Match of the Millennium

Description: The one and only Lightning Spangles takes on the one and only Mantisman. The fight is about as Hollywood as it can get, but the reality of the situation cuts past everything. (Winner: Jezebel)

[JEZEBEL]
"Are you sure you want to wear that?"

The question comes at the top of the water slides in the northside of the Golden Angel Water Park. Already, other fights were stirring around. The fights of the mysterious Golden Angel. The water slides were split all around; where this fight would take place would be the wading pools between them. All the slides themselves were opened up; if they needed to, they could take the fight down there. Heh. They. The question is asked again.

"Are you sure you want to wear that, Jezebel?"

The swim suit was a one piece, covering most of her body, stylized as a single American flag. You could barely see the pudge of her belly, the hanging cellulite of her bottom. But you could see clearly the deep, purple bruise on her neck. Jezebel adjusts her eyepatch, covering her missing mechanical eye. Nothing could be fixed so quickly. But she was smiling, a smaller smile. This wasn't a fight for Lightning Spangles. Tossing her long ponytail aside, she looks to the judge, shaking her head at the question.

"I think it will work well."

[MANTISMAN]
Fritz had actually gotten here a day earlier, arriving in a nondescript automobile courtesy of some online phone taxi service, and while regular guests were out living it up in their bikinis, the older man had instead just been down in the complimentary hotel gym, pumping iron, jumping rope and all in all mentally preparing himself. He'd also been doing research of this new fancy material they were using, the skeptic in him unable to let it go.

But, any 'investigation' would have to wait for later. Today, he had a fight scheduled with THE Lightning Spangles herself. He was smiling at her from beneath that green cowl of his, antennae twitching around every so often even as he stepped forward from where he had been waiting. His hands were holding that oversized utility belt of his, slipping it around his waist and buckling it tightly, having to pull on it extra hard to get it to close around a...'generous' midsection like his. Additionally, it seemed he had an extra addition to his pristine, classic Mantisman suit: Around his waist and legs, where there should be tights and a pair of green briefs outside said briefs, there still were. But over the leggings, it appeared to be festive he'd put on a pair of massive yellow Bermuda shorts that went down to his knees.

"I just want you to know, Miss Faiblesse, that I'm rather a fan of your work. It's important for young kids today to understand the country we come from. I hope we can have a good, clean contest."

As he spoke, he stood with his hands on his hips, cape flapping ever so slightly in the breeze. The Mantisman had arrived.

COMBATSYS: Mantisman has started a fight here.

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Mantisman        0/-------/------=|

[JEZEBEL]
Her opponent was perfect.

Facing the man in the suit, there was a pair of shorts. Modest enough, yes. But at the compliments. Jezebel actually blushes. The emotions rush over her. The obessions. To have someone -into- her, respecting her... it was a deep, sinister desire. And yet, she runs her hand on her neck bruise.

And she takes a deep breath, and exhales.

"Thank you very much for your words of support." She says very evenly, almost mechanically. "I'm not here as Lightning Spangles, though. I'm here as Jezebel." She eases into her Tae Kwon Do stance. "I've... I've had a rough time, and I need to make sure the kids have a good example. I...I'm trying to be more responsible about Lightning Spangles in a swimsuit." She winks with her one eye, as the judge calls the match to begin.

And Jezebel steps in.

Stepping in, she rushes towards Mantisman. The speed was clumsy, especially in the shallow water. But as she hurls in, she suddenly stops. Leaning back, chi energy flows over her front, flashing in red, white, and blue. The sparklers of energy burst over her and away from her as she lunges -backwards-, letting the short spray of color not only pour at Mantisman, but rocket her backwards. All as the passion of AMERICA begins to rattle in her. She tried to restrain herself.

But how could she, when she felt so good?

COMBATSYS: Jezebel has joined the fight here.

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Jezebel          0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0        Mantisman

COMBATSYS: Mantisman dodges Jezebel's Tombstone.

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Jezebel          0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
With his hands still on his hips, his cape draped a little over his left shoulder and arm, the Mantisman probably didn't look very intimidating. It was true, the man was big and had a thickness to his arms and legs that skintight grey spandex wasn't hiding, but the cleancut chin and jawline, the dazzling smile, the piercing blue eyes from behind that green and black mask, there was something about him that did not scream 'violence' or 'ruthlessness'. When Jezebel speaks, he listens, and nods solemnly.

And then the fight starts, and Jezebel is running in. The masked man looks up to see that sparkling burst, and amazingly he rolls to the side dramatically, as if he were rolling out from car moments before it explodes dramatically for the camera. And as Jezebel is backed away, the older pudgy man is already up to his feet, moving like a limber twenty year old as he ran up to meet her. Right hand covered in a beautiful green velvet glove, it clenched into a tight fist as it swooped out to catch her around the facial area in a classic Hollywood punch, something meant to look good rather than do legit damage. It might be shocking, then, when upon snapping with impact a dazzling array of lights and sound would accompany it, swirling colors with a loud, sudden out of control trumpet-like noise blaring outward. And everyone present, whether they closed their eyes or not, might find it difficult not to think a single word.

'POW!'

COMBATSYS: Mantisman successfully hits Jezebel with POW!.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Jezebel          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
So fast.The superhero figure was already matching her timing, matching her rhythm. He might have been older and rounder, but there was a spark, a passion that was burning in his heart. One that Jezebel was reaching out and touching. As her backfire leaves her repositioned, she watches as the single -punch- comes rocketing in. Jezebel turns to let it slip by... but with the shallow water, she gradually sees that the blow was -coming-. It connects right with her jaw.

And Jezebel -sells-

Jerking hard with the hit, she -stumbles- backwards, splashing with every step as she heads back to the opening to the water slide. Hitting the rim of the slide, she catches herself at it, -just- stopping herself from falling in. Blinking hard, she gasps, easing herself back. A stunning blow, one that she over-acts to steady herself. But as she steadies her feet, she gives a grin. "So that's the Mantisman touch!" She muses, recovering from the flash and substance. "Pretty impressive! Alright, get ready!" She explains as she dips in again, sending up a wave of water as she turns.

And drives her leg -hard- into a thurst kick, aiming to blow through where he stood!

COMBATSYS: Mantisman blocks Jezebel's Thrust Kick.

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Jezebel          0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
Truth be told, Mantisman wasn't particularly -thrilled with fighting in such a water-filled place, it's why his shoes weren't genuine Mantisman boots, but rather green rubber ones that gave him more 'grip' in this location. Good too as that kick was stabbed toward him which caused him to get his guard up just in time to protect his face from a rocking. The impact was still incredible, causing the costumed do-gooder to stagger back a few awkward steps, shaking out his arms purely out of instinct, and splashing water all around with every stomp around. Idly he lifted his left arm up, flicking his cape back to land behind him, and give him more space to fight with.

He was going to massage the pain out of his arms later this night, but for now, he did his best to push the stinging out of his mind so that he could reach forth and grab at the actress' left wrist. With his squatted down stance, he looked up at her as he spoke.

"Preparation is more than a mantra, young lady. It's a way of life."

And with that cryptic line out of the way, the bigger, stronger Mantisman ran forward two stomping steps before over-dramatically going for a big, giant impressive Judo throw, one that would hopefully get some distance between the two of them. Regardless of the outcome, he'd step backward...and dropping his stance down low. Feet spread apart, hands up with the hands outstretched downward, this was clearly something very different to what he'd been using before. Something that could be...dangerous? Maybe?

COMBATSYS: Jezebel dodges Mantisman's Quick Throw.

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Jezebel          0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
Jezebel was handling the water better.

Bare feet meant no boots, and shifting away from a costume... well, it freed her up. As her opponent sweeps the cape though, she tries very hard to think about how hard it was that he was fighting in costume. The kick was caught, but she drops her leg, keeping herself stepping forward. As the massive Mantisman stomps in, she was already stepping around, already moving. And then... the judo throw was reversed, slipped over out by a single, missed action. The hand was just a little too close in the wrong place.

And it just...

Barely...

Grazes her on the chest.

Jezebel swings her body hard, as her confidence builds. As Mantis takes a moment to shift his stance, the actress suddenly explodes forward with a roundhouse kick. "Preparation is my middle name!" She exclaims. A second roundhouse kick would come, and a third, as Jezebel builds the relentless push. "Getting organized has been fixing my life again; I'm even trying to reach out to my fans and friends!" Jezebel dips low for the fourth kick, a wave of water rising as she goes for the sweep kick. Should she connect, knocking the older man down? She would step up and over him, gently pinning him on the neck with her bare foot, and leaning far over with a stretching, manical grin that she just can't stop from pouring out.

"Maybe we can... get you out of that costume for this match?~"

COMBATSYS: Mantisman dodges Jezebel's Quick and the Dead.

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Jezebel          0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
Any contact the older actor made was completely unintentional, and in fact, completely unnoticed by the costumed fighter. When Jezebel comes in aggressively, Fritz' eyes are steely and focused, and it seems his newfound 'Mantis Stance' isn't just for show. With that roundhouse, it was easy for the already down-low avenger to duck down even further, the tips of his cape dipping into the water just a little, before almost 'scurrying' away from the onslaught. Every kick got lower and lower, with him using both forearms to sort of 'push' away the third kick, even as she went in for that sweep. That would be the point where he leaps up over the attempt, finally lunging both of his hands out. With all of her bodyweight and balance being on one leg, that's the leg he snatched for, hands trying to hook around the ankle just like he were grasping a grasshopper for a quick meal. Luckily for Jez, however, it seemed his goal here wasn't nearly as grisly, aiming only to yank her off of her feet in an improvised sort of sweep of his own!

"My apologies, Miss Faiblesse, but that is an offer I cannot accept. The Mantisman must remain vigilant and steadfast at all times, and in more ways than one."

COMBATSYS: Jezebel blocks Mantisman's Rapid Grapple.

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Jezebel          0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
Jezebel almost feels the sting of rejection.

As the kick combination finishes, with her leg sweeping over the water, she rises up, as Mantisman lunges in with his own grips. Jezebel knew the feeling well, rejection. And yet.... and yet, why did it only sting? Why didn't it feel like her heart was ripped out, like with Honoka? With Johnny Cage? Because... because Mantisman was a fan; she was out of character, and... and he was old enough to play grownup games. Jezebel felt a shiver as he latches on her. The grip is hard, and as the -pull- comes, she drops down.

But Jezebel stays on her feet.

Red, white, and blue energy cascades over her, as she charges up with energy, Her cheeks were red. "Oh, I understand! The character has to always keep a certain purity! I- Yes, I understand." She gives Mantisman a wink as crouches down lower." And then, if Mantisman cannot escape, she would erupt upwards into a chain of three kicks, each with a burst of red, white, and blue fireworks, to send them both forward.... and if she could? Send them both right into one of those slides, so they could ride down. All with a coy whisper.

"I just wonder who the man is under that mask!~"

COMBATSYS: Mantisman blocks Jezebel's Where Eagles Dare EX.

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Jezebel          0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
"He isn't anything extraordinary, Miss Faiblesse. Hnngh!"

He spoke as he blocked and deflected, using that crouching guard of his to deflect as much force as he could, but that still didn't account for the bursting energy pulsing through his body, causing him to grit his teeth and stagger back with every impact. On the final kick he indeed went tumbling ass over head down the slide, calling out in surprise as he lost his footing. In the midst of that tumble with the bikini-clad kicking queen, he'd grab at the back of her head, 'leaping' up to place both of his feet above her hips, locking in place as he attempted to 'roll' them both down the slide in a way that actually increased the speed...when they were nearly to the water, that's when he'd finally hit his back and LAUNCH those legs of his up, trying to catapult her away from him with gusto.

"I'm just a man who always takes the hard way."

COMBATSYS: Mantisman successfully hits Jezebel with Rebound Grapple.

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Jezebel          1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
Jezebel was feeling it.

Taking Mantisman down the slide, she manages to keep herself stable, as she begins to tumble down, riding with the slide. Close up, it was dangerous; she actually tries to accelerate. But as he gets a mantis grip... well, she's not getting away until he wants it. "Well, I've known a lot of ordinary men who always take it the hard way." Jezebel says lightly, in the grips. "But that's in the past. I think- I think it's respectable that you can hold yourself to a high standard." She grins a winning smile to the masked man.

And Jezebel is sent -hurtling- away.

Landing on the slide pool down below with a -splash-, Jezebel is in over her head. Tumbling upside down, flailing wildly, she has to right herself. Treading water, she swims to the side of the pool. With a heft, she pulls herself up. "Nice work, pardn- Nice work Mantisman!" She corrects herself. Reaching out, someone hands Jezebel a towel. "Now get on over here before I get too riled up!" She begins to -power- dry, whipping herself wildly; every blow drying herself more and more. Spinning the towel, it becomes like a lassoo, wild and wild whipping around and around, snapping and snipping. Before finally, as the last of the droplets are gone, she hurls the towel away.

Flashing a wild salute, with a wild wink.

COMBATSYS: Jezebel burns with the AMERICAN SPIRIT!

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Jezebel          1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
The bad part of this, was there was no way for the Mantisman to avoid dunking into the pool himself. Jez climbed up easily, but for a few moments, there was nothing but bubbles coming up to the surface of the water, followed by awkward silence. Eventually with a 'squish', one soggy wet-gloved hand reached up, splashing water around wildly as it grabbed the concrete edge of the pool, followed by another. For a moment that's all that happened, until the older man hoisted himself up, using his strength to pull himself up, enough so that the bottom of his belly rested atop the edge, and he could use that to angle himself into dry land.

The Drenched Defender was currently laying on his back, arms spread out, breathing heavy until he managed to work up to a sitting position, shaking his head. His uniform, it seemed, was retaining water, the sounds of it still in his boots, and his cape looking heavier than Hugo until he brought it around and wrung it out in front of him, causing a brief downpour as he sighed and looked down.

"Well, I suppose it couldn't be helped here."

He briefly adjusted his mask to let more water pour out, his antenna both drooped down in a way that seemed to match his mood as he climbed to his feet. After a moment, though, they chirped back up, as he swung his cape backward. Being wet it was now clinging to itself in a way that did not look great in any capacity, but that couldn't be helped now.

Hands on his hips, the still-dripping do-gooder nodded his head with his mouth set in a stoic line.

"Well then, my dear, are you ready for round two?"

COMBATSYS: Mantisman gains composure.

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Jezebel          1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
Jezebel lets Mantisman get into place, waiting patiently as he eases in. Why shouldn't this be round 2? She was happy to concede the round; he was incredible. She waits for him to drain himself, actually covering her mouth with a giggle. Relaxing a bit, as he makes the offer, Jezebel nods. "Why, thank you kindly!" She says brightly, before lowering her voice in a mock PA. "Ding Ding! Round 2!"

"Fight!"

Jezebel surges back at Mantisman, lunging in at him. Swinging her leg low, she hurls a kick right for the knees, not quite a sweep, but more of a hammering slam. She was building momentum, building spirit... as the actress begins to escalate to her most impressive attacks. It was round 2.

She had to make it to round 3.

COMBATSYS: Mantisman dodges Jezebel's Medium Kick.

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Jezebel          1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
The Mantisman watched Jez run in, and when she prepared to go for that kick, the masked man was crouching down almost until he was ducking and covering. A strange strategy, given her kick was going low and not high. When it almost made contact, however, that's when the older fighter sprung up into the air, honestly not leaping very high at all, flipping forward slowly and theatrically as he landed to the side of her...and when he spun around, his left hand pulled a pair of bright painted yellow and green weapons, a pair of hard, hard sticks held together by a thin chain, the Claws of the Mantis being unfurled and descending upon America's favorite cowgirl in a dazzling combination! As far as nunchuck skills went, these were...quite good for a beginner. That was the polite way to put it. But even a novice could cause quite a bit of damage with a weapon as fine as this!

COMBATSYS: Jezebel blocks Mantisman's Claws Of The Mantis!.

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Jezebel          2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|====---\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
It starts with a low kick.

It's not obvious as it whiffs, catching nothing but air, that Jezebel was building into something. Grinning, the smile was building as Jezebel was continuing to build her momentum. Energy was flowing in her, as she slams her bare feet down. Mantisman lands at her side, but she was circling in motion, attuned carefully with her opponent. The weapons come out, the yellow and the green, ready to batter her. Jezebel matches eyes and...

Blocks with her forearms.

Finesse means nothing when you hit -damn- hard. Jezebel's bruised and bumps were only more obvious exposed; like the blow on her body, on her arms now, and her... neck bruise. She looks with her good eye that she's having fun, though. As she hisses lightly with pain, you could almost -feel- the spark before it ignites. She pivots to his flank, letting him a -long- walk behind him alongside the pool. And she cries out brightly.

"Come on, Mantisman! You gotta pick up the pace!"

And she unleashes the kicking combination. High kick, low kick, roundhouse, roundhouse. It was a brittle bone assault as the kick combination escalates. Faster and faster she kicks, each kick coming with a staggering force, ready to catch him and not let up. The barrage comes before stopping cold at the far end of the pool. With a glint in her eye, she would finish the combination by turning around... and giving a firm bottom bump into Mantisman, to knock him back.

"Yeeeeeeeha- erm, yeeho."

COMBATSYS: Mantisman blocks Jezebel's True Grit.

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Jezebel          0/-------/<<<<<<<|=====--\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
Amazingly, the man in the Mantis-suit held his own against the McFlurry of kicks coming his way, somehow deflecting the high attacks with something resembling a boxing guard and rolling his torso to get the least amount of impact every time, while his legs rose up to meet her leg-kicks with his shins, in something that resembled a kung-fu technique, something rigid, old and rarely seen. It was amazing that he was able to utilize these conflicting styles in such a way that gave him the most benefit, but sadly, it seemed the downside was about to bite him in the ass...sort of. That final butt-bounce slammed into him while his feet were just on the edge of that pool, and his arms suddenly outstretched, flapping desperately in an attempt to defy gravity.

"Who-whoah-whoah-whoaaaah!"

He was going to lose this desperate war, and he was going to take a second plunge into these chlorine-cleaned waters that were threatening the pristine condition of his Mantis-suit. But before he went, he was determined to take his foe with him. With her back still turned to him, he'd attempt to grab her around the waist, almost like a mix between a boxing clinch and a wrestler's prelude to a suplex. If this worked, he'd use the last of his escaping leverage to suddenly spin away from the edge, and landing both Jezebel and himself, into the center of those depths below!

COMBATSYS: Jezebel interrupts Strong Throw from Mantisman with Magnificent Seven.

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Jezebel          0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
The momentum wasn't stopping.

Jezebel unleashes the barrage of kicks and kicks, hammering harder and harder into Mantisman. She was enjoying this, enjoying the passion of both fighters. Mantisman's technique was highly intricate, a careful balance between two styles. And Jezebel's was a relentless, hard hitting Tae Kwon Do, honed from equal years of experience. And yet, they were ultimately performers. As the final butt bump comes, she was surging with red, white, and blue energy. As Mantisman reaches for her, reaching to take her into the pool? She gets a smile on her face.

It was gonna be a splash.

Jezebel winds back, and meets the grapple with another kick. And another. Six kicks total are unleashed as she takes both herself and Mantisman over the water, each kick coming with an explosion of fireworks over the pool. Reaching the apex, she stares down at Mantisman, screaming out loud. "YEEEEE HAAAAAAW" She cries out, as she lands on both legs, eye wild, smile burning on her lips. Sweeping her leg high, she finishes with an -explosive- drop kick, sending the pair of them right into the water. She felt so alive.

Unfortunately, she hits the water with a bellyflop.

[MANTISMAN]
Well, that didn't go as planned. He'd been doing relatively well throughout this fight, but the first instance that he left himself truly open, a talented and experienced martial artist like Jezebel knew exactly what to do to inflict the most damage. The daring do-gooder took a barrage of powerful kicks for his troubles, a boot smacking against his ribs to double him over, another hitting his leg along the thigh in a way that got the masked man hopping and gasping out, and a flurry of blows that Mantisman didn't even feel in the haze of combat, but all did quite a number on his organs and internal body structure. The final dropkick forced him backwards hard, submerging into the water and not stopping until his back and the back of his head tapped the other side of the pool ever so gently. He exhaled in surprise, massive bubbles of air escaping his lungs and traveling upward before he had the sense to close his mouth in panic. He looked upward, truly in the deep-end and unable to reach up now. Panic started to take him even as his lungs were burning from the lack of oxygen, but he steeled himself after a moment, looking forward and nodding grimly.

Slow hop-walking across the bottom of the pool like it was the surface of the moon, the Mantisman must have looked like quite a sight with his cape fluttering upward and his arms outstretched in an attempt to keep balance...he knew that trying to throw a punch down here wasn't going to work, so he decided to fight his way, on his terms. Swiftly reaching up to pull her down to the bottom of the pool by her ankles, Mantisman tried to prevent her from floating back up by putting both of his hands into bent 'claw' poses, as if he had mantis forelegs instead of hands. This is what he was doing before in the other stance, and now he was putting those hands to good use, striking them forward and slowly, but the pressure points he was going after didn't need much pressure or force at all. In a slow-motion barrage, the masked man jabbed his fingers forward, going for obvious attacks so that he could feint, block her blocks or guard attempts, and hit his actual targets. This went on for a short while until he'd end it by attempting to grab her by her hips or shoulders...and slamming her back against the other pool wall. After this? He'd attempt to hang on to her as she floated upwards. He really needed air, and he couldn't swim.

COMBATSYS: Jezebel endures Mantisman's Pincer Assault.

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Jezebel          1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0        Mantisman

[JEZEBEL]
Drowning.

She was drowning.

Bubble float up, boiling to the surface, as the salt water goes into her eyes, her body. She is seized by Mantisman, as she stays under. She remembers the Zack Island. She remembers how long she could hold her breath. Minutes? Hours? It was all a wonderful fantasy. Jezebel feels the passion surging down below, as Mantisman grips her, and SLAMS her to the far wall. Head hitting the back, she almost dares to go unconscious.

And she smiles, as her head breaks the surface.

"Mantisman." She gasps, flailing, "We- we need to get out of the water." That was the ranting, babbling sound. "I can get us out. I can get us out, and- and I need you keep hurting me, Mantisman. I mean attacking me. -FIGHTING- me, god, I feel so alive, and free. I don't feel burdened, and- and ashamed. I feel so young, and hopeful. You are making me hopeful, Mantisman." Red, white, and blue chi energy sputter and fizz around her, as she begins to swim towards Mantisman. Faster. Faster. Already, she was spinning, Faster. Faster. And now, she was lifting off the water. Should Mantisman not clear out of the path of the Jezebel torpedo? It would -slam- into him, carrying them both up and off as she takes him out of the pool... and slamming into some poolside deckchairs in a spiralling assault.

COMBATSYS: Jezebel issues a challenge!!

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Jezebel          1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0        Mantisman

COMBATSYS: Mantisman blocks Jezebel's Pale Rider.

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Jezebel          0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0        Mantisman

[MANTISMAN]
The Mantisman was sent flying into lawnchairs, being smashed out of the pool and even though he had his hands up deflecting much of the onslaught, it wasn't any help with the sheer shock and pain that he was going through. On his back, the costumed ex-actor slowly started rising to his feet, his older bones no doubt bruised even as he winced. If it were just the pain, he'd fight through it. If it were just the certainty that he was going to lose, he'd go through with it, and raise the hand of a competitor he admired.

But he'd heard those words, he couldn't pretend he didn't. Just like that, instantly, he stole a brief look at the cowgirl, and realized that this was wrong. He did not know what was going on in her personal life, but he suddenly realized that he was contributing to something negative, something that was inside her. He knew it, because that same thing festered inside him, gnawing, needling him at the worst of times. He was sat there for a bit, his blue eyes lost in thought, until finally he nodded to himself, and rose to his feet. Again water squished with every step, but this time, he put both hands on that mask of his, pulling it backward, and letting his graying hair free. His blue eyes practically twinkled with that old school charm, and he gave a wry smile as he approached her. He reached into compartment of his utility belt and pulled out...a white kerchief, waving it primarily for show for the audience, or cameras if there were any. He grabbed at one of her wrists, and raised it in triumph as he spoke.

"Whoah there, cowgirl. I know when I'm outgunned. You're a hell of a fighter!"

Even as he spoke, he thought to himself, you're a hell of a fighter. So I know you can fight past this, whatever you're struggling with. He hoped that was true.

COMBATSYS: Mantisman has left the fight here.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Jezebel          0/-------/---====|

[JEZEBEL]
Jezebel was... so used to people feeding that fuel.

People wanted to hurt Jezebel, in the past. Jezebel converted this into a fuel for her own passion. The problem was, well, not everyone wanted to hurt Jezebel. Some people wanted to work with her, help her. Be her friend. As she hurls herself along, she expected- she expected that Mantisman would hurt her, like everyone else in a fight. But when his counterattack comes, as she recovers into a stand... she feels her arm lifted up by the wrist. She stares, looking around, as the applause starts.

Jezebel was at a loss.

"But.... I want... I want to..." She trails off. And for a moment, she stares out. For a moment, she -swore- she saw the demoness and the little boy. Watching her. Pulling the meat from her bones. Jezebel shivers... and she breathes hard. And Jezebel forces a smile, as Mantisman holds up her hand high. "Oh, come on." She says in a lowered voice. She was blushing, actually brightly embarassed. She saw that look in her eyes and... and she wanted to give something back to Mantisman. She wanted to give him something.

And she knows what to give.

And Jezebel loses herself, as she suddenly announces from the pit of her heart. "That's why I'm pleased to announce that Mantisman is warmly invited to join the Lightning Spangles canon, as we collaborate a crossover between the two universes!" What Mantisman universe? Was there one? She looks at Mantisman, nodding. "Mantisman is a timeless hero, a timeless- a timeless friend. It's not about fighting, it's about friendship." Jezebel looks at Mantisman, still smiling, as a tear comes from her one good eye.

"I mean, it's the lea

COMBATSYS: Jezebel has ended the fight here.


"I mean, it's the least I can do"

Log created on 23:26:23 01/12/2018 by Mantisman, and last modified on 18:28:24 01/28/2018.