"I honestly don't think that they have a lot of planning going on," suggested Holly. "They tried to attack us with solo members, not as a group."

Chuck considered this. "They don't seem like decent people. A whole team of nasties could have some problems with order-following."

"Perhaps they all thought they were powerful enough on their own." The black-armored samurai concluded.

"Either way, they don't have judgment on their side," said Katniss. "They're not going to be as much trouble as a coherent team."

As an example of such a coherent team, Team Mockingjay was still mostly together and travelling down the main road. The burning buildings they had sent Amuro towards were only about fifteen blocks ahead of them now. The little team stopped at the nearest intersection to survey their location. Holly peered her head around the corner and pulled it back quickly.

"Uh, guys?"

"What now?" queried Date.

"There's a coherent team right there."

Katniss drew her bow and Chuck loaded another magazine. The team collectively snuck a peek around the corner. Among their number was the Dovahkiin- and the grey-robed man who had recruited him.

"What's this?" called the mage.

"D'Arvit! They've seen us." hissed Holly, readying her Neutrino blaster. She motioned with her hand, and Team Mockingjay filed into the street, weapons primed. Each picked a potential target, but as there were five foes and only four in their number, Katniss had to focus on two- a hooded man and a mouse-like creature.

"Well, Guardslady Short. We meet again," said the Dovahkiin matter-of-factly.

"What do you want to do, flirt me to death?" Holly sneered.

"It's not very polite to insult a suitor."

"Be quiet, all of you!" The wizard yelled, hitting the ground with his staff.

Once everyone's bickering stopped, he continued.

"Now, I can assure you that none of us here really want to fight. We can work out an orderly way of doing things, just give us some time."

"I have an idea." The Dragonborn said.

"What did you have in mind, Signore Dovahkiin?" The hooded man turned to the helmed Nord.

"A duel. My team's honor against yours. I will engage one of you in combat."

Holly looked at the other members of her team and gave a nod.

"I'll do it."

"Well, I expected as much. You wish to test me, and see if I am all that I say."

Gods, this guy's insufferable. Holly couldn't wait to show up the smug warrior. Perhaps then he would reconsider his advances.

The mage was concerned. "Are you sure, Dovahkiin? Our team's victory is at stake."

The Nord mouthed to the wizard, LESS FIGHTING. The old man nodded.

Chuck advised the warriors, "Let's give them some space." Both of the teams pulled back to the edges of the block. Only Holly and the Dragonborn stood face-to-face in the street. The warrior of the icy north grinned.

"Don't just do that. That's creepy," said the elf.

"Less chat. We must fight!"

He drew his sword and raised his shield. Holly lifted her Neutrino and pointed it at his barrel-like chest. "Bet you've never fought someone who had a gun before."

"Do you really think your advanced weapons can intimidate me? That's cute. I like it."

"Shut up," growled Holly, firing at the warrior. He stumbled a little, but did not fall.

"Impressive. Now you have demonstrated your weapon, allow me to use mine."

Surprisingly, the Nord did not swing his sword. He instead planted himself and spoke. His soft voice became unnaturally harsh, and as he said the strange words, there was a sound of a thunderclap.

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"FUS RO DAH!"

Holly was knocked off her feet and sailed backwards down the road. She hit the ground and rolled, looking up to see her team members. His voice pushed me to the end of the block. What kind of magic is this?

Holly stood and shielded, becoming invisible to all but the most trained eye. She shuffled left, to avoid the path of the warrior's enchanted shouts.

"I see you have some tricks of your own, cunning little mer. Are you unimpressed by the Thu'um?"

The warrior looked left and right, clearly not as unfazed as he wanted to appear. He then spoke again.

"LAAS YAH NIR!"

Holly was prepared to fall again, but the warrior's voice did not seem to affect her. She did notice, however, that he was now looking directly at her.

He can see me? This guy's got some kind of spell for everything! I wonder if- Holly's wandering thoughts were interrupted by the Nord bashing her into the ground with his shield. She felt her left shoulder break as she fell, and quickly began to focus her magic on healing the fractures. She un-shielded.

"D'Arvit, that smarts!" grunted Holly while raising her Neutrino at the warrior. She fired three times, causing the Dragonborn to fall backwards. Holly managed to stagger to her feet.

"Come on, Dovahkiin! Is that the best you've got?"

"Not even close," said the stunned Nord. "YOL TOOR SHUL!"

A gout of flame ripped out of his throat, scalding the elf's skin and burning her hair. Her magic was now working on healing too much at once- any more, and her healing abilities would be stretched too thin. She reeled back, turned, and ran, putting distance between her and the warrior. It didn't get her far- the Dovahkiin spoke again.

"WULD NA KEST!"

Suddenly, he was in front of her. Holly was exhausted. She was hurt all over and clearly couldn't keep up with the Nord even when she wasn't so drained. She knew that she didn't have much magic left. Holly stopped in her tracks, dazed. The Dovahkiin knelt and looked at her eye-to-eye.

"Care to do me a favor and surrender?" he said.

She returned his gaze. "Care to do me a favor?" she repeated.

The Dovahkiin looked into those beautiful eyes. Two different colors! So pretty! He really could just sit there and stare at them all day.

"Sure," the brute obliged. Holly smiled softly. The Mesmer was working.

"Listen, you sweet little Dragonborn," she continued in a voice dripping with flattery. "I need you to get me your team's token."

The warrior grinned bigger than ever. "I have it, right here!" he pulled a golden amulet from around his neck. It was shaped like a sword pointed downwards. Holly reached up and took it.

"Thanks so much. Now, can you do just one last teensy-weensy thing for a pretty girl like me?"

"Of course, milady!"

"Can you pretty, pretty please lie down and go to sleep?"

"That would be," he yawned and rested his head on the ground, "easy."

Holly stumbled backwards and fell into a sitting position. Members of both teams rushed back into the street.

"Is that cheating?" questioned Leonidas.

"No," said Gandalf with authority. He turned to team Mockingjay. "Thank you for your cooperation. We'll stand down from here on out."

Katniss helped Holly to her feet. "Make sure he gets his beauty sleep," the elf called back weakly. The team was back on their way towards the downtown area.

"Good work, Holly," Katniss whispered. "That's one down, two to go."