[b]Lily vs Smiler Round 2[/b] Brucie knelt beside the boulder, looking at where Lily and the gooey guy had covered the entire thing in dust and smoke. How any of them could see in that was a mystery. He knew that Lily had good eyes and ears, but when he could see absolutely nothing through the dust and smoke, how in the blazes was she supposed to, superior vision or not? He let out a low grumble, glancing at the dog beside him. Mouse, Lily had called him. Or named him? Didn't matter. At the end of the day he was just a dog, neither useful for combat or support. Or maybe a little bit of support. Whenever he was near, she always seemed a little less irritated. A little less stoic. Maybe he did do something for her? Well, didn't do much for Brucie himself, so he didn't care much. Unless the Boss-Lady told him to take care of the dog, then he cared. She had spared his life, and promised him fights if he followed, and so he felt it only reasonable that he do as she asked. Speaking of... Lily had yet to call for his help. She had made it clear during their travels, that he wasn't to join the fight outright unless asked, or if he saw a clear opportunity. [i]"Don't rush in. Don't get yourself killed like an idiot."[/i] That is what she had said, and he agreed to a point. He had no intentions of getting himself killed like an idiot, but rushing in was part of the fun! Seeing the opponent panic as he charged in, flesh, metal, and teeth, was some of the best moments when it came to fights! It was like-- He was interrupted by the sound of explosions starting again. Blue lights flared up within the smoke, accompanied by screeches and exclamations of pain or anger. Brucie smiled. Lily had gone on the offensive. [hr] Lily conjured another ball of blue flame, sending it rushing towards her opponent. He had dodged the previous three, but this time she came prepared. She had analyzed his movements, and found it remarkably similar to her own. She didn't need to see him in full sprint to know, but this much alone was enough to tell her that he was quick. Faster than a normal human had any right to be. Maybe even as fast as she was. With that knowledge, she sent this fourth orb flying slightly off to the side, making it an easy dodge. It made a quick jump to the side, avoiding the orb alltogether, only for Lily to flick her wrist causing it to curve around and aim for its back. This it didn't see, already pointing its rifle in her direction, the first word of its taunt halfway out its mouth already. A blast of blue fire hit it in the back, eliciting an inhuman screech of pain and rage. On a normal person, that blast would have earned her at least a few moments to relocate herself before renewing her assault, but this thing was tougher than that. "Die, you vixen!" And bullets flew. Lily was fast and agile. Had been all her life, reaching superhuman levels after she became one of the Shifters. But even she could not dodge bullets already in the air. The first hit her in the shoulder, another in her thigh, causing her leg to crumble beneath her. She tried to jump aside but the world seemed to tumble, the ground rushing to meet her. She distantly felt a third impact in her abdomen before the firing stopped. Instead she heard the steady footfalls of It moving closer. [i]Shit.[/i] The thought came suddenly and with annoyance more than dread. [i]Not gonna die like this, am I?[/i] She snorted and twisted onto her side, moving one of her tails in front of her. She sucked in a breath as the movement brought pain with it. She glanced at the tail in front of her, smiling grimly. [i]Like hell I am.[/i] The tail uncurled and revealed the golden flask, filled by Brucie long before the beginning of their fight. Only, "Fuck." It was empty, or very nearly so. Behind her she could feel a wetness, and it didn't take a genius to realise that her fall her spilled most of the tonic. There was, however, just enough to cover the bottom and a finger's breadth above. She didn't hesitate. Downing what was, she felt the magic in it take effect immediately. The pain lessened and the bleeding stopped. The bullets in her leg and shoulder were pushed out but left still open wounds behind, but the one in her abdomen remained lodged in her body, still bleeding. But it was enough. She got her feet under her and struggled to stand up, facing the monstrosity as it stood just a short distance from her, grinning arrogantly down at her, rifle pointed between her eyes. "Made a mistake, ya did. I saw were the fire came frooom." He chuckled. It was a wet, disgusting sound. But she never moved her gaze; never looked anywhere but at the gun pointed at her. "Now, say your prayers, little girl." Lily tensed. Its finger twitched. The report of the rifle cracked through the air. A short burst of three bullets from three paces away. None hit. Lily had twisted to the side the second It made to fire, removing herself from the line of fire. The look of surprise on her opponents face might have been one to savour, but she didn't have the time. She closed the distance in a leap, ignoring the pain that came with it. She ducked under one blade, but but was hit by the other. The metal bit into her left arm, hitting the bone. She couldn't suppress the scream of pain, but she refused to let the pain stop her. Near bull-rushing it, she placed her right hand over where the heart of a human would be, and, with a defiant shout, unleashed a blast of raw, kinetic energy. She heard the bones underneath crack and break before she heard its scream of pain, and the thud of it as it landed several metres away. "That," she said, breathing heavily, "should have killed it." She summoned a small ball of fire in her palm, bringing it to her injured arm cauterizing that wound, then her abdomen. The pain made her hiss and her eyes water, but she didn't look away from the monstrosity. An attack like that would shatter a skull. Why, then, hadn't his entire ripcage folded in on itself? The answer came a few moments later with wheezing laughter. "Kitty's got claws," it gasped and sat up. It was still smiling.