how it goes. We need everyone in tip-top shape, they say."


"...You on the other hand. Who do you think you're supposed to be, exactly..? Arle~? Uhuhuhu... That's cute."

((Thread archived due to inactivity))