Area D: Day Two

[Bardock]

Through his own strangled choking and gasping, Bardock could hear the determined growling from Kayoden. Somehow the Saiyan had sent him into a rage after two measly shots. Desperate fingers pried at the hands that eagerly embraced his throat below the ring of metal that circumvented it. His collar was being forced upward, putting dangerous pressure under his jaw. The Saiyan wasn't in a position to be worrying about it, but he feared that the motion might be considered as tampering to the collar, and consequently set it off. To make matters worse, although the evolved ape's opponent was not tall enough to successfully lift him off the ground, having his feet on the terra firma gave him no better chance of escape. Bardock's face was turning a deep shade of purple from lack of oxygen. He was liable to pass out soon, or worse, his collar would activate, and then he would surely die. His whole head shook and rocked, the blood vessels in his eyes becoming more and more apparent in the tell-tale sign of slow asphyxiation. It was only a sheer epiphany that saved him. Digging his heels deeper into the crusty soil, Bardock threw all of his weight backwards. Kayoden was so intent on placing all of his applied pressure forwards, his balance was completely bollixed. Relieved, the Saiya-jin felt himself tumbling back-first. With impeccable timing, the oxygen-deprived dueler lifted up his powerful hindquarters and thrust them violently into the chest of Kayoden, effectively pushing him off.

Whatever wind was left in Bardock was subsequently knocked out of him when he landed hard on his back. His body squirmed uncontrollably as he gasped for air. He wasn't the only one. The strange humanoid he had knocked down was also gulping for the vital gas. Fortunately, the accursed collar had not detonated. Unfortunately, Bardock could already feel the tender bruises forming on his bastardized neck. Even more unfortunate, Kayoden recovered first, for he suffered the lesser of the two damages. The man rushed over, chest heaving, never to be the same until total recovery repaired the temporary affliction. He stooped low and grabbed a fistful of Bardock's rugged black hair, dragging him along. With a mighty heave, Kayoden tossed the Saiya-jin soldier through the air until he landed again, harder this time. Whatever that was supposed to accomplish was completely unknown, for he had wasted a perfectly good opportunity to crush the monkey.

Bardock rolled over, now kneeling on elbows. Thunderous footsteps told him of his enemy's approach. Automatically, his scouter honed in on the precise location of the impending lifeform. The Saiya-jin lashed out with a hasty blast of energy, meant to be nothing more than a momentary delayment. The old man's endeavor was successful. A moment was all he was granted. A moment was all he needed. Kayoden hesitated as he brushed aside the pitiful collection of Ki. When his sights were refocused on his struggling target, the humanoid discovered that he was no longer there. The alien quickly put up his guard, expecting attack. Much it would have been to his dismay had he known Bardock did not intend for a suprise attack.

The Saiya-jin reappeared a good distance away, knowing full well his antagonist could cover the distance much quicker. He still did not have a full lung. All Kayoden's attack had accomplished was momentarily slowing him down. Once Bardock had his rythm back, he would be able to more successfully battle this obstacle. What the scrapper needed, however, was a plan of attack. By now Kayoden would have gathered that Bardock wasn't coming. Bardock couldn't deny that he was a bit thick. In a battle declared completely even by all other standards, the born fighter would be bested by merit of brilliance. Nevertheless e was not so thick as to not know how to go about the destruction of opposition. A fighter must find their opponent's vulnerability. As far as Bardock could tell, Kayoden did not have one at present that was manipulatable. Perhaps the best way to discover a weakness was through prolonged combat, and time was certainly no ally to the Saiyan. Through this thought, Bardock was able to formulate a strategy. The one thing they both shared was fear of the oxide halo that threatened their mortal existence. If it was tampered with, it would activate. If Bardock could find some way to set off Kayoden's collar, he could end the fight much quicker and hasten to the bunker.

"There's no room for gutless wonders in this tournament," a voice bellowed behind him.

A sharp pain to the base of his skull told the warrior Saiya-jin that the fight had resumed. He wobbled forward unsteadily. Bardock summoned his Ki Sense. Lunging forward, the gladiator reintroduced his hands to the ground, bending his elbows to absorb the impact. His body was at a diagonal angle from a side view. His Ki Sense told him Kayoden was still behind him, moving in for the follow up. Once again using the power of his legs, Bardock coiled up and sprung backwards, knocking the humanoid squarely under the jaw. Kayoden fell flat backwards, and Bardock straightened himself in midair using the force of Ki, landing on his opponent's chest. Whatever form of sternum the alien had was cracked. The Saiya-jin used as much pressure as possible when lifting off his opposition's pectorals. Before even landing back on the ground, Bardock ignited both hands, shouting, "EXPLOSIVE FISTS!"

Pure fire, not a manifested apparition, burned freely from his fingertips down to his wrists. The fire danced in marvelous reflection in his eyes. Bardock had never felt more alive as before the final decision of a scrap. He intended to go all-out or die...never an intelligent ultimatum. Kayoden rolled into a crouch and then finally stood. Bardock fixed his gaze on the enemy's collar, staring through the shimmering heat waves before his face. Before his final charge, Bardock whispered, "Burn."

OOC: NPC fight...final judgment.