Shadow of the Colossai (Open)

[Linda Osako]

Setting: The school courtyard, 11:00p.m. School is closed, and the gates are all locked. No lights are on in the buildings, only the outside lights illuminate the courtyard, and even then only dimly.

Linda sat at a bench located at the Northern end of the Courtyard. She had her gloves off. Her Colossai Tattoos were clearly visible on the back of her hands. She was illuminated by the light she was sitting under.

"I want you to take out your partner, Bison. From this day forth you will be our judgment, our Fist."

God Linda could still remember Reign's words perfectly... How could she have been so blindly loyal? She gave up everything for them, and then became one of them, but for what?

Tonight was a night of reflection. A night of remembrance and most of all, self understanding.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew couldn't sleep, he was having trouble with it these days. Not so much from the nightmares, though those still haunted his dreams. No, what kept him up tonight was his inability to turn his brain off. He was always plotting and planning, trying to stay one step ahead of everyone else. He had gotten used to that, but now he was trying to turn over a new leaf. Trying very hard, even if he wasn't doing the best job at it. It was hard to plot when you had options limited. A hit list is no longer an option, manipulation is still good, if iffy. Plus his duties as a Pillar to protect complicated things. He wasn't planning on breaking his duty as Pillar, but it did make life a bit harder, especially with the half thought out challenges he has seen so far.

As always when he couldn't sleep he walked around. First going through the park, until it was night time. Then to the School, why the school? Because he spent a good amount of his time there. A lot of his blood, sweat, and tears went in to it. Well in a manner speaking that is. Still it was a place that meant a lot to him, whether he was protecting it as he did now, or when he was using it to further his own goals. Such as in the past, and a bit of the present.

As he walked through the dimly lit courtyard, a shadowy figure stood out. Female by the looks of the build. He debating ignoring them, continuing on his way lost in his own thoughts. However, curiosity as to who else was here got the better of him and he approached, as he neared the shadows that had obscured the face would lift, just enough for him to make out the features of the girl that was now before him. A small grin would tug at the corners of his lips, a sense of irony striking him. Once bitter enemies, then siblings in a way, and now partners. The world had an interesting way of working.

"Good evening Linda." The words escaped his lips, a hint of amusement present. The greeting the only words he would speak until she spoke back. It gave the whole scene an ominous tone in his mind, and he always did like setting a mood.

[Linda Osako]

"Good evening Linda."

"Hmm?..." Linda looked up from her daze, her eyes falling on an unexpected guest.

"Hi Mathew." Her words seemed down, and kind of lost. Something was bothering her, but as always, she couldn't put her finger on it.

"What brings you out here, did you follow me or something?" She asked with a half-assed chuckle. She turned her attention back down to her hands, then just sat there for a few seconds... staring. She was staring at those insignias on the back of her hands. She used to be proud to have them on her, but now they were just a simple reminder of just how much she had been threw.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew's grin faded when he heard Linda's tone. Saw her stare at the insignia that marked her body. Mathew was probably one of the few people at this school that knew what that symbol meant, and while he wasn't in the gang himself, he could relate to what she was feeling. Both of them had done terrible things during the gang wars. That was probably the thing they had in common most, both of them seemed to be haunted by their pasts.

Not that it was uncommon in these schools. Everyone had a sob story, the difference was normally Mathew and Linda didn't go whining about it all the time like most kids did. They kept a mostly upbeat attitude and dealt with it in private. Without being brooding and emo even, hell, Linda was normally quite bubbly, which made this all the more unusual.

Without asking for an invitation Mathew sat down next to Linda, sitting in silence for a few moments. He was forming up his own thoughts, on what he was going to say. It wasn't long ago that he had been in this state, at least, the state he assumed she was in.

"You know." He said before pausing briefly, he was never good with counseling people. He normally wasn't sensitive enough. "We were all marked during those wars. In some way or another." He said, his hand moving behind his head to rub his neck, a spot where the branding that gave him the same symbol as her was left.

[Matrim Gallagher]

(OOC: Hope you don't mind)

Matrim had taken a nap earlier that day, but his nap turned into a bit more then that, and as he woke up on the rooftop of a building, he looked over to the courtyard. The dim outside lights showed who it was to Matrim. And as he slowly got up he made his way to the edge of the rooftop, sitting down and looking out towards them. He couldn't hear what they were discussing, and he may join them later. But for now he'd sit and wonder, talking to himself.

"Two dragons walk into a bar... the bartender serves them, gives them everything they ask so long as they don't fight anybody... eventually some challengers show up demanding a fight, and two minutes later the bar is torn to the ground from the fighting. The bartender asks, 'why did you fight them when I asked you not to fight'," Matrim thought about Leon. Leon didn't tell him if the dragons were moral, if they were good. He didn't say that they were friends with each other or shared ideals and goals. It almost seemed like a common understanding between them. Like they knew they were powerful.

Matrim sought approval of Leon in strength. It gave him something to work towards, it gave him guidance. Ever since leaving 259, and Leon having changed, he had questioned a lot. He didn't know Linda, and he didn't know Mathew. He could be a pawn for all he knew. He could be thought of as an asshole by both of them. Their feelings for him could be nothing, he could be considered a complete coward and weakling. Yet still, Matrim sought their recognition in strength. And that was what truly drove him to wanting to keep his pillarship. That was all that held it together. That in itself made him feel pathetic and weak.

Maybe I'll just have to beat some sense into them sometime... but for now I'll watch. Not every day I get to see them like this.

"The dragons replied, 'because it is in our nature.'" Matrim said. That was how he saw the dragons, he was probably wrong. Or quite possibly he could have been right. But with his time fighting Leon, that's all he had gathered. So he stayed sitting on the rooftop, unsure as to how he would get off when he needed to.

[Linda Osako]

Linda sighed, still staring at her hands...

"Fucking old ass tattoos." She grumbled as she looked at the back of her hands. Then Matrim entered the scene, but Linda couldn't see him. It seemed like the pillars were having a lil midnight gathering, it was odd, but at least it showed that they were on school grounds often.

It wasn't that anything in perticular was bothering her, it was just her past which she couldn't run away from. She had taken so much from people, and she had lost so much herself. Often it was difficult to bear, tonight was just one of those nights. Linda allowed her mind to wander once more, even though Mathew was standing next to her.

"All enemies of the Colossai from this day fourth shall be branded with our insignia upon their defeat. I the Fist have spoken"

Linda cringed at the thought of her own words, words that she had spoken so long ago during the gang wars. How could one who had caused so much pain just turn over a leaf and play the good guy? How dare she... Of coarse only a few people knew of this history of Linda's. Only a few would know just why she was called the Bone Dragon.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Got it.... the gutter! That little pipe thing... what do they call that thing again? Drain pipe? Something like that....

Matrim slid down the pull, climbing down slowly. Part of him all of him was afraid of falling off at any moment. Mostly because he had fallen off a four story roof once. It was in Alaska and snow cushioned the fall, not to mention Reira's Qi slowing his descent slightly, but it still hurt. Landing on your head? Not fun, not fun at all.

Matrim got to the bottom and approached Linda and Mathew. His hands in his pockets, yawning as he came up towards them, "What are you doing out here so late? And... what are those things on the back of your hands? I thought it was yin-yang, but there's a third part to it...." He said, noticing the strange tattoo's. It looked kind of cool, but he wouldn't get tattoo's on the back of his hands if he had the option.

This has been the longest conversation I've had with Linda already.... I think.... outside of that meeting anyway.

[Linda Osako]

Linda rubbed her hands.

"These are the marks of the Colossai. Its a long story I'm afraid." Linda sighed when she spoke, but she made eye contact with Matrim after she had recognized his voice. He looked better without the eye patch... really, he did.

"If you have the time though, I will be more than happy to explain the meaning behind them... If you are interested that is? I know it is pretty late."

Linda had dodged Matrim's first question, however this was not intentional, she just found the second one more interesting.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"If you have the time though, I will be more than happy to explain the meaning behind them... If you are interested that is? I know it is pretty late." She said, and he took a seat. Crossing his arms over his knees that were brought up. He didn't know these marks of the Colossai or whatever. But she seemed willing to tell him the story. And Matrim liked knowing things, this was no different. Besides, getting to know Linda better was a plus.

"I've got the time," Matrim said smiling up at her, giving her a wink. It was flirtatious so much as an encouragement thing. Making sure she knew he was interested in hearing more about her, "So, tell us a story then."

The story of the Bone Dragon, I believe that was what Leon referred to her as... yes, the bone dragon was it. Wonder why they called her that...

[Linda Osako]

"Well, they are symbols of our past." Linda said looking over at Mathew for a brief moment.

"Basically this symbol," Linda said rising up her right hand in a fist, showing Matrim the insignia, "used to be one of the most feared things in New York city. It belonged to a gang called the Colossai. The Colossai didn't function as most gangs do, with one gang leader. It had three, never anymore, never any less. The only way one was replaced was if they died. In the times of the Great gang war in New York City, I was one of those gang leaders. It was myself, Ark, and Faust who ran the gang. The only way out of this gang was death." Linda looked down at the ground.

"I used to be so dumb... These Tattoos are a symbol of the monster I was, and a reminder of just what I have done. Only someone that was a leader of the gang would have had this tattoo on them. Targets of the gang, such as our friend Mathew here, were branded with this symbol once they were taken down as a hit." She looked at Matrim.

"I hope I have explained it well enough. But by all means if you have any questions ask me. Tonight is a night of remembrance."

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Got it, sort of a question and answer forum one time only deal," Matrim said thinking about what she had said. He had been in gangs, but never one so hard core as that. New York, a place he had never went to school at. He had never actually been to New York come to think of it, he had been to plenty of places, Europe, Japan, Alaska, Canada, Wisconsin, but not New York. Matrim thought about this, and wondered why she was in that gang. He also wondered about Dragons.

"What was the motives of this gang, just power? Just rule? What would a gang like that ask of you, what is it that made you a monster. And, something else that is a bit off topic....." He said, trying to figure all of this out, "Where in your time line did you become a Dragon. Was it the monster you became that won you that title? I was a student of Leon's for some time. He even began to teach me the language, but I'm afraid I'm still a little sketchy on it. Last time I saw him, he wasn't himself. So I don't know a lot about the Dragons. Or you in particular really...."

Matrim's focus was on Linda. He knew nothing about her, and he was curious to learn the type of person he worked for. She was good, he could sense that by her current attitude. She was feeling remorse for her actions, so no matter the kind of person she was then, she was completely different now.

[Linda Osako]

"The goal of the Colossai were to control everything, the school, the city... and the expand from there."

Well that pretty much summed up the Colossai, there were a simple group really, just brutal and crazy. A smile would cross Linda's face as Matrim questioned her about the Dragons. Some how she knew that would come up, but it was okay, Linda had no problem telling Matrim.

"The Monster I became was indeed the Bone Dragon. It was a title I was given upon the defeat of the original Bone Dragon, Vladd. I curb stomped him... Anyway, I have the said title because of my increased constitution. Over at 552 nobody could take a hit and keep on going like I could, and that seems to be the same with Moral Crest." Linda then noticed that Matrim stated that he was a student of Leon's... She hadn't known this. Linda had only kept Matrim as a pillar at the request of Mathew, but it seemed there was another reason behind it.

"Pardon me Matrim, but Leon is hardly a dragon of any sorts. I like to think of him as more of a whelp or a wannabe. The only other Dragon that ever viewed him as one was Ark, and I would never associate the two together because there is a clear difference in their power." She could not help but feel that she was ranting, but being associated at all with Leon really annoyed her... Leon was filth to Linda, nothing more. Nothing Less.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Pardon me Matrim, but Leon is hardly a dragon of any sorts. I like to think of him as more of a whelp or a wannabe. The only other Dragon that ever viewed him as one was Ark, and I would never associate the two together because there is a clear difference in their power."

Yeesh, harsh... the guy spikes me over a four story building and he's getting dissed by Linda. Maybe I should be a little more scared of this girl... or I could stop thinking of Leon as a teacher... he changed a lot just before the end. Still, at least the Guardian concept was a good one. It's something I can at least agree with...

"Well I can't say I've fought any other dragon besides Leon and Mathew, or rather, the way you put it I guess I've only fought one dragon?" He said, thinking about it, "Yeah I used to be the same way at my old school. Guess things just sorta change sometimes...." He said, thinking back on the good ol' days when he had the armor, "Anyway, never knew Ark so I wouldn't be able to make a fair judge of that, I'll take your word for it."

Matrim thought about it some more and said, "I want to fight you sometime, I'm not dumb enough to actually believe I'll beat you or anything like that, but I need another challenge. I need somebody I can work up towards, train with. A sparring partner I can actually learn from, you know? It'd be strictly sparring, not that you have anything to worry about, what do you say?"

He smiled over at her hoping she would accept the offer. He wasn't sure if she enjoyed fighting, sparring and such, but he had loved it. Leon had been stronger then Matrim, but not by much. He wondered why there was such bad blood between Leon and Linda. It seemed like there was something there, "So, safe to say you didn't like Leon... was there a story behind that at all? I don't mean to piss you off but, being story time and all....."

[Linda Osako]

Story? Yeah there was certainly something between Linda and Leon... but that was nothing that important. Linda assumed that Matrim wasn't interested in hearing about anything more than why there was bad blood though.

"Leon was the only dragon that was 'Self Proclaimed'. For that I will never respect him." Linda stated bluntly. She could never expect that whelp to hold up his part of the Dragon law. No. If she ever saw him again, she would slay the Lightning Dragon.

"If I ever see Leon again, I will be the end to his miserable existence. That will be one less wannabe 'Dragon'."

There was something in Linda that still wanted to lash out and destroy, but restraining it was part of her duty now. She had to protect this school from people like her... Er.. People that she used to be like. Wait... Linda had almost forgotten to answer Matrim's other question... What a dummy @_@

"I would be more than happy to spar with you sometime. But I play a lil rough, I must warn you." Linda said with a giggle.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"If I ever see Leon again, I will be the end to his miserable existence. That will be one less wannabe 'Dragon'."

"Self proclaimed huh..." Matrim said, thinking about everything Leon had taught him.

Fucking weak....

"Right well that certainly was an eye opener," Matrim said, now with an annoyed look on his face. He wanted to kick Leon's ass now, just because of all this other stuff he heard. To think, Leon was the reason he went to 259, being promised strong challenges. He had gotten some, but not too many. "Feel free to kill him all you want, he's probably still back at Long Beach."

Matrim's opinion of Leon changed rather quickly. Nothing earth shattering as far as he was concerned, but it just goes to show how some people could not be straight forward. Matrim didn't even know what the hell the dragons were anymore. Probably a hell of a lot more to it then what he was actually told. Which pissed him off to no extent, "In any case, good news about the sparring. And I wouldn't have you fight any other way."

It was the same deal with Mathew when he broke both of Matrim's arms. Either go big or go home, Matrim wanted to experience the full extent of the fighters ability. Not to the point of death, but to the point of breakage? Why not? Bring it on!

"Maybe you can teach me what it is to be a dragon, since I clearly have been mislead," Matrim said, winking at Linda, "Hell, I doubt I even know what a dragon really is. Perhaps you can show me in our fight."

And now Matrim couldn't wait, this would be great...