Description: Everything was going normal in Metro City this Sunday. BUT THEN...
Everything was going normal in Metro City this Sunday. Although the abrupt loss of a nuclear missile is likely something of a surprise, on top of Guy's interesting investigations within some warehouses, there'd be no real warning of the horrific events that are about to take place. Literally five minutes ago, everything was going normally. People roamed the streets, vehicles licking through traffic, the sky clear and beautiful. The city hummed with the ever-increasing life that Mike Haggar has likely come to enjoy. Nothing in the world was wrong, beyond what has been wrong for such a period of time.
And then, the screams begin.
The police would be unable to respond, given that elsewhere there are multiple pinpoint strikes on main precints under Katana's hand. Similarly, the nearby Military installation is under a full-fledged Shank Squad attack. The reports would be flooding Haggar's main office. The city is in chaos. Splintered authorities are making pocket resistance, but they are unable to merge into an effective force. There are tanks all over the streets. Combat helicopters are in the sky. Loud broadcasts are telling civilians to stay inside and lock their doors, or risk being executed. People would be rioting if there wasn't so much gunfire. It'd be impossible to get useful numbers. How many tanks? Ten? Twenty? They seem to be everywhere. Where did they come from? They literally burst out of warehouses fully armed, and helicopters seemed to take flight from a dozen buildings.
While Rolento's attack was perfect. Every gear turned at the same time. Shank Squad members have taken to the largest buildings, equipped with Cold War Stingers. They've already shot down most of the SWAT that has managed to get off the ground, as well as Police helicopters. The rest remain grounded, no longer daring to take to the skies. News choppers are warned, and then given a passing shot, to land as well. None have yet had to be blown up.
News channels are all blaring, showing ragged clips of the carnage. People in tan suits and red berets are the main offenders. There's not many of them, sparse it would seem, but there doesn't /need/ to be with their heavy vehicle backup and far superior weapons. Mad Gear, armed with AK-47's, grenades, and RPG's are similarly causing chaos in a much less organized way, taking down every last shred of collective resistance in an impenetrable wave.
Ten minutes after the conflict begins, three tanks approach the large City Hall, crushing vehicles on either side. A few police cruisers managed to make something of a ring around Haggar's building, but in catastrophic detonations from the tank cannons they are shredded, and machine guns whip down the remainder poised around and force them to retreat inside the building.
And then, all of them settle before City Hall. Turrents whip around, and a loudspeaker continues propaganda. 'Please stay within your buildings! There is a war in the streets! Remain in your homes, and you will not be injured!'
That cuts off, as the tank hatch
That cuts off, as the tank hatch slips open and Rolento slowly slides out to step to one side. Mr. Big will also be allowed to exit the tank, having the personal chore of gutting Haggar like a fly with the commando. As Rolento scans the skys, roar of helicopter and occasional explosion heard in the background, it actually brings a smile of pleasant memory to his lips.
War. This is what he lives for.
"Mike Haggar, your city is now under Commander Rolento Schugerg's control. You have 10 minutes to exit with your hand's up. Peaceful cooperation will minimalize civilian and collateral damage. Resistance is useless!" He then glances towards Mr. Big, smiling almost politely. "I promised you excitement..."
Climbing out of the tank hatch, a grinning Mr. Big exits the tank to stand atop the vehicle with Rolento. "Buddy, you ain't kiddin," the Southtown Gangster replies loudly, a chewed over cigar butt sticking between his teeth. His batons resting over each shoulder, Mr. Big's clothing looks almost comically different from his usual attire. Dressed in an olive drab vest and pants with a similarly colored trench coat draped over his shoulders, the alleged pimp seems to be quite taken by the military action, even to the point of wearing an ARMY style helmet on his head and a grenade riddled combat harness over his vest. "I love the sound of gunfire in the morning," Mr. Big adds with a grin.
The moment the chaos broke - namely, right after a call from Lucia that Katana was attacking - Haggar has been making calls, and while he's been moving quickly, there is no panic. This isn't the first time Metro has been attacked, though usually there were less tanks. He's already given an address to the people of Metro - in addition to staying inside, they're staying in basements. He's signing documents, writing letters, even calling the President to keep him appraised of the situation. And in fact, that's exactly what Rolento catches him in the middle of doing.
"Tanks, sir. Yes, right in the streets. I am aware of the recent Russian development, but the events aren't necess--..." The mayor's eyes narrow as the loudspeaker call comes out. That fire, that real fire that has only come out three times before, lights up in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Mr. President. I have to go." Mike Haggar hangs up his phone with no further ceremony, standing up and taking off his jacket. He tosses it over his chair, adding his tie to that, then strides out of his office. "Hold all my calls." And into the elevator.
Rolento laughs merrily towards Mr. Big, and Rolento appears to be in absurdly good spirits. He has spent months planning this attack. It is nothing compared to what happened before, nothing compared to anything Metro City has felt before. This is only the start of the deck Rolento has, and he's still holding the majority of his hand. Glancing over the potholes and shattered surroundings that lay upon the front of Haggar's City Hall, he takes a few moments to appraise the rest. "Haggar should be out soon. Allow me to take him on my own. If he appears ready to win, then take him down. It would be good publicity for the media if I fell him, but bad publicity if I allow the media to see I mean anything but business. Understood?" It's not an order, despite the last word. A mere peer to peer recommendation. He then pulls off his radio, speaking into it. "Dimitri. How are you faring?"
Jessica is in...the basement. That's where her father told her to go, and being the (semi) obedient girl that she is, down she's gone. She paces back and forth, nervously wringing her hands as the other employees mess with the television set. The static is unnerving like all get out. She HATES not knowing what's going on.
"We've got feed!" one of the DA's calls out. "It's a bit staticky, but..."
"It's better than nothing!" Jessica exclaims, slipping through the crowd to get a better look at the viewscreen. "Oh Daddy..." she whispers, clasping her hands tightly and resting them against her lips. "Please be careful!"
Pulling the cigar nub from his mouth, Mr. Big shakes it towards Rolento, "Yeah, got it," he replies before sticking the cigar back between his teeth. Pulling a huge revolver with a 10 inch barrel from his combat harness, Mr. Big flips open the cylinder and counts the loads, flicking it back smoothly and giving it a spin before placing it back in the harness.
Turning away from Rolento as he chatters into the radio, the Southsynd Lieutenant focuses his attention on the door to the Hall, adjusting the large mirrored aviators covering his eyes. "This looks like its gunna be easy. Too bad. I thought was gunna get a little exercise."
The double doors to City Hall open wide, and Haggar issues forth. His hands are clasped behind his back, and though his general manner shows a typical businesslike demeanor, his eyes are burning with that righteous beefy anger. He doesn't look directly at Rolento, but rather at the surrounding madness. "Rolento. I see you've made a few friends since the last time I kicked you out." The Mayor starts approaching, hands still clasped. He regards the tanks. "Got some toys, too." Then, he looks right at Rolento. This time, he doesn't say anything, just staring and approaching.
And thusly, Haggar comes out. And his hands are most definitely not up. Glancing towards Mr. Big as if they were sharing some manner of private joke, Rolento strides down the front of his tank and leaps to the sidewalk, landing in a crouch. Slowly he unsheaths his baton, twirling it a few times in a rather impressive fashion. "Mike Haggar. You knew this day would come. This city is Mad Gear's, not your own. You were but a period of quiet, before it returned to it's rightful hands..." He then impacts his palm very heavily with the baton, causing a rather impressive >thud.< "I had hoped you would realize that your brute force will not succeed this time. Mad Gear and my new associates are not going to sit and wait for you to come! We are taking the battle right to /YOUR/ door! It is /you/ who will be routed, and slink off into the shadows as a fraction of what you once were!"
And then, Rolento begins to walk much faster towards Haggar. It's definitely an advancement. There are a couple cameras focused on them, one going live to Metro City and another being feeded to world media. The press are willing to risk their necks, but Rolento is pleased by that. "The world will see you fall to your knees, Mike Haggar..." And then Rolento bursts into a run, body held low and baton at his side. "FIRE!!"
And then, all three tanks unleash their armor-piercing barrage directly at Haggar, screaming through the air before potentially detonating with enough force to shatter a humvee to scrap metal with just one. It appears the fight for Metro City -- the TRUE fight -- is beginning right now!
COMBATSYS: Rolento has started a fight here.
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Rolento 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Haggar has joined the fight here.
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Haggar 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rolento
COMBATSYS: Haggar blocks Rolento's Grenadier.
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Haggar 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Rolento
Falling to one knee as the tank he's standing on violently unleashes its mighty shell; Mr. Big throws back his head and laughs, quickly bringing his right hand up to hold the unbuckled helmet on his head. "Hahaha! Hot Damn!" Mr. Big laughs loudly. "Nice shot!" he calls down into the tank's hatch at the gunner, thumping the top of the tank with his other hand as he watches the huge plume of dust where Haggar was moments ago.
Haggar doesn't move from his approach up until the shells are fired. Only then does he pause, gritting his teeth and crossing his arms in fron of his chest, bracing. The tank shells slam forth, impacting Haggar and surroundings and throwing up a tremendous cloud of smoke. He doesn't wait for it to clear, bursting out of the cloud, barreling toward Rolento, and looking relatively unharmed by all that tank.
"I use force because you don't deserve any better!" Haggar roars as he approaches Rolento, trying to trap his shoulders with his arms. "This is not your city! This is not my city! This is the city of the people! And they should never have to live under an oppressive crime rule again!" He drives his head toward Rolento's.
COMBATSYS: Haggar successfully hits Rolento with Repeated Headbutts.
- Power hit! -
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Haggar 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Rolento
Jessica stares wide-eyed at the screen, her fingers pressed tightly against her mouth. That smoke is NEVER comforting, it obscures too much... But then Haggar barrels forth straight for the hated military man, and Jessica immediately whips her hands away from her mouth to throw a fist in the air. "YEAH! You show him, Dad! Ha ha!" she cheers loudly.
Well, it seems that the power of Haggar's mighty climatic words do a good job. Expecting Haggar to at the very least be stunned by the ensuing explosion, he doesn't quite slide to a stop and flit to the side before something Huge this way comes. A catastrophic impact with his head is followed by many more, and Rolento hits the ground. Rolling away near the tanks, he's rather lethargic in getting up. Blood pours from his nose, mouth, and one eye. But he's still grinning, apparently exhilerated as opposed to anything else.
"The people... The people are lemmings. They will follow whoever sits in the throne. They will submit to any rule, for they don't have the strength to decide for themselves. I will lead them, Haggar...! And you will /fall!"
No commentary on how Rolento's not a crime organization. He's lucky he's able to rejoinder with any sort of verbal quip after that heavy an impact. Charging forward once again, Rolento rears back his right hand and begins to spin his baton. He then unleashes a devestating shot right for Haggar's little huge, right between the legs. A second shot is done to Haggar's neck, before a final one flashes out in an attempt to just straight poleaxe the large man forward. "And I am far from an oppressive criminal!" is then hissed out. Okay, now he has time for that.
COMBATSYS: Haggar fails to counter Patriot Circle from Rolento with Hammer Thru.
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Haggar 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Rolento
Haggar drops down, swatting at the shot between his legs with the goal of grabbing Rolento's baton. He fumbles, and it thwacks against his reinforced cup with something of a ringing sound (Wrestlers know better than to go around without some sort of armoring.), and the shots to his neck and chest drive him a bit further down and back. He teeters off balance, stumbling a few steps back. "You're shattering the peace of millions of people. If that isn't crime, I don't know what is."
"What of all the wars America has waged? What of Vietnam? We slaughtered thousands, then left when it was no longer in our interests. We accomplished nothing but statistics!! I would say what I am doing is /more/ noble then this damn country has ever done!! For I at least want to rule, to /change/ things, not wage a war for publicity and kudos until the public wants it no -more-!" Rolento yanks out a grenade as he states this, apparently not wishing to better test Haggar's impressive reflexes in terms of unleashing a world of hurt on the soldier. He hurls it as hard as he can right at Haggar's face; It's an anti-vehicle high explosive, but it's probably likely that it slamming into Haggar's face would hurt more then the detonation.
"Rolling back communism... Just an excuse to boost America's economy. I know better then any how war really works. And I know better then any that war is still the only way to change!" He then slides backwards, raising his weapon in a warding gesture once more. He's not playing around, that's for sure. Haggar is intended to be made an example of. Propaganda /does/ still have it's place in any large conflict after all...
COMBATSYS: Haggar blocks Rolento's Grenadier.
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Haggar 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Rolento
Haggar crosses up again, the grenade bouncing and exploding without doing much aside from reddening Haggar's arms and opening a few surface shrapnel cuts. However, it rocks Haggar back, and that is that much more distance Haggar has to cross to get to Rolento. "Metro City isn't your scapegoat." Haggar growls as he rushes toward Rolento, swinging his fist solidly toward his gut.
COMBATSYS: Haggar successfully hits Rolento with Quick Punch.
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Haggar 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Rolento
The fist does impact, Rolento again not being quite quick enough to leap backwards. And when Haggar hits, it definitely hurts. There's a sharp exhale, and it takes a few moments for Rolento to gather himself before spreading his stance and grinning mutely. "It is not my scapegoat. It will become the end of my dream. The perfect Utopia. All I must do is throw away the trash. Now..." A helicopter can be heard whistling overhead. This one appears to be flying rather low comparatively, one of the tan Russian-class transports. However, then someone can be seen ziplining down from the top. Holding a wince, and grinning madly.
"...Are you ready?"
Rolento then hurls a knife right beside Haggar's head. It's past in a flash, but a trail of wire can be seen behind it. Arcing his hand hard to the right, he then attempts to entwine the wire a few times about Haggar's neck. To say the least, this is probably going to be an uncomfortable journey for the Mayor...
COMBATSYS: Haggar endures Rolento's Take No Prisoner!
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Haggar 1/-----==/=======|-------\-------\0 Rolento
Well, the wire does indeed whisk around Haggar's throat, before the commando leaps high in the air. He hooks the wire about the winch, and then viciously yanks upwards. Somehow, Haggar is actually yanked a couple meters into the air. In a comical display Rolento is still left dangling, about on the same level as Haggar. He didn't have the leverage to completely get the Mayor airborne, even if he continues to choke on the high tension wire. There's all but an exclaimation on Rolento's face, widening his eyes at the mayor as he begins to swing towards him. Well... This won't end well.
Jessica has gone from 'yay' to 'oh no!' once more. "DAD!" She staggers backwards in horror at seeing the wire...or rather, the effects of the wire...ensnaring her father's throat. She tugs up at the left side of her skirt to unholster a small pistol from her thigh, heaving a little sigh to steel herself. Then she shoulders back through the crowd, running as fast as she can up the steps, across the floor, and through the front doors. She raises the gun, trying not to let her fingers shake. "Let him go!" she demands, pointing the barrel straight at Rolento. "I'll shoot, I swear I will!"
Haggar's seen this before, and he knows exactly what's going to happen. And so, he lets it. The knife flicks by, the wire wraps, and that winch that always comes from nowhere comes into play. All of it hurts quite a bit, to be sure, but also it all works perfectly, what with Rolento being suspended a bit and Haggar not being completely lifted. With a roar, he lunges forward, the force of his approach shattering the wrapped wire. A red flare surrounds his arms as he lunges for Rolento's legs, not bothering with the startup forehead blow. He does not, however, see his daughter against all this action.
COMBATSYS: Rolento endures Haggar's Giant Swing.
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Haggar 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Rolento
Standing and watching with interest as the bloody fight seems to reach a climax, Mr. Big adjusts his combat vest and appears ready to jump into the thick. That is, until he notices a pretty blonde girl running towards Rolento, brandishing a gun. "Well, well, well... look what we have here..." Mr. Big mutters as he jumps down from the tank and takes a few slow steps towards Jessica. "Where'd you get that honey?" Mr. Big asks. "Guns are dangerous, you know?"
The grab is solid, and Haggar rips Rolento off of his wire, bellowing as his feet begin to pump. He spins, growing speed, Rolento being lifted off the ground through momentum alone. Will his hat stay on? Will it fall off? Only physics can decide this, though Haggar has a say in where his head is going. When he releases Rolento, he'll be sailing at ridiculous speeds toward the tank he came out of originally. Haggar's spin finishes facing away from City Hall, and as such he continues to not see Big approaching his daughter.
Well, this is also something Rolento is familiar with. He knows it's going to hurt, and he knows it is going to hurt like hell. However, much as the venerable Haggar decided that it is better to go with the flow, so does Rolento. He actually leaps at the mayor, right into his loving hands. However, during the ensuing massive disaster, Rolento manages to yank a third grenade from his harness. He manages to stick this grenade down the front of Haggar's pants.
And then, Rolento impacts the tank, flying by Mr. Big like a bullet and knocking the vehicle backwards a good nine feet. The turret is knocked askew, but a barked order is done. "Fire on Jessica Haggar!" One of the turrets swivels, centering upon the Mayor's daughter. And then the tremendous bang as a shell is fired.
And just in this most chaotic of moments...
Haggar's pants explode.
Jessica gives a violent start at Mr. Big's approach, her hazel eyes widening as she swings her arm to point the pistol at him. "You stay back!" she warns, even as she takes a nervous step back towards the safety of the city hall doors. "My father's right, we're not your scapegoats! We won't stand for this tyranny!" The words seem to give the girl a bit more resolve. And then, Rolento barks his order. Eep! Jessica sidles a bit more to the right, to keep Mr. Big between herself and the tanks. Nice menacing bald man, eh heh!
COMBATSYS: Rolento successfully hits Haggar with Grenadier.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Haggar 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Rolento
The bang, unfortunately for Rolento, is a moment too late; the shell crashes into the building a few yards above Jessica, tearing apart the wall of City Hall in a tremendous explosion and dropping large chunks of debris onto the steps around Jessica.
The reason for this is that, a split second before the tank was fired, said tank was struck by what is quite probably a meteor. The massive armored vehicle folds in half like an old mattress as an unidentifiable _something_ slams directly into and through the top of the turret from parts unknown except for their direction: Up.
This is, of course, immediately followed by a tremendous explosion, a ball of fire and smoke billowing into the air and chunks of tank bits launching all across the street, a few crashing through walls or windows.
And, after a few moments for everyone to simply gape at the now-exploded tank, Cody emerges from the fiery wreckage, his arms and forehead already bleeding from the sheer intensity of elbow-dropping a tank from a hundred feet, and his shirt ripped and slightly on fire.
"I heard there was a party goin' on."
Flinching slightly as Rolento and Hagger fly past him, Mr. Big doesn't seem to give the pair another thought. No, something else is taking up his full attention. "Oh, you're going to shoot me baby?" Mr. Big asks softly as the eyes behind his mirrored aviator sunglasses look Jessica over hungrily. "I got one of those too..." he adds as he slides his Big Freakin' Revolver from his combat harness, the nickel-plated 10 inch barrel shining brightly in the sun."Mine's a lot bigger though..." he muses huskily as he turns the gun towards Jessica. "You wanna see it?" he asks as he clicks back the hammer...
"Huh?!" Mr. Big asks suddenly, his attention ripped from the supple young Haggar as an explosion rains stone and brick down upon him. Spinning around to look at the now wrecked tank, Mr. Big laughs as Cody emerges from the wreckage. "You!" Mr. Big says with a wicked grin. "Yeah, there's a party... we forgot to send you your invitation! Are you ready for it?!" Mr. Big yells with a cackle as he turns the gun from Jessica and points it at Cody's chest, pulling the trigger of the .50 revolver and sending the huge bullet flying towards the fugitive dangerously.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big has joined the fight here.
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Rolento 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Haggar
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Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Cody has joined the fight here.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Rolento
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Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Haggar
Jessica flinches back, covering her head with one arm as the rubble begins to fall. "See your gun...?" she repeats, blinking at Mr. Big. "Well no, that's quite all...oh. You mean...hey!" she blushes brightly. Thankfully, her embarrassment is saved, as is the rest of her, by Cody's timely entrance. "Cody!" she exclaims, her expression brightening. "You have exquisite timing!" She retreats a little further, crouching by the door to half-hide herself and shoot things as necessary. Not that she can right now, without the risk of hitting her father or Cody.
COMBATSYS: Cody overcomes Thrown Object from Mr.Big with Knife Throw.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Rolento
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Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Haggar
That would have been a lot worse if Haggar hadn't invested in a very good cup. The explosion rocks Haggar, completely unprepared for something after having thrown Rolento like that, and he staggers backward. His shirt is finally cashed out after the latest explosion, tatters slipping off of his body, and his pants are ripped up but still remaining very PG because this is a family-friendly war. He doesn't even notice, though, too distracted with this other, far more viscerally important development. He lurches toward his daughter, even though there is way too much distance between them for him to reach and protect her. "JESSICA!!" Tank explosion! Heartwrench! ...wait! "...Jessica! Get inside, NOW!" Haggar pushes back to his feet, growling. He'll talk with Cody later, right now he has to make sure Rolento gets dealt with. He presses in toward him. "Never... EVER... do that AGAIN!" He reaches down toward Rolento, hoping to simply pick him up and body slam him back into the tank, further wrecking the both of them.
COMBATSYS: Rolento fails to counter Quick Throw from Haggar with Mekong Delta.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Haggar
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Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rolento can no longer fight.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Haggar
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Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Cody successfully hits Mr.Big with Knife Throw.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Haggar
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Mr.Big 0/-------/------=|
Well, Rolento saw this coming. And in the final clash between the pair, Rolento hurls himself at Haggar with his baton held high. But he's grasped just as the baton whisks down, and rather then knock the mayor flying away he is grasped mid-air and impacts the tank with a tremendous >THUD.< Sliding off to a crumpled heap, he begins to cough bloodily. "You..." But Mr. Big is still up and ready to go; He begins to crawl away, ever so slowly, eyeing the media now with venomous eyes. This did not quite go as well as he planned, but as long as his partner in crime mops up the rest this can be dealt with.
When Mr. Big points the gun at him, Cody begins a brisk, but relaxed, advance, ambling towards the armed Big as he slips one hand into his back pocket. "Don't you work for Mr. Haggar?" he inquires loudly of the pimp, just before said pimp fires his gun.
The blonde's eyes narrow and his hand snaps from his pocket, tearing a switchblade from it and opening it even as he lashes his arm forward and releases it. The blade flicks through the air precisely on target, slicing the fired bullet cleanly in half and forcing the two halves away from each other, crashing one violently into the ground and sending the other up to impact a far-away wall.
The knife, unfortunately for Big, continues onwards through the bullet, headed straight for the wrist the man is holding his gun with.
Jessica nods at her father's behest, and ducks fully inside the building. She does not, however, return to the basement. That's her father and her boyfriend out there, and if anything should happen to them...she prays that nothing does...she will be at their side, no doubt about it.
"GAH! You son of a bitch!" Mr. Big yells as the knife sinks into his forearm, causing him to reflexively open his hand, the large gun clattering to the pavement. Wincing as he plucks the knife from his arm, Mr. Big lets it casually drop to the ground next to the forgotten gun.
"I'd like nothing more than to grind your ugly mug into the ground..." the Southtown Gangster growls as he whips his batons from their place in his combat harness, "But that just ain't the gameplan, punk..." he adds as he turns towards Mike Haggar and whips his baton into the air. "GROUND BLASTER!" Mr. Big shouts as a large plume of fiery chi rises from the ground and races towards the Mayor.
COMBATSYS: Haggar overcomes Ground Blaster from Mr.Big with Large Thrown Object.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Haggar
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Mr.Big 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Haggar successfully hits Mr.Big with Large Thrown Object.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/----===|
The Mayor wants nothing more than to sink down and rest after dealing with Rolento, but it looks like that's just not going to happen. Mr. Big just has to go and start something as well. Something inside Haggar just breaks, and he lurches to the side, ignoring all the damage he's sustained so far. That tank, that poor tank that has been Rolento'd twice, now has to deal with Haggar seizing it by the tread. He barely manages to lift it, whirling it in Mr.Big's direction, and letting go. It doesn't sail gracefully through the air - it bounces and rolls toward the pimp, completely crushing the Ground Blaster. Then, and only then, does Haggar sink down against a bit of rubble to breathe.
"Leave him out of this," Cody says, loudly, at Big. Even as he gets a tank thrown at him. "And you," he adds, turning to point at Haggar, "Stay out of it. This is my city, too, and I owe this guy a thrashing." Once he's within, say, fifteen feet of Big, he skids to a halt and drops into a fighting position, dusting off his hands before he lifts them into his stance.
"Come get some."
COMBATSYS: Cody takes no action.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/----===|
His sunglass covered eyes widening at the sight of a tank bouncing and rolling towards him, Mr. Big throws his arms in front of his face. "HOLY SHI-"
Mr. Big is cut short in his exclamation by a face full of tank. Flung backwards away from the impact, Mr. Big rolls in the dirt, crashing into the steps of the City Hall with a groan. "That... stung..." he mutters as he pulls himself to his feet and levels his gaze on Cody. "You think you owe me something huh? Fine. Come give it to me..." Raising his batons into a defensive stance, Mr. Big seems to casually lounge backwards on his back leg. "Bring it."
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big focuses on his next action.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/----===|
Rolento appears to be hissing out some orders as the tank right beside him is yanked up by Haggar, causing the comando to stumble and lean against the remaining one. Glancing towards the others, he instead grimaces in pain. "Just do it!" he yells in the radio, before the top of the final vehicle opens and a Shank Squad members gets out in an attempt to help Rolento up. It doesn't appear that he's fleeing, but definitely trying to get in a less vulnerable position. Things are not quite going to plan... But still, they have no idea what this particular warrior really has prepared.
Haggar, for his part, is perfectly content to sit, breathe, and regain some strength in case Cody's fight goes badly. He'll let this be his fight - the tank was a present.
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes a breather.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/----===|
"You never answered my question," Cody points out, taking a quick step forward and kicking a small piece of debris up into the air. "Don't you work for Mr. Howard? From Japan," he clarifies, beginning to knock the tank chunk around like a hackeysack, apparently entirely absentmindedly.
This continues on for a few moments before he uses his foot to lob the scrap metal a good ten feet into the air and then leaps up after it, throwing himself into a horizontal spin and crashing his foot into the side of it, sending it zipping through the air at Mr. Big, little more than a metallic blur.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big blocks Cody's Bad Stone.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/---====|
Quickly pulling a baton up to his face, the chunk of metal glances off of Mr. Big's raised forearm almost painlessly as the lowlife regards Cody coolly. "Mr. Howard? Never heard of the guy..." he says with a shrug and a knowing grin. "Now, do you want to fight or are we gunna sit and chat?" Lowering himself into a crouch, Mr. Big raises his batons and crosses them in front of his face. "Here... I'll make the choice easier for you..." Springing out of his crouch, Mr. Big flies at Cody with his batons crossed in front of his helmet-covered head.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Cody with Cross Diving.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-======|
Mike Haggar continues to proceed to still be taking a breather. He can't really go to City Hall right now, since the Cody/Big rumble is between him and it.
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-======|
Big impacts with Cody's chest quite solidly, despite the American's attempts to brace himself; the force of the blow blasts him backwards and off his feet to skid along the ground, dragging his back along the pavement tearing his shirt up even more.
Growling, the blonde staggers to his feet and angrily tears off what's left of his shirt, tossing it aside. "Here I am," he bellows, breaking into a run at Big and launching himself into the air as he nears him, spinning rapidly about in midair. As he nears the pimp, he drives suddenly downwards, landing in a kneel in front of Big.
From this kneel he rises in a mighty uppercut, attempting to crash his fist into Big's stomach, and just behind the uppercut erupts a large whirlwind, laced with thin, blade-like streaks of blue chi. "ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE!"
Jessica was merely peeking behind the door. Now she just...kind of...stares. Believe it or not, it's not that often she gets to see Cody without a shirt! And she admittedly kind of likes it, though she feels guilty about the circumstances just the same. <3
Rolento appears to be very happy about something. Excellent. "The military base has been destroyed. The Americans surrendered." Rolento calls out to Mr. Big. "Defeat these fools, and there will be but one obstacle between us and our complete control!" He's pulled up onto the tank now, having regained some energy. And then he slowly raises to a stand, staring towards the media as it shifts it's attention. "Metro City will fall. Even if Haggar prevails today, he will have no police! He will have no law! He will be nothing! If you cooperate with me, I will reopen transport to other cities, and insure that the streets are back under control! You will be free of taxes, free of the government! A new nation will be ours!!" Looks like he's going to make a speech as everyone else is busy.
COMBATSYS: Cody successfully hits Mr.Big with Criminal Upper.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 1/-------/=======|
Driven back by the uppercut to his stomach, the shards of chi having almost torn his coat and pants to shreds, Mr. Big falls to one knee and wipes the sweat from his face wearily. "Consider them destroyed..." Mr. Big replies in response to Rolento's plead. Rising to his feet, Mr. Big begins to stalk towards the blonde once more, his batons held out in front of him oddly. "This is over. You think you're some kinda hero?" Mr. Big asks Cody, the tips of his batons beginning to glow with a blue light. "Well you ain't shit. You ain't nothin but a punk ass thug, and I'm gunna put you down like the dog you are. For the second time." Suddenly a large spark crackles to life between Mr. Big's batons, a thick arc of electricity dancing between the two half-staves. "This city is ours," Mr. Big growls quietly as he thrusts the batons at Cody's head.
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Cody with Blaster Wave.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
The second Cody's head breaks the contact between the two batons a huge electrical explosion erupts with Cody's head at its epicenter, flinging Cody away with a loud thunderclap. Stumbling back a few feet, Mr. Big rolls his shoulders a little and inspects the damage. "Heh."
Huge electrical explosion indeed! Cody once more crashes into and skids along the ground after the explosion launches him backwards away from Big, jerking around and, briefly, becoming semi-see-through as the electricity has an x-ray like effect on his body, gifting attentive onlookers the occasional sight of his skeletal structure.
He's hardly down, however, and once more struggles back to his feet, blood trickling now from his mouth, as well. "I never said I was anybody's hero," he announces, taking a few careful steps towards Big. "But you're a little bit wrong about somethin'. See... this is _my_ city."
He erupts forwards suddenly, running for only about half the distance before cutting his acceleration and simply sliding the rest of the way towards Big, attempting to crash his knee into the pimp's stomach. "This is where I grew up," he scowls. "And it's practically the only thing I've got left."
He takes a quick step back and launches himself into another spin, crashing his foot at the side of Big's head. "This is where I met the girl I love; where I grew up! Mad Gear has taken everything but this and Jessica from me, and if you think you can take _either_ of those..."
He leaves the threat to the imagination of the viewer, and draws his foot back, blue light erupting around it as he drives it forwards at the stomach of the now hopefully floored Big.
COMBATSYS: Cody successfully hits Mr.Big with Dead End Irony.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-----==|
Doubling over like a taco as Cody's kick hits him square in the pit of his stomach, Mr. Big coughs loudly, blood splattering to the ground from his mouth as he stumbles back. Internal injuries anyone? "J... Jessica? Is that the hot blonde I was... talking to earlier?" Mr, Big asks as he glances up into Cody's eyes, his normally white teeth covered with blood. "I like her. I think I'll keep her after we take over this ugly little city of yours..."
Adjusting his vest slightly as he straightens, Mr. Big ducks his shoulder and rushes towards Cody, bringing up his left baton to smack Cody in the face as his shoulder charge crashes into the fugitive. If he should hit, his right will follow quickly as he leaps into the air, the reverse gripped baton upper cutting Cody in the chin and carrying him into the air with Big.
COMBATSYS: Cody endures Mr.Big's California Romance.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/----===|
Mike Haggar manages to push himself back to his feet now, still rather sore from his fight with Rolento but having much of his breath back. His legs are red with dried blood, streaks of it marking his arms and chest, but he's standing. He's very clearly resisting taking off and shoving some rubble or so in Big's mouth... talking about Haggar's daughter like that causes similar maladies.
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes a breather.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/----===|
Big's taunt/statement of theoretical fact works splendidly, and Cody roars violently, rushing forward right into Big's blow. As the attack carries him upwards, however, he performs a textbook Air Recover, curling himself around in a midair somersault to right himself and lashing one foot out towards Big's chest, attempting to plant it in the middle of the man's torso and ride him down to the ground as the duo falls, forcing the pimp to take the trip head-first.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big blocks Cody's Guilty Stamp.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/---====|
Duolon goes to Metro Square.
Guy goes to Metro Square.
Throwing up his arms in front of his face, Mr. Big manages to take the brunt of the fall on his batons, rolling away from Cody as he hits the ground. "Oooh... you don't like that too much, huh?" Mr. Big asks with a wolfish grin. "Don't worry punk, I'll treat her good... reaaaaaal good. But first... first I guess I gotta finish you off..." Mr. Big adds with a grin. He's pretty cocky for a guy that's so battered and busied.
Launching himself towards Cody, Mr. Big begins to weave his right baton in a figure-8 motion, attempting to slam it into the blonde's shoulder, jaw, other shoulder, then back around to his jaw again as the attack continues it's circuit, which it repeats about 9 or 10 times before winding down to a halt.
COMBATSYS: Cody blocks Mr.Big's Crazy Drum Dram.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
Jessica frowns from where she peers around the door. She's not too happy with Mr. Big's intentions either. They give her goose bumps all up and down her arms, and she shivers involuntarily. ~Come on, Cody...keep it up!~ she silently cheers on her childhood sweetheart, clenching the edge of the doorway tightly. ~I know you can beat him!~
Nassir goes to Metro Square.
Nassir arrives from Downtown.
Eyebrows raising at Big's crazy stick-antics, Cody briefly retreats, taking a quick step back before Big nears him. When getting away proves unlikely, however, he shrugs and steps INTO the attack, snapping his forearms up and about to intercept the repeated baton blows. As the attack winds down, he catches two blows simultaneously with his forearms, draws his head back, and then rockets it forward at Big's face, hoping to shatter the pimp's nose and general facial structure using naught but his forehead.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big dodges Cody's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-------|
Pulling his arms back away from Cody as the offending head flies towards Mr. Big's nose, the Southtown gangster pushes the other man away with the tips of his batons, causing the head butt to fall woefully short. Locking the batons together with a mechanical click, Mr. Big sets the now longer staff upon his shoulders and grips both ends of it with each hand. "I ain't done with you yet!" he shouts as he twists at the waist and begins to spin rapidly in Cody's direction, attempting to hit him over and over again with the tips of his staff. As his revolutions slow down, Mr. Big comes out of the spin and crouches low, thrusting his staff towards Cody's nose.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Cody with Spinning Lancer.
[ \\\ < > /////////////// ]
Cody 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/------=|
And all along, Rolento continues his speech. At least one camera is upon him at all times, with the backdrop being the violent fight between Mr. Big and Cody. One zooms to Haggar a few moments, but they all migrate back to Rolento at least now and again. "I am a conquerer, not a monster. The city will run as it did. Such a show of force is neccesary for change; In all great military leaders, mighty nations had to be born by the first blow of violence. This will be a dawning day in history! One remembered for generations to come!" The sound of a tank firing in the background echoes through the battlefield, Rolento thrusting both arms into the air somewhat unwieldy. "JOIN MY REVOLUTION, AND WE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!!" Whatever effect this might have is up in the air, but one can't deny that Rolento has a charismatic way with words when he feels so inclined.
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes a breather.
[ \\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Cody 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/------=|
Cody, despite his attempts to bend out of the way, gets thrashed about the shoulders by Big's weird ballerina-stick-spin, and the final thrust sends him staggering backwards, blood spurting from his nose. Clearly angry, the American redoubles quickly, at least long enough to lunge forward and snatch at the staff, attempting to rip it violently out of Mr. Big's hand and, swinging it like a baseball bat, crack it into the side of the pimp's head.
COMBATSYS: Cody has reached second wind!
[ \\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Cody 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big dodges Cody's Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Cody 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/------=|
Reaching up to catch his staff with one meaty paw, Mr. Big quickly wrenches his weapon out of Cody's hand. "What is it with you grabbing my stick?!" Mr. Big yells in indignation. "I just hope that little girl of yours has the same instincts!" Breaking the staff into two pieces once more, Mr. Big shoots his weapons towards Cody's neck, attempting to scissor the batons around his throat and lift him into the air. If he's able to get a good grip he then flips the Haggarfriend around and slams him back down into the ground headfirst. "Stay down this time!" he hollers.
COMBATSYS: Cody blocks Mr.Big's Million Dollar Buster.
[ \\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Cody 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Haggar takes no action.
[ \\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Cody 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ \\\\ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/-----==|
"Enough of this. Destroy Cody, but that shall be the end of this engagement." Rolento states to Mr. Big, apparently pleased by something private once more. "Let Haggar have his haven, Mr. Big. He can watch his city through glass and television. He cannot win a war with only his brute strength this time." He then turns towards the mayor and grins wickedly. "I have taken the liberty of smuggling a nuclear bomb within your city, Mike Haggar. It is very well hidden, and fully armed." Rolento pulls out a videotape, and then hurls it towards the media. It bounces once, landing scratched but intact at their feet. "Upon that tape you will have one of the Russian scientists testifying that it is both a genuine warhead, and very capable of being detonated in a heartbeat. And I will, Haggar... I will burn this city to ash if I lose. Would you give every life within this concrete jungle to remove me from power? Think about it." He then pulls out his radio, and hisses into it. "Siege this area. Nobody gets in, or out. Cut the power and the water. We will see how long Mike Haggar can survive in his makeshift fort."
The Mayor narrows his eyes at Rolento. Until he is certain of the veracity of the man's threat, he's not going to take it seriously. Desperate men say desperate things. He'd lunge at the man again now, but Rolento's too far away, he wouldn't catch him. He /does/ take a threatening step toward him, however. "This isn't going to work, Rolento."
Cody staggers as Big reclaims his staff, and for a moment it looks as if he's about to fall, but the comment about Jessica kicks some life back into him. Big's re-broken sticks crash heavily into the sides of Cody's neck, but when he attempts to yank him upwards, he simply doesn't move, remaining planted firmly on the ground (albeit now with large red bruises on his neck.)
The bruises, and the continued existence of the sticks around his beck, do little to hamper the American, however, as he draws his fist back and, blue light erupting around it, snaps it forward at the side of Big's head. There is nothing even finesse-esque about the punch, or the continued assault that follows it, Cody's fists lashing out over and over, trailing hazy blue afterimages from the speed they exit at, the blonde's face locked in a grimace.
COMBATSYS: Cody successfully hits Mr.Big with Final Destruction.
[ \\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Haggar
[ <
Mr.Big 0/-------/--=====|
His head whips back and forth as punch after punch lands on the poleaxed Mr. Big's face; he certainly wasn't expecting this. Though he's battered and beaten, and seemingly on the verge of passing out, Mr. Big's batons, amazingly enough, /still/ have a tight grip on Cody's neck! Straining every muscle in his bruised body, Mr. Big attempts to lift the man into the air once more and deliver him headfirst into the ground this time. "Be there in a second..." Mr. Big grunts to Rolento, straining with effort.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Haggar 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Cody
COMBATSYS: Cody endures Mr.Big's Million Dollar Buster.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Haggar 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Cody
Cody merely accepts Big's attack, allowing his head to be driven into the ground, collapsing into a pile after Big releases him and almost immediately rising, slowly, back to his feet. The impact has opened a large gash in the side of his head that streams blood along with most of the orifices on his face, and there's a fire in his eyes similar to that created by Rolento's new nuclear toy.
"You have five seconds to run away," he snarls, slipping another switchblade from his pocket and opening it with menacing onomatopoeia, "Before I decide it'd be funny if you didn't have any balls."
"I do not lie. Look at the tape. And press your luck, if you dare think I would bluff." There's little doubt Rolento is the type who would obliterate a town if victory truly was impossible. Whether he would be within it or not is the only question; He's doubtfully any sort of martyr. The tank begins to draw backwards, although it remains somewhat slow in order for Mr. Big to catch up to it. "Enjoy your victory while you have it. Your city is still mine!"
Haggar is now approaching Big and Cody, striding with some degree of confidence, though he knows that there's a whole lot of work ahead to kick Rolento back out. He's coming fast, eyes locked on Big. Rolento's boasting bounces right off of him.
Stumbling backwards with exhaustion after slamming Cody into the ground, Mr. Big glances back at the retreating tank before turning back to glare at Cody. "Run away? Hmft. If you think anything was settled here then you're stupider than you look." Backing up a few paces as Haggar approaches, Mr. Big stoops to pick up his gun and stuff it back in his vest before turning towards the City Hall doorway. "Don't worry baby, I'll be back for you soon. Wear something sexy," he requests from Jessica as he blows her a kiss before turning to trot off towards the tank and hoisting him on top of the slow moving vehicle.
Jessica frowns, her fist quivering at her side as the incensed woman wonders if it's really worth it to flip him off in response. She decides that it isn't. And it might just encourage him further. Making a small noise of disgust, Jessica emerges from the doorway and approaches Cody, reaching for his shoulder. "You okay?" she asks quietly, wrinkling her brow.
Well, the tank goes a good bit faster. Doubling from three miles per hour to six once Mr. Big is back in tow. "Don't be hasty, Mr. Hagger..." Rolento calls over his shoulder before they begin to very slowly retreat into the city. "Hahahahaha!!!" After a few moments, Rolento frowns and glances behind. City Hall is maybe 30 meters away. Sighing exasperated he trudges off the side of the tank and to his feet with a wince, before rapidly outlimping the tank as he heads further into the city.
"I'm fine," grunts Cody, reaching up to run a hand through his hair to straighten it but only serving to effectivelly lather it with blood. "Where's the nearest Metro Burger?" he asks, suddenly. His priorities are obvious, here!
Mike Haggar arrives! And says gruffly, "About five blocks down, across several tanks and men armed with rocket launchers."
Jessica nods, flinching a little as she inspects her father's injuries. Eesh. He certainly didn't hold back in a fight. And those tank shells weren't exactly gentle! "Let's get you two back inside," Jessica suggests...even if it sounds more like a plea. "You're both hurt. I'll fix you guys something hot to eat, and bandange your wounds." She wraps her slim hands about Haggar's elbow, tugging gently.
"I'm fine," insists Cody, looking frustratedly in the direction he expects the Metro Burger asked of to be in. "I just need to take a nap, s'all. And we," he adds, turning to point shakily at Haggar. "Need to talk in your office. Later. Guy should be there, too. And... that guy. Who's the... boss. Of the cops."
Mike Haggar makes no resistance toward Jessica, letting her lead him toward City Hall. He pauses, though, when Guy is mentioned, turning toward Cody with a rare expression in his face: sorrow. "Cody... Guy's dead." Boardpost 9/20, for our viewers at home. Haggar clearly doesn't want to talk about the situation right now, turning back toward City Hall and moving in through the doors.
Cody had, in fact, already started towards City Hall when Haggar says that. He keeps walking for several steps and then stumbles suddenly to a halt, turning to stare at the Mayor. "Sorry, what?"
Jessica falls silent. She knows Cody is upset, and she can't blame him for it. She just bows her head for a moment, gathering up her emotions and stuffing them away. No sense in feeling hurt at his reactions. She reaches for her father's big arm and hugs it silently, the only comfort she can really give. "It was Rolento," she responds, her voice nearly a whisper. "He blew up the rooftop they were fighting on, it was all over the news." Didn't he know?
Mike Haggar remains wordless, his step becoming a bit deadened as he moves up the steps. The city's in chaos, there's a goddamned tank rolling away, and now fresh memories being opened up at a bad time. It's all really just catching up with Haggar, and so he says nothing. Don't want all that to burst out at a bad time like this.
Cody doesn't move from his spot, staring intently at Jessica and then at the space where she used to be when she moves away. "Go on in without me," he mutters, staggering to the steps of City Hall and collapsing heavily onto them. "I'ma keep watch out here."
Mike Haggar turns his head toward his daughter, nodding once. Let the man grieve like he wants to. "Come in when you're ready, Cody. I'll make sure there are some burgers left." He opens the door ahead of him, pausing to let Jessica through first.
Jessica hesitates. She hates seeing Cody like this; it rips her apart inside, knowing that there's nothing she can do to ease his pain. She starts to move towards him, but upon seeing the set of his shoulders, she knows he's in one of those moods where he doesn't want anyone's company. She knows she shouldn't take it personally. Her slightly outstretched hand retracts, and her eyes fall to the floor. Nodding numbly, she quickens her steps to duck into City Hall.
Log created by Rolento, and last modified on 11:24:19 11/01/2005.