The big brown bear wandered in for his second match-up. He wasn't entirely sure who he'd be facing, this time; the first had been a massive white-and-pastel-colored-dragon, so now he felt certain it must be something even larger.

Sergei began to stretch, to limber up, grunting and shaking out his pelt. He'd had a snack of fish and a good rest, and he was ready for round two.

Not sure who wants to judge this thread so--whoever!
@Mongo @Azizos @Glory

Azizos strode up to the judge's panel, where his fellow judge might already be seated (or, perhaps, announcing for another competition), mane and chin just barely wet from the drink he had left to get. The lion-stag regarded the big, burly bear that had placed himself in the ring, for a moment. Silvery eyes scanned briefly for the other competitor --- Mongo, hadn't it been? --- before he shrugged and offered up some bit of magicka. Smoothly, seamlessly, he seemed to split into two halves. Unhesitatingly climbing up to the overlooking ledge, the judge began to speak.

"Our next match will pit the winner of our preliminary contest, Sergei," he indicated with a tilt of his doppelganger's head toward the bear, "and our awaiting competitor, Mongo." The slightly shimmering copy stood between the two (if the fossa even showed up) and bowed its head. "Sergei, I trust that you are familiar with the rules, but they bear repeating. Keep your claws and teeth in as much as possible and avoid serious, intentional injury. I and Glory will be watching closely for any blood shed."

Should Mongo show, Azizos's drifted self would rear up suddenly, just as he roared out, "begin!" The doppelganger would immediately disperse into a show of light and energy, allowing either wrestler to get at the other.

A small pile of berries and edible plants sat between Vladis and Ratty, allowing the two to both easily grab from the pile. Once already the two had been late for an event; they made great efforts not to do so again. And while many of the plants were a bit strange in the magic-filled cavern, there were plenty that were edible. They had found one particularly blue and white plant with strange, cluster like berries that made for a particularly nice treat. The tart was nice but it also left a sweetness in the jowls that seemed particularly appropriate for a fun event.

Soon, however, the competitors were appearing for the next round of matches. Vladis recognized the bear and gave a whoop of a cheer.

“Alrighty then!” Vladis cried, licking some of the berry juice from the fur around his maw. “It’ll be good ta see what Bear-boy can do wit a real opponent!”


Speech. Thought. Ratty's Out Loud Ratty's Telepathy

Tag:
Notes: The berries described are from the iceberry bush if anyone's curious.

Oh, this would be fun!

Mongo was always up for a spar, a chance to test his muscles and throw his slight weight. And although he didn't mind shedding blood, having to protect himself and fight for his life, it was rather nice to know that this would just be for fun.

So he trotted up to the ring, taking a moment to pry his skull off his head. It was uncomfortable feeling, and he squinted, taken aback by how bright everything was. It had been ages since he took off his skull, and the very air hurt his bare flesh. But wearing the skull would give him an unfair advantage, and he was anything but unsporting.

Trotting into the ring, he looked between Azizos and Sergei, squinting as he nodded his head, first, at the judge, and then at his opponent. "You first," he offered, shaking himself out to loosen his muscles.

@Sergei

The big bear dipped his head in acknowledgement as Mongo entered the ring, though at no point did he take his small, dark eyes off his new opponent. His last had been--at least in his mind--distinctly unsporting. Slowly, he rumbled his response.

"Hello," he began, though with his thick accent it sounded rather like "hyello." He then went on--"I will fight--ahh, honorably. I hope we both do this."

He then gave a bow to Mongo, and then paused a moment, tensing, to make it clear that he was about to attack. No surprises, here; he wanted respect on both sides, a good clean fight. Nothing like that snoozing, mocking dragon.

That said, if Mongo had watched Sergei's last fight, Sergei's start would come as nothing of a surprise. The bear was neither creative nor flexible, and so just charged straight at the fossa, aiming to slam into him with his bulk, to either knock him down or send him flying.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: Charging tackle
Defense:
Injuries:

@Mongo

Woof, was this guy massive. Thankfully, he promised to fight honorably, and Mongo planned to hold him to that. "And so I will too." he inclined his head in a bow, eyes on the bear as he waited to see what it would do.

Every Gembound telegraphed their movements, he had learned. You could tell what they would do before they did it, possibly before they knew they were going to do it, if you just knew what they were going to do. And so it was easy for the Fossa to throw himself to the side as the bear charged forward, landing on his paws and leaped forward, attempting to use his momentum to either knock the bear over, or at least unsteady him.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: Knock him over
Defense:
Injuries: (old: burn-scarred head, sensitive flesh)

@Sergei

The bear gave a startled huff as Mongo hurtled into him from the side. Had the fossa been larger, or Sergei smaller, he'd have likely fallen--as it was he staggered heavily, losing all of his own momentum.

Dust plumed from underfoot, hind paws scuffling for purchase and sending pebbles skittering across the rock floor.

His reaction was instinctive: curt and violent, a swift smash toward Mongo with the back of one forepaw, thrown out almost sideways. As Sergei regained his balance, his intent was to knock the fossa right back again--perhaps punishing it for getting so close, or at least keeping the other fighter from pressing his attack.

Round: 2/5
Attempt: Backhand Mongo
Defense:
Injuries:

@Mongo

The Fossa hissed, eye watering as his sensitive head was scraped at by the bear's coarse fur. If he had been larger, the bear probably would have been fallen, but he was rather happy with having made the bear stumble.

Regaining his footing, he crouched down, sneezing as dust went up his sensitive nose. Before he could react, there was a massive paw swinging at his head; but, crouched as he was, it soared over his head. In an attempt at retaliation, he moved to lunge forward, aiming to knock one of the bear's legs out from under it.

Round: 2/5
Attempt: Knock him over
Defense:
Injuries: (old: burn-scarred head, sensitive flesh)

@Sergei

The bear stumbled a little as his backhand connected with nothing. He regained his footing heavily, realizing a problem: Mongo was agile. He was agile, the way Eythan had been agile, not a larger, heavier being like Zeke.

He'd have to change his tactics.

With a loud huff and a rumbling growl he threw himself at the fossa as it went for his leg. He tried to get his full bulk on the smaller animal--not enough to crush Mongo, or even to really harm him, but to fully restrain his body. To get big bear arms around the fossa, and grip him tightly to his chest.

In Sergei's mind, one could not be agile if they were pinned, after all.

Round: 3/5
Attempt: Bear "Hug"
Defense:
Injuries:

@Mongo

The Fossa grinned as the bear stumbled; that was the problem with missing--all that energy had to go somewhere, and it usually went forward, throwing them off balance. Especially with a larger Gembound, such as a bear. Stronger they may be, but they were large and clunky, and he was small and agile.

But then--'Oh, shit!" he found himself intercepted, held to the bears chest in a facsimile of a hug. The Fossa grunted, and began to thrash, attempting to wriggle himself free.

Round: 3/5
Attempt: Squirm free
Defense:
Injuries:

@Sergei