Don't feed the stray [INV, ND]

For a split second Pico expected to have another quick break between incoming attacks. As soon as Theo batted away his fist, shouldered up with him, and proceeded to throw a heavy elbow directly towards his face, Pico was sent reeling to try and continue to follow up with the combo. In reaction, Pico's upper body sprung back, leaning away from the elbow, eyes wide with surprise. Stepping back just enough to keep him from tumbling backward, he knew backpedaling would leave him in a bad spot, so the only way to go was forward.

Digging his feet in, he worked his best attempt at moving his head just out of the way of the incoming strike, his right arm seeming to trigger all on its own with an uppercut to the bent arm that Theo had tried to elbow him with, desperately trying to give himself another inch of breathing room and send it off the b-line to his face. With his feet dug into the sand, he pumped power from his legs all the way up through his body, heaving out another heavy handed punch with his left fist, this time toward's Theo's left-side ribs, which were hopefully left exposed after his elbow was sent hurtling at him so fiercly.

This fight was giving Pico a rush like he had never had, something to really push him past his limits and grind him into a sharper and sharper edge with each punch and wallop. His movements began to feel right, like he was kindling some kind of inner strength that left him buzzing with adrenaline. He was almost excited to see what was next, what punch or kick that Theo had planned out for him to dodge or block.

His knuckles landed against Theo's ribs, the solid hit now beginning to leave a rewarding sting in Pico's fists now, getting more and more used to the steely hide of his new friend. His teeth bared a bit in a grin, which was short lived as he felt the sudden and deathly firm grip of Theo's fingers around his wrist. His initial instinct was to yank his arm back, but realized quickly that this was useless.

Pico's bicep bulged beneath the white bone casing around his arm, legs digging into the sand as he attempted to put his whole body into the heave, even kicking his heel firmly into Theo's thigh for both leverage and to try and struggle. Without realizing it, it was too late, as Pico looked up, he watched just as a cascading eruption of energy cascaded from Theo's palm, feeling the surge of power tearing away at the tough hide of his Ressureccion.

Clenching his teeth for only as long as he could hold back a terrible roar of pain, he was sent flying backward finally from the blast, spiraling like a ragdoll off into the sands, skipping like a rock. After quite a ways, he finally rolled and skidded to a stop, a charred and limp mess flopping to a rest, steam billowing off of his form as he struggled to get up onto his hands and knees.

With a shaky growl through gritted teeth, Pico uttered "You.... fucking.... bitch..."

Pico's chest rose and fell rapidly now as he held himself up, spitting out a bit of blood collecting in his teeth, clawed hands digging into the sand. His brow was furrowed and his teeth bared. He was overwhelmed suddenly with seething anger. The emotions had been building up from being completely dominated, knowing that he was not as strong as he hoped. He was glad he had something to fight towards now, but also frustrated that as he knew it wasn't going to be quick or easy. His body was wracked with pains and burns, angry that a guy he was finally worth his time used a move like that.

As he approached, he spoke of things that just fed to Pico's anger. He knew it was all true, that cowards wouldn't fight by his rules when it really came down to it, which made him even more irate. Even if they would fight like that, he wouldn't. He would just have to get stronger and faster, and really make them regret not doing them same.

One final challenge huh. Pico, shakily at first, sat up and pulled his legs underneath himself, struggling to get to his feet. His entire body was covered in burns and gashes, his mane singed and white bone-armor cracked and battered. His head-crest was cracked and missing pieces, and his face streamed with thin trickles of blood.

He breathed heavily, teeth bared, brow furrowed. The only thing keeping him on his feet was anger and an indomitable spirit to fight even if his body wouldn't allow it. He wasn't going down just yet, he was drawn forward, as if he had something to prove, rather it was to Theo or himself. With a wave of Theo's hand, hundreds of balls of energy formed before him, and within a split second they all began to shoot towards him without mercy. Forcing himself to move, Pico heaved one leg at a time forward until he began to barrel on with Sonido after Sonido, weaving through the field of incoming attacks as they came. The incredible speed at which they came soon caught up with him, only making it so far before getting clipped by one, then another, and another, until now Pico was roaring out with effort, tanking through every bala that came his way, stepping full force towards Theo, eyes locked on and burning brightly with rage.

Suddenly and finally, he vanished, appearing before Theo, arm cocked back and fist drawn tightly. He gave out a loud and forceful shout as he landed his step, throwing forward his punch. The power of it peetered out almost instantly, Pico's eyes flickering out for a moment. He had pushed himself too far, and his body seemed to finally quit, skidding now face first into the sand at Theo's feet, completely unconcious.

Waking suddenly with a sharp breath drawn over his teeth, Pico winced a bit as he tried to sit up. His eyes stayed shut and his brow was furrowed as he slowly raised his arm to rub the back of his head. His body hurt all over, and it took him a minute to remember what had happened prior. Slowly though, he remembered his fight with the guy he had just met, and how badly he had gotten his ass handed to him.

Raising open one eye lid, he smacked his lips a bit, cottonmouth and the residual taste of blood, looking around the room a bit. In the far end of the room, there sat the man himself, the one who pushed him to where he was now. Clenching and unclenching his fist, Pico rolled his shoulders and neck, cracking his joints and wincing every once in a while. Finally calling out raspy to Theo, he dragged one of his legs out from off of the bed onto the floor, "Yo... Scarface.. I'm not.. done with you yet.." Moving to stand up off of the bed onto the floor, he shakily stumbled, nearly collapsing onto the floor before slamming his hand down onto the bedside table, steadying himself and glaring over to the seated Theo.