the Rift


[JUDGED] [Get ready to rumble - GAUCHO:: CHALLENGE:: NEW SYSTEM!]

Levi Posts: 270
Hidden Account
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.1hh :: 6 Buff: NOVICE
Ava
#1
It had been a couple of days since the invasion. Levi wasn’t extremely ready to start sparring again, but he had no choice. He owed this moment to not only Gaucho, but to Kri and his family. He had already told Gaucho that he was going to challenge him for his own rank back. He had earned that rank fair and square and did not earn it just too willingly pass it along to Gaucho. Gaucho won it by default not because he actually proved himself. No, Gaucho was only a couple of seasons new when Levi had lived there his whole life. It was time to show Gaucho that he can’t just expect and get whatever he wants. Gaucho needed to earn it. Why Gaucho would challenge the brute when he wasn’t even there Levi would never know.

Gaucho was also late for the invasion. Levi did not see Gaucho fighting anyone. If Gaucho was a good Sergeant then he would have fought in the invasion. Not only was he there and didn’t fight, but he didn’t help anyone else! He could have helped someone or taken over for someone who was getting beat up out there. Not everyone in the Throat who were fighting were soldiers… some of them weren’t even fit to fight. Levi snorted with disgust, as he walked to find a spot for the spar. Yes Levi thought of Gaucho as his brother, but he had lost respect for him because of the invasion and because of the way he treated Levi when he had returned. Everyone has a different personality, but Levi wasn’t someone who was exactly happy when someone was being rude or pushy. He wans’t the type to really take that from others, especially someone of his herd, and so if Gaucho did not respect him then he would not respect him back. Levi however did figure that spar should settle any tension between the two.

Hopefully.

Levi walked towards the middle of the Throat finding an open area mostly on a flat surface. Thunder roared in the background as the lightning flashed. Buckets of rain poured from the heavens, giving the Throat a dreary feel. A grey background filled the horizon line as it touched the sanded grounds. There wasn’t much light, but Levi liked it that way, it reminded him of the invasion. “GAUCHOOO!” Levi’s voice bellowed. “I CHALLENGE YOU! COME!” Levi searched for the beast, hoping that he would arrive shortly. Levi didn’t want to be waiting to long for him. Pressing gaze to the sky, little droplets of rain fell on his scared pelt. Ugh, Levi thought, This is going to be a long day.

[ Alright Auddd I’m ready! You don’t have to keep a summary if you don’t want to, but it’s up to you!

Setting: The Throat on a dreary afternoon. There is a mild thunder storm.

Opening Post

MC: 0/2 ]

Levi
"Honor, Protection, Love


That's what flows in my blood."

image credits
table by whit

Odd the doer of things Posts: 115
Administrator atk: 23 | def: 42 | dam: 108
Mare :: Other :: 5"2 :: 27 HP: 108 | Buff: badass
Odd
#2
Levi's stats (As decided by Tamme)

Total HP: 43
Strength: 7
Speed: 5
Agility: 4
Endurance: 5
Defense: 7
Attack: 5.5
Damage: 5.5
Ascended Helovian

Gaucho The Wildfire Posts: 1,004
Deceased atk: 8.5 | def: 11.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2 :: 12 HP: 85 | Buff: PINNACLE
Mara :: Black Mamba Snake :: Paralyze & Vorsa :: Plain Zephyr :: Phoenix Odd
#3
WENT THE DISTANCE, NOW I'M NOT GONNA STOP.
JUST A MAN AND HIS WILL TO SURVIVE.
</style>



Gaucho had been waiting for this moment, ever since My-das had requested that Levi be escorted to the Oasis. It was then that the seed of doubt in the brute's mind was formalized - why would My-das order Gaucho to babysit the Grulla, if he too did not harbor doubts about Levi's return? No. The timing was simply too coincidental - and for a simple creature like Gaucho who did not believe in (or more correctly, understand) coincidences, it was too large to ignore. So when Levi demanded a rematch for the title, Gaucho had set himself on the ready, constantly in anticipation of the grulla's call.

While Gaucho had changed much from their last spar, almost a full year ago, Levi had changed little. Gaucho had acquired both magic and a companion, as well as the striking rack of antlers on his brow, and the piercing set of bone-spikes that protruded from the band of leather around his shoulders. He had trained nearly every day, and had grown substantially stronger from when Levi had plucked him from the Threshold. And what had Levi done? He had disappeared, and returned scrawny and malnourished. And while Gaucho was blissfully unaware of the silvery stallion's thoughts, if he were, he might question whether Gaucho was really the one who needed to prove himself.

But Gaucho was nothing, if not a creature of honor. If was true, that Levi had not answered his challenge, and that the rank had been passed to Gaucho by default. And so the bay maintained a sliver of respect for his former Sergeant, when he'd demanded a re-challenge. If he could truly best Gaucho, then the herd deserved to have Levi watch over them. Gaucho was not a creature of pride - he would support the outcome of this challenge, just as he had with Hector. In his simple mind however, he doubted whether Levi was so just. Even Gaucho, for all of his dimwittedness when it came to social constructs, believed that this challenge had more to do with Levi's pride, than the protection of the herd.

Even so, the warrior would happily oblige.

Rain pelted the skies, reducing an already haphazard visibility, and making flight difficult. Having already been struck by lightning once - in a spar with Note - Gaucho was not eager to experience the burning sensation again. And so even though an aerial attack might prove dangerous due to the weather, if not staggeringly damaging should it be successful, Gaucho refrained. He would not give Levi the satisfaction of later saying that Gaucho snuck up on him, or played dirty. No. Gaucho would be transparent, to give Levi the best opportunity to prove himself.

'GAUCHO HERE' He bellowed from the clouds, as his dark body pulls away from the thunderstorm.

Descending rapidly from the rain soaked skies, Gaucho angled himself in a wide low arch, to try and approach Levi from directly ahead. His large hooves struck the sands with a muffled oomph as his momentum carried him rapidly forward. After a stride, his wings tucked neatly to his flanks to reduce any drag from the wind, as he hurtled himself forward; nostrils flaring to suck the moist birdsong air into his lungs and to fuel his muscles. Ears pinned back against his skull, and antlered brow slightly lowered, Gaucho aims to slam his left shoulder into Levi's right. Given their slight height difference, Gaucho drops his left shoulder as he tries to contact the grulla and throws his weight left, to increase the surface area should it hit, as well as to try and gauge Levi with his spiked-collar. Carried swiftly forward, Gaucho's hind end raises aiming a buck at Levi's left flank or hindquarter.

The ground beneath his hooves is clumpy, as the rain forces the sand to mound together. It is odd to have such a storm in the dry Throat, and Gaucho mentally steels himself to pay attention to his footing here, which could become slippery. As his hooves propel him forward after his buck, Gaucho dodges to the right, dropping his right shoulder and surging forward to try and defend against any kicks that Levi might aim his way.

[WC: 708
Attack: 1/4
M&C: 0/2

Gaucho Stats.
Total HP: 54
Strength: 8
Speed: 6
Agility: 6
Endurance: 5
Defense: 8.5
Attack: 8
Damage: 7


Character Name: GAUCHO
Attack: 1d20 rolled for a total of: 4 (4) + 8 (character's attack stat)
Damage: 1d6 rolled for a total of: 3 (3) + 7 (character's damage stat)

If Attack > than opponent defense, attack hits.
If d20 = 1, critical miss: take 1/2(damage) to yourself
If d20 = 20, critical hit: opponent takes 6 + damage


Image Credits
Please tag me in every post! Magic/Force is allowed on Gaucho at any time.


Tamme the Tempting Posts: 140
Administrator
Mare :: Other :: 2 :: 2 HP: 9001 | Buff: Admin
Tamme
#4
Attack: 1d20 rolled for a total of: 4 (4) + 8 (character's attack stat)
Damage: 1d6 rolled for a total of: 3 (3) + 7 (character's damage stat)

12 > than Levi's defense of 7, so the attack hits.
Levi takes 10 points of damage.

Gaucho HP: 54
Levi HP: 43-10 = 33



Levi's turn to write his defensive maneuvers and take the appropriate damage, then attack.

In the future, please have someone not in the battle post a separate post using this: http://helovia.net/showthread.php?tid=9588 form.

Thank you!

Levi Posts: 270
Hidden Account
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.1hh :: 6 Buff: NOVICE
Ava
#5
The monstrous boom of Gaucho’s voice suddenly reigned from the skies above. Levi smirked as he knew Gaucho never would have backed down from this challenge, or any challenge for that matter. He saw the beast as extremely dependable in his rank, and Levi commended him for it. Even though Gaucho might have taken his rank, Levi was actually glad that it went to someone like him. He was trustworthy in the sense of his work and the protection of the Throat. Honestly, Levi wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

The bay became visible almost instantly after his thunderous arrival. Levi’s eyes narrowed as the thud of the beast’s landing took place. Gaucho did not hesitate to come immediately for the attack. His ears pinned to his skull with antlers atop his head. Gaucho had changed a lot since Levi had seen him last, but Levi was ready. He was ready for the new Gaucho, and he was ready to show him who was dealing with (Hopefully).

Levi leapt towards Gaucho with a burst of energy. Bones and muscles were energized with determination. He allowed himself to pierce through the rain droplets that fought to blur his vision. The injuries from the invasion were still relatively new. His slice on his chest was still healing, his wing could possibly be broken, and a side slice to his right barrel was still fresh. Levi was able to work with the cuts and bruises, but every time he moved, it reminded him just a little of the pain.

Gaucho’s large figure was coming closer directly in front. Levi and the beast’s distance were closing fast and before Levi knew it Gaucho had already attempted to attack him. Levi’s orbs watched Gaucho as he started to lower his figure raging towards Levi’s left. Since Gaucho was 17.3 hands, he had to lower himself to Levi’s size because he was only 16.1 hands. Really? Levi thought to himself in annoyance. He just had to come to my defective wing. Taking a slight step to the right side the silver grullo almost dodged the attack, but he didn’t realize how large Gaucho really was. The bay’s left shoulder successfully hit Levi’s left should and his wing. The silver grunted in pain, feeling the shooting sting come back once again. Like venom, it traveled the depth of his full wing. Like electric venom, which traveled quickly, it felt as though it was eating away at his raw bone. The pain was revived now and the grullo was not happy with it. Anxiety suddenly arose in the stallion’s system. His wing felt like it had been crushed by a two ton elephant. Levi did not want Gaucho to break his wing so he would never be able to use it again. Levi hoped his determination would keep him focused on what he came here for during this fight. He would never give up even if it was the last thing he did.

Spikes then sliced the upper left side of his neck, like a knife cutting through paper. Easily and cleanly. The top layer of skin ripped fleshly off, creating a new lurid wound. The brute squealed slightly absorbing the pain to the best of his ability. The blow wasn’t too bad, but it stung harshly like the daggers of Crowley’s companion. It dug into his bare flesh, ripping quickly with a strong force. Although the brute had already accustomed two blows, he wasn’t too nervous anymore. Quickly, Levi twisted his rump towards the left, aiming to trash out at Gaucho. As he made his kick, he felt the rain’s pitter-patter on his out stretched legs, hoping they would hit contact with Gaucho’s broad chest, but he would be lucky to hit anywhere.

As Levi landed, he felt his hooves sink into the muddy ground. The sand was impacted together and so it was a bit more slippery than usual. The silver would have to be cautious of how he placed his footing. As Gaucho veered to the right, he moved away from the brute’s left side. By the way of his looks, Gaucho seemed to be attempting to block any of Levi’s potential blows. Levi watched with amusement, but thought that the move itself wasn’t the smartest. If Levi were to use his magic right now, it would not defend the beast if Levi attacked from underneath Gaucho. Levi did not want to waste his magic just yet, so he shook the thought off and raced towards Gaucho, getting ready to face the thunder.

[Sorry Tamme! My mistake!

WC: 759

PC: 1/4

MC: 0/2

Levi's stats (As decided by Tamme)

Total HP: 33
Strength: 7
Speed: 5
Agility: 4
Endurance: 5
Defense: 7
Attack: 5.5
Damage: 5.5

Character Name: Levi
Attack Number: (1/4)
Attack: 1d20 rolled for a total of: 2 (2) + 5.5 (character's attack stat)
Damage: 1d6 rolled for a total of: 1 (1) + 5.5 (character's damage stat)

If Attack > than opponent defense, attack hits.
If d20 = 1, critical miss: take 1/2(damage) to yourself
If d20 = 20, critical hit: opponent takes 6 + damage


@[Tamme] @[Gaucho] ]

Levi
quote quote

image credits
table by whit

Tamme the Tempting Posts: 140
Administrator
Mare :: Other :: 2 :: 2 HP: 9001 | Buff: Admin
Tamme
#6
http://helovia.net/showthread.php?tid=96...0#pid64660 :3
Ascended Helovian

Gaucho The Wildfire Posts: 1,004
Deceased atk: 8.5 | def: 11.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2 :: 12 HP: 85 | Buff: PINNACLE
Mara :: Black Mamba Snake :: Paralyze & Vorsa :: Plain Zephyr :: Phoenix Odd
#7
WENT THE DISTANCE, NOW I'M NOT GONNA STOP.
JUST A MAN AND HIS WILL TO SURVIVE.
</style>



The impact of his body against Levi's was perhaps the first in weeks - and the feeling of his flesh meeting that of another, caused an almost sensual groan to release from his dark lips. The sensation was heightened as the acrid taste of blood suddenly filled his nostrils - he could rarely feel whether or not his spikes had been successful, but he could almost always smell it. As his hind legs kicked out towards Levi, in what was meant to be finish off a three-pronged attack, Gaucho felt not the contact of his own hooves against Levi's flank or thigh, but a bolt of pain ebbing through his own right side. Pain and confusion confounded his simple mind, as his own hooves lowered back to the ground - the success of his own kick still ambiguous in the haze of pain that was slowly beginning to centralize on his lower right leg.

From his antlers, Mara relayed the image of Levi's own kick striking Gaucho's outstretched right leg muscle, between gaskin and hock - and even Gaucho's simple mind could fill in the details. The perfectly timed kick, had struck the muscle precisely as it was completely tense - effectively charlie-horsing it, and causing pain to ripple through his entire leg. As blood began to work back into the muscle, some seeping through a small cut which had formed, an almost instant bruise began to blossom, beneath his dark coat. As that leg returned to the ground, bright pain overcame Gaucho's senses, and his antlers tossed violently as his muzzle swayed, pantomiming the gesture for: NOOO. A squeal left his dark lips, as he found that his leg refused to bear any weight. Ears against his skull, Gaucho wondered if this wasn't a deliberate ploy on Levi's part - to force him into the air, where his larger frame and antlers might invite the possibility of a lightning strike.

Gaucho do anyway, he thought with careless but determined resolve. Either he would walk away from this victorious, or he would not walk away at all. Silvery smoke began to pour through his antlers - bleeding into the rain though not affected or dispersed by the droplets. Three large eagle-shapes immediately took form - their silvery eyes piercing, and focused upon the grulla. With three shrill cries, they began to fly towards Levi, aiming to distance themselves equally a part, to try and attack Levi's right and left shoulders, as well as his front. If nothing else, Gaucho hoped the curtain of rain and his creatures, would hold Levi's attention.

Without grace, for his right leg was still throbbing, the bay forced himself into the air - hopping with three legs to achieve lift. The ground was slick beneath his large hooves, and the squelsh of accumulated water in the sands, was almost unnerving. As he did this, Mara circled down from him antlers, to his collar, and finally to his left front leg. There she dangled, elongated white body poised, ready to strike. Flying towards Levi's left shoulder at a height such that his hooves would be at about the silver's ears, Gaucho tried to hover just to the left of Levi aiming to have his body perpendicular, allowing Mara time to strike. The white snake, anticipating the attack from her bonded's thoughts, hissed and weaved, poison dripping from her fangs as the pair was nearing. Once in range, Mara shot forward - the length of her body held onto Gaucho's pastern, her venomous fangs aimed for Levi's left shoulder or neck.

As Gaucho's wings beat against the rain, his right front leg, and left hindleg pawed the air as if the rain was suddenly so strong that he needed to swim through it. In their first spar together, Levi had tried to fly over Gaucho to evade his attacks - this time, the bay hoped his hooves would deter Levi from rearing up and flying and possibly injuring Mara - for Gaucho's dark hooves would be surely stronger than the weight of the rain relentlessly pounding their backs. His right hind leg moved little - and felt swollen and thick as his posture in the air allowed blood to flow more freely to his wound. However, should the slightly-less muscled back of Levi rise up to meet him, his right leg would engage regardless of the consequences. No harm would come to his companion, but much would come to his so-called brother in arms.


@[Levi]

[WC: 751
Attack: 2/4
M&C: 2/X

CRITICAL HIT. lol

And Ava, you aren't just restricted to two magic/companion uses using the new system. Because things like magic, and companions are amalgamated into your stats (making you stronger), you can use each as much as you'd like - so feel free to let him have it! :3]


Image Credits
Please tag me in every post! Magic/Force is allowed on Gaucho at any time.


Levi Posts: 270
Hidden Account
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.1hh :: 6 Buff: NOVICE
Ava
#8
Confusion was apparent by the look on Levi’s features. His brow twitched with a kind of bewilderment that he had never experienced before. Both of his hooves had thrashed out towards Gaucho and suddenly Levi felt a hit of unctuous skin connect with his hooves. The impact was harder than expected and the silver brute let out an “oumphh” sound from the collision. The silver hooves felt the pitter-patter of the rain and as well as a hard, but cushiony contact between the gaskin and hock of Gaucho’s right leg. This was no ordinary kick though. It was almost an unexplainable power that took over him as Gaucho’s leg felt like it was breaking right beneath his own force. Once his quivering legs made it to the ground, they were a bit un-sturdy. It took more energy out of him than he had expected and his muscles almost ached for a refill of energy: Like gas quenching the dusty throat of a car. The burning feeling when you run too much for too long had settled in his legs.

A bellowed “NOOO” had echoed even louder than the roaring thunder. When the sound waves reached into Levi’s ears, his heart felt as though it dropped right through his scabbed chest. What had he done to Gaucho? He had never heard Gaucho scream in such a way. A rush of guilt spread into the brute’s system as he did not know what to do. Should he ask if Gaucho was alright? Help him? Postpone the spar? Gaucho was not putting any sort of weight on his right leg and it already started to look swollen. Before Levi could even get a choked word out, Gaucho had yet again surprised him with his new ways.

Three figurines of eagles came emerging from Gaucho’s massive antlers, thriving towards the brute. Levi’s mouth gaped open as he had never seen anything like it before. The ghastly figures made their way towards both of Levi’s sides and directly in front of him. Knowing that there was not much he could do, he took his right wing and tried to shield his face and chest in defense. Keeping the tips of his feathers spread apart, he figured he could at least try and keep an eye on not only the attackers, but Gaucho as well. The shield from his right wing helped with the rain to not blur his vision. Instead it trailed down the depth of the large wing. And although his front felt okay, he wished he could lift his left wing as well to match a feeling of equality in his balance.

Feeling sharp pains, the eagles indeed succeeded in ramming into Levi’s body on all three sides. The collision forced Levi’s body the shift backwards as his hooves gripped into the sands for a firmer stance. It was not a good idea though, because the more he gripped the more slippery it was. Almost getting off balance, he forced himself forwards, pushing against the strong forces. They left numbness from the touch along his shoulders and in the front although he could feel a sharp pain from the collision. It was where Crowley had just freshly cut his chest and it hurt. Great…



Before Gaucho hobbled into the air for a flight, Levi attempted to force a large clump of sand to form underneath Gaucho’s stomach. His thoughts only concentrated on forming a medium sized clump in which he hoped to shoot towards the underneath Gaucho’s stomach. Concentrating even more, he finally had made a sloppy waterfall shape and pushed it towards Gaucho, hoping it would indeed hit underneath his stomach. Because the sand was clumpy, the force wouldn’t feel as scratchy if it hit, but it could feel more forceful and compact.

Once Levi’s attempt was finished he forgot about the thought and went to concentrate on Gaucho, letting the sand crumble back to a lump of mud. Before he even knew how quickly Gaucho had reached the air, he heard the hiss of Mara emerge from up above. Instantly there were above him and before he even knew it, poison dripped from Mara’s blood thirsty fangs. As her tail clung to Gaucho, she intended to strike Levi. The silver moved towards the right as quickly as he could, trying the dodge the attack. It was indeed though he had been to slow and Mara’s fangs quickly pinched the left side of his neck. Feeling the venom emerge into his veins he started to worry when the side effects were going to kick in.

His head started to hurt, and suddenly his vision was blurring. Swaying left and right Levi was starting to become unaware of his surroundings. He accidentally missed the attack from Gaucho because he was disoriented. Oh, no.
Levi
Honor, Protection, Love

[ Ohh yeahh ;)

And alrighty, sorry I did not realize it Aud! I will try and let Gaucho have it:3 Let Levi have it tooo!

WC: 800

Attack: 3/4

MC: 1/X

@[Gaucho]

That's What Flows in my Blood.

image credits
table by whit

Levi Posts: 270
Hidden Account
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.1hh :: 6 Buff: NOVICE
Ava
#9
I don't know how, but the second part got into the quote... so this is what it said!

[ Ohh yeahh ;)


And alrighty, sorry I did not realize it Aud! In that case I will try and let Gaucho have it! Although I doubt he’ll even feel it! Also please let Levi have it as well!

WC: 800
Attack: ¾
MC: 1/X
@[Gaucho] ]
Ascended Helovian

Gaucho The Wildfire Posts: 1,004
Deceased atk: 8.5 | def: 11.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2 :: 12 HP: 85 | Buff: PINNACLE
Mara :: Black Mamba Snake :: Paralyze & Vorsa :: Plain Zephyr :: Phoenix Odd
#10
WENT THE DISTANCE, NOW I'M NOT GONNA STOP.
JUST A MAN AND HIS WILL TO SURVIVE.
</style>



Gaucho's dark eyes widened with continued pain, but now surprise as well, as he watched his eagles make full contact against Levi. Dumbfounded, he bellowed loudly, as if cheering them on. They had never been able to make physical contact before - their ethereal bodies typically disbursed immediately, perhaps causing chilling or numbness, but never physical wounds. Gaucho stronger the beast concluded with a grin, as he hobbled into the air.

Gaucho, who had never before seen Levi's magic deployed, nor was even aware that his comrade had acquired such, was forced to rely on sheer strength and battle savvy to evade the amalgamation of sand that was rising towards him. Although his vision, diminished both by angle as well as light, could not fully comprehend what was happening below him in the watery sands, his instincts ushered his great wings to beat down; fast and hard. His body rose up, into the torrential rains to avoid the blob - his mind quickly turning from pride over the wounds his creations had created, to another sort of a pride: that of one brother for another. Whether intentionally or not, Levi had forced him to fly higher - possibly into range of a lightning strike - less he risk impact by the grainy boulder below.

For all of Levi's tardiness and poor judgement, maybe he had learned a thing or two while he was away. But was it enough to take his title back?

As Mara's bite found her mark, it was almost as if Gaucho's own teeth had been the ones to sink into Levi's silvery hide. He could nearly taste the way the toxin felt as it flowed from Mara's fangs and into Levi. The sensation was nearly so potent, that for a moment Gaucho merely hovered - legs continuing to swim over Levi's swaying body, drool dribbling down his dark lips, as the sensation pulsed warmly in his mouth. It was only as Mara began to wind her way back up his barred leg, then neck, and finally back into his antlers, that the euphoric feeling was broken. Nickering rather oafishly towards the snake - possibly the most affectionate sound he has ever to this date made - Gaucho's dark gaze turned downwards to Levi.

As the former Sergeant moved uneasily on his feet, no doubt feeling both the effects of Mara's poison, and his previously sustained injuries, Gaucho wondered momentarily if this was not some trick. If sending him into the air to be struck by lightning hadn't worked, perhaps the silver was trying to snare him some other way - by feinting and exaggerating his injuries, so that Gaucho would come lower, to be assaulted by sand once again. They were in a desert after all - perhaps the rain had diminished the range with which Levi could stir the sands.

But it was Levi who had issued this challenge now - and fake wounded or not - Gaucho would not rob him of the opportunity to prove to them both, who truly deserved to lead the Throat.

Still hovering in the air, Gaucho leaned his body forward to move towards Levi - almost appearing like a horse who was on the down-side of a very large jump. His large wings folded to his sides after one last beat for direction and speed - his hind legs trailing high behind his dark body. He hadn't been in the air very high, and Levi hadn't appeared to have moved much. As such, Gaucho aimed for his right shoulder to connect against Levi's left; as Gaucho's front hooves hit the sands he tried to use the momentum from his downward descent to try and shove the already unsteady stallion, and try to cut him again with his collar of spikes. As his back hooves crashed to the earth, Gaucho again grunted in pain, as his right leg was forced to bear his weight on the slippery sands. The tenderness was not so strong now - his time in flight had allowed blood to return to his cramped muscle - but even so, the bruise still flared brightly in his mind.

Moving away from Levi a few strides, Gaucho moved to spin around to face his challenger. His hindquarters swung with relative grace - his legs crossing easily to bring himself about. Nostrils flaring as he looked upon his comrade, Gaucho tossed his head confidently, sending tendrils of sopping black mane into the air, only to slap down against his dark coat. "Gaucho always ready" he advised without malice or pride - these were the words he had spoken to Levi when Levi had previously requested this challenge, and they seemed fitting now.


[WC: 791
Attack:3/4

@[Levi]



Image Credits
Please tag me in every post! Magic/Force is allowed on Gaucho at any time.


Levi Posts: 270
Hidden Account
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.1hh :: 6 Buff: NOVICE
Ava
#11
A piercing bellow from Gaucho was surprising. A stallion, who did not speak many words, was found almost cheering or, one could say, chanting for his fellow spirits to damage Levi to their best abilities. Levi found this kind hysterical in a way for he had never seen Gaucho have such emotion in one day. It brought a grin to the brute’s features to see his brother acting so hysterical in this challenge, although, this did not affect Levi in any way. His thoughts were still concise and prepared for anything. And even though his body was wounded with scarring battle wounds, he took the attack like a true man. It only brought a grin to Levi’s face during the challenge that Gaucho was the one to have emotion and not himself. And now Levi was ready. He was ready because now he knew what the “new” Gaucho was capable of… now it was Levi’s turn to show Gaucho how to rumble.

Crumple, shhhh, phhhh were the sounds that took over Levi’s concentration. His small molding, only the width of Gaucho’s under stomach, was rising quickly as Levi stared harder and harder into the wet sands. Orbs were enforcing the sands to mold to his every thought. In his mind there was a clear picture of a circle shape of muddy sands. This was Levi’s goal. He wanted to create a perfectly round circle shape out of his desert home. As he tried to enjoin the sand to make a circle, it was becoming more of a lumpy, contorted shape. He needed more power. Silver hooves dug into the soft terrain to get a stronger grip as it did take a substantial amount of energy to shape. As attempted to mold and then shoot the tiny granules upwards, Gaucho seemed to sense that something wasn’t right and quickly hobbled into the lightning stricken skies. A disappointed grunt emerged from the Grullo’s throat, but he wasn’t going to give up just yet. He was determined to win this, he just had to! Kri had given this rank to him for a reason. Obviously he had deserved it, in the time, and he did not want the rank to permeate through his hooves like the muddy sand. Yes maybe Gaucho deserved it to, but he would have to earn it a different way. No, Levi wanted this rank was determined that he was going to win this even if he died trying.

And then his confidence was shut down almost instantly. Everything seemed to be spinning as he his wobbly legs almost couldn’t hold the malnourished weight of the bewildered brute. Vision was in and out and in and out again. A deep moan came from his throat as he looked for Gaucho’s beastly figure. The pitter-patter of the rains did not help with his vision, it actually made it worse. A massive head ache was growing too and the thunder gave him the feeling of his heart beat which pounded through the veins in his forehead. His head felt heavy and he was wobbling all over the place struggling to look for Gaucho. Squinted orbs, he still was determined to find this beast if it took all day.

Of course, briefly after, the beast came down from the booming skies. Like the snake, his attack was quick, but meaningful. Gaucho was successful in colliding with Levi’s right shoulder with his own. A shooting pain arose in the smaller stallion’s shoulder and Levi let out a loud “OUCH” as the collision hit. Gaucho’s size difference and strength pushed Levi to the left slightly (Levi’s left so Gaucho’s right if you’re looking from his direction.) In defense, Levi reached out to bite Gaucho’s neck or ear as he passed. Even though it wasn’t the greatest attack, Levi wasn’t exactly “alright” to do anything else. Everything looked like a blur and Levi’s headache was getting worse and worse by the minute. He just hoped he would be able to finish this challenge to the best of his ability because he felt like he was about to pass out at any time.

Spikes once again clenched on to his neck and dug deeper into the wounds that were already fresh and open. Levi could still feel the pain, but he was once again going in and out again. Vision was blurry and he was losing concentration. He didn’t understand what the former Sergeant was saying because the words were coming out mumbled, but he didn’t care. It was probably just nonsense anyways.

Again, Levi thought about his attack. Bingo. Three medium sized icicles appeared in his thoughts. Quickly, he enforced skinny and pointed icicles to mold. Shooting them as quickly as he could, he aimed for Gaucho’s chest hoping that it would hit his target.

[ WC: 800

Attack: 3/4

MC: 2/X

@[Gaucho]
Levi
Honor, Protection Love

That's what flows in my Blood.

image credits
table by whit
Ascended Helovian

Gaucho The Wildfire Posts: 1,004
Deceased atk: 8.5 | def: 11.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2 :: 12 HP: 85 | Buff: PINNACLE
Mara :: Black Mamba Snake :: Paralyze & Vorsa :: Plain Zephyr :: Phoenix Odd
#12
WENT THE DISTANCE, NOW I'M NOT GONNA STOP.
JUST A MAN AND HIS WILL TO SURVIVE.
</style>



Was it Mara's poison that made Levi to susceptible to his attack? Or instead was the former-sergeant simply feeling the effects of yet another challenge on his already malnourished and tired body? Levi had expressed that he was not in fighting form, only a few weeks prior when he had returned to the Throat; was this honor, or stupidity that Gaucho was now seeing? Gaucho, who had never - and arguably couldn't even conceive of - backing down from a fight, knew that injuries and flabby muscles or not, he would have done the same as Levi.

No - he mentally corrected himself. There is a difference between fighting until every ounce of strength is gone - to rising to a hopeless challenge and proving yourself to be the better - and deserting your home for a lost cause. Leaving the Throat without warning to search for Aryel was just stupid. Returning, coincidentally just as an Invasion was about to unfurl, was suspect. But sustaining an almost broken wing, and then rushing into a challenge so soon after? No - that is not the same as honor at all.

Although Levi's body did not dance away from the impending collision as Gaucho might have thought, causing both his shoulder and collared-spikes to serrate Levi's flesh, it was an emotionless attack. And while Gaucho was a merciless creature, driven by instinct and order, he took no pleasure in the sounds of pain that issued from Levi. He was not an enemy - merely a misguided comrade who thought he had something to prove. Whether or not he thought he could beat Gaucho, was irrelevant. Had had done what he thought necessary, and for that, Gaucho held no ill-will towards the grulla. Yet the bay would not relinquish until the challenge was complete. He would not do Levi the dishonor of going easy.

He had asked for it, and Gaucho had answered.

Now let it be finished.

Vaguely as Gaucho's larger form moved past Levi, he could hear the sound of teeth snapping in between the falling rain. Mara hissed as the silver's nose reached towards Gaucho, but remained where she was, as Gaucho's long strides outdistanced Levi's attack.

As he turned to face Levi, his comment receiving no retort, Gaucho paused to see if a futile bite was all Levi had left in him. However as the clumpy sands began to stir, granules forcing themselves together regardless of the downpour, Gaucho grinned. Guess not. As the sand took a cylindrical form, Gaucho wasted little time: Rather than letting them gain momentum, as he assumed they would shortly be coming towards them, his large body moved through the curtain of rain to where the forms were rising; prancing and leaping in the sands like a foal after a butterfly. Grunting, and drifting slightly to the left, as his right hindleg was still sore, Gaucho swung his antlered brow from left to right, aiming to take out the cones as they hurtled towards him. Although it was difficult to focus on the shapes in the rain, Gaucho allowed Mara to aid in directing his mind as to where the shapes were. Would they feel like hard stone when he hit them? Would they shattered into the granules of which they were composed? Gaucho had no way of knowing, nor did it factor into his decision. He felt his brain seem to rattle as he collided with what he assumed was one of Levi's sand-cones to the left, and then another to the right as his head swung the opposite direction. His momentum had slowed considerably as he hit the first one, and he nearly stopped once he hit the second.

Raising his head once Mara had determined that the third cone had fallen harmless at his side, Gaucho snorted as he tried to overcome the feeling of dizzyness that his prancing and swaying had caused. As he had drifted to the left during this charade, he vaguely believed he spied Levi to his right - although his dizzyness and the wall of rain seemed to smear Levi's form across his vision.

"For THROAT" Gaucho bellowed as he lunged forward. He kicked off with his hindlegs, ignoring the whine of pain from his right, and fully extended his wings. Like some dark harbinger of death, Gaucho truly looked like a madman. Lightning flashed, illuminating his primitively painted body as it launched towards Levi - even the bone piercing his nose look hostile as it danced with every snap of Gaucho's teeth. His goal was to pummel Levi's right shoulder with his hooves, or to simply collide with his body once again, should the rain have skewed his vision that badly, and try to bite the right side of the grulla's neck.]


[WC: 797
Attack:4/4

@[Levi]

Image Credits
Please tag me in every post! Magic/Force is allowed on Gaucho at any time.


Levi Posts: 270
Hidden Account
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.1hh :: 6 Buff: NOVICE
Ava
#13
Gaucho.

The beastly figure appeared hazy and contorted. Eyelids were heavy and drooped down Levi’s cheeks. He could barely focus and Gaucho, who ran towards him like a mad man, was not helping the situation. His tree-like antlers were moving in and out in and out as the corners of the brute’s orbs were fading black. Now, his own thoughts couldn’t be processed properly. Levi relied on his thoughts to organize his fighting structures. He could even hear his own breathing which seemed significantly louder than the pouring rain. Everything was just out of sorts and his concentration was losing interest in the world in which surrounded him. He knew he was going to lose his wits soon, but he just had to keep going for as long as he could.

It must be the poison Levi suddenly realized through grit teeth. If only he had raced out of Mara’s way quicker than her strike then he wouldn’t be acting like the fool he was. Levi knew that it was his entire fault, but even though he felt faint, he was NEVER going to give up, no matter how foolish he was. This was it. This was for everything he always wanted. It took him months, years, to earn this rank. It took determination and much effort. Levi did not go out of his way to spar daily, in endless like hours. for just nothing. He did not patrol the areas of the entire perimeter of the Throat for nothing. And finally, he certainly did not welcome Gaucho in open wings for the beast to take his well-earned rank. No way. He was not going to let the Sergeant rank be taken from him like it was some kind of toy. "No” Levi croaked to himself under his breath. This was his time to shine and to prove to Kri and show Gaucho that he did indeed earn this rank for a reason.

A burst of energy splurged through his pathetic pieces of bone and muscle that he called legs. He wiggled and wobbled sleazily towards Gaucho to the best of his ability, trying not to trip over his unsteady legs. Deep buried hoof prints, in the muddy sands, were left behind as if they had left a personal mark. He was going to do this. The wild vision of the bay seemed deformed as the angry tears of the heavens smudged the silver’s vision. Besides that fact, he was determined to let Gaucho feel his wrath. He was not going to go easy just so that Gaucho could steal his rank right back. No. If he won he won, but Levi wasn’t going to let him do this so effortlessly. Gaucho seemed to know what Levi was capable of. Levi showed him right in the beginning when his sharp hooves cut into the flesh of Gaucho’s hock area. The bay, earlier, screamed in pain… Levi wasn’t going to be ashamed this time if Gaucho would scream again. There could be no regrets from this further point and onward.

“Oumpph” Levi grunted as he and Gaucho’s right shoulders collided. Momentum from the impulse of Gaucho’s strength forced the brute backwards a few steps. Head was thrown upwards as well, jumbling his brain once again. Hooves were dragged in the sanded muds and it made it harder for Levi to find a comfortable stance. Pressing his force back towards Gaucho’s shoulder Levi only tried to steady himself so he could try and fight back. His pounding head echoed with his own heartbeat. He tried to ignore the fact that his concentration was zoning out. He was so out of his own wits that he didn’t even realize the big clump of hair missing from his mane. Gaucho was successful in grasping the hair away from Levi’s neck. And yes, Levi would not have been able to feel it anyway because of the lack of nerve in the hairline, but he still would be able to see it out of the corner of his eyes Gaucho’s pull.

The brute allowed his jaded strength to cease and proceeded to try and pass Gaucho without collapsing. The change from pushing on Gaucho and then moving left to thin air forced Levi to fall forward a bit. His neck trailed forward as well following in the footsteps of the direction his body fell. Clumsily the brute was tripping over himself until he succeeded in moving a few lengths away.

He knew he was going to lose all strength by doing this, but it was worth it in the long run. Closing his eyes momentarily, the brute conjured a small saw like blade shape. Pressing all of his energy he forced it to fly towards Gaucho’s back neck. This is where he intended to aim for.


{ Dun dun daaa...

WC: 800

Attack: 4/4

MC: 3/X

@[Gaucho]



Levi
Honor, Protection, Love.



That's what flows in my blood.

image credits
table by whit
Ascended Helovian

Gaucho The Wildfire Posts: 1,004
Deceased atk: 8.5 | def: 11.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2 :: 12 HP: 85 | Buff: PINNACLE
Mara :: Black Mamba Snake :: Paralyze & Vorsa :: Plain Zephyr :: Phoenix Odd
#14
WENT THE DISTANCE, NOW I'M NOT GONNA STOP.
JUST A MAN AND HIS WILL TO SURVIVE.
</style>



Satisfyingly Gaucho felt both his body collide with his much more feeble comrade, and felt his teeth find their purchase on Levi's neck. Were he of a different mind set, he might have felt some pity, or given pause, as Levi's body failed to react to his attacks. Was Levi simply spent? Had his time away so degraded his body that he was unable to continue? Or had his encounter with the invading unicorns been more detrimental than he thought? He choose Gaucho thought grimly as his large body pulled away. Levi had chosen this moment to prove himself - he had not been forced into it, nor had there been any urgency from the herd, or from Gaucho. If Levi had lost, it would be on his own terms.

As the rain continued to fall, even Gaucho's well-trained body was beginning to feel the effects of the challenge. The footing, while not necessarily difficult, seemed to require more energy to traverse the wet sands. His fully saturated mane, tail, and coat also added an unnecessary weight. Perhaps Levi had been wise to call him down from his patrols during a storm, but surely it hadn't been-

HHHSSSSSSSsssSsssSSsss.

In his antlers, Mara's silvery body twisted and writhed in alarm. She rocked in her bone-cradle, trying to shake her bonded's thick skull with her momentum. SSSsssSssss she cried again, pulsating images of the sand rising around Levi, and forming into a shape as it had done before. Reacting to Mara's sudden frenzy, Gaucho lunged forward, ears pinned against his skull. Unfortunately, Levi's magic moved faster through the storm than did Gaucho.

Having lowered his neck slightly as was befitting his lunge, the edge of Levi's sand-blade scraped against the top crest of his well muscled neck - striking, and then crumbling slightly as his thick, wet, mane took the brunt of the bladed side, before the impact resonated into his neck. With an angry grunt, Gaucho crow-hopped slightly, rapidly changing his course as his large head swayed in the rain, as if trying to rid himself of an invisible attacker. As bits of sand fell around his shoulders, confirming what Mara had already tried to convey to be the case, Gaucho allowed his hind-end to swing around, bringing him about to face where he thought he spied Levi through the dim curtain of rain. His neck hurt slightly, centralized where the sharper sand-blade had struck against him and then dully radiating out. But it was nothing compared to the wounds he had inflicted upon the former sergeant.

His stoic and primitive gaze fell flat, as he looked at his comrade, who appeared as though a strong wind might knock him over. Nostrils flared, Gaucho extended his wings, allowing the rain to catch and form small streams as they ran down the length of his black appendages, pooling on the ground as he walked. "Done." Gaucho said simply, as he walked past Levi. Briefly his eyes scanned over Levi's body, noting the amount of blood that had come from the silver stallion. "Levi to go to Onnmmnnnmnmeee." He mumbled quietly, though it was unclear if this was an order, or a friendly suggestion. "Gaucho finish patrol."

With a grunt, Gaucho returned to the skies from where he had come, pleased that the rain was beginning to lessen.


[WC: 561
Closing Defense. 1/1]




Image Credits
Please tag me in every post! Magic/Force is allowed on Gaucho at any time.


Official Posts: 847
Administrator
Stallion :: Equine :: ::
Official
#15
By my verdict: GAUCHO is the winner!

GAUCHO
Realism [+4]
I love the comparison that Gaucho goes over regarding his and Levi's respective strengths, weaknesses, and changes. You handled the critical hit wonderfully, with a beautiful description of the leg injury. You also had a continuous consideration of the weather as well as considerations regarding your opponent - such as the opponent tricking him. Overall, I think you have a very firm grasp on realism and Gaucho's experience shows through really well in your fights.


Emotion [+2]
"Nickering rather oafishly towards the snake - possibly the most affectionate sound he has ever to this date made - Gaucho's dark gaze turned downwards to Levi." I love this. It's so Gaucho. I didn't really find any other areas of note, but then Gaucho isn't a super-emotive character. You stuck with his character really well, and I loved the mixed feelings of scorn and respect for Levi throughout the entire fight.


Prose [+3]
I really like how you write Gaucho. He has a consistent style throughout the entire fight, there were no big grammar or spelling issues that I could find. Very nice.


Readability [+2]
Very simple to follow (like Gaucho) and a pleasure to read.

As a side note, I double checked all of the posts on both sides of this for length, as some of them were very long, and some of your counts were off from the counter I used. You never went over, but it's just something to think about in the future.


Finally tally: 47 HP

*******************************************

LEVI
Realism [-2]
"His slice on his chest was still healing, his wing could possibly be broken, and a side slice to his right barrel was still fresh. Levi was able to work with the cuts and bruises, but every time he moved, it reminded him just a little of the pain." I feel that with those sorts of injuries, particularly a potentially broken wing, Levi should have been in a LOT more pain. Those kinds of things don't just magically heal, and you don't mention him having been healed, so I'm a bit confused as to why he isn't in more pain. You make up for it a bit by talking about how bad the hit to his wing hurts, but I still feel that overall, the pain of a potentially broken wing was very heavily underplayed here in your first fighting post.

Further, in the second fighting post, the following caught my attention: "A bellowed “NOOO” had echoed even louder than the roaring thunder..." Gaucho did not yell no, he merely squealed and flailed about, or, as was written, "pantomimed NOOO". Make sure you read each post thoroughly.


Emotion [+1]
I enjoyed the determination that was present throughout the fight. Levi continuously impressed me by pushing through the pain and the poison and the craziness that is Gaucho in a desperately righteous attempt to prove himself.


Prose [-2]
I found quite a few grammar issues scattered througout your posts. "He wans’t the type to really take that," "droplets of rain fell on his scared pelt." (opening post); "aiming to trash out at Gaucho" (first fighting post) and so on. Further, in your third fighting post, this: "(Levi’s left so Gaucho’s right if you’re looking from his direction.)" was an unnecessary OOC addition to the IC portion of this post, and it really detracted from the flow. When in doubt, add footnotes at the bottom, or a summary of the attack and defense, or something along those lines.


Readability [+1]
As a general rule, your posts were easy to follow and very straightforward. Your attacks and defenses were fairly clear.

Be careful with your magic uses - the first one was very confusing to me, though you improved in the later fighting posts. Just be sure to be very clear on what you are trying to do with it.

As I did with Aud, I checked your word counts since some of these posts were very long. While they were accurate when I pasted them into word, some of them were considerably over the limit when posted into an online word counter. I'm not docking any points for this, as I can see how this could be confusing, I'm just letting you know for future reference so you are aware that different counters or programs may yield different results.


Finally tally: -1 HP








The admin apologizes for the wait! We are working on training everyone and practicing with the rubrics!

Gaucho is awarded 1VP


Forum Jump:


RPGfix Equi-venture