Match of the Millennium

Description: Things are looking grim for the young runaway and her escort. While her condition has stabilized, Mitsuru's in no real shape to protect herself and there's no telling how long before she wears out her welcome at the Gold Lounge. Which is precisely why the universe's knack for horrible timing kicks in just in time to make things much worse. A horde of frenzied werewolves descends upon the small establishment, their keen senses sniffing out the cornucopia of juicy prey waiting inside. Will the young woman have survived her injuries only to get served up as kibble or can her stalwart protector hold off the ravenous beasts?

[MITSURU]
The back alley entrance to the Gold Lounge is hidden to most mortal eyes--only those retaining a spark of imagination or perhaps the innocence of childhood left in them can discern the entrance. Despite the facade of opulence and the name of the establishment, the interior is actually a converted bit of warehouse store room, the floor a dark polished concrete which doesn't quite seem so polished anymore, bearing scratches and scuff marks. Many small tables seating single or pairs of people litter the space, clad with red tablecloths. Each of the patrons appear to bear subtle yet distinct marks of fantastical heritage--an older man in a smoking jacket with ram horns seated alone at one table, or the rather tall waitress/cigarette girl with dark skin and rabbit ears in a maid outfit. Darkstalkers, quite likely--or people of some other supernal origin. The theme is definitely 'vintage men's club' but not quite /adult/. There is a stage, against one far wall, red curtains the backdrop, a lone microphone stand near the very edge. While the people here seem to be Darkstalkers, they don't seem to mind the presence of outsiders. They're nonchalant, more interested in their clove cigarettes in long black enameled holders or the hookahs of their dark underground wonderland.

Things are looking grim for Steve and Mitsuru. Yes, her condition has stabilized. But the lanky teenager girl was in no real shape to protect herself. She's been working hard to wear out her welcome at the Gold Lounge. But things have gotten worse, when the lounge suddenly found itself with a horde of frenzied werewolves. Ravenous beasts gnaw and claw at the barracaded doorway, their supernatural senses locating. The serving staff was moving fast; getting guests and employee alike to the back rooms. Everyone should be keeping low.

But not Mitsuru.

The lanky teenager was standing out in the dining area. She wasn't showing her usual fighting spirit. She wasn't showing her tough exterior, her sharp tongue. She had wandered out there... with a faraway look in her eyes, as she stared at the monsters at the windows. She was trembling. She was dazed. She remembered. She remembered this. She remembered all this. Like the Gears War. Her mistake was running away.

When she should have stayed put, no matter how scared she was.

[STEVE]
As temporary part of staff, Steve is helping to gather everyone in those safer back rooms as the barricade is steadily being torn down. They heard about the spreading horde only minutes in advance, and that was barely enough time to put up a flimsy baricade. It wont last. Everyone needs to gather together.
But then, he sees the girl standing by her lonesome in the dining area.

"Mitsu, get out of there!" He yells as he sprints her way. The boxer grabs her by the shoulder, unintentionally being rather forceful amongst the chaos. Upon touching her shoulder, he feels the tremble. And after that, notices her shell-shocked expression. No challenging the monsters with reckless taunts, nor any of the fiery temper he had gotten used too being on the recieving end of.

He quickly softens his grip and tone. Attempting to speak calmly, but with a obvious panicked undertone. "We have to leave, and get back with everyone else. They're strong, and can help protect you." He gives her shoulder a little pull, signifying that they have to run.
hey stand there. Watching the barricade slowly get turned to splinters by those sharp, sharp claws.

[MITSURU]
Shellshock.

Mitsuru was reliving the bunker again. When she ran away, she did it because of right now, there were monsters at the bunker. She ran away, because she was afraid. But she wasn't supposed to run away. Soldiers were hurt, killed because of what she did. Everything was planned for her. Everything had it's place. She was supposed to stay put. She was supposed to stay put. It wasn't rational. But nothing was rational. Nothing ever was rational. Steve was there, in front of her. She stares back with brown eyes. A spark was growing in her. Strong. Strong. She was strong. She was strong!

And there is a crack, that runs through the room.

The first wolf that comes in stagger savagely in. Mitsuru wakes up. Fear? There was fear. But Mitsuru suddenly roars out. "Steve! I- I need to help! I won't let myself be trapped! I won't let myself run away! We- we need to let them in!" What was Mitsuru babbling about? They were coming in. A second one was already scrambling inside, from the torn open window. The werewolf, matted fur and fangs bared, was already looking at Mitsuru and Steve. The teenager wasn't making sense. "Punch them! Fight them! I- need to keep the barracades! I have an idea!" She was rushing towards once of the few remaining tables. She was mad. She had completely lost her mind. And the wolf was approaching Steve, saliva dribbling down his muzzle.

Looks like he was preferring the thicker Steve over the leaner Mitsuru for now.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Wolfpack         0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Steve has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Wolfpack         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Steve

[STEVE]
Steve has no idea what's wrong with her. She is acting insane, irrational. A side of her he hadn't seen before. And the monsters? They have arrived. He was too late. He turns his head to Mitsuru, screaming out "Please, you have to get out of here. It's too late to barricade!. I'll hold them off!"

Without any other option, he turns his head towards the beasts that are slipping into the building one by one. He yells out. Loudly. Loud enough to be heard over all the screaming. The roaring.

"Come and get me, you bloody dogs!

The boxer sprints towards the wolf closest to him, the first to enter. He crouches down low and uses his legs to dash in with a burst of speed, trying to land a uppercut into the beast's belly with his right fist.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack blocks Steve's Fox Hunt.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Steve

[MITSURU]
Steve's rush in actually stuns the wolf.

The beast was expecting easy prey. As Mitsuru scatters off with a table, Steve was showing no, the wolf made a mistake being the first one. As it turtles up, it sweeps a clawed arm to deflect against the bodyblow. It only takes it in the arm, and the grunt of agony comes with a snarl. Yellow eyes lock back into Steve, before he pounces at Steve.

Just in time, of course, for the second wolf to wriggle out to help the second.

The teenager was hiding behind a table, as she rolled it to the thin line between Darkstalker death and the safety of the Golden Lounge. The second wolf, at the very least, ignores Mitsuru as the blood lust fills. The second wolf pounces, leaping over the tables and chairs. There is a blood-curdling howl as the wolf comes in after the first, lunging at Steve in tandem, a duo of howling beasts attempting to pull down the boxer and gnaw on him!

Again.

Mitsuru felt herself freezing up again, the urge to lock up and fight and blindness. But it was life or death. Real life or death. And in her head, she had to close up the bunker. She had to close up the bunker. She wrenches the table over the splintering window barracades, one of the ones that -haven't- gone in yet. The howling from around, mingled with dark chuckles, move towards the single opening ripped opening. It was to her plan. It couldn't be too late.

She had to save the soldier.

COMBATSYS: Steve blocks Wolfpack's Lunge.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0            Steve

[STEVE]
The Twin wolfs come lunging at him, but he manages to duck away from one. The other's teeth slightly dig into his forearm before he manages to push the beast away.

His eyes dart around. Trying to keep a eye on Mitsuru. Until he spots her at a window, one of the other wolfs looming behind it. She will get herself killed like this.
%Another wolf jumps his way. Steve attempts to momentarily disable him by punching him in the stomach.

Then, he runs towards Mitsuru while yelling out. "Snap out of it, i still haven't taught you that straight properly!" He reaches her, wolfs likely at his heels. "Get against the wall, and behind me." He turns back towards the animals, ready to defend against another attack.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack endures Steve's Medium Punch.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0            Steve

[MITSURU]
There is a high-pitched yelp, as the wolf is socked in the gut.

The yelp becomes a whimper; but then a snarl. The second wolf circles, already positioning as the first steadies on his feet. "It won't hold!" Mitsuru calls out. "None of this will hold! We need to outsmart them!" Mitsuru calls out, as a third wolf comes rolling out of the hole. Now, Steve had three wolves all rushing at him, claw and fangs out to rake and rend his flesh, high and low. A sweeping, circular dance of slashes and rends, to grind him down.

To execution.

Mitsuru dashes past as the wolves outside snarl, snapping and fighting with each other to get through the one way in, as Mitsuru rolls another table to barracade the other side of the chokepoint. Her madness building. This had to work. She had to help Steve, but she had to do it the right way. They were animals, they were all animals.

And she would fix it this time.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack successfully hits Steve with Rend.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0            Steve

[STEVE]
The claws and fangs tear through the cloth and skin. In Steve's panicked run towards Mitsuru, the beasts lept onto him before he got a good chance to react. He is left standing with mostly shallow cuts, but some managed to reach more vital areas. And those are bleeding, fast.

A rush of adrenaline surges through Steve as he throws himself at his trio of attackers, and lets loose 3 strikes, each towards a different target. A straight, and two body blows respectively.

He can't afford to run to Mitsuru so recklessly again, but he tries to position himself as closely as possible to her with every move he makes.

COMBATSYS: Steve successfully hits Wolfpack with Vanguard Rush.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/=======|=======\======-\1            Steve

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru wasn't being very helpful.

Not only was she positioning herself to put Steve in a lot of danger, when they both could be hiding, she was exposing herself in a lot of danger. In her weakened state, she wasn't going to fight properly. At the very least, as the wolves bloody up Steve, the boxer returns the favor with a rapid combo counter attack. Two of the wolves are just staggered and made mad; but the first had already endured a body blow. He was collapsed in a booth couch, stunned and flailing in pain.

There is a thump, as the second table is in place.

WIth both sides down, Mitsuru slams a chair down at the entrance. And then, she escapes from the flinders as more werewolves come in. A fourth wolf comes out now. There are four wolves inside the room. Wait, no, make that five. A fifth one just wriggled in. Mitsuru's plan has taken the room from one wolf to five wolves. At the least, Mitsuru was running now; running towards the back of the room, to the bar. To the bar?

Was she going to hide behind there?

Steve, in the mean time, finds himself with four active, angry wolves, and a single one that was recovering. He was getting surrounded, and while they weren't looking at Mitsuru... Steve was facing four horrible monsters. Four monsters that were now leaping, bounding all together to pile all on top of Steve.

And begin the biting and gnawing on the poor boxer.

COMBATSYS: Steve just-defends Wolfpack's Gnash!

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/-======|=======\======-\1            Steve

[STEVE]
4 beasts, all jumping him with their maws ready to dig into Steve's flesh. He acted quickly, grabbing both of the furry forearms of one of the beasts. Seizing it and using all his might to -pull- it in front of it's allies. The 3 others briefly dig into the leathery skin of their allied wolf, but quickly realize the misdirection and pull away, leaving Steve unharmed.

He instantly goes in for his counterattack, releasing and pushing the wolf forwards as to make him stumble. He dramatically puts his right arm behind him, and swings a wide hook aimed at it's Abdomen. Should he connect, he transitions into 3 more similar hooks, alternating arms. Before finally knocking them away with a straight punch.

Terrifyingly, he can't afford to run towards Mitsuru with these 4 frenzied fiends assaulting him. But he makes sure to keep line of sight to her position.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack blocks Steve's Wildman EX.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Wolfpack         1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0            Steve

[MITSURU]
A perfect defense.

Steve's perfect timing comes, as he seizes the wolf. The others dig into their counterpart, mostly harmlessly, but as they release, they find that their entire charge was negated. And then, the counter-attack comes. The wolf... arguably defends, by the time the last three hooks come around. The knock away still breaks through, and the wolf collapses into a table. One more wolf is down. Unfortunately, the first one was back up, and it was four again. But the beasts snarl, as Mitsuru comes back from behind the bar, holding an armful of the -top shelf stuff-. She runs quickly, as wolfman number 6 starts wriggling into the entrance. The teenager doesn't waste time.

And Mitsuru throws the first bottle at the opening.

The wolfman seems stunned at first, the green contents pouring over him. And then mad. And then dazed again. Mitsuru throws the next bottle, which shatters. The wolfman gets more and more agitated, snarling and snapping. And finally, Mitsuru throws the last bottle.

Woosh.

Steve could see the column of verdant fire explode up at the opening, as the howl of the wolf is heard. The fire begins to spread inside and out, as the wolves outside shriek and howl. The one is still trapped in the opening, as he writhes desperately. Mitsuru staggers back in horror. "I... I stopped it Steve!" She explains, as the fire begins to spread around the barricades. "I stopped them! I helped! I saved us!"

Steve would have a chance to answer as the four wolves begin to snap and bite, attempting in unison to all go for Steve's throat in a snapping, biting frenzy.

COMBATSYS: Steve dodges Wolfpack's Fierce Mauling.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Wolfpack         1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0            Steve

[STEVE]
And then, the place was set ablaze by Mitsuru's escapades. Sure, it damaged, or perhaps killed one of the beasts. But fire spreads, and she might now be a target for the wolves.

He takes his chance and yells out "Good job Mitsuru! But please, join the others! You've helped me enough and i can take care of this now!"

As the 4 wolves go for his neck, Steve manages to avoid their razor-sharp teeth as he rolls out of the way, deeper into the building and a little closer to Mitsuru. The fire is one, significant problem. But the wolves are a far bigger threat.

Steve jumps up towards the closest wolf, and grabs it's head, trying to pull it down with his weight. When he reaches the ground again, he takes his right fist and lifts it up high, before slamming it overhead into the wolf's skull.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack interrupts Brain Pulverizer from Steve with Feral Roar.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Wolfpack         1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1            Steve

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru starts to realize the depth of the fire.

As it spreads, she stumbles backwards. It spreads faster and faster, turning the entire entrance of the very storefront into a wall of green fire. The monsters outside were howling in agony; it looked like the full force of the wolves weren't going to be able to come in. But come out... how would they all escape? Mitsuru doesn't think through it, as she inches back on her bottom.

Staring into the mystic flames.

The four wolves go for the neck, but catch -nothing- but a clean counter-attack from Steve. As the werewolf is grabbed by the head though, the wolf... howls back at Steve on the slam. The other wolves join in the with the howling, the barrage of sonic energy managing to interrupt Steve from the coup de grace of a punch. But the slammed wolf down not rise up.

In fact, the werewolves were beginning to get anxious, by the wall of fires too.

[STEVE]
The howling is ear-deafening, physically pushing him back, and leaving him with a very painful ringing in his eardrums.

Somehow, the flames are momentarily benefactory to their situation. But indeed, how *would* they escape? With his dampened hearing, he goes for another wolf. Feinting a grab into a straight, and following up with a uppercut before dashing in closer to press the attack.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack blocks Steve's Mix-Up Combo.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Wolfpack         1/-----==/=======|=======\====---\1            Steve

[MITSURU]
The wolves were beginning to panic.

Mitsuru wasn't running away, she was staring into the spreading fires. They were hot, they made her eyes water. But there was no -smoke-. Just that heavy smell of alcohol, that made Mitsuru's arm feel numb and her head swim. The wolfmen were jerking around, even as Steve came in with his grapple. The wolf deflected the straight with a clawed arm, though the uppercut cleanly breaks the clinch. For a moment, it felt good.

And then, all five wolves stood up around Steve.

They were circling, injured, and weak. Breathing hard, hungry. And then, one dashes past, attempting to slash him. And another one. And a third. A fourth. The fifth finishes the circular assault by pouncing straight for Steve, its bruised form trying to knock him down with a feral bite to the shoulder. His yellow eyes showed fear. Terror.

NO way out.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack successfully hits Steve with Scent of Blood.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/------=|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2            Steve

[STEVE]
The burning sea of green, and Mitsuru standing there. Awestruck. A combination of these two distractions, lead to Steve reacting far too late as the hit-and-run style cuts dig deep into his skin. By the end of it, Steve is left a bleeding mess and knocked to the ground. Staining the floor with the deep brown of his drying blood.

He stumbles back to his feet and, too preoccupied to focus on Mitsuru- lurches straight for the wolves. again. With almost inhumane speed, perhaps due to adrenaline, he jumps at a wolf with a straight, and deals out 3 more wide body-hooks, before crouching down deeply, peforming a strong jumping uppercut hopefully strong enough to launch the beast up.

His open cuts painfully, and spurt out more crimson as he moves, but he needs to keep going.

COMBATSYS: Steve successfully hits Wolfpack with Wildman.

[                        \\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/--=====|>>>>---\-------\0            Steve

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru felt herself drifting away.

It was harder than anything her roommate had given her. She felt so far away and numb. The fire was getting very close to her now. But she couldn't feel the heat. She could just breath in deep. The fumes filling her body.

And she fell away further into the dream.

That was nothing compared to the nightmare Steve was dealing with. Or perhaps, the werewolves. For after the circular assault completes, with a wolf going for the throat, the werewolf is answered with a full forced punching assault, with no guard. As the final punch comes down, the werewolf flies past Mitsuru, landing right into the fires.

Stone dead.

Now the wolves were panicking. Three of them turn tail and run to the fires, to the way they came in, trying to find it. They were dangerously close to the dazed Mitsuru now. But the last snarls, teeth bared, as it suddenly leapt at Steve's back, attempting to rake the boxers back with his claws.

COMBATSYS: Steve blocks Wolfpack's Medium Bite.

[                        \\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Wolfpack         0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>-\-------\0            Steve

[STEVE]
The wolf's are being pushed back. But at what cost?

Steve manages to redirect the claw-attack from behind, reducing the damage to some shallow cuts over his arm. He quickly retaliates, jumping up and burying his elbow into the wolf's head on his way down. This has to be enough to scatter them, right?

The boxer sprints towards the mesmerized girl, and gives her a soft slap on the face "Mitsuru.. Mitsu, snap out of it!" Steve pulls her by the arm, urging her to run away from the flames. And if she won't move willingly? He would strain his body to lift her up, and forcefully move her as far from the fire as the scattered pack would let him.

The fumes enter Steve's body, and he too starts feeling dazed by the alcoholic gasses.

COMBATSYS: Steve successfully hits Wolfpack with Burst Hammer.

[                             \  < >  ///////////                   ]
Wolfpack         1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>------\1            Steve

[MITSURU]
And down.

The counter-punch comes from Steve, breaking the neck of the werewolf by sheer power, force, and precision. As the Boxer sprints to Mitsuru... the fumes get stronger. Enveloping. The howls come from the wolves that risk the fire, and pay with their lives in the conflaguration. Mitsuru was tired. And as Steve picks her up, she whispers softly.

"I did it... I saved us..."

It might be a cold miracle, then, when the flames refuse to leave.

Magic, as it was, kept the Golden Lounge from being found. As well, from being burned away by some of the more fiery customers. The wall of flame soon becomes nothing but ash, with the exterior wall burnt, the tables destroyed, and the barricades burned away. But the building, at least, would be spared. Steve and Mitsuru survived the assault. The werewolves were driven away. And other than deep cuts for Steve, nothing horrible would remain.

Except, of course, a splitting hangover the next morning.

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack takes no action.

                                  >  ///////////                   ]
                                  |>>>>>>>\>------\1            Steve

COMBATSYS: Wolfpack can no longer fight.

                                  >  ///////////                   ]
                                  |>>>>>>>\>------\1            Steve

[STEVE]
The flames... are gone?

Steve lets out a pained grunt as he crouches down and puts Mitsuru with her back against the bar, before slumping against it himself, exhausted. "Yeah. I guess you did, huh?" the boxer says softly. He tries to stern up a little, speaking up "What got into you back there, you could have died!"

Steve starts feeling nauseous from the blood-loss, now that the adrenaline is waning. He stops pretending to be angry with the girl. "But, without that stupid move i likely would've been mincemeat." He said, and turned his head towards her with a smile. "So, thank you for saving me Mitsuru."

"Steve's left sleeve has been partially tattered, revealing the large scar underneath.

Steve says, "Good morning!"

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru looks at the scar.

Everything was swimming, dazed. But she seemed so gentle now. A gentle drunk. She could still feel the tingling sensation of the flames. But she was looking at the scar. "I am sorry Steve..." She murmurs. "I... I wanted to save the soldiers this time... I wasn't going to run away..." She gives a yawn, a long sleepy yawn. The drugging was awfully heavy. She raises a heavy, heavy arm towards the boxer.

"... Did the wolves... do that?"

[STEVE]
He's not sure what the girl is talking about. Soldiers? And instead decides to answer the question. "Oh, this?" he mumbles as he rolls up his sleeve, trying to avoid grazing the cuts underneath it. The scar runs across his entire arm, from wrist to shoulder. It looks a little like a thunderbolt, and slightly bulges out of the skin.

"I've had this... for as long as i can remember." he said, speaking slowly due to the alcoholic gasses he inhaled. "And that's about all i know, i'm afraid."

Somewhat evading the question, he speaks up again. "Bloody hell i'm tired. And from the looks of it, so are you." he exaggeratedly yawns "How about we pick up this conversation up later, yeah?"

[MITSURU]
"Oh... as long as they didn't hurt you..."

Mitsuru's voice was so far away, so distant. She didn't even think Steve was that hurt. The adrenaline was fading. "I hope Velvet Blue isn't mad at us..." The damage was... going to be a problem. It might be a strain to keep them around. Mitsuru gives a grunt, a little grunt.
%"Can you please hold me there, Steve?"

[STEVE]
Steve smiles at her again. "Thanks for your concern. And i'm sure it'll be alright. We still stopped those wolfs, remember? Velvet is nice. He'll keep helping us."

"Uh, well..." he hesitates for a moment, not sure if he can carry her due to his injuries. "....Sure thing, sorry if i get blood on you." He can't really bring himself to say no, and stands up to lift her from the floor. The boxer starts carrying Mitsuru to her sleeping corner. Cussing in various ways under his breath due to the pain, hoping Mitsuru won't hear. Steve holds her as far away from his body as he can manage in an attempt to not bleed on her.

Eventually and painstakingly, he reaches her slept-in bedding and drops her off on top. Before stumbling to the nearby wall and collapsing with his back against it.

Deja vu. This is very similair to what happened the other day, when Mitsuru was sick.

Log created on 10:00:59 03/30/2020 by Mitsuru, and last modified on 21:40:34 03/31/2020.