Description: Continuing his quest to recruit more warriors for the defense of Earthrealm, Nightwolf challenges Western Champion; Johnny Cage to do kombat for his belt. A hard fight ensues that tests the mettle of both fighters, ending with Johnny Cage receiving a special surprise visit from someone. <Winner: Nightwolf>
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - With his Champion Belt on the line, it's only natural Johnny Cage wants to defend it in Hollywood, the center of his career. When he heard that Nightwolf wanted to take it, he set up their fighting arena in one of the famous movie studios from back in the Golden Age of Hollywood. He hired the best interior designers to make it look snazzy, making a circular ring surrounded by movie set pieces, a blend of genres like Westerns, noir, scifi, etc. all in one place. The lighting is strategically placed for maximum effect, too.
The man himself is already present, in his usual outfit consisting of arm bandages, expensive pants and sunglasses, and his name arrogantly tattooed on his chest. He's talking to his publicist. "Look, just tell Maximov we can do the promo this weekend, he'll understand. I can't do it today, obviously, and you know I want to do that commercial for New Spice on Thursday. Priorities, you know?"
Other assistants mill about preparing for the fight, and a small crowd of people, most of them working in the entertainment business, dropping in to watch.
Well, it /had/ been Nightwolf's idea that the fastest way to spread awareness of Outworld's invasion was to use the media. The shaman had already shoehorned Raiden into one those acclaimed prize fights to spread the message, and Nightwolf himself had managed to acquire a few fighters already from the Neo League. Progress to to strengthen Earthrealm's defenses was well underway... but it was nowhere near fast enough, at the pace they were going it would take them perhaps years to consolidate a world wide web of resolute defenders that could be reached within a moment's notice. Earthrealm needed defenders everywhere to protect it from the unpredictability of Darkstalkers and Outworld invaders, not just a few scattered pockets of resistance.
They needed to go big again, they needed to get the message spread faster.
So it was back to the big leagues again, and this time, Nightwolf had the luck of being the messenger.
Although the shaman does loath to rely on theatrics, considering them trite, needless complications that could not replace actual martial skill, he knew that they had their place in this realm, and wholly ignoring them could only do more harm than good.
That is why, knowing full well of his opponent's reputation, Nightwolf appeared on stage wearing his more traditional wolf pelt armor to drive the point home that this was for real.
Strangely enough, the Apache clearly bent on the warpath blended in surprisingly well with all the extravagant trappings of Hollywood. The skinwalker approached the center stage, moving along the set to meet with his opponent and crossed his muscled arms over his chest, waiting for Cage to finish talking on the phone. Hey, he may look like a total savage but he at least has manners.
Johnny eventually, finally, shut his phone off and saw that his opponent was here. "Hey!" he called, jogging up. "What's up, chief?" he greeted, sticking his hand out, all smiles. He doesn't even take off his shades when indoors, it seems.
Nightwolf was far too jaded to ever take offense at someone calling him chief. Besides, in many cases, that is simply an expression akin to calling someone a 'dude'. Where many might have suckered punch Cage right there and then, Nightwolf instead grasped the actor's hand and gave him a firm shake. "Johnny Cage." He said, his voice deep and formal whilst the shaman's white blank eyes stared at the actor's ever present shades. "I have heard many great things from you. Long have I waited to meet you in the ring."
Fortunately for Nightwolf, Cage seems aware of his slip of the tongue - even if it takes him a full 30 seconds to realize it. His mouth twists to the side in sudden embarassment, but like any good actor and publicity man, he recovers smoothly. "Yeah, and all those great things? Totally, 100 percent true," he says assuredly. "But hey, I heard you weren't bad yourself. So, we got this whole ring set up...why don't we put on a show, huh?"
No such thing as bad publicity.
Or so they say, anyway.
A chuckle escapes the Sin Eater when Cage seemingly does manage to catch his own slip. It makes the man hundreds of times better than Jezebel already, since he at least has the decency of recognizing a few trips. There is more to Cage than it appears, but then again, that is the whole purpose of Nightwolf's venture into the professional world of fighting. The belts are just a welcome side benefit.
"Agreed. Let it be actions that speak of our exploits."
"Fate be with you, Johnny Cage."
After his foreboding words have been spoken, Nightwolf disengages from the actor and climbers up the ring. Popping his neck and cracking his knuckles to limber himself up. It is not yet time to spread the message, that opportunity will come when he recognizes it.
"Let us begin."
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf has started a fight here.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage has joined the fight here.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Johnny also climbs into the ring and the two are bathed in the light of the studio equipment, wood props and people alike their audience. Johnny assumes a karate-based stance and moves in place, already fired up for this battle. "Alright, show me what you got. Just don't be too mad...when you get IMPRISONED by the CAGE!"
The shaman isn't kidding himself, he knows he cannot try to out stage a person such as the (in)famous Johnny Cage. However, that does not mean that is not going to try. Nightwolf gives a scoff when Cage enters the ring and immediately starts to make a show of things as it the innate nature of an actor. That works just fine for Nightwolf, the bigger this match is, the more people are likely to hear what he has to say.
"No cage can hold me!!" Counters the shaman who immediately begins to tap into his Sin Eater powers. He extends his arms and soon red energy begins to flow from the place and into his chest, eating all the negative energy in the air to empower himself, and believe me, plenty of that in a place of Hollywood.
Soon, Nightwolf's muscles begin to grow, his teeth begin to sharpen, and once white blank eyes begin to glow red. Wonder if all that is just special effects though? Only one way to find out.
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf calls upon the spirits
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Nightwolf 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Johnny Cage
"Whoa..." Johnny says, watching Nightwolf bulk up. Johnny doesn't believe in the mystical or paranormal, but he is well aware of chi users. He just figures Nightwolf is that sort with a funny outfit. "You're not gonna bite me, are you?" he asks. Largely rhetorical, since Johnny already decides to unleash his attack: his body projects its own green energy aura, and he thrusts his right leg out in a kick, propelling himself forward with sudden motion to kick Nightwolf in the chest. "HYA!"
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf blocks Johnny Cage's Shadow Kick.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Johnny Cage
"I don't fight like that." Nightwolf seems to maintain enough mental composure through his incantations that he is quick to clarify his methods of fighting. The shaman knows that everything goes when in this kind of matches, but he still has a certain code of honor that makes him consider bitting a rather demeaning cheap shot when not necessary. Besides, why bite when you can do some of the things Nightwolf can do?
The shaman quickly brings both hands forward to stop Cage's shadow kick with his open palms, pushing the actor away and jumping back himself to put some room between them. Judging the distance quickly, a glowing green axe appears on the shaman's hand which he quickly sends hurling in an horizontal angle towards Cage's torso.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage dodges Nightwolf's New Earth.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-======|=------\-------\0 Johnny Cage
"WHOAH!" Johnny twists to the right, the glowing axe flying past him. That was interesting. Johnny smirks at Nightwolf; he can do that stuff too. Concentrating, the actor sweeps his arm backwards like he was pitching a baseball underhanded. Only instead of a baseball, green energy coalesces into his hand and becomes a ball of chi, which is hurled in an arc at the shaman. "Heads up!"
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf fails to reflect Out Take from Johnny Cage with Shield of the Ancients.
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Nightwolf 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Frowning as his glowing axe is evaded, the shaman resets his stance quickly to prepare himself for a counter attack. Such a thing comes in the form of a glowing orb of chi, summoned by the actor's hand. Interesting, Nightwolf knows for sure those are not special effects, being able to sense Cage's chi as well as he can see him.
He brings an energy shield of his own when the chi ball is thrown at him, and as he tries to bash it away it explodes on his face driving him back and into one leg, momentarily stunned. "Hmrg.. not bad."
Johnny takes a moment to ham it up with the crowd, beckoning them to get louder in their cheers for the fight as the spotlights reflect off his sunglasses. He nods, really starting to feel the crowd's energy. He then performs a completely unecessary combat roll to get in close to Nightwolf, before rising up and delivering a simple kick to the abdomen using the heel of his foot, complete with a quick kiai.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage successfully hit Nightwolf with Front Kick.
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Nightwolf 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Johnny Cage
The legends are true after all then, there is clear skill behind all the theatrics behind Johnny Cage's performances. Not that Nightwolf ever doubted that having the capability to distinguish chi and special effects. Though even if he had he's getting a first hard lesson right now. When Cage does an unnecessary forward roll, Nightwolf attempts to push through the kick only to get knocked back by the force of it causing him to back pedal.
The shaman shakes his head quickly to compose himself and channels power to his arms summoning two glowing daggers. He dashes in with a snarl and drives the daggers upwards and into Johnny Cage's ribs, channeling holy chi into his body to burn his insides.
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf successfully hits Johnny Cage with Ascension.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Johnny suddenly becomes a lot more aware of the situation when Nightwolf pulls out the chi knives; he figures those things will really hurt. Unfortunately for him, as he attempts to block the strikes by raising his arms instinctively, he finds out how much they hurt firsthand. Nightwolf blows past Johnny's guard and the chi knives sink deep into his body, causing him to yell out in pain. "YEARGH!" He staggers backwards, almost losing his footing, the knives sliding out of him. No external wounds, but his chest feels like someone poured gasoline down his throat and made him eat a match. He wraps his arm around his chest. "Damn, dude!" he complains.
But Johnny is just getting started. He charges for the shaman, attempting to grab him. Upon grabbing with his right hand, he'll throw a left hook to the face, then a right hook. He'll follow that with a backhand strike to Nightwolf's groin, charges his other hand with green chi energy, and unleashes a one-inch type punch to knock him backwards.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage successfully hit Nightwolf with Cliffhanger.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Johnny Cage
Nightwolf makes a face at Johnny when he openly complaints of the stings. It's half an apologetic gesture and half 'what were you expecting?' kind of look. But even after taking one of Nightwolf's strongest attacks, the resilient actor is still charging for him with speed that the shaman has not been able to match thus far. The skin walker attempts to break the grapple in what fighting afficianados like to refer as teching the throw. However, he gets grabbed despite his efforts, socked on the face, punched in the groin, and then thrown backwards with energy blast to his chest. The skinwalker cringes as he rolls on the ground but uses the momentum of his rolling to place himself back on his feet.
Growling, Nightwolf begins to channel energy to his hands which he then brings up over his head in a sudden show to his affinity with the God of Thunder.
"HOKA HEY!!" Yells the shaman sending a bonna fide lighting bolt laced with chi right at Cage.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage blocks Nightwolf's Thunder Storm.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Johnny Cage
The crowd gasps at the lightning; Johnny just protects his face and chest, trying to make himself a smaller target. The lightning does strike him and give him a nasty shock, but not as bad as it could have been. The knives seemed to have woken him up some. Singed, but still alive, Johnny spreads his arms. The crowd cheers as Johnny gives them a brief salute. Then he turns back to Nightwolf.
With another cry, he dashes forwar, darting left and right so he's not moving in a straight line. The actor then unleashes a flurry of quick jabs to the chest and face once he gets close.
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf endures Johnny Cage's Rapid Jabs.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Johnny Cage
In the shaman's mind, Johnny has already passed his test. To be able to block lighting in such a manner and then turn to appease the crowd is what truly makes a warrior. Perhaps the showboating is a bit unnecessary in Nightwolf's mind but he's certain it /must/ have its place somewhere. Charismatic leadership is a real thing that the shaman will admit he does not have, despite being in the precarious position of being the official spokesman of the Society in charge of defending Earthrealm.
The real task is now that Nightwolf has to pass his test. To show that he has what it takes to bring a warrior of Johnny Cage's caliber into the fold. This time, when Cage charges at him with a flurry of attacks, Nightwolf meets it head on, curling his body sideways so that most of the strikes hit his shoulders and ribs rather than full on the chest and face. In that very same position, two energy axes appear on his hands which are then swung towards the actor's jaw and temple.
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf successfully hits Johnny Cage with Ancestor's Call.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|=======\======-\1 Johnny Cage
Johnny seems to lose his nerve again when Nightwolf brandishes the weapons. It's not that he's unused to having weapons drawn on him; happens all the time in his films, and sometimes real life. But the fact they materialize out of nowhere? Now that throws him off. So he tries to block again the minute he sees that green glow, but is too slow. The first axe slices through his jaw, and then his head, and he's briefly blinded by pain. He staggers back, hand to his head. Another gasps from the crowd. It looks like he's really got it this time...but then he jerks his head up and flashes another toothy grin, with a thumbs up.
"Gotcha," he says. He throws a jab right to Nightwolf's face, followed by a swift kick to the stomach. Finally, he charges chi into his right hand again, unleashing all he's got into a hook punch to the shaman's temple. Luckily for Nightwolf, Johnny opts not to punish the man's groin. Perhaps he feels this is still a friendly match, or he wants to show he's not all about destroying people's groins.
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf just-defends Johnny Cage's Cross Cutting!
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Hey, whatever wins fights. Nightwolf may have a code of honor that forbids him from bitting and doing such things, but there is no denying the effectiveness of Johnny's methods. Gotta use the tools that you have and all that. Still, an attack is an attack, and wether its aimed for Nightwolf's groin or any other side of his body, the Apache brave is still going to defend himself against the onslaught.
This time, when Johnny attacks, the shaman seems prepared for his flurry of blows. He stops the jab with an open palm, kicks the incoming attack to his stomach out of the way, and weaves under the cross to his temple as a boxer would. Blank white eyes suddenly spot an opening when Cage is overextended and he swings a punch of his own at the actor's already bruised side of the face.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage fails to interrupt High Punch from Nightwolf with Nut Punch.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Johnny is surprised by Nightwolf's sudden escalation in defense; he tries to do the splits to try and negate the punch thrown at his face, but again he's too slow, and gets clocked. His sunglasses fly off and land somewhere outside of the ring and JOhnny hits the mat, blood flying through the air. He lies there a few seconds, before getting up, staggering back and slightly dazed from the blow.
"You are a formidable warrior, Johnny Cage." Nightwolf speaks after striking the actor away from his attempted groin punch, if there's relief in his face of having narrowly avoided quite the painful fate, he is not showing it. Instead, he is giving Cage just enough time to recover by finally delivering his message.
"A warrior such as yourself is needed in this time of peril. You have proven yourself worthy to join the esteemed ranks of the defenders of the realm!" Just what on earth is Nightwolf talking about? He might explain.. right after he's done attacking.
Sensing that the actor is now stable on his feet, the skinwalker dashes forth in a curiously similar way Cage does his Shadow Kick. Green afterimages are seen trailing behind Nightwolf as he runs toward Cage as he delivers an elbow smash to his now shade less face.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage blocks Nightwolf's Thunder Break.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Johnny, luckily, focuses himself as Nightwolf dashes forward. This time, he can definitely see it coming, and takes the charge head on, blocking his vitals. It only makes him slide back a few feet. The crowd is now cheering Johnny even more, and he holds up a finger - battered but still defiant. He then contemplates Nightwolf's words. "Defending the realm? What? Listen, I think you've been watching too many of my movies...or toking up. I only save the world on camera. If you need people to fight evil or whatever, call the military."
Johnny rolls his neck. "Right now, all I care about is keeping this belt. I'm not done yet!" He then throws out two more chi balls from both arms, the same underhanded way he did the first time.
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf reflects Take Two from Johnny Cage with Shield of the Ancients.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage says, "shit"
COMBATSYS: Nightwolf successfully hits Johnny Cage with Reflected Take Two.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Johnny Cage
Ah, the irony of Johnny Cage saying that someone has seen too many movies. Such a thing is not lost on even the withdrawn Nightwolf, who can't help but give a slight scoff through his nose despite not calling any attention to it.
"It does not need be so, Johnny Cage." Says the shaman calmly. "Within you burns the soul of a hero, though you do not yet know it."
Cage does have a point though. Although the fate of Earthrealm hangs in the balance, it is the current kombat that matters most. Having learned of Cage's tricks by now, Nightwolf adjusts his position when he sees the incoming energy balls thrown at him. Somehow, he seems to figure out the right angle to deal with them unlike his previous attempt to neutralize them, smacking one out of the way using the flat of his energy axe, while the other is bounced backwards with a forward thrust of his energy shield sending it flying right back at the actor.
Johnny mutters 'shit' under his breath when he sees his energy balls reflected back at him. He has to mutter, since this isn't one of his heavier rated movies - just a publicity stunt, and he needs to have standards. The energy balls slam into his chest at full force, dissipating but knocking the actor on his back. He lands hard and sees stars explode in his vision; he might've been cracked a rib. There goes his afternoon.
A ref steps into the ring. "Johnny Cage can no longer fight!" he declares. Even dressed in an official ref uniform, he has the stereotypical bleached blonde hair and fake tan common among guys in this area. "The winner, and new Championship Belt holder of the Western division, is NIGHTWOLF!" The crowd 'aws' but at least gives him a courtesy applause. They're working stiffs, not Johnny's fanboys; a good fight is a good fight to these folk.
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage takes no action.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Johnny Cage can no longer fight.
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Nightwolf 0/-------/-----==|
Nightwolf frowns when the energy strikes Cage and the actor goes down with a grunt. It is a testament to Johnny Cage's power how much those energy spheres hurt, had the shaman failed to bounced them back at him, the result would have been very different.
The shaman has to give him credit. Johnny really knows his balls.
A blink of realization and Nightwolf's arm is being lifted in victory. He raises his other arm to go along with it and, because this in fact a publicity stunt more than anything else, he unleashes his warcry of victory.
"O-YI-YI-YI-YI!!!"
After the half hearted claps diminish, Nightwolf's attention is brought back to Johnny Cage whom he addresses with an open hand. "You fought well, Johnny Cage. Lord Raiden will be pleased to have you join our ranks against the forces of Outworld." He tosses him an eagle feather, because apparently, he's always carrying a bunch of those around.
"Whisper my name into the feather when you decide to embrace your true nature as a hero."
"We will be waiting your response."
Johnny, groggy, sits up as the feather falls into his perfectly styled hair. He takes it and stares at it. "Uh, what? Can't you just give me a cell number? Maybe a land line?" His opponent, however, is probably already on his way out. "Nevermind." When he thinks Nightwolf isn't looking, he holds the feather to his mouth. "Come in Nightwolf, this is Mars speaking," he says in a serious tone. He grins, spits some blood out and catches his sunglasses someone throws at him.
Johnny turns to see a rather intense looking man approach him. "Do you guys just buy the same contacts brand or what?" he asks, noticing the eyes. "YOu want an auto-" And then, suddenly, Johnny is gone, along with the man. The crowd, already dispersing, gasps. Assistants run up to inspect the ring, but find nothing.
Log created on 20:04:04 01/20/2015 by Nightwolf, and last modified on 00:36:00 01/21/2015.