niceguypose | Fourteenth Gate [Action/Video]

[It hadn't been unusual for Lee and Neji to miss each other throughout the day. They both followed different schedules and different training regimens, especially without Gai-Sensei to guide them. But the amount of time without seeing Neji at all was alarming. So he checked his comrade's room for signs of a kidnapping, and instead he found something much worse. Neji had gone home. Home to face his death. Rock Lee let out a wail that could be heard throughout the Flame Building. This wasn't the plan. They were supposed to return home only after they could save Neji from that gruesome fate. That was Lee's Luceti dream, even moreso than his dream of obtaining true flight with the wings.

He eventually decided to see Sakura, to try to find some comfort from her about all of this. They had resolved to be there for each other as they endured the trials of Luceti, however. To make sure he was not walking in on anything inappropriate, he knocked approximately 300 times. When none of them gained an answer, he showed himself in. And found a completely empty apartment.]

[Video]

[Rock Lee appears in front of the video feed. Unlike his usual self, he appears more sullen and reserved. Raw and hurt, as he speaks.]

People of Luceti... This is Rock Lee. I am here to deliver news about two people you may know. One was Hyuuga Neji... the genius of the Hyuuga clan and an eternal rival whom I will never defeat. And the other... is Sakura Haruno. She is the most powerful kunoichi in the entire world, and very likely the most beautiful as well. Well, second-most-powerful, if Tsunade-sama is counted.

Both of them... have returned back to their home. [It was unsual to consider how small their numbers how dwindled to. Shikamaru now was the only Konoha ninja remaining, and the only others from their world are now Temari and Itachi.] Please, remember them fondly, and wish them the best in their endeavors. I have found some letters written by both of them. If you would like them, you should face me for them.

[He closes his eyes for a moment in thought.]

It also seems that... the Dancing Red Supportive Angel of Paris, Erica Fontaine, is no longer in Luceti either. [He had tried filtering a message to her, ready to truly ask her out on a date at long last. The filter broke.] Those who seek me... I will be in the Battle Dome. My intentions are to train until I can no longer move.

[He closes his eyes in thought.

Sakura, Neji, Erica, Naruto, Kushina, Minato, Ikki. Rapunzel. Everyone who was bright and/or represented hope in some way went home eventually. Rock Lee was left to endure on his own, and to try to find that hope within him once again.

But he could not find it yet. He can't even manage a parting smile as he closes the journal.]

[Action]

[Rock Lee squats one room of the Battle Dome for the entire day. He has erected a makeshift sign outside of the door reading "Reserved for the Preservation of Youth".

He spends the entire day working through that room, enduring constant and rigorous training in simulations fighting against enemies from his own world. He cannot quite stomach to face a simulation of Neji, but all of his other rivals or enemies are fair game to appear in hologram form. Gaara, Kisame, Obito, Madara, Kimimaro, Sasuke and Naruto himself are the opponents at different times. His final opponent of the day, when he's on his last legs, is Gai-Sensei himself.

However, the holograms are not exactly perfect. Some of the holograms have some unusual abilities caused by Lee trying to fill in the gaps of abilities that he did not know about, and most of the time it ends up being fire breath. And nearly all of the holograms were made in a hurry, resulting in them having some bizarre flaws in their appearance similar to the uncanny valley effect. Some of them end up with small beady eyes, others end up with oddly large and detailed hands. Sometimes, their body features shift oddly as they move, as if they're being poorly animated...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do you truly believe that? That it will numb all your pains? What you are feeling I don't believe can simply be numbed through physical exhaustion.

I don't know... what else to do! [His confidence crackles with worry.] I have to- to endure now!

Well, you do not have to face it alone. If you need any assistance perhaps I could provide? Even if it's simply making sure that you do not push yourself past your body's limits.

Ah... Really? You will fight by my side, Natalia-san?

Of course, Lee. Is there a reason I ought not to?

If there is, than that reason is only yours to know! That is why I must hear your conviction!

There is none. So Lee, I will stand by and fight by your side, just like I have before.

[He nods.] I am honored. [And then with everything set up, he runs right into the room.] Please come with me!

Of course. [ And into the room Natalia follows! ]

[He flashes her a weak smile before they enter the room. And they emerge onto a dark ninja battlefield where an enemy awaits.]

We will face... one of the most powerful ninja enemies who lives.

[ Natalia looks around the room. Must it look like this? And what Lee said .. ]

And who might that be?

That is... Obito Uchiha, one of the greatest enemies in this war. He... can leap through dimensions, so we must be very careful!

I see. Then I will process with utmost caution. But are you certain that you want to do this?

[ Facing such a high level enemy for only training??? ]

I have to! I have to be able... to overcome him! [There's hurt in his voice.]

... I see. [ She hears that hurt in his voice. How can she say no to that? ] Then I will fight him beside you. Ready whenever you are, Lee.

Yosh! Let us begin!

[And then Obito descends and begins some fierce attacks maybe it'd be easier to cover this in broad strokes?]

[ Yes, that would be the easiest thing to do as Natalia starts using some attacks on her own and setting up support when she can. ]

[Obito warps around, he does some wacky ninja things. Rock Lee keeps fighting, but he's very much outclassed even with Natalia's support, and he gets floored time and time again.]

Edited 2014-10-16 03:20 (UTC)

[ Darn you Obito your warping it making aiming at you very hard. But despite Lee getting knocked back Natalia still tries to support him, using heal and cure when it looks like he needs it.

But not right before he's dead like the game AI ]

[Lee smiles gratefully with each healing. He's not about to give up yet! And he wipes some dirt from his chin as he prepares himself.]

There's no choice. I will have to start opening my Gates!

[ Natalia frowns. She remembers the gates from the draft. Is it really necessary to go to that point rather than stop the simulation?

But .... ]

... All right. But please be careful, Lee!

[ Going to keep backing you up and healing you as you do that. ]

[He nods.]

I won't let you down, Natalia-san! I... I won't let any of my comrades down, from now on! [And he starts opening the first Gates as he tries to catch up with Obito; it's still not causing any great improvements yet.]

I will not let you down, either!

[ She'll try to hit Obito with some arrows to little to no avail. How frustrating, but she will not give in! ]

My heart is so warmed! But... I have to push myself further! Gate of Pain! [His skin starts glowing red as he opens his fourth gate, and now he rushes at Obito with increased speed.]

[ The grip on her bow tightens. No Lee you really shouldn't be doing that...! But with that increased speed maybe he can catch up and won't have to go further.

Regardless though, she can't back down. Shooting more arrows and healing. ]

[action]

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