Round 1: Mallon / Bryson vs. Lee / Kent

Mikaela rubbed her hands together, remembering how she almost took down one of the most powerful students at the academy, Kayla Croft, at the tournament last year. The tournament, she discovered, was a great way to release any and all pent up anger. All she'd need to do was not hold back. Her gift had improved in the year since the last tournament and she wasn't going to waste time. Kaela looked around at the environment. It was much different than last year, which had been a museum-like building. This time, it was an abandoned city-looking area. The look of the place was a little sad, how it looked as if someone had just come in and wiped everyone out. But she knew this was just a simulation; none of it was real. So instead she focused on her partner and her opponents. Her partner was one she had been matched with. Caine Mallon. He had the power to transform into a wolf. Hopefully he could use it to their advantage. "You ready for this?" she asked.

Caine barely knew what had happened. All of a sudden there was talk of some 'tournament'. It seemed that all of the older students knew what this was. Apparently, they were to fight. Winners would get glory or some sort or another. Either sounded good to him. A fight in general sounded good. Since the one with Carl, his veins seemed to constantly be pumping with adrenaline. 'Are you ready?' Mikaela Bryson asked him, causing him to come back into focus. Every part of him physically and mentally was ready for whatever came ahead. However, there was one problem. He had no idea how to control his powers. The three times had had shifted had been chaotic. The first time, he didn't even remember. Frustration and nerves had built up in the pit of his stomach, but he kept a straight face. They would be facing many others far more powerful than him. His eyes met Mikaela's. I hope I'm not a drawback.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He said smoothly, pushing away any hints of nervousness. Caine had no idea if he would even be able to shift. Physically, due to the enhanced speed and strength, he could outmatch anyone who was on a more normal level. But otherwise, he would be at a loss. His fists clenched at his side. Rolling his shoulders, the Mallon boy went to stand closer to his partner. She had already fought in the Tournament. If anything, she would be the one to carry the team. The thought aggravated him, but didn't quite piss him off enough to even channel a small fraction of the energy needed to shift. He looked up and considered their opponents, You better be complete bastards, otherwise this will be one hell of a pathetic fight for me.

Gabe looked at his opponents. One that had already fought before and the guy that messed up his plans back at the entrance with the Viv girl. Well at least he could get revenge for that, but he didn't know how far he would make it against the more experienced person. He had some skill with his gift, but he wasn't that good. He would certainly be able to hold his own, but he didn't know how long..

Yellow eyes drifted to the area around them. Even if the area was abandoned and degraded it still provided shadows for him to use. He wouldn't have to expend to much energy trying to over extend his own shadow. His mind turned to his partner, he would be a good asset, but at the same time he gift could backfire. Hopefully they could work this out just fine.

His partner had seemed to be the quiet type. Fine enough with him, he supposed, but it wouldn't make up for the most fun time. And that's what this entire tournament was about anyways, right? Fun? Oliver tightened the tie around his neck, passing the time fidgitng with the rings on his wrist and the hair in his eyes. Just because he had to fight to the death didn't mean he couldn't look damn fine while doing it. He was a gentlemen. And the constant shuffling of his appearance was absolutely not a nervous tick of his. "Hey Gabe... Can I call you Gabe?" He muttered, straightening his shirt out. "We got, you know, any sort of plan here...?" His voice near cracked.

"The plan I have currently is to get you to stop their gifts, and then we can finish them off. If luck is on our side. If you have something else in mind please let me know." He would have to see how they fought to come up with a better plan. He didn't exactly know what these two could do, but hopefully he would be able to find their weakness.

As soon as the buzzer went off, Gabriel used his gift causing shadows to rise from shaded areas, turn to points and start smashing into the ground directly aiming at the other two students, hoping to cuse some early damage.

As soon as the match was called to a start, Caine jumped forwards. He had been anticipating it, despite any nerves that wracked his stomach. There was no doubt in his mind that he would be unable to control the shift for this. With or without it, he would have to try. Not knowing of either of the others powers, despite knowing Gabe from their brief encounter earlier, he was on it instantly. His feet pounded against the decaying ground and he rushed towards Oliver. Caine had rolled up the sleeves of his button up and wore a more worn pair of jeans. Both made it easier to move. Within seconds, his elbow was hurdling towards the center of his opponents chest. Powers wouldn't be helping him much today, other than the slight physical additions. Regardless, it would mostly be his own fighting skill and strength here.

"Let's see what you've got." He challenged Oliver as he rushed forwards. Part of his was nervous about what the other boy could do, the other did not care. Out of the corner of his eyes, Caine searched for Mikaela. But, he never tore his eyes from his opponent. The shadows began to shift as he ran towards Oliver. Confusion was his first thought as one struck him in the foot. Fire caused the adrenaline to pump further through his veins. He jumped out of the way, trying to avoid whatever the hell was happening. What is going on? Again, ignorant to the gifts of the others, he had no idea what was causing this. Either way, all he could do was dodge and circle the blonde haired boy, attempting to get in an attack, all while not being taken down himself.

Oliver was... disappointed? No... Crestfallen? He didn't even know. He was something near let down about his partners answer. Obviously, the easy solution would be to cut off their powers and turn them into fresh meat, but that was easier said than done! He wasn't his perfect, former-teacher, star-pupil, college-bound brother; able to do fuck whatever and cut off everything he pleased. If Oliver wanted to use his gift, he had to get in close and punch hard... if he could even land a punch. "Yeah, thanks for the tip!" He muttered.

The Autumn liked to think he had something more up his sleeve to offer, but they'd only given him a weapon - the only one he'd bother to train with since the school made him pick some stupid old thing. His blue eyes reflected in his blade's sharp glint as he held it up. Better than nothing he guess. Fine. Soon as the buzzer went off and he saw his opponent throw fucking shadows of all things their enemies way, he sprung off.

Of course, unfortunately, it didn't get him far. This Caine guy, he moved way faster than Olive had anticipated, and he was left stumbling to the side to try and avoid the sharp jab. It didn't entirely work. Oliver was left hobbling and falling down on one knee, gripping his chest and his poor now-misaligned tie. "Damn it." That felt like it'd bruise. But no fucking matter. Whilst Gabriel caught him dancing with his shadows, Olive leapt back after him again, swinging his knife towards Caine's side... Or whatever. (He wasn't good at aiming and the adrenaline was already getting to his head.)

Mikaela rolled forward, dashing away from the tangible shadows. It was a good opening hit, although the girl had been jumpy already. She noticed the pink haired boy go after her partner, albeit clumsily and untrained. Deciding not to reinvent the wheel, she stomped her foot down and sent a destructive wave of vibrations, causing the ground to shake beneath them. Abandoned buildings shook but remained standing. Hopefully nothing too grevious happened to Caine.

Gabe turned towards Oliver as Caine took it upon himself to attack his partner. Ideally this would turn into a 1v1 situation, but he didn't want that. No. It wouldn't be wise. Overall his team had less experience, they needed to tackle one person together. If he tried to take on Mikaela by herself he would surely lose. That is why he needed Oliver. But he couldn't just ignore Kaela either.

He could feel the vibrations, shaking him up a bit and unnerving him slightly. His eyes flicked to Kaela. She could be the only one that caused that, her previous action.. Yeah. That meant she could hit from a different range like he could. Well that would be useful later.

Gabriel sent a Shadow spike in Mikaela's direction hoping to distract her for now while he sent a shadow in Caine's direction hoping to grab his ankle and root him in his spot. That way Oliver's hit would land.

His blow hit with a sickening 'thud'. A grin flitted across his features for a second. It was satisfying to know that he was able to do something. At first, he had believed himself to be useless. For now, it appeared that him and Oliver would be engaged in hand-to-hand combat. That would be useful. However, a flash of silver in the other boy's hand told him that this would not be as easy as it seemed. Caine stayed light on his feet as he jumped around Oliver, dodging a good amount of the chaos that was happening around him. The ground became unstable underneath him. He faltered at the shaking ground and something caused him to stumbled to his knees. Stinging pain rose up in his arm as the blade grazed his skin, just below his shoulder.

"What the hell..." Caine grumbled. Everything was moving very quickly. It was a lot to try to keep up with. But he was used to the rush of the fight. Over his years in high school, the boy had been in a good amount of fights that he had been able to keep hushed up. Not many escaped willing to speak up. His legs were still a little unstable with the shaking ground, but he made it back onto his feet rather quickly. His fists were prepared to attack once more. One went for the back of Oliver's elbow that held the knife. Afterwards, he then tried to dive around the back to hit a blow against the other student's head, hoping one would hit and leave a decent mark.

OCC: just for me to keep track of personal injury- bruised ankle and cut on arm

God damnit, what was he hiding? What was thjis earthquake bullshit. Oliver gritted his teeth and felt his legs wobble from underneath him, more so than they had before than the match started. It wasn't just him this time. He's considered himself a good dancer and light on his feet, but that did buttfuck little to help him then. Narrowly, he managed to swing himself away as the Caine fellow made a jab for his good arm. Little good it did him after once he'd felt another sharp sting in the back of his head. Olive braced himself and collapsed onto his knees. "Not fair," he muttered with a laugh, somewhat dazed. He wasn't stupid enough to stay on the ground, all the same. The young man sprang back up, aiming a quick swipe at Caine's legs and throwing his entire body weight forward - aiming to tackle the boy to the ground. Right mow, he didnt feel above playing dirty. Albiet literally.

Mikaela rolled away from the spike, however, it managed to gash her arm. It was a very shallow cut, but it stung nonetheless. She came up on one leg and her knee and sent a wave of vibes at Gabe, having faith in Caine to take care of the other boy. She hoped to send the shadow boy back with the vibes. This was gonna be a tough match, she thought.

Gabriel could feel her attack hit, causing some damage to him and sending him backwards. His yellow eyes narrowed at the girl. Vibrations huh? This was going to be something hard to counter, but his gift wasn't typical either. He wouldn't go out this easily though, but they really needed to make this a two against one situation in their favor.

Yellow eyes flicked at his partner for a second, seeing that Oliver was trying to trap their enemy. If they managed that.. Then it would be a good thing for both of them. Gabriel turned back to Mikaela, summoning the shadows to create a barrier between Mikaela and the rest. He just needed to delay her for now.