[Deleted]

She wasn't exactly sure how, or why, she ended up here.

One moment, she recalled lazily wandering around the Rainbow Square. She was lost, mildly exhausted, and still a bit dirty from her week spend in the Mushroom Ruins after crash landing headfirst onto the planet.

One talk later with an usher, something about "a new challenger" and "signing this here contract of liability"... and now, she was here, surrounded by cheering crowds on raised bleachers, and smack dab in the middle of an open stadium-like arena.

She was mildly scared. This had got to be a misunderstanding. But it seems she couldn't back out now...

[Deleted]

"This must be some sort of mistake.."

    His interest growing in testing his combative ability against this universe's finest fighters, the Grand-Master Sub-Zero had entered himself into the Sunshine Stadiums roster of many, hoping to shake off some of his ring rust as well as see how much he had exactly to go before being ready to fully take on this realms biggest threats. He didn't specify an opponent, though, and thus the choice was completely randomized. Sub-Zero did expect some sort of common sense when it came to things such as this though, and did not really think of them ever putting someone whom he saw unfit to be pitted against a Kombatant such as himself. That would be unnecessary cruelty.

    So, as the Lin-Kuei Grand-Master walked into the ring, ice path formed with each step taken, a soft and icy mist slowly expelled from the front of his mouthpiece, Sub-Zero expected to see on the other side of the stadium someone who he would consider a worthy opponent.

    However, the frigid fighter's cold gaze was met with someone who was the complete opposite of what he had been imagining as his ideal match up. Someone who looked to be a young girl was positioned at the other end of the arena. Was this some sort of mistake? There was no way a little girl was supposed to count as ample competition. Not to be rude or anything of the like, but she did not at all look prepared to take on the cold blizzard of a warrior formally known as Sub-Zero.

    Stopping in the center of the battlefield, Sub-Zero stared down Ashley with his piercing blue eyes, saying in a bit of a cold tone, "Are you sure you're in the right place, young girl? You understand exactly where you've found yourself, and with who you have found yourself pitted against, yes?"

[Deleted]

"Ah, crap!! Who is this guy?!" She thought to herself. Someone who looked intimidating as hell had actually appeared on the other end! Her left foot began to shift back slightly, chills being sent down her spine from more than his cold aura... as clear insecurity showing in her smile. "W-Well, about that-...! I... I really can't answer any of your questions. I was just looking for the local ramen shop, but uh-"

The boisterous voice of the announcer began to speak, his words reverberating throughout the entire arena...

"LLLLLL-LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THANKS FOR COMING TO THE FIRST ROUND OF OUR AFTERNOON SPARRING MATCHES! IIIIN THE APTLY-PLACED BLUE CORNER, IS THE GRANDMASTER OF THE NETHER REALM! THE FANATIC OF FATALITIES! IT IS... SUB-ZEEEROOOOO!"

The crowd went wild!

"AAAAND IN THE RIGHT CORNER! THE, UH... I'M GOING TO BE HONEST, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PERSON BEFORE IN MY LIFE! BUT ACCORDING TO OUR ANALYSIS, SHE SEEMS TO PACK QUITE A MEAN PUNCH, IS THE SCRAPPER OF SPACE-ROBOTS, AND MANAGES TO DO HER HOMEWORK ALL WHILE SAVING THE WORLD - MUCH LIKE AN ASHLEY WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE! GIVE IT UP FOOOR... HAAARMLESSSS!"

The crowd went equally confused and wild at the same time!

Harmless felt her heart sunk amidst the cheering. "... There's really no going back on this, is there?" She winced. "In that case, uhm… P-Prepare yourself, Sub... Sub-Zero! I'm not holding b-back!"

"... R-Real smooth, Harmless... real smooth..."

[PKMN Trainer Blue]

At this, a strikingly beautiful young woman made her way out ontothe battlefield, her black mini dress arguably unsuited to the rigors of combat. Yet, she walked with purpose, as if she belonged here.

Because she did~!

Blue moved to stand between the two combatants, looking back and forth over them. “...Master Shinobi~” Blue greeted with something loosely resembling a curtsey. She then turned to address Harmless. She paused, thinking about this for a moment or two while bending and leaning back and forth to get a better ook at Harmless, carefully inspecting her as if searching for something. Seeming to not find whatever she was looking for, she stood back up and held her arms out in a shrug. “...Hey Gurl~ What's a cutie like you doing here?” she asked in a playful manner, seeming to have determined that Harmless didn't look like a fighter. “Did you get a little inspiration to try your hand in the arena after reading Princess Peach's blog and seeing how she does it? She makes it look pretty easy, but it takes a lot of training to look that good and still put up a fight that hard to beat! It always hurts seeing someone enter the arena thinking they're going to girl power it up only to get rolled over by the shouty kid who never gives up.” Blue mused aloud with a little shake of her head. She then paused for a moment, considering the match ahead.

“...Anyway! My name's Blue and I'll be taking care of your match today! As the referee, I'll be judging your every move and awarding bonus thunder badges to the cutest and the coolest of you, on top of the badges you get for winning! These matches go by quick, so make every round count! Also remember, no killing~! That's it, folks. No rules about hitting below the belt. No rules about how you win. In addition to being entertainment, all our matches here also serve as training for the war against the starvia! And they will definitely not play fair. So go for it! Or play it up for the audience.I don't really mind either way.” Blue explained, taking a few steps and flashing a thumbs up.

“Ready...? Go!”

((Yo! Since this is a professional match, you have 5 rounds or until a fighter hits 0 HP before the match ends. Whichever comes first. Begin fighting at your leisure~!))

[Deleted]

The cheeks on Harmless's face grew a few shades of red as she was left speechless from Blue's flirting, clearly unable to think of a response. Instead, she just stuttered like mad, babbling as Blue continued on with the rest of her explanation. She couldn't even get out that this really was a mistake, and that she just wanted a nice lunch to ease her mind on what had transpired over the last week.

"I really hope this doesn't end poorly." She couldn't help but think to herself as she tried to regather her bearings. "When was the last time I had even fought somebody? It feels like it's been long enough, that I'm surprised rust hasn't formed on my hands. Does my Aura, that I know so little about still, even work here? Can I even survive in this new planet, at all?!

… Maybe... Maybe there's only one way to figure that out. Maybe, if I can show I stand at least a semblance of a chance against my opponent, then just maybe-?!"

... And then she began to catch the tail end of Blue's speech, specifically about the technicalities, or lack thereof, within the spar. Merely a few seconds afterwards, Blue had already signaled off the match! A very unprepared Harmless gave a comical smile, clearly just realizing that she's a few steps behind reality.

"... Wait... G-Go?"

Her lack of attention seems to have given up the first move entirely. Waking up to the present, she had just now realized... the battle had already begun!

(Music: This Will Be the Day ~ RWBY [Jeff/Casey Lee Williams])



(First turn given to Sub-Zero!)

[Deleted]

    The Grand-Masters gaze was then zeroed in on the newcomer into the stadium- a cautious expression shifting to one of pleasant surprise as he realized that it had been the Pokemon trainer as well as usual commentator and/or referee of the Sunshine Stadium Blue whom had chosen to drop in to supervise their match. Honestly, it gave Sub-Zero some peace of mind, now if he were to accidentally seriously injure Harmless at all, he knew someone would be able to stop the fight if necessary. Sparing a small salute of sorts, Sub-Zero spoke a formal greeting toward Blue, bowing slightly as a sign of respect and in reply to her own curtsy as he said, "A pleasure to see you once more, commentator Blue. If it is you who shall oversee our bout, then I have utter confidence in your guiding eyes. I understand and hereby honor the match's guidelines, and will do my best to follow them accordingly. Yes, that includes the no killing rule, do not worry."

    His entire body began to tense up slightly in anticipation for the fight ahead of him. As Harmless attempted to muster up some confidence in her own skill, Sub-Zero shook his head slightly, not really amused with the younglings attempt at intimidation. "If you are,   truly, to be my opponent, then I apologize in advance, Harmless- for whether you be fly or lion, I shall use the entirety of my power to its fullest potential." The former Kombat combatant then swiftly sped forward, wanting to make the first move and to see whether or not his killer instinct was still in him.


    The masterful master assassin seemingly slid across the arena floor as if each step was glazed with ice underneath his feet- his speed still quite present, and the crowd was loving it, cheering his name as he conjured up a slightly dulled ice blade (he didn't wish to cut right through the poor girl) to try and draw first blood. Not literally, mind you, he was still aware of the no killing limitation. Sub-Zero gripped the hilt of his icy blade tightly, jumping upward in front of her and going for an overhead slash.

yeNWZaCXp_1d20+2 Sub-Zero's Shivering Slash! Automatically Hits for 8%!

p_1d20+2 Sub-Zero's Shivering Slash! Defense Roll to determine if critical damage is taken!


    After slamming his blade downward at the girl, the skillful Lin Kuei Kombatant would expect for it to collide dead on with her forehead- not slicing through Harmless though, only managing to bash her on the head a little bit as to avoid accidentally murdering the girl. That would NOT go well with the crowd, he knew that as much. Continuing his furious flurry, using the time in which Harmless would hopefully be a bit dazed, Sub-Zero would quickly drop his body low to the ground next to her stomach region, saying, "Is it your hesitancy or the cold that makes you shiver?" 

    He then began to go to work at her lower body, throwing relentlessly quick paced combinations into Harmless. Making sure each punch was properly infused with an icy bite to them, it seemed as though a hundred blows were attempting to riddle themselves into the helpless girls body.


p_1d20+2 Sub-Zero's Freezing Blows! 

p_1d20+2Some of Sub-Zero's flurries make it through for a guaranteed 7% damage taken!
p_1d20+2 Defensive roll is required to determine if critical damage is received!

   
    To top it all off, Sub-Zero then quickly back-stepped off after his initial assault in a linear path away from the girl. He then quickly put his palms facing each other in the middle of his midsection, facing toward Harmless, an azure icy orb emanating with glacial and snowy power beginning to form in-between his palms as he said, "Girl or boy, adult or child, the cold consumes all-!"

    The Lin-Kuei Grand-Master then, without any mercy, fired off from his combined palms a gigantic pillar of ice toward Harmless, planning on having it slam her into the arena wall behind her if successfully landed. However, afterward, his own body would too begin to shiver- not out of fear or anticipation, but from the inherent strain it still placed upon his body to overdo himself using his dominion over ice.

p_1d20+2 Sub-Zero is the Wielder of Winter's Howl, and he is showing it off here in full force for a chance at 25% damage but at the cost of a two turn special move cooldown as well as inflicting upon himself 2% damage!

    Regaining his composure quickly afterward, however, Sub-Zero slowly slipped into a more defensive stance as he waited for his opponents next move, saying, 

"Come. Let us see if you can brave the winter storm."

Sub-Zero
98/100 HP

1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20·1d20+2·1d20+2

[Deleted]

Harmless's Defense Roll #1: 8 + 2 (CON) = 10! Defense Roll vs 14 Failed - Double damage taken!



"Wha- AUGH!!" Clocked in the front from the broadside of the shivering blade, Harmless was quickly swept off of her balance, prone to being caught in a deadly combo!

Defense Roll #2: 2 + 2 (CON) = 4! Defense Roll vs 19 Failed!

Failing to prevent a series of relentless followups from happening, Harmless was quickly thrown off of her balance, her head jerking to the left, and the right, and the left again from receiving beatdown after beatdown...

Defense Roll #3: 8 + 2 (CON) = 10! Defense Roll vs 11 Failed - Double Damage Taken!

Noticeable damage and reaction to his attacks occurred, as Harmless was thoroughly whupped from left, right, and center throughout the barrage of attacks! She tumbled backwards, skidding a few feet back onto the floor. Catching herself just barely, she rolled up onto one knee, and slowly began to stand...

... Only to have her head raise and notice Sub-Zero already coming in with yet another follow-up: The The Wielder of Winter's Howl!

Defense Roll #4: jYmlcQhqp_1d20 + 2 (CON) = 10! Defense Roll vs 18 Failed!

Quickly slammed into the arena's wall, a giant cloud of smoke began to rise from the point of impact. Surely, an ordinary girl like her would be down for the count by now...

...

Then, a standing silhouette formed... belonging to her. She began to slowly walk out from the cloud of smoke, becoming more visible to the audience with each passing step.

"Ow... H-Hey! That's pretty good!"  She gave a cheery grin, despite noticeable damage marks and dirt stains being strewn across her body. Bits of permafrost began to scatter from her body, as an orange and silvery aura around her began to wick away the residue left behind.  "You're rather... rather strong. But... Only one of us is walking away the victor, it seems. So let show you what I got!"


Surprisingly enough, Harmless received little to no lacerations on her skin from the weapon that Sub-Zero used... Whatever it was that was giving her superhuman durability, it's clear from that little interaction alone that she was no ordinary girl. Despite the early disadvantage, she was willing to continue!

----

Breaking out into a full sprint from her earlier slow walk, Harmless hit top speed extremely quickly to get back into the fray! Rushing up to Sub-Zero, the surprisingly nimble girl opened up with a series of well-placed kicks and punches!



(The Fundamentals!)
Attack Roll #1: p_1d20 + 1 (STR) = 3 Total - 3% Damage!
Attack Roll #2: p_1d20 + 1 (STR) = 12 Total - 3% Damage!
Attack Roll #3: p_1d20 +1 (STR) = 12 Total - 4% Damage!




One of them was rather shy and unlikely to hit... but the other two looked pretty promising! "You've got a point - This isn't the place for hesitation! Here goes!"

Harmless followed up with a roll to the left, spinning briefly and launching a spherical ball of aura out of her palms!



(Aura Ball!)
Attack Roll: p_1d20!  (Critical Confirm: p_1d20 + 1 (DEX) = 19 Total for Crit Check - 8% Unmodified Damage!)




That particular projectile looked very promising! A mild burning sensation could be felt from the attack, though no particular heat or friction was produced as a means of getting hit by it... Regardless, it's sure to hurt somehow!

Using the projectile to keep a modicum of distance between the two, Harmless then took a precautionary measure... and set up a screen composed of the same aura that is radiating around her body!



(Aura Barrier! A Barrier with 25% HP spawned!)



"I might be an ordinary girl to some people... but I got a few tricks of my own!"  She couldn't help but get that particular line out. Perhaps it was stage fever, but she seemed awfully talkative now!

Harmless
65/110 HP
Barrier - 25/25 HP (Protecting Front/Sides)
66/100 Aura
(Aura Ball - 1 Turn CD)
(Aura Barrier - 2 Turn CD)

1d20·1d20·1d20·1d20·1d20·1d20

[Deleted]

    A surprised expression appeared on the Shinobi's Grandmaster's face as the young girl walked away from his furious assault basically unscathed. The glacial Kombatant stood there with a wondrous look on his face as he pondered his options and what a reaction meant for himself and the future of this battle, her words ringing dully in his ears as Sub-Zero attempted to think of a game plan of sorts. He didn't wish to be embarrassed by what he thought was a little girl of all things. Then again, as a wise man once said, it is on the day that you least expect problems where things go awfully awry, and the Lin Kuei leader wished to not have this day be so.

    As Harmless sped forward, Sub-Zero's nerves relaxed in preparation- he would be able to move more swiftly and fluidly with a relaxed demeanor than if he were to tighten up in anticipation.

7PoL0Dl|p_1d20+2Defensive Roll #1, Success!

    The experienced and more well aged (not that old though, mind you) fighter quickly began to expertly evade the first set of punches and kicks, his body nearly a blur from the very speed he was moving himself at. Not only could Sub-Zero deal out the damage, but he was most definitely also still able to avoid taking any himself. It seems he wasn't as rusty as he had once thought.

p_1d20+2Defensive Roll #2, Failed.

p_1d20+2Defensive Roll #3, Failed.

    However, the slight confidence the cold Kombatant felt momentarily was quickly swept away by some of the barrage piercing through his usually infallible defense- With Sub-Zero now taking in some well placed shots as well, one or two grunts audible from his mouthpiece as he quickly back-flipped away after tanking the brunt of the assault, trying to put some space in-between each other.
    
    "Perhaps I have made a slightly faulty judgement," Sub-Zero admitted as Harmless rolled off to the left. His eyes widened in a bit of shock however as he didn't realize she would be back on the offensive so soon- and his eyes glimmered brightly from the shine of her quickly formed Aura Ball. He backpedaled quickly, trying to buy enough time to create a way of diverting the blast away from himself.
    
    p_1d20+2Defensive Roll Against Crit, Failed. 16% damage taken.

    His reaction speed being too slow for that of the speedy little ball of burstful energy, Sub-Zero was quickly overtaken by the orb- being slammed backward by the initial impact as well as the following explosion battering his lower body quite a bit as it put his back quite literally against the wall, forcing the Grandmaster to take a leaning break against the arena.
    

    Panting a bit, and clutching his side in pain, Sub-Zero said, "You have surpassed all expectations I had set for you, Ms. Harmless. I commend you for your efforts. However.."

    Suddenly, the warriors body began to be encompassed by a blue glow, the atmosphere of the entire stadium beginning to fall rapidly at a several degree decrease, as a sheet of ice akin to that of a suit of armor began to overtake Sub-Zero's body- a frightful and fury filled northern wind blustering around him as he soon became a bit of an ice cocoon. His booming voice then suddenly able to be heard from within the mini blizzard.

    "Do not forget who you're up against, child. I am Sub-Zero, Lin Kuei Grandmaster!"

    

    A soul shattering yell then sounded it's presence from within the human sized ice cube, with it coming afterward a large explosion that sent ice flying everywhere. Snowflakes began to fall as remnants of what had just occurred, and from within the heart of the snowfall walked forward a now suited up Sub-Zero- his garb now that of his Injustice costume, instead of his usual Mortal Kombat outfit, which symbolized his empowerment from his domain over ice.

Grand-Master's Glacial Garment Has Been Formed-! WIS +4, And STR, DEX Increased by 3 For Three Turns!

    With his inherent power increase came the need to put it to use- and Sub-Zero quickly burst forward through the now winter wonderland of sorts, snow crunching beneath his feet as he held in either hand icy orbs of his own creation, letting out an intense warcry as he threw both of them forth toward Harmless, the balls soaring through the air like ice versions of childrens snowballs.

p_1d20+4Sub-Zero attempts to send forth his Frostful Fury! Possible 15% Damage Inflicted Upon Success.

p_1d100Attempt at freeze status failed

Sub-Zero
75/100

    
1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+4·1d100

[Deleted]

"The Lin what now- Eep!" Harmless held her head in her hands and ducked sheepishly, clearly intimidated by the sudden approach! As the warrior's attack moved to slam into her...

Crash!!


… The Aura Barrier that she had set up earlier swiftly rotated to face Sub-Zero, energy veins inside crackling as it absorbed the blow for her!

Defense #1: Aura Barrier absorbed 15% damage!

Harmless quickly lowered her hands. Now was an opportunity! Reaching through the barrier and past Sub-Zero's arms, she quickly grabbed her hands onto his collar, looking to use her signature Windmill Toss!

Grapple Roll #1: |vngme61p_1d20 + 1 = 18! If Grapple succeeds, Attack will follow-up for 18%!
Attack Roll #1 (For crit): p_1d20 = No Critical Hit.


Following the attempt at a strong grapple would be a crouching kick, to hit Sub-Zero while he was down (or at the very least, on the back foot!)


Attack Roll #2: p_1d20 + 1 = 3!


… Though it seemed unlikely that one was to hit. She seems to be hesitating. Perhaps the nerves of battle, let alone some of the damage she sustained earlier, is getting to her...



Harmless

65/110 HP

Barrier - 10/25 HP (Protecting Front/Sides)

72/100 Aura
(Aura Ball - Ready!)
(Aura Barrier - 1 Turn CD) 

1d20·1d20·1d20

[Deleted]

    Sub-Zero was more than well aware of the fact that the young girl had her defenses up from the beginning, so he was not at all that surprised as he saw both ice blasts fail in their assault and collide directly into her defensive shield. But the need to use his temporary power increase as well as to see just how much left of her shield would be left afterward managed to outweigh the risk in his mind. That was, at least, until he felt a small tugging force on his collar as he came within close quarters, and his eyes drifted down to where it was coming from- his gaze meeting Harmless's hands as they came to hold onto him quite tightly.

    Knowing such a position would be a perilous predicament for himself to be in, Sub-Zero attempted to break free of her grip, holding both hands of his own onto her wrists, using some of his ice magic control to ensure he had a tight grip as he attempted to twist free.

    266TPDPTp_1d20+5Grapple break failed. 18% Damage taken.
    
    To no avail, and so it saw Sub-Zero be ragdolled through the air and slammed ungracefully into the ground, the crowd roaring from the entertainment in seeing such a high level fighter be slowly undone by what many would consider a newbie. Refocusing quickly afterward, his ice cold blue eyes saw that Harmless attempted a follow up shortly after, seemingly looking to kick the man while he was down.
    
    p_1d20+5 Dodge successful!

    p_1d20+5 Sub-Zero attempts to retaliate with his freezing blows! Chance at 7% damage dealt.

    p_1d20+2 Freezing Blows!
    

    p_1d20+6 ..As well as his Frostful Fury! If defensive roll failed, must roll against the 10% of freezing the move has!

    Unwilling to take anymore embarrassment from the youngling, Sub-Zero, as soon as he was able to evade the low sweeping kick, began to once more pepper Harmless with what would have seen and felt like hundred upon hundreds of blows- with the frigid fighter switching from to the body and upstairs occasionally, attempting to shake up both mind and body in order to eventually shatter both.

    Once he had thought he had 'warmed' her up enough, Sub-Zero began to form once more another orb formed from frostful magic, attempting to blast a wintry like beam right into the chest of Harmless, hoping to freeze her right in her tracks, thus eliminating her mobility by a large margin.

    "Can you feel it?" Sub-Zero inquired as he finished off firing his ice beam, a light mist coming off from his face mask afterward. He had been sensing it for quite a bit, but was fully brought to its attention by the sloppiness of Harmless's last attempt at an attack through the sweeping kick.

    "The cold embrace of defeat..?" 

Sub-Zero
57/100

1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+2·1d20+6

[Deleted]

(Mixed up the Longevity and actual CD of Aura Barrier. Oops! Should be fixed now.)

Although the earlier opening leveled the playing field, Harmless's inexperience began to show. Overreaching with the leg sweep no doubt left an opening, one she quickly attempted to plug by calling her Aura Barrier to the front of her!


Sub Zero's Freezing Blows automatically hit the Aura Barrier for 14%! Aura Barrier has been destroyed!


... Which was promptly destroyed, thanks to its weakened state from earlier. The only saving grace it provided was a tiny bit more time to react to her opponent's followup, which was headed right for her!


Defense Roll #1 [CON]:   fI2i|o3mp_1d20+2 (Failed!)
Freeze Check #1 [WIS]:   p_1d20-1  (Failed!)

Unable to block the attack proper, a chilling projectile had found itself past her guard, which froze her right on the spot. Her consciousness began to panic, all while her body refused to move on its own accord. Not even her aura could seem to remove this seemingly permanent frost!

Harmless (Frozen)

50/110 HP 

78/100 Aura 

(Aura Ball - Ready!) 

(Aura Barrier - 2 Turn CD)
(Windmill Toss - 0 CD)

1d20+2·1d20-1

[Mari]

Harmless wins via time-out!