[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 495 (+2 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 94/80
[b]Location:[/b] Edge of the Blue[/color][/center]
With how wild and unpredictable the Orphan's attack patterns were, it was hard enough to keep his guard up let alone get any attacks in on it. Whenever he could, the Ace Cadet would strike as often possible - and still the Orphan shrugged off the weighty blows. In the thick of the continuous onslaught it was only a matter of time before the Cadet's stamina wore down, but his guard was broken long before that by a clever swipe of the child's weapon. Quick decision making on the hunter's part lead to an exchange of blows, and ended with the Cadet getting sent flying by a vicious uppercut. He expected a crash, not a catch, and though it could have been worse it still really, really hurt.

[color=salmon]"[i]Ugh, ow.[/i] Thanks,"[/color] he coughed, extracting himself from Bowser's claws. It wasn't a pleasant experience for either of them, what with the king's hard shell and scales meeting the Cadet's rough armor, but they were both still in one piece at the very least. Now they just had to keep the others that way.

While they'd recovered, more Seekers took their place to challenge the Orphan head on. It screamed and thrashed against them, but between the ladies they managed to bring it halfway down. This was their chance then! The Cadet was already starting an approach again when the Orphan twisted and proved it being down was not being out by any means.

It had sent so many of them flying already, himself included, that when it deviated from it's favored pattern and put Nadia into the dirt instead the Cadet's mouth practically dried up in surprise, and fear. Bowser was well ahead of him, wrenching the Orphan away from the Feral and actually throwing it. At that point the Cadet wasted no more time and moved up to check on her, though when he spotted Kamek's clones he looked between them and Nadia, ultimately changing course so that they could take care of her.

Now, with the abomination emerging from Bowser's blast and about to go on a rampage again only to be stopped by Link's rune, the Cadet closed in again.

He'd go back to playing support soon, as the team desperately needed it, but right now it was time to capitalize on the opening while they could. [i]Okay, round two![/i] he thought, joining Sakura up close while Geralt circled cautiously, ready to dive in. He charged lance first, and as soon as the teeth of his weapon bit into the withered skin the Cadet pulled it up, back, and thrust it forward again in the familiar [i]poke poke poke[/i] loop. With the street fighter at the Orphan's back, the monster hunter got up front to stab with the lance while it was momentarily thrown off by the stasis. He knew he wouldn't be able to rely on his shield's defense forever with the Orphan adapting to it, but for the moment it would do.