Match of the Millennium

Description: Michael makes the mistake of being alone while Ayane is in a bad mood (when isn't she?!)

[MICHAEL]
Cleveland was once a mecha for industry. Car manufacturers, Oil refineries, ship yards. The works.

Unfortunately as the world changes its focus from heavy industrial work forces that create lots of pollution, cities such as Cleveland have been hit hard. All along the Great Lakes and rivers of Northern America are abandoned factories, which really can make a great place to hide out when someone needs to do something nefarious.

Or they serve a good place to stay out of the public eye when someone needs a place to train in secret.

A muted clang rings out as a black kunai is launched from the shadows against a metal post, having missed the mark of a makeshift target just a few feet before it. What would have been an amazing headshot with the small blade, is now a curse from the thrower who drops down from overhanging bars to retrieve the weapon.

[AYANE]
It had been a shift from her main objective to find Kasumi ~ another similiar mission to find a rogue shinobi from another clan the Mugen Tenshin had good relations with. Considering her experiences in tracking down fugitives, this task should not make her stray too long from her obsession.

It had already been a few days since Ayane had managed to track Michael down and find out about his whereabouts ~ lurking in the shadows, always from afar and waiting for the proper opportunity to strike. The young woman took her time to study her target not to make any mistakes and underestimate him, but from what she had seen defeating him shouldn't be a problem...

However, what she had been waiting for never came. The second objective of her mission was to retrieve the ancestral blade he had stolen from his clan and Ayane had hoped he would have eventually taken her to it, but alas, to no avail...

He was exactly like Kasumi ~ a spoiled disgraced heir that must have run away from his obligations. The thought alone was enough for Ayane to clench her fist in subconscious anger. Watching him and reminiscing of Kasumi only made her patience grow thin... She'll make him talk instead.

As Michael decides to move out to fetch the blade is when Ayane strikes -- sweeping down from the building she had been perched on, drawing out her blades. Ayane spins in midair, her blade shimmering with purple energy as she shouts and unleashes a sharp wave of energy straight for Michael.

Whatever happens the Shinobi lands gracefully on the concrete, lifting her gaze up toward Michael, glaring at him.

COMBATSYS: Ayane has started a fight here.

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Ayane            0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Michael has joined the fight here.

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Ayane            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Michael

COMBATSYS: Michael parries Ayane's Falling Orchid!

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Ayane            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Michael

[MICHAEL]
As the wave of energy launches itself towards the American born shinobi, there isn't really much time for him to ponder the reality of his situation. While he may not be the best ninja, Michael is still infact one, which is a very fortunate thing as he leaps into the air. His body twists with well practiced motions as the wave of energy rushes beneath him, causing the cloth of his gi to flutter about wildly while he once again makes contact with the ground below.

"Uh... hi? Do I know you? Did I do something wrong? Did I forget to donate to a local charity or something?"

Raising his gaze to meet Ayanes, he notices the hateful glare that she is currently giving him. Obviously he's done something to upset this pretty lady, and he has absolutely no idea what that might be.

It really doesn't seem like she's going to be letting him go any time soon.

The scent of burning o-zone starts to fill the air as the blonde ninja readies himself. Bursting towards the kunoichi with rather impressive speed as multiple copies of himself suddenly rise up out of the shadows. Intermingling themselves with eachother, each rush towards the female ninja hunter to catch her off guard with a well placed blow to her sternum.

COMBATSYS: Ayane blocks Michael's Shadow Copy EX.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Ayane            0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0          Michael

[AYANE]
It was an impressive sight to say the least -- even if Ayane had the element of surprise, the rogue shinobi's instincts warned him of the imminent threat. Did something betray Ayane's presence? Perhaps, but she doubts it... Much like her unknowing sister, Michael proves to be gifted ~ a prodigy, much likely worthy of the blood he has in his veins, and instead of living up to the expectations of his clan, he chose his own disgraceful path.

His wisecrack only adds oil to the fire as Ayane straightens herself up from her crouched landing. "Ah! A smart ass," Ayane retorts vitriolically to him. Her glare intensifies, her anger and hate radiating in an almost tangible way.

Whatever he had done, the girl was obviously irritated. Yet she manages to control her fury enough not to let it affect her concentration it seems as she shifts on the defensive when Michael lunges at her with his shadow copy. Her eyes move rapidly and follows the two adversaries, not fooled by Michael's ninjutsu, her arms moving to block and deflect the blows.

"... Maybe this will refresh your memory a little!" Ayane shouts as she swirls on her heels with both of her blades, one of her blade going straight for Michael's blade. Her movements were swift, the assassin spinning around as if she was dancing or toying with Michael.

"I mean, of course, all local charity sends out killer assassin after dorks who trains in some abandoned facility," She adds sarcastically.

COMBATSYS: Michael fails to counter Medium Strike from Ayane with Log Drop.
- Power fail! -

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Ayane            0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1          Michael

[MICHAEL]
As the blade nears Michael, the blonde ninja attempts to perform the most basic of all ninja abilities. The substitution technique. Allowing himself to be hit by the blade in an attempt to switch his own body out with a log. This truly is basic Ninja 101 stuff.

It really seems though that Michael may need to take a refresher course.

The blade connects with Michael's kunai, only to break the much smaller blade as the kunoichi's connects with his chest, easily slicing through his gi and the skin beneath. A spray of crimson surges forward from the man's chest, darkening the ground before him.

Quickly Michael steps backwards, dropping the broken kunai as his right hand reaches up to draw the ninjato upon his back.

"...Pretty and a sense of humor. I guess if I'm going to get my ass handed to me it would be by someone like you."

The retort is half-hearted, almost as if Michael were resigning himself to the fact that he very well could possibly be severely hurt, or worse, by the woman before him. "Look. I honestly have absolutely no idea why you're after me. So maybe you could stop glaring at me like I kicked your puppy and tell me just what I've done to offend you so much?"

[AYANE]
Confident in her ability to overpower him, Ayane doesn't press the offensive right away when Michael staggers back to recover from her attack. After all, Ayane still needed to take from him one vital information before the end of all of this.

Ayane arches a brow as she turns on her heels to face him, a quick snap of her wrists used to clean her wakizashi from the blood that stained its blade. "... You have no idea, do you?" She asks as she takes a step closer to him. "You dense little..." She lets her words trail off, gritting her teeth a moment as she tightens her grip on the blade. "Enjoying your carefree adventures through this world are you? Escaping your responsabilities and thinking you will never have to face the consequences? Spoiled to no end, you are all the same..." She snorts and shakes her head in obvious disgust toward Michael.

Then she finally offers him a chance to amend or at least to know why she's after him, "Where is the sword?" Her tone was stern, the threat real as Ayane's wakizashi shimmers with violet energy.

Barely giving him the time to answer her though, Ayane moves her arms backward and she lunges toward Michael, thrusting both blades forward, leaving a lingering trail of violet chi behind her as she charges into him with a powerful blow meant to shatter his defense.

COMBATSYS: Michael endures Ayane's Demon Aegis Reaper EX!

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Ayane            0/-------/----===|=======\=======\1          Michael

[MICHAEL]
Now some of it is making sense. Some of the Koga elders would say he's shirking his responsibilities. Others would say he's a good for nothing and good riddance. Either way, someone was upset enough to send somebody after him for taking something that was rightfully his.

"..I'm not telling you that."

Michael steels his resolve as he turns to stare directly into Ayane's eyes. Of course, the kunoichi doesn't seem to waste any time in continuing her assault, and as the blades surge forward, the blonde man does something Ayane may not quite expect.

Spreading his arms with no defense, both blades easily slide into his body, allowing the blonde man to get quite close to the lavander haired woman. "The sword is rightfully mine. The clan doesn't really care about it. They allowed it to rust and decay. I took what belonged to my ancestor to save it. If they sent you here to try and get it back..."

Michael steps forward, allowing the blades to sink further into his flesh, only for him to whistle loudly. A few moments pass, before the loud howling of a large canine can be heard closeby. Reaching forward now, Michael's free hand seeks to grab ahold of Ayane's clothes, only to drop as he throws himself backwards and away.

Once more the crimson blood flows freely from his wounds, as a large husky suddenly appears next to him. Reaching down with his right hand, the American Ninja places it upon the dogs head.

"Let's go Pity."

Bright sparks of electricity start to surge through the air around Michael, as he points the ninjato towards the woman. The power he holds may be exceptional, but it's still raw and untamed. He leans forward, only to vanish from view. Not one, but two Michaels suddenly appear in the air above bearing down upon Ayane with their blades, as two large huskies swarm her from the sides...

COMBATSYS: Michael successfully hits Ayane with Pity Double Megastrike.

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Ayane            0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0          Michael

The blades slice into Ayane's flesh easily, only to be violently ripped away as the two huskies latch onto each of her arms. The dogs yank savagely upon the woman's body as the double Michael's continue to rapidly slash at Ayane. Faster and faster the blades fly out, each seeking to land a blow upon the woman in retaliation..

The two Michael's suddenly launch forward, grasping ahold of each of Ayane's arms as the dogs release and leap backwards. The kunoichi will find herself being launched into the air as both Michaels once more continue the bladed assault upon her until one vanishes, leaving the real Michael to wrap his arms around her body.

The two ninjas now start to rapidly spin in the air, as Michael forces them to invert, allowing gravity to take hold and draw them back down to the concrete below. As they near the ground, Michael kicks himself away from Ayane, allowing the girl to slam into the ground alone while he neatly lands next to her, only to bellow youdly, "ALL RIGHT!"

Raising right hand into the air, he suddenly snaps his fingers as the electrified chi surrounding him explodes in the air, sending a bolt of pure lightning down upon Ayane's form.

[AYANE]
His resignation to Ayane's piercing strike surprises the kunochi momentarily. Bold move for him to be able to get within Ayane's reach. His explications hardly seem to make an impression on her. If anything it only makes things worse, "Ah!" She replies, clenching on the pommel of her wakizashi, "You are all the same! Rightfully yours, as if you deserve all the honours and everything!"

As Michael reaches out for Ayane's garb, the ninja attempts to slip out of the way but his tactic seems to pay out as he's able to easily manipulate her and throw her off. Ayane hardly manages to move in midair to cushion her landing, crashing into the concrete and rolling on herself. Before she's able to get back to her feet though, the two dogs maw snaps at her forearms, fangs sinking into her leather bracers and restraining her movement, leaving her exposed for Michael's flurry of slices. She squirms and bucks in an attempt to avoid the blows, in vein, each one slicing through her garbs and drawing a bit of blood.

The rest happens in a blur : launched into the air with Michael only to be slammed back down into the concrete, along with the surge of electricity that zaps down into the shinobi's body and makes her spasm and scream in agony.

It might have been enough to deal with most foes... But Ayane was no normal adversary. She remains on the ground for a moment though, her body limp, her outfit scorched by the lightning, a bit of smoke still rising from her body... Yet she manages to find the strength to force herself to her feet, her form shaky.

"You..." She says, panting softly, her eyes rising up to glare at Michael. "Have you ever done anything to be worthy of the blade you stole? Can you really claim it is yours? No... Just a spoiled brat who thinks everything is due to him because of his bloodline..." Ayane says, gritting her teeth in anger. "This sword was not yours to take," She snorts.

Ayane's grip tightens on the wakizashis and the shimmering glow of chi can be seen once more. The ninja leaps at Michael, both blades going above her head as she swings them down in a mighty cleaving blow aimed at both of his shoulders, the movement of her blades leaving a trail of violet chi behind.

COMBATSYS: Ayane successfully hits Michael with Praying Mantis Blade EX.

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Ayane            1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0          Michael

[MICHAEL]
"All the same? I think you're projecting. Yeah. Totally.."

As Ayane leaps towards Michael once again, he raises both arms in an attempt to minimize the damage that Ayane's blades would do. Sadly, it seems he reacted too late and both blades easily slice into his shoulders, dropping him down to the ground on his knees.

The large husky growls loudly at the Kunoichi, only for Michael to motion with his right hand towards the dog who quickly goes quiet. The blonde man raises his head, only to stare once more at Ayane.

"I can't say I have done anything to rightfully wield it. I can claim that it is mine though. I have received that blessing... But, I guess you're too caught up on me being someone I'm not to really stop and hear my side of the story."

Slowly, Michael rises up to his feet, blood flowing freely now from all of his wounds that Ayane's delivered unto him. A light smile rests upon his face as he steps backwards, only to stumble and land back on the ground in a sitting posistion. "I'm.. not sure what my purpose is. I'm not sure what's right and what's wrong. Yeah, taking it without permission is something I shouldn't have done, but."

The husky pads softly over to the blonde man, who gently pats her head. No matter what, he's sure that he's not going to give in to Ayane's demands, yet.. Something about this seems important enough to him to try and get through to her in some fashion.

"I still won't tell you where it is. The sword deserves to be returned to its former glory..."

COMBATSYS: Michael takes a moment to pet his dog.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Ayane            1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0          Michael

[AYANE]
Ayane slowly shakes her head in disapproval as Michael attempts to rest his case. "The sword belongs to the clan, not an individual. If you took your responsability within your clan, you might be entitled to wield it, but it does not belong to you," The shinobi retorts. The scorn in her intonation was still ever present, obviously it would take a lot more than that to obviously change her mind, as if Michael had done something much dire or Ayane had a deeper grudge toward him.

"Leaving your clan and taking this sword with you was an egoistical act." She states, lifting her blade toward him, "You think you are wise, huh? Wiser than them? Barely out of your adulthood, what do you think you can accomplish, huh? Some pity vengeance? Use it for your own glory and gain?" Ayane asks. Truth be told, she had no idea what this sword was like, but the fact Kasumi, her sister, had done exactly the same deed made it easy for her to transfer all of her accusations to him.

"Very well... Keep your secrets... In the end, it won't stop me from finding it someway..." Ayane says as she flicks her blade slightly, the menacing glow of her purple chi covering her wakizashi.

Ayane charges forward and shouts, the blandes dancing about in a series of rapid slashes, precise blows meant to sap away his strength and drain him of his remaining stamina through the sheer amounth of cuts she performs.

COMBATSYS: Ayane dazes Michael with Needle Storm!
Grazing Hit

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Ayane            0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1          Michael

[MICHAEL]
When Ayane launches her attack, Michael attempts to roll out of the way, as each strike grazes his body with tiny scratches. Pity however was smart enough to fully get out of the way, and watches with great intent as Michael rolls around to prevent Ayane from pinning her sword on his donkey.

Eventually though, Michael does manage to put some more distance between himself and Ayane, though her damage has been done. Rolling around like a mad man has managed to make him dizzy, and the tiny cuts all across his body are enough to annoy him all that much more.

Turning himself around, Michael yells loudly at wobbily image of Ayane before him. "It wasn't an egotistical act! It was an act of self preservation! I was never accepted! I was always looked down on! You can stand there all high and mighty about how the clan comes first, but the clan doesn't care all that much about me. They only care about the legacy I represent. Even then, it's still a joke to some of them.."

The blonde ninja launches his left leg forwards, wildly striking towards the wobbily image of the kunoichi before him. It's a fast kick, but it's not one that someone of her calibur should have much trouble with.

COMBATSYS: Michael successfully hits Ayane with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -

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Ayane            0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1          Michael

[AYANE]
For the first time, the cold and adamant Ayane seems to be somewhat moved by Michael's words. The young woman blinks and lowers her guard a moment, an hint of sympathy passing through her hostile features for a few seconds. What part of it exactly that seemed to make a part of her cold heart melt is still unclear, but it was enough to distract her and unsettle her for Michael's attack.

While Ayane should have had no trouble dealing with Michael's kick, it seems it was quite the contrary and her movements seem a bit sluggish. The kick slips pass her defenses and hits her right in the sternum, making her stagger back a few steps and fall right on her back.

The pain and humiliation she felt from letting it affect her judgement was enough for Ayane to shake it off though and she glares at Michael, straightening herself up, "... So this is how you've decided to prove yourself? By running away? Very heroic..." Ayane says with a grunt. She retaliates and swings her blade at him, this time without the shimmering chi on the edge, merely a normal slash for Michael's thigh.

COMBATSYS: Ayane successfully hits Michael with Power Strike.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////                          ]
Ayane            0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1          Michael

[MICHAEL]
"Shut up! You're just like the rest of them. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing! I left to find my own way!"
The words barely leave Michael's mouth as Ayane's blade shuts him up. Staggering backwards, the blonde ninja stares down at the ground. Once more his chi surges, forcing arcs of electricity to spring to life in the air before him.

"Acting all high and mighty like that, like you're any better then me... I hate it. We all have our own circumstances...Maybe things would be a lot more different for everyone if we were honest about them and worked to resolve things peacefully..."

Rushing forward once more, Michael launches himself at Ayane, swinging his ninjato down in an arc towards her, once more seeking to draw the woman into a flurry of strikes. If successful, once more history will repeat itself and Ayane will find herself drawn into the air to be slammed into the ground, with another brilliant bolt of lightning striking down upon her.

"Don't feed me your bullshit. I have the right to find my own path and discover things for myself. You don't get to take that away from me..."

The words leave the blonde man's mouth, only for him to slump down to the ground. The lavander haired kunoichi having done her job. What happens next however is up to her.

COMBATSYS: Michael can no longer fight.

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

COMBATSYS: Ayane blocks Michael's Surging Strike.

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

[AYANE]
This time Ayane had learned from her mistakes and she wasn't going to allow Michael to hit her like he did last time. Her blades rise up to block the flurry of blows, each one connecting with his blades and deflecting them. He does manage to get a hold of her, throwing himself in the air with her but unlike last time, Ayane manages to absorb the impact a little better, the lightning not quite hitting her as clearly as it did before.

The ninja straightens herself up, panting softly as Michael collapses to the ground. She knew it was just a matter of time before his injuries would catch up on him and drain the last bit of his reserves.

The ninja approaches Michael and she stares down at his frame lying on the ground. She narrows her eyes slightly. "Ungrateful..." She says with spite. She wasn't sure what bothered her most -- the fact he shared the same fate as Kasumi, that he took the same decisions or the fact that his background had similarities to hers?

Unfortunately for Michael, he would find no pity from Ayane. Her orders were clear... But fortunately, he'd have some time before Ayane takes him back to his clan... She still had to retrieve his sword. The young ninja moves over and she kneels down to get a hold of Michael, lifting him on her shoulders to carry him off to her hideout, most likely.

COMBATSYS: Ayane has ended the fight here.

Log created on 09:27:07 01/09/2019 by Michael, and last modified on 12:54:21 01/09/2019.