Round 1 - Balthier vs Zack Fair

[Kadaj]

((Tournament Rules can be found here: Click for Rules!))

The roaring of the crowd was deafening! Every single seat was filled up and the entire audience were cheering and clapping for the Tournament to officially begin! Banners with all the competitors names, were being waved around, balloons were being let loose up into the sky and the sun was shining down brilliantly, giving excellent visual conditions and brightening the moods of every single person in the arena!

A small, goat-like man made his way out into the center of the raised fighting area, in the middle of the arena, and with a small cone-like megaphone, called out to the ever-more excited crowd!
"Ladies and gentleman! Welcome, to the latest Tournament in the Olympus Coliseum!!"
Phil's goat-like voice echoed around the Arena, as he turned around slowly in circles, so everyone could hear him.
"We have 16, brave and powerful warriors, both of the Light and the Darkness competing here today, for the prize of Champion of the Remnant Cup Tournament!"
Phil said, turning around some more, using his free hand to wave about before him as he spoke.
"Let us waste no more time, and allow me to introduce the third match or Round 1! Making his way to the arena, from the far away land of Ivalice, please welcome, Air Ship owner and sharpshooter, BALTHIER!!!"

The crowd yelled and cheered loudly, the girls screaming and swooning and the men, encouraging their favourite contestant on!
"And his opponent, coming all the way from Gaia, he is a close friend to one of our older champions and a powerful member of the SOLIDER organization, a loyal man, a good listener and a lover of doing squats, please welcome, the one-and-only, ZACK FAIR!!!"
And with that done, Phil bowed to the audience and quickly scurried out the ring, allowing each contestant to enter as they like, before the match officially begun!!

[plss]

He could hear the crowd's cheering from behind the gate, the roar both muffled and amplified through the wide corridor. Excitement boiled in every inch of his body, his veins already flooded with adrenaline -- and like the excited puppy he was, Zack couldn't stop moving. He paced, trotted, and eventually resorted to his old standby of I wonder how many squats I can do before I have to go out there before finally hearing the announcer's voice.

"Yes! This is gonna be awesome![/i]"[/color] Buster sword in hand, he gave it a couple of good swings before approaching the gate, a wide grin spreading across his face. He hadn't had a battle like this in some time -- a battle where he could just go all out, give it his best, and either come out the winner or come out with some new experience under his belt. Maybe a new buddy. That'd be sweet.

Come to think of it, how'd he end up on this world anyway?

Whatever. His name was called, the gate was opened, and he was moving forward before he even realized it. A smile and a wave at the roaring crowd, and then an analytical look at the arena; it was spacious enough, and didn't offer all that much for those who fancied tricks and deception. Good. No holds barred, then. Just the way he liked it.

"Heyyyyyy. Ba...um...Balthier, right?" Zack stepped out towards the center of the ring, offering his opponent the same smile he'd offered the crowd, though his expression was more fueled by excitement than sportsmanship. Widening his stance, he lowered his blade into ready position, preparing for anything this guy might throw at him.

"Don't hold back, now!"

[balthier]

If one sought an answer as to why it was Balthier was here, a person would simply be unable to find one, the nature of the matter remaining incomprehensible. Though presentably dreadful, this was actually bound to be a treat, our Leading Man here ending up in some unknown stretch of land in an even more enigmatic situation. But, as a handful of people would care to testify, Balthier was prone to getting a thrill from moments such as these, quite easily defeating the purpose of the element of Tragedy. And besides[/I]... there was talk of a fancy-shmancy prize going on - more than enough to perk his interests.

Eventually, though definitely sadly, roars and cries would break the narcissistic silence predominant within his mind, the exclamation of his name forcing him out onto the big stage. Fitting for a protagonist, no less, and with an outstanding audience encouraging him on (or so he cared to believe), he was ready to do whatever it was he needed to do to get that PRIZE. Mmhm, the person that would end up saying he was really single-minded wouldn't be wrong at all, though with all intents and purposes, this was all fun and games for him, hence such a blithe approach.

In reality, a blithe approach alone wouldn't really be much to keep him from competing; just enough to hide a certain 'nasty side'. This, evidently, would be backed up by the audible statement from his already surfaced opponent just now, that being enough to get things underway. With forthwith actions, a plan would be set into motion (just like that, apparently), a drawn Fomalhaut warranting only one proclamation before firing: "Let's dance, shall we."

Oh boy.

By the end of genial introductions, and after a good-humored -- good-humored as in half-assed -- shot, it was only right to assume that things were on their way, though not necessarily going yet. You see, Balthier was waiting for his opponent's reaction, for his next set of actions depended on that of this here's Zack fella or some whohad. (Hmph, he never was any good with explaining things to himself, though it was safe to say all eyes and ears were paying attention -- and not just his.)

[Apologies for the tardiness, been extremely sick and such. x.x]

[/center]

[plss]

(Good God do I fail! I'm so sorry for making you wait so long!! T_T)

Zack held his sword at-ready for some time, tensed and ready to react to any incoming attacks -- only to find that his opponent was doing the same. Ohoho, it seemed like this guy wasn't a stranger to combat either; the way he held his weapon was sign enough of that, and there wasn't any evidence of fear anywhere on his expression or his body. He narrowed his eyes, sizing the other guy up, knowing the other guy was probably doing the same to him.

So you're not gonna move, huh? He tightened his grip a bit, twitching with impatience. The crowd didn't come here to watch two guys standing around, after all, and if Balthier wasn't gonna make the first move, it was up to him. Just as well, anyway -- he didn't care to play defensively. Still, he needed to test the dude's strength, find out exactly what he was going up against -- so naturally, he did the thing that any hot-blooded SOLDIER would do in this situation.

He charged straight ahead.

Buster sword held behind him, he closed the distance between himself and his opponent in a matter of seconds, eyes focused on the slightest of movements, analyzing, calculating -- and once he got to within about ten feet or so he leaped, bringing his sword up over his head, and swung.

He expected to be blocked or dodged. It wasn't an attack meant to really determine the outcome of the match -- it was too straightforward, too obvious, too easy to read. But it was the reaction he was looking for -- the speed and swiftness with which the attack would be negated, the power with which Balthier retaliated -- and if that little taste of his strength was enough to intimidate him in even the slightest, that was a plus, too.

[Kadaj]

Due to a Time Out on over a month for a reply on Balthier's turn of this match, the Judges have decided to remove Balthier from this match and declare that Zack Fair is the winner by Default.

Congratulations Zack Fair, you've been moved into Round 2. Check the Leader Board for details on your next opponent and keep a close eye on the Olympus Coliseum to see when you're next thread will be opened.

Commiserations Balthier. Better luck next time.[/u]