Welcome to Gaia! ::

Brad would suddenly emerge from the earth, coming up from the sand somewhere nearby Rain. Standing up, he was a mousy brown haired man, unarmed and dressed in simple robes.

But Rain, Trei, and Disa would know instinctively that he had a marble.

The feeling of being watched wasn’t one that she liked, slowing down her pace she ended up walking next to the man, she didn’t even know his name. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the small flash of the girl who had been at the marketplace. Rain doubted that the girl was following them though.

"The hell?!" she exclaimed, turning to face the person who had emerged, instinctively reaching inside her jacket.

Brad sighed. He hated fighting.

But Flare was relying on him. They were deep within the territory taken over by the usurpers, and all who faced him must die.

Innocent as they seemed...they were the enemy.

So sighing heavily, Brad replied not with a name, but with a word in an ancient language, triggering one of his set spells...Earthen Armor.

Dense earth would cover the mild-mannered earth mage, until every last inch of flesh was covered by the earth. The dense earth would define crude muscles, adding to Brad's bulk transforming him into a stern looking earth golem.

And since Rain was the only one reaching for a weapon, he would swing his right, meaty fist at her, aiming for her jaw.

[Go time! In front of Rain, facing "Brad"]

Even as the earth rises, Trei swings around his new "teammate," darting forward with his right fist pulled back. The problem with using Earth is that, unless you're so damn good that it pulls itself from the sky to get to you, you have to wait for it to rise.

So, Brad will find himself facing a Blood Elemental in full stride, who's fist is now hurtling directly towards his still-slightly exposed face. Out of the blue, wisps of iridescent light will sworl around the young man's right fist, charging it with enough energy to release an explosion equivalent in force to a concussive grenade... And, as he did so many times in HoH, Trei throws his fist forward, sending a powerful straight punch hurtling straight towards the young-looking mage's face.

A recap, for those watching at home:
-->Trei darts around Rain, coming in at an angle towards Brad (Who is in the process of being covered in "Earth," which could mean anything from dirt and plant material to solid stone. Judging by the area, any earth he draws beyond the concrete will probably be compressed sand, making it alot weaker than solid rock. Feel free to correct me, though.) in a frontal assault with his right arm pulled back

-->Flash Strike energies manifest around Trei's hand, charging it with concussive energy.

-->As he nears, Trei unleashes his attack, rolling his entire right side through in a haymaker aimed for Brad's face. Should this hit, a concussive blast will be unleashed directly into the young eyes and nose.

Rain grumbled something along the lines of show off and stood up. Spitting out the small wad of gum it hit the sidewalk, its destiny to end up on the bottom of someone’s shoe. Rain had tried to settle it peacefully, but unless the mage gave in, it wasn’t going to end that way. Sliding her hand into her coat once more she produced her blue tinted Jericho 941 (handgun), the word ‘Rain’ carved cursively on the side. Standing behind Trei it was pretty hard to get to her unless they went through him. Rain stood, her right knee flexed and ready.

[Impact!](( confused I really don't feel like arguing with you, so I'm just gonna drop it.))

Trei's charge brings him, apparently, into an earth-laden punch... but Trei's tall, and his reach is pretty good. So, what do you get when two punchers (especially when one is extended into a full out haymaker) meet?

DOUBLE IMPACT!

Even as Brad's fist impacts with Trei's face, Trei's own fist will impact with Brads. It would be Earth against pure, non-elemental force; as well as Earth against flesh and some bone. However, the way Trei is moving, and the way Brad (who you didn't describe any movements for) had lamely clubbed, Trei's fist carries the better impact; so, it will most likely bury itself in the soft outer earth ((as per your previous OOC statement,)) and Brad would take a nasty concussive blow directly to the eye and nose region. ((even if he does have a layer of stone, it's going to be thinly spread. Trei's fist can blast a six-inch crater in solid block of stone, so that thin layer of stone will become shrapnel.))

For Trei's part, after the hits have been dealt, the young man will reel backwards, blood leaking from split lips and a busted nose. Luckily, the first attack probably wasn't one of the young man's best, so Trei will probably make it out of this Ok...
[v* -2, total v*= 28]

Stryphe had a slushy, though. The hostages.

Ignoring the melee in the streets, James went for the first garage on the block. These people were all rich, rich bastards and many of them had three-to-four car garages in their villas. Obviously at least one car would be hanging around when no one was at home.

He didn't go for the garage door, he went for the side door; not even punching out the window to unlock it but just kicking the door in at the latch. There was a loud crack as varnished wood split, and without further adieu RAIF was introduced to their new set of wheels.

"Everybody in," James said jovially as he slid across the hood, going for the driver's seat. One smack of the hand against the garage door opener and they were free to leave whenever they wanted.

The hostage was about to get in the car, but...

"Nah-uh."

He popped the trunk.

Oh, that poor hostage.