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[attr="class","kazu2"]Kazuya offered a nod of greeting to the young lady before him. His Bewear, meanwhile, swept his arm forward in a bow. A hand then lifted to splay across his chest. “Kazuya.” This word came from somewhere around his belt. His lips did not move. He gestured to the partner beside him. The muscular bear took steps toward the starting line. Kazuya followed him. “I appreciate your well wishes.” The old beast of competition reared its head.

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“But I believe you need them more.” With that jab, the man’s mind zeroed in on the battle before him. The Bewear raised its fist at the Swampert. Its claws curled tightly inward.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]The older man could feel Natsu’s excitement. Even after a full day of this, the Bewear hungered for more. The thrill of battle was its own reward. And, while no longer as confrontational as he’d been in his youth, Kazuya felt the embers of this feeling kindle in his gut. A glance at the Swampert made him think this match-up was a suitable one. The axolotls were hardy creatures, as flexible as the mud they so often called him.[break][break]


Suddenly, the world was awash in a meteor belt of stone. One of these flew for Kazuya’s face, the mercenary batting it grumpily aside. "Hm." But, the second it dropped to the ground, that displeasure disappeared. Battle was not clean. To sanitize it and remove the risk was to deprive it of its beauty. Doing so would pay as much honor to combat as pulling away petals did to the rose. “Deflect with Super Power!” With a nod, the burly bear unleashed all of its fighting spirit from within, aiming to hit the ground and keep those boulders at bay.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]The older man could feel Natsu’s excitement. Even after a full day of this, the Bewear hungered for more. The thrill of battle was its own reward. And, while no longer as confrontational as he’d been in his youth, Kazuya felt the embers of this feeling kindle in his gut. A glance at the Swampert made him think this match-up was a suitable one. The axolotls were hardy creatures, as flexible as the mud they so often called him.[break][break]

Suddenly, the world was awash in a meteor belt of stone. One of these flew for Kazuya’s face, the mercenary batting it grumpily aside. "Hm." But, the second it dropped to the ground, that displeasure disappeared. Battle was not clean. To sanitize it and remove the risk was to deprive it of its beauty. Doing so would pay as much honor to combat as pulling away petals did to the rose. “Deflect with Super Power!” With a nod, the burly bear unleashed all of its fighting spirit from within, aiming to hit the ground and keep those boulders at bay. [break][break]

Good job thinking on your feet. Judging by his eyes, this comment was directed more at the trainer than his bear. This was confirmed by an acknowledging nod. Natsu reminded him of himself. Too confident and cocksure—relying on his size to do everything. Certainly too quick to gloat in the heat of battle. A lesson that today’s battles might beat out of him. Better to happen here than when his life was on the line.[break][break]

The bear bared needle-sharp teeth as the attack found its target. The urge to gloat made him hesitate to press his advantage. Natsu did not expect such a quick turnaround. He figured the slimy axolotl would be stunned for a second, enough time to set up his attack. But, when he raced forward, he received a wet welcome. The powerful water attack slammed into his face in full force. Its ferocity lifted him off his feet and sent him crumpling into a heap. [break][break]


His head swam. Water dripped from his torso to cover the ground in cobblestones.[break][break]


Kazuya could not resist a short burst of static laughter. With a glare, the bear rocketed to his feet. His stocky limbs charged forward with vengeance on the mind. The Payback that came Bruno’s way was every bit as powerful as the attack that’d smacked the fighting type.
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[attr="class","kazu2"]The white-haired man watched as the girl’s hearts flickered from two to one. It appears the battle was nearing its end. But that was no reason to take it easy—quite the opposite. A cornered animal is a dangerous thing. Let’s see how you react, Natsu. The mercenary’s arms folded over his chest as he looked over the battlefield. Then, the Protect flickered into place—a bright, flickering barrier that could even turn a god’s blade. “Hm.”
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Natsu’s fist slammed into the wall with an audible thwack. The momentum is enough to send him reeling back, his knuckles tingling from the impact. With a noise of frustration, the Bewear throws an unpowered punch at the barrier. With a hop, he throws himself away from it. This time, he’s better prepared for the Mud Shot. He dodges to the side, aiming to charge beneath the ball of dirt and right into the Swampert.[break][break]


Judging by their repertoire so far, Bruno didn’t have much in the way of grappling moves. Hopefully, his Super Power is enough to force the axolotl back.

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[attr="class","kazu2"]After his Super Power, the ursine takes a few steps back. His knuckles hurt. The axolotl’s skin might be soft, but there were muscles underneath. As the beast staggered, Natsu leaned forward with anticipation. Beady eyes darted up to the little stars above the Swampert’s head. But they didn’t drop to zero. Bruno rose and resumed a fighting sense. An almost hungry fire flickered in the Bewear’s eyes. He pulled his fist back, ready to deliver the final blow.
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But a burst of sharp noise sent him staggering back. Like a circus bear, his bipedal steps were suddenly clumsy. His eardrums were screaming at him as the liquid in his ears turned tits up. “Keep going, Natsu.” With no status cleanses on hand, there was nothing the pair could do but roll the dice. If they waited for the disorientation to clear, the timer would run out. If they chose not to attack, the young lady had an opening. It was best to push forward.

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”Finish this with an Ice Punch!” With a shake of his head, the bear stepped forward to do just that. The problem? He saw three Brunos staring back at him.


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