Description: A Neo League match takes on a darker twist as Hotaru stifles her fear in facing the malevolent Marise. (Winner: Hotaru)
The more informal cousin to some of the larger fighting events such as King of Fighters or World Warrior, the Neo League matches can come about from a variety of ways. Sometimes specific challenges are issued and answered. Other times the staff will pit fighters against each other that they think will make for an interesting fight to bring in the ratings. Sometimes it's as innocuous as just a random drawing as the organizers are looking for a pair of names to fill some air time with, regardless of the record or background of the fighters. And other times strings are pulled by interested parties to make a random match up... not so random after all.
Hotaru isn't sure which events transpired to bring her to tonight's fight. The name of her opponent as provided by the invitation to appear is a complete unknown to her - Marise Satsuko. A scan of various public records, fight reports, and even flipping through backed up Neo League footage on DVDs revealed nothing. A newcomer, she concluded, deciding to accept the invitation, making it her second Neo League match after coming back to Southtown.
She's used to League matches taking place before a large audience in some famous location. Cameras, lights, sometimes a stage... crowds, officials, backed up traffic... The Works. This evening's match is nothing like that though. Substituting for some famous piece of architecture or an important landmark will be the slum ridden, nigh fetid Southtown river. Of lights, there are few. Near the tall walls that cordon off this area black shadows dwell. Cameras are mounted and manned and an official waits at the location, but there is no place for an audience, nor are there any ostentatious banners or decorations announcing a fight to take place here. Stepping out of the back seat of a large black sedan that brought her here, courtesy of the Neo League, Hotaru looks around, wondering for a moment if this is even the right place. She knows sometimes the NL hosts like to mix it up a bit, give viewers a taste of something different for a change. But she didn't expect that to ever factor into one of her own appearances.
Hopping down from the embankment to the flat, cement area selected as tonight's 'stage', Hotaru glances around. The only two ways out are back up a ladder of rebar to the streets above or by jumping into the river that acts as the border for the other side. "This is unusual," murmurs Hotaru, idly tightening one of her hair ribbons, her expression neutral.
Even the Camera men seem bored.
The location is hardly ideal, but then the lower brackets of the Neo League tend to be minor affairs. Unless, that is, a well reknowned fighter of a prestigous tournament makes an appearance. While most matches may be recorded, few new entrants are ever picked up by a local network. The small crew is likely recording this for academic purposes than expecting anything exciting.
Certainly, Futaba's first smashing victory has earned enough notoriety that a few are watching what could be a meteoric rise. Some of the most famous of the Neo League warriors are adorable young women, after all. Undoubtedly quite a few admirers are beginning to take notice.
Of course, Hotaru's opponent seems fairly unimpressive on paper. More than likely fresh meat to bump up the statistics of the better known fighters.
Although, the moment the small girl notices her opponent.. She'll realize that this Marise Satsuko is far, far more familiar than she knew.
Opposite on stage of putrified concrete stands a familiar, ominious figure. Her shadow cast long upon the cracked surface and seems almost to reach for her in the lengthening shadows of sunset.
"Hotaru.. Futaba.." A syllabant voice whispers from beneath the thick shadow of a dark parasol. Held over her shoulder and blotting out her bleak silouette, leaving only the voice. And the silent tension. Magnified by the awful smell of the nearby river, the sweet smell of rot, the splendor of decay from this tarnished and broken place.
Marise's kimono shifts just a fraction, a ghost coming alive once more.
"We meet again."
The voice is unmistakable. Although heard only briefly before - and above the pattering of her feet as she fled at that, there's no way the young fighter could forget. The shadows hide the face she knows is there, the image fresh in her mind. Her hands lowering to her side as she finishes adjusting the ribbon, Hotaru pauses in her steps, visions of the dark alley from before filling her mind. How is it that the darkness that has haunted the edges of reason in her mind manifests itself here? This cannot just be some mere fighter!
A doubting glance is cast back toward the officator, but he is already climbing his way back out of the embankment via the rebar ladder. Now that the fighters are in place, he'll be happy to declare the start of the match once he reaches the top.
Finding no help in that direction, Hotaru looks back toward her opponent, feeling the same nervousness that bid her flee the last time she encountered this spectre of a woman. When she went to face Dante, she had taken hours to prepare herself. Meditating, training, and going over what she would say to him in her mind over and over until it became a rote script ingrained in her mind. But this time, she had no such warning to prepare herself. Her courage will be tested on the spot now.
Opening her mouth, Hotaru asks the question that had been burning in the back of her mind since the chance encounter in a dark thoroughfare. "You... What happened to the cats in the alley?" Did they flee like Itokatsu convinced her to do? Or was their fate something different?
From up top, the offical calls out, "Roll the cameras!" Seconds pass, before he continues, "This match brings us Hotaru Futaba verses Marise Satsuko." Another second passes, before he calls out, his voice echoing against the walls of the concrete canyon, "Fight!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru has started a fight here.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|
No warning at all.
Face to face with her moment of fear, returning to her now as inescapable as her own shadow.
he tall, stygian-swathed woman turns in an elegant, weightless fashion. Her parasol descends to her side with a deliberate, careful sweep of her hands. Her kimono is neatly arranged upon her figure. A prim and proper beauty like a pale corpse laid to rest, freshly risen. The golden needles affixing her shimada hairstyle glint as she tilts her head. Eyes completely hidden beneath a veil of bangs, as those plush lips caress her words, "Is that resolve .. I see stirring in your breast?"
A sharp clack, and her parasol collapses. Discarded absently as the wooden device rolls upon the hardened surface. The sound gives further reality to her. Proving, once and for all, that there is reality to this ghost. Though her words remain deep and resonant, belying the distance between them, "..Is this how you find strength, child?.. Concern.. compassion.."
With a subtle roll of the ghost's shoulders, her Kimono falls from about her neck.. descending to a scandalous low and revealing much of her pearlescent skin, "..For your little charges?.."
Certainly making good television now! As the camera crews focus in for a moment on this new challenger. Nothing like a little skin to get the folks back home worked up.
The ethereal maiden begins to stride towards the girl now, her legs occasionally parting her skirts with every barefooted, silent step, "They are safe, little one. Their spirit is far too weak.. too small." Marise's head tilts once more as her bangs suddenly part of their own volition, revealing golden orbs faintly glowing in the dim contrast of the sunset behind her, "Yours.. however.." Golden needles seem to unhinge themselves from her hair as an ocean of black silk spills outwards and behind her.. unfurling like a shroud of swirling dark.
"..Is just right.." The woman's pale arms remain at her sides, moving forth with an imperceptable saunter. The slow approach of a predator with long-nailed fingers spreading wide..
COMBATSYS: Marise has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Marise
She's had many tell her how she finds her strength. Her father told her that she had natural ability, but that she was far too frail to become one of the Greats. Her mother told her it was love that drove her. Others have told her that she draws upon her passion for life and all that it offers to fuel her abilities. But as fate would have it, Marise gets closer to the truth than anyone before - Perhaps being especially qualified to see what strength stirs within the hearts of others. "I was worried... it was so silent then..." she answers softly.
As she begins to approach, Hotaru takes a step back, as if repeating the last encounter they had. Another step is taken as Marise provides news that the young fighter can at least take heart in. Though relieved that the animals she had taken care of in days past are fine, the ghostly woman's words fail to instill much comfort all the same. A third back step taken.
But that is the last one. How can she ever hope to face her brother if she cannot defeat her fear now? What would he say if he saw this? A filmed fight and little Futaba fled from her opponent after exchanging nothing more than mere words? No. No. Hotaru's expression becomes determined and in an instant, she moves forward, charging that which she would fear head on. Weaving in an attempt avoid any attack in response from Marise, the girl reaches for the nearest pale arm. 'You must be real,' she tells herself, hoping to find her fingers clamping down on solid flesh. If she grabs hold, Marise will find herself kicked. Repeatedly. The Kenpo artist attempting to scale her like a set of steps before kicking off to safety from her shoulders to try and land a safe distance away.
COMBATSYS: Marise endures Hotaru's Shin-Jou Tai.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Marise
This ghost.. can see.
The pale maiden's clarity seems bizarre, the intensity of her gaze.. unnerving. As if she's seeing through the young girl, to something deeper than her skin.
"..You worry often.. do you not girl?" A calm tone as she continues to approach, it would be soothing if it was not so.. "I can see it in you.. your blood stirs wi-"
And so the little lioness pounces, finally backed into a corner and lashing out with her strength! Desperation? Or the rebirth of courage?
The girl's hand meets the ghost's wrist, dispelling the illusion of the incorporeal as the Chinese boxer strikes over and over. Pounding the taller woman who's whole body seems to convulse with every strike, the force running through her as every blow strikes true. Her curves offering many places to tread upon as the woman lolls back in the manner of a lifeless doll..
But she does not topple.
As the Kenpo artist lands safely upon her feet.. she discovers that the distance is not nearly so safe.
With alarming speed, the ghost strides forth. Looming forth with hands outstretched, nearly immediately recovering from the solid blows with a few darkened marks to mark their passage, "... Let me taste your fighting spirit child!" Her voice raised as she seeks to simply get her hands on the girl's cheeks.. And should she make contact...
COMBATSYS: Marise successfully hits Hotaru with Maou Zansatsu.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Marise
..Cold fingers clasp at Hotaru's cheeks and neck. The gesture could seem affectionate .. but there the only emotion running across the Ghost Maiden's face is .. hunger.
The veins and arteries beneath the girl's skin bulge abruptly as warmth begins to leave her.. Oozing away from her body as the skin of the monsterous woman's fingers begins to tinge crimson.. the color leeching into her deathly body with a rosey hue.
Recovering her footing leaves her vulnerable, the woman catching up with her faster than the girl had expected after having seemed to move so much slower before. Turning around to brace herself for retaliation, she attempts to snap her head to the side to avoid the incoming hand for her cheek, only to get caught by the neck all the same.
She expects to be choked for thrown, the typical options fighters select from when they get a good grip on her like that. What she doesn't expect is the sense of being drained simply by contact. Eyes widen with distress as she begins her struggle anew, finally twisting her way to freedom. One hand lifts to her neck, find her skin cool and clammy to the touch. What WAS that? Nothing like she had ever felt before. All she knows is that she wants to keep from having to endure that again.
It isn't with casual hope that she decides to try and keep the feminine wraith at bay. Hotaru draws one hand back, collecting chi around her fingers. The motion continues into almost an underhanded lob, her hand propelling the blue ball of force forward, "Perhaps another taste," she murmurs as the projectile speeds forward, the color of deep saphire glowing in the dark.
COMBATSYS: Marise blocks Hotaru's Hakki Shou EX.
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Hotaru 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Marise
The woman's fingers are plucked away from the girl's flesh as she twists. Her golden eyes widen a fraction as her hands remain outstretched. Not a drop of that crimson escapes her fingertips as the color seeps deeper into the whiteness of her body, fading from view entire like a cooling heat.
"Nnnmm.." Marise's breathy voice purrs, "..More.. Much m-" Taking another step closer..
Only to see the girl's true spirit awaken.
The monster's eyes widen a fraction as she witnesses the blossom of chi from deep within the girl. Her desperate resolve coming to the surface and flaring along her natural lines of power. The sort of power anathema to creatures such as she.. With a startled hiss the unearthly woman throws her arms before her, just in the nick of time as the pure force rolls over her body. Her defenses barely holding as the ghost scoots back a few feet from the impact.. trails of smoke rising from the edges of her skin where that ball of energy contacted.
Arms slowly sweeping outwards from that hasty block.. The ghost's expression contorting from its serenity to one of outrage. That.. hurt. "..A vibrant power, girl." Arms held out to her sides as she leans forwards, "... It is joined.. then."
The ghost then slowly inhales, a deep haunting breath as her hands arrise. The air seems to still as the faint breeze of the turning night drops away around her. A chillness wafts about as her shadows lengthen and dim a fraction.. As if this creature was drawing nearby warmth and life into her.. an entropic radiance..
COMBATSYS: Marise gathers her will.
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Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Marise
The effect the ball of burning force has on her opponent is somewhat surprising to Hotaru. She's used that attack to buffet many a foe or practice target in the past, but never had it invoked a reaction quite like that. A weakness to use, perhaps? Though such an effort would be incredibly draining to sustain for too long. Her opponent may be able to see what courses in her blood or the well from which her resolve is drawn, but sustaining attacks like that are difficult for the girl. Perhaps her training or age have yet to help her reach her full potential.
As a pause presents itself, Hotaru doesn't relent. Sprinting into action, she springs forward into a dive, covering the distance her own projectile provided her moments ago with extreme speed. Nimble hands catch her dive, allowing her to convert her momentum into a swift roll. She leaps out of the roll with the same speed she entered it, maintaining her kinetic energy with precision. Coming down out of the second hop, she attempts to attack directly with a quick flurry of two punches at about chest level, one with each hand, followed by a moment to brace herself before punching out in both directions from her with a palm press. The palm that bears in on Marise's stomach has all the potential energy behind it that she built up with her rapid assault, enough to knock even larger men over if they underestimate her.
COMBATSYS: Marise endures Hotaru's Soushou Shin.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=======\=====--\1 Marise
The dark maiden all but welcomes the attack. Her arms remaining open for the diminutive warrior as she cuts loose with her great strength! Perhaps this fiendish creature did underestimate her.. and it shows as even as she sees the attack coming, she takes the hard strike directly to her stomach.
The woman -buckles- over as the ghost feels the impact through every inch of her body. Doubling forwards as golden eyes widen and a moan of impact blasts from her lips. Bare feet lifting from the concrete a few inches as the woman just begins to fly back..
..Only for hands to quickly dart for the girl! Attempting to clutch at her yet again and keep her from toppling from the force of the mighty impact alone. "..Giiirrrll.." She rasps breathlessly, flecks of dark crimson spattering from her lips...
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Marise's Yomi no Junan.
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Hotaru 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Marise
Though she struck with all the force her body could force into her hands, Marise manages to stay upright, though not necessarily grounded! It's really hard to not suspect she's fighting a ghost with abilities like that - When the friction of the ground is not a component of her opponent's movement, Hotaru really has to wonder. That will probably teach her to accept hits like that again from the disarmingly frail looking fighter.
As those threatening arms come at her once again, Hotaru reacts quickly, drawning upon lessons that go way way back to when she was a child. One arm sweeps to the right, her pushing into the inside of Marise's elbow, the other hand comes from the outside and sweeps to the right as well, pressing against the outside of the woman's other elbow. The motion serves to redirect those deadly, clutching fingers of hers to the side for the most part, though one hand still strays close enough to scrape by the Kenpo artist's cheek, drawing blood to the surface of her cheek.
The girl continues the motion, however, adjusting her horizontal chops into grips of her own on Marise's arms as she turns with the momentum to try and pull her opponent over her foot into a crude, yet often effective trip.
COMBATSYS: Marise interrupts Quick Throw from Hotaru with Onigumo no Dokubari.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Marise
While the Devillish woman would love to claim that she planned such an abrupt redirect, the reality of her movement was that she attempted to get ahold of the little girl before the impact would fling her away. The mighty girl, however, was far too quick for that! Her hands only clasp at the air while barely brushing the Kenpo warrior, the dark maiden's stance was non-existant already and the trip is more than successful! Easily sending the woman into a full tailspin through the air with a flourish of skirts, ribbons and locks.. It would appear that the little one has gotten the better of the exchange!
...At least, that's what it would appear as Marise manages to land ackwardly. Landing in a crouch, bare skin sliding along the harsh concrete. Her hands clutching at the merciless stone as she rasps more droplets of blood. Her head mostly hidden as her voluminous locks trail around her.
"Ky..Kyeh heh hehh.." The wraith manages out without looking up, "..Very good girl.. veery good. But.. you missed something.."
About then Hotaru will realize a quartet of long, thin needles sticking in her shoulder. The punctures hardly painful but.. something about them causes a pain to spread out from their impact point... the skin slowly turning purpilish as if the very life streams of her body begin to feedback upon themselves in disruption.
Turning around to follow Marise's trajectory, Hotaru takes a moment to catch her breath, the exertion of keeping pace with this monster wearing her down. She didn't even notice the needles until their poisonous energy begins to take its affect. Eyes widening with fright, she begins to backstep rapidly, plucking the small, malicious weapons from her skin before their corruption can spread further than it already has. The pain wracks the poor girl, her body being harmed in ways she can't even even really understand yet. A cough is the first sign of the toll inflicted, Hotaru lifting her hand to wipe the back of it across her mouth, surprised to not find blood specs on it with how she feels on the inside.
Blue eyes stare back at Marise from beneath tousled bangs, a glimmer of perspiration rolling down her temple. For the moment, her assault has been slowed as she slips back into a ready stance and catches her breath.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru gains composure.
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Hotaru 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Marise
The ominous maiden slowly begins to gather herself from her collapsed heap. Lifting her shoulders higher as she pushes up, glints of those golden eyes peaking occasionally from behind the vast dark curtain of those ebon locks. Further proof of her vitality can be heard as she too rasps for air.. the Kenpo Warrior's strikes have indeed been striking true. Herself, quite winded from the previous exchange, she also takes a moment to pause and recover. Seeing fit to add in a tone laden with effort during this moment of pause, "..This taste.." A pique of curiousity, ".. You have been.. touched by a darkness, child. Traces of.. a poisonousness. Faded.." The woman slowly returns to her feet. Her fingers flexing convulsively like spiderlegs, "..I see you have conquered your fear.. for yourself." Knowing this to be true as this girl has fought with all her heart, seeing the chi beating within, ".. Does this comfort you?.."
COMBATSYS: Marise gains composure.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Marise
Only one person's attacks would match Marise's description and Hotaru knows of what she speaks. Dante's venom, the serpent's taint that was intended to be the death of her if he had had his way. That traces of it still run through her system is the distressing detail for her, given the time that has passed. For a moment she wonders if that has played a part in the troubles she's had reacting in her Saturday Night Fights... Perhaps she needs to find help purging it from her system rather than just hoping it fades away. Marise isn't likely to be the one to help in that regard, and for the moment, she's the one the young fighter needs to worry about.
As the spectral woman takes a moment to rest as well, Hotaru grits her teeth. She doesn't feel that she has beaten fear yet... compared to Jiro, who faces everything thrown his way with the same stubbornness that may someday get him killed, Hotaru feels barely able to compare. The words may be meant to compliment, or meant to distract - But Hotaru has long since learned to ignore such things. Deciding to resume the pressure, she charges forward, closing the gap and switching from the punches she was using earlier to a chi-laden kick - from low to high, like a reverse roundhouse, she tries to strike the woman with the trail of blue energy that trails behind her foot like a shimmering wall of force.
COMBATSYS: Marise blocks Hotaru's Kobi Kyaku.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Marise
The mysterious creature regains her footing as she slowly holds up her hands once more. Clearly looking wearied and worn, but still on her feet. Much of the previous aura of menace about her beginning to unravel with her mortality becoming obvious and her strength crumbles.
But she is not defeated yet.
Seeing the little one is in no mood to talk, the gravely maiden twists her lips upwards into a rueful smile, speaking no more either. Though, her expression once-again becomes startled as the diminutive warrior rushes her. Seeing the burst of chi well up from within her again, the gaunt woman quickly throws up her arms.
Again, upon impact of the blow the dark one lets out a hiss of pain! More streams of smoke rising from the site of impact beneath her kimono as the bright energy washes across her blocking arms, forcing her to stagger a step back!
She cannot continue to repel that vibrant power.. Deciding on a more distant strategy as she continues to move backwards and away from the girl. This time the source of those needles become evident as Marise tosses her head to the side abruptly, whipping a few of her locks over her shoulder with uncanny speed and vivacious direction.
With a whip-crack of air, several of those ebon strands shoot through the air.. stiffened to needle sharpness and doubtlessly empowered with the same chi-disruptive technique as before. Clearly hurling the attack with as much speed as she can to catch the little girl off-guard..
COMBATSYS: Hotaru dodges Marise's Onigumo no Dokubari.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Marise
Given the darkness that shrouds this particular match, it's surprising that Hotaru is able to pick out the dart-like strands of deadly hair fast enough to react. But there's something about times like this where instinct plays a greater roll than any active thought, her mind passively connecting the dots and calculating the trajectory with enough accuracy to avoid the incoming attack all together. Such small things... one might be tempted to just block with their arm. But having tasted their venom once, Hotaru will have none of that if she can help it. The split second timing has her leaning to the side, the deadly darts finding their mark somewhere behind her.
And then, drawing upon Jiro for inspiration, the girl decides to do exactly what HE might in a situation like this. Darting forward again as Marise tries to keep her distance, Hotaru tries to clothesline the woman right in the stomach - this feat made easier by her shorter stature. Probably no where near as scary as it would be coming from the male bruiser, but it might get the point across all the same.
COMBATSYS: Marise interrupts Strong Punch from Hotaru with Onigumo Wanami.
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Hotaru 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Marise
The deft evasion from the little warrior brings yet another look of shock from the statuesque woman's face, "Impossib--!" A look that is only enhanced as the little girl actually -charges- her, as if she was someone twice her size. Somewhat dumbstruck, the girl easily races within immediate striking distance.. But Marise is not without her own bizarre tactics!
Just moments before striking, the girl suddenly finds herself rushed by a forest of prehensile locks! Marise's head whips downwards as the entirety of that black cloak surrounds the girl! Engulfing her in a silky prison as the strands constrict and squeeze at her body like a dozen tight garrottes. The unearthly assault also cushioning the bullish strike somewhat as Marise doubles forwards.. She has the little girl in her clutches now! Her hands beginning to rise,
"..This is the end.. child.." Purple, blood-spattered lips twist into a wicked grin!
That the woman's hair is deadly is a point that's already been driven home to the far, far younger fighter. But she had no idea just HOW deadly. The surprise of the attack alone ensures her capture by the unpredictable attack. Wrists and legs held at bay, there's little she can do but struggle as the seemingly living hair tendrils seek to cut off her ability to breath. Blood seeps into the white sleeve on one arm, the razor thin digging cut seeing to that and similar injuries aren't far off all over her body. Taking one last desperate breath before a lock around her neck seals off her ability to breath, Hotaru channels everything she has into a desperate attempt to break free.
There is a flare of chi right before she manages to start swinging her arms at Marise again. Similar to the quick flurry of blows she had delivered earlier, but this time so much faster, and far more than just two attacks.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Marise with Sou-shou Tenrenge.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Marise
It's only after the first several jabs and punches land that she finally breaks free of Marise's hold. But she doesn't stop there, the girl driving home first after fist, each arm swinging in a windmill fashion, almost like a fluid dancing motion. Chop after chop until Marise loses balance. It's then that Hotaru leaps into the air, all that chi she bears flaring around her as she dives right back down toward the woman, a chi-imbued missle of teenage wrath bent on driving the woman solidly to the ground.
The ghostly woman has caught the little fly in her web. She thought she had a chance, the little one did! Ooooh she thought she had her beaten.. she thought-..
-Wait. Wait.. what is this power?
Marise's exaultant expression slowly fades as her golden eyes widen, all but reflecting the powerful breath welling up from within the girl.. expanding outwards and burning even unto the visible spectrum.
Now it is the ghost's turn to be afraid.
The Flash of Chi alone begins to make those tendrilous locks recoil like frightened serpents, backing away from the increasing aura rising within her, giving her more than enough room to flurry herself free and striking the stunned woman soundly!
"AUUURRHH!" The dark maiden jerks and spasms with every blow, breaking her balance and composure little by little with every fluid strike like a sheet of white cloth caught in a fan. But all of those impacts pale before what comes next.. As the woman staggers back a step, eyes wide as she watches the comet of blazing energy -DRIVE- her into the ground! The sound impact -RATTLING- the nearby camera crews as a plume of hissing smoke rises into the air! Like driving a hot brand into cool water, and Marise's wailing -SCREAM- echoes throughout the decrepid riverside like a fading banshee..
Moments later.. in the aftermath, Marise is undone. Strewn upon the cracked ground with sizzling trails of smoke rising from her prone, akimbo form. Her locks splayed about her like a bleeding halo of shadow as her chest convulses with a few coughs of.. laughter. A bitter, rueful sound.. purely directed inwards..
"Kyeh heh heh..*huk*..You've won.. girl.." She rasps as she remains still.
COMBATSYS: Marise takes no action.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Marise can no longer fight.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|
Getting back to her feet, Hotaru lifts a hand to press against the bleeding cut in her other arm, stopping any further drops from spattering to the cool cement. Chest heaving as she recovers from the burst of extreme exertion, she takes several steps back from the defeated woman, staring at her, expecting limb or even hair to attack at any moment.
But the concession is clear. If her opponent had been anything other than this ghostly visage from the past, she would have felt a tinge of guilt at the condition her fallen foe is in now. But the only thought that goes through her mind now is that justice has been wrought here. To the viewers of this film, it may just seem like another fight meant to pass time at the expense of blood and sweat of the combatants. But to the diminutive victor, it meant far more than idle entertainment.
The official declares young Futaba the winner, but she barely hears him, her head throbbing with the effects of the attacks that did manage to get through her best defenses. The needles of hair are reflected upon - Will they leave their mark as Dante's chi has done? Leaving Marise to lie in place with no thought of help, Hotaru moves to the ladder, the sole exit shy of a dive into the river, and climbs up. A ride home will be waiting, as well as an offer of medical help. The former she'll accept, but the latter she doubts will be of much use to the types of injuries that hurt her the most from this encounter with the dark ninja.
Log created by Hotaru, and last modified on 10:53:38 05/05/2007.