- The RhyDin Post's black and gold logo flashes with an epic, orchestrated introduction theme. The logo spirals off the screen, and displays a high-tech news studio with flat screen television sets, and a massive, glossy black desk. Two men sit behind the desk. To the left (Peter Pham) is in his early thirties, of Asian ethnicity, has gelled black hair, and is in a pale gray suit. To the right (Chris Reed) is of Caucasian ethnicity with dark brown hair, is in his late thirties, is wearing a navy suit, and has a vertical scar running down one side of his face. Both men, equipped with headsets, smile at the camera. -
Peter: How's it going, RhyDin" I'm Peter Pham, sports columnist!
Chris: And I'm Chris Reed, and I'm a Pisces!
Peter: Welcome to the Post's continuing coverage of the Duel of Swords Madness.
Chris: Which is way more bloody than bouncing a puny ball around, let me tell you!
Peter: You alright there, Chris"
Chris: I'm all hyped up on energy drinks a pork rinds, Pete! Let's DO this!
Peter: You know those energy drinks make you crash way hard.
Chris: You're crazy. CRAZY! Craaaazy! - Hysterical laughter for no reason. -
Peter: " Wow. Well, RhyDin! Tonight we are extremely excited to bring you this particular piece of Madness, which features two fighters we haven't covered before. Cassius Maximius and Skid" Skid" just Skid, it looks like.
Chris: I'll bet that's an alias for something. You think he's a superhero' I'll bet he's a superhero! - Like a chipmunk in fast-forward mode. -
Peter: Chris" Why don't you go over there while I cover this one"
Chris: No dice, Pete! I've had my eyes on Maximius for a long time now. He's easily on my top five favorite fighters list. Mad skills, that one, and a cool head.
Peter: And Skid"
Chris: Only time I ever really saw him was back when we covered the Tour, and even then it wasn't much! I guess all I can say is I hope he surprises me" for his sake!
Peter: Right, because you're not easily impressed.
Chris: Hey!
Peter: We're still in the first bracket, ladies and gents, so nothing is too terribly crazy just yet'
Chris: - Interrupting. - Are you kidding" This is insane!
Peter: " But Madness is still Madness, so let's jump right in!
- Roll footage Round 1. TH/TH, 1 All. -
Skid: He jerked forward, blade biting into shoulder as he took the counterstrike with a hiss.
Maximius: A deft cant of the wrist slid a bolt-lock away from the gilded maw of a brass scabbard, the hissing sibiliance of a gladius rousing from it's torpor swiftly punctuated by the whoosh of stale air being lacerated in the pursuit of a salute. And instantly, tumescent bicep served as a piston, gladius seeking to rend emaciated flesh in a classic "Roman" thrust. However, the delapidated blade pierced his own flesh, a carmine wedge birthed from the wound.
Chris: Holy crow! These guys don't waste time! I swear, as soon as the caller yelled "fight," Maximius dove in to wound his opponent! Not even a blink!
Peter: I have to give Skid some credit. His proportions first struck me as all wrong for a sport that requires such expert hand-eye coordination. But he's got a surprising amount of grace in the ring. I wonder how long he's been dueling"
Chris: - Still obviously wired. - I don't know, Pete, but boy did he take advantage of that opening! Just one buzz, and BAM! Right in the shoulder! That's almost unfair, right there. Maximius still has to swing his sword for the rest of the match!
- End footage Round 1. Roll footage, Round 2. LC/HC 2 All. -
Maximius: A searing current of pain was cast to the periphery of his mind as he continued to attack, Imperator dipping and swinging low with a fluid motion. However, the blade skimmed across a protruding shoulder blade, eliciting a hiss.
Skid: The Daemon's ragged blade whipped through the air and across shoulder and chest, blood dripping down a thigh as he stepped back, grinning.
Peter: They're just trading shots, now. It looks as though Skid doesn't even mind when he gets cut up. Rather than going defensive, he just takes the hit, and then utilizes the opening that his opponent's maneuver creates. That's" one way of fighting, I suppose.
Chris: It's either gallant and awesome, or completely deranged, Pete.
Peter: Maybe some odd combination of the above"
Chris: Or maybe he just likes to bleed.
Peter: Look at the grace of Maximius" arc, though. He's got excellent form.
Chris: I'm telling you, Pete. Top five.
- End footage Round 2. Roll footage, Round 3. TH/TH 3 All. -
Skid: Skid did not heal, but it only seemed to spark further glee in him as their blades pierced one another again. Stabby stabby oftentimes did, afterall.
Maximius: Well, this was quite the bloodbath, was it not' A trill of pain reverberated across preforated viscera as the duo exchanged blows yet again, enamels gnawing on the plush terrace of a lower lip.
Chris: Whoa! Let's take a look at that again!
- Slow motion, action-replay of the double-lunge. Zoom in on the action of the fighters, where white arrows are drawn along the screen to follow the paths of thrusts into each other. -
Chris: Watch closely here as they just go right past one another.
- Footage is paused right before the blades connect. Zoom in on Cassius" expression. -
Chris: This is a true fighter right here, Pete. At this point, there is no way he doesn't know Skid's blow is coming, but in a split-second decision, he realizes that the only thing he should do is just keep following through with his attack. Not even a blink. This guy's made of steel.
Peter: If he's made of steel, what does that make Skid"
- Zoom-in on Skid, who seems almost euphoric. -
Chris: He's" something I've never heard of, I'm sure.
- End footage Round 3. Roll footage, Round 4. LC/LC 3 All. -
Skid: His blade quite consistently the poorer in quality (against any other blade, at least), the gladius could easily sink a millimeter or two into his own blade. He wrenched it back and laughed. "Close."
Maximius: Settles back after the strike, piercing gaze assessing the slightest fluctuation of the reptilian frame before him.
Peter: And again, I have to give it to a fighter who comes in and actually has some fun with this. I think Skid is growing on me.
Chris: - A little tiredly. - It's a serious sport, Pete, but even serious things need a little humor every now and then.
Peter: You feeling alright there, Chris"
Chris: I'm totally fine. You don't know what you're talking about.
- End footage Round 4. Roll footage, Round 5. HC/TH 4-3 Skid. -
Skid: His laughter twisted into a hiss, as he drove his blade into the Roman's cutting bicep and tore it back again. He'd taken to using both hands as he pulled back. The grin was persistent.
Maximius: And the former centurion's fluid stance sank to a single knee after the strike, pain coloring Mediteranean contours.
Chris: Youch! He walked right into that one. That had to hurt, and I'm willing to bet the pain will stick around with a blade like that. What's that Skid's fighting with' Give me a close-up.
- Zoom-in on Skid's ruined choice of weapon. -
Peter: I wonder if he's trying to make a statement"
Chris: Yeah. Like, "Hey children! Tetanus shots are important!"
Peter: Speaking of messages, we actually have to take a quick break here. Don't go away!
- Blackout. -