Repeat After Me! ジャブ鉤十字

**Date Started:** 15 December, 2021
**Date Completed:** Ongoing
**Previous Role-Play**:
**Next Role-Play**: N/A
**Users Involved:** User:Starving Skeleton User:Sekiro of the mist
**Setting:** New York City, Human World
**Characters Involved**:
* **Fullbringer:** James Johnson, Mercedes Foyer, Rentan Fukiji

## Do You Know Yourself?

**Oof!**

*"Ooooooooooooooooooh!"* The collective crowd's groans created an orchestra of sympathy. Every punch. Each kick. They moaned and groaned as if the strikes were connecting with their jaws or slamming against their kidneys. But he didn't blame them. For it probably looked like he was taking an absolute beating.

After all, he was.

James slammed against the cage's iron bars. A slight green spark popped behind him. He fell to his knees and wiped his mouth, letting the blood pooling within in his bottom lip rub against his hand.

"Is this the end of J.J's run!?" The announcer screamed. "The supposed **God of War**! He randomly appeared one day a year ago and hasn't lost a battle yet. But every day must end. Are we watching the God of War's sunset!" James smirked as the crowd's chants became an orchestra of cheers, jeers, insults and angry gamblers.

"Just my luck! **Now** he's going to lose just as I hopped on the bandwagon." One screamed. "This was supposed to be EASY money!!"

"J.J you fucking slug you better not be throwing this. Or I swear to god I'll hunt you down!" Another added.

"You got this! Show this fucker whose hood this is!"

But, while he *did* enjoy scaring the fuck outta these scumbags or pleasing his adoring fans, James became numb to their shouts. His eyes looked up to a glass booth above the stage. A warm smile met his. The only support he needed.

James stood up and stretched.

*"I hate biting my tongue but I gotta give you something right? Can't make this look too one-sided."* James thought to himself. He cracked his knuckles. His muscles bulging with veins trying to escape through his tightened skin. He wore nothing but his signature black trunks. Keeping hist feet bare despite being a professional boxer. *"Fighting against a Muy Thai practitioner isn't how I wanted to spend my day."*

James dashed at the eight-limbed man with a ferocious burst in speed. But it took more effort to stay within the frame-rate of both his opponent's and spectator's eyes. Can't risk showing off too much. He weaved within stirking range, dipping into a slight left. Bringing his shoulder to the side to avoid a straight kick to his neck. He rolled under the foot and smiled. His gaze meeting his opponent's.

Allowing him a second to readjust and switch his straight kick into a spinning elbow. James rolled beneath his arm's bend. His hands kept close to his face but sharp golden eyes locked forward.

Another second.

The man stepped backward. James hopped forward. He slipped several jabs, checked a kick with his forearm and met an oncoming shin with his own. *"Don't worry...I'm not going to end your career. You deserve to be in the spotlight...Not here."*

"W-what's this!? J.J is on the defensive but has Big Atom on the run!" The announcer shouted. The crowd's thundering cheers started to overwhelm his own shouts. Yet James's focus was locked onto one target. He punched an oncoming jab. Chopped another kick.

"I can feel your heartbeat." James taunted.

"Fuck you!" Big Atom roared. Bringing down a thundering chop that would've killed the average man. James slipped out of its path then back into range with a step forward. He twisted his body. Snapping his right into straight cross. His fist collided with Atom's chest. Slamming his opponent's entire body against the cage. James felt the vibration move through his arm's bones into his opponent's chest and into the cage.

**Supernova!**

James looked into the man's white eyes as they closed. His body falling limply onto the ground. He took several steps back and smiled. Flexing at the surrounding crowd.

"The winner and reigning champion. James "J.J" Johnson!!!!!!!"

"Oooooo but I thought you weren't for cheating?" Mercedes teased.

"I'm not a cheater." James responded. He exted his bathroom and made his way into the living room. He grabbed a glass bottle and sipped from it. Old Fashion. A drink he hated but one he couldn't give up.

"So what was that little firework that I saw earlier, huh?" She asked. "Or did he kick some sweat off you which happened to hit the stage lights at the perfect angle again. Except this time there wasn't any green lights."

"Oh that?" James chuckled. "That wasn't cheating. Just decided to cushion it a little bit. He kicked me with some power and I didn't wanna break the cage. Or we'd really be in trouble."

"Ah. Look at you being a hero." Mercedes said. She wore a small black dress which complimented her caramel skin and white hair. She sat on the couch and looked out the window. Her gaze locked upon one of New York skyline views. Their penthouse sat at Manhattan's center. Paid for in cash by James's winnings.

"Please baby. How many times have I come across to others like myself fighting for their own livelihoods. I'm not the only one. It's how I learned how to do this in the first place." James sighed. He sat down, placed his glass on the table and rested his head on Mercedes's lap. "There isn't a school for Fullbringers. Hell, I don't if you remember the old WBO champion Yasutora Sado."

"Of course I do. Everyone knows. It's just...there has to be something better for us. Something beyond prize fights...We're not animals."

"We're not." James reassured softly. He wrapped his around her back and pulled himself closer. "That's why I'm doing this. Not just to help us live but...I think I want to-"

*"Arf Arf!"* Their little dog started barking frantically. He pawed at the door with a sudden urgency.

"Looks like Napolean has to go." Mercedes interrupted. "I did it last time."

"What?!" He jumped up. "But I'm soreeeeeee!"

"We both know that's a lie. Go put some clothes and be a good dog dad."

James sighed. He stood up and did as told. Wearing a t-shirt over his favored pajamas. He hooked a leash to Napolean and made his way out. "Be back shortly."

"Hurry back. I'm feeling...*lonely.*" Mercedes reponsded cheekily.

"Dammit!!!!"

Central Park was dangerous at these hours. Well dangerous to those without supernatural powers. Hell, even the hollow appearances served as perfect practice for James. But tonight's visit, he hoped, wouldn't have any surprises.

Just a dog who needs to poo.

The night was a calm one and the park was empty. Except for the silhouette of a young man standing under a lampost. The face of the young man was obscured by the dark but that was also because his eyes were closed. The man was dressed in a black shirt and a white kimono cardigan over this. The pants are greyish white harem pants. His clothes seemed to sway in the wind. The young man had watched James's last fight. He had been hearing rumors about, a man who didn't lose a fight, not only that but the guy was rumored to have some special abilities from what they sounded like the strange abilities matched what Rentan came across.

"Nice fight, I'm not about placing bets but I've seen a good amount of fights. What style was that." Rentan said to the man who had simply come to the park because of his dog.

James didn't bother to look to Renton. Not out of rudeness. No. But because he saw the obscured man when he first stepped into the park. Instead, he watched Napoleann work with a slight smile.

"Boxing." James answred. "I grew up watching Boxers like Yatsuda Sado and Floyd Mayweather. I'm not really into using my feet...I like to feel connected to the ground."

"If you're a fan I'd love to get you some front row seats!"

"Huh, boxing. that makes sense. I've heard of them but don't watch too much. Never heard of one who emitted green light when they punched through." Rentan looked stepped out of the light and walked around. He didn't move closer to James.

" preciate the offer, although ill be honest I heard that you had some secret power up your sleeve. And it's not the type my teachers had when they would bust out new tai chi, then wack me with a sword" Rentan was sure the man would try to stay away from the topic of powers. But he had to see what the reaction would be. like mixing a new solution into a vial.

James smiled. Of course this would be where the conversation went. But Rentan was actually entertaining...the young man walked with a certains swagger. An understanding of how this world works to avoid getting too close to James.

"Aren't you a bit young to be trying this cloak and dagger routine with me?" James teased. "If I have powers and can emit green light...what difference does it make? Or are you trying to make the next Paranormal Activity. Because if so, I'm still waiting for royalties from my last feature."

Rentan had an understanding. An understanding that something about them was different. Rentan wanted to explore it to the end. " difference on wether you have them or not is,"

Saying this rentan mustered all of his concentration into one poultry move focusing on his fingures the boy tried to imagine how he pulled of that thing. Much like what he saw earlier during the fight, when Rentan was practicing his alchemy one day he came across an unusual discovery.

With the snap of his fingures and a focus on how he wanted things to move. A green like. Although faint and week considering he had no idea what the fuck he was doing. Rentan managed to bring forth *Bringer light*.

James eyes shot open but then softened. He looked at Rentan...not with the gaze of someone trying to start some shit. But a lost duckling who found its way to his leappad. He wasn't threatened. Hell, James *felt* the amount of effort Rentan put into his trick.

"Aw." James said softly. "That's quite good for someone your age. But you lack something important." He held his finger up and tapped it against air. A loving poke. Emerald light sparkled into an expanding ripple. Rentan would feel a gentla tap on his forehead.

"Constituion." James approached Rentan. The light revealing just how sculpted his body really was. His muscles tightly shaped with layers of tissue atop itself. He towered over the young Fullbringer. "Our power is a physical power able to deal with the spiritual world. That means you need to become stronger in order to use it to its full capabilities."

the light he produced was so controlled compared to Rentan's. Even being able to make the boy feel a tap on the head, " ayo how the-" rentan cut himself off. Although he had his fair share of training. James was a boxer, some half Asian kid who was a martial artist wouldn't have near the same muscle mass.

Rentan looked up at James and nodded his head to the man's words. "Imma be honest I don't really get the spiritual thing yet, but if I think about it like alchemy the concept isn't to hard to grasp." Saying these words rentan looked around for a stick or something he could use like a blade.

"You said the power is physical connection to spiritual. If that's the case." (Use physical movements in exchange for moving the world around. Making an end result of that light I guess.) rentan thought to himself. Picking up a nearby branch that was about the size of his arm. Then the boy moved the twig in a figure eight pattern before bringing it back to the original spot and slashing diagonally. As it cut through the air a light whistle followed and to his suprise a faint puff of emerald light. The action took him off guard and even caused his eyes to widen.

"Trash."

"Better." James responded. "But its not something you'll grasp just with some understanding." A snap. He turned his head. Napolean had dashed over several sticks.

"Come back to my place and we can go over this more. This park is too big for me to make sure no one accidentally stumbles upon us."

Rentan hadn't felt good about the last display but if this James guy said it was better then he took pride in it, " appreciate it, also my bad about the introduction," backing away from James the boy bowed his head in a Japanese manner and spoke.

Name is Rentan Fukiji, pleasure to meet you. Please look favorably upon me l." Rentan said towards James

"Japanese?" James asked. "Of course! I love Japan! I have family there. And don't worry...People like us need to be careful." He chuckled.

"Come on. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend and get you settled. She's just like us and can help with the object part more."

Napolean darted across the house with such speed one would've thought he sparked a Bringer Light. But it was just happiness at being back home. The house was warmly lit with candles. Lights dim. Smooth R&B music playing. "Wait what?" James asked. He lead Rentan into the living room.

"Put your stuff over there. I'll go find-"

"Welcome back baby." A lucious voice said from around the corner. Her caramel leg peaked out. "I decided to give you a little present for winning your tournament. Why don't you-"

"Wait!" James said. Mercedes turned around the corner. Her body draped in a revealing robe with nothing underneath.

"Dammit James who's that?!" She screamed as she ran around the kitchen island in an attempt to hide her body. James jumped to Rentan to cover his eyes.

"T-this is a kid like us. He sought me out to help him with his powers."

"SO YOU JUST BRING HIM HOME WITHOUT CONSULTING ME?!"

"I didn't know you were going to do this!"

"You can't just bring random kids home!"

The bright amber eyes of Rentan had already seen well every thing, and he regretted it very dearly. Quickly lowering his head the boy clapped his hands and put them in front of his lowered head, "Sumimasen sumimasen. Honto ni sumimasen!!" The shock was so great he reverted to speaking Japanese withought knowing it.

Even though he had his eyes so tightly shut he could feel the veins in them wanting to pop. The image he saw with this abnormal white irises of his would not go away, causing the light brown face of his to flesh a hue of rosely red. "*Shit shit shit. I fucked up!*" He thought to himself.

Suprisingly Rentan has been in this situation before only on the other side, it was a day was just getting out of the shower and his friend had brought one of their fan girls to the house. Still this was different.