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Chapter 18:  Breaking Night.  (Breaking News at Night)

"Good Evening! Tonight, we welcome you all once again to SIGN, to bring the world the 74th  (75th if you count the botch up in 2176, the anchorman said jokingly, in a more quiet tone) World-Wide Soul Clash!  I'm Walter Ronriez with Thomas Yasher and THIS is your ticket to the tournament!"
"Did you really just say that line, Walter?"
"…Can it!"
Yes, things were certainly lively at the GSA.  Since the tournament's start, the reporters had been flying all over the world, covering every team and angle.  Currently, SIGN, GSA's official news network was covering the entirety of the tournament.
And Rodriez was loving every last moment of it.
"Got to say, one heck-of-a-line up this year.  Most countries participating since 15 years ago!"
"You got that right, Walt!  And today we have for you all the first match of the tournament, Canada vs Portugal!  However, before we get to the match we bring you Qiu Ning (I looked up what I could, and I think this translates to "Autumn Tranquility" as a name.  If not, then please inform me) for the official tournament status.  Take it away, Qiu!"
The camera (you can assume that the chapter is a TV broadcast.  At least most of it) shifted to a young Chinese woman, in her late 20's to early 30's, wearing a blue suit, and skirt, her hair tied into a bun.
"Thank you, Thomas.  I am Qiu Ning, the status reporter for this tournament, for those of you new to the Spirit clash.  I will be discussing the various teams, and who is against who."  As she said this, the background (Gotta love the green screen) changed into a very detailed world map.
"Now, the tournament has just started, and already there are various teams battling it out.  Some of the most recently occurring fights are between China and France, the recently approved Madagascar team against New Zealand, and the Eastern Australian team against South Korea…" While she spoke, each of the countries she spoke of lit up, and arrows came from each one to indicate who they were against, the arrow of one nation hitting the arrow of the opposing nation.  "…and finally, India vs Brazil.  Now, each of these teams, representing their own individual countries, or regions, has a unique reputation of sorts.  My country, China, for instance," she said, pointing at China with a rod, "is also called the ' Realm of Gemini', 'Twin Round', and 'Dual Soil ', known in particular for the fighting each of its battles with pairs, instead of one-on-ones.  The Country it's against, France, is nicknamed 'The Kingdom of the Arts'. There are, of course, countries and regions who have more…renowned tittles, such as Northern America, or the 'Shrouded States', quite famous for the rather mysterious and almost ominous Strike type they display in each tournament.  Now, the countries in tonight's first match, Canada and Portugal, also have their own reputations, although Portugal's has only recently surfaced.  Canada, much to their chagrin, has become known these past decades as the 'Terra Team, due to the fact that the majority of strikes they have shown have revolved around some sort of earth landscape.  Portugal, on the other hand, has recently become known as the 'Great Air Local', as many of the strike types they display have a 'air theme' about them.  Back to you, Yasher!"
"Thanks, Ning.  And now we go live with our Eyes In the Air, Andy and Kyle!  Take it away, you two!"
(Elsewhere, 30 minutes earlier, somewhere above the forests in Canada)
"You SURE you know where you're going?"
"Of course I do; I have an innate sense of direction!"
"Do you even know what innate means?"
At first glance, it wasn't an unusual sight; A large Peregrine falcon flying in the sky.  However, from a birds eye view it was about as odd as it got.  On top of the falcon, riding on it's back, was a medium sized, Almorin Gecko (I am fully aware that only a few select lizard species can actually walk on two legs.  So I made up one. Those of you who are nitpickers, two words:  Bite me).  Now, as if that wasn't odd enough, the skink had, and I kid you not, a small camera and microphone with it, along with everything you might expect a cameraman to have at his side, only miniaturized.
"So, remind me again:  Why is Roger is Australia?  I'm pretty sure he just got home last week." the falcon asked with a Brooklyn accent, his swiveling his head to look at the skink.
Sighing, the skink put down the equipment he had been working on and replied in a Wales accent (although whether or not it was a Wales or Oxfordshire accent was hard to tell, although it was definitely one of the two). "Eh, I think I think it was something about 'a new archeological discovery', Kyle.  If it's a new species, they'll input it into the system and some kids going to get it either as his partner or the partner's Feral form.  Are we there yet?  No offense, but you're feathers are started to ride up my tail bone." Replied the skink.
Glancing a head for an instance, Kyle replied "Hmm, I recon it'll take another 30 minutes, 45 tops."
"Ah.  Well, hopefully, they'll give us a some sort of signal for their location."  Said Andy, shrugging.
Turning his head back in front of him, Kyle said "Yeah.  Say, how long do you think it'll take to get all the footage form the camera's that weren't destroyed?"
Groaning at the mere though, Andy replied "Don't get me started!  If I'm lucky, it'll take me at least an hour maybe mo-Hold on, gotta take this.", Andy suddenly said, switching on his head set (Like the Bluetooth head piece-thing).  "Yeah, this is Andy Riskle…What's the issue?...We're on our way right now…Are you kidding?!...Is there anyway?...(Sigh) Fine, fine…yeah, I got it.  Right, catch ya later."
"…And that was?"
"Beatrix, back at the base.  And before you ask, let's just say we better hurry up, or there's good chance one of us might get the ax!"
Gulping, Kyle replied, "THAT urgent?"
"Yep.  Now, you might want to duck you head.  I'm gonna see if I can contact Roger."  Closing his eyes, Andy began concentrating.
(Meanwhile, in Australia)
"Roger", as Kyle had called him, was working on an archeological dig, his assistants and co-workers around him.
"Yo, Roga'!" shouted one of his co-workers, Ray. "You sure we're at da' right place?  There a' so many livestock and pet bones in dis dirt, I'm starting ta tink we in some kind of uncharted pet cemetery!"
"This requires patience, Ray, you know that."  Replied Roger.  He wore glasses, had on cargo shorts and a plain white shirt, his long sleeve tied around his waist.  Dusting off another layer of dirt, he sighed with frustration at the now revealed rock, shrugged, and began to search more.
"Dat's not da problem!  Even if there a' some worthwhile findings in dis hole, it's gonna be nearly impossible to find them in dis cattle cemetary!    It'd be too simple fa' a real keepa' to get mixed up with this sh**!  I mean, I've already found 5 cattle skulls!"  (In case you haven't already guessed, this guy's talking with a Jamaican accent)
Sighing, Roger replied, "I understand.  But-!" Roger had stopped midsentence, pausing in the middle of sifting through some dirt, and closed his eyes.
"Roga'?  …Roga'?  You okay, ma-"
Roger suddenly thrust his hand out at Ray, palm open and fingers spread wide, gesturing for silence.  After a moment of silence, Roger opened his eyes and said "Sorry bout that.  Andy just contacted me."
"Ah!  Alright, 'den.  Let me know when ya' done."  Ray requested, going to work at his site.
Closing his eyes again, Roger remained wordless for a nearly half a minute before suddenly saying "Strike 9:  Flash Flare!"
(Back in Canada with Andy and Kyle)
Andy whipped his hand out towards the sky, and a brilliant ball of shining light shot from his palm.  Traveling tens of feet in the air, it exploded in a blinding light after reaching well over 200 feet above the conifer trees.
"Now, we wait." Stated Andy, putting his hand down.  They didn't have to wait very long, however, as almost 3 seconds passed before one of the trees suddenly grew and bent like a contortionist, bending to the east at an almost 90 degree angle, before bending again at halfway from the original bend and the trees tip.  Finally, the lower part of the top of the tree began widening, eventually making the result look like a giant arrow made out of tree pointing downwards.  Briefly pondering the fate of whatever lived in the tree, Andy and Kyle soared over to where the arrow was pointing, and spotted a group of 7 humans and 7 soul partners, one of whom started waving at them to come down as soon as he spotted them.  Immediately, Kyle dove down to meet them, Andy on his back.  Upon Kyle landing, Andy climbed down him, carrying his equipment with him.
"Thanks for the arrow, but didn't you just disturb, and possibly kill, most of the creatures that live in the tree?"
The one who had waved them down, a teenager who was just barely in his late teens, addressed him, wearing a black beanie that had a flaming leaf one it, with redish-brown hair sticking out, a hooded, snow-white sweater with the words "Too Cool for Real Life" on the front in stylish, dark blue letters, and sporting a pair of jeans.
"Relax.  The parts of the tree with creatures didn't so much as budge; Archer just made the tree grow and stretch to accommodate them.  See?  Look, no harm done."  The teen finished, pointing at the tree, which had already started to revert back to its original state, before any damage could be done.  Nodding, Andy began setting up his equipment.
(Almost half an hour passes)
"And we go live in three…two…one!  Go!" Exclaimed Kyle.
(We now shift to the cameras view, the one that Kyle's working)
"Salutations and greetings!  This is 'Eye in the Air' reporter Andy the Gecko my camera-man, Kyle the Peregrine falcon."  Camera briefly swiveled around to show Kyle, who grinned and did a peace sign, or as much of a peace sign as a bird's talons could make.  The camera rapidly swiveled back to Andy, who's holding a microphone and smiling.
"We are here live with the winners of the Canada VS Portugal match, along with footage of the match itself.  Now, unfortunately, the leader of the winning team, Canada, is unable to comment, for reasons not stated, so her more outspoken teammate will be her stand-in." (The camera shifts to the Canadian we previously saw, the one with the flaming leaf beanie)
"So, how well would you say the match went?", asked Andy.
"Okay, first of all, I've got a name.  It's Benson.  Richie Benson.  Second, the fights were intense, and the outcome seemed was real close at the end, but Canada came out on top!"
"All right, then how did your match go?"
"Meh, it was pretty tough.  Archer over here's still picking bark out of his overbite." Richie said, jabbing next to himself with his thumb. The camera zoomed out, revealing Archer, a beaver, who was indeed picking bark out of his front teeth, who waved at the camera, next to Richie.  "But, that's what happens when your opponent goes a little crazy with his wind strikes.  Fortunately, though, volcanic ash isn't that easy to just blow away!   At least not the kind we use!"
The camera immediately began playing the scenes from the battle using the videos from the various cameras scattered across the battle area.  (Note: the following occurs in the correct order, and scene changes are to be expected, given the numerous amounts of cameras)  The camera shifted to the first of the recorded battle's scenes, a view of the ground from high in tree, showing a good portion of tree-filled land.  Suddenly, a snub-nosed viper, with the height of a bicycle and the length of 5-7 community buses, zooms through the air, dodging a fast traveling, ash-grey blob that smashes into a tree, tearing a good chunk out of it.  The viper rapidly turns around and whips its tail at the place where the ash blob came from, sending a curved wave of wind at it, before turning back around and zooming off camera.  Then, 2 seconds later, a brown mass charged passed the camera, stopping only in the middle of the cameras view to inhale and puff out its cheeks before throwing open its mouth and releasing a huge amount of volcanic ashes and gases at its opponent like a shotgun.  The brown mass in question was revealed to be the (in real life extinct) species of beaver known as the 'Giant Beaver'.  It towered and was easily the height of at least 1 and a half polar bears standing, with the width of the same.  Some of the ash shot out towards the camera, causing static to appear on screen the second it hit.  Another section of the forest came into view with the next cameras footage.
"Alright, here's where we're gonna slow down a little, so you can see what happens.  Look at the upper left corner of the camera."
This time, the view was of several trees.  At the upper left corner of the screen, a glimpse of scales appeared, followed by a wave of wind, presumably from the snake, suddenly smashing the screen. Cut to at the next camera, facing the sky.  Both opponents rammed into each other from opposite sides of the cameras view.  The snake wrapped itself tightly around the beaver's torso, and bared its fangs, about to bite.  The beaver smacked the snake's head with its tail, temporarily stunning him.  The beaver slipped from the snakes grip and spat a glob of ash into its eyes.  The snake hissed loudly in pain and unleashed a wave of wind, missing the beaver by a mile.  The beaver's rudder suddenly started to rapidly grow to more than 3 times its normal size, volcanic ash and gases covering it.  Once it was full size, in about 4 seconds, the beaver smacked the snake hard with it, sending it straight to the ground, and destroying the camera.   The next scene was of the viper smashing into the ground in front of the next camera.  It slowly got up, shook its head, and was tackled by the beaver, which had plummeted from the sky, slamming the snake further into the ground.  The viper hissed in pain before biting the beavers left leg, making the beaver howl in pain and ease his foot off the viper.  The viper immediately curled up its tail into a ball, wind gathering into a sphere into the ball.  The snake threw the sphere into the beaver at point blank, making its eyes puff out a little before it was sent crashing through several trees.  Grinning in satisfaction, the snake sent wave after wave of wind towards where the beaver had smashed into, with a few seconds interval between each wave.  After unleashing around 10 waves, the snake opened its mouth and rushed towards the site, wind in the shape of an arrow jutting from its mouth.  The next camera picked up just as it was about to reach where the beaver had crashed, the beaver leaping upwards from the site, rather close to the camera, and unleashing a barrage of volcanic ash and such from its mouth like a shotgun, destroying the camera instantaneously.
"And although no other cameras picked up anything else, the outcome of the fight is clear!  So, any idea who your team'll be up against next?"
Shrugging, Richie replied "Not sure.  The teams get 3-4 day breaks in between matches, although going by how many teams there are, that means you folks'll still have a lot to cover.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta a taco with my name on it."
"Right.  Now, as the other matches…"

(Meanwhile, in some forest elsewhere)

A mouse scurried through the grass, its little heart beating at an incredibly rapid pace.  Stopping, it ears twitched, and its eyes looked up at the trees.  (Note: this is a regular mouse)  It remained there for a second before turning to its left and running even faster than it had before.

A pair of eyes watched it from the trees.

Still running as fast as its feet cold carry it, the mouse suddenly froze as a sound pierced the night.

Hooooo!

Its heart beating faster than ever, it frantically ran, unaware of where the creature was.  The creature, clearly a bird, dove from its perch and swooped towards its target, its wings making practically no sound as it flew towards its prey, talons outstretched.  Its talons were inches away from snagging its prey, when the mouse suddenly dissapeared into a hole in the ground, eluding its predator.  The owl soared into the trees, having missed its dinner.  Minutes passed before the mouse cautiously poked its head out of the hole, turning its head and twitching its nose as it sniffed the air.  Satisfied that the danger was no longer present, the mouse scampered out of the hole, racing back towards its own hole.  It was almost there when it heard the noise again, only this time it was much closer.

HOOOO!

Frantically, it ran towards it hole, the talons of its predator coming closer and closer.

The sounds of a mouse's cry filled that part of the forest, followed by sudden silence.

(Scene shift to the top of a building in New York)

The bird of prey landed on a gargoyle in the shadows, its dinner clenched in one of its feet.  Settling itself on the head, it reached down to consume its dinner.

"Honestly, is it really necessary to do that?" asked a figure sitting next to it, its shape distinctly human.  Turning its head briefly, the bird gave the figure a look before turning back to its meal.

"I've told you before, it is not something I can simply stop just like that." The bird replied, with a deep voice (It's very similar to the voice of Chase Young from Xiaolin  Showdown; its voice that conveys wisdom)
The light of the moon finally shifted enough to reveal the bird was a Great Horned Owl.  Tilting its head upwards, the owl swallowed the entirety of the mouse, the tail finally disappearing into its mouth with a resounding 'slip'.
"I am a bird of prey; I cannot deny my biological designs."
Sighing, the human figure next to him shifted himself a little, one of his legs bent upwards with his arm resting on it, the other stretched out in front of him.
"Can't you just tell me what you want so I can get it from the store?"

Scoffing slightly, the owl replied "And where is the challenge in that?  Eating something that has been killed and packaged like that is to deny it and yourself any dignity.  Haven't you ever heard of the "Thrill of the Hunt"?  With processed food, there's no challenge; it's just…there, already prepared, unable to do anything, pre-killed.  My method preserves the dignity of it all; at least I give my meals a chance to go down fighting, or escape to live another day.  In that sense, they die knowing that they gave it their best.  Processed food effectively eliminates that.  Where's the satisfaction in that?"
Sighing again, the figure stood up, revealing itself in the moonlight.  The person, a man, had a composed feel to him, and was, for lack of better words, cool in his appearance.  He wore a large, black open coat with high collars (somewhat like the coats of Organization XIII (from Kingdom Hearts 2), only minus the hoods and the sleeve are much less loose, although not constricting. and it doesn't emphasize the muscles).  Underneath, he wore midnight-blue pants, with an almost invisible black belt to keep it up.  As for his shirt, or what one could see of it, taking into account his coat, it was a very pale shade of black, almost to the point of being grey, but not quite.  His shoes were, surprisingly, completely white.  As for his head, he had spiky black hair, the kind one would only find in anime or manga.  His eyes were charcoal black, with a sort of metallic silver ring around them, as piercing as a hawk's, and even more striking.
"There's no arguing with you, is there?"
"But of course.  Now, since the tournaments started, do you want to have another look?"
"Why bother?  Just cause a few more people have entered, it doesn't mean they won't be a disappointment like all the rest."
"And what if they aren't?  They might just be the challenge you're looking for."
"…(sigh)…I guess one last look couldn't hurt."
With that, the human male closed his eyes and uttered one word.
"Seven."
The owl closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opening them again, they were glowing an alien green color.
In the owl's view, everything around him faded away into utter darkness, leaving only his glowing green eyes, floating around in a completely black space.  Suddenly, a green sphere began constructing itself before him, forming rapidly form blocks, like it was a computer program uploading an image digit by digit.  Eventually, an entire, miniature sized, glowing green earth formed before the eyes.  Then, just as fast as it appeared, small, pin sized dots began forming all over the globe, filling it up almost each continent on it until it looked like each continent was glowing a bright green from all the dots on it.  Then, two, massive, hand like bird feet (like the kind you'd expect from a human/bird combination on a cartoon) came into existence, and began rapidly tapping away at the globe, reducing the number of dots a breakneck speed.
From his human counter parts perspective, all he saw was the owl's eyes glowing a eerie green, the pupils little more than barely discernible black dots.
"Hmmm, strange...yes, strange indeed."
"Find something, Arthur?"
The strike still active, Arthur replied, "Yes, although its neither good not bad.  Just interesting."
"And?"
"Numerous pairs have suddenly had an increase in potential, and two stand out the most.  The North American team finally entered and allowed the tournament to begin, correct?"
"Yeah.  Oh, let me guess: It's their final two pairs, isn't it?"
"Correct.  It appears as though these four entering the tournament has drastically altered things."
"Funny, that's not what you said last week when you checked on things.  Think this'll impact the others?"
"Things change, Luther.  You know that's how it works.  Although it's rather doubtful it will affect the others too much, it's certainly a possibility."
Standing up, Luthor exchanged a look with Arthur, who nodded and stretched out his wings.  Going to the edge of the skyscrapers roof *, he jumped.  A massive Eurasian Eagle owl, the vein-like marks already receding, swooped down, catching him on its back.  The two soared into the night faster than the eye could blink.

*Note:  I have no idea what it's called. It's that part of a tall, skyscraper/building that's like a roof, but with a building behind it.  I suppose that when viewed from the side, it somewhat resembles stairs.  Like the kind you see super hero's like Batman crouching on•

To Be Continued…