Training Day (Adrian)

[Mathew Amtrum]

One thing Mathew had told all of those that he employed in his services, no matter how unwilling they were at first, he always offered training. He wanted to make them more then they were now. For a lot of reasons, so they were more useful to him, to help them grow. But, there was one reason above all else. He was looking for someone to replace him, someone to mold in to the next Dragon. His own pupil, out of everyone he had ever trained one was the girl Sophia back in New York City, and now Adrian.

Mathew sat in the courtyard on one of the metal benches waiting for Adrian to show up. Mathew had texted Adrian telling him to meet him in the courtyard. It was after school, so he didn't have to worry about the whole pillar thing. Not that he worried much anyways.

It would be nice to see how much Adrian had grown as a fighter since Mathew had fought him last. He would likely find that Mathew too was much different. His Qi certainly was. It would be an interesting experience, that was for sure.

[Adrian]

"Hey asshole," Adrian shouted from a fair distance away. "I'm surprised someone as poor as you has a texting plan on their phone after all!"

Adrian smirked and came up from behind the bench, resting his hands on the back of the seat next to Mathew. It was just his way of saying 'hi', of course. One can't hide their money forever, especially from someone as quick to pick up hints of "I'm rich" as Adrian was. After all, he exudes all of those traits, how hard could it be to see them in others? Mathew's apparent wealth had been a tipping point for Adrian. The boy had already began to have a grudging respect for the man already. Sure, Mathew was an assbag, but so was Adrian, and how could he fault him for that? Regardless, the man could fight, and he was a commanding presence. Adrian could respect that in a person, even if they didn't have money. And since this one did, well... it just made it all the more easy.

"So, here we are. Right place. Right time. You're sitting here, I'm standing here. What now? You want to kick your ass again?"

Adrian smirked, completely unaware of the truth to his question. Of course, he and Mathew both knew exactly how their last fight turned out, but apparently, that meant nothing to Adrian's ego.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew grinned, he actually liked the kid. That wasn't to say that he wouldn't destroy the boy if Mathew even thought he was going to stand in Mathew's way. But as long as Adrian was on Mathew's side he thought they could even become good friends. Hell, Adrian really was the closest thing he had to a friend, other then Linda he supposed. Standing up Mathew looked right in to Adrian's eyes. Cocky gaze meeting cocky gaze.

"Heh." Mathew let out a small laugh as the perfect thing to say came to mind.

"Adrian shut your trap before I spit on you and give you middle class." His tone was cocky as always, but there was a tint of humor to it. Adrian could probably figure out that Mathew was joking. Well partly joking, he totally would spit on Adrian.

"I just thought we should go at it. I want to make sure you are not going to embarrass yourself out there. Given no one is as strong as I am, but your performance reflects on me." He said cocking one of his eyebrows up as he watched the kid's reaction. He wasn't sure if he would get a rise out of him on any part of it, but if he did, it would be amusing.

[Adrian]

"That's disgusting," Adrian replied, a smirk on his face. "The last thing I need is to get any underpriviledged stink on me. I just bought this shirt."

As Mathew explained why he had called him to the courtyard on this fine afternoon, Adrian nodded, chewing his gum quietly. So he wanted to fight, eh? Last time they went at it, not only did they draw a huge crowd, Adrian went home with multiple broken bones. However, he was a better fighter now than he was then, although it was of little doubt that Mathew likely was as well.

Adrian shrugged. "Don't worry about me, ED. My performance is likely matched only by you. But if you wanna do this..." Adrian paused, letting his silk vest drop from around his shoulders and back and into his hand, where he folded it gently against the back of the bench, "Then I guess you leave me no choice."

"You want me to punch you first, or you to punch me?"

However, as Mathew would begin to give his answer to the question, Adrian would put one foot up on the bench and leap over it, jumping forward in a leaping surprise sucker-punch at Mathew's head.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew had been about to say he was more then happy to strike first if Adrian was to chicken to do so. But that was when Adrian launched himself off the bench at Mathew. Now if there was one thing Mathew knew how to do, it was fight dirty. And he knew that he was faster then Adrian. Still they hadn't been that far apart and there was little Mathew could do to really get out of the way.

Instead Mathew embraced it, moving in to the blow letting the fist slam in to his face. It hurt but he could manage it. What he did do while taking the punch was wrap his arms around Adrian. Just to make sure that the kid didn't get away. He didn't really care if the kid moved his leg up to slam in to Mathew. All he cared about was his next attack. He was going to show Adrian what he could do now.

Gathering Qi in to his right hand until he could feel it on his fingers Mathew then slammed it in to Adrian's body. It was a side strike going for the ribs or side of the stomach. Though it wouldn't matter if it hit his arm as long as it hit.

"Quivering Palm." He said quietly as he struck out. It was loud enough for Adrian to hear however. And if the blow hit Adrian would find his body exploding in pain as the Qi moved through his body. No real damage would be done from the strike but he was sure that it would throw him off. That is what would allow Mathew to move in for a real blow.

[Adrian]

The fist landed against Mathew's face, but much as Adrian had expected, it did not damage him much. The plan had been for the first punch to disorient the older boy, and the follow-up to have been more damaging. Unfortunately, all that changed when Adrian was caught out of the air.

Adrian reared his right fist back for another punch, as Mathew spoke two words. "Shut it-" Adrian spoke as he punched. The blow would strike Mathew's head at about the same time as the palm would hit Adrian. Unfortunately, Mathew would once again be hardly phased, and Adrian would stagger backwards in pain.

He fell to the bench, sitting upon it and gasping for breath. With the shock still surging through his body, Adrian looked up at Mathew with disbelief. "What in the-" he stopped, continuing to gasp for breath. Something was definitely different with the man. Something new. Something Adrian didn't particularly care for at this point in time.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Once again Adrian slammed his fist in to Mathew's face. He felt a dull pain in his jaw, but there was no way in hell Mathew was going to stop because Adrian got in a couple of hits. Besides his Quivering Palm strike landed, obviously having the desired effect judging by how Adrian staggered back against the bench seemingly unable to comprehend what Mathew had just done. He was going to use this to his advantage.

Moving in to the disoriented Adrian Mathew lifted his right leg up before slamming it down in to Adrian's kneecap. Given it wouldn't be as good as if he was hitting the knee from behind. But it would still hurt and should do it's part to reduce Adrian's mobility, not that he was one of the kids to go jumping around like in those kung fu movies. But as a Boxer he did use a fair amount of footwork.

He didn't press his advantage passed that. Backing off once the attack was done. This was training. He would give Adrian a chance to recoup and recover. But this wouldn't last forever. He was still letting Adrian get used to things before he really started going all out.

[Adrian]

Just because Adrian was in pain didn't mean he couldn't react. He was a few steps away from Mathew, where he was on the bench. As he came forward, Adrian, in all his pain, just wanted to get away. As such, he rolled over backwards, performing a jerky, not-so-graceful type of backflip over the back fo the bench, putting the thing between himself and Amtrum.

He landed roughly on his hands and knees and continued to back away. He wasn't scared, he was just surprised, and in pain. The pain was starting to fade, however, and Adrian finally got back up on his feet.

"So you've got some new moves," he said, cocky as ever, as he smacked his gum a few times. "Alright. Got anything else new you wanna show me?" He put up his boxing stance and waited, just to see what Mathew would do.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Oh I got a few new tricks up my sleeve." He said with a grin.

Circling around the bench since Adrian had rolled off of it he would look at his pupil, apprentice, whatever he was calling him these days. Flicking the hair out of his eyes he watched him. The pain seemed to have faded. He took a mental note over how long it took to fade. Still he was satisfied with the results. He knew nothing serious was done to the kid. But the pain, well it would be a useful tool.

Slowly Mathew made his way to Adrian, closing the distance in a casual walking pace. His arms outstretched, though unknown to Adrian Mathew's Qi was infused through his body ready to try out a combo. Before entering Adrian's striking range Mathew brought the hands together quickly clapping them. This would send out a loud burst of sound that would wreak havoc on Adrian's inner ear making it much harder to keep his balance.

Taking advantage of this Mathew would put out a sudden burst of speed hoping that he was going to be disoriented enough that his guard would falter. Especially with Mathew suddenly moving faster then before raising his arms above his head. He shot his knee upwards attempting to slam it into Adrian's stomach to knock the wind out of his lungs before bringing both hands down, clenched together to hammer right in to Adrian's head.

[Adrian]

"Yeah? Bring it on, you bastar-"

Adrian's taunt would be cut off by the sudden soundwave blasting through his head. Adrian dropped his guard and gripped his ears, clenching his teeth in yet another spasm of pain and disorientation.

Before he could react, Mathew sprang forward, lodging his knee directly into Adrian's gut. Almost acting solely in reaction, Adrian put his right hand over his head, knowing his most vulnerable point at the moment, and would subsequently block the attack somewhat. However, Mathew's strength far outweighed his own, plus the man was using two arms against his one. Thus, Adrian was dropped to his knees, his eyes closed in pain.

He wouldn't remain that way for too long, however, as he would then power upwards, pushing himself to a standing position with as much power as he could muster to throw a hard left uppercut directly under the chin of Mathew. If the blow landed, Adrian would back up and try to reassert himself. He was sure the attack wouldn't be anything close to the knockout punch it was against most people, but his hopes were it would at least stun him and knock him off-balance enough for the younger boy to get some distance.

God damn, he's got some new tricks after all!

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew felt the blow land, his jaw clicking shut hard. His head reeled back as he stumbled backwards from Adrian. The blow had hurt, not so much because of it's overwhelming power, because as far as Mathew was concerned Adrian wasn't THAT strong. But the placement and timing had been perfect. Striking Mathew when he couldn't do much to stop it.

Adrian would have his chance to get up and reorient himself as Mathew moved his jaw around so that it didn't lock up. But Adrian wouldn't have forever. If Adrian didn't make a move before Mathew was done then Mathew would let out a cocky laugh.

"Not bad Adrian not bad. Still you are no where near my level." He said taunting the young man. This time he was going to see if Adrian came to him.

[Adrian]

"Yeah?" Adrian quipped back, shaking his head and his body to loosen the lingering grip Mathew's Qi attacks still held over him. "Then I guess that's just gonna make it all the more embarrassing when I beat you anyway." Adrian smirked, his eyes darting back and forth to the area around the two fighters. "Better make sure nobody's looking."

And with that, Adrian came forth again, taking a step forward and lowering his body. He would punch with his right hand in a straight jab to Mathew's stomach, while his left hand would remain up in a defensive position, ready for anything the Earth Dragon could throw at him.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew waited until Adrian was walking to him in order to strike. Using the slight unbalance from walking as opposed to standing for his next attack. Mostly he was just showing off his moves to Adrian. Already having had his Qi gathered it was a simple matter to stomp the ground sending a shockwave to the area around him. The ground started to rumble, the trashcan near the bench tipping over and the bench rattling a little bit. If Adrian wasn't careful he would be knocked over.

Though Adrian wasn't one of those buffoons that charged in to an attack, he wasn't sure how it would effect the young man. But he would be ready. If Adrian's attack still went through Mathew would just take the hit letting out a small grunt for Adrian's effort. Mathew didn't strike back, not yet. He just smiled at Adrian, still trying to egg him on. Make him angry in hopes that he would fight stupid, like last time.

"That it princess?" He asked with a grin.

[Adrian]

"What in the fuck?!"

A sudden stomp from Mathew, and now the whole courtyard was shaking?! Perfect, just perfect, Adrian thought as he began to hop from place to place, keeping himself off the ground as much as possible to avoid becoming off-balanced. He really HAS developed super-powers. I gotta get me some of those.

Adrian, however, was not ready just to ride out the storm. He had weathered everything else Mathew had thrown at him thus far, and this would be no different. Adrian stopped hopping, and planted himself firmly on the shaking ground. He faltered a bit, but held himself, his eyes casting a steely glare at Mathew.

C'mon Adrian, find your center... adjust... and GO!

Adrian began to move forward quickly, not necessary predicting and moving around the quakes, but moreso stepping through them, using sheer force of will to keep himself from falling. He walked straight through the quake, and made his way up to Amtrum, just in time to hear him taunt.

"Bitch, I've barely even begun." And with that, Adrian would perform a rather unorthodox move, something one would never seen in a formal boxing match. He would punch, with both hands, directly into Mathew's stomach. He didn't know how this would effect him, but he was hoping it would do something.

Adrian had come to terms a long time ago that he couldn't win this fight. Amtrum was simply too hardy, and everything he wore upon him only helped to amplify that factor. Even so, Adrian wasn't going to bitch out. He dislocated his leg last time they fought, this time he was aiming for something more.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew still took the punch, only with the added force from the second punch, a move Mathew had not been expecting he would stumble backwards nearly tripping. An amused grin on his face.

Now this is more I like it.

He was both impressed and proud. Not at the move which in itself was simple, not that he had a problem with simple moves. He was much more proud of the fact that Adrian was learning to branch out, he wasn't restricting himself to pure boxing. Sure he was still using his fists, but that was certainly not a normal boxing move. There might just be hope for him yet.

"Alright that's a lot better. This might not be a waste of time after all." Mathew said as he put up a boxing guard.

Mathew was no Boxer, and fighting like this was going to give Adrian the advantage. He tried to mimic the Guard he had seen Adrian use, and while it was passable, it was clearly the work of someone using what they have seen, not what they know.

Mathew's footwork on the other hand was much better. Being one that incorporates dance moves in to his fighting he was at least able to keep on his toes pretty easy, well in a manner of speaking. So there Mathew was bobbing around in a guard for a style he didn't use once again seeing what Adrian would do, he was sure he would press the style advantage. All the while Mathew would bob around waiting for Adrian to move, Qi started to once again gather in his hands.