Match of the Millennium

Description: It's been a long year since Lightning Spangles was even a thought on the public fighting scene. Her return, though, comes at the expense of the strip of casinos down in Vegas. When the feedback from Lightning Spangles return shorts out Vuong's latest gig, as a battery, the sparks are sure to fly! Time to see which lightning is going to strike twice!

[JEZEBEL]
"What's different about this one."

The words come out of Jerry, as he looks at the woman. She had blonde hair. She was missing the scars She had... everything else though. She didn't even have the defects of the last Spangles he worked with. But as the brown haired man looked over her, he didn't feel right. She doesn't respond, because she was busy brushing her hair. Sometimes other people would brush her hair. But she was brushing her hair right now. "Please. Just give her a chance." The Japanese man in the black suit states firmly. Jerry grunts, coming up alongside the woman. He reaches out to her neck.

He begins to touch her.

The girl doesn't seem offended, or attacked. She was calm, smiling at Jerry. The man looks into her eyes, focusing hard. He gestures his fingers at her mouth. The woman opens wide, eyes bright. He looks in there, trying to inspect it. And finally, he brings up her arms, around the inside of the elbows. He taps there. "No, no, not gonna risk it. I know junkies, this one's a junkie. I don't work with Junkie Spangles no more." The Japanese man coughs into his fist.

"The Twilight Star Circus is vouching for this one."

That gives Jerry a moment of pause. The Japanese man continues. "Ainu Spangles authorized it; and she's been considered clean by their standards." Jerry considers carefully, before shaking his head. "I don't care if it was authorized by the United Nations. Besides, Honoka's the one that caused this whole mess. I'm not going to take another risk on a Junkie." Jerry releases the woman, and prepares to get his coat and leave. The man blocks his path. "No, you don't understand Jerry."

"Honoka's calling in a favor on this."

Jerry sticks his tongue in his cheek. The woman doesn't seem to notice the whole exchange still, the smile burned on her lips. She is just back to brushing her hair. "A favor. That's... very expensive." He takes in a deep breath, and exhales. Very, very expensive.

"I'll give her a chance."

*******************

An iconic landmark of Las Vegas, Fremont Street, also known as "Glitter Gulch" thanks to its abundance of neon signs, is one of many of Nevada's big--if not biggest--tourist attractions. A pedestrian mall as well as home to famous casinos such as the Golden Nugget and neon cowboy "Vegas Vic," the street runs for five blocks in the heart of downtown Vegas. Generally concerts are held on two sound stages within, usually free to visitors.

The fight would be over on Fremont Street.

The biggest draw to Fremont Street is its barrel vault canopy, a massive display standing ninety feet high and running four blocks long, covering four blocks worth of the pedestrian mall. Composed of roughly twelve million led lights and two-hundred and twenty speakers, the canopy comes alive at night with light and sound shows of all varieties. As such, it is usually packed with pedestrians at night, all anxiously waiting to see the evening's breathtaking light show. There is a flash of fireworks by a nearby casino, as red, white, and blue sparkle all around.

And then, she comes out.

Her bottom begins a pair of soft leather boots. From there comes the blue jeans, tight around the waist and hips, but flared out towards the ankles.Over these, she wears a white chaps, studded and sequined with lighting patterns. Around her waist there are two belts; one is for her jeans, bearing a wide silver belt buckle of a bull's head. The other is a tan leather gun belt, bearing a pair of fake pop-gun revolvers for show. Her top is a stunning half-vest of a red wool and polyester. Not only is it sequined with studs and rhinestones in a lightning motif, it is also frilled at the edges, and flared with a white trim. Covering the upper portion of her torso, it is tied together underneath her chest, highlighting it. Underneath that vest is a blue blouse, peppered with white metallic stars, providing the 'star spangle.' Upon her head is a white, wide-brimmed cowboy hat. The blonde-haired woman gives broad smiles on her ruby lips, as she gallops out, waving at the audiences on the standby!

"Howdy Y'all! I'm Lightning Spangles, the All American Hero!"

" Can I get a Yee Haw?"

There is a feeble yee haw from the audience. Lightning Spangles puts a hand on her hip, and then proceeds to do a small, somewhat furious line dance up and down the sidewalk. "Now that's not a Yee Haw. Come on y'all! I want to hear it!" She cups her ear, leaning over to the audience. "Can I get a Yee Haw?"

This time, there is a little more energy.

[VUONG]
Just before the matter of whether that 'Yee Haw' was enough for the self-declared Lightning Spangles is settled... spotlights snap onto a small-statured Vietnamese man on the opposite side of the battlers' square. Notably, the figure is wearing dark sunglasses -- perhaps not all that surprising in the middle of the Neon Capital of the World. He wears a white silken shirt, partially unbuttoned with the shirttails untucked. His navy-blue slacks billow with each step he takes towards the showy cowgirl. He flashes a smile at least as bright as the spangly sequins on the young woman's blouse. Music sounding vaguely Eastern can be heard playing, the high-pitched notes a rising contrast against the cacophonous noise.

He also came prepared -- he's got a lapel pin of a little cowboy hat. Oh, and a wireless microphone. "Everyone, give it up for Lightniiiiiiing Spaaaaangles! Can I get a yee haw! "

A little -more- energy, that time: the audience -roars- in applause. For Vuong has been a staple of the Vegas night life for the past few weeks -- starting off as a street performer, wowing audiences with his mastery of gravity-defying kicks. He's been in a few money fights, here and there. And he's certainly learned how to work the Vegas nightlife. At least he can get the drunks energized!

He turns sideways, deciding to work the crowd a little more. "Some of you here tonight might be asking, what's up with the sunglasses? It's the middle of the freakin' night, Vuong, are you mad bruh?"

He stops his swagger, pivoting so that he can point his finger-guns at Lightning Spangles. "And yet -- you ever feel like looking directly into the sun? Yeow!"

Pause for effect.
"Or should I say... -yee hoooow!-"

There's a mix of laugher and groaning. But there's no question that eyes are on the Vietnamese fighter as he mugs for the crowd again. One hand splays out, as he asks another question. He takes the last few steps onto the fighting stage.

"But seriously, people. Are you here to watch the Spangles?"

The Eastern music falls silent. Vuong whips both hands down toward the stage, spilling out twin lightning bolts with a thundrous crackle. Tendrils of electricity run up and down Vuong's sleeves as he flashes a 5000-watt smile.

"Or are you here for the -lightning?-"

[JEZEBEL]
There might have been a time, a reality, where Lighting Spangles would be jealous.

Where venomous serpents writhing and screaming under the mask would feel the endless fangs of insecurity and resentment digging into her soul again and again. Biting, snapping, severing, searing, savaging. There might have been a time where Lightning Spangles would turn towards the little Vietnamese man, and imagine how wrong and unfair it was to be seeing how much better he was at heati g up the audience. That the snakes would only stop their feast in order to hiss wild lies into her ears. That the woman under the mask, the puppeteer within the Spangles did not deserve this, and that the man was bad and wrong. There might be a time where there was a Spangles like that.

But that time wasn't now.

There was no anger and resentment, because Lightning Spangles never would be jealous about someone who was just as bright and cheerful at her helping her out with charging the energy of the crowd. Lightning Spangles has to hold on to her hat, as Vuong electrifies the audience with both his grounded energy and lightning chi. Eyes wide, and mouth in the shape of an O, she was oooing and aaawing with the crowd. And when he finishes?

Lightning Spangles is the one leading the applause.

"Boy howdy, that Lightning really in incredible!" She shifts her attention away from Vuong for a moment, looking straight to the Camera. "But natural chi energy is only just one of the key sources that's only just being explored to meet this County's growing energy needs. Not from people, of course, but from vital energy-rich locations all over the world. And until we can resolve how impractical those energy sources are, as well as how dangerous they are to local communities, our sponsors and Nevada Public Power is working hard with a composite of well established and renewal energy sources!"

Lightning Spangles gives a thumbs up, as a banner for the NPP unfurls around her.

Lightning Spangles spins around, dropping her thumbs up as she falls into her Tae Kwon Do stance. She was focusing back on Vuong, tilting her head sideways before nodding. "Sorry about the detour, pardner, but it's important for all those folks back home to learn all about a wide host of energy options available to general consumers!" She chirps brightly, bouncing on her heels as she flows with energy. "I love oil myself! Clean and reliable!"

'What's your personal favorite energy!?"

COMBATSYS: Jezebel has started a fight here.

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

[VUONG]
Electricity arcs down his hands as he steps back, yielding the stage to the blonde-haired Lightning Spangles. Surely, one could imagine the thoughts going through his head as the star launches right into a totally-not-paid-for campaign, but one would be hard-pressed to find irritation on Vuong's face as it's going on. The fighter's done his time on the other side of the camera long enough to know that -nothing- escapes the watchful lens, and he's vigilant about keeping a smarmy grin on his face all throughout the Lightning Spangles pitch.

Vuong arches his eyebrows in the momentary silence that follows -- a question? For -him?- About... energy?

In a former life, Vuong might have been too starstruck to give a coherent answer. Indeed, as he withdraws his sunglasses, folding them up to tap the arm against his chin, he seems to be struggling for a moment.

But just -one- moment.
"My -personal- favorite energy? I guess that'd be the thrill that races through me whenever I see your smile, babe."

He spins the sunglasses around a finger -- a wakeup call to any of the small cadre of fans he's picked up in the past few weeks. And then he flings the sunglasses into the audience, creating a minor panic as folks rush in to claim the fighter's paraphernelia.

"But enough about power, honey," he says, walking the mic to a fight coordinator. "Why don't you tell Vuong here about some of -your- favorite things?"

He falls back into the Vovinam stance with a bright, encouraging grin. The layperson might notice from the billowing slacks that Vovinam's easy, relaxed flow is a ready match for the jaunty bobbing stance of his taekwondoka opponent. The main difference, of course, being the occasional crackle of electricity, circling his wrists like an ephemeral bracelets.

COMBATSYS: Vuong has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Vuong            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Jezebel

[JEZEBEL]
For a moment, the fear almost became real.

The fans far away and up close knew all too well what happens when people flirt with the wrong Spangles. When you show that flicker of affection and love and attention to a Spangles. And then the actress clings to it. Where she calls you over and over. When she stalks you. When she is brought away by the police, screaming and crying about you as the paramedic tries to pump your stomach. Real fear and terror about showing any humanity to the old Spangles.

But Lightning Spangles just smiles and blushes, waving a hand at Vuong.

"Oh stop you, there are children watching!" It's what Lightning Spangles would say, so it is what she said. As the flirting goes up, and Vuong tosses away the glasses, Lightning Spangles seems totally oblivious to any other suggestions. As he asks what she likes, she builds up energy, turning her leg back as she winds up. "I like American Things! I like Patriotism! I like Chasity, and also Children!" It was like she was reading off a list. Somewhat... Plastic. She releases that energy as the bell rings, and she fires the kick back around.

And that's when the rift begins.

There was already rumbles of it on r/spangles, on fangroups across the globe. But when they see it, when they see how Lightning Spangles swings her leg, and lunges in, the Spangles world erupts in anger, outrage, and passionate defense. Ligntning Spangles turns, throwing her leg forward into a ground-based charging kick. She was dashing in, aiming a driving kick- straight for Vuong's torso. It was competent. But it was stiff. Stilted. Over rehearsed. It wasn't that natural free energy of the previous Spangles. It was wrong, all wrong to loud subsegments of fandom. In one kick, the fandom was splintered forever again.

But that may be the least of Vuong's worries now.

COMBATSYS: Vuong blocks Jezebel's Broken Arrow.

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

[VUONG]
It's hard -not- to know at least a little about Lightning Spangles. There was a time where grocery checkouts, airport waiting rooms, and drugstores were all fronting some form of headline involving Lightning Spangles' latest indiscretions. The Canadian had blasted her way into the popular zeitgeist, as American as apple pie.

And then everything went quiet.

And now she's back -- bereft of the curious personality quirks that landed her in tabloid hell. The question on Vuong's mind, though, is: How permanent is this state of enlightened judgment?

"On those last two, darlin', you can't have one without the other..." replies the Vietnamese man in an obvious attempt at a drawl. His feet shuffle from side to side, all the same, his loose-fitting clothing billowing with each telegraphed movement. He seems easy to read...

Right up until the kick comes hurtling towards him, at which point Vuong responds with... well, lightning-quick reflexes. His leg snaps upward, his folded knee distributing the impact over a larger surface area. The bones may bruise, but he's not in a world of pain yet.

Grinning, Vuong shuffles his feet one more time to stabilize himself. "Wish I had -half- the sponsors you did, ma'am!" Vuong decides to make the most of Lightning Spangles' close proximity, driving in close with his shoulder and elbow! Should be prod through Lightning Spangles' guard, he'd unleash with a rapid backhand to the temple, punctuated with a sharp micro-explosion of lightning and thunder!

COMBATSYS: Vuong successfully hits Jezebel with Dam Lao.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Crazy Zhin's Chain of Shops!!

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

[JEZEBEL]
"Oh! That's a good reminder!"

As Lightning Spangles slams her leg into the sparking guard of Vuong, she didn't seem to lose anything. Evening her step, however, she was preparing for the counter attack by.... Speaking. "I will explain my comments on Chasity and children in a Texas Minute, but first- When you think crazy quality at low prices, or- is that right? was that the other way around?" She has but a moment to ponder as Vuong roars into her with a charge. She brings her arms up to catch him.... Which she succeeds. "Well when you think about that you are actually thinking about Crazy Zhin, pardner!" She is suddenly met by the explosive temple tap through her clinch, breaking the grapple as she staggers and stumbling away wildly, swaying and falling head over heels. Slowly, she rises up again.

But she keeps going.

"And now, with his bankruptcy status cleared and his tax charges dropped thanks to his cooperation with Interpol authorities against Violet Systems, Crazy Zhin's Line of Shops has all your needs!" Lightning Spangles seemed to be spasming a bit from the electricity to the head, but her even lukewarm presence continues as she pitches the sale. "They have hats! Vacuum machines! Hand sanitizers! All made in real American sponsored facilities in China! So come on down! Get Crazy with Crazy Zhin!

"Now with pre-packged frozen meatballs!"

Lightning Spangles was now leaping towards Vuong. Turning her body, she was bringing the whole of her hips into a swinging aerial roundhouse, attempting to hammer Vuong with the full force of Tae Kwon Do. It was awfully stilted, compared to her old stuff.

Maybe the crazy just sped her up or something?

COMBATSYS: Vuong fully avoids Jezebel's Strong Kick.

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

[VUONG]
The beats are all according to the plan. Lightning Spangles gets her pitch time, and Vuong gets to play second fiddle. He keeps to a standard Vovinam stance: turned sideways to minimize profile, left hand warding off potential attacks, and right hand ready to deliver a power fist if necessary. This unfortunately leaves no hands for a "Your Sponsored Message Here" card, but maybe he'll consider plugs for sponsorship after this bout -- the highest profile bump of his career to date.

As the blonde Lightning Spangles speaks, Vuong keeps a wary distance, nodding with respectful interest in the topic. On the one hand, it's rude to interrupt the pitch. On the other, he's piecing together the shifts in delivery -- the unwavering, dogmatic adherence to Spangles scripture. This Lightning Spangles is more by-the-book Spangles than has ever been Spangled before.

"That doesn't sound crazy at all!" It's debatable on how effective Vuong's deadpan sell worked. But considering what comes next...

Lightning Spangles serves up a roundhouse -- and a smiling Vuong is quick to hop backwards in avoidance. The whirling kick whips towards his shirt, and almost hits him save for him leaning backwards at the perfect moment.

Just as his leap comes to a halt, Vuong's feet touch the ground. And then he rocks his shoulders back, bringing his legs up off the ground. He'll seek to wrap both his legs around Lightning Spangles' kicking leg -- and continue twisting sharply clockwise to torque her to the ground. For, without a pitch of his own, he can focus entirely on the physical attributes of his opponent! "Hnnnh!" And if he manages to land the hit, he'd amplify the impact with a sudden jolt of lightning!

COMBATSYS: Vuong successfully hits Jezebel with Don Chan EX.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Vuong            0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1          Jezebel

[JEZEBEL]
Everything was going to plan.

Lightning Spangles liked enabling people and helping people. It's what Lightning Spangles was supposed to do! As she lets out the sponsorship, she tries to unleash the full-forced roundhouse. But she is somewhere between being too slow, and Vuong being far too fast and aggressive. And the man -punishes- like Jezebel was a French Maid at a disreputable Darkstalker Casino. As the legs wrap around Jezebel's limb, the takedown comes, and she is slammed straight to the floor with an explosion of electricity. The power rattles through her, bringing her down. She staggers up, barely able to wrench free, barely able to get any space. This should be demoralizing.

But Lightning Spangles had no morale!

As she rises up, a punch in the air comes. Her hair was now stuck up from the lingering static. "If you don't think that sounds crazy... then just wait until you -scream- for ice cream!" And suddenly... a package of ice cream bars is chucked out of nowhere. She opens her fist, and catches it. Seizing it, she suddenly brings it down, unwrapping it in a clean motion. "Coming soon to your local Kroger, Wegmans, and Stop & Shop will be the hottest in cool you down treats! From the food scientists at Spangles Choice LLC, we have NutriCreams Burgers! All the satisfying flavor of a hamburger, but in delicious non-dairy ice cream sandwhich forms!" Lightning Spangles unwraps one swiftly, and quickly stuffs it down her mouth, in three bites.

The old Spangles would have needed just one!

Smiling, and thumbing up, she pumps her arm in the air again. Red, white, and blue energy cascades down her in bands, as she finally clears her throat. Energy builds around her... but something seemed... off. Distorted. Lightning Spangles doesn't seem to notice. "Spangles Choice Brand Products! You've tried the best, now try the rest!"

"IN AMERICA!"

COMBATSYS: Jezebel burns with the darkness of her sins.

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

[VUONG]
Vuong disentangles himself, perhaps acknowledging that spending -too- much onscreen time on the mat with Lightning Spangles is probably not great for his future career prospects. He steers clear of the upward punch and the wild case of bed-head as he kips back to his feet, flashing a grin back to his opponent and the crowd in passing. His fists are balled as he falls back into his combat stance -- but then a wild package of ice cream bars enters the arena.

Vuong doesn't really care for burgers. Nor does he care for ice cream, much less the non-dairy kind. One day, the target demographic for NutriCreams Burgers will be discovered. And when that day comes, Spangles Choice LLC will be the company leading the path.

Still, one's got to keep up appearances. He nods with agreement, as if yes, such a frozen treat might be delicious. Don't knock it till you've tried it, right? He waits patiently for the pitch, the occasional flare-up of electricity running across his forearms. It's easier to stomach the pitch when he sees how fast Lightning Spangles scarfs down the treat.

And then the temperature starts getting... hot. As if someone turned up the temperature in the room. Which is ridiculous since this is the middle of Fremont Street, and that would suggest someone turned industrial heaters on the combatants. But who would -do- such a thing? For perhaps the first time in the fight, Vuong frowns, perplexed. Is the... building energy coming from -her?-

Gulping, he takes a step back. His fists uncurl, fingertips spreading out, as he narrows his eyes upon Lightning Spangles. Is it -just- the non-sequitur of 'In America!' that unsettles him, or is there more?

"... Are you sure you're ready to keep fighting, ma'am?"

COMBATSYS: Vuong focuses on his next action.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Vuong            0/-------/--=====|=======\=====--\1          Jezebel

[JEZEBEL]
Lightning Spangles should be ready to keep fighting.

She should be fine. She should be ready for Vuong to attack. And yet, when Vuong steps back? Lightning Spangles was looking very nervous all of a sudden. Was it stage fright? Did she suddenly feel the 'submit' being pressed for the first Vuong/Spangles pose by post, as fresh life injects in the vast sea of Spangles RP? Did she feel that everyone could see past the mask, past the smiles? Or did she just get indigestion from the NutriCreams? No, it was much more clear as she looks at her fist, as the energy builds up.

Because there is frost.

A deep cold comes over her fingertips, her legs, her arms. Running along her skin, leaving the thin shell over her clothing as each band of red,white, and blue pass over her. This wasn't supposed to happen. Because Vuong was -very- right; there is -heat- boiling off her energy bands. And yet, as she was breathing, her breath was... clouds. Hot, and cold. A Nameless power. For a moment, she stopped being Lightning Spangles. For a moment, she was Lucile. She... she remembers this kind of stuff. But why? Why? And then she was laughing. And it was the kind of laughter that the world expected from Lightning Spangles. Nervous, frightened laughter. "I'm ready! Lightning Spangles is always ready!" Lucile Belle is buried underneath the fear, wrapped again in the plastic shell. If she was making ice?

Then she would just make lemonade out of it!

Lightning Spangles erupts at Vuong, the insecurity sinking back below the surface. Rushing straight at Vuong, she unleashes a roundhouse kick, a frigid splash of ice comes. A second roundhouse kicks comes from the opposite leg, a trail of frost coming after her leg. The kicking barrage continues as she unleashes three straight kicks, high, low, middle. There is no heat now, just an aura of frozen chill, as she finishes the assault with a defiant heel drop at Vuong's shoulder... and a short pushing kick, for good measure.

"YEEEEEE HAW~" %

COMBATSYS: Vuong blocks Jezebel's True Grit.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Spangles Choice Brand Products - "You've tried the best, now try the rest!"!!

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

[VUONG]
As Vuong's concern shifts to Lightning Spangles, the heat begins to dissipate, washed over with waves of frost. It's not something he thinks about on a conscious level -- indeed, -cold- isn't something he tends to associate with Lightning Spangles at all.

"Just checking," comments Vuong. Feeling his hands start to chill, the Vovinam fighter curls his fists up tightly, nodding back to confirm his readiness for battle. And he proves just how ready he -is- when his Star-Spangled comes at him with a barrage of roundhouses. His guard is raised in time; the first roundhouse slams into a hardened forearm. The second kick and third kicks are met in equal measure with similar forearm blocks -- though Vuong is forced to skid backwards with each powerful strike. He loses ground on the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift, as his trusty footwork proves necessary to keep his bones from shattering under the successive strikes.

Suffice to say, Vuong's smile has dampened -- he's gritting his teeth through all that. The last kick slams down at his shoulder -- and he raises one hand to catch the shin, but even still the force is enough to bring the fighter to a crouch. The kick that follows, well, he has little choice but to let the kick land, knocking him back a few meters.

"There's nothing in the world like it--" he starts, finding his breath a little ragged from the gauntlet he'd just endured. "The thrill of combat. Of finding yourself in the heart of battle!" Vuong raises a forearm, wiping the sweat from his forehead. And then he suddenly streaks forward, crackling electricity in his wake. His objective -- grab hold of Lightning Spangles by the shoulders, and then wrap his feet around her hips. If he completes the grapple, he'd use his own center of gravity as a fulcrum, falling backwards and pulling Lightning Spangles up and over his head -- hurling her head-over-heels to the ground!

COMBATSYS: Jezebel blocks Vuong's Power Throw.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Vuong            1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0          Jezebel

[JEZEBEL]
It was the ice cream!

"It was the ice cream!" Lightning Spangles repeats out loud, her inside thoughts being outside thoughts. "Ha ha ha! The ice cream makes my energy cold! I am better now! I am better..." She was better because she was Lightning Spangles. Steadying her feet after the assault, Vuong was pivoting, coming at her shoulders. She tries to resist the grapple, but when she is scooped up, she takes a new take. He twists, and she is already tucking in with her knees.

And she is spiked straight to the ground.

She rolls on the impact, lingering lightning, ice, and fire clinging on to her. Just like the last Spangles, she could take hits, over and over and over again. She was breathing hard, letting the cold fingers deep into her lungs. She coughs, staggering up into a crouch, Her bruises were stacking up. And yet, twisting, she glances back at Vuong, smile burning on her lips. "It's a great place to meet new Showup Hoedown friends, Vuong! I am happy I am fighting you here right now!" It was real, as real as the plastic woman could make it. Red, White, and Blue energy builds around her, as she builds up power. "Okay, here's my big attack now pardner! I need you to do you best, and then, show all of Las Vegas your cool, cool Lightning!" She nods, tipping her hat.

And she launches.

Flying through the air, she spirals, spinning like a football head first. Red, white, and blue energy cascades around her in muted colors, as she fires at the energized fighter. Should she hit? She would carry him along, bowling forward to knock him down Fremont Street. Before ulimately falling into a tumble, all while shouting the name of the signature technique.

"WHERE EAGLES DARE!"

COMBATSYS: Jezebel issues a challenge!!

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

COMBATSYS: Vuong fails to interrupt Where Eagles Dare EX from Jezebel with Tu Ve Dao EX.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Vuong            1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0          Jezebel

[VUONG]
The ice cream. Of -course-, the ice cream!

Yeah, Vuong's not buying it, neither literally or figuratively. But he -does- believe in the power of Lightning Spangles, all the same. She's a seasoned expert and if she wants to honor her house brand with the credit, more power to her.

The Vovinam fighter hops back, a few sparks falling freely from his hands as he shakes them out. "Right! My best -- against the most American fighter on the planet. No pressure, right?" He flashes a smarmy grin back at Lightning Spangles, happy to be the one basking in the light of her compliments, knowing what wonderful effects they will have on his FightTube ratings, win or lose.

The spry fighter has the confidence to be across from her on the stage. He -knows- he has a chance. And when he sees Lightning Spangles dive into her most well-known attack, he tenses up. He can -feel- the energy blazing from her as she thunders towards him. And he looks right into the heart of the beast -- and when he thinks it's the best time, he steps sharply sideways -- open palms at the ready to deflect her as he might a knife attacker. A practiced counterattack -- for a traditional foe.

If it were any other fighter, maybe it would have succeeded. But here, he underestimates the distance. The vortex pull, the shockwaves at the forefront of Lightning Spangles' attack. He starts to correct, but at such a crucial juncture, it's too little, too late. Lightning Spangles slams into him -- and hits him -hard-. As he's hurled backwards by the attack, there are definite sounds of cracking. Though those could just as easily be the wooden signboards utterly demolished by catastrophic collision with Vuong's body.

It's a good thing that a nice, burly bouncer was standing at the nightclub down the street -- practically -catching- Vuong just as his momentum had started to flag. The bouncer makes for a softer impact than the -wall- of said nightclub.

"Aahhh! Sorry, sorry, I... " As the bouncer smirks, dusting himself off, Vuong tumbles free. Springing to his feet, and turning his attention back to Lightning Spangles, he stammers, "I-I'll make it up to you after the fight...!"

And then Vuong balls his fists, and closes the distance with Jezebel again. Raring to go for the continuation -- he -does- have to show Las Vegas his lightning, after all!

[JEZEBEL]
Lightning Spangles was pretty American, yes.

Lightning Spangles doesn't even realized that Vuong isn't following up until she lands. Guard up, she braces for the incoming attack that... doesn't come. Where was he? He was absorbed into the spin, wasn't he? But when there is a rush of apologies, Lightning Spangles turns and finds him! And he had hit someone. Oh no! That's not a good thing!
"Thank You, Vuong!"

Lightning Spangles calls out, as she rushes over to him. She doesn't jump him until he's fully back into his defensive stance, and he has his attention back on the fight. "For saying sorry on my behalf! I need to be a lot more careful when rough housing on the street!" And then, horror of horrors, Lightning Spangle's attention drifts back to the camera. "Remember kids, if you or a loved one is seriously injured by copying Lightning Spangles fighting antics, it's important to call 911! And if you have lost a loved one in a Spangles Related Fighting Accident," Lightning Spangles gives a bright thumbs up. "Then you can always work with Lightning Spangles into getting a brand new brother or sister!"

"By coming down to the Discount Baby Warehouse!"

"Discount Baby Warehouse has the highest quality American Babies at Made In China prices! Come to our floor room and visit your new son, or daughter, and choose the baby for you! Be amazed by Discount Baby Warehouse's easy and streamlined adoption process! Baby is defective? Discount Baby Warehouse's generous 2 year warranty policy lets you return baby for new one, no questions asked! You get twelve babies, you get thirteenth free! Discount Baby Warehouse! We Got Babies, You Got Time!" Lightning Spangles drives a kick at Vuong, thrusting in as she turns for the proper mule kick. The camera man, for a moment, was focused on Vuong, not Lightning Spangles. It seemed that Vuong was about to become part of a sudden surge in FightTube ratings.

Part of a very unfortunate surge.

COMBATSYS: Jezebel successfully hits Vuong with Thrust Kick.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Discount Baby Warehouse!!

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Vuong            1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0          Jezebel

[VUONG]
Vuong seems a little surprised that Lightning Spangles thanked him for... an apology. His shoulders shrug slightly -- "It's Vegas. You gotta be ready for anything here." And if you're not ready, the implication is you get what you deserve. Still, the guy didn't -have- to catch him, so.

He then finds his opponent in the midst of another pitch, which is a fine opportunity to work his joints around in their respective sockets. Getting tossed as far as he did can have ramifications! But then the pitch takes a ... dark turn. And Vuong's face gradually shows more and more of his true feelings on the latest sponsor: Disgust.

Perhaps if he weren't so disgusted, he would have caught wise to the fact that Miss Spangles was winding up her next attack. And he would have leapt to the side just a little bit more quickly. As it is, though, he ends up taking the mule kick straight to the chest, knocking him backwards a few feet. "Nnngh..." he groans, clapping a hand to the bruised muscle, "Discount... -Baby- Warehouse? Seriously? I think your agent's going for quantity over quality!"


He grips hold tight onto his shirt. "Still... a promise... is a promise...!" And with a sudden crackle of electricity, tendrils of lightning crawl outward from his hand, traversing the breadth of his body. His eyes light up with electricity. And the Vovinam fighter -roars- with fury -- "GUWAAAAAAAAOH!"!

With a sudden burst of motion, he rushes forward, taking two horizontal chops at Lightning Spangles' waist level. He thunders forward, his body blurring into afterimages as he slams his shoulder forward, whipping around for a third and a fourth chop. A foot is whirled around to the back of Lightning Spangles' knee. Each motion trails behind furious tendrils of electricity. And then Vuong attempts to wrap his arm around hers, jerking it forward sharply to set her off-balance...

At which point he would use the arm as leverage to pull his legs airborne, wrap them around her neck -- and twist sharply in the signature attack of his style, the "Flying Scissors" -- a move which would serve to wrench her off her feet and slam her bodily into the ground!

COMBATSYS: Vuong successfully hits Jezebel with Momentous Occasion.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Vuong            0/-------/-======|=======\=====--\1          Jezebel

[JEZEBEL]
There was no disgust from LIghtning Spangles.

Lightning Spangles didn't have disgust about advertising. You always advertise what you are supposed to advertise. Jerry was watching from the sidelines. When she gives the read? Without any reflection, any shame? It was just like the original Spangles he had fallen in love with. Lightning Spangles, for her part, finishes her big pitch, and looks to the adoring crowd. They were not so adoring. But it's okay. Sometimes you don't want people to be too adoring. But even Vuong seemed disgusted.

She cocks her head, not sure what Vuong would even be upset about.

When that lightning comes, Lightning Spangles was ready. In a sleight of hand, as Vuong readies himselfBecause she had some Spangles Choice Rubber Gloves. Unfortunately, they are not made of actual rubber, but a rubber like substitute. As the takedown comes, the Spangles defense of rubber fails in the face of Vietnamese might, as she is -slammed- into a pillar of per electricity. Yelping on the impact, she is sent spasming to the asphalt, to the delight of the crowd. With a jerk, she rises up, smile on her face.

Hair fanned out into a static-like afro.

Flashing a thumbs up, she nods her head. "That's using your noodle, pardner!" Delicately pulling her gloves off, she spins, slamming a boot down as energy jolts within her. Ducking in low, she rushes towards Vuong, blasting straight for the fighter. And she begins to unleash a blast-fire chain of rising aerial roundhouses, attempting to carry the charming fighter into the air... before finishing with a spiking heel drop to send them both cratering to earth, all with a burst of red, white and blue.

"YEEEEE HAW!"

COMBATSYS: Vuong blocks Jezebel's Magnificent Seven.

[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Vuong            1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0          Jezebel

[VUONG]
Vuong can't help but grin at the new Spangles hairdo -- nor can he refrain from flashing a thumbs-up for the compliment. Perhaps she can bank some revenue for that one -- doubtful that he'd be able to collect royalties on that though.

The fun 'n games are over once she takes the gloves off, though. Vuong hops back into a prepared stance -- and when Lightning Spangles charges forward, he employs an active defense, thrusting a knee, or thigh, or shin into each successive roundhouse. The transferred momentum is still powerful enough to volley him airborne -- but luckily he is able to gauge Lightning Spangles' technique, and shoves back hard against her leg on the second-to-last strike of the sequence.

In doing so, he allows himself the time to somersault backwards, and safely out of the path of the final heel drop. He lands a few feet away, gritting his teeth from the throbbing pain of withstanding so many kicks in a row. At least the disgust from earlier has faded away?

"And that's... that's using your -feet!-" Vuong rubs the back of his head. "... Sorry, that sounded better in my noodle."

The Vovinam fighter is not one to dwell on his missteps though. Almost immediately, he whips forward, his form blurring into motion as he whirls into a powerful diagonal kick. It's a hard roundhouse intended to strike right around shoulder- or head-level. The kick is an attack meant to daze, leaving him an opportunity to finish his revolution with outstretched palms -- palms that would seek to latch onto Jezebel and lance into her with powerful electrical charges!

COMBATSYS: Jezebel fails to interrupt Da Canh EX from Vuong with High Noon EX.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  <
Vuong            1/------=/=======|

COMBATSYS: Jezebel can no longer fight.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  <
Vuong            1/------=/=======|

[JEZEBEL]
Lightning Spangles lands, bouncing on her heels, as she prepares the next attack.

Vuong managed to survive the assault, which Lightning Spangles seemed... okay with. She seemed okay with everything. The energy she was radiating was just so strange. Even when Vuong apologizes after his one-liner, Lightning Spangles just nods, as she begins to wind up her leg.

"Thank you using your noodle!"

"But I'm not supposed to use my feet, excepted in authorized advertising campaigns-" Lightning Spangles explaination is cut short as she rises up. The diagonal actually comes -too- early for her rote methodology. The kick catches her right into the shoulder, knocking her clean out of her second rising kick. And with that opening?

Vuong seals the deal.

The hands seize Lightning Spangles, and there, her eyes looking into Vuong, the full force of the shock rips through her. She lets out a scream, as for a moment, she seems to be... panicking. "Cats? CATS?!" She repeats quickly, obviously referring to the Andrew Lyold Webber musical that was opening on Fremont Street just this week. Before finally, she goes limp, collapsing into unconsciousness.

Smile still on her face.

[VUONG]
Vuong raises his eyebrows in alarm as Jezebel turns back the veil on her inner dialogue a -bit- further than he was ready for. But that's about the extent of his reaction as he's in the midst of a kick when he hears that, and follow-through is everything for his chosen martial art.

Those eyebrows are still raised as electricity lances through his fingers and into Lightning Spangles, and even as she panics from -after- the electric shock. He's confused as to what could have brought on the sudden interjection -- neither love of the theatre nor acute ailurophobia seemed to have any -direct- correlation to his fighting techniques, so he's left dumbfounded for a moment, mouth gapped half-open in alarm.

Just a moment though. Appearances are everything in Las Vegas, and he flashes a toothy grin back at the fallen Spangles. He keeps his hands on guard for her to rise up again -- it's tough keeping a Spangles down, after all!

Once limpness sets in though, he turns an open hand to the fallen cowgirl. "Hey, how about that Lightning Spangles!" A thunderstorm of applause rocks through the crowd. Vuong's newest fans are glad to see him succeed, while fans of Lightning Spangles are just glad those ugly rumors are just that -- it's just a little rust to knock off, nothing more! Either way -- there was definitely lots of lightning involved!

COMBATSYS: Vuong takes no action.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  <
Vuong            1/------=/=======|

COMBATSYS: Vuong has ended the fight here.


[JEZEBEL]
************************

Jerry watches from the live feed, chewing a cigar. Taking in the cons. The pros. The style. The substance. Or rather, the lack of all those. She made no real mistakes. She made no real break outs. She read the lines. She made the pitches. She checked every box. And yet, it lacked the unhinged freedom of the other Spangles. The personality. The sense of... character. And yet, no flaws. No mistakes. He shakes his head, as the Japanese man bows his own. "Alright, I'll take her. At least, I'll give her a few more gigs. No A-liner stuff, she's way too stiff. I don't think she's going to be winning any fights."

"But this guy."

He shakes a cigar at Vuong. "Play it back for me." He watches, studies the Vietnamese man when he fights. He nods. "How the hell have we been missing this guy. He got charisma. He got potential. He got this... sense of what a camera needs, what a camera wants." He nods knowingly.

"Wonder if he got an agent yet?"

Log created on 17:20:26 04/17/2020 by Jezebel, and last modified on 21:26:38 04/26/2020.