Crane with Devil (Baal Only/Closed)

(PL: 52,535. Heavy weights on. Weighted PL: 13,133) 


Baalbatos was preparing to face the day. He knew that if his Crane Training really went through this day, he would be going into combat, or at least very much physically exerting himself. As such, he chose to dress appropriately for such activities. He was wearing Earthling clothes. Gone were his clothes of fine demonic design. His cloak and the like had been traded in for a plain white tank top and a pair of athletic shorts. Loose and light, he thought, perfect for physical activity to keep him cool.  Of course, he was not sure how cool he would stay. He was, of course, still wearing his training weights, as he often did these days. They were certainly proving to be useful, he noted, he just wished that they were more comfortable. 

Suddenly, the badge that the Crane Master had given him lit up. Curiously, Baalbatos examined it. It seemed as if information was being transferred to it. Location data, thought Baalbatos, coordinates. A call to action, it seemed. Baalbatos smirked. It was time for him to get started on his training in the Crane arts it seemed. Baalbatos pinned the badge to his tank top and cracked his knuckles. Before long, he was out of his ship and flying towards the area that the badge indicated the training would be taking place. With his far above human speed, it would not take long for the demon to reach the location. And then he saw it: a training hall. He hovered above it for a moment, looking down on it, steeling himself for the training that was yet to come. He could not sense the Crane Master.  Just as before, it seemed, the man had no ki. These people and their lack of life energy, thought Baalbatos, such an inconvenience. 

He descended, and made for the hall. And as he did, he finally spotted the Crane Master, armed to the teeth. Baalbatos raised a hand in greeting. "Hell, Crane Master!" He exclaimed, "I hope I'm not late! I'm eager to begin training!"

The Crane Master greeted him, and as he did, the man took flight and slowly a dome opened up beneath him. It seemed that the Crane Master was ready to begin training. Good, thought Baalbatos, he certainly was ready himself. Baalbatos took off after the man and floated down to join him in the dome. Impressive, thought Baalbatos, quite the facilities. Though, he did not quite see the point, though it would never show on his face. He was, after all, all smiles. Baalbatos did not see the point at all, no, of all these standard Earthling facilities.

The Crane Master gave the call for twelve hundred push-ups. Baalbatos nodded with a grin and dropped to the ground and began to push away, but again, he had to wonder what the point was. The man claimed it was to increase his 'jin', but to Baalbatos, that was a load of malarkey. Baalbatos was a powerful man. If it were about fitness, there was no point. Twelve hundred push ups was nothing to Baalbatos. He could do that without hardly breaking a sweat. It would just take time. But he kept pushing away. The training would all be worth it. At least he hoped so...

So, thought Baalbatos, they were done with the warm up already. Good, he was ready to begin the training in earnest. The demon was not the kind of man who liked to waste time on frivolities. The sooner that they got into the real meat of the training, the happier the lilac skinned demon would be. He'd rather waste no time at all, but he supposed a little wasted time could not hurt so much. The demon listened with vested interest as the man proclaimed that it was time for the first of many techniques to be shown.

The silvery eyes of the demon watched as the Crane Master catapulted himself into the air, flying like some kind of missile. As he came down, he accelerated. Interesting, thought Baalbatos, he's certainly moving quickly. But for what purpose? The demon watched as the man slammed into the ground, a small crater opening up around him as he made contact with the ground.

Quite powerful, thought the demon, certainly a force to be reckoned with. The Crane Master explained the technique in greater detail. One of the most basic moves of the Crane School, the technique still had a fair amount of power behind it. As was evident by the crate it left behind in the ground. Which was actually beginning to repair itself at this very moment. Interesting, thought Baalbatos, was this some sort of augmented reality? Or simply advanced holographics? Either way, Baalbatos knew that he was not dealing with a typical training arena. It seemed the Crane Master had quite the advanced technology at his disposal for training.

So, thought the demon, the Crane Master had used the power of flight to augment his own technique. Quite interesting, indeed. It was a fairly simple trick, thought Baalbatos, but it was an effective one. One that the demon would be able to duplicate with little effort. He supposed that was the point of it, though. If it were a beginning technique, it was meant to be simple to replicate, as to give students something to work with. And Baalbatos could certainly work with it.

But before he could even begin to attempt the technique, the Crane Master showed him another technique. 'Duplication', he called it, and Baalbatos watched with amusement as two Crane Masters suddenly took shape in front of him. A handy technique, thought the demon, but at a cost. Halving one's strength was certainly a big risk, even at the benefit of putting one in an advantageous position with numbers. Perhaps the Crane Master had it right when he said the technique was handy for training. A mirror match, thought the demon. His grin grew wider as he considered it. He supposed that people were their own greatest enemies anyway, might as well make it physical.

"Quite impressive, Crane Master," said Baalbatos, "But if you don't mind, I'd like to attempt it for myself."

And with that, Baalbatos leaped into the air, knee extended. He moved fast, as fast as his weights would let him. And, as he began his descent, Baalbatos boosted his speed with his power of flight. He slammed into the ground, hard, and a small crater opened up around him. Smaller than the Crane Master's, but sizeable enough. "Like this, master?" Asked the demon with a grin.

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Unlocking [BG][OT-1] Super Knee Uppercut!

Again, thought Baalbatos, so this was training. Just a bunch of repeated motions and doing things over and over until one finally got it right. Well, thought Baalbatos, he certainly did not mind the process of getting things right. He was a perfectionist by heart. With a nod, the demon spoke, "Of course, Crane Master. Once more! And this time, I'll mind my speed."

Baalbatos launched himself into the air once more. He ascended quickly, moving fast, knee extended as before. He kept moving, higher than before as if to keep his speed up. And, when he reached the height of his movement, he began his descent once again. He pushed himself as fast as he could go, knee plummeting towards the ground with such great force. And finally, he smacked into it, driving the knee into the ground. Once again, a crater opened up underneath him, a little bigger than before.

"I hope that is satisfactory, Crane Master," said Baalbatos as he rose from where he was crouching.

So, thought Baalbatos, he was satisfactory. The demon smirked. He liked to think that everything he did was satisfactory, but he was willing to correct himself if that was not the case. The Crane Master went on about the potential of demons, and Baalbatos simply smiled. He was not quite sure if all demons had the same potential that he did. The lilac skinned demon liked to think that he had more potential than the rest of the demonic race. He'd met some demons who definitely seemed if they lacked any kind of potential at all, the kind of weakness that made Baalbatos question how they still managed to be alive.

The man also spoke of being sealed away. Baalbatos nodded, but he thought that he'd never have to worry about that. No, he was much too craft to be sealed away like a common plebian demon. He was smart and his power was growing by the day. But he'd say nothing, not even make a single facial movement as he considered it, lest he get into a philosophical debate on the matter with the Crane Master and delay his training even further than it already had been by the push ups.

But it seemed that they were ready to move on to the second part of the techniques. One of the Crane Masters made a comment on how this should be his life after they completed their training. Baalbatos grinned and nodded. "Well, of course," said the demon, "Crane Master, I assure you I will put this knowledge to great use."

The man went on to explain that not only was he going to show Baalbatos the technique, but a defense against it as well. How handy, thought the demon, perhaps he would have to master that technique on his own time. The Dodon Ray, thought the demon, it certainly sounded strong.

He watched as the Crane Master lifted his finger and aimed it. A brief second later, a powerful orange beam of energy erupted from the man's fingertip, taking the form of an elongated beam. Well, thought the demon, that would hurt. But the other Crane Master raised a defense and dispered the attack in just a moment. Baalbatos offered the two a small round of applause, before stepping forward. "Well, Crane Master," said the demon, "That was quite impressive. Now, allow me to try my hand at it."

Baalbatos rose a finger slowly, and aimed it down range of them. This, he thought, would be easy. It was a simple beam technique, the likes of which the demon had mastered decades ago. He concentrated for a second, focusing his energy in the tiny tip of his index finger. And, a moment later, bright orange light burst forth from the finger of the demon, burning its way through the air. The superheated beam tore through the air. Very nice, thought Baalbatos, quite strong, even if he did not put all of his strength into the attack. He turned back to face the Crane Masters. "Well, Crane Master, I think I've got beam attacks down pat. And I must say, the Crane School has quite the interesting arsenal if this is only the beginning."

---

Unlocking [OT-1] Dodon Ray!

The mechanical man threw out a capsule, and before him appeared five uniforms. Ah, thought Baalbatos, so the man does have uniforms. He'd half expected the man to let him go on as he was. Baalbatos nodded his thanks for the uniforms, even if they were not particularly his style. Well, he thought, he'd only need to wear them during the training. He supposed he could put up with that.

"Thank you for the uniforms, Crane Master," said the demon, "I appreciate it. I'll wear them well."

The Crane Master went on about what strength was. Baalbatos stared at him as he considered it. It posed a decent enough question. What was his greatest strength? There were a few potential answers to that, and Baalbatos thought that he knew, but he said nothing, instead allowing the Crane Master to speak unfettered. Finally, the demon spoke. "You ask a great question, Crane Master," said the demon, "I'll consider it as I continue to train in your arts."

So, it seemed that they were done here. That would do well enough, thought the demon. He could certainly do with a small break for now. "As you say, Crane Master," said the demon, "I thank you for your training thus far, and I look forward to continuing with it shortly. But, for now, I'll take my leave."

And with that, Baalbatos moved to collect the uniforms, folding them up and tucking them beneath his arm. He gave the Crane Master a small bow and a grin. This had been quite interesting so far, he thought. He looked forward to whatever came next, whatever knowledge and powers the man decided he was going to bestow upon Baalbatos next.

"I'll be seeing you," said the demon as he took off into the air, leaving the man behind. Yes, thought the demon, they would be seeing each other again soon. Hopefully very soon. Baalbatos had much he wanted to learn.

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Thread exit! Fun thread, Saki! Unlocking Tier 1 of Crane School! I'd like PL with heavy weights, dojo, and LMB, please! Thanks!