"HURRAGH!"

The yell echoed through the trees, falling only on the ears of birds and squirrels, and maybe a Deku Scrub or two. The yell came from a near-unknown nomad, Douglas Jay F., who was practicing his unarmed combat skills. Since he knew of very few people whom he could spar with without being overwhealmed, and finding very few monsters as well, the only thing he could use were the trees.

Douglas had practiced hand to hand combat for the majority of his life, this style being of his own mixture of Kung Fu and street brawling, and, at certain times, even limited pyrokinesis, though he can tap into that power through a fire scroll wrapped around one arm. Sadly, he had no magic power to use such a move, and with the scroll acting as both a key and a lock, couldn't tap into this amazing strength.

Seven, his faithful falcon friend, watched him train, changing from his perch in an untouched tree to the skies above, carefully noting his partner's progress. The two trained together in tandem, the avian training his agility, and the human his h-combat.

Douglas stood near the tree, his fist in a small crater he had made from several punches in that area, which was now his current target. His brown cape was removed, as well as the bag he wore, both resting near the same tree that Seven used, thankfully out of projectile range. His dark blue suit was darkened in areas, due to sweat, which in turn was due to the heat, the sun, and the fact that the suit covered the majority of his form, save for his hands, and his lower lehs, which were covered with large, bronze boots.

With several labored breaths and pants, he slowly stepped back, to fall against a tree, where he would rest for quite some time, waiting for his energy to return. Reaching into his green bag, which he had made from an old weapon sheath he had, he took out a canteen, from which he took a swig. Recapping it, he put it next to him, as he ran his fingers through his hair. Today was tiring, so he would stop training for the rest of the day, and spend that time finding a place to stay. "Seven, have you seen anywhere good?" he asked, looking though the branches at his blue-feathered ally. With a squawk, Douglas let his head hang, with the knowledge that he would spend another night otuside. Luck never seems to be easy for nomads, does it?

OOC: Anyone can post here. Just putting down as a note.

Xokorn felt the air as the temperature rose from cold to cool in but a few minutes' time; the sun was continuing its climb in the blue sky, which had been partially hidden by cumulonimbus clouds. Since his time in future Hyrule, he had come across quite a few nerve-racking events, some of which had been in that very forest. That only made its aura all the more dark and bleak.

He walked down the path that had not been made by the hunters or the masons that lived near the forest. The thought of going down a path that was already made for him didn't appeal to him very much that day. Most of the stuff that happens in the world seemed to be in places where passersby walking down the main roads wouldn't go to butt in on private business.

Sure enough, as Xokorn was walking down the forest "path," he came across a nomad that was...fighting some trees, apparently. He's obviously training, he thought. I probably shouldn't disturb him. As he looked at him some more, however, he recognized who it was--an ally of his when Marisa and Hyneria Ikana were trying to rescue someone from their abusive father. "Douglas!" he called out to him. "Training in the forest, I see? How has it been since the rescue in Ruto?"

Douglas lifted his head up, hearing his name. He looked around, trying to see where it could've come from. Great. Now I'm going insane. Right after some normal training I go insane. Yeesh, life gives you a random hand, doesn't she? he thought, lettin his head hang again, until he heard the voice again. "Xokorn, that you?" he asked, looking around, smiling when he saw the familiar black robe of his past ally.

He stood up, brushing off the seat of his pants as he did, then cracking his back. "Well, yeah, I've been training. It was after the rescue did I realize that my fire scroll wouldn't work unless I had sufficent magic power, and, well, with no way to get any more, I decided to start training my technique so that I don't miss nearly every time like the last time." he said, remembering how only two of his punches landed, out of some seven, he believed.

"But, with my luck, it's nearly night, and I get to spend another night out here, surrounded by theives and monsters." he said, taking in a deep breath, and yelling out, "Man, do I love Hyrule!" Douglas laughed at himself, after which smiling at Xokorn. "So, what brings you out here?" he asked, now leaning on the tree he stood before.

"Oh, nothing, really," Xokorn replied, looking at the shady scenery around here. "I felt that a walk in the woods would do some good for me. Of course, I have a tendency to be at the right places at the right times...assuming you have something that's in need of attention. I'd gladly help if that's the case." The forest was full of dangers, after all. For all he knew, a Moblin could jump right in front of them at any moment. It's not like it's never happened to people before, but then again, it's not like it ever happened with him personally. He hoped that his offer wouldn't ultimately jinx them.

Douglas scratched the back of his head, looking up at the sky instead of his...aquaintance. Couldn't call him a friend until he proved himself alone, and not with others in the area. But, in a place like Hyrule, what are the chances that two adventurers would be attacked by something? Well, very high, actually, but he wasn't thinking about that at the moment. "Well," he began, snapping out of the line of thought he had just begun, "I've been trying to see if I can get a home in Hyrule. That way, I'd be able to sleep inside some nights. Being outside so much makes it loose some of it-"

He was cut short by the sound of a tree bursting into flame. Its cause, a man wrapped in a dark yellow cloak, his head topped off with a faded red cap. "Well, hello, Cap." the man said, looking up at Douglas. "Don't call me that here. They don't know." replied Douglas, somewhat agitated with the man, but having an air of trust and respect for the man. Seven, seeming unafraid of the fire that erupted from the nearby tree, flew down and landed on his partner's shoulder, bowing down his head in resect for the short man.

"Well than, how about you, your friend there, and I have a friendly little spar? You never know, he might be a new member..." the short man said, smiling under the shadow cast by his cap. "Well, do you?" he asked.

OOC: It's up to you, MagmarFire. You chose if we fight this guy. I have his stats in my profile, but they will take a moment to work on.

OOC: As long as he's not a Deku cleric (which I sincerely doubt), then I'm all for it!

IC: A large fwoom! sounded from a nearby tree as it burst into flames in only a split second. Even though the fire burst into a completely audible flame, he still wasn't startled by it. I knew those thoughts would jinx us... he thought, hanging his head in somewhat shame of himself. However, once again, he was in the right place at the right time, and as always, he was ready to do battle should it actually be necessary. "Wait a second. Who are you and what kind of miff do you have against us? I only spar when I know the purpose of it."

The man laughed, letting a slip of what sounded like an italian accent come out. "I have no miff with you, fellow mage. I just want to test your strength." he said, smiling. "As for who I am, you may call me Mario." he said, making a fire ball in his hands, just to toss around. "Also, before I forget, sorry about the tree. I just had to get your attention." he explained, looking at the charred mess that was behind him.

Douglas looked from the man, who called himself "Mario", to Xokorn. "Well, it would be good. I'll help you if you need it." he said, giving Xokorn an Assuring smile. Seven flew up from Douglas' shoulder to land in another tree, on the top in case he had to leave quickly.

Hmm, a battle just for fun, Xokorn thought. Sounds amusing. He grabbed his staff with both hands and pointed the tip at Mario as if it were a spear. Aside from the tournament, it had been a while since he'd been in a friendly battle. "Okay, Mario, why not? Let's go for it."

OOC: I hadn't expected that Mario would be our opponent. This should be an interesting battle.

Mario, LV 6 Scholar//Mage
STR: 1
DEF: 5
AGI: 2
INT: 3
SPI: 6
HP: 36
SPL: 24

Mario smiled, letting fire form around one of his white gloves. "Then let's get started! Elemental Burst, Fire!" he yelled, as the fire flew from his hands, forming into a ball, which he launched at Xokorn. (15+3) Xokorn gets hit full-on by the mighty flames, but can still stand. "Now then, just so you know, it's me, against you two, the both of you being on the same side." Mario said, explaining a rule of the fight.

"Good then, I was hoping for some help!" said Douglas, as he ran to hit Mario [[Unarmed Combat LV1]] (2+2+6 > 5+2) As Douglas' fist lands, Mario is hit, but recovers quickly, smiling under the shadow of that cap of his. "Nice one, Cap." he mutters.

Xokorn: 41 HP, 12 SPL
Douglas: 41 HP, 3 SPL
Mario: 28 HP, 18 SPL

Xokorn grunted, sliding backward as he took the full force of the magic attack. If his staff weren't wood, he wouldn't have been trying to put the ignited flame on it out...but sometimes things just aren't that convenient for him. It's not like he was complaining, though; he put it out quickly with his dark cloak, which also had taken the blow of the fire. Luckily, it was mostly fireproof, but the fire was still too hot. A hole was starting to form out of the mostly-stable material. He put the fire out before it grew bigger.

Now it was time to be wary of anything else that Mario would dish out. The ignition of the poor tree was reason enough to do so. From what he knew, using magic was usually his prime way of hitting an enemy, but Mario didn't seem like a pushover. He just simply had a lot of power to unleash. Therefore, he decided that it would be best to save his magic in case Mario's power got out of hand.

All that was left to do was to rush toward Mario and swing his staff with all his might. The problem was his intention was not to kill, so the power of the swing was certainly below his average. On the other hand, it would've been wise to steer clear of the staff's deadly path...

Mario looked over at Xokorn, seeing the fellow mage swing his staff (4+9>7 DMG 10), but is too late to avoid it. He takes the hit gracefully, staying in his stance he was in before, and only skidding across the ground. "You are rather strong, friend, but that will not make me go easy on you!" he says, "Elemental Burst - Fire!" he roars again, creating the ball of flame once more. (20 +3 6 DMG) This time, though, Xokorn is able to take only half the damage, and can live to fight another day, for now.

Douglas races to Mario once more, ready to attack again (2+2+17 > 5+2 8 DMG) and again hits his mark. He is showing much better progress than before. Mario again takes a hit, bringing him closer to loss.

Xokorn 41 HP, 12 SPL
Douglas 41 HP, 3 SPL
Mario 10 HP, 12 SPL

Xokorn was quite satisfied with his hit, but he was even more satisfied with his swift dodge of the Elemental Burst. No, not only was he satisfied, he was also surprised. Consecutive moves like that haven't happened for him often. But it was a blessing that he could enjoy for only a second before he had to decide what to do to continue the battle.

He, once again, thought that it would be somewhat risky business to use magic before knowing every trick that Mario had up his sleeve. For someone with that much prowess in magic, there was bound to be a few more before the battle ended. Thus, he raised his staff and charged once again at his opponent, hoping for a good smack in the stomach.

OCC: Sorry if I'm late, Nathael.

OOC: Don't worry. I'm the late one. But, I'm trying to settle back in to the game.

IC: Mario looks back at Xokorn, smiling for a moment, knowing that who he is fighting might be a new recruit for their cause. Seems Cap is able to take care of buisness. he thought, before snapping back to reality to see the staff swung at him. (9+4+16>7 DMG 10) But is too late to avoid the staff's crushing final blow, landing him on his knees, for only a moment, as Mario reaches into his pocket, taking out a small mushroom-like thing, which he absorbs in his hand.

"That was a good match, Cap. You have a powerful friend there." Mario says with a smile, looking over at Xokorn and nodding in his direction. "You are very powerful, that is true, but it might make good to get some training in before you fight me again." he said, sounding serious as opposed to the happy attitude he had before. "Now, old and new friends, I must leave. I have Princesses to attend to." he said, turning around and walking off into the forest.

Douglas looks at the trees where Mario had left, turning to face Xokorn. "Nice fight, eh? Though he might be getting rusty. He is one of the founders, and one of the best, but doesn't get to fight that much these days." he explained, before picking up his cloak and equipment, and letting Seven land on his shoulder. "Well, I bid you adieu. Got to see if I can get to somehwere before they all close." he said, waving at his friend before going off.

OOC: And thus begins Douglas' storyline, the S. Brotherhood. If you know what the S. part means, you can guess who any other members will be.