Trial or Routine? [KOTR Recruitment - Iko + K]

Show me.

Show me what you're worth, K!

Iko hadn't come all the way out here to learn that his potential 'leader' was a coward, someone who would so easily show a fatal flaw on the battlefield. No, he had come to prove himself, to show his worth for her noble cause - but what was to be had if a little bit of fire was enough to throw her off? No, the wolf completely turned the purpose of this initiation on its head, pushing into something that was far more important than the fight at hand.

K's grit. Her resolve. If it wasn't enough, then this entire trip was a waste of time.

Fortunately, Iko's berating voice had somewhat of an effect on K. Had she gotten over her problems - had she learned to face them head-on? Once more, K's attack was fairly well telegraphed, but she made the effort to try and strike at him - a sweeping slash intent on driving into his side. Unlike before, Iko didn't try and cut the range, but instead dropped on all fours, below the arc of the sword, tensing his hands and feet against the ground.

One more push: he'd give another surge, that black fire extending outward, intent on blasting K's frame from the front. If she took it head-on and tried to counter, she might find an opening against the crouched wolf - but if she stumbled? If her eyes snapped shut, or if she'd drop her weapon?

Iko would follow right on up, looking for that specific opening, and drive his palm against her neck.

Well, would you look at that?

K worked through it. No, she hadn't gotten over it - a fear as deep-rooted as the Leomon's own was not so easy to quell. What she had done, however, was tear them off to the side and directly look at him - fight him.

Which, of course, meant a sweeping kick aimed right at the Ankomon's torso! From his low position, he was in no position to dodge or mitigate the damage - and though K had to wade through the fire to be able to do so, that Leomon's metal foot connected directly with his ribs. His eyes opened in surprise as he grit his teeth, blown away several feet across the battlefield, even tumbling once over before coming to a halt.

The wolf was quick enough to get back up on his feet, however - and as he did, he couldn't help but start to chuckle. Chuckle, then laugh, a wide grin spread over his face.

"Heh... you really are something, you know that?" The wolf cracked his neck, the flames of his shadow finally starting to die out. "Tell me, you think we need to keep going? I don't mind either way - but I feel you might not resist the urge to rip me to shreds if I keep this shadowfire act going."

"Mm? Surprising, or something. Don't read too much into my ramblin', alright?"

Still chuckling a bit with the last comment - and with their spar put behind them - Iko stood up, stretching out his back as that impromptu spar came to an end. He gave a light wince - definitely feeling the bruise of that last kick to his ribs - but, after a few moments, he managed to just roll his shoulders and endure it. "Of course, I could use a sparring partner to keep myself on edge. Just, um... try to get used to my fire, at least?" He gave a shrug. "Its not just my champion form that uses it, after all."

"Seriously, though..." Stepping onto the battlefield, now that the spar was over, Luke couldn't help but shake his head. "Did you have to go that hard? I could feel that hit from over in the stands!"

"That bad?" Giving a shrug, he then gave a nod at the Leomon's suggestion, tilting his head towards the waiting room. "Oh, and feel free to take a more comfortable form than that when we do."

---

Regardless if K took that advice or not, it wouldn't take the three long to exit the arena, and even clear out of the waiting room, to get to a small sitting section, near a concessions area, to talk.

"Well... now that Iko has that out of his system..."

The wolf gave a talk, as Luke turned to K, and continued. "Just what, exactly, are you trying to do with this team? Have you set up a base, or anything like that? Just... give us the run-down."

Well, it was less a 'question' and more a 'plea for information'. What K had said over Tamernet was all well and good, but Luke couldn't help but think that most of the reason that Iko accepted the offer, was for the chance at a spar! Thankfully, that didn't seem to be the case: as Luke asked the question of the larger wolf, Iko seemed to be listening to what K had to say. Or, well, at least most of it.

Of how she was making this due to the lack of Royal Knights, of how their needed to be a symbol for them to look up to.

Of the specific threats that were threatening the world.

Of the base that was being built, out in the forest. (Actually, wait, how did she afford that?)

Of how their wouldn't be a proper leader, except perhaps the Shutmon herself. And of how she... she just wanted the world to feel safe again.

There was a moment of silence, as Luke and Iko processed the information at hand. "... Well. You definitely have the right mindset about it." Iko gave a chuckle: "Seven-or-so folks aren't going to be enough to stand against the 'evils of the world' themselves, but, heck. There has to be some kind of hero to look up to, right?"

"Its cliche, its a bit naive, and I love it." Yes, he understood what he was getting into - and as Iko threw his hat in the ring, Luke joined in with his own chuckle! "All the time with you - Iko, since when did you change from that dumb 'loner' attitude? This fits you so much better."

"Oh, c'mon. She already knows what I'm like - from the mountain and the spar. If she can tolerate me up to this point, then she's already a friend."

Was that it then? A short pause... and Luke gave a nod. "Fine, we're in."

"Honestly, if more stuck to those 'silly' dreams, maybe we wouldn't be dealing with all this right now... nah, that's probably a touch too optimistic." At the same time, though, the sentiment was comfortable enough.

Now, would the two be comfortable with a mark of... 'some kind'? The moment Iko heard that it was his own design, he just gave a chuckle - and pointed to the simple green crescent moon on his forehead. "No offense, but it would look silly if I wore another mark along with this one. It would get confusing... but it should be easy enough to make that same mark on Luke's glove?"

"I mean... alright, never mind, it could be worse than that." Giving a half-shrug, Luke more-or-less went along with that idea. It seemed that K's first recruit didn't have much choice in their symbol, either, when it all came down to it!

"Hm, that'll be interesting to enchant - oh?" That last bit caught him a bit off-guard, but it didn't take long for Iko to grin and nod! "Honestly, that sounds great to keep the rust off. Besides, after today's bout?" He gave a shrug. "With nothing 'on the line', I'm looking forward to it."

"Trust me, it's nothing I'm ashamed to have. Still, appreciated." Giving a slight shrug to the Renamon, it seemed that matter was settled - though picking a title might be a bit of a challenge. Honestly, neither the tamer nor digimon were all that good with 'naming stuff'.

At the thought of the enchantment, Iko did briefly bring his hand over that mark, with a shrug following. Really, what was more exciting- at the moment - was the spar.

"Not that I mind the arena. A bit of entertainment for the crowd ain't a bad thing - heck, maybe we could have an official match at some point."

"Not to interrupt, but..." Luke cut in, "We'll need a way to keep in touch more consistently. You have a team-chat set up? And we'll need coordinates of where the base is being established. Heck, I could check the electrical."