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                          G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N

                     A Thrash's chronicle by ROMeo

Thrash is a Role Playing Game (RPG) about videogame fighting games
and anime martial arts created by Blackbird (AKA Ewen Cluney).

G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N is the settig of my current Thrash's campaing and,
in fact, this writing is the product of my current game which is
being translated here in 90% original form.

Also, this is my first attemp in writing a fic, so I really hope
you like it and the flames don't go up too high.

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Chapter 5: Might and Magic

...The steam has already left the place and a five feet tall 
woman is the center of attention: her skintight red costume
complimenting her lush curves and long legs; her well toned body
the fruit of years of athletic and martial training; a black
belt that houses all kinds of edged weapons: from knives to 
shuriken; each hand holding a Katana and wrists protected by
bracers. Tanned, perfect skin and a red scarf holding her
head of wavy, black, flowing hair.

"It's been a long time, Valguss..."

"It's you again..." the sorcerer frowned a weary frown. "Leave
us alone".

"YOU leave that girl alone Valguss, or else..."

"Else what? Is it that you're trying to intimidate me?"

"Well, I have managed to do that quite well in previous
encounters, don't you think?" The katana-wielding woman gave
Valguss a sarcastic smile.

"I'm already fed up with you!" The sorcerer shouted in rage
"How dare you, an outsider, adress US with such arrogance!?
Having no power! ¡Lacking the mark! And still you keep messing
in the affairs of the Circle time and time again with such an
arrogant attitude. It will be my personal pleasure to destroy
you, and after that, I'll keep your soul in a crystal ball!
...¡Just to show you how insignificant you are!"

"¿Are you finished with your BABBLING? I'm waiting for you" 
The girl remarked, rising her katanas and getting into her 
fighting stance... their duel started.

Anyone who reads the papers or watches the knews knows the
name of Scarlett or the Centinels. Being the single most
famous hero team, they are almost always busy. Most of their
stunts get on TV, and almost every kid in town have the
Centinels(Tm) action figures in home. The group's leader,
Justice, is said to be able of flying, besides of possesing
superstrenght and the ability of withstanding insane amounts
of physical punishment.

Valguss stretched once more his right hand, conjuring from
his hand a streaming bolt of flame. Seeing the incoming
attack, Scarlett jumped effortlessly over it, landing just
in front of Valguss and already launching a foot sweep.
Valgus reacted barely in time to erect a barrier and levitate
a few steps behind. The fierce fighter throwed at his enemy
one of her katana, trying to intercept him in mid-air, but as
the blade reached him, he raised an eastern-style ward to
his face, stopping the weapon a few inches from its target.
Still holding the ward, Valguss gestures a sigil with his
free hand, darting the katana back towards its owner.
However, She sidestepped easily the attack, even retrieving
her weapon in mid-flight.

Though lacking superabilities like those of Justice, 
Scarlett's years of training have honed her skills to their
peak. A 26 years old consummate athlete. That pair of katana
are known to cut trough metal and never in her life she has
lost a combat. However, all those years of martial training
have never been put to test in a formal tournament, for when
she was early on her training, her master disdained tournaments
as a sign of mere vanity. Three times in her life she has been
invited to the Dragonfight tournament, and all three have been
refused.

As the fight continued, Soka though it a better idea to
make her escape at that moment, but as she was walking out
the door, another voice caught her attention.

"¿Going somewhere?" The new guest was dressed in green
military pants with likewise boots. His beige military
shirt had its sleeves rolled up, revealing the stranger's
right arm to be composed of metal. With white skin and
blonde hair, he also had two ammo belts criscrossed on
his chest and a sidearm strapped on each leg.

"C'mon! Relax and enjoy the fireworks, Scarlett is just
about to finish" The stranger's voice was somewhat
reassuring, and Soka could not help but staying with him
at the door's frame when he put his hands on her shoulders.

Bullseye has always been the Centinels' public relationships
department. It's not that Justice can't handle people, it is
just that ever since the awakening of his superpowers, he
constantly feels he "sticks out" from society, thing that
sometimes can make him feel somewhat insecure. The fact that
he is the Centinels' leader also contributes to inhibit him,
specially on front of the press and TV. Bullseye, on the
contrary, has always had that talent with people... and
people likes him.

Upon returning to the door, the heat of the battle was just
as intense as when they left: They oponents are equal in
power, what Valguss possesed in magical ability, Scarlett
matched it with physical prowess; whenever Valguss tried to
imprisson Scarlett in a circle of flames, she easily jumped
out before the flames got to the ceiling; if Valguss traped
her in a sphere of ice, a second later one could see Scarlett's
blade cutting trough it like butter. The fight continued and
Valguss introduced his hand inside his suit's jacket in order
to draw another ward when Bullseye addressed the young Soka.

"Hmmm, this is getting somewhat repetitive ¿Don't you think
my little friend?... the situation needs a spin" Having said
that, Bullseye drawed one of his guns at an unbelievable
speed and, just as Valguss raised the ward over his head, it
was instantly ripped appart by a laser shot. Bullseye is also
known for his unmatched aim. Ever since his early days in the
army, he has had this thing for guns. In fact, Bullseye's
skill with guns is only matched by Scarlett's mastery with
blades but, unlike Scarlett, Bullseye feels no shame in
showing his talent to the rest of the world... so much that
he is actually banned from all sharpshooting contests in
more than 30 countries all over the world.

"Yo Scarlett! Exactly where do we get our numbered ticket in
order to get our shot at this guy? We're getting bored"

"¿Will you guys finish this so we can go?" a new voice erupted,
this one from the roof. Through the hole in the ceiling, a
tall man with silvery-metallic skin was watching the scene.
Mercury is the Centinels' wild side. A six feet tall man made
entirely of moldable metal. Besides of his high endurance,
Mercury has the ability of generating almost any kind of
weapon from his appendages. When the Centinels found him,
he was just a globetroter with an attitude problem...
nowadays, he is a brutal antihero with an attitude problem.
His good looks and long hair along with his roguish behavior
make him quite popular with the femminine population as well
as teenagers however.

Surrounded and outnumbered, Valguss opted for the strategic
withdrawal. Standing with extended arms in a cross pattern,
a circle of golden-yellowish flame appeared on the floor. The
next instant, the flaming circle erupted like a magic geiser,
swallowing the sorcerer and taking it away as the flames
faded into oblivion.

With her enemy gone, Scarlett walked towards the old gypsie.
Once in front of her, she knelt on both knees and, after
putting both blades on the floor horizontally, in front of the
old woman, the warrior bowed to her old master.

"Master, I have returned" the young warrior declared in the
most solemn tone. "Welcome home my dear" The old woman smiled
Scarlett the sweetest of smiles, the kind of smile she only
gives to Soka "I can see you have improved your skills, I
feel very proud". The old Gypsie now addressed Soka, who was
pouting in a corner "Soka, she is Scarlett, an old disciple
of mine. She will take you to the place you will begin your
journey". Hearing that, Scarlett replied to her master humbly:
"Master, you don't need to call me by that name". "You have
earned your own name, darling" the old soul added. "Besides,
it has been years ago that I have no longer anything to teach
you, so you don't have to call me master anymore. You can call
me your friend, however".

Soka, on her corner, was still pouting and mumbling to herself
"Yeah, sure. You are proud of her and not of me that almost
got killed by that guy..."

"Soka, please come here" her grandmother asked her. "¿Are you
ready to begin your journey?" "I don't have any choice ¿Do I?"
was the young apprentice's answer. "Take good care of yourself
my dear".

"Graaaaandmaaaaaaa!" the girl's familiar cried with its squeaky
voice in the old soul's shoulder. "Pooka, take care of Soka,
and take care of yourself". The furball nodded, tears still in
its eyes.

"¿Will I see you again?" Soka asked her grandmother, but it was
Scarlett the one to answer cheerfully: "Of course you will see
her again, don't be silly. Now let's go, there is people waiting
for us". Soka's grandmother gave her a warm hug and a smile just
like the one she gave Scarlett moments ago.

"Good bye, my dear" was the old gypsie's last words before a
white aircraft of unique design hovered a few meters above the
grandmother's house. A door opened in the side of the transport
and a rope ladder was dropped through the hole in the roof.
"Well ladies, this is our ride!" said Bullseye as he started
climbing the ladder, followed by Mercury. Inviting Soka to
follow Mercury, the young warrior said farewell once again to
her master.

"Good bye master"

"Good bye, my friend"

The Centinels' transport took off, leaving the old woman
behind and taking Soka to her date with destiny.

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feedback and flames to azalin1@lycos.com

Visit G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N's HQ at:

http://g-u-a-r-d-i-a-n.net

AND the Thrash's Official homepage can be found at:

http://www.blackbird.nu/thrash/

CYA!