Diplomacy of Fists

Just like the climax fight of an old western, the sun was setting. Its rays were streaking across the abandoned construction yard. A large figure could be seen with their arms crossed, waiting for the designated time. At about a minute left, two more figures arrived to the barren battlefield.

"We can still talk about this you know?" Volt threw a suggestion to the indifferent Rhino.

"Enough talk, I have to settle this with him!" Frost said as he pushed Volt out of the way to glare at Rhino.

"I agree, this has gone on long enough." Rhino said as he closed his eyes and called his Warframe to him. Though they couldn't tell, Rhino was now matching Frost's glare from behind his frame.

Frost and Volt followed suit with their frames as well. Volt sighed internally as yet another fight would start.

(First phase, let's go.)

(Got it!)

Frost and Volt separated from each other, making sure there was a huge gap between them. This way, Rhino would have to choose one of them to focus on first. Their plan was to catch him in a close quarters pincer attack from the start. Both their hearts started to beat rapidly, nervously watching their powerful opponent's next move.

"Hmph! Is that all you got?" Rhino sneered as he put his right foot out.

[Iron Skin]

"Hahaha, come and get me if you can! Let's see if you can even scratch my shields before I wipe your remains from my shoe!" Rhino jeered as the silver armor coursed over his body.

(Don't listen to his provocations, stay in position!) Volt said as he looked unblinking from Rhino.

(I know!) Frost frowned as they both tried not to make the first move.

Half of Rhino's energy should be gone they both thought. Now it was all a matter of wearing his armor down. But his [Rhino Charge] was a devastating ability to watch out for. It's ability to close the distance was staggering but it was entirely dependent on the user's aim.

"Fine, if you won't move, then I win!" Tired of waiting, Rhino leaped towards Volt.

Volt reacted according to their plan and moved backwards, with Frost charging at Rhino's back. But Rhino was still closer to Volt and he raised his fists.

BAM

When Rhino's fists met the ground, a fair amount of rocks were sent flying.

"Tch!" Volt raised his hand to block some of the debris. He had underestimated the stability of the battlefield. Rhino's strength was more than adequate enough to send debris in to the air with each hit.

Unfortunately, as Volt moved backwards and blocked the debris, he dropped his guard for a split second and Rhino took notice.

"GRAH!" Rhino reached for a large rock and hurled it at Volt.

FWOOSSHH

Volt swore he could hear the rock as it hurtled through the air.

"Argh!" Volt received a direct hit but was able to reduce some damage due to being in mid-retreat already.

(Frost! Globe now!)

[Snow Globe]

"What the!?" Rhino exclaimed, he felt like he was suddenly under water. He felt his movement slow and his vision was obscured a little by what appeared to be a flurry of snow.

(Attack him now!) Volt said as he took advantage of Rhino's surprise this time.

[Shock] [Shock]

Volt fired off his combo but it was ineffective. It looked like it tore off small sections of Rhino's armor but the amount of blasts it would take to destroy it completely was not possible for Volt.

"Argh!" Frost said as his fist collided with Rhino's back.

"Weak!" Rhino yelled as he reached for them.

Volt and Frost both backed off from Rhino for the moment.

(What do we do now? That felt like hitting a steel wall!)

(No choice, dropping the building is our best bet.)

(You sure we can get away in time?)

(If not, then it was nice to know you.)

(Can't really say the same.) Frost frowned.

(Whatever, good enough.) Volt chuckled.

They both ran out of the globe and ran towards the half-constructed building.

(Smarter people than us were paid to design this place, you really think hitting these points is enough?)

(This is why you're here, asking the hard questions. All we can do is pray now.)

Both joked as they went around destroying the supports for the building. The base framework was still bare so it was relatively easy for them to punch them to dust. But this was because they came earlier in the day to make sure they would be able to destroy the supports later. Normally it would take some explosives to even scratch the supports, they supposed to hold up the entire building's weight after all. Even so, it took them several hours to shave down the supports.

(I can barely feel my hands.)

(Yea, same.)

They could feel their Warframe's hands aching from the constant hits on solid rebar and concrete. But it was helped by Frost's passive, apparently Frost discovered that he could "trick" it to activate on the beams by hitting them. Though it still only had a 10% chance of activating, so many hits were required for it to work. Even so, the weakened supports were still extremely hard to break.

"Oh? So, this is where you were."

(He's here, get ready.) Volt said as they both stood in front of a support pillar. They were only able to destroy several supports and they needed many more to bring the building down. Volt's plan B was for them to make Rhino hit them as they fought some more. Volt was betting on Rhino's rage to cause environmental damage to finish himself off.

"GRAAAH!" Rhino leaped and swung his fist with terrifying force.

SMASH

¼ of the pillar cracked and fell as Rhino's fist created a dust cloud from the impact.

(Not even you can rampage through here, Rhino. Now dance to our plans!) Volt thought as he and Frost dodged Rhino's attacks.

True to his predictions, Volt noticed that Rhino wasn't moving as fast, as he had to watch out for where he hit. The numerous obstacles in that unfinished building severely reduced his movement speed. It looked like constantly smashing things would take their toll even on Rhino.

(Let's go, round 2.)