Match 20: Bullets & Blades

VASH the Stampede                          VS                                 Balmung

"Welcome to another epic fight ladies and getlemen. I'm Anko, back again to keep you informed but I'm sorry to say that my good friend and referee, Iruka, was vaporized in that last match up along with many loyal fans but as they say the show must go on! The arena was fixed and the replacement ref has been chosen. Welcome Hayate Gekko! Now onto the match at hand. First making his way from the west entrance is that outlaw gunman with a $$60,000,000,000 bounty on his head, it's the Humanoid Typhoon Vash the Stampede! (Fans go wild) Now his opponent, striding in from the east entrance and using his custom Blade Master avatar, Balmung of the Azure Sky!" (Fan girls drool) (Bell) Balmung:"Vash.... I respect you as a gunman and as a top notch killing machine but right now you're nothing more than a doorway to my greatness. So I plan on going through you one way or another to make my way to glory and infinate fame. Today is the day that Vash the Stampede is conquered." Vash:"Do what you must." "It's a standoff, both men ready to draw. Cold eyes on eachother waiting for the right moment to strike. They finally draw and Vash gets his first shot off but Balmung, sword in hand deflects it. Sencond shot goes low but he leaps over it and down on Vash who expertly rolls out of the way. Balmung soars into the air but Vash keeps him in his sights. The sun is glaring down and I'm not sure even Vash can aim up into these conditions. He maintains a focused looks and squeezes off a shot that rings loudly in the air. It hits and shatters Balmung's polished to perfection chestplate! He is unharmed but the knight does look royaly pissed off.

Balmung dives down at great speed and is on Vash before he can dodge. He still manages to spin as Balmung slashes. He shredded the gunman's coat but that is all. Both men have defiled eachother's signature and now look like they are ready to get down to business. Balmung attacks again, using his wings for speed and agility. Vash dodges the first two swipes but Balbung is now too close. Vash blocks with his gun and holds the sword from himself. He angles the barrel and fires a bullet directly at the blade. It ricochets and slices across Balmung's cheek. Both men struggle to push the other back but it's a stalemate.

Two more shots which Balmung had to tilt his head to avoid after they bounced off his blade. One final round and the blade finally shatters! a shard pierces Vash's arm and two more fly back and Balmung. He retreats to rethink his strategy but Vash is on him. Balmung swipes at his gun with what's left of the blade but Vash slams his boot into Balmung's chest sending him several feet back but he quickly springs back to his feet. Balmung now equips a rather large blade and resumes his attack pattern of sky dives and broad but quick slashes. Vash has him figured out and even with the bigger blade he has yet to be hit. Balmung attacks low then uses his wings to propel him up so he can thrust the blade upward faster than Vash can dodge it. The slash misses his body but knocks his gun away. Balmung doesn't let up and now switches into several stabs. He goes low again and trips Vash then stabs his chest. He smiles as he attempts to finish this by driving the blade through his heart but Vash reveal a hidden gun in his prosthetic arm and fires hitting Balmung's shoulder. Vash kicks him back.

Vash with a back flip to gain some distance between them and at the same time retreives his gun but Balmung begins to change, his avatar shifts and his hair becomes a blazing purple, sword now a deep red. His eyes glow and as soon as they sight Vash he glides faster through the air and spears Vash with his large blade! It goes through Vash's body and Balmung continues to push him back until the sword penetrates the wall and ensnaring Vash! What power, I don't know how he tapped into that reserve.

Blood flows freely from Vash's ravaged body. He holds up the gun but I don't think it will harm him now. The top of his gun pops off and the inside spills out energy. His arm undergoes a change of it's own. Vash's entire arm is one huge wicked looking gun, this must be the Angel Arm! He fires without hesitation and disintegrates half on Balmung's new body! Vash walks forward pulling his body through the sword. He finally frees himself even though there is now a huge hole in his chest. Belmung's body starts to repair itself slowly and Vash's arm has returned to normal. He sights down his gun at Balmung. He fires three consecutive shot, each one ringing through Balmung's body shaking him. He falls to one knee."

Vash:"You were wrong earlier...... I don't kill. But since you are merely an avatar..... this will be the exception. Goodbye knight"

"Vash shows his serious side and fires one last well aimed shot. It drives through Balmung's skull and his body instantly plops to the ground. Winner: Vash the Stampede!!!!!"

Trigun Opening.mp3