Concerns soon came to reality as the sudden splatter of blood hit the arena floor. The audience gasped as a severed arm plops to the ground. Medical teams burst out from the lobby entrance to attend the scene, but were immediately halted by a still-bleeding Ume.
Even Gale was dumbfounded by Ume's action. "What do you mean? You're obviously hurt aern't you?! Just let them-"
"NO!!!" Ume raised her voice in retaliation, the glare in her eyes grew menacing. As if something just snapped within her. No one wanted to approach the stage after such an outburst but there was one individual that rose to the occasion.
"Oi kid!! If ya keep going on with that bravado act, you're just gonna end up in a worse predicament than you are now. Hell you could easily die for all I know." The ocelot started to approach the stage, making it clear that they weren't in the least bit intimidated by the mouse's intense words.
Despite the powerful presence coming her way, Ume still held her ground, wrapping her wound in pieces of her shredded gi to withold the bleeding. "I'M NOT GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN!!! I promised her a fight and that's what she's going to get. I can't let that happen again..."
The ocelot could only fold her arms, cocking their head to the side as they sighed. "So you're the kid from that day huh? You got some nerve to talk like that when you were the one that won off of a technicality." Tension started to pile up as the two exchanged glares.
"W-wait hold on a second. Can't we just call it even and settle things later?" Much as Gale wanted to diffuse the situation, the atmosphere was already deadset on proving otherwise.
"Should consider yourself lucky brat. This way, I can relieve myself a little and smack some sense into you." The ocelot smiled, seemingly appearing on the stage in an instant.
The Announcer knew that there was no point in stopping them at this rate. At worse, there's only going to be two people in intensive care.
"As for you girl, I fail to see how you're not angry at this rodent. What would your Master think of this huh?! For heaven's sake... You bear the uniform and yet, you're this clueless!!" She slammed her foot down, causing the whole area to quake and the barrier to start cracking.
Many questions flooded Gale's head but two things were clear right now: This woman was furious and Ume needed to get off this stage as soon as possible... She readied herself for the worst, but gives Ume a stern look.
"Listen... Things are already thrown out of proportions and this probably has something to do with you feeling cheated over something, but for pete's sake... What do you plan to achieve by dying here?!"
Her statement seemed to have struck a cord with Ume, but there wasn't any time for sentiments. The ocelot rushed forward with speeds none of them are capable of percieving, smacking both competitors into the remaining pillars. As both statues fell, it didn't seem like any of them were the specified target for todays match.
As a result both fighters were simultaneously set ablaze and doused with a torrent of water. The arena began to boil, raising the surface temperature with every passing moment. The only individual unaffected by the effects was the ocelot. "Neither of you deserve to even have the Champion title in the first place!
Only one person I know that is worthy of such a role and none of you can even lift a finger to him. So do us all a favor and drop dead!!" The audience was struck silent. They couldn't believe that one of their own Leaders would do something like this.
Both Gale and Ume stood to their feet, swaying slightly as they struggled to keep themselves awake. Suddenly, a familiar face rushed out of the lobby area. Parts of their limbs were still wrapped in bandages, signifying that they weren't finished recovering.
"SIS~!!!"
Gale recognized that voice anywhere. It was her sister Rumin... She was shocked to see her out in such a state but before she could protest, Rumin called out to her.
"You can do this! I believe in you; so don't worry about what anyone has to say! Remember that you wanted to make Dad proud!!!" She shouted as much as she could before falling to her knees, getting dragged off by the medical team.
"D... Dad..." From the very beginning she knew why she wanted to win this tournament. It wasn't just for her own sake, but to prove to her Father that she has grown into a worthy daughter. It was then she felt a strong feeling within her, catching the attention of the ocelot.
"Heh... Still trying to resist? Looks like you're taking this more seriously." She grinned as she watched Gale struggle with a power that was all too familiar.
Gale's body started to boil, all of her muscles bulging out with such intensity, you'd swear that they would burst from her flesh. A shade of crimson red shadowed over her eyes as the grimmace on her face turned into a ferocious scowl. Concern filled the observing audience before Gale lets out an ear-deafening roar.
The force of it alone cause Ume to lose her balance, falling to her feet. She immediately retreated to keep her distance given the circumstances, for this wasn't no ordinary change. This, was in fact, the Feral Rage.
The ocelot only looked amused at the prospect, finally acknowledging the person she was about to face. "Not like you can talk all that much once you get into a state like that; so I'll try to humor you and make this quick."
It only seemed to antagonize Gale even further, causing her to ultimately lose control right then and there. "SHUT UP~!!!" A carnal aura bursts from her body as she lunged in for a powerful strike. However, it was effortlessy blocked by the defender.
Stuck in a frenzy, Gale continued to repeatedly pummel at her opponent, who only seemed to have a look of disappointment in her face as she blocked every blow. Fear spread throughout the hearts of the audience as every moment the battle went on, the barrier continued to crack.
Even though the ocelot was truly infuriated, she still had to ensure the safety of her people. Seeing as there were going to be some pressing issues ahead, the ocelot smacked Gale into a crumbled Pillar and went to the center of the ring. There she struck the ground, raising the hidden statue to the surface.
She began to count her time as he clutched the statue in one hand. "One... Two... Three..." On cue, an enraged Gale bursts from the rubble, radically approaching to strike her opponent. "FOUR!!!" The ocelot swung the statue around, shattering it squarely against Gale's face.
The impact caused them to stagger but there was no chance to recover as a clenched fist collided with her face. As Gale rocketted out of the arena, Ume was easily dispatched, getting a foot driven into their torso with breathtaking force before taking a second kick, sending them out the ring.
With both participants incapacitated, the ocelot yawned to herself, taking the moment to tend to her ruffled feathers. There was a long silence before she grew tired and spoke up. "Well hurry up! We don't have all day."
The frightened medical team soon rushed forward, retrieving the unconscious fighters as the Announcer cautiously stepped onto the stage. One look from the ocelot caused her to flinch with cowardice, only to recieve a huff in response.
"I've had my fun. Likely gonna lay low for a while since I really put on quite an act I'm sure." She flicked her hair to the side before taking one final glance at Gale and Ume before flying away.
With some of the tension gone, the Announcer was left to greet the audience over what transpired. "W-well... That was an unexpected turn if I ever saw one. My sincerest apologies, but it does appear that this is the end of this year's tournament. As the rules dictate, in the event that no Champion could be determined, the last fighter of the semi-finals would be given the title.
So due to the events of today's match, Kazumi will be considered this year's Champion. I hope to see you all again next year..." The silence in the air was all too suffocating as the Announcer mustered the resolve to address the crowd after such an event.
Even the performers dared not to play their instruments as the Announcer solemly bowed to the audience. A single clap came from an individual in the masses, which led to a conglomeration of applause to overthrow the sinister silence. A single tear shed from the Announcer's eyes as they gazed towards the audience, regaining enough composure to smile back to them.
Thus concluded the end of the fifth annual Feral Paw Tournament.