[center][h2]Cap'n K. Runch vs. The Bashibozuk: Round 1[/h2][/center]

The good captain lurched his head in the direction he had heard the drone suddenly speak from. The college official that was inside the screen declared that his first match was ready to begin, and he had already let the opponent get the upper hand. It did not take long for Runch to see what the college man meant, though the full depth of the situation was not yet known. As he looked up at the flying contraption, his eyes met those of another. A strange man of dark skin was perched high atop one of the columns just above Runch's head. The man glared at the flying contraption with a look of death, clearly upset that his ambush had been ruined. Something told the captain that this was the sort of man who would go out of his way to kill their referee for this transgression. However he had little opportunity to ponder his opponent's mindset, for the Bashibozuk wasted no time in striking despite phase 1 of his plan having been so thoroughly ruined.

The Turkish man leaped down from his position, wielding two exotic blades in hand. These weapons had two targets: the heart and brain of the captain. Unable to reach his spoonsaber in time, Runch reacted in the most expedient way he could. Adrenaline suddenly pumping through his veins, he extended his left hand upward toward his would-be assassin, while his right hand went for his primary weapon. [color=turquoise]"Bori bori firehose!"[/color] A stream of multi-colored orb-shaped pellets sprayed forth from his open palm with great force and quantity. The Turkish assassin took a direct hit on the chest, tumbling backward through the air, but the pirate's strategy did not leave him completely defended. Serhan's dominant weapon was able to slice into Runch's left wrist. As Runch recoiled back in slight pain, Serhan regained his footing with a fast tumble maneuver as he hit the ground. 

[color=turquoise]"Omnomnom! Great moves! May the best man-"[/color] The captain was cut off by a cheap, opportunistic attack as the practical mind of the assassin wasted no time in pleasantries or conversation. Killing his opponent was the only purpose he had here. If the naive pirate was going to waste time striking up conversation, then he deserved an idiot's death. [i]Bang! Clang![/i] These two sounds echoed throughout the hall of this grand cathedral. Serhan dropped the blade in his off hand, and extended a hidden pistol within the sleeve, firing before the yataghan hit the floor. The captain was taken aback by such an assault, but not completely unprepared. He was able to ready the spoonsaber and blocked the bullet using the large, paddle-like end of his unique weapon. The angle and force of the strike knocked the captain off balance, just enough so that he had to take a step back. A step that hit the tripwire Serhan had originally setup for the beginning of this battle.

In an instant two crossbow bolts shot out from different directions. Runch wasn't positioned the way he was supposed to have been when the Bashibozuk setup the trap, so they did not strike him dead on as intended. This did not mean Runch got off scott free. One bolt pierced straight through the tail of his coat, causing only cosmetic damage as it collided with the floor. The second struck him in the left hip, sinking a good two inches deep. [color=turquoise]"GAH!"[/color] This was now his opportunity. Serhan unloaded another three shots upon his prey. This time, however, the pirate captain was definitely prepared. [color=turquoise]"Bori bori wall!"[/color] With a wave of his injured hand, K. Runch produced a barrier directly in front of himself made of solid cereal. One big rectangular pellet, with the density of steel. The three bullets collided harmlessly with the wall, falling limply to the floor beneath them.

Captain K. Runch rolled to the side around his wall, prepared to strike out at his opponent. The Bashibozuk was no longer there. Runch raised an eyebrow, carefully strafing around the pillars. He couldn't afford to let such an underhanded opponent get the drop on him again. Meanwhile, Serhan had tactically positioned himself behind the primary altar of the cathedral. The trained killer was loathe to allow a target to catch their breath, but he found himself needing the same. A quick touch to his chest, a small wince of pain, confirmed what he had suspected. Despite his body armor, the force of that cereal stream had hurt him, left his chest bruised. How, though? It was merely baked wheat and grain. The speed at which it had collided with him shouldn't have provided any injury whatsoever. Further, it could stop his bullets. The skilled hitman offered a small, silent prayer to Allah, when the solution dawned on him. It had to be hard. Exceedingly hard. It was only grain though, which is very soft. The only way grain could take on such a property was to be extremely compacted. So it was dense. The Bashibozuk realized then that his opponent was far more dangerous than initially suspected. He did not just create this cereal in vast quantities, but he could control its physical properties. A single false step, and Serhan knew he could be crushed beneath tons.

[color=turquoise]"You know, my first mate is a ninja. All stealth and shadows and whatnot. You'd probably get along, omnomnom!"[/color] The captain tread carefully, unsure as to the location of his opponent. The dark skinned killer could be behind any pillar, or up above them. He had to make sure he checked every corner, watched his own back, and as proven at the beginning of this fight, keep an eye above his head. Any second and the Bashibozuk could strike a fatal, decisive blow. That was unacceptable. The others were waiting back on the ship. Joanne was fighting hard in his name. He could handle losing this contest, but dying? That was not acceptable.