Battle of The Bands Arc

[Anonymous]

Olguin's breath came out in loud gasps as he ran away from the others, feet pouding on the payment.

Running away again, eh?

Trying to put as much distance between himself and the others as possible, he ignored the cries and shouts of the crowd around him as he surged deeper into their midst.

You seem very good at that, at least.

Leaping over a stroller that a couple were pushing along, he growled in response to the various curses thrown at him.

Be proud, you mastered the Saotome Secret Attack. That's one thing you can hold above your brother's head.

Lowering himself, he blurred along the ground.

Can't take the fact you were turned into a glorified puppet, heh. So you run away, typical. So very typical. Trying to run away from the memories, lessee how far it takes you this time.

So, he ran.

[Anonymous]

Now, what are you going to do?

Sasami sighed, and tried her best to ignore her inner voice. Slipping the jacket on, she continued dashing towards the stage.

Do you even think you're ready?

She was afraid, but she knew the material! Blue hair billowing around her form as she ran, she grit her teeth as her inner voice persisted.

Knowing the material isn't enough. And you know that, don't you?

Her furious pace caused her to stumble slightly when her biggest doubt was stabbed right in the heart.

You don't feel what the music is trying to say.

Darn inner voice.

Why did it have to be right all the time?

Reaching a hand upwards to steady Hina-ohki, she continued onwards into the crowd.

Olguin gave you the harp, but do you have what it takes to move people? Can you move them like he moved you. Can you?

She felt her anger begin to boil over at the memory of being abandoned. Her cheeks grew red with rage when she remembered those first nights of being alone. Memories of crying herself to sleep.

Oh, but you don't blame them, do you?

No, she didn't. They had done it for her own good. She had been a hindrance before, but now...

Pushing through the surging, throbbing crowd of people, she continued on her trip.

A sly smile crossed her features.

If I win, then I'd show the world that I'm not just a bothersome little girl.

Her smile flickered slightly.

Big if.

[Anonymous]

Both were so deep in their own respective thoughts, that they weren't completely paying attention to their surroundings.

In Sasami's case, she was turning to smile and wave at a group of well wishers that had come out to give their regards to the underdog in the competition.

In Olguin's case...

Would you want to be in the way of a boy that was plowing through anything in the way.

One person rocketting towards another at high speeds...

You can see where this is heading, right?

CRASH!

The crowd that had been 'privileged' to see this spectacle covered their eyes. One even squeaked out 'the horror, the absolute horror.'

Sasami winced as she saw the little pile of humanity near her feet. To arrest one's own speed in that fashion looked painful.

Kneeling down next to the boy, Sasami carefully turned him so his face was facing towards her eyes.

"O-Olguin!" She managed to squeak out, but the boy didn't even twitch at her shocked exclaimation. Looking around her, she spotted a nearby bench.

A minute later, she had managed to move the boy on top of the bench with a bit of help from two people. Dabbing a wet towel on Olguin's forehead and wondering where her brother may be. And why Olguin looked so...sad in the glimpse she had gotten of his face.

[Anonymous]

Olguin groaned as he felt cool water trickle along his face. With a gasp, his eyes opened wide.

Causing the blue haired woman that had been gently rubbing his face with a white cloth to start. An expression of surprise crossed her face when she started falling backwards.

Arms lashing out, he grasped her by her arms. Fall quickly arrested by the action, the woman let out a quiet sigh of relief as he righted her.

"Thank you." The woman's soothing tone of voice caused Olguin to relax. Good, at least she wasn't going to yell at him for scaring her.

Swinging his legs outwards, he righted himself on the bench. "I'm the one that should give my thanks. Not many would help a guy that nearly ran them over."

The woman's pink lips quirked upwards as she smiled at him. "Well, you didn't exactly run me over, did you?"

Olguin winced, "Please, don't remind me." He rubbed his bruised cheek irriatiably in remembrance.

The woman's eyes gleamed with mirth, looking like she'd burst out laughing on the spot. She managed to hold it in remarkably well, though.

Something about those eyes...hell, something about this woman was causing his memory to tingle. But what was it?

***

He didn't know!

Sasami was both shocked and highly amused by this latest turn of events. Here she had been, feeling depressed over the fact that everyone would leave her alone once they found out.

And one of the people she was afraid of meeting didn't know!

Noticing the way he was looked at her, she flushed in embarrassment. It was weird, to be sure. She wondered if she'd ever get used to be stared at in that fashion.

But, his wasn't an intent stare of lust. No, she had been getting them all too often lately to know the difference. He's seemed more like one of curiousity.

She felt a shiver run down her spine. Maybe he did know, but he was trying to figure out what to do to her!?

Sasami bowed her head, and quietly mumbled. "I'm late to the stage, it's been a pleasure meeting you sir."

Standing up, she picked up her best friend and began to quickly walk away.

"WAIT!"

She tensed as Olguin ran up to her side, still staring at her face intently. "You're one of the performers, right? You're dressed like the Runaway Five. Do you know where Sasami is?"

Another surge of dread ran down her spine at that, but she held the emotion back remarkably well. "I do know, but I have to go to the stage. I'm late."

"Well...can I come along with you? I want to see how she's doing." He insisted.

"Um...alright."

***

The duo began to walk back to the stage area. One of them just recovering from a great trauma.

And the other getting ready to face hers.

[Dracos]

OOC:  The Axe Returns...

This is an original song.  Written by dracos.  It's probably not good at all.  But I'm trying ^_^
Part 1 of X

IC:

Four robed figures walked onto the darkened stage.  Clad in a purple robe, hood covering his face, the leader walked to the front of the stage.  Behind him a slow drum beat began, glowing green eyes shining beneath the hooded cowl of the drummer.  The lead standing in front of a mike began a slow rhythmic chant in time with the beat his form completely hidden in the darkness.

o/In the darkness I was born,/o
o/brought unto this plane/o
o/a young ma~n, seeking of his fortune/o

To his side, the swift rhythm of guitar strings began to sing.  The soft voice continued...

o/I traveled far and wide,/o
o/coming to the darkness...finding of the light/o
o/I did come among the greatest artists of the world/o
o/studied of the music of life! Of living!/o
o/I did come alone!!/o

a mechanical voice chimed in suddenly from the guitarist, eyes gleaming red.

o/Direlend, Bard of Shadows,/o
o/Greatest of the dark bards,/o
o/he did roam among the world/o
o/singing his song of doom/o

Cutting in again, the lead continued, telling of his tale...

o/My music moved all it touched,/o
o/brought tears to all men's eyes,/o
o/a melody most sweet did stem,/o
o/from my fearsome mind/o

Suddenly twin red lights from above stabbed down on the singer, head bowed low, knee to the stage.  A second guitar joined the first as the black robed figures stood beside the lead.

o/But then he came/o, howled the red eyed one to the left.
o/Stronger than the strongest bards/o, returned the blue eyed fiend to the right.
Red:o/A voice most melodious/o
Blue:o/A golden harp within his hands/o
Together: o/A Hero to all men./o

A hint of anger entered the voice of the lead singer as he began again.

o/how dare he.../o
o/survive the darkness did I/o
o/I would destroy him, that foul golden boy/o
o/And then again I would claim, strongest of the bard.../o
o/Dark lute sing, for your master calls once again!/o

Lifting from his robes, the one called Direlend brought forth a large lute and began to strum, a beautiful, though incredibly sad melody flying from his agile fingers.  His face still covered.

Backstage...a golden harp began to resonate, softly glowing.

Fearless Leader

[Anonymous]

Olguin looked apologetic when he and his companion snuck into the backstage area. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't let certain people see me."

The blue haired woman softly shrugged, looking unconcerned over the whole affair. "Don't worry, sir. I'm not bothered in the least. It makes things...eas.."

That's when the music began.

Olguin's eyes narrowed at the familiar voice...something about the day just seemed to be inspiring nostalgia. His eyes flickered over to the woman that was standing to his left side.

Hmm...

***

Sasami's eyes trembled as she heard the music. She could feel the darkness increase.

"Something is wrong here." She noticed Olguin's nod, and let out a trembling breath.

Maybe it was the stress from having him so close. Maybe.

[Asrana]

Yui sighed and nodded, this was why her parents had suggested she come along...and why she had wanted to herself.

To help him as he had helped her.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she held a hand out to Miyuki.

[Bean Bandit]

Miyuki blinked in surprise as she glanced up at the rabite, nearly going cross-eyed in the process.

"Ara?"

After a moments surprise she noticed Yui's hand. A little embarrassed, she took it, and smiled thankfully up at her, surpressing the not so slight twinge of jealousy when she looked up.

Yui-chan was definitely growing up...

[Dracos]

OOC: I continue.  I can do this, methinks.  Please don't laugh at Dracos.  He might bite you!  -.- ^_^;;

IC:

Falling from the kneeling bard, the two robed figures, grew quiet at his solo, even the drum slowly fading out as Direland's skilled fingers stole the stage.  The crowd began swaying to the dark melody.

o/I met him underground/o
o/in the prisons of antinoch/o
o/Dueled him there, my lute against his harp/o

The twin black robed figures chimed in...

o/Battling darkness against the light./o
o/Darkness to the light, they did duel/o

The drum began to beat once more....

Axe: o/but.../o

Black Robes:o/it wasn't enough.../o

Axe: o/I was too weak./o

Black Robes: o/He couldn't beat him.../o

Axe:o/So fell, did I that day./o
Axe:o/A broken man...  A nameless villain./o

Suddenly both guitars started playing as the black robed figures sung in unison...

o/And then he came/o
o/Darker than the darkest night/o
o/bringing hope.../o
o/FORTUNEEEE....and oranges..../o

Head bowed the lead continued singing... the crowd oddly moved to silence by the song.

o/he came...to me then.../o
o/in the darkness of the prison cell I lay, dying now./o
o/He came before me then./o


Black Robes:
o/lifted him up, stood his broken body high he did.... And then he sa~id.../o

The purple robed lead figure, slowly stood, as they continued singing in duet.

o/Come, Direlend, Do not despair my friend./o
o/  I shall rise ye up unto the dark, and show ye yet again./o
o/  Do not turn unto the light, do not fall unto the death...  /o
o/Standing tall show the world, the power of your heart./o

Direlend:
o/And then I rose...  My face bleeding, my body shattered.  None of these compared to the wounds of my soul.  I looked up to his smiling face, his crimson eyes gleaming...and took the devil of his soul!/o

Black Robes:
o/Throw away the teachings, become strong on your own/o
o/Stand against the light... no more the bard of shadows.../o

Direlend stood, a mighty red axe in his hand, his face unveiled before the crowd, a smile on his wicked face, his purple robes falling to the ground.

o/Now...I am The Axe!/o

Backstage the harp flashed golden light, rising by its own power into the air, a sense of peace surrounding it.  One last time it would be played by the loving hands of its master.

Fearless Leader

[Anonymous]

"What the!?" Sasami spun around to face the brightly glowing flare of light. Her eyes widened when she saw the harp that Olguin himself had given her begin to float.

"My harp!" She blurted out, only to cover her mouth with both hands.

Turning around, she came face to face with Olguin.

An Olguin who was staring slack jawed at her.

Oh my.

[Asrana]

Yui blinked at the man on stage, growing slightly alarmed and gently squeezing Miyuki's hand.

Her body tensed slightly, after the Purple People Eater, she couldn't be too cautious...

[Bean Bandit]

Hina-Ohki sniffed at the stranger's foot. She didn't like the way he was staring at her friend...She debated biting his ankle, but decided to wait to see what Sasami did...

[Shukuen]

"Yeah, I can understand that." Leets nodded, then noticed everyone seemed to have left. Looking mildly embarrassed for almost losing the group, he said, "Oh dear, come on, before we get left behind."

[Dracos]

*turns to yosho questioningly*  "Are we staying here Yosho?"

Fearless Leader

[Anonymous]

"Lets move closer to the stage. There seems to be something disturbance in the air I can't finger." Yosho mumbled, already walking closer to the stage.