Zen

[color=royalblue][size=1] [b][center] [YOUTUBE="Grand Theft Otaku Vol. 1"]e6nvVURf9Dk[/YOUTUBE] [u]Represent[/center][/b][/u] The streets aren't a place for weak people. That's the first lesson I picked up after my parents died. Me and D'Ann didn't get any breaks, all our two faced neighbors just let us get washed out in the way side. The government barely gave us anything to survive off of. D'Ann makes an honest living, works her ass off during the day to feed us. She's trying her best to get out, but that's a long ways off... and I knew that if I wanted anything for myself, I'd have to work for it. Me and a couple of my boys, we built a name for ourselves out in our district. We called ourselves the Indies. There's an ass of gangs and crews running around O-City. But we weren't part of none of that, we didn't cut no shit for O.G.s. Nah, our money was our money, and we made money. Lots of it. We started slingin' rocks when we were all about 15. There were three of us originally, everyday, we'd switch off our shifts. I'd sell Monday, JR's hustle on Tuesday and so on. While we got our boy selling, the other two would watch the block for him. We protected each other. Not just from the cops but from other gangs trying to hustle off our corners. Sometimes in this business, you gotta fight for your piece of the pie. We liked to keep to keep with throwing hands, but sometimes heat gets pulled and people get shot. Luckily I haven't had to do that yet. But I've busted some heads. That's the only thing I'm better at than slinging. I use my dope money and I take it to the gym, and I learn to do that ultimate fighting shit. I bust heads for fun, cats up there say I got talent, but I dunno. What's the chances of a ghetto kid like me making it that far? I don't think my fighting careers gonna go past my protecting my hood, yah mean? But ya never know... maybe the possibilities will present itself. Until then I gotta sling this rock, make that bread, and protect my sister from all the dickheads and rapists running around trying to put their cocks in her. God knows I've whooped some ass over that shit. Sometimes I wish she was fat and ugly so I wouldn't have to worry about this. Anyways. This is my story. They call me Lil' Z. You'll know the name next time you hear it.[/color][/size]

[center][size=1][color=royalblue][YOUTUBE="The Hit 2: The Riot"]wR9Ot2HAxLw[/YOUTUBE] [b]Chapter 26:[/b] Riot Control[/center] Joe's eye caught a sparkle, and we all moved instantly as a hail of gunfire blasted from the mercenary's dual machine guns. Sparks and ricochets surrounded me in particular as his fire focused on my location. I quickly leapt behind the courtyard fountain along with Gavin while Erica and Raiha bravely confronted the Desert Eagle wielding Annie. She fired wildly at the two while Raiha began loosing her needle arsenal. Erica, meanwhile, reached into her button shirt and withdrew a black Glock. Both women maintained a zig-zag movement as they approached their target. I watched Erica raise her gun steadily just as my line of sight was interrupted by a chunk of flying rubble. Gavin leapt from his cover and withdrew two AK-47u's from his person. The miniature versions of the Russian assault rifles seemed like cap-guns in Gavin's large hands. I started to feel left out, as I was the only person without firearms. Gavin began to walk sideways and let off bursts of fire at Joe, who simply stayed his ground without hesitation. I watched as short spurts of blood flew off his person, bullets grazing his arms and torso. He hardly seemed to even realize that he was being shot. Gavin was unable to get a clean hit as Joe had yet to end his own firing. Large machine gun shell casings fell into piles at Joe's feet. Blocks of concrete and rubble burst out of the pavement and marble fountain as the vicious gunfire flew through the air. It was a literal firestorm occurring, and the surrounding Japanese residents were terrified, every pedestrian for several blocks had ran scared into the distance. While Joe and Gavin occupied one another, I took my opportunity to rush Joe from the side. Unsheathing my blade, I ran low to the ground with my sword and sheath to my sides. Joe caught my movement from the corner of his eye and turn one of his RPD's in my direction, simultaneously firing at me and Gavin at once, all the while manically laughing. My speed accelerated and I began to leap side to side in bursts in order to avoid his already shoddy aim. The massive recoil of the weapons didn't provide steady shooting, but the immense fire power and large ammunition more than made up for that. Pieces of sidewalk and cement flew into my face as the large bullets bounced around my feet. I leapt forward and planted my feet firmly before pulling into a double leg misty flip, closing the distance finally between me and Joe. Before I could go into attack mode, Joe was already turning his body to assault me with the RPDs, now like heavy clubs. I dodged the slow, trudging swipes easily and swung my blade across his chest. He slid back, but I still managed to make a shallow cut on his sternum. However, his counter was unflinching as he brought his heavy booted foot into my stomach hard, causing me to keel over and cough harshly. I felt blood enter my mouth from my esophagus and quickly realized that Joe's brute strength was on par with Gavin's. Before I was able to recover, I felt the hot steel of a gun barrel smash against my chin. The uppercut gun butt sent me reeling backwards and I fell onto my back. As I attempted to look up, all I could see was a large machine gun barrel pointing down at me. Behind it was Joe's heinous grin. He licked his teeth as he slowly brought his finger down onto the trigger. Then, out of nowhere, Gavin's enormous body flew across the pavement and slammed into Joe hard with a powerful shoulder ram, which sent the mercenary rolling across the ground. Gavin raised his two weapons as my eyes drifted towards his face, a murderous, berserker-like expression on his face. Bloodthirst in his eyes. The Crusader had awakened. [b] "Amen."[/b][/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] In no particular order... [LIST=1] [*]Jay Z [*]Wu-Tang Clan [*]Hieroglyphics [*]Souls of Mischief [*]KRS-One [*]Lil' Wayne [*]Papoose [*]All That Remains [*]Dead Kennedys [*]John Mayer [*]John Legend [*]The Game [*]The Sex Pistols [*]The Ramones [*]The Raconteurs [*]HOME MADE Kazoku [*]The White Stripes [*]Ludacris [*]Nujabes [*]MF Doom [*]mc chris [*]MC Lars [*]Foo Fighters [*]Power Glove [*]J Dilla [*]Madlib [*]Invisbl Skratch Piklz [*]Green Day [*]Run DMC [*]The Beastie Boys [*]Blondie [*]Mix Master Mike [*]Kanye West [*]DJ Q*Bert [*]Hello Tomorrow [*]Weezer [*]The Pillows [*]Metallica [*]James Brown [*]Dragon Force [*]Justice [*]Daft Punk [*]WALE [*]Sir Mix-A-Lot [*]N.E.R.D. [*]All Get Out [*]Snoop Dogg [*]Dr. Dre [*]Tupac Shakur [*]Notorious B.I.G. [*]Eminem [*]Lynrd Skynrd [*]Jefferson Airplane [*]Black Sabbath [*].38 Special [*]Tha Masters of Death [*]Killarmy [*]Ghostface Killah [*]Gza [*]The Young Bloodz [*]The Young Gunz [*]The Cool Kids [*]Cobra Starship [*]Fall Out Boy [*]My Chemical Romance [*]Freeway [*]Jason Castro [*]Cut Chemist [*]DJ Numark [*]Quasimoto [*]The Pharcyde [*]A Tribe Called Quest [*]Outkast [*]Lil' Flip [*]U.G.K. [*]The Seat Belts [*]Michael Jackson [*]The Bee Gees [*]Force of Nature [*]Five-Point Palm [*]Lamb of God [*]Wolfmother [*]Maximum The Hormone [*]FLOW [*]Gorillaz [*]Peanut Butter Wolf [*]The Temptations [*]Aretha Franklin [*]Chaka Khan [*]Earth, Wind, and Fire [*]Blink 182 [*]Sum 41 [*]Death Before Dishonor [*]Set Your Goals [*]NESkimos [*]Barenaked Ladies [*]Nas [*]Del The Funkee Homosapien [*]Arctic Monkeys [*]Bob Dylan [*]Bob Marley [*]Das-EFX [*]Priestess [*]Alicia Keys [*]The Offspring [*]X-Ecutioners [*]Beat Junkies [*]Mobb Deep [*]Rise Against [*]E-40 [*]Keak Tha Sneak [*]The Pack [*]Too $hort [*]The Rolling Stones [*]The Time Machine [*]Johnny Cash [*]Iron Maiden [*]Deep Purple [*]Led Zeppelin [*]Pink Floyd [*]N.W.A. [*]Grandmaster Flash [*]Percee P [*]Guilty Simpson [*]Rage Against The Machine [*]Chris Brown [*]Dropkick Murphys [*]Avenged Sevenfold [*]Chemical Brothers [*]Cypress Hill [*]Ratatat [*]DangerDoom [*]Gnarls Barkley [*]David Banner [*]Dialated Peoples [*]Jurassic 5 [*]The Fugees [*]Mos Def [*]Talib Kweli [*]Nirvana [*]Q-Tip [*]The Darkness [*]Red Hot Chilli Peppers [*]The Loudness [*]Pantera [*]Swollen Members [*]Missy Elliot [*]The Killers [*] Three 6 Mafia [*]AFI [*]Madvillain [*]Busta Rhymes [*]Black Eyed Peas [*]Dizzee Rascal [*]Paul Wall [*]Chamillionaire [*]Slim Thug [*]Lil' Keke [*]Slick Rick [*]Zion I [/LIST] I'm sure there's more, but that's all for now. Its kind of hard to define my musical tastes, but I'm primarily Hip Hop. But I love all kinds of music.[/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] Well, OB has a long (though murky) history of Rap Battles stretching back to the days of the old Battle Arena where Charles and myself held battles of epic lyrical complexity. You don't necessarily have to be a fan of Hip Hop to take part in this, but I think it'll be fun. This fits somewhere in between the Theatre, here, and the Anthology. And while this has more to do with music and lyricism than literature or role-playing, I figured here would be the most appropriate place to have it. Being that other games have been allowed and have been successful, I figured there wouldn't be much harm. This is slightly off a whim, but I've wanted to do this for a while anyways. [b]Rules:[/b] Keep language as clean as possible. Follow the forum rules. Keep verses from 8-16 lines long. [b]Direction:[/b] Write a 8-16 rap verse to either show your talent or to confront a person who has posted before you. Quotes will help to signify you are responding to an individual's post. You may post a beat via YouTube other link if your rhymes are to be used in that context, though this is not manditory. Here's an [b]example:[/b] [YOUTUBE="Battlecry"]u_DuuJvdIEE[/YOUTUBE] This is the passion of a six foot assassin/ Forever life lastin' my dope rhymes is blastin'/ Firin' hot flows turn MCs to bones/ Known to bust domes and break microphones/ The inter-galactic rap cat fanatic/ Struck one time aflame like a matchstick/ Words like they magic, pull hats outta rabbits/ Lines automatic doin' verbal gymnastics/ Microscopic MCs, please, ya'll should drop it/ Short-sighted suckas with minds that be myopic/ Hot like tropic, the microphone Miyagi/ None beyond me, flow is far from sloppy/ That's basically how you do it. Now someone may respond to me, or just post there own thing and continue to do so. This is basically a lyrical contest of who's better or more creative with their wordplay and lyricism over whatever beat (or not) that they decide to go with. I hope this catches on. Start whenever and have fun.[/color][/size]

[quote name='Raiha'][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]You meant...Raiha not Erica when describing the second outfit the second female was wearing? Yes? Oh well. I'll proceed as normal. Dibs on gouging out Annie's eyes. Wait your turn Eriju. *prod*[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue][size=1] Ooops. Well, I fixed that little error. Thanks for pointing it out for me.[/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] I just finished reading [b]The Road[/b] by the enigmatic Cormac McCarthy, author of [b]No Country For Old Men[/b]. The book is about a father and his son struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic America. Its never really adressed what happened to destroy society, or why. The story is about the father and the son's trials while they attempt to travel south before the northern winter kills them. It was an extremely good read and I'd suggest it to anyone. Its an emotional story and disturbing on some levels in the realistic depiction of humanity on the brink of survival. I loved it. Right now, I'm about to read [b]World War Z[/b] for the third or so time, easily my favorite book by author Max Brooks who also did the [b]Zombie Survival Guide[/b], which I read snips of when bored. If you haven't had a chance to read either, I suggest those as well, but especially the former. It reads like an oral history report while the ficticious author travels the world, interviewing different people and getting their individual stories during the zombie pandemic that swept the world and nearly destroyed humanity. Such a great book, very emotional, and deeply haunting. Your pretty much garaunteed to find a character in the story that you can relate to on some level. Check those out.[/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] [center][img]http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/5513/hitmantextxp7.jpg[/img] [b]Chapter 25:[/b] Hello Tomorrow.[/center] Blood and dirt flowed with the water off of my body as I stood in the shower, my head down as the hot water poured down my neck and back. Several large bruises were scattered along my body, but I felt lucky for the lack of gunshot wounds and broken bones. However, I was afraid that I may have some deep muscle or bone bruising. Note to self, mechanical men tend to hit a little harder than regular joes. I stood nude in the steaming hot shower for some time, plotting in my mind the next move I should make. I could either wait for The Riot to find me, lay in waiting for them, and by God's good graces come out victorious before rushing off to do what I came to do... Or I could risk being attacked by the Riot while my pants were down facing another opponent like last time. Option A sounded much better, but I could only wait for so long. Or I could be worrying for no reason. For all I knew, Gavin's hunch could be wrong. But I doubted it... After toweling off, I looked myself in the mirror. I looked pretty horrible still. My eyes were visibly tired, and my face was still swollen from being pistol whipped into eternity earlier. I brushed my teeth and shaved. Taking a moment to have a good look at myself in the mirror, I looked into my own brown eyes and ran a hand through the short auburn hair on top of my head. I wondered how many more times I would see my own reflection, or if that reflection would be the same me. I'd changed. I could tell. A killer instinct had reawaked in me that I'd lost. But something new was coming into the equation, and I wasn't sure if I liked it... I returned to the room where everyone else was fast asleep. Erica slept on the top bunk on the left side of the room while Gavin and Raiha laid sprawled on the floor to the right. I shrugged and laid down on the bottom bunk-hole in the wall. I wore nothing but my boxers, but I doubted modesty would be an issue with company like this. I crawled beneath my covers and before I could even get comfortable, I was asleep. It'd been a long day. I dreamed again. A vivid vision of battle as me and Gavin ran fearlessly into battle against a thousand foes. Death poured from our weapons as we slaughtered the men before us mercilessly, and I roared in triumph and blood thirst. I watched myself in battle from out of my body and I saw a monster. Rage and joy mixed in a contorted expression on my face, my eyes burning red with blood. I woke to a forceful nudging at my side. I turned to see Erica's bespectacled, her hand poking my side with an pointing finger. [b] "Come now, its almost noon."[/b] [b] "Am I still in Japan?"[/b] [b] "Yes. And we have a lot of work to do, so get up."[/b] [b] "What's on the menu today, then?"[/b] I pulled the covers from off of myself, forgetting that I was mostly naked. Erica blushed visibly, but kept her composure. [b] "We're going to go chase down a few leads to find the Black Hand's headquarters."[/b] [b] "Well,"[/b] I stood up and began pulled my bag towards me, rummaging for clothing, [b] "where are we starting?"[/b] [b] "Just get dressed and meet me outside."[/b] Erica stood up straight and began to make her way out the door. She wore a trendy outfit comprised of a pair of vintage jeans, bright sneakers, and a green button-up pattern shirt with rolled up sleeves. It was the first time I'd seen her in anything other than business attire. I guess she really was just a normal young woman after all. Even if she was a world-class bodyguard and assassin. I'd finished dressing myself in a pair of loose blue jeans, black Adidas Sambas and a tight Bruce Lee t-shirt. I grabbed my odachi and tossed it over my shoulder, holding it from its long black rope cord. Before leaving the room, I styled my hair in a mirror and attempted to pump myself up. I hoped that maybe I wouldn't have to kill anyone today. I stepped into the elevator and made my way down. The door opened and I saw that Erica, Gavin, and Raiha all stood together talking, waiting for me I could guess. Raiha was dressed in a dark outfit of a violet hood jacket and black a black tank top and goucho pants. Gavin wore his normal slim black suit, but carried no cross with him, though I was certain he was still armed. I walked to them and spoke. [b] "Yo, we ready to go?"[/b] [b] "You took long enough... we gotta get going."[/b] Raiha started walking as she talked, the others followed to the door. [b] "James told us that there is a local night club that's a front for drug distribution around the area. We're going to go there now and stake out for a bit before making our way in and-"[/b] Raiha stopped as the sliding door opened in front of us and we looked on to the hotel court yard. The four of us all stood dumbfounded at the site before us. Two figures dressed in black cargo pants and tank tops stood in front of us. A man and a woman, both holding weapons and looking directly in front of us. Joe and Annie. The Riot. Joe lifted both arms up, holding a round-clipped R.P.D.* in each hand, a maniacal and excited smile on his face. Annie lifted her own platinum plated Desert Eagles as well, a sly smirk on her lips. Joe grinned maliciously and spoke in a gritty rasp, [b] "Time for some fun!"[/b][/color] *R.P.D. = A Soviet made light machine gun, normally mounted or wielded with two hands.[/size]

[quote name='Darren']I'm sorry, oh Zen master, I don't possess the ability to impress girls by not wearing a shirt! :p Seriously though, I think I've seen 1 picture of you fully clothed... I think I've seen your chest more than my own. (and that's no lie. I don't look at myself in the mirror) I think it could be harmful to my health...[/QUOTE] [color=royalblue][size=1] If anything, my sexy visage should inspire you to hit the gym. I earned this build, baby. Hard work, sex, and candy.[/color][/size]

[quote name='Zombie_Nosh'][COLOR="SeaGreen"]What? You have no pictures with you wearing clothes? [/COLOR][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue][size=1] I'm afraid not. My huge man muscles won't fit in normal shirts.[/color][/size]

[size=1] [b]OOC:[/b] Thank you all for the comments. The music addition will only be for fight scenes to add mood, because I don't think it will always fit in every situation, but I do plan on using music more often in the future. I hope you continue to enjoy it. Also, please forgive grammatical errors until I get them corrected. Microsoft Word hates me. [color=royalblue] [center][img]http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/5513/hitmantextxp7.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center]Chapter 24:[/b] Don't Come A Knockin'.[/center] Erica and I were very fortunate that our fights had been brief. Police sirens could be heard far off in the distance, and a small crowd of curious onlookers had begun to gather outside the now abandoned sushi bar. Rubble, gore, and empty shell casings now filled the once prestine cafe. The two of us would have to be quick in our escape, and leave behind the bodies of our opponents. Hopefully we didn't leave any DNA back on the scene. Grabbing my weapon, the two of us pushed our way through the shouting, grabbing crowd, stained with crimson and sweat. The jog to the hotel was one of the longest three blocks I've ever encountered in my life. I found myself looking over my shoulder every few seconds, paranoid of the police and stray followers from the sushi bar. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think I was also afraid of seeing the shadowy visage of an assassin trailing me, as Retribution had warned with his dying breath. Asserting ourselves rudely through pedestrian traffic, we caught many strange, questioning looks, which only served to make me even more nervous. Approaching the tall hotel, we slowed our pace and attempted to appear incognito, walking in calmly and scanning our room key at the front desk for entrance. The clerk gave us a forced smile and welcome, and we continued along the elevator. We entered the first one to arrive, which happened to be crowded already by various individuals. The elevator ride was almost as long as the walk. I attempted to look dead ahead of me and avoid the odd stares shot at me from the various business men and tourist aboard. Stinking of blood and persperation. I could only imagine what this looked like. I decided just to stay queit. When we arrived at our floor, me and Erica stepped off quickly. As soon as our feet left the elevator, a suspicious looking older Japanese businessman began to frantically press the door-close button. As the two steel slabs began slowly close I gave the man a cockeye and flipped the bird before it completed. He gave me a disgusted and fearful look just as the door shut. As soon as the doors closed, I heaved a huge sigh. It was the first time I'd breathed since leaving the cafe. I think Erica released some pent up air herself before we made our way back to the room. [b] "Man... I can't believe I'm actually happy to be here..."[/b] I said with relief as Erica slid the key into the door. Opening the sliding door, a thick odor of bodily fluids and hormones floated into my nostrils. [b] "Ah! What smells like sex?!"[/b] I half-groaned and shouted as I stepped in to see Gavin and Raiha curled together on the floor with several pillows and blankets over and beneath them, both a satisfied and tired look on their faces. [b] "You might want to get us some new sheets, there, Zen."[/b] Raiha laughed at me, a lit cigarette hanging from her lips. [b] "Aw! Gross!"[/b] I spat. Normally sex wouldn't gross me out, but the general intensity and warmth spread across the room let me know that some freaky stuff had gone down, along with the several red scratches and bite marks spread across Gavin's large body. Not to mention the smell. [b] "Come now, Zen? Was it now? It's just love making between husband and wife."[/b] Gavin's spoke with a smile, as if he were my older brother. [b] "What the hell? A guy whom I've had a fight to the death with just blew his load all over my sheets! This is by and far the weirdest situation I've ever walked into."[/b] [b] "You obviously haven't known Raiha a long time, Zen."[/b] Erica chimed in from behind me, stepping into the room and retrieving her personal bag. [b] "I'm going to go freshen up,"[/b] she gave me a quick once over. [b] "I suggest you do the same."[/b] Erica stepped past me back into the hallway towards the bathroom. [b] "What's that supposed to..."[/b] I looked down at my messy, bloody clothes and skin and realized that she was right. [b] "Oh."[/b] [b] "You look like you've been through something, there, old friend."[/b] Gavin gave a concerned look at my appearance. [b] "Yeah, me and Erica ran into some trouble out th-, wait, did you just call me old friend?"[/b] Gavin shrugged with a smile. I might as well forget any grudge, because it was obvious he already had. [b] "Nevermind... we ran into two assassins while we were out. Retribution and White, or 8bit, whatever... they're dead. We got away before the cops showed up."[/b] [b] "That was faster than I expected. Black Hand works fast..."[/b] Gavin spoke contemplatively. [b] "What do you mean? You knew about this?"[/b] [b] "Of course, word travels quick through the underworld. Black Hand knows about James' little deal with you, Zen. They've probably hired some of the world's best to take care of you... But you say you killed them?"[/b] [b] "Yeah. I'd fought them before but apparently I didn't do a good enough job.... One of them told me that more were coming before he died."[/b] [b] "I think I might know who he meant..."[/b] [b] "What?! How? Who?"[/b] My heart sank slightly and I could feel my eyes widen. [b] "The Riot."[/b] [b] "But I thought you-"[/b] [b] "They got away, I'm afraid, after you beat them to James..."[/b] A cold sweat began to well up on my forehead and fear ran up my spine and through my veins. Black Hand wanted me dead in the worst possible way if they were willing to hire psychopaths like The Riot. Raiha laughed and snuggled into Gavin. [b] "Well, you're pretty much fucked, huh?"[/b][/color][/size]

[quote name='Darren']I agree totally. And I don't hate the camera! You know what they say: "The bigger, the better!" =][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue][size=1] That's a pretty lame attempt at flirting, there, Darren.I lol'd. Kiddin', I'm kiddin'. But yeah, here's some recent photos of myself, since its been a long ol' time since I last posted some. [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Cybernator/Guard006.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Cybernator/Guard002.jpg[/IMG] [/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] I'm not going to read to much into the thread (except 'LOL at the Pizza Hut adds') because you guys are gonna ruin the whole damn thing for me. But apparently [adult swim] is going to start airing it this month, so I'm going to start on it then. This'll be my first series in which CLAMP is involved and also the first "Mecha" series I've seen since Eureka Seven. While the character designs seem a bit too cliche for my normal tastes, the mecha designs look awesome and from what I have read here thus far, the series must have good animation, so I'll look forward to that. I'm hoping that the plot holes that you guys have been talking about don't last too long, because I really want to like this series (which is apparently critically acclaimed in Japan). I'm hoping that it'll become one of my new favorites along with Death Note and Eureka Seven.[/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] Being that the story is being told through a first-person perspective, it'd be unrealistic to say that I was watching your fight while simultaneously fighting my own cybernetic opponent. But I'll try my best to have a fight scene where I can highlight certain people other than myself (maybe have me step back and watch). And yes, Gavin and Raiha are coming back in the next chapter. Again, its hard to tell multiple story lines using a first person perspective. So every character involved has to be currently involved with Zen, otherwise he has no idea what they are up to or doing or thinking. Look to the bright side, Raiha and Reve. Atleast you didin't get chopped to pieces like 8bit or Retribution. But thanks for the comments everyone. I'm glad you are enjoying the story.[/color][/size]

[color=green][size=1] [b][u]DigiDestined[/u][/b] [b]Name:[/b] Russel O'Brady [b]Age:[/b] 16 [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Crest:[/b] Luck [b]Appearance:[/b] Russel stands roughly at 6'0" tall, and weighs some 10 stone (150 lbs). He has a fair complexion and sharp features on his head, which include a strong jaw and piercing green eyes. His dark auburn-red hair is worn short and messy ontop his head. He is normally seen wearing a green-wool turtleneck sweater and thin brown cotton britches, which show his thin, but muscled legs below the knee. He wears brown short-top boots on his feet. He is thin but strong bodied, and has rough knuckles from many fights and conflicts in his life. [b]Background:[/b] Russel's father was clan leader of the O'Brady's, a group of Irishmen known for their short tempers and love of fights. While to most this would describe a 'typical irishmen', the culture of his clan stems from an old warrior culture still prevelant in them as they rebel against British rule. Russel held fast to his father, his mother dying upon his birth, and he has been raised to become a future clan leader himself. Russel spent a great deal of his youth learning the warrior ways from his father, along with hunting and leadership skills. His adolescence and teenage years have been spent fighting British authorities. These experiences have turned him into a headstrong youth with a defined sense of personal justice, honor, and pride. He has also built up a reputation for his effective, albeit unorthodox, fighting abilities. Russel is popular amongst his clansmen and young women of his community. His future as clan leader is promising.[/color][/size]

[size=1]I managed to mumble some coherent words. ?She?s a beauty. Holy shit.? ?That?s her name,? Naomi said, getting in the car. ?Her name is Holy Shit??[color=royalblue] I laughed pretty hard at that one, haha. I'm still liking it alot man. I'm glad somebody finally knows Kensley is who he says. Now I wanna know why she cares if he lives or dies.[/color][/size]

[size=1] [b]OOC:[/b] I'm going to try something different now. Something that I don't think has been tried outside of Kill Adam and a few select RPGs. I'm gonna try to get a soundtrack going for each fight scene. So, if you want to hear some music while you read to add some mood to the action, feel free to click on the youtube window. If not, just read, I'm sure the experience won't be that different, I just thought it'd be interesting and kinda cool. Enjoy.[center][color=royalblue] [YOUTUBE="The Hit 2 Soundtrack: 8bit vs. Zen"]zG8Q9zUkVqQ[/YOUTUBE] [b]Chapter 23:[/b] Unleashed [/center] A hot flash of instinct and anger overcame my mind and body, starting from my heart and pulsing through my veins with a healthy dose of adrenaline. My eyes dilated, the hair covering my body all stood on end, and a wave of heat overcame me. My muscles all tensed at once and suddenly my left hand, as if on its own, whipped forth and snatched the barrel of 8bit's APS. My eyes looked into his, an expression of unshakable fury carved into my features. A look of fear slowly spread over 8bit's face, and I knew then that I would not lose. Because I was a killer. I pulled the APS down to the floor just as 8bit began firing rounds off in a panic, sending pieces of broken marble into the air. I roared with a fiery battle cry and brought my blade down on his arm, aiming for his shoulder, but he quickly realized the danger and released his weapon. Stepping back several steps, he put up his hands, ready to fight. I smiled, showing my teeth like an alpha male wolf ready to defend his territory. My legs pushed from beneath me and propelled my body across the room at my opponent; a flurry of sword slashes erupting from me. 8bit expertly dodged, blocking the odd strike with his cybernetic arm. I saw through the corner of my eye his leg shoot up to counter attack, but I blocked with my blade's side and pushed it back to the floor. Swinging around in a three-sixty, I raised my own foot into the air and slammed it aside 8bit's face, causing him to stumble a few feet before throwing another attack me, this time a straight punch to my jaw with his normal hand. My head jerked back, but 8bit and I both knew that he couldn't match me in a hand-to-hand battle. He ran for his APS left on the floor behind me, but I threw my blade like a spear in between him and the gun, causing him to spin around and look in my direction. However, I was already in the air, my leg cocked in, ready to unleash a straight piercing kick onto 8bit's head. His body quickly ducked beneath my attack, but my second leg shot out as well, bashing 8bit's surprised face, sending him onto his back. I grabbed my sword as he quickly did a kip-up, and once again tried to assault me with hand to hand. His movements were quick, but it was obvious that he didn't possess the talent to back up his newly gained body. He screamed aloud in frustration while I danced around his various punches and sloppy kicks, [b]"Stand still, you bastard!"[/b] I didn't respond, I was in the zone. My fight mode had been engaged for once, unhindered by fear or surprise attack. For the first time in a long while, I felt as though I was fighting at my peak, at last. 8bit threw yet another messy high kick at my head, but I ducked beneath it, and in a swift counter attack, I brought my blade across his still-flesh abdomen. His clothing tore open and blood spilled from the deep gash, spreading across the room as he ended his rotation from the kick. He growled in pain, and grabbed at his chest. Normally I would've given an individual the option of ending the fight now, and seeking medical attention. However, this wasn't the first time 8bit had tried to kill me, and I wasn't going to risk him coming back a third time. A hoarse roar belted from my lungs as I ran forth for the final blow, but 8bit blocked swiftly with his cybernetic arm. This time, however, it didn't hold up as well, and my blade cleaved directly through his wrist, effectively severing his hand. Black lubricating oil and electrical sparks burst out from the wounded prosthetic, and 8bit was clearly afraid for his life at this point. He withdrew from his battle position for a moment, as if attempting to contemplate whether or not he should run. But I wouldn't give him a choice. My attack continued, I ran forth several feet and then planted my right foot onto the floor, leaping into a spinning slash, I brought my blade down across 8bit's left arm at the bicep, leaving behind a deep gash in the muscle. My blade continued along its path and left another laceration in his upper torso. Blood splashed from the wound onto my clothing and face. 8bit howled in agony, and dropped down to his knees, leaping off to the side and rolling. Slowly gaining his footing again, his left arm hung useless from his side, unable to move due to a severed bicep. His right arm, minus a hand, was equally useless at this point. However, 8bit still had an undaunted look on his face, despite the blood gushing from his lips and abdomen. [b]"You motherfucker... do you see *cough*, do you see what you've done to me?!"[/b] he spit a large glob of blood onto the floor and grimaced. [b]"You'll pay!"[/b] He rushed forward head first with a raised cybernetic stump over his face. He recklessly swung at me with his legs, kicking and swinging his shins around attempting to land a blow on my head and chest. I dodged three swift, but clumsy attacks, and then ended 8bit's attempts by severing his left leg at the knee with a powerful slash. Similar oil and sparks burst from the limb as his shin and foot fell to the floor. He screamed in hatred at me as he fell to the floor, now useless. All mercy had left my psyche as I looked down without remorse at downed opponent. A frown spread across my lips and I put my foot down onto 8bit's heaving chest. [b]"Now you listen to me."[/b] I spoke in a cold tone, no emotion. [b]"You're going to tell me who sent you... now!" [/b]I placed heavier weight onto my foot over his sternum. 8bit coughed up blood and spat the crimson up at me. [b]"Fuck you!"[/b] he screamed as he squirmed beneath me. It crossed my mind what he'd said before, and it was evident by his obvious anger and bared emotion that he had no secrets he was holding. [b]"Go to sleep."[/b] I lifted my odachi into the air and plunged the blade into 8bit's heart, ceasing his breathing and movement. His faced grimaced once last time as he looked up to my eyes with pure anger, as if cursing my soul before dying. With once last cough, a final burst of blood gurgled from his lips and his life finally ceased. At that very moment, Retribution saw from across the room my last action. No longer focused on the fight with Erica, he shouted in rage and sorrow at me. [b]"Bit! YOU FUCKING BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU!"[/b] He screamed as he ran past Erica, his gun pointed at me, firing as he ran towards me foolishly. Unfortunately for Retribution, I was still in kill mode. I ducked low and zigzagged in-between his random shots, and with a single motion, brought my blade across his belly and liver. The rest of my body continued past Retribution. Slowly stumbling to a stop, he fell to his knees behind me, and then onto his face. A puddle of blood surrounded Retribution as he bled out rapidly. I steadily paced back towards him as he breathed his last breath. I raised my sword to end his life mercifully, but I stopped when I realized sounds emitting from his lips. Laughs. [b] "Hehehehe... We aren't the only ones.... Hehehehe... You will die, you bastard. You will die." "What? Who? Who's coming?! Who hired you?!"[/b] my angered voice spoke, attempting to get answers from the dying man. But he was already dead. [/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] Well, what about the other members of Hebi? I thought Kisame was fighting water homeboy? I still want to see that fight, myself. I wonder how Kisame will deal with the news about Itachi (if he survives long enough to learn). I wanna see more! NOA![/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1] Like sweet chocolate, my friend. I usually don't read too many anthology entries other than the occassional OB fic, but I actually really like reading this here. If it were a book, I think I'd buy it. Love it.[/color][/size]

[size=1][b]WOOT! I'm excited for this one, haha. I'm glad to know you've found a good balance. Tell me how it is.[/b] [color=royalblue] [b]Name:[/b] Kent "Coyote" Kotsee (Firestone in Plains Apache). [b]Age:[/b] 22 [b]Physical Description:[/b] Kent stands at a slim, but sturdy 6’1”. He weighs some 159 lbs, naked. Kent’s caramel skin shows his mixed heritage of Native American and white (most say Irish). His sharp, strong jaw is normally covered by a light stubble. His pronounced features are accented by startling green eyes, rare for men of his race. Long black hair is kept combed back, sharply pointing beneath his normally worn telescope crown brown cap. He is usually seen wearing a dirty white shirt, a brown poncho with Apache design patterns across it in white hangs over his shoulders almost always. He is partial to wearing brown denim jeans with dark leather boots, silver five-point spurs hanging off the heels. Several small scars are scattered across Kent’s body, particularly his face and hands, showing many years of conflict and violence in his life. His hard-worked palms are decorated with many calluses, and his thin body is none the less lean with cut muscles due to these life long labors. Kent wears two holster belts, each one holding a different weapon on each side of his hips. His left holster is home of his legendary wide-hunting knife, on the right, his trusted Smith & Wesson Model 29. [b]Personality Description:[/b] Years of prejudice and rough and tumble living have turned Kent into an antisocial individual. He has next to no appreciation for social conventions and rarely fails to offend those he meets with his carefree attitude and loose mouth. Without respect for authority figures or those who attempt to place themselves above him socially, Kent will purposely offend such individuals to show his views on them. He is regularly run out of towns for his notoriety, but has also gained the respect of those who appreciate the outlaw lifestyle. His reputation occasionally precedes him, and often it overshadows his deep personal code of justice. An advocate for those too weak to fight for themselves, for the mistreated and forgotten, Kent will, beyond his better judgment, place himself in the face of great adversity in order to defend those in need. [b]Biography:[/b] From birth, Kent’s life was filled with bloodshed, violence, and personal loss. Prior to being born, Kent’s white father was lynched for taking an Apache woman for his wife. After being born, Kent’s mother struggled to raise the boy alone amongst her tribe, who looked down on both as tainted by the white man’s touch. Unaccepted by most other members of his tribe, the only figure whom Kent had any attachment to amongst the Apache was his uncle. Becoming the closest thing to a father the boy had, Kent’s uncle would teach him the warrior ways of his people. He was educated in the use of the hunting knife, how to track prey, and also how to fire a gun. Approaching his manhood, the boy had been sent out across the desert on a lone hunting trip to fend for himself, promised that he would become a man amongst the tribe upon his return. When the journey was finally over, he returned to find that his home had been raided by white outlaws. His family and tribe had all been murdered ruthlessly by the faceless individuals. Filled with rage and sorrow, Kent spent several weeks amongst his tribe grounds, burying the bodies left out to be eaten by carrion beasts by the bandits. After his ordeal was finished, he gathered his things and set out to find the men who had destroyed his only home and family. He would later learn that the men who had done so were members of a group called the “Red Mountain Outlaws” led by a mysterious gunfighter named Clark Winslow. Kent spent three long years tracking down the members of the Red Mountain Outlaws, and one by one, he located and killed each of them mercilessly, all the while collecting the bounty’s that had accumulated on their heads. Along with the money, Kent had also earned himself a reputation as a dangerous bounty hunter and outlaw. Supported by his bounty money from the lives of the other Red Mountain Outlaws, Kent has finally set out upon the last surviving member of the group. Their leader, Clark Winslow. Kent is currently on the road to Lore, Arizona. [/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue] [center][img] http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/5513/hitmantextxp7.jpg[/img] [b]Chapter 22:[/b] Bits & Pieces.[/center] [b] “Do you know those two?”[/b] Erica asked me while I stared blankly, slack-jawed at the two men sitting near us. [b] “Yeah. I thought I’d killed them.”[/b] I stammered, my words just spilling out me. [b] “What do you mean?”[/b] her body language suddenly switched to a defensive posture as she placed her utensils down and turned in their direction. [b] “Those two,”[/b] I whispered to her through the side of my mouth, [b] “they’re contractors like me who had gone after James. They tried to kill me back in Otaku City. White and Retribution…”[/b] Erica went to speak, when suddenly an enthusiastic voice burst out from the two assassins’ table. [b] “Oh! Retri! It seems someone knows us by name.”[/b] My stomach dropped and I stood up from my seat carefully. White turned his head slowly with a smile that turned to a surprised grin upon laying eyes on me. [b] “HOLY SHIT! Are we the luckiest motherfuckers in the world or what?!”[/b] He shouted with bright eyes, catching the attention of the other patrons of the restaurant. [b] “Would you calm the fuck down, Bit… we can’t be having the cops here so soon. We gotta kill him first.”[/b] The two stood up simultaneously, turning towards me, their hands reaching into their suit jackets, obviously for guns. [b] “What the hell? Why are you here?! How the hell did you hear me?!”[/b] I couldn’t control my dread or confusion. Nothing about the situation made sense, and my mouth couldn’t help but express these thoughts. [b] “Ooh, ooh! Lemme tell ‘em!”[/b] White enthusiastically stepped forward with a menacing grin on his face and his signature Stechkin APS gripped in his hand, which was strangely discolored from the rest of his skin. [b] “You see Boss, after our little scuffle on the bridge, my ass got blown apart quite literally. Retri’s lucky ass was fine, and he pulled what was left of me out of the ocean. So he took me to a hospital, where I was comatose… for something like two weeks. Some mysterious guy came along, told Retri that if we could find you and kill you, he’d pay to have me fixed up. That’s how I got this baby…”[/b] White then pulled up his shirt sleeve to reveal the rest of his arm, obviously prosthetic, and cybernetic. [b] “I also got me two new legs, an eye, and even a nifty little ear that can hear for some… oh, five-hundred yards.”[/b] [b] “Who hired you, White? Who wants me dead?”[/b] [b] “Like I’d tell you, but I honestly don’t know.”[/b] White pulled the hammer back on his APS, and then rolled his sleeve back down. [b] “And the name’s 8bit now, Boss.”[/b] [b] “Fair enough. Then let’s finish this.”[/b] I grabbed my odachi and withdrew the blade, holding the scabbard in my left hand. [b] “And the name’s Zen now, 8bit.”[/b] [b] “Fuck if I care. You’re gonna be called dead in a few minutes anyways.”[/b] 8bit burst across the room at a speed I hadn’t expected, quickly throwing his gun in my face. I hit the floor just as he unleashed a short burst of bullets from his automatic pistol. From the corner of my eye I caught Erica’s legs fly across the room as she caught Retribution in the stomach with a front kick, knocking him back several feet, shooting wildly at her as he fell. I didn’t have time to focus on their fight, however, as 8bit’s attack continued. His leg shot forth into my chest, sending me across the room with surprising, almost inhuman strength. My body slammed against a back wall, and I fell onto a clean table hard, my sword and sheeth still in hand. Looking up, I saw that he was preparing to fire at me again. I reacted fast by tossing my scabbard at the assassin before he could shoot. While distracted, I took my chance to leap across the diner and attack. My sword fell down onto 8bit’s risen shooting arm, stopping dead on the metal and plastic covering, doing next to no damage. 8bit simply smirked and pistol whipped me with the heavy gun, sending me twirling to the floor and rolling across the ground. Blood filled my mouth, and I felt as if a gorilla had just punched me in the face. I spat out a mouthful of crimson mucous onto the floor and steadily attempted to stand. Grabbing up my sword shakily, I looked up to find a gun’s barrel pointing in between my eyes. [b] “Say goodnight… Zen.”[/b] [/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Thank you everyone, I appreciate you all trying. I'm gonna go with Jiggly because she was the first one to respond to the request, and she also used the things that I wanted in the piece pretty much exactly. Thank you again.[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1] Well, you could make the center of the plot be something or someone located in a particular town or state, or general region, depending on how broad you'd liek the span to be. A wanted man in El Paso, the richest bank in the West located in Arizona, something like that. Maybe have the city be bigger and fictional, or whatever. There's some suggestions.[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1] I'd keep on with [b]All That Remains[/b] if I were you, because they are by far my favorite 'hardcore/metalcore" band. There's also [b]Killswitch Engage[/b] (whom the singer of ATR actually auditioned for) and [b]Shadows Fall[/b] (whome the singer of ATR used to be the singer for). I'm more of a Hip Hop fan, though, so those three are the only ones I'm really knolwedgeable of. Then there's [b]Arch Enemy[/b] who's singer is a female, rare in the genre, and really brutal, haha. You might like them. I've also been told to check out [b]Death Before Dishonor[/b] and [b]Have Heart[/b] for Hardcore Punk by a friend, though I've yet to check them out.[/color][/size]

[IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Cybernator/phoenix-objecting.gif[/IMG] [size=3][b]GTFO!!![/b][/size] [color=darkred][size=1] Oh, you've made a fatal mistake of making these public knowledge. Haha, I love 'em![/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1] "For A Few Dollars More" is one of my favorite movies of all time, so your frame of reference is fine. Though I do suggest the other two in the series. I actually have not seen "Deadwood" or more than one John Wayne movie. Eastwood and Leone's westerns are my only real frames of reference for the genre, as other Cowboy movies bore me before I can gt into them. The anti-heroism and hero mythos behind their films are just so awesome that I can't stand to sit through anything less awesome than those films. But I can usually make something original work out if I'm given the opportunity and proper storyline. The call's all up to you.[/color][/size]