Taru vs. Odin

[Kyukaku]

Heh.

[Odin Reeves]

Round two, surprisingly enough it was being held right after school. It wasn’t that there was a major issue regarding this, as this tournament was based around sleep deprivation, but it did leave little time for the students participating to get to the gym on time. For Odin, it wasn’t a matter of showing up on time; it was based on the matter of when to leave. After he got back to his dorm room at 4:15 via taxi he turned off his alarm clock and climbed into bed. When he awoke the birds were no longer chirping, but the sun was present. The glowing red numbers displayed on his bedside clock showed it was 2:18. Luckily enough for the senior, he was just that, a senior. He had only missed a few classes that day, one being Gym, the rest of his classes were spares, thus leaving him open to rest up for his second fight.

Awake and fresh after a ten hour cat nap Odin ate light, called a taxi, and changed from his PJ’s, which consisted only of boxers, into his regular fighting attire- Boxing shorts, taped ankles, shredded 4oz gloves. He covered himself up in a hoodie and sweat pants then headed down to catch his ride.

Twenty-three minutes later he arrived at the gym-playing host to the underground tournament. Ironic, an Underground tournament actually taking place underground. Shaking the thought from his head he descended down-stairs and began his warm up while waiting for the masses and other competitors to arrive. After Kurtz’s announcement he slipping into the ring, not bothering to take a look around the ring for anyone who resembles an opponent. He knew they’d show themselves; he’d just have to be patient. Unfortunately for his opponent, his patience was running low.

[taru]

"Shit."

The Odin. Are you freaking serious??? Taru knew he was f*cked already. There was no way he could take out Odin Reeves. The current champion. He's going to get slammed!!! Taru scratched the back of his head viciously worrying. He's going to get owned. Crap crap!! There's gotta be a way. To beat freaking Odin! Some freaking way! Dammit...Taru walked back into his car and drove to the tournament sweating already.

This guy is a monster. He beat everyone else. No way Taru could beat him. He isn't nearly as good. He should of watched the last fight. Goddammit man!! What can I do about this? Taru started to think as he drove. He made a few turns finally arriving. C'mon...You can do this Taru. You can do this. You some how have to defeat the champion. You don't know how. But you have to. If you don't you'll disgrace himself. He has to beat him!! Taru walked into the tournament and right in front of the ring. Taru climbed into the ring and threw off his jacket to the floor.

"Sorry for the wait. Let's do this."

[Odin Reeves]

As soon as his opponent entered through the ropes the speculation began. Odin held a good for inches height wise on him, more so in his reach due to his lengthy arms. Weight wise he figured he held roughly fifty pounds on the youngster, at least. In the end it seemed safe to say that he held the strength advantage, with reach and experience falling in there as well. He could tell this boy lacked the amount of knowledge he had gained through fighting simply by looking at his eyes. They didn’t show the ruthless nature that fighting roughed out; they were to kind, to caring to be considered a strong contender as a fighter.

Analysis however was not Odin’s strong suit, nor was mental manipulation through verbal context. That’s exactly why he never bothered to speak before or during a fight. There was no reason to; neither of them were there to make friends. If something needed to be said then it could be said after one of them takes a trip to the hospital.

Nodding at his opponent’s statement he stepped forward, leading with his left foot as his hands snapped up into guard. He shuffled forward, closing off the gap while loosening his shoulders by rotating either fist in small circles. He came in, getting well within his striking range. He was dangerously close already; more so as he entered his opponent’s range, but nevertheless he showed no fear in his movements. With no time lost his left hand pumped out, motioning that it was jabbing out. It was his opening move; it would seem no different then any other fight. But his left fist wouldn’t be the weapon of choice. Instead Odin’s hips and shoulders turned over, his body leaning forward as he threw his right fist out in a devastating straight aimed at the face of the youngster.

His move was simple in a sense; he started out with a feint, and then moved into a more direct attack while only bringing himself closer to his target. Everything he did from shuffling to the feint only brought him closer, therefore making the distance his fist needed to travel shorter. Combine that with his explosive instincts and abnormally fast hands and it could very well lead to an early knock out. Randy Couture had used the same set up in the beginning of his fight with Tim Sylvia; the only difference was that Odin didn’t need to strike upward, but rather southbound.

[taru]

Taru's guard was up the whole time. The right direct hit came right at him. What could he do in that predicament. He could block. But what wouldn't help him much. But he couldn't exactly dodge it either. He simply raised his arm completely up with his left arm covering his face but the right arm on top of it blocking the punch. Taru shifted backward and then started going in a clock wise sort of a circle around Odin.

Taru didn't want Odin to square him off perfectly. So moving in a circle was the best he could come up with. Taru had to think of a plan to take out Odin. His length is longer than Taru's. Taru needs a good distance but needs to dodge the punches or hes finished. Taru would need to wear Odin down since Taru is more hyperactive than Odin. And can move away slightly more quicker than him being shorter and lighter. Taru formulated plans before but not against the mighty Odin. Taru just had two things in concrete. Stay back, don't block too much.Those were the only two things that he was planning to do till he found an opening.

Taru then finally figured out his plan. As soon as Odin punches. Whatever side his punch was, that body isn't completely guarded. But wait, his hands are faster. What isn't faster...His..Legs! His legs aren't as fast as Taru's...Thats it Taru. His legs. Hopefully that would work. That's what Taru thought atleast. If it didn't work, well he's screwed. Taru was still shuffling in circles using minimal energy so he'd have enough stamina. His clock wise circle is what Taru hoped would help him dodge Odin a bit better.

[Odin Reeves]

Direct hit. Or so it seemed at first. Odin's vision was partially blocked by his own shoulder as his right arm extended. He felt the connection, but didn't feel the cheek bone collapsing under his knuckles, nor did he feel the jaw being forced to the side. Stepping forward to counter act the weight be put into his punch he repositioned himself with his left hand already in guard. bringing his torso back up to a more vertically inclined position he watched as his opponent began to circle around him. Odin only saw this as another opportunity to begin striking, another chance to let his fists fly without restriction.

While the younger fighter used up more energy by circling around him, Odin just began to do small pivoting steps while keeping his right leg in front. His pivoting-stutter steps continued for about one quarter of the ring before his right foot took a larger step out to the side, sliding forward slightly as it did so. Odin's right hand launched itself outward from guard, hooking around on the inside in order to connect with the bottom of Taru's jaw. Hesitation was absent from one of the fighters as his left fist started off the second punch in a furry of moves. Unlike it's predecessor it was a body shot. An extended uppercut, thrown more like a straight with the wrist upside down.

Whether or not either of these punches hit didn't matter. It was unlikely for anyone to escape either of these by reversing their movement, or back pedaling from a circling motion. Furthermore, with Odin's reach advantage he had no problem let his fists go, as that's what he did. He didn't stop at two strikes, he threw out 3 more. A straight right, an overhand left - aimed to strike downward on the nose - followed up with another right hook, only wider then the initial maneuver.

[taru]

Taru instantly thought in his head ,"Shit." Those punches we're coming straight for his face. He covered his face with his guards and bent his body so his fists protected his face and his forearms protected the punches coming toward his body. What the? The punch wasn't a straight--! The hook escaped his guard and popped Taru right in the face sending him the other direction of Odin completely. Taru's feet slid across the ring as he felt his face in pain. The body shot didn't do damage bu that hook did...Dammit he's at again!! The straight right Taru side stepped to the right then the over hand left came again but Taru put both his guard's up as an X sort of. Taru didn't move back after his X guard went up. He still had the arm on top of him till he realized another hook was coming. He quickly moved forward to escape the hook where he was face to face with Odin. His first isntinct, he hugged Odin and put his weight forward hoping to bring him down. Taru hugged Odin as tight as he could as he faced him as his intial plan of kneeing him after the right and left punches was ruined due to the hook that ruined his plan. But now with him on top of Odin this probaly would work.

ooc:If nothing made sense or wasn't possible just tell me.

[Odin Reeves]

His opponent seemed more like a rag doll when struck, flying back across the ring despite his momentum having been fixed on the opposite way. It was humorous in a sense, or at least a few spectators felt so as they didn’t hold back from laughing at the sight of Odin’s fist connecting on the inside of his opponents guard, straight against the cheek as his weight forced the smaller fighter away. One hit wasn’t enough, his fists kept flying, and like an actual competitor the young student actually evaded and tried to counter a few of the blows. But his experience and sense of detail wasn’t that high on the totem pole. His ‘hug’ on Odin was both odd looking an ineffective.

Odin had his feet planted in a basic fighting stance, his left leg back, his feet were not in a horizontal position with his hips and shoulders. His sense of balance was evenly distributed, making it harder to take him down. Combine that with the fact that all the 50lb lighter student tried to do was steam roll into him and you have a poor technique. There were no attempts at a single or double leg takedown, no attempts to trip him. Just a hug and body weight pressing against Odin’s muscular frame. It was almost embarrassing to see this past the preliminary round.

Odin gave it a second, accessed the situation, and knew it wasn’t a threat, then moved into action. His left arm came up above Taru’s head and went across his body. Bringing his bicep down he pushed it against the side of his opponent’s head, pushing him toward Odin’s left, Taru’s right. He didn’t expect the young fighter to give up on the takedown any time soon, but he would force his head off the center of Odin’s torso. Once it was off to his side Odin’s left arm wrapped around the skull and neck of the would-be warrior. He enclosed him in a headlock, meant to keep him there with little struggle. His bicep pressed against one side of Taru’s head as it flexed, pushing the other side against Odin’s rib cage.

A moment later Odin’s right hand grabbed the waistband to his opponent’s pants, and with a good grip lifted upward so that Taru’s head was the closest thing to the ground. Odin held the inferiorly lighter student at just above a 45-degree angle within the confines of his bicep, his right arm keeping the rest of the body balance. The moment following looked like something you’d see in the WWE as Odin slammed his back into the canvas. This would cause the top of Taru’s skull to strike the unforgiving surface, and could’ve likely caused his spinal cord or neck to snap if it hadn’t been for Odin’s arm bracing it in the slam. While he was ruthless in his tactics he didn’t want anyone to get seriously injured, at least not someone this inexperienced.

The other reason for this move was that he wanted to end it early. He didn’t want to waste his energy following the agile fighter around the ring, and when given a chance to end it, he took it. It was just as simple as a day in the office, and for Odin, this truly was just another day in the office.

[taru]

Taru couldn't move at all. He was screwed over completely. He couldn't give up though. He could't he had to fight at all costs. He rather go down swinging. The pain all over his body was very hard to bear. He couldn't beat Odin. But he rather give him something he would never forget. If not that, he didn't know what else. Taru felt his head banged against the surface. It hurt so much. He felt tears going down his cheeks. HE wasn't going to give up. HE was never going to give up. He had to keep fighting to the end. To the point where he would be bleeding and broken bones. He needed a plan quick. Taru squirmed as much as he could. He was in the worst position ever. Taru rolled to the end of the ring and pulled himself up slightly. His whole entire body like rubber. He could barley hold his ground. He just put his weight in his legs and his guards up. He needed to do something to Odin. Anything. He can't give up this easy. Taru held the ropes slightly so he wouldn't sway so much with one guard up still. He put the other one back up as everything was getting dizzy.

"C'mon Odin it...It isn't over yet."

[Odin Reeves]

The sound of Odin’s back and Taru’s skull connecting with the canvas was like the sound of thunder. It clattered off all four walls in the basement causing heads to turn from every which direction, if only for a moment. Odin was fine; he had thrown his body to the ground numerous times in practice, often with another 200+ pounds in the mix. This wasn’t an exception, in fact this was much easier, so much lighter it wasn’t even funny.

Relentless as always Odin rolled over once, getting into a push-up position with his chest against the floor as his eyes followed the tumbling body to the edge of the ring. For a moment he thought the kid was going to roll right on out, in which he’d gladly let him forfeit and seek medical attention. But it seemed the young challenger had one of the qualities Odin possessed: Stubbornness. He stood up, albeit with help from the ropes, and attempt to raise his arms into guard. Unfortunately this was a rather stupid move, his eyes seemed to be partially glazed over. The fight had obviously left his body, even if his will to do so was around. Odin knew it; it was time to finish this.

Pushing himself to his feet Odin lumbered in, drawing back his right hand for the final strike. His left foot led him in a soft shuffle. He got within striking distance; Taru’s striking distance, then snapped his arm out. Only, it wasn’t his cocked right fist that threw out the final strike, it was his left hand. It had remained dropped as he came in; only his fist was clenched with his wrist exposed to the younger fighter. In the millisecond his left brick-like-fist shot up in an upper cut, unseen and unpredicted by 99% of the crowd. It could’ve easily launched the lighter fighter from the ring should he have jumped a small amount.

[taru]

Taru smiled. It was over. The upper cut was coming right at him. He couldn't fight back. It was the end for him. He was shot into the air blood coming out of his mouth due to the upper cut. Blood rained down getting some on Odin. And of course the floor. He fell on the ground with two thumps. He looked up with his eyes that showed nothingness. He had lost everything. He tried his best to prove himself. But it wasn't enough. His body flat on the floor blood seeping out of his mouth. He grabbed Odin's leg as he looked up upon and flashed him a smile.

"It was..An honor to fight you Odin.."

Taru's smile slowly faded away blood still flowing out of his mouth..Blood what?!?!? Taru looked at the blood but realized...His hemophobia is nothing now. Blood is natural. Taru realized that thanks to Odin. Blood is just part of fighting. It happens. Tears came out of Taru's eyes due to his loss. He lost. Sad fate. But this Varronite was the best. He won and beated Taru fair and square. Taru felt his body crumble. He couldn't get up on his own. He looked at Odin with a bloody smile and Taru's hair messy and in his eyes drying his tears.

"Thanks Odin.."

[Odin Reeves]

Fist meets jaw, fighter gets knocked out. It was a simple equation, one Odin had preformed time and time again. Perhaps his math skills weren't as bad as he thought. Nevertheless he had launched his opponent into the air, watched him crash down. The tiny droplets of blood that landed on him were nothing, probably more saliva then anything else. He wiped them off with his forearm, smearing them across his chiseled flesh. Turning around to exit the ring he felt a hand claw at his leg.

'Aw hell. How many times do I have to finish this.' Twisting back his eyes burned with anger, nearly with an intent of malice glowing within the darkness of his pupils. He was ready to grab the boy by the scruff of his neck and toss his ten feet away. But the grasp at his leg wasn't to continue, it was to get his attention. Congratulations were fine, but they held no spot in Odin's mind. He had won, it was time to move on. He was lucky enough to score a quick win, wasting little energy, giving him an advantage moving into the next round.

Pulling his leg away he walked across the ring, paying no attention to the young fighter as the tournament personnel started to attend to him. He slipped through the top and middle rope, hopped off the raised platform known as the ring, than parted the crowd with an adrenaline pumped gaze. Now, all that was left was preparation. Perpetration for his next opponent.

While leaving the basement he was forced walk by more then one ring. One of the rings he passed by held two fighters he knew. One was Dain, someone he knew from Legion, the other was Tiao. Ah, Tiao. The lapdog of the school captain. They'd yet to finish their fight, something he looked forward to doing in this tournament should the Chinese-American make it that far. By the looks of his opponent he'd have a hard time.

[Pain Killer]

Not that I really have to say it, but...

Winner: Odin