Match of the Millennium

Description: "I've always respected great leaders. It's a trait so rare these days. My favorite aspect is that there are so many different types of leaders. Inspirational leaders, generous leaders, wise leaders. And then there are terrifying leaders. CHARLIE NASH. You are not prepared for the world you are about to enter. Let me show you. Deep in the catacombs beneath my palace, there is a throne room. It is the throne of one of the greatest leaders a warrior like yourself could have the pleasure of knowing. Maybe you will survive long enough to meet the grandmaster. But until then, you will fight SHEEVA."

[CHARLIE]
The ostentatiousness of thrown rooms tended to be very offsetting to one Charlie Nash. He'd been in a few from time to time, but the guadiness and conspicuousness of them always seemed much. The air of exultation did no favors either, especially when the owner was only royalty in their own mind.

That...isn't quite the high-class setting that CHarlie finds as he descends the stairs down into this particular throne room. On guard even as he descends, the major frowns and takes in the grim looking setting. It's certainly royal in its own way, but the dark, forboding motif of the entire Island seems to carry over here.

Grumbling to himself about the whole thing about 'leaders', Charlie continues to scan the room, readied for almost immediate conflict. Charlie might not be a leader of men, but he is a leader of soldiers, and he knows not to take any situation for granted, even if it's just his own skin he has to protect here.

[SHEEVA]
Shang Tsung's curious speech had struck a nerve with the Outworlder destined to face against Charlie Nash.

A battle of leaders he had said. Wise, generous and even monstrous? Traits that perhaps were befitting to one Shokan warrior lurking within the hallowed chambers of current Mortal Kombat champion; Prince Goro.

From what the sorcerer had said, his implication was clear that he did not mean Sheeva.

'In the meantime you will fight Sheeva' The gall of the sorcerer, to disrespect Queen Sindel's bodyguard in such a manner. Push her aside as if she were naught one of these brutish, worthless minions guarding the palace. She did not rise to such a position merely pushing papers. Sheeva would have liked to see the addled sorcerer fighting for his life with his back against the wall with nothing but his fists to see him through Kombat.

Alas, what is done is done. The Shokan had been called to fight and she would be remiss to refuse the summons.

From the shadows next to the empty throne, a massively tall, and yet lithe figure welcomes the Major into the bone littered arena.
% A statuesque woman emerges from the darkness, full of muscle show to the little clothing she wears. Deep red eyes, small horns protruding from her forehead, and of course, the familiar four arms that has made the Shokan race famous.

"I am Sheeva!" She introduces herself to Nash by way of pressing her two right fists upon her two left open palms. The sign of Power over Peace so common among evil martial artists.

"You will be facing me today." The warrior switches to what appears to be a wrestling battle stance, red eyes glaring at the blond soldier. Something in her composure speaking not of brutal intent, but more like someone who is intent on proving their worth to a higher being.

"Fight well, human."

COMBATSYS: Sheeva has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Sheeva           0/-------/-------|

[CHARLIE]
Hearing the footsteps in the dim room, Charlie immediately snaps around, hands at the ready...and eying the large woman that emerges, blinking at the surprising set of extra arms that the imposing figure bears upon her.

Blinking a little bit at the unusual state of his opponent, Charlie allwos himself only so much surprise before he hardens his expression. The unusual glowing gem in his forehead flares a little, yellow shine only doing so much to brighten up the area in front of its face before it dims again. "I suppose a normal opponent would be too much to ask," he quips before settling his boots against the stone, hands raised up in a much more natural fighting stance with fists loosely clenched.

"I suppose I better not disappoint."

COMBATSYS: Charlie has joined the fight here.

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Charlie          0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0           Sheeva

[SHEEVA]
An ugly looking scowl mars Sheeva's expression when she hears Charlie's comment. At the least, the gesture is somewhat befitting for such a beastly woman such as her, though as Charlie is about, Sheeva is still a woman and doesn't appreciate those kind of comments.

"I am perfectly normal where I come from." There's an indignant tone on the woman's voice and if the Major is paying close attention he might even hear her huffing. That offended her a little.

"You're the one who is strange. With your small stature and yellow hair." Not a lot of those in Outworld apparently.

Scoffing some more, the giant warrior woman adjusts her position via way of shifting her feet a little, dust of old rock and bone pushed aside from the cobblestone.

"I have seen you fight, I am certain you will not disappoint." Not entirely brutish as she may seem, it looks like Sheeva has done a bit of research.

Enough to tell her than she shouldn't dilly dally when it comes to Nash.

With an explosion of sound and dust behind her, the Shokan warrior launches herself into the attack, clearing the distance separating the two fighters in a fraction of a second. The Shokan then immediately employs her extra arms as soon as she enters Nash's circle of defense; she swings both upper hands at Charlie's temples to burst his eardrums, whilst simultaneously bringing both lower arms at Charlie's torso with hammer fist punches in order to crush his torso.

COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Sheeva's Four-Way.

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Charlie          0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0           Sheeva

[CHARLIE]
Well, Charlie isn't about to spend much time arguing about what is or isn't normal. Especially not with what he's seen so far. Besides, he has more important things to worry about than who is the weirder one. Especially since his blonde hair isn't moving in to attack in an unexpected way the same way four arms are coming in simultaneously for him.

When Sheeva barrels at him, Charlie is forced on the back foot quickly. He's going to have to keep that explosive speed in mind for later in the fight, but for now, he's more worried about the hammerblows. He's able to duck underneath the temple clapping, but all that does his bring his face closer to where the ones hammering toward his torso are. He's forced to turn and bring up his shoulder and arm to bear the blow before falling back.

Somersaulting away into a crouch, Charlie realizes he needs to give himself some space. Up close, with that strength and extra manipulation, the Shokan will easily wear him down. Glowering, his hand starts to glow as he chambers it back. His gem starts to come to life as well, eyes narrowed in the yellow glow that surrounds his forehead. Teeth grit bfeore that charged hand cuts through the air, sending the energy out through the swirling vacuum of air it creates straight toward the Shokan.

COMBATSYS: Charlie equips a glowing Mustard Yellow Soul Shard.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Charlie [E]      0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0           Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Charlie channels the strength of the killing fist.

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Charlie [E]      0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0           Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Sheeva equips a flickering Dark Green Soul Shard.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Charlie [E]      0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Sheeva channels the fortress of the steel will.

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Charlie [E]      0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Charlie successfully hits Sheeva with Sonic Boom.

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Charlie [E]      0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1       [E] Sheeva

[SHEEVA]
An astute maneuver. Sheeva seemed ready to continue her onslaught, only to swipe at nothing but air when Charlie nimbly flies backwards via a flip and readies himself to summon his chi against his Shokan aggressor.

The warrior woman relents momentarily when she feels that aura filling the throne room. It seems that unlike her warrior caste, this fighter is more cautious and decides to try and mitigate the blow of the attack via guarding herself instead of pushing through as most Shokans would.

In her defense, most Shokans would not have been able to push past that anyhow.

Sheeva brings all four of her arms forward to defend herself from the strike but it still connects past her defenses, sending the Shokan flying backwards. The Outworld monster lands on her back and uses the momentum of the throw to roll back on her feet in a crouching position. With all four arms touching the ground and her vicious red glare staring at Nash, she looks like some kind of giant recluse spider.

But this one prefers raw strength rather than speed to reel her prey in.

Sheeva maintains that slightly crouched position and raises all four of her arms up to the ceiling. For a moment, it seems that she's offering some kind of prayer to Elder Gods, perhaps so they can grant her the strength needed to overcome this trial.

In reality, she was just preparing herself to SLAM the ground with all her might. An explosion of chi erupts from her palms as they strike the ground, and burning fire flows every which way in the throne room. Naturally, many of the flames are rushing towards Nash's feet, threatening to engulf him in fire.

COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Sheeva's Destruction.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Charlie [E]      0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1       [E] Sheeva

[CHARLIE]
With the Sonic Boom sending Sheeva flying, it seems like the perfect time for Charlie to press his advantage. Charging in after, he slows up only when Sheeva flips into her own crouch out of the blowback. It's probably a very good thing too he slowed up. If he had seen her with her arms up just a few feet closer, he would have tried to press the advantage...

And would likely have ended up meeting that shockwave that thunders across the throne room. As is, his eyes widen behind his glasses before he drops down low. It seems counterintuitive...but it's a good way to keep from being thrown around by the shockwave. The rushing ring of fire?...well, he has to sweep his leg out in the way of that to keep from being engulfed by it this low. The fire singes sears at his ankle, and scorches his boot in a way that almost melts it onto his socked foot...but better than burns all over his body.

The damage isn't insignificant though from the way he gets up, favoring that scorched foot. He narrows his eyes, considering his play after that display. Unfortunately, he can't afford to be ginger and fight an outside battle. That's just not how he's designed. He's cautious enough to approach slowly though..waiting until he's only just inside of his range, before hopping into the air. Spinning back, his leg thrusts out, slicing through the air to try and clip Sheeva hard just across the chin. If he can get past those four limbs, mind.

COMBATSYS: Sheeva endures Charlie's Jump Sobat.
-@- Dazing Hit! -@-

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Charlie [E]      0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1       [E] Sheeva

[SHEEVA]
While definitely a cautious fighter, at heart Sheeva is still a Shokan. She can only play the projectile game for so long before her bestial bloodstuff starts getting the better of her urging her to take the battle to the glory that is Klose Kombat.

Seeing Charlie surge through the flames of her fire ring is enough to incise her to the point where she meets his approach head on. She too stands with determination to her glowing red eyes and begins to walk towards the human soldier matching his pace. At first, she's also inching towards him in that way two fighters eye each other for openings.

Until she simply decides that the best course of action is a direct one and charges in.

This happens just at the same time that Chalrie goes for that flying rising kick. Sheeva's charge comes to a screeching stop and though she leans back to avoid the brunt of the blow the foot collides solidly with her chin. The woman's head cracks back due to the impact and blood goes flying from her lip. And yet, an astute observer would notice that there was no distinct cracking noise of her jaw being broken. She clenched her teeth just at the right moment and judging by how quickly she recovers from the blow its almost seems as if she was expecting it.

Because she does surge a little -too- quick for someone who's just been kick in the chin. In fact, she charges just as Nash is in the apex of his spin and still in mid-air. Jumping towards him, Sheeva brings all four of her arms around the soldier in an attempt to speed Charlie's descent back to the ground.. except that he's going to come back down head first.

COMBATSYS: Charlie barely endures Sheeva's Untamed Fury.

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Charlie [E]      1/-----==/=======|=======\=====--\1       [E] Sheeva

[CHARLIE]
It's a bit of a blur for the American Airman what happens next, grabbed out of his kick just after snapping it across Sheeva's chin. It seems like it should have been a blow that rung her bell, but without time to muse about why it happened, Charlie ends up hefted up into the air. With little recourse, all he can do is grit his teeth as well and try to mitigate the landing.

It only does so much, sadly, slammed hard atop his head. He flops back after impact, dropping on his knees...before pushing himself up. He's woozy, but clearly not about to go down that easily.

Giving Sheeva an unfocused look that still manages to silently convey the thought of 'is that all you got?', Charlie pushes inward. At this close proximity, the best he can do is press what advantage he can. He tries to pull down on one of Sheeva's arms, hoping to jam it against the point of his knee...mostsly to hopefully offset her balance enough to land a couple more hard knees to her face in turn.

COMBATSYS: Charlie successfully hits Sheeva with Knee Gatling.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Charlie [E]      1/---====/=======|=======\=======\1       [E] Sheeva

[SHEEVA]
Aaah, the good old grappling. Where it not for the fact that Charlie is clearly an Earthrealm elite and knows well of his business, perhaps Sheeva would claim to call this instance one of her fortes.

As it stands though, despite knowing full well what kind of tactics her opponent is employing, all the Shokan warrior can do when Charlie rushes over to go for the clinch is to likewise bring her hands upon his shoulders to return the engage.

It is poor solace however, as even with that extra pair of arms, Sheeva still finds numerous knee blows delivered to her gut. The giant of a warrior woman snarls in pain, and yet, she too shows no signs of going down easy. Such is her drive to fight for Outworld that she doesn't try to break the hold.

In fact, she fully engages Charlie in his own turf and goes to wrap all four hands around his body. Two hands are brought to the soldier's head to grab him by the temples, while his lower pair of hands quickly wrap around Charlie's arms and torso to hold him still.

In this position, Sheeva gives a tight crushing hug onto the soldier's back whilst simultaneously pushes his head back with a forceful push. A technique that is surely meant to dislocate a man's spinal cord.

COMBATSYS: Charlie channels the fortress of the steel will.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Charlie [E]      1/---====/=======|===----\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Charlie endures Sheeva's Shokan Fury.

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Charlie [E]      1/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

[CHARLIE]
The hammering knees are all that Charlie can do to try and get some distance between him and Sheeva again, but even as he hammers and tries to force the Shokan to reel back, she keeps coming froward.

Wrapped up again as she presses her clear advantage in grappling, Charlie is forced to strain and writhe in the crushing hug. He can feel the air being forced out of his lungs as ribs tremble and start to fracture. The pressure on his chin and head trying to snap his spine? He manages to struggle against it, neck strength and sheer will keeping his head from going back too far.

"Is.....that....all?" he manages to grit out, glaring at Sheeva with the glow of his soul shard seeming to fuel his will. Struggling harder, his head seems to finally snap back...at least until his arms force themselves outward, barely able to struggle himself out of the hold and flip back onto his feet. There's clear bruising around his torso, but it's clear pain is the last thing on his mind.

Instead, his focus is entirely on barreling in toward Sheeva, mind on retaliation. "Try and grab this!" he shouts before his legs snap out, a sharp pump kick to Sheeva's knee followed up by a roundhouse. From there, the momentum keeps going, a backspin kick followed by a stepping pump kick to the chest, a backfist, before finally adding in a sharp uppercut aimed at sending her flying away. There's no retreat this time, he's putting all his strength and guts into this assault.

COMBATSYS: Charlie issues a challenge!!

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Charlie [E]      1/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Sheeva channels the fortress of the steel will.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Charlie [E]      0/-------/<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Charlie dazes Sheeva with Crossfire Blitz!

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Charlie [E]      0/-------/<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

[SHEEVA]
Sheeva expected nothing less than for Charlie to break free of her hold. It would be unfitting for a human of this caliber to simply die from having his spine snapped in two like a twig. Why, that would mean he's just an average human and would have no business participating in this most sacred tournament!!

Thankfully for the Shokan warrior, it is because that she was expecting such kind of retaliation that she at the bare minimum manages to curl up into what is essentially a ball. The impact of the kick is met by her shin and all following punches hammer into her arms, face and torso. For a few agonizing moments, the giant warrior gets socked around by the furious rain of blows which punches her this way and the other, forcing her body to skid around whilst she desperately tries to keep herself upright by pressing her heels on the ground.

Finally, there comes a point where she just can't the blows anymore without retaliating, much less after being called out in such an infuriating manner. Sheeva snarls viciously and swings both right arms forward, throwing a vicious cross punch right at Charlie's jaw and another flying towards liver. If only just to get him to stop punching her.

"GRRRRRAAAAAAAH!!!!"

COMBATSYS: Charlie channels the glare of the vicious eye.

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Charlie [E]      0/-------/<<<<<<<|=====--\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

COMBATSYS: Charlie interrupts Back Punch from Sheeva with Somersault Kick EX.

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Charlie [E]      1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0       [E] Sheeva

[CHARLIE]
The all out assault is not one that Charlie can keep up indefinitely. But then again, it's not one he'd want to anyway. The problem he finds is just how much of a stone wall Sheeva seems to prove herself. The blows land, sure, and he can feel the feedback as if they should be doing their work, but she seems to remain as much of a juggernaut as possible.

Thankfully, Charlie knows how to take care of those who barrel in wild and forward. Backing up as his assault finishes up, he watches the Shokan snarl and surge foward, both fists on one side lancing toward him. This is his wheelhouse now, and he's prepared.

As the fists fly, the airman twists, the strike for his head slipping past him, barely missing his temple and even the earpiece of his glasses. The shot to his liver?...that hits home, but not flush enough to slam at his liver. Instead, it hits on those crushed ribs earlier as the airman starts to fly. Legs chamber, then snap outward, one after another, creating a slashing arc of energy in their wake as Charlie flips forward. Leaping high, the landing is graceful...yet pained, as the aggrivation of his ribs force him to take more than a moment to catch his breath after the Somersault Kick.

[SHEEVA]
The ultimate problem with a Shokan, even a highly tactical one like Sheeva, is that their best defense is their only one.

With such a massive body and a multitude of targets in the form of her arms, the best -and only- thing she can do to avoid the attacks is to try and muscle her way through them.

When out of desperation, the warrior woman throws what could possibly be a blind swing towards Nash, she gets punished for her recklessness by way of eating yet another somersault kick to the chin!

Her head cracks backwards and her entire body seems to shake as she back pedals, a tall tree about to fall down..

But.. she recovers!! A shit eating, bloodied grin plastered on her face and mad glowing red eyes full of blood lust staring back at Charlie.

At the very least, she seems to be so concentrated on ignoring the pain coursing through her body that she can't formulate any words. All the giant Shokan can do is do as she had been doing through the whole fight and keep attacking!

Glowing, fiery chi envelops all four of her fists, and like Charlie did just a few moments ago, she begins to deliver a rushing series of piston like strikes. Raining down blow after blow upon Charlie's face and torso with all her fists.

COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Sheeva's Demolish.

[                        \\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Charlie [E]      1/--=====/=======|=======\=------\1       [E] Sheeva

[CHARLIE]
...ok, now THAT'S concerning. Seeing the Shokan refuse to fall down despite taking his Somersault Kick head on like that is something that definitely starts to shake Charlie. The bloodied grin and wild charge with chi-wrapped fists don't help all that much either. Eyes widening, he forces himself back up to his feet, despite the screaming that his ribs give him at that point.

Backpedaling, he's forced to catch the pistoning blows with his arms and shoulders, blows that eventually wear at his guard. The pain of trying to use flesh and bone to repeatedly stop what may as well be pillars of stone makes him realize he can't hold up this guard for much longer.

Growling, he doesn't relent or simply retreat though. No, instead, he does his best to push back off one guarded hammer blow and get just enough space. His hands glow, much like his did earlier and Sheeva's do now. But instead of using them to hammer at the four-armed warrior, he instead lets them cut through the air. Yet another Sonic Boom flies toward Sheeva...then another. Then another, and another, Charlie holding his ground as he flings out at least 5 straight in a row trying to beat back the four-fisted tide surging at him. It's mostly desperation at this point and trying to create some breathing room, knowing that the Shokan will refuse to relent unless the American FORCIBLY stops her.

COMBATSYS: Sheeva fails to interrupt Sonic Break from Charlie with Sheeva Rush.

[                        \\\\\\  <
Charlie [E]      0/-------/-======|

COMBATSYS: Sheeva can no longer fight.

[                        \\\\\\  <
Charlie [E]      0/-------/-======|

[SHEEVA]
Although in Sheeva's current position she really can't muster the time and energy necessary to say anything, it doesn't take a mind reader to know what she's thinking.

"WHY"

"WON'T"

"YOU"

"DIE!!??"

The Shokan warrior slams her fists with wild desperation against Charlie's bullwark but just like her the human shows that he simply won't break, no matter how many attacks descend on him.

In fact, he has enough perseverance that he manages to jump out from the flurry of attacks, thus giving him enough space to deliver a rain of projectiles to keep the juggernaut away. These attacks as well Sheeva tries to charge through, pushing past the first ones until it becomes clear that she simply can't break through all of them and she goes flying backwards and into the walls of the throne room.

The Shokan bounces from the crash and falls face forward onto the ground, this time, immobile.

[CHARLIE]
It's a strange sort of rapport, but much the same way as Sheeva, Charlie's own unspoken disbelief is all too apparent in his expression.

"WHY"

"WON'T"

"YOU"

"FALL"

"DOWN?!"

Charlie barely is able to get the last Sonic Boom out before he falters, the energy around his hands fading, and his Shard the only thing that seems to keep him upright. Even that isn't quite enough, forehead glowing as he sinks down to one knee.

It isn't even until he hears the slam of Sheeva into one of the walls that he realizes that the Shokan stopped coming forward. A strange resignation had falling on the airman after that last shot, and to see it be the saving grace that kept his head is...well, it's a relief, for starters. Not that it's one he can truly savor.

It's not just the fact that he barely has enough strength to stay up, and his ribs compacted enough to affect his breathing. But the glow of his shard brightens as it seems to feed yet more power to him, and with that...well, the strain of the voices filling his head only compounds his current grief.

Grimacing, the soldier pushes himself up to his feet. Staring for a few seconds at the fallen Sheeva, the Airman gives a weak salute. Respect for the valiant foe, it seems. Without another word, he slowly pulls himself toward the stairs, arm cradling his torso for the long trudge back up. "No...no blood....no..." He mutters under his breath in a rather...concerning way. The cost of victory on this island?

Log created on 19:46:26 10/01/2016 by Sheeva, and last modified on 00:31:47 10/02/2016.