Team Medic Cat vs Team Candle Croc

[Catty Noir ♦]

If Catty had any time to make a face, she would have furrowed her brows together and rolled her eyes. It took every ounce of energy she had to remain focused on the fight rather than being irritated. Evidently, hitting this creature was going to be harder than she thought. Just hitting him with anything. It didn't even have to be fancy. She just wanted to make a single attack work and none of them did so far. Unfortunately, none of those thoughts would formally come to her mind since Umaroth grabbed Catty's head and threw her into the ground. With a loud thud, her body hit the terraformed arena. She thanked her high pain tolerance for making such a thing bearable but groaned in frustration.

With all of the chaos, it was almost impossible to hear her partner call upon her Bankai, but Catty somehow managed. As the atmosphere in the arena changed, the Bount wondered what on Earth this thing could possibly do if she ended up feeling better than when she started. All of the power displays were missed solely because Catty was focused on avoiding Umaroth if she could, but she definitely felt the change in her body. And the sudden drain. So she felt better physically, but her spiritual side was suffering. That was an interesting power that Iroka had, and one that could be described as highly inconvenient. Catty would have been happier if she weren't also affected by the ability.

Umaroth followed after his Bount opponent when he threw her, making Catty's heart beat faster. Her adrenaline was going and she felt sweaty. The armor could only do so much and she was confident that this animal could destroy it, but she had to hope it would take a few more hits before that happened. Still, he didn't speed to her immediately. He was traveling at his own pace that, admittedly, was still faster than Catty's typical movements. She didn't have much of a way out of this. He was faster and stronger than she was, able to deflect her techniques, and he killed her Doll. She didn't have much else she could do.

So she redirected her attention. Since Umaroth hadn't yet restrained her in some way, she kicked herself up, used Movement to travel at 600 Speed closer to Wynne, and stopped when she was behind the Shinigami by only roughly 20 feet. Wynne was sharp as hell, and she was strong, but she was still slow. Catty used her Class 2 version of Electrocution again from behind Wynne, launching the lightning from her fingertips in the blink of an eye. Even obnoxiously fast opponents would have problems dodging this, so assuming it hit Wynne, she'd suffer through very intense third-degree burns all over her body. She may be able to shrug off the pain, but if she is incapable of defending, this would make it incredibly difficult for her to use her strength to its fullest extent. Given the fact that she has been using it at maximum while she attacks, her stamina was likely to be drained, as well. Catty was hoping to play off the inevitably sluggish reflexes.

Unfortunately, doing all of this in succession was rough on Catty's stamina, as well. She noticed that using her techniques made her more tired than they normally would have, meaning she had to be more conservative. This sucked! If she stayed close to Iroka for too long, she wouldn't be able to do anything. This was a real struggle for the poor woman. The only saving grace was that the negative effects of using Electrocution for a second time were negated thanks to the same Bankai that was currently draining her of her Reiatsu. Any third-degree burns that occurred were healed. Well, that's not such a bad benefit.



Catty's Remaining Reiatsu: 2,125 (-50 for Movement, -1,200 for Class 2 Electrocution, -150 for Nehan Mangekyō)

[Umaroth the Naga]

So the girl was able to recover from his throw. What’s more, she seemed virtually unharmed by it. This confused the reptile. No, it wasn’t her damage recovery abilities that confused Umaroth. It was the way she was fighting. Umaroth knew he wasn’t mistaken. He could not only see the toning of the muscles underneath her skin but also hear their tenseness and how they moved. Umaroth could tell from sight and sound alone that this girl was physically strong. Not as strong as him. No. Only another beast or a freak like the Shinigami could be. But she was no weak girl. She was not like the countless human spirits that lived throughout the Rukongai who were no different than wet paper stuck out in a storm. So why was she fighting like one? Why was she trying to get distance from him? Hiding behind some conjured beast and casting spells at him? Why wasn’t she fighting him?

”Bankai!"

Umaroth would not receive his answer. Munemasa Iroka’s declaration of her Zanpakuto’s final release level prompted Umaroth’s yellow eyes to widen and turn his attention away from Catherine Noir. She didn’t seem to have any interest in fighting with Umaroth anymore either. The reptile halted his charge, his head turned in Iroka’s direction, as he beheld the creation of her Zanpakuto. The sword of the Shinigami, the Zanpakuto, is a weapon forged and wielded in their battles against the Hollows. A weapon that through communion with the sword spirit that lived within allowed for the Shinigami to awaken the blade's powers. They possessed two levels; the Shikai and the Bankai. Even Umaroth, a mere Beast-Clansmen of the Rukongai, had acquired enough knowledge of Shinigami to understand the significance of a Bankai. So when he beheld the massive, cracked, mirror that hung in the air behind Iroka and felt the sudden change of spiritual pressure in the air there was only one word that came to his mind;

Danger.

He peered quickly at the strange dust that had accumulated a bit on his body after the appearance of the Bankai and, within that same instance, felt a shallow wave of fatigue. What was this? Umaroth’s super-computer-like mental processing speed deduced that whatever this dust was not only had to be a part of the Bankai but that it afflicted him with an energy and stamina drain. Umaroth did not know the specifics of how this ability worked. How could he? What he did know was that his reiatsu had suddenly depleted as soon as the Bankai appeared. Munemasa Iroka had done something to warrant Umaroth’s attention. If her ability could drain his energy without fail, like some sure-hit effect, it immediately made her a bigger threat than the other girl was.

Everything that would happen next would only take place in mere seconds.

Umaroth vanished from sight after leaning down slightly, kicking off from the ground at his full speed enhanced by a Shunpo. At 5000 Speed moved in a straight line towards his target. Within what could only be a millisecond, a looming silhouette would appear not before Wynne Kuchiki or Catherine Noir, but before Munemasa Iroka. A dark shape with glowing yellow eyes, arms held laterally out to its sides, that would suddenly within that same instant reach out for her. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Munemasa Iroka was powerful. With her raw reiatsu abilities and talents, alongside her release, she would possibly be considered one of the most powerful support type Shinigami that had existed in the last hundred years. But there came weaknesses with that strength. By the time that Munemasa Iroka would mentally register that Umaroth was in front of her the reptile would already have her in his grasp. His left arm clutched her right arm's brachium with his full strength, while his right arm placed itself squarely on top of her head.

Munemasa Iroka was not just spiritually powerful. She held the honor of being a Shinigami who was faster than a Beast-Clansman. Not by much, but she was faster than a Beast-Clansman who didn’t train his speed. But despite this feat, despite this legit noteworthy claim, what doomed Munemasa Iroka was her mental skills. It was entirely possible that she was a warrior who never had to worry about someone getting close to her. Her speed and technique pool, backed by her immense spiritual power, more than likely made approaching her difficult. But when you possessed the sensory capabilities and mental processing speed of a perfectly normal, average, human you had to be careful of those that could turn those weaknesses against you.

Munemasa Iroka had been focused on her fight with Wynne Kuchiki. Her Bankai’s release had been done so that she had a tool to fight the human ape. But because her focus had been entirely on Wynne, this gave Umaroth the perfect blind spot to get her in his grasp. For comparison's sake, Umaroth possessed the sensory acuity to tell how powerful people were just from the sounds of their muscles. What’s more Umaroth’s hearing was so good that he could use echoes to detect terrain features, and pick up the sounds of his opponent's motion to predict their attacks. His sense of smell was so acute that he could fight blind and deaf simply going off the scent of his opponent's sweat, blood, breath, and other odors. With his sense of touch, Umaroth could detect the motion of a fish swimming in a lake from over fifty meters away.

These animalistic senses combined with a reaction time that allowed him to react quicker than someone could speak. Not a single thing happened in this arena brawl that Umaroth wasn’t aware of. This was the beast that had Munemasa Iroka in his claws. Again, to repeat, by the time she would realize Umaroth was in front of her following his Shunpo the Shinigami would already be in his hands. What he did next was simple. Gripping her head tightly, Umaroth pushed his arm forward and bent Iroka’s head down and backward at the same time.

CRACK

The back of Munemasa Iroka’s head was pushed against the middle of her shoulder blades. Jagged pieces of her throat vertebrae pressed up against the skin, nastily looking as though they would poke through the skin. In one simple move, Umaroth broke the girl's neck brutally and quickly. The monumental strength difference between them made this as easy as cracking open an egg. It was such a simple move too. Just snapping her neck. Umaroth would lift her limp body up, his grip still firm on her arm, eyeing her for a moment before just dropping her. There would be a thud that sounded out across the arena as the body hit the floor. Wynne Kuchiki and Catherine Noir would already be in the middle of their attacks at this point when they’d realize what had happened in the span of mere seconds.

Umaroth operated in a way similar to the ancient samurai of Japan. He did not seek out or care for long, drawn-out, fights. He understood that in the wild the longer a fight went on the more chances death would take you. Umaroth opted to end fights as quickly and efficiently as he could. He may not always be able to, but anytime he fought he aimed to go for the kill with each attack. Umaroth turned his attention to Wynne who, at this point, fired a blast of air into Iroka’s position. Umaroth would vanish again from sight, with a Shunpo, and appear outside of the blast radius of the shockwave. A flick of his tail, one flick, would clear the dust from the air as he stared with burning, reptilian, eyes at Wynne and Catherine and began to walk towards them. One step at a time.

Remaining Reiatsu: 4450 / 5250
-100 for Shunpo (Bankai Affected)
-50 for Shunpo
-150 per Bankai effect

[Munemasa Iroka]

Iroka knew, as soon as she had released her Bankai, that all attention would be on her. She had, after all, manipulated the battlefield into becoming problematic for everyone involved, herself included. And with the effects of her Nehan Mangekyō, everyone would know, or at least be aware of what was going on, as far as their reiatsu was concerned. At this point, the Shinigami had decided, since she could not sufficiently damage her opponent to defeat her, to wait Wynne out. And Iroka was good at waiting.

Of course, as she had expected, all attention was turned on her. Including that of the troublesome lizard. What she did not expect was for him to appear before her and grab her in a vise grip. Even before the Shinigami could struggle, the lizard brutally broke her neck. She made a gargling sound as the blood from her open wound filled her airways, which strove in vain to draw in air.

In that single, decisive moment, it all seemed to be over. As her life ebbed away, Iroka could barely even struggle as the lizard unceremoniously dropped her. Wynne's shockwave was practically futile, as, had she not been attacked by the lizard, Iroka would have been in the way of the attack. Having been dropped, the penumbra of the wave barely touched the Shinigami, but the force was still powerful enough to send her flying into the side of the arena.

There was one problem.

Iroka's Bankai remained.

It was said that when a person was decapitated, their head had ten seconds to do whatever decapitated heads did before the life left their eyes. To maybe think about all the regrets they had accumulated. Perhaps in vengeful ire, wish punishment of whatever higher powers that existed on their killers, or in a more dramatic, and less likely wish, that they could return as a ghost to haunt their killers. Very rarely perhaps would the head be content in death, knowing they had done all they could. Whatever their thoughts, all they had was ten seconds.

For Iroka, ten seconds were enough.

Her zanpakutō, Shugyoku Hirenaga, had never been really strong. In a fight, Iroka often found herself at a loss for what to do, if she had only her weapon to rely on. But Bankai for Iroka was a game-changer. With the specular themes of her spirit weapon, her Shikai was built for defense and to reflect energy attacks, as a mirror reflected light. In Bankai, Iroka's very own desires were given form and reflected on the world: the ability to prevent her loved ones from dying.

This was the power of Nehan Mangekyō, Iroka's greatest ability.

What should have been a corpse silently rose to her feet, even as the mortal wound on her throat knit itself together again. It was like she had not even been touched. Perhaps if Umaroth's attack had killed her on the spot, the effects of Nehan Mangekyō would have been sealed. But within the space of Nehan Mangekyō, it did not matter the severity of the injury; if one was alive, they would not die. Iroka forbade it. Death was an impossibility as long as Nehan Mangekyō stood.

She said nothing, her eyes on Umaroth, watching as he walked towards the two women. For now, she would wait. As long as she avoided Wynne, she would be fine. Umaroth was more problematic to handle, but Iroka was intelligent. A plan for handling the lizard formulated in her mind. She knew how she would deal with him.

---

Warning! Nehan Mangekyō drains everyone within its perimeter for 150 Reiatsu, and doubles reiatsu costs.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Battle Info}
Nehan Mangekyō remains active. Iroka loses 200 Reiatsu.

Reiatsu: 6450/8000

[Wynne Kuchiki]

She had known this from the beginning, but now Wynne was forced to experience it firsthand. Her strength came at a cost. Her immense frame was slow, similar to a snail. And her opponents ruthlessly took advantage of this weakness, striking her before she could even react. At a certain point, Wynne had to wonder what the point of her strength was if she couldn’t land a single blow against any of her enemies. Her size, while awe inspiring, make her body a target. Easy to get around and easy to hit.

In an instant, her opponent was behind her. By the time she realized this, electricity was already surging through her body. In the blink of an eye, third degree burns covered her body. While Wynne could resist the pain of being cooked alive, could her body withstand the damage? Alongside this attack, she could feel the last of her spiritual energy vanishing away, leaving her body void. Her reserves were gone. Drained.

While her mind was willing, Wynne’s body was not. She had sustained two attacks during this fight, each one powerful in their own right. Perhaps if she was quicker, she could have mitigated some of the damage. But not even her, with all her robustness, could tank all the damage her body sustained. So before her mind could fully process everything that occurred, it shut off. Rendering her useless for the rest of the fight.

[Catty Noir ♦]

Catty was lucky. It appeared Umaroth wasn't going to chase after her, which was relieving in its own way. She had to think about her tactics in a different way if she was going to beat him. She was on a timer until she could call Amon out again, but even that was a problem. Iroka, despite being Catty's partner, had a draining Bankai. She could feel it. While the healing aspect was nice and extremely welcome, the drain was horrendous. Even using Electrocution took a lot out of the Bount even if her energy was restored rather quickly. She felt like she almost preferred having the burns and other drawbacks if it meant she didn't spend so much Reiatsu. Catty wasn't built that way.

Unfortunately, before she knew it, Umaroth made a move. He disappeared and reappeared in front of Iroka, making Catty's eyes go wide with concern the moment he grabbed her head and shoved it back so hard that the crack could be heard across continents. Silence took over the room so briefly, but the moment felt like an eternity. Catty's panic grew exponentially as she watched, ignoring the fact that she had attacked Wynne since she was too busy thinking about ways to preserve herself. If Iroka was out, and her attack failed to hit Wynne, then she'd be left battling this beast. She didn't want to get her neck snapped the same way Iroka did!

Except none of that ended the way she thought it did. Wynne was hit and fell. She wasn't able to move anymore. Catty had to only assume that someone would come and remove the girl from the arena, so the wave of relief washed over the Bount once again. At the same time, Iroka's head moved back into position as she healed herself, finally giving Catty the chance to piece together the effects of that girl's Bankai. There was something in it that drained everyone around her of their Reiatsu reserves which was made evident by Wynne's unconsciousness. Catty's attack was strong but wouldn't cause someone to pass out like that. Then, of course, there was the exhaustion Catty felt when she shouldn't have been at that point yet.

But injury-wise, she was fine. So that was it. Whatever the technique was that Iroka was using, it drained people but also healed them. Catty didn't know if defying death was purely limited to the Shinigami, but it did make her a bit more daring to try to attack the reptilian beast who promised her demise. He also didn't seem to catch on right away that Iroka was okay. His confidence must have gotten the best of him, and that was dangerous on its own. Clearly, the Shinigami was more of a threat than she first appeared. That was good. If there were ever a time when Catty was happy to have her as a partner, that time was now.

Wynne had dropped. Umaroth was walking toward Catty. The armor that the Bount had around her body was still holding up and she physically felt better than ever even though there was a subtle drain on her energy. That could be ignored at the moment, at least. For now, while keeping the armor active but her claws retracted, Catty launched herself at Umaroth with her fists balled up tightly. He was naturally stronger and faster than she was. She knew that. But she could be healed and healed quickly. Therefore, she threw herself at the beast and attempted to punch his snout, knowing that the nose of any animal was extremely sensitive.

He may block her. That was fine. All she wanted was to try to close the distance. He may be a monster, but he was also a man. Her next step was to throw a kick as hard as she could at his groin. She didn't know anything about reptile anatomy, but she didn't think it mattered. If she managed to land the hit, the pain would be felt regardless even if he also got healed. He could at least be made to stagger even if just for a moment. Anything to get his mind off the fight and focused on something else. She had to distract him if her plan was going to work, so that was her goal. Even if fleeting, she needed to make him feel pain. She needed to team up properly with her partner.



Catty's Remaining Reiatsu: 1,975 (-150 for Nehan Mangekyō)

[Umaroth the Naga]

His taloned foot stopped in its tracks. As Umaroth approached Catherine Noir, he came to a stop. Aware of something. A growing anxiety within himself that could not be ignored. Defying every battle instinct the reptile possessed, he broke the visual contact he had with Catherine and directed it towards what was giving him such pause. It was like a cold shiver running down his back. Perhaps that’s what caught his attention. Or the realization that the silvery dust that was covering him and draining his reiatsu had not yet vanished. Yellow eyes would blink as Umaroth paused his advance and turned his head in the direction he had come from. What he saw gave him pause. Munemasa Iroka had risen again. The damage to her neck was completely gone. Umaroth would blink with surprise. It was as though he had not harmed her at all.

How was this possible? Humans were not immortal. No, not by any means. Umaroth was more than familiar enough with their fragile anatomy to not know how lethal that attack had been. What did this mean? How could this woman come back from the dead as she did? Things did not come back from the dead. This was unnatural. But Umaroth didn’t have the time, or rather wasn’t given the time, to further ponder what was going on. He heard Catherine making her move, his head snapping back to her direction, as he regained sight of the woman rushing him down. Well, it seems like this brat hadn’t lost her nerves yet. So now that his “partner” was out and this fight had turned into a two on one did she suddenly feel brave. Umaroth snarled.

Catherine rushed the Naga, aiming a swing at his snout. It was as she thought though. Umaroth was much, much, faster than her. Over twice as fast. Thus, he could more than easily perceive her attack and predict where it was going to go. His increased physical speed and mental reflexes, alongside the super-animalistic senses he possessed, made it so obvious to him what she was trying to do. Like she predicted, her punch would be stopped midair. Umaroth would try to grab ahold of her wrist with his left hand as she threw her punch at him, stopping the significantly weaker woman's attack from reaching him. Yellow eyes would stare down at her as a sound her body made reached his ears. The punch had been a feint. Catherine’s real target had been between his legs, hoping to incapacitate him with a kick to the groin.

But when Catty threw her kick she’d suddenly feel her leg stop in motion. It had barely left the ground too. If the girl looked down she’d see what had stopped her kick; a large, thick and green tail. Umaroth, having predicted the kick from the sounds of the muscles in her legs, had maneuvered his tail around his body to block her kick by placing itself a little above her ankle. Umaroth’s right hand would tighten itself into a fist before the reptile would try to yank Catherine towards him. His grip still held tightly to her wrist if he had caught her earlier. The reptile intended to trip her over his tail and by yanking her closer to him. But that was only the first move. Yanking her closer like that wasn’t all Umaroth was doing. The reptile would aim to slam his right fist into the girls chest with so much force it would send the Bount flying across the arena.

Of course this required Umaroth to have actually grabbed Catherine and land the hit on her. It was entirely possible for the girl to have tricks up her sleeve that neutralized the move. But she wasn’t who Umaroth was concerned about. She wasn’t the real threat. The Shinigami that was seemingly able to defy death was who Umaroth needed to deal with. But he needed Catherine out of the way so that he could actually focus on Iroka. How was he going to do that though? Did Umaroth need to do something more extreme than break her neck? Tear her head off? Stab out her heart? Disembowel her? Umaroth glared at Iroka. If the girl had just stayed down then she would have been able to spare herself from what was coming.

A light, orange, glow began to emanate from Umaroth’s chest as a loud tha-thump was heard coming from the reptile’s body.

Remaining Reiatsu: 4300 / 5250
-150 for Bankai effect

[Munemasa Iroka]

To Iroka's delight and excitement, the giantess fell. Her plan had worked. Wynne was incredibly powerful in her own right, and Iroka had really needed this gamble to have worked, since, as powerful as her spells were, Wynne had shrugged off one of the strongest of what the carrot-top had thrown at her. If she didn't have the forcible healing technique, Iroka was sure she would never have been able to handle the huge woman. Now all that was left was the lizard.

A highly troublesome opponent he was, in his own right, and likely one on whom Iroka's first gamble would not work. There was a particular point of note that Iroka observed, that made her decide this. The lizard man, on seeing his partner was down, did not attempt to correct his mistake of not tearing Iroka to pieces. Or, more precisely, he did not attempt to correct it immediately. And that in itself was a huge tell.

When Iroka had activated her Nehan Mangekyō, Wynne had immediately tried to remove her, on seeing the effect of the technique. That the lizard did not meant that it was likely he would be able to last long enough to kill her before his reiatsu ran out. As such, there would be no need to keep that technique active. While Iroka was known to force her opponents into a game of attrition, like she had with Wynne, Nehan Mangekyō was a very tasking technique. If she was changing tactics, she would certainly not need the extra reiatsu drain while she worked.

The gigantic spectral prayer wheels surrounding the arena suddenly vanished, and the huge shattered panel of glass that was normally part of Iroka's Bankai appearance materialized once more behind her. Everyone would feel the effect of the reiatsu drain of Nehan Mangekyō disappear. While this was happening, Catty had sprung into action, attempting to face the lizard head on in hand-to-hand combat. Iroka was not sure this was safe for Catty, but Iroka would try to put it to good use.

Her plan was a simple one. One of the greatest lies seen in media where someone was beset by multiple foes was that they did not attack at the same time. In a real fight, more than one opponent was a disadvantage, because one could not attack, defend and dodge at the same time. And it was that premise Iroka would use to combat the giant lizard. Catty would be her shield, but hopefully not for long.

At the exact same moment as Umaroth was parrying the Bount's attack, Iroka held out her hand quickly. The particular spell she had chosen was one the ginger-haired girl decided on, primarily because it did not involve anything being fired from her direction. Rather, a strange series of metal bindings would descend from directly above the lizard, at a speed of 800. If they connected, Umaroth would find himself immobilized by the power of one of the strongest Bakudō known. The power of Kin.

There was one more thing. Iroka had realized, by observation, that the lizard had incredible reflexes, but she was marginally faster. If he vanished, she would immediately attempt a Shunpo as well, in a random direction, to evade the lizard.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Battle Info}
Nehan Mangekyō has been disabled. No more reiatsu drain. Bankai still active.
Techs Used: Kin (600 Reiatsu), possible Shunpo (50 Reiatsu)

Technique Name: Bakudō #99 Part 1: Kin (Seal)
Technique Class: 2 - 180 TTP
Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.
Usable By: Kidō-users.
Technique Element: Metal.
Technique Cost: 600 Reiatsu.
Description: Binds the arms of a target to their back like Bakudo #1: Sai, but does so with spiritual fabric and iron shafts. The fabric wraps around the body and then pins it to the ground while the iron shafts pin it even more in several overlapping “X” patterns on top of the body. Those caught in this technique are completely immobilized.
How to Use: This can be done by aiming the casting hand at the target, but if it is done this way then the bindings fall from the sky, allowing the technique to be dodged. If this is done through physical contact, it is impossible to dodge, and the bindings appear instantly.
Incantation: This spell can be broken with a Reiatsu Strength advantage of 50%, but the incantation makes it unbreakable. ""Gods, I forsake thee. God of War, your wrath consumes all. God of Chains, your bindings snap under pressure. God of Peace, your power is not found here. God of Mercy, you have left this world. I take it upon myself to be the Might of the God of War, the Bindings of the God of Chains, the Peacemaker when the God of Peace cannot, and the Hand of Justice when the God of Mercy will not. With power above the gods, I call upon my own strength to bind you and cease your evil. Be still!"



Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost.

Bankai: 3/10

Reiatsu: 5850 (5800 if Shunpo is used)

[Catty Noir ♦]

She knew her punch wouldn't hit its intended target, but that still was enough to catch her off-guard solely due to the strength he possessed. Catty clicked her tongue in disapproval as she narrowed her eyes at the beast. And that's exactly what he was; a complete beast. His reflexes were obnoxiously good, but even the quickest of animals could be defeated somehow. She just had to figure out how and play to Iroka's strengths, as well. But until she could make a new plan, she found that her current one was stopped in its tracks. This creature's tail ended up ruining her attempt at kicking him in the groin. Of course it did, because she wasn't trying to be faster than him.

She was trying to get hit.

As Umaroth yanked her towards his body and raised his fist, Catty tripped over his tail and leaned into the attack. Allowing him to swing at her chest, she fully accepted the blow in order to activate the technique she'd been sitting on: Nebel. The moment his fist made contact with her body, Catty's physical form would explode into a massive cloud of thick, misty fog that coated the arena. Since she had mastered this technique at some point, she was able to do a couple of things. First of all, the thickened mist would make it difficult for him to see, meaning sight would be useless to him. It also forced odor to travel differently, making his sense of smell unreliable. And finally, since the mist made the air around the arena more dense, sound couldn't travel in a straight line as it normally did. The sound would be delayed the further away someone was.

Now, to any normal person, this would mean that speaking to someone would require more effort because the sound had a thicker medium to travel through. It's also possible that a normal vocal volume could go unheard when that wouldn't be the case when dealing with plain air. But to someone with super-human hearing like Umaroth, he may still be able to hear things, but that delay could make a huge difference in reaction time. And something that Catty picked up on with her high analysis skills is that he was listening for his opponents and gauging what they would do in order to predict the future. How he was able to determine exactly what movements would happen was still under Catty's study, but her observations told her enough so far. Though, now that she was mist, she had no muscle for him to hear.

Iroka would be experiencing similar difficulties, but she wouldn't have nearly as rough of a time. Catty, now omniscient in her mist form, was able to guide Iroka on where to go using soft whispers. Her whispers would reach Umaroth, as well, but she would be saying any random thing so as to distract him from what Catty was telling Iroka. And because of the Shinigami's speed, and the fact that her technique had already locked on its target once she casted it, then the change in atmosphere wouldn't affect its efficacy. If the attack was meant to land once Iroka made her decision to use it, then it would land.

Catty's mastery over Nebel gave her the opportunity to create several new modifications as she felt fit. This was one of them. Even as Umaroth began to glow, she got the sense that this must be a power of his and he was rearing up for an attack. Catty would use her whispers to warn Iroka about Umaroth's plan, though all she could possibly pass on at this point was Danger. If Iroka had any need to know Umaroth's location, Catty's whispers would tell her. If she needed to know where to move to get out of the way, Catty's mist would condense against the woman's body enough to lead her in the right direction. This was what true mastery could do.

In the meantime, she didn't have a physical form but that wouldn't stop her from being useful. And it was interesting how her formation into mist using Nebel didn't feel quite as draining as her previous technique usage did. In fact, she didn't feel that drain anymore at all. Looking at Iroka, she saw the mirror had become fully solid once again and deduced that whatever ability she'd been using was shut off by the Shinigami. That meant Catty could flex a bit more without quite as much worry, but she wasn't a caster. She had limited reserves and a plan up her sleeve that she needed to watch out for.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Nebel (Mastered: - 60 TTP)}

Technique Name: Nebel

Class: 5

Technique Type: Bount Technique

Technique Element: Mist

Technique Description and Effects:
This is a Bount technique which allows the Bount to dissipate into mist. This can be done only upon being struck by a physical attack. One must be impacted by an attack for this to work. Reiatsu based attacks do nothing to stimulate this technique. However, the mist can flow out to become a large mist that covers the area and makes impermeable fog. "So thick you can't cut it with a knife." The Bount can reform at any time. Maximum limit to how long said Bount can be mist is 6 posts. The Bount's body can "partially form" within the mist. While the technique is class 5, the reiatsu cost to form the body inside the mist is class 4 cost. (Dissipating and reforming are both separate class 5 costs.)

How to use technique: Stated above.

Drawback: Costs are increased, as listed above. Bount who use this technique will suffer burning and pain in sunlight for 24 hours after its use.

Made By: Unknown

Reserved?: No

Catty's Remaining Reiatsu: 1,875 (-100 for Nebel)

[Umaroth the Naga]

Surprise and shock. What else could describe the state the Naga found himself in? The assurance he possessed when he not only foiled the human woman's attack was utterly evaporated when, upon landing his sledgehammer-like blow to her chest, the woman turned into a mist. Not a bloody red mist like he was expecting. No, she became no different than the fog that would drift across a lake's surface in the early morning hours. Or one you might see in fields and forests. Thick. Everywhere around him. His eyes widened as his fist passed through the girl had once been. His vision now clouded and obscured by what she had turned herself into. The Naga, despite his incredible reaction time, was stunned.

Never once had he experienced something like this before. An ability so brand new that it caught the battle-experienced reptile by complete and utter surprise. His vision had become obscured by the fog that the girl had become. Wooshing about all over the place, suddenly placing him in the center of a cloud so thick that he could not see. What’s more, the odors in the air became confusing. All he could smell was the girl but even that wasn’t clear. Every other scent was also moving about in confusing ways, disorienting the reptile. He looked to his left and then to his right, trying to get his bearings, as he realized that his hearing was also being assailed. Sounds were being distorted by Catherine moving her new mist-like body about, throwing the reptile off completely.

And it was Catherine’s ingenious move that allowed what happened next to succeed. Umaroth realized that he did hear something. Something big was coming and it was coming fast. Yellow eyes widened with surprise when he realized, a second or so late, where the noise was coming from. The Naga lifted his head upwards and spotted a mass moving through the mist at him. The reptile tried to leap backwards but it was too late. The bindings came at him too quickly. If he had known they were coming just a second earlier he might have been able to use a Shunpo to escape. His arms were bound behind his back as Umaroth was forcibly pulled to the ground, the reptile letting out several loud and frustrated roars as he struggled against the bindings now applying further weights to the fabric to further restrain the beast.

Spellcraft!

The Naga let out a cry yet again. Trying to get his legs under him. Trying to stand. With Iroka being the source of the power, the girl would feel just how close the difference in her reiatsu strength was to his strength. She’d be able to feel, through the connection to her Kido, just how good of a fight Umaroth was putting against her spell. Anger. Wrath. Rage. Umaroth was being consumed by these emotions. The thought of being bound. Being trapped. Being restrained by a human. Umaroth roared again. That tha-thump sound from earlier sounded out again, louder this time, and began repeating itself with a consistent tempo. The light in his chest was glowing with a bright orange and, through gaps in the fabric, if the girls could see through the mist they would see the source. His heart. The reptile's heart was visible through his body. Glowing with a bright orange and beating fiercely, the source of the sound.

I will not lose! I will not fall!

Umaroth let out yet another struggling roar with his full strength, blowing the mist away from him from the sheer force of his voice. That was when that orange light began to spread. The girls would get to see what looked like Umaroth’s very blood vessels glowing as well throughout his body. The Naga’s eyes would snap back open, now glowing with a bright red that erased all detail rather than the sharp yellow they were before. The Naga let out yet another roar, but this one far stronger than before, before he was suddenly consumed in maroon reiatsu. And what a reiatsu it was. Like an explosion of energy that consumed the beast entirely. But before the two women's eyes, shapes would take form in the reiatsu. The images of reptilian beasts all fighting one another, snapping and biting away, locked in some never-ending battle before they were all consumed by one massive and larger head. Umaroth’s reiatsu roared outwards, the inside of its mouth a bright light.

The reiatsu would peel as the Naga roared yet again. His roar was not the same. It was larger, more guttural, reflecting some sort of change in the beast. The reiatsu would be blown away and reveal the answer. He had transformed! Where once stood a crocodile who walked on two legs was now a much larger, darker-in-color, behemoth. Umaroth, who normally stood at six feet tall, had suddenly sprouted to over fourteen feet in height. His body much larger than before in terms of width as well. His head shape had changed drastically as well, appearing far more therapod in shape rather than crocodilian. Two massive incisors sprouted up from his lower jaw. From his back had sprouted a series of spikes, three on each side of his shoulders, with the largest being in the middle of each row.

But the Bakudo was still wound tight around him despite the explosive transformation and increase in size. All he could do was stand up. That was it. ”I will not be defeated… by weak cowards like you!!” Suddenly his body began to light up again brighter than it did before. Beams of light escaped from between his scales, hurriedly tracing the path between them, as Umaroth lit up like a beacon again. He struggled with all his might against the Bakudo fabric. He roared out again and, suddenly, the Bakudo snapped. With such force as well that it produced a shockwave around the monster. Umaroth shattered the Bakudo that bound him as he gave himself fully and completely to the bestial instincts with him. His arms, covered in sharp spikes and ending in razor-sharp talons, were illuminated as well and reached into the air with freedom. A magma-like orange pulsed across the length of each arm as the mold that dwelled on his arms finally took its first breath. He would now Run Wild.

Giving himself completely to his animalistic instincts further increased the considerable strength he already possessed. It even went so far as to increase his senses and instincts to even greater heights. The air around the reptile cooked. The heat that was radiating off of him was plainly visible. The mold upon his arms releasing so much heat that being too close to the monster would give a victim third degree burns. Umaroth lunged forward into the air, aiming straight for Iroka, roaring like the animal he had become as he did so. But he wasn’t devoid of total sense. Umaroth’s right foot touched itself to Air Ground as he ascended at his full, enhanced, speed before suddenly vanishing into a Shunpo. He intended to collide the full momentum of his arm into Iroka with a lariat. And should this land, if the girl did not explode like a tomato being hit by a supersonic train, he would slam the two of them directly into either her Bankai or the furthest wall behind them.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2950 / 5250
-500 for Yaseishin Release
-800 for Run Wild
-50 for Shunpo

Yaseishin Duration: 1 / 6

Run Wild Duration: 1 / 5

SPOILER: Click to show

{Yaseishin Information}

• Dragonblight: The first of Umaroth’s abilities is one appropriately named Dragonblight. When an enemy takes damage that is sourced from the claws and spikes on Umaroth’s arms and hands, the mold in a constant state of agitation that coats that portion of his body will cause a negative reaction against his opponent. Umaroth’s body is the only thing that’s able to handle the agitated state of this mold. When flesh is slashed by his mold covered blades and claws the agitated mold will immediately cauterize the injury. While the opponent won’t have to worry about bleeding to death, they will instead have to face the agonizing singing pain that even a 2 in Pain Tolerance will have trouble dealing with, but if they try to recover they will realize that these injuries cannot be healed. Dragonblight causes permanent injuries that cannot be regenerated from thanks to the cauterizing effects of the mold. Though, there is a way around this. For the few in the world that have invested in their healing abilities, they can brute force through the cauterization by spending reiatsu. If an opponent has 200 Healing Expertise, they can neutralize the anti-healing effect for only 150 reiatsu.
• Soul Cleave: The second portion of his release only applies when an opponent is injured and suffering from Dragonblight. Umaroth’s injuries do not just damage the physical, but assault the soul as well. When an opponent receives an injury from Umaroth that actually harms them, so not something like a scratch on the cheek, their very soul will also take damage. Every hit reduces the opponents maximum reiatsu total by a total equal to 50% of Umaroth’s highest spiritual stat (so if Umaroth has 300 SpPr, the opponents maximum reiatsu would be reduced by 150). If the enemies maximum reiatsu goes lower than their current reiatsu, the total reduces. In cases of multi-hit techniques, this ability only applies once.
• Purgatory: Now, the final portion of the release has to do with the extreme amounts of heat that’s being released by the agitated mold. The area around Umaroth makes someone understand what it’s like being in an oven. The area ten feet around Umaroth is as hot as a raging inferno and being within that range causes the opponent to begin suffering burns. If an opponent manages to remain within 7 to 10 feet of Umaroth, they will slowly begin to accrue first degree burns after being in that temperature for over a post. If the opponent is within 5 to under 7 feet from Umaroth, the intense heat will begin causing them second degree burns. This will occur after a post of staying this distance from him. What’s more, flammable objects will catch on fire. It’ll get hard to see with the heat drying out the opponents eyes. Those that are subject to this intense, scorching heat will find it harder to move their bodies as efficiently, and an inability to fight at their full potential. All costs are increased by 25%, as is someone’s physical stamina drain (i.e. moving at 800 Speed is more akin to moving at 1,000 Speed) But if an opponent is closer than 5 feet to the lizard, then things get bad. The heat being produced by the agitated, magma hued mold, will cause third degree burns across their body if they remain within 5 feet of the lizard. Points in Heat Tolerance will push back all tiers of burns for as many posts as the user has ranks in the skill. Alongside mitigating the burn damage, they will be able to resist the other debilitating effects of Purgatory. 2 Ranks in Heat Tolerance ignore the debilitating effects.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Run Wild | Mastered}
Technique Name: Run Wild

Class: 1

Technique Type: Ferality

Usable By: Beast-Clan (General)

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:
One of the strongest Ferality techniques in existence, this is also a last-resort ability, used when there is little choice left to the user. Many Beast-Clan members reject a fully feral side, content to be a bridge between human and beast, but when push comes to shove and their lives are at risk, they may unleash the full power of the beast inside of them for a short period. However, it comes at the cost of their humanity and higher intelligence, at least for the duration of the technique.

For a period of five posts, the user's Strength and Speed increase by 25% each, and their instinct increases by 50%. This means they have highly sharpened reaction times, are faster, and are stronger than normal. Additionally, they ignore stamina during this time, charging tirelessly to attack their foe. This is a powerful technique, but it does come at a cost, driving them into a mindless, berserk rage that is likely to be a life-or-death gamble. At the end of the technique, their stamina simply drops, and the user will collapse without fail, but during this time, they are a force to be reckoned with.

How to use technique (How is it activated?):
The user flexes their spiritual energy and focuses on drawing out the beast within.

Technique Drawbacks
Aside from the high cost of this technique, there are several drawbacks to it. The first major drawback is the berserk nature in which the user attacks after activating this technique; Battle Analysis, Analysis, War Strategy, etc are all negated. Any mental abilities are useless to one who has no mind. The user will always attack as well; due to the berserk nature, they will not retreat, though they will avoid attacks, as their survival instincts are intact. Finally, when the post count is up, the user will collapse, unconscious, their stamina and Reiatsu completely drained regardless of current amounts. They will need a twenty-four hour period of recovery before they will wake up.

Made By: Z-Wolf

Reserved?: No

SPOILER: Click to show

{Umaroth's New Stats}
Umaroth | Roughneck

Strength - 500 - 1125 - 1406

Speed - 500 - 625

Spiritual Pressure - 300 - 525

Reiatsu Strength - 300 - 150

Light Aura - 50 Points

Dark Aura - 50 Points

Instinct - 500 - 375 - 562

Senses - 500 - 375

Energy sensory - 100

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 2700 Points

[Munemasa Iroka]

Iroka, hoping that the giant lizard would not tear Catty apart, was surprised, but not displeased, when the Bount burst into a large plume of smoke. Catty was certainly not as dangerous as Iroka was, as far as the ability to wreak damage was concerned, but the girl was impressively versatile. Iroka had no idea what the mist could do, but she had little reason to fear it, as she and Catty were on the same side. The stuff looked thick, though. Hopefully it wouldn't affect Iroka's ability to sense her enemy.

It seemed that the presence of the mist was an amazing idea. This was because, despite the giant lizard's razor-sharp senses, he did not seem to have been able to avoid her cast spell. It was quite a strong one, and hopefully, breaking out would be difficult, if not impossible. The fact that she had caught the lizard did not mean that the battle was over yet. Iroka still needed to do a few things to secure victory.

Alas, victory was not to come so readily. Some weird sort of transformation came over the lizard, making him larger. Also, he seemed to begin to generate great heat, which with his wild reiatsu, seemed to scatter the Bount's mist. This was all the more reason for Iroka to avoid him physically, in the unlikely event that he released himself from her bindings. She did not like excessive heat. It was, to say the least, rather uncomfortable.

The lizard insulted her and Catty, calling them weak cowards, and with sheer physical might, burst through his bonds. While Iroka would have commended him for the power which he had summoned, she felt irritated at having been insulted, despite she and her partner having held their own well enough. The shockwave released by the lizard as he broke her spell sent a gust of wind through the arena, and Iroka prepared herself. Her plan was the same as before. If he disappeared, so would she, using Shunpo to attempt to evade. Even though he was very strong and had great reflexes, Iroka hoped she was still faster than him.

Her flash step narrowly escaped the lizard's wild assault, as he crashed into one end of the dome. Things were getting a little desperate. Well, as they said, desperate times called for desperate measures. It was here that Iroka hoped her zanpakutō's highly defensive qualities would help her yet again. But to accomplish this, she would need to bait him.

Iroka's Shunpo had carried her a few dozen feet away from the lizard, and she placed her back to the domed arena wall. Though this seemed like a foolish plan, she hoped she would be able to pull this gamble through. "Niōmonkyō!" the Shinigami called out. The giant shattered pane of glass, that moved around with her, formed into a clear hard square sheet, 20 m by 20 m, entirely cordonning her off from the lizard. To reach her, he would have to break through the glass. As it was one of her strongest shields, Iroka hoped it would be sufficient.

This wasn't all she was going to do, though. She began to chant, a weird chant, of words apparently mashed together with little clear context. It was definitely a spell, but the fact that it was quite long suggested that it was no normal spell....

SPOILER: Click to show

{Battle Info}
Techs used: Shunpo (50), and Niōmonkyō (250)

Technique Name: Niōmonkyō [Two Kings Gate Mirror]
Technique Type: Shikai/Bankai [Defensive]
Technique Reiatsu Cost: 100 Reiatsu/250 Reiatsu
Technique Description and Effects: Iroka creates an aura on any of the the heads of her meteor hammer, releasing it to form a large barrier in the shape of a spectral Buddhist temple gate. It is meant to defend against attacks, and will take damage equal to 1.5x Iroka’s OS before shattering. Its dimensions are 3 x 3 meters sq.
In Bankai, the shield’s durability will be increased to damage equal to 2x Iroka’s OS, and is 20 x 20 meters sq in dimension.
Technique Drawbacks: No offensive capabilities whatsoever. Only one shield can be made at a time.

Reiatsu: 5550/8000

[Catty Noir ♦]

Catty should have known better than to assume she'd seen all of the reptile's tricks. Deep in the back of her mind, there was some part of her warning her that there was more up his sleeve and to not get too excited too quickly, but with everything happening around her in such chaotic form, it was difficult for her to maintain focus. Still one with her mist, the Bount watched with invisible eyes as Umaroth transformed into something much more sinister than he had been only moments before. It made her cringe - or, she would have, if she had a physical body. The monstrous roars he was unleashing was enough to even move the Bount's mist. His massive strength must have transmitted shockwaves even through something like his voice.

Something clicked very quickly, though. Umaroth was still locked on Iroka, which meant Catty was no longer on his radar. His animalistic tendencies appeared to grow stronger, though she wasn't sure what that would mean for his powers. Still, even she had to admit she could literally feel the difference in the air she now inhabited, encircling Iroka just slightly as if to get ready to shove her out of the way somehow at any sign of danger. Catty knew that she wouldn't actually be able to pull that off unless she materialized, and she had to be careful about how many times she did something like that. It used energy she didn't have to spare.

The one thing she could be thankful for was that for so long as she was in mist form, she didn't have any feeling. Umaroth's heat did not hurt her since she didn't have the physical body she used to anymore. Even if he was capable of using shockwaves to scatter the mist, that was the extent of the damage at the moment. That would be good. Perhaps she could use something like this more to her advantage, seeing as the fog she became was both her and also not her. Something like this could open opportunities such as using techniques at a significantly wider range than before. She could unleash that power from anywhere now.

At the moment, though, she realized quickly that she needed to keep acting as support for Iroka. As the mist covered the Shinigami woman after Umaroth had apparently missed his target and ended up at the other side of the arena, the fog thickened and would make it incredibly difficult to see at all between the beast and Iroka. In his state, Catty hoped Umaroth wouldn't be thinking straight the same way he had been before. For being an animal, he was surprisingly intelligent. She learned quite a bit about Beast-Clansmen from this fight, if nothing else. But since he was charging a bit recklessly, either that was part of his power or something was going on.

The thickened fog would assist Iroka in casting her new spell and make it incredibly difficult for Umaroth to listen in. Though Catty wasn't sure exactly what it was the Shinigami was doing, an incantation that took so long to prepare had to be powerful. Catty whispered in Iroka's ear that Umaroth was right in front of them and would continue to whisper locations of the beast as he moved, and if he happened to move quickly using his Shunpo or anything else, she'd tell Iroka about that, as well. Even if it just meant she'd counter with her own step technique to get out of the way, that was enough for Catty to feel like Iroka was kept safe. She just had to hold on a little while longer.

[Umaroth the Naga]

Everything was red. His sight, his thoughts, his heart, it was all burning red. What remained of Umaroth was gone. All that remained was the Naga. Something within him, far, far deep within him, was raging. Roaring out in rage, hatred, and malice. Curse the world. Burn it all away. Incinerate it all. Until nothing was left but ash. An ancient hatred burned within him deeper than his very soul. His very, accursed, genes roared out with a primordial rage at a world that no longer cowered beneath the shadow of their wings. The Naga would remind them. Remind everything and everyone who once ruled this world. Who once reduced it all to blackened wastelands of ash.

The Naga did not fail to notice his prey's escape. Even despite the enhanced speed from his Shunpo Step Technique, Iroka escaping did not escape his notice. The prey was on the run. But where could she go? It was only a matter of time before the Naga feasted on her heart. Had the Naga been successful in his attack he might have simply slammed into the wall, Iroka’s corpse in hand, but because he failed he changed tactics. With a flick of his tail the reptile spun in the air, pulled by the force of and momentum of his tails movements, and planted both feet firmly against the glass of the dome. The impact sent a rippling shockwave through the glass, cracking the tested glass slightly, but the reptile did not remain still for long. As soon as he landed he saw Iroke and immediately moved towards her.

The other human was gone. Reduced to smoke. No longer a threat. He did not concern himself with her. His prey. The Shingiami. She was here. In front of him. Before him. Fresh meat. A threat. A foe. Something to be crushed. Stomped underfoot. Kill it. Kill it kill it kill it kill it. The fog was thickening. It didn’t matter though. He knew where she was. He could smell her. The Naga charged forward. Descending downwards towards Iroka upon the Air Ground as she threw up a barrier. The Naga was faster than before. He charged forward at his increased speed and, upon reaching ten feet of Iroka’s barrier, the Naga dropped to all fours for merely an instant. The Bount woman that was with Iroka would recognize it, but she would not be given the time to warn her partner.

That same pose he took when he slayed the Doll Amon. The same pose that foretold the coming of an incredibly high speed and dangerous attack. An attack that Iroke might not have seen due to her focusing on her fight with Wynne. The Naga only took this posture for an instant before suddenly vanishing. A streak of red light. Like a comet. That was what he became as he Pounced. The Shinigami’s barrier was powerful, nobody would deny that, but even it had a limit to what it could take. If it needed only twice the girls' reiatsu strength to break through, then the Naga exceeded that in spades. His Pounce was further enhanced by his Run Wild. The Naga became a blur of red light traveling at 9375 speed. And when he impacted the barrier, he hit it with a power that equaled 4687.

The girl's barrier would shatter. There was no argument there. The Naga kept going. Carried by the speed and momentum as the force of his power shattered the girl's defenses. With her being committed to her spell casting, alongside her lower than average sensory skills and reaction time, what could she do? If Iroka was not able to do anything then there would be nothing left of her. Perhaps all she would be able to see was the sudden shattering of her barrier and a maw of hungry teeth before the all consuming darkness. Unless Iroka could do something to react to the Naga’s insane levels of speed the girl would just be gone. A red mist would be all that was left. Committed to her action of preparing her next spell, was there really anything she could do in time against a creature with such speed and force? If she could, if she had something, now was the time to do it. But with her instinct and senses it was hard to say if she could.

Should the Naga’s attack be successful, the reptile would slam into the floor of the stadium with such force it felt like an earthquake had happened. Rising up from the dust cloud, the Naga’s maw would be adorned with a plethora of gore and viscera. Shredded clothes, strands of bloodied hair, and bits of bones. Should the attack succeed, the Naga would release a impossibly loud roar across the arena.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2550 / 5250
-400 for Pounce

Gimme a poke if anything is wrong.

[Munemasa Iroka]

Even as the mist filled the arena, Iroka continued her chanting. The mist was on her side, controlled by her partner. While Iroka did not understand the details of the mist, she would not sweat the specifics. If the lizard was doing anything, her partner would inform her. This was the advantage to be had with having a teammate against a single opponent.

And yet, Iroka dared not rest on her laurels. The giant lizard was nothing short of terribly dangerous. Iroka was sure that if she had been alone, she would at this point be terribly injured or worse. He had broken her neck once before. With his present rampaging form, he could very well likely do it again. And if that happened, she was not sure how Catty would fare against the beast.

"Duck!"

While Iroka did not know where the voice had come from, she knew to whom it belonged. As soon as she heard the voice, the carrot-top flung herself down and to the side, even as she saw a form appear on the other side of her mirror shield. The glowing eyes and the light of hellfire burning within the dark form told Iroka that the lizard had found her. He seemed to crouch for a split second. Then there was the sound of shattering glass.

Her shield had broken! That was incredible, Iroka had to admit. There were few stronger defenses that she could put together, and the lizard had just plowed through this one without having to strike it twice. Just how powerful was this creature, she wondered. Wynne had a crazy amount of physical strength, but she didn't seem to do well in other departments. This lizard, however, seemed to be a proper killing machine.

There was a weird feeling in Iroka's right arm. It hurt like crazy... as a matter of fact, crazy was an understatement. Without looking at the spot, she knew she was missing that arm. Not to mention that much of the skin on her right side was already charring, thanks to the insane amount of heat being produced by the lizard. But if she gave up now, all her struggles up to this point would have been for naught.

Even as the lizard impacted the wall of the arena with a sound that resembled thunder at close range, Iroka released the spells she had been chanting. "Bakudō #99 Part 1: Kin! Bakudō #99 Part 2: Bankin!!" She'd heard where the lizard had hit the wall, and the mist was still there to guide her. Releasing both spells almost simultaneously, Iroka used her remaining arm to point in the direction of the lizard. Then she flash-stepped away from the raging inferno.

Iroka wasn't certain how much more damage she could take. True, she was much more resistant to pain than her dainty body appeared. But there was only so much punishment one could receive in a day. As her feet touched down, her breath in raggedy gasps, Iroka prepared herself to move again at the slightest notice. The plan would be to flash step away if the lizard somehow broke his bonds again and came for her. Hopefully, Catty would inform her about what was going on.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Battle Info}
Techs used: Bakudō #99 Part 1: Kin(-600) Bakudō #99 Part 2: Bankin- 1st Song (-600), Shunpo (-50)
Iroka is Dragonblighted, thanks to Umaroth's Yaseishin

Technique Name: Bakudō #99 Part 1: Kin (Seal)
Technique Class: 2 - 180 TTP
Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.
Usable By: Kidō-users.
Technique Element: Metal.
Technique Cost: 600 Reiatsu.
Description: Binds the arms of a target to their back like Bakudo #1: Sai, but does so with spiritual fabric and iron shafts. The fabric wraps around the body and then pins it to the ground while the iron shafts pin it even more in several overlapping “X” patterns on top of the body. Those caught in this technique are completely immobilized.
How to Use: This can be done by aiming the casting hand at the target, but if it is done this way then the bindings fall from the sky, allowing the technique to be dodged. If this is done through physical contact, it is impossible to dodge, and the bindings appear instantly.

Technique Name: Bakudō #99 Part 2: Bankin (Full Prohibition)- 1st Song
Technique Class: 2 - 180 TTP
Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.
Usable By: Kidō-users.
Technique Element: Metal.
Technique Cost: 600 Reiatsu.
Description: This spell first covers the target from head to toe with a thick fabric (first song), and follows up by stabbing them with numerous metal bolts (second song). It finalizes by smashing them with an immense metal cube (final song). This Bakudo is unbreakable when it has been completed, regardless of reiatsu strength. It can be broken only through its caster's death or willing release. Reiatsu cannot be used and is completely sealed if this technique is complete. For every song that is allowed to land on the user, 1/3 of their reiatsu strength and remaining reiatsu is removed.
How to Use: This can only be used if Kin has already been cast, and is done through aiming the casting hand at the incarcerated victim. The first and second songs can both be broken by double and triple the caster's reiatsu strength respectively being flexed, but the final song is unbreakable.

Reiatsu: 4300/8000

[Catty Noir ♦]

As the mist version of Catty swarmed both Iroka and Umaroth, she was pleased when she realized Iroka took her warnings seriously. As she had tried to make crystal clear by now, even though the Bount was in mist form, that didn't mean she lost her ability to see. Her entire purpose at this point was to confuse Umaroth and assist Iroka in hopes that the latter wouldn't get too seriously injured. They were a team, and therefore capable of strong amounts of teamwork. Such a thing had to be performed in this moment, as well, since Umaroth made it abundantly obvious that he wasn't going to go after something that didn't have a physical form anymore.

She may have made a barrier that he could smell, but there was no way he'd be able to properly see Iroka due to the density of Catty's mist within the area. Taking note of his charge, Catty assessed the situation very quickly thanks to her high analysis skills and recognized something she'd seen before; his attack preparation. Even if he were to charge Iroka, Catty knew the safest thing for the Shinigami would be to stay low. Naturally, Umaroth would likely aim for Iroka's upper body, or at least go for an attack where he'd hit her well above her legs. With this in mind, the Bount had whispered "Duck!" to Iroka, urging her to do as she was told.

Thankfully, Iroka listened and flung herself to the ground. Ideally, this would mean that Umaroth ended up Pouncing right over the woman's body and landing elsewhere in the arena. Unfortunately, it also meant her shield had been shattered thanks to the Naga's massive impact force. A devastating attack for a beast so strong. Catty wasn't going to fall for that again so easily, especially not when she noticed Iroka had been injured severely in the process. She was missing an arm after that attack, so she may not have ducked down quickly enough to completely avoid the impact. Catty didn't even want to imagine where the Shinigami's arm had gone.

With some final guidance, Catty gave Iroka some direction on where to cast her spells, and then silently told her to stand back and get to safety. The Bount could feel power swelling up from within once again, and she knew there was a beast of her own just begging to be released. Amon thrashed once again within her mind, demanding to be summoned. From all across the arena, absolute ear-piercing roars that could be compared to that of a giant jaguar echoed against the walls. Catty, relinquishing herself to the power of her Doll, allowed him full control over her body as his rage filled her soul. A deep voice that didn't belong to the Bount was all that was heard as it mixed itself within the beast's cries.

"MONTRE-TOI!"

The mist flowed quickly and with great intensity towards the center of the arena. Over a short period of time, both Iroka and Umaroth would notice arms and legs reforming, though the arms looked to have bladed wings attached. A tail slithered out from within and whipped against the ground as the rest of the mist solidified. But there was no Doll. There was only one body. Clawed fingers ripped through the air as the rest of the figure stood up straight, crying out once again up towards the ceiling. It settled after a moment, eyes finally open to reveal a resentful red glow. It could have been another Beast-Clansman like Umaroth, but further inspection from the spectators would reveal that was not the case.

This was Catty.

Having given in completely to Amon's desire to kill that which endangered her, Catty willingly gave him so much control over her body that he ended up fusing with her completely through the use of Groll. With a fanged smile, Catty glowered at Umaroth, her blood-red eyes matching his own. This fight was nearing its end for the group of them, and Catty wanted to save something like Futter for when she really needed it. Iroka could still fight. She didn't want to do something that could risk Iroka losing out on Reiatsu that she was perfectly capable of using right now. So, instead, she figured it was time she fought fire with fire. This way, she and her partner could continue to support each other. Now she had unrivaled instincts. Now she could smell Umaroth's every emotion, illness, body chemical. She could hear his muscles. She could predict his movements. She was going to give him a taste of his own medicine. She was a Monster.

One problem was that Umaroth produced entirely too much heat, and that was made apparent even while Catty was still just mist. Being unable to get too close to him was going to be a problem, but the portion of her mind that Amon controlled had an idea. Raising her bladed wings, Catty beat them enough to lift her above the ground just a few feet, but the force not only created shockwaves due to her heavily increased Strength, it also created the slicing winds that was Amon's overall ability. Hoping Iroka was completely out of the way, these winds and shockwaves would shoot towards Umaroth at a Strength and Speed equal to what Catty had in her new form.

Though she had a few other tricks up her sleeve, Catty knew her Reiatsu reserves had taken a large hit. She would have to be incredibly decisive when it came to using that up until the point when she could potentially feed on her partner and get more. Still, assuming Iroka's bindings worked due to her quick action, that would give the Bount all the time she needed for her winds to slice up Umaroth from prolonged exposure. They could potentially be piling on the pain if they were successful. And if this beast really thought he'd be able to find Catty, then she knew there was one sure-fire way he'd never be able to see or sense her coming.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Catty's Groll Stats}

Strength - [350] = 788 Points x 3 = 2,364

Speed - 200 Points x 3 = 600

Spiritual Pressure - [300] = 525 Points x 3 = 1,575

Reiatsu Strength - [200] = 100 Points x 3 = 300

Light Aura - 50 Points

Dark Aura - 50 Points

Instinct - [275] = 206 Points x 3 = 618

Senses - [275] = 206 Points x 3 = 618

Energy Sensory - 0 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1600 Points

SPOILER: Click to show

{Groll (Mastered: - 540 TTP)}

Technique Name: Groll

Class: 2

Technique Type: Bount Technique

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:
This is a technique that can be used only very briefly by most Bount. This causes fusion between the Bount body and doll. This is only possible for the True Bount and for FEMALE Bount. The male anatomy cannot handle this. This technique also has other requirements. This causes the Bount's stats to triple, and the Bount becomes a medium that uses all of the doll's powers. Most importantly, the Bount gains one more power. While this is in use, they are immune to the sunlight, and can create darkness in any building that they touch.

How to use technique: Must be either female or True Bount title. Requires at least 200 in both instinct and senses, and a 3 in illusion resist. Also requires a 3 in battle analysis.

Drawback: This costs a lot of reiatsu. This also only lasts for 5 posts. Once this technique ends, the Bount dies instantly upon contact with the sun.

Made By: Unknown Bount

Reserved?: No

Catty's Remaining Reiatsu: 725 (-150 for reforming, -400 for Doll Summon - Amon, -600 for Groll)
Groll Duration: 1/5

Reference for Groll, though Catty has a tail and wings.

[Umaroth the Naga]

The taste of rusted metal filled his mouth. A recognizable taste. One he had upon his tongue a thousand times before. But, this time, there was a different taste accompanying it. Meat that was not as pleasant to the tastebuds as other prey he had hunted in the past. He had tasted this before and even then he found it distasteful. How he had missed he wasn’t certain. It should have been impossible for the Shinigami woman to avoid his attack. The speed at which he moved, at which he Pounced, should have ensured that the girl was nothing no different than the meat between his teeth. But somehow she had managed to evade certain death. The Naga struck the floor of the stadium with such intensity that it vibrated throughout what remained of the floors, walls, and glass enclosure. The dust created by Wynne’s structure vaporizing shockwaves kicked up into the air, but a powerful flick of the Naga’s tail born out of irritation blew it all away.

The Naga spit what was in his mouth out. A wet mound of gore into the floor as the Naga turned, his interest peaked by the sensation he was feeling from his limited Energy Sensory capabilities. The Naga without hesitation vanished from sight yet again as Iroka’s Bakudo came crashing down onto his previous position. Iroka had targeted when Umaroth landed, but the reptile's obnoxiously high reaction time effectively allowed him to realize what was happening and know to dodge. It wasn’t that the Naga knew that a spell was coming. No, the beast was operating on pure primal instinct. There was no rationality to his motions. It was as simple as something triggering his instincts, screaming at him to dodge, and so he did. The Naga utilized a Shunpo again, vanishing from sight, before reappearing an instant later and skidding across the stadium floor as the two Bakudo collided with the location he was at once before. Slamming his claws into the ground to slow his momentum, the Naga looked upwards towards Iroka as he traced her location via the scent of her blood.

But his attention was yanked away from the Shinigami by something else occurring. A sudden power filled the arena that was similar to the same pressure he felt when Iroka had released her Bankai. The reptile stared, without understanding what he was seeing, as a vortex of wind appeared as if from nowhere before dissipating to reveal a new creature on the battlefield. No. Not a new creature. The scent that reached his nostrils told him that this was the same human girl he had been toying with before. The ally of the Shinigami. But she was different now. The scent of that creature from before had returned as well. The pairs scents mixed together into something new. He could see it with his own eyes now.

The spikes along the Naga’s back suddenly enlarged. More sprouted from the length of his back, reaching upwards to the sky. Each side of his brown produced two curved horns that trailed back alongside his head. The heartbeat in his chest grew louder. The backside of his body was glowing red hot. Light continued to shine ever brighter from between his scales. The effects of his Run Wild were growing ever stronger but also, second by second, coming closer to the point of his heart finally giving out. The woman's form was different. She appeared to become something between man and beast. The Naga rose to two legs and released a bellowing roar in defiant opposition. The force of which blasted everything away from the rampaging reptile.

The reptile quickly crossed both of his arms across the front of his body as the blast of air came at him. The sensation of pain erupted throughout his body as the slicing winds slashed open chunks of his glowing obsidian-black arms. The Naga was sent flying backward. The force of the winds exceeded his primal expectations completely. The winds cut and slash at his body. His scales provided hardly any defense, slashed open to splash his blood along the path he traveled. Rolling across the ground before righting himself and crouching down onto all fours, the reptile growled in anger as hot blood streaked down the right side of his face. His right eye was gone. A large slash through the flesh where it should have been. The Naga understood he could no longer see out of that side. He still had his hearing and his smell though.

The reptile charged forward. It was all he could do, for now, to close the distance between him and the human woman. She had become the bigger threat in this moment.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2500 / 5250
-50 for Shunpo

Yaseishin Duration: 3 / 6

Run Wild Duration: 3 / 5