THIS IS WAR

The Empire has a system for measuring the strength of a planet. A planet will be given a rating from 0-10 stars based on how strong their warriors are. This rating system is used to determine what level of team is necessary to conquer the planet. A rating of 0-1 stars are for rookie teams to gain experience. 2-4 stars are assigned to the average Imperial team. 5-8 star planets are for elite teams like the 7 Elements.

Planets with ratings of 9-10 stars are usually reserved only for teams led by members of the Royal Guard. A 10 star planet is considered to be the big enough threat that only the Empire's best can handle them. By sending teams to appropriately rated planets, Imperial High Command ensures that their forces will never experience defeat.

To put the rating system in perspective, Earthia would be rated at a 5 although that rating is skewed due to their being a few powerful warriors while most of the fighters of Earthia would be rated at 3 or lower. Artnosia would be a 6, and Orenden would be an 8. The planet Extoria was the next target assigned to the 7 Elements its rating was 10 stars.

"So as I was saying, your next mission will be the conquest of Extoria. There is one more thing, the 7 Elements have a bad reputation for giving up forfeits it's an embarrassment to the Empire. Therefore, if you lose a single match in your next tournament all of you will be executed. You must win all 7 matches." The Minister of the Right said explaining their mission.

"May I ask why we are being given such a rough assignment?" "War" asked.

"Are you questioning orders from High Command?" The Minister asked.

"I think it's reasonable to ask considering that 10 star planets are usually assigned to the Royal Guard. More pressing than that is that you expect us to win 7 matches with only 5 members." "War" responded undaunted by the authority of the man he was speaking to.

The Minister chuckled, "Yes well, we at High Command believe that your team is capable of taking a step up in competition. As for your remaining team members, I have them here with me and will be sending them to you soon."

The Minister made a wave showing two men in black cloaks, one with the character for "Light" the other with the character for "Darkness" on it. "Now if there are no further questions I will let you get on to your duty." The Minister said before cutting off the video feed.

""War" this is trouble, "Light" and "Darkness" both work directly for High Command. That's why they've never participated in any of our missions despite being a part of our team. This is obviously a thinly veiled attempt to take us out." "Wind" said clearly shaken.

"Don't worry it'll be fine." "War" replied nonchalantly. "All we have to do is win, like always."

"You don't understand, clearly they plan on telling "Light" and "Darkness" to forfeit so our execution will be guaranteed." "Wind" said.

"Like I said, it'll be fine. You let me worry about how to handle "Light" and "Darkness"." "War" said.

Meanwhile the two Ministers were discussing their plans at High Command Headquarters.

"Brother are you sure we need to go out of our way to crush these upstart officers. They hardly seem to be a threat to me. I'm not even sure if they're in the Emperor's faction or not." The Minister of the Right said.

"As of now they aren't a threat, but my instincts tell me that they will be eventually. As for the Emperor, he seems to favor that fool "War". I don't know what will come of that, but it's best to nip it in the bud before it has the chance to become an issue." The Minister of the Left replied.

"I do think that you are being overly cautious, but I suppose that is how we've stayed in power all these centuries." The Minister of the Right said.

The Minister of the Left turned to "Light" and "Darkness" and said, "You have your orders. Complete this mission for me and I will make a place for you in the Royal Guard."

"Yes, grandfather." They said in unison.

The next day "Light" and "Darkness" arrived in Vercheg at the 7 Elements' HQ.

"Light"

Age: 30

Ht: 6'5

Wt: 255

Special Ability: Light

"Darkness"

Age: 29

Ht: 5'10

Wt: 190

Special Ability: Darkness

"This place is just as shabby as I remember. I'm glad we don't actually have to stay here." "Light" said condescendingly.

"I want to go back to sleep." "Darkness" said yawning.

"Welcome to Vercheg, I'm your captain, my name is "War"." He said introducing himself and extending his hand towards them.

"Light" knocked his hand away. "You have no authority over me boy, by the end of this you will all be dead."

"War" just smiled and said, "I didn't think you guys would be willing to help. Of course, I've never seen you two fight so I wouldn't exactly be confident even if you did decide to fight."

"What? Our skills are far superior to yours. I could defeat this entire unit single handedly." "Light" said.

"Oh really? Well that gives me a good idea. How about we make a bet? If I win you both have to follow my orders. If you win I'll let you complete your orders, you can even execute us all yourself. That'd be a lot easier than the round about way you guys were planning right?" "War" said.

"Hmph, you must be suicidal. Fine I accept your challenge. What will the competition be?" "Light" asked.

"How about a 2 on 1 match between me and you two?" "War" proposed.

"Ha! You really do want to die, fine let's get started." "Light" said.

"Darkness" who seemed disinterested with the arrangement reluctantly sauntered over and the fight began.

Darkness Wave

A wave of dark energy surged towards "War", he dodged it while closing the distance and leveled "Darkness" with a kick to the stomach. "Light" launched an attack immediately shooting beams of light from his finger tips. "War" dodged them all and got behind him.

"Is light speed as fast as you can go? It's too slow. "War" said while sending "Light" crashing into the wall with a back hand strike.

"Darkness" had gotten back to his feet and launched another attack.

Shadow's Embrace

Shadow hands emerged from the floor and grabbed hold of "War's" hands and feet then two more hands emerged and began to strangle him.

"Ah you wanna try to grapple with me? That sounds fun!" "War" said, his breathing unhindered by the hands around his throat. He then pulled the shadows off and slammed "Darkness" into the ground. "This is how I grapple."

Execution Form: Noose!

He had "Darkness" in a tight chokehold and squeezed until he lost consciousness.

"That's it I've had enough!" "Light"shouted.

Light Speed Jab!!!!

"War" caught his jab and hit him with an arm throw and smashed his face into the ground, knocking him out. When the two of them started to regain consciousness "War" said, "Well it looks like you fellas lost. Guess that means you're going to have to fight after all."

"Hmm, this is a familiar scenario." "Earth" said.

"Yes, but those two are stronger than even Chihiro was. He's gotten a lot stronger in the few months since he fought us." "Wind" said, "Though I wonder if those two will give up on their mission so easily."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, but for what it's worth those two are still proud warriors. They won't go back on their word." "War" said.

"Are you really sure about that?" "Wind" asked.

"If I wasn't I would have just kicked them off the team and put Toudou and Denjimi out instead.