Tango with Centangel [Official Fight]

[Centurion]

The adrenaline pumping through his veins was the only thing keeping Cade Faulkner from just keeling over. It was a struggle to focus as he gathered his bearings. His head throbbed painfully under his damaged helm and his HUD flickered blindingly. His skin burned under the armor where the older man's energy blasts had seared through the weakened mesh, painful gashes from where the wolf-man had torn through Cade's flesh leaking oxygen-rich plasma through tears in the armor. Centurion straightened up, forcing his body to stay together. His muscles screamed as he stretched; the fight was starting to catch up with him. He looked up from his stance to see the white-clad man, struggling to his feet, being joined by the others. They gathered like a unit, a team, each cog sliding into place like a massive machine. They knew what they were doing. The young man closed his eyes for a second, heart pounding in his ears, and caught his breath. His passion was renewed and his eyes snapped open, the orbs crackling with orange energy, the same energy that started leaking from his palms like liquid lightning. A second wind surged through Centurion's body. He heard the hooded man shout something, the blood rushing through Cade's veins like an ocean drowning out the words. However, the young man didn't need to know what they said to know it was a battle-cry. They were coming for him. Fine. Let them come. Come on.

"COME ON!!"

  Centurion tightened his fists and sparks poured out from between his fingers. The snapping of ions grew louder, visible manifestations of the hero's anger coalescing into bold orange lights streaking madly off of his body like electric flames. He watched them come, his mind and body ready. He wasn't going to let them take Angel, not without a fight. Then the crashing wave slammed into the stalwart cliff-face. Marcus came first, rage still twisting the cyborg's face. Cade reacted naturally, trusting in the Terminator's momentum. With a side-step and a twist, Marcus tumbled through the air and collapsed heavily on a pile of rubble. Then Moon Knight, like a silver spear, dove towards Centurion. He threw up his arms, crossing them to absorb the impact. He felt his bones crack with effort as the hooded fighter's weight collapsed onto Cade's forearms. Nonetheless, he gritted his teeth through the pain and flung his arms open, removing any form of solid ground from Moon Knight's landing. Reaching forward, Centurion grabbed Spector's leg and swung hard. The Moon Knight found himself slamming into Dick like a bag of bricks into a steel wall, causing both heroes to crash away from Cade.
 
  Then came the wolf, that mad beast. Cade's blood still dripped from its claws as it launched itself like a coiled spring. Cade was ready. He ducked under the initial slash and rammed his shoulder forward. The hard armor along his upper arm collided sharply with Ookami's diaphragm. The wolf-man, his momentum lost, stumbled back. Centurion did not halt his assault, stepping forward and landing a hard right cross across his opponent's jaw, stunning him. A second punch, a left, missed its target as Cade was yanked back by an unseen force. An arm snaked under his shoulder and wrapped around his throat. Marcus pulled Centurion away from Dust, hoping to debilitate the hero with a chokehold. Bucking like a wild animal, Cade refused. He leaned forward hard, dragging Marcus onto his back, and kept walking. Moon Knight leaped forward, lending his own weight to the dogpile. He restrained the other arm and pulled back, but Centurion growled and fought harder. With a twist, he tore Moon Knight to the side and slammed him onto the ground. Cade's vision started going black and his breaths became shorter. Marcus' joints whirred as the soldier tightened his grip. Cade grabbed Marcus' arm with both hands and pulled, but he couldn't dislodge the Terminator. Dick pushed his way out of the rubble and raised a hand to fire a bolt of energy at the distracted Centurion. However, more on instinct than training, Cade turned and Dick's burst slammed into Marcus. With a cry of pain, the soldier loosened his grip enough for Cade to dislodge the hold and flip him forward. Marcus crashed hard into Moon Knight and the two struggled to find their footing.
  Cade struggled to catch his breath, coughing and blinking away the haze. A streak of agony screamed down his spine as Ookami slashed his jagged claws down Centurion's back. The young man turned to face the wolf just soon enough to see him closing in for a vicious bite. He flung up his arm to stop it and SW-808's fangs clamped hard onto Cade's forearm. The Centurion cried out as the teeth punched through his armor and punctured his skin. Cade fought for control with the furious wolf-man, desperate to free his limb. Finally, Cade's eyes burned brighter and he channeled his energy into a powerful discharge. The point where jaw met armor lit up like fireworks as Centurion pumped pure ionic energy into Dust. With a muffled thwump and a burst of orange light, Ookami flew backward, smoke billowing from his face. Cade exploded to his feet, eyes wide and muscles tense. Dick Howland's hands buzzed with blue energy as he approached the younger man.

"That's enough. Fight's over, kid. Stand down." His voice was stern, but an honesty exuded from the hero.

Cade's breathing slowed and his second wind started to die. He looked over at Angel. "Don't touch her."

Dick glanced at the girl as well and a clarity of understanding washed over him. "We promise."

Cade, tired and beaten, fell to one knee. His armor leaked blood and energy. Over. The fight was over. Thank God.

Word Count: 966 according to Wordcounter.net

Moves Used:

Ionic Discharge (Area of Attack, Physical Strength) - (600)

  The Centurion Apparatus was built for war and it thus boasts powerful weaponry. Despite the restrictions placed on his suit's functionality after entering the Omniverse, Cade can still access limited energy projection. Ionic Discharge is a release of the energy buildup within the Centurion Apparatus in a close proximity. This release of energy comes in the form of electricity, crackling in a four foot radius around the hero. It takes at least 4 seconds to charge, but upon release this temporary burst of energy electrifies and damages enemies who were foolish enough to get too close. The wave covers its radius virtually instantly. This burst of ionic energy acts like a field, surrounding Centurion in a sphere-like manner. This discharge lasts for about 3 seconds and it deals moderate damage over the course of this time. Alternatively, Centurion can grab an enemy and discharge the same amount of energy into a singular target. The energy is projected through the hero's palms, unleashing every joule into a grappled target. The charge time, duration, and energy consumption are identical as the amount of discharge does not change, simply the manner of application. Shocking a single target is nearly doubly as damaging as its radial counterpart. This ability cannot be used on the move as the output of energy overcharges the Apparatus' gravity sheath and anchors the hero to his position, whether on the ground or in the air, for the duration of the charge. The Centurion Apparatus is an efficient machine, and it regulates energy output carefully. Thus, when Ionic Discharge is used, Centurion's overall power source is drained moderately, similar to a special move in a fighting game.