Following the Enemy [Nick]

Dreams breathe life into men.
The stars... I'll reach them.

Ryuusei began following Nick from a distance. He wasn't sure that the enemy had seen him or not but, on the chance that he hadn't, Ryuu didn't want to make such task easy. Covering from spot to spot carefully, he followed the enemy as he walked through the streets of Tokyo. Activating his Qurik so early wasn't an ideal situation - much less with the amount of rain that was falling from the skies. On the other hand, the sound of the water clashing against the pavement was the ideal cover to the sound of Ryuu's footsteps and the otherwise out of place sound caused by his movements.

Where are you going, Nick Cross...

You should kill him.

That cursed voice... Not now, that wasn't the time.

I'm going to follow him to his hideout, wait for the Pros and let them takeover.

It was a good plan, a solid one. A plan that a good Yuuei Highschool student would make. One that proved that, indeed, Ryuusei was trying his damn best at living with his inner shadow, at trying to be... a hero. But then again: things aren't always so easy.

You should look closely then, Ryuu-kun.

The teenager from Class 1-A peeked out from behind the lamp-post. The light coming from it was a sign that the moon was now out, replacing the sun. Nick was getting out of the main street, heading for an alleyway. Knowing the area quite well from the amount of times he had gone through there after visiting Yaso at  the hospital, Ryuu understoodd immediately what the voice inside his head meant.

He saw me. He knows that I'm following him.

Nick was heading into a long alleyway, one deep enough that people walking through the main street aren't able to see what's going on in there - much less during the night. Besides, with the absurd quantity of rain, hearing anything that happened in the alleyway would also be difficult. Knwoing the place, it was unlikely to be where Nick was hidding since it had  doors - the walls of the alleyway were the sides of multiple buildings. At the end of the alleyway there was a fence about 5 meters tall that separated the alleyway from another main street. It was an old and fragile fence and, because of that, easily breakable. Even so it made that the only clear way out of the alleyway was the way that Nick was entering.

He's baiting me, Ryuu thought in frustration.

It was an ideal spot for Nick to have Ryuusei in. With Nick's Quirk it would be easy to either jump or break the fence or even pushing Ryuu away in order to get out of there from where he entered. Ryuu, on the other end, only had one option and if during the confrontation he found himself with his back against the fence then he would be pretty much trapped. It was low risk and high reward on Nick's part: if surprised he could get away when he wanted, if not he could beat the living hell out of Ryuu without anyone knowing.

The bastard really hasn't changed.

With Nick having already entered the alleyway, Ryuusei checked his phone again. It was still transmitting the GPS coordinations. Good. He placed the phone on his hoodie's pocket and, rather relaxed, began walking towards the alleyway.

He must think that I want to fight him so bad that because of that I didn't call for back-up. Let's have him believe that. I just need to hold him there long enough for a teacher to arrive. He is the one that is trapped, not me.

Inside the alleyway, Nick had his back turned against Ryuusei. Ryuu stopped his feet at around a ten meter distance from the former classmate. Then, in his freezing voice, he spoke.

You look like shit, Nick. The streets of Tokyo must not be treating you very well.

Under the intense rain, the two boys met once more.

Notes: Confrontation flashbacks!!
Words: 668.
Tags: Nick Cross

Dreams breathe life into men.
The stars... I'll reach them.

Hearing Ryuusei's voice, Nick Cross turned around. The rain kept falling hard, Ryuu's long-ish hair getting heavier and heavier as it dripped constantly. The wind was also starting to pick, getting stronger and stronger by the minute. If one was to look at the clouds it would be easy to notice that thunder and lightning were sure to come and join the night. It it wasn't for the lamps at the alleyway, the teenagers would have difficulty in seeing each other in the middle of such storm.

Yes - a storm. A storm was surely forming, brewing. A storm that, perhaps, had been gathering energy for this specific day of the year. Susanoo, the god of storms, had moved away from the sea and, having  been banished from heaven, was throwing away his anger upon earth. But this earth had it's very own deities in a humanized form: and some of them were demons, demons much more evil and sadistic than the ones occupying hell. Nick Cross was one of such beings.

As he heard the embodiement of pain, fear and lust speak, Ryuusei had both of his hands on his hoodie pocket. With one of them, he was touching his phone and deactivating the GPS - he couldn't risk having Nick discover the plan in any way or form. It was when he finished this task that Nick ended his speech.

Ryuusei Igarashi was looking at the ground. In the middle o the falling rain, only silence. He knew. He knew what had happened to Rin as soon as she appeared at his doorstep - on that day it was also raining, ironically. Rin never had the need to tell him nor did Ryuusei want that to happen, but he just knew. After what happened with Elise, Ryuusei also knew that the one to do such thing had been Nick. None of this was new. But those words, the way he said them...

Blood started dropping on the floor, the red liquid mixing in with the water on the floor. Ryuusei had been bitting his own lip without realizing it, bitting it to a point where it actually drew blood.

You want to do it, the voice echoed.

He took his hands from the pocket. With the right one he cleared the blood from his lip; with the left he grabbed a hold of the army knife that was given to him by Tanaka Greyson.

There was a lot going through the boy's mind. How Nick had enjoyed such act so much. How he did not regret it. How he did it multiple times. How he implied that Rin liked it. How he implied that Ryuu was envious of him. How he implied that Ryuu had wanted to get involved with Rin in that way. Nick couldn't get away with it. He couldn't. He shouldn't even be allowed to breathe - torture and death were what he deserved.

Yes, let it consume you - she said, her demonic yet beautiful hands caressing Ryuusei in the face - You've did it more than one, two or three times. You can do it again.

Ryuusei spat the remaining of the blood in his mouth to the floor, watching the blood and the rain forming into one.

And this time you'll actually enjoy it. You'll be happy to kill him.

But he couldn't. He promised himself that he would change. That he would try. In order to never leave Yoruhi's side and be with him forever. In order to continuing to have fights with Darren and let the boy drag him to those damned school clubs. In order to see Jasmine making Rinkusu the happiest girl in the world. In order to...

"...This is the furthest I've ever gotten... but if I keep working hard, maybe one day we can bring one of these stars home..."

Yes. Ryuusei also made a promise to her. Not even Nick could make him break that.

Nick... - he spoke in an even more deattached tone as he moved his eyes from the ground to the former Yuuei student.

Because of that promise the next action wouldn't come out of anger, out of desire to kill or out of pure rage. The next action was the result of a clear mind that knew how to handle the worst of things. It was the action of something who had a plan and was sticking to it, no matter the costs. If Nick wanted an opponent who acted out of emotion and was just out for blood then that was the character that Ryuusei would plays as. Everything to keep him there just a little bit longer. Everything to catch him and do right by Rinkusu.

I'm going to kill you.

A thunder made itself heard from a distance. Ryuusei began spriting towards Nick as fast as he could. Like always, he was running on the lowest stance possible. Once close enough, he would protect his face with his right arm while using the knife on his left hand to try and stab Nick's right upper leg. He would only do the stabbing motion once both of his feet were well set on the ground, something to make sure that Ryuu maximized his chance of avoiding or defending a counter by moving.

This fight wasn't a matter of revenge. It was a matter of patience - and Ryuu was going to make sure that Nick wouldn't get out of that alleyway. Even if for that he had to fake intent to kill.

Notes: It starts.
Words: 924.
Tags: Nick Cross

Dreams breathe life into men.
The stars... I'll reach them.

If Nick wasn’t a Quirker, Ryuusei’s knife would most likely have met the villain’s skin and meat. It would also have been a deep stab wound, which would make the amount of blood lost increase in a rapid manner. The main objective would be, however, to limit Nick’s movement – not being able to use one leg at 100% capacity increased the odds of him not being able to escape the alleyway. But, of course, things weren’t that simple: Nick had a Quirk… and a very powerful one.

Before Ryuu could fully extend his arm, Nick activated his bio-armor, which granted him enough speed to dodge to the side and avoid the blade. Something that Ryuusei anticipated and reason why he kept his own body stance as low as possible and only shot for the attack when both his feet where well ground – that way, he could make full use of his agility. Nick was a powerhouse, so the only way Ryuu had to win was being one step-ahead… something that he always tried to work into himself in every fight or spar.

As soon as his left arm failed the leg of Nick, Ryuu lowered his free right arm and positioned the palm of his hand on the floor. When the enemy’s kick touched his legs, Ryuusei took the momentum gained by it to balance himself forward. That and the position of his right arm combined allowed him to do what could be best described as a modified front somersault. When he landed, he was once again with some meters of distance between himself and Nick. He took the hit on the legs to be able to avoid the punches. Standing straight, he looked at the boy now covered in black armor.

Fuck… he though as he felt the pain on his legs. It would be way worst if it wasn’t for the training Ryuu had on the last few months, but it still hurt. Getting hit by a clean punch from Nick in that state was surely something to avoid.

It won’t be that easy.

He looked directly at Nick, almost na invitation to make him be the one to attack this time. His adversary probably wasn’t aware, but for Ryuu using God’s Alibi in that weather would be useless – he would have to hold Nick off without using his own Quirk.

As he waited for some kind of response, Ryuusei didn’t even noticed that his phone had dropped when he evaded Nick’s series of punches…

Notes: Getting intense! And where is the phone?!
Words: 417.
Tags: Nick Cross

Dreams breathe life into men.
The stars... I'll reach them.

Nick Cross was quick to accept Ryuusei's unspoken proposal for him to be the one attacking this time around... Almost too quick.

That transformation Quirk sure was a powerful thing. Nick didn't seem to be the strongest person walking across the streets of Tokyo - he was shorter than Ryuusei and, despite looking heavier, did not seem capable of packing that much power. However, that biological armor of his was a complete game-changer. Ryuu was sure that, developed to a certain level, such Quirk would allow Nick to compete - perhaps even defeat - someone like Jasmine or Darren. It was due to this basic understanding of the opponent's Quirk - something that came from them having shared the same classroom - that the Vice-President of Class 1A wanted to avoid being hit in critical spots. The previous kick on his legs wasn't even meant to causa harm: it was jsut a sweep and,  even then, Ryuusei could still feel his calves starting to swell. This was enough proof for the boy to understand that, even if his body was well-prepared and tough, Nick could cause some serious damage to him with a clean strike.

He ran quickly, almost like a motorized vehicle trying to reach top speed. Some Quirkers really were blessed, while others just had to work with what they received.

Here he comes, Ryuu thought as he assumed a defensive stance, ready to move himself as soon as he was able to react to Nick's on-coming hit.

It was an uppercut. God wasn't that fast as hell. Reacting to the upwards movement of Nick's arm, Ryuu leaned his body and head backwards, trying to have to swinging punch hit air and not chin. Due to his agility, Ryuusei would be able to dodge it by some centimeters, but it would leave a sour taste in his mouth - it was mostly luck. Nick's Quirk made him too quick and the chances of Ryuusei not being able to react like he did just now were way too high. Whatever - at least he was able to react to this one... so he thought.

When it seemed like he was destined to miss Ryuusei's skull, Nick opened his palm and released something from it.

What the-

The tendril extended and, reaching the point of what felt like maximum tension, hit Ryuusei's face like a strong whip. The pain in itself wasn't out of this world, but it still hurt - and left a mark across the side of Ryuusei's face. The impact made his already leaning backwards body lose balance, which forced Ryuusei to make a backwards flip in order to not fall and regain some distance.

However, after landing cleanly on both feet and standing forward once more, Nick didn't continue to attack like Ryuu feared. Instead the other teen had moved backwards and...

My phone?!, he touched his pocket, noticing the disappearance of the device that was now on Nick's hand.

He was texting something. Whatever it was, it was short since after some seconds Nick just dropped the phone on the ground, breaking it in the process. Looking at him, Ryuu's mind started racing.

Has he figured out that I called for back-up? If so, why isn't he getting away? Is he that cocky?

Looking at their surroundings and current position, Ryuusei was also quick to notice the change of positions.

Besides, now I'm the one with his back against the fence and he his the one with a clear path to the street. He could've ran away as I was resetting my position, yet he chose to stay here...

You'll have to pay for that, Ryuu cold voice was heard, making reference to the broken phone. Just small talk while he kept on thinking.

He must have a time limit just like any other transformation Quirk. If I force him to stay here he'll have to go back to his original form sooner or later. If I'm able to force this then I'm sure I'll be able to easily hold him off here until the pro's arrive. That means...

It's my time again, Nick.

I have to attack! Keep on attacking! Pressure him so much that he has to worry about me! So much that he won't able to escape while transformed! I can do this. I can stop him right here and today. I just have to make him stay here as long as possible!

Knife still in hand, he ran as fast as he could in the direction of Nick. It did not matter if Ryuusei got punched or not - being afraid of that was a mistake. Ryuusei needed to pressure Nick, pressure him as much as he could. That was his only chance of overcoming the advantage that Nick had on that alleyway and on the rules of that game.

When he got close enough, Ryuu would try to make use of his martial arts knowledge to feint a low-kick, something meant to hidden the stabbing movement aimed at Nick's abdominal area. His base leg and free right arm loosen, both ready for any movement needed to try defend or counter anything coming back at Ryuu's direction.

It did not matter that the armor was too resistant or strong for Ryuu to cause any damage - he just had to keep the enemy occupied. A constant barrage of attacks and feints: that was the path the underdog had to take in order to reach victory.

Notes: A dangerous yet necessary plan: non-stop attacking!
Words: 914.
Tags: Nick Cross

Dreams breathe life into men.
The stars... I'll reach them.

It hit. Little, but it did.

Nick was probably underestimating Ryuusei, thinking that the current Yuuei student couldn't really fight. Perhaps such thought was even subconscious, but it was clearly there. Otherwise Nick would've been more cautious and not fall for that feint. The armored teenager wasn't able to fully dodge the knife, which actually cut through the side of the protected abdomen, enough to even draw blood.

The spilled red liquid woke something up.

A loud scream right in front of Ryuu. Not one of pain - more like of extreme anger and rage. Nick really lived up to the villain persona. But what the hell was that? Did he really thought Ryuu to be weak to a point of being able to not even touch him? Nevertheless, it seemed like something huge was coming up.

A barrage of attacks was what followed. Kicks and punches, both coming at what looked to be Nick's full power and speed. Ryuusei's agility and ability to fight made him able to ride a few of the shots; his tough body allowed to sustain a little less damage than what it could've been. But it was still too much. Many of the shots still landed clean with an impact that seemed to be comparable to being hi with a metal beam coming at full-speed. The non-stopping flurry of attacks that Ryuu was spending his entire focus on trying to absorb made him, once gain, not notice the tendrils. This time Nick used them to sweep Ryuusei and, being successful, landed a huge knee on the boy's stomach. Blood instantly came out of Ryuu's mouth as the impact launched him into the air backwards, making him landing some meters away from the villain.

The rain kept falling hard and the floor of the alley was soaking wet, water reaching three centimeters in height. Having rolled on the floor following the last blow that Nick threw, Ryuusei was now soaking wet. Hair, clothes, everything. His body already with visible bruises from Nick's punches and kicks, some areas even bleeding. But yet...

Is that all? he asked as he stood up.

The voice was low and followed by a loud cough that made Ryuusei spit even more blood. That knee probably led to some kind of small internal bleeding.

Shit... Ryuusei thought as he felt something weird on his insides.

He was still holding onto his knife with his left hand, even if the grip was now significantly weaker that what it would be at Ryuu's full strenght. But he had been able to held on to it even after getting thrown away.

I can't back off. I have to keep him here... Why are they taking so damn long?

Another lightning struck in the distance. This time louder, meaning that the storm was reaching the center of the city. As the light made itself visible in the alley, Ryuusei start to, once gain, running towards Nick. Slower, but still running.

Keep attacking. I can end this here.

Fighting Jasmine, Ryuusei let himself be almost burned alive while being able to keep his breath... and that was only sparring. He was to sttuborn - he would have to go unconscious in order to stop chasing his goal, to stop attacking on.

While running, he placed his arms behind his back and there changed the knife to his right hand. Then, when near striking range, he would first move his left arm - another feint. It was an attempt at a distraction while his right hand - his least favorite and the one now holding the knife - advanced, trying to slash Nick in his abdomen once again.

Notes: Hurt boi still presses forward!
Words: 611.
Tags: Nick Cross