Description: Rolento's renewed test of the Bernstein heir ends with a similar result to their first meeting: the Commander squeaks by without the teacher becoming the student, by the skin of his teeth. (Winner: Rolento)
World Warrior; A bothersome prospect in the best of circumstance. The last thing Rolento needs is a place for the Ikari warriors to ambush him, and as such he has managed to forcedly move the location to one of the most remote. The proprietors seemed content enough to allow this unscheduled detour, which happens to be in the midst of a frozen tundra, surrounded by bobbing iceburgs. The bundled camera crew is near a makeshift tent and multiple heaters. Adelheid might be unhappy with the arrangements, given he'd not of known about it until they were already heading to the iced-over landscape. But the sound of a helicopter already beats heavily into the still air, Rolento standing in the midst of a makeshift circle. The ground is treacherous and slick, and completely open. But there seems to be no difficulty in navigating it for Rolento, whom has adjusted his boots to have tiny spikes upon the tips. Adelheid might not have that advantage. Whoever said life was fair.
Upon the other's arrival, baton already lazily impacting a palm, there would be a solemn nod offered. "Adelheid Bernstein. It has been some time. You appear stronger from my recollection. However! I have grown stronger as well. Let us compare within this pointless facade; I might have withdrawn had it been with a meaningless opponent..." And then he shifts, settling into an aggressive posture as his vehicle continues to whirl around overhead.
COMBATSYS: Rolento has started a fight here on the right meter side.
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|-------\-------\0 Rolento
COMBATSYS: Rolento takes no action.
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|-------\-------\0 Rolento
COMBATSYS: Adelheid has joined the fight here.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rolento
The arctic? Really, who is Rolento kidding? No one could be hunting him -this- hard, could they? Of course, the young Bernstein doesn't entirely buy into Schugerg's assassination of one of the few men his father never managed to murder when he had the time, desire, and opportunity. While Heidern is little more than a ghost story to the platinum blonde, he's certainly familiar with the Ikari leader's exploits. ... and survive against the odds, despite it all. Still, maybe the Mercenary commander is missing his other eye, now. Victory comes in small increments, right?
Sometimes those increments come quite quickly, as in combat. The roar of a snowmobile heralds the arrival of the Bernstein heir, quite well equipped for the snow after all. Heavy, ice-crunching, no-slip boots not unlike Rolento's on his feet, and a heavy, yet rather flexible black and silver snowsuit that covers him from head to toe, and looks more like something one might expect on a tactical recon soldier than a fighter. But these are harsh conditions. The mirrored, jet black helmet is removed, spilling his blonde mane out in a wild, windblown mess, as his alert crimson eyes settle on Rolento. Most of the terrorist "idealist"'s words are lost to the purr of the craft that brought him here, but Adel does dismount after a moment, the engine clicking off. While he doesn't get every detail of the formalities, it's clear enough what Rolento's sentiments are. The platinum blonde simply smiles slightly, slowly, and stretches his neck to one side.
The challenge has been answered, the invitation left open, and Adelheid waists no time in taking it. A burst of snow is the only warning Rolento gets, as the Bernstein heir hurtled forward rather suddenly, levelling a leaping snap-kick from one harshly edged heel straight in for Schugerg's face. It's not pulled in the least, but Rolento can take it, right? Either way, it comes with a partner, as Adelheid intends to land lithely on his kicking leg, in the same instant his posture reverses, and the other foot crashes up and around in half rotation axekick aligning bootheel with skull.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Rolento with Double Tomahawk.
Glancing Blow
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Adelheid 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Rolento
In contrast, Rolento appears to be wearing nothing to protect himself from the weather. His standard yellow suit with crimson beret is donned, four grenades dangling from the harness upon his chest -- but more ordinance of startling number doubtlessly unseen within the bulk of his vest. Despite exposed arms and relatively thin covering, there's no sign of cold or chill. He had intended to focus himself in preparation, but finds that Adelheid is quicker on the draw. Digging in his toes, he hurtles himself backwards, the movement little more then a blur. At first glance, and to anyone witnessing via camera, it's a complete evasion. But obviously there was partial contact; The beret is knocked askew, and it would seem the elder fighter had been clipped near his unwounded eye, red welt growing. "...Affirmative. Let us dispense of any pleasantries. Ready?" Crouching down, the end of his baton slams into the ice-caked ground, and there's a look of sublime bemusement. Last time, Adelheid fell due to superior tactics. Has that aspect changed in these years?
COMBATSYS: Rolento focuses on his next action.
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Adelheid 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Rolento
While extreme, hardened fighter physique may be enough to keep the elements at bay... why waste energy on something a little extra fabric can provide. Perhaps it could impede motion, but... the uniform seems quite well fitted to him, and indeed on par with military precision. Such is the 'R' lifestyle, an existence only slightly more 'civilized' than Rolento's little, highly disciplined outfit. Adelheid can feel the bootspikes draw the proverbial first blood, though the errant level of contact is immediately noticed. And accomodated for, hopefully.
Adelheid has come a fair distance in this tournament. Particularly considering the platinum blonde's scarecely 16 years on this green Earth. Rugal's training is good for something, and in this instance, it's focus. Clarity. Intensity. Sure, Rolento hurtles backwards in a blur, the Bernstein heir's kicks finding little purchase on their target....
But Adelheid doesn't hesitate. In the same flash of barely recorded footage, Adelheid launches right back in at Rolento. Superior tactics, or perhaps explosives in an enclosed space, have told him all too clearly how dangerous this man is... and he's neither distracted by, nor interested in random banter with the cagey fugitive, it would seem. Instead, his answer is a third kick, this one propelling him in after Rolento. Quite simply, the young fighter seeks to put an abrupt and premature end to Rolento's baton-twirling and goading.
COMBATSYS: Rolento parries Adelheid's Medium Kick!
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Adelheid 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Rolento
But the response is likely the exact opposite that Adelheid would of wanted. As he surges forward, the purpose of his baton upon the ground becomes apparent. It bends heavily, body shifting before utilizing it as a springboard, hurtling him overhead in a heartbeat. The other man's foot hits only air, and although Adelheid doubtlessly knew there would be vulnerability in the attempt, he had probably not intended for Rolento to be capable of attacking during it from superior vantage point. Twisting around, one hand grips a grenade before he lets out a drawl statement, flicking it downwards with precise speed for the other boy's back. "GO!" Were it to be executed as intended, the eruption of flame and shrapnel should do what at least one half of the engaging parties wanted; Send him skidding backwards, and give some room for Rolento to work his own magic as he'd land upon the ground nearby.
COMBATSYS: Rolento successfully hits Adelheid with Grenadier EX.
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Rolento
That definitely qualifies as a plan that did NOT work out in his favour. There's no denying the pain involved in this exchange, and Adelheid winces for it even as he whiffs through the air. He was afraid of that. But there's nothing for him but to give his all, to take the fight as far as he can... and in this case it lands him hard on the icy ground. He skids to a stop rather quickly, but all that buys him is an instant to open his mouth in shocked not-quite horror as that damn grenade goes 'tink, tink tink' along the ice.
BOOM!! Adelheid throws his arms up in front of him, buying him a lot of gashes as shrapnel and ice mix to scrape a painful multitude of gashes along his arms and upper body. It's not as bad as it might have been, either due to his 'progress'... or his now rather torn up fancy suit. Either way, Adelheid gives Rolento his breathing room... and takes his own, backing up a step, then two. His crimson eyes narrow, and he returns Commander Schugerg's veteran's intensity in kind... an intent, reconsidering alertness that's almost predatory. A warrior trained from birth. Perhaps even bred. Adelheid smiles slightly, "Dangerous as ever. But you'll need more than that." His first words, calm tenor floating with near-praise... and taunting encouragement.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid focuses on his next action.
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Rolento
"You cannot hide the effects of the blow from me, Adelheid Bernstein. Or the subtle shift of your adaptive style. My eye sees more then you anticipate." Suddenly Rolento backflips, further bridging the distance between the pair as he suddenly yanks out a single steel knife. Twirling it about, it's launched through the air with pinpoint precision, seeking to embed itself in the youth's shoulder and send him stumbling backwards. An evasive technique, more then anything. To break his guard, or goad him into early action. The elder man lands, now thirty yards between. It might take some effort to get near enough to manage a meaningful attack at this point -- which is exactly as Rolento intends it. So far, this fight is going precisely as planned.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid interrupts Stinger from Rolento with Genocide Cutter.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0 Rolento
"Adaptation is key." Adelheid murmurs simply, his voice remaining even. Rather than stumbling backwards, Adelheid is already sprinting forward as Rolento unsheathes the blade. There's no distance to gain, and despite the impressive leap, Adelheid's own brings him /into/ the knife, a lunging shoulder bashing it aside, though not without one more nice, bleeding gash into the Bernstein heir's flesh. His teeth grit, austere brow knitting, and his momentum is doubled and redoubled by the whirling upwards motion of his right foot. A rising crescent roundhouse, cartwheeling the youth up and in on Rolento's leap at its very apex. A whirring blade of vibrantly luminescent chi cleaves the path of his booted foot as it makes rather substantial contact with Schugerg's chest and jaw on its rocketing ascent. The ragged edge of wind-chi shimmers and fluctuates, rippling the air where it just sought to rip Rolento in two.
Luckily for Schugerg, the Genocide Cutter, at least Adelheid's variant, isn't quite THAT deadly... but it does serve to put the Bernstein heir right back in the game, in dramatic fashion. He twists forward, landing lightly despite his heavy footwear, in a subtle shockwave of blowing snow. He doesn't reply further, simply locks his eyes on Rolento, wherever the deadly commando may have landed... to follow up the assault, ideally.
The sudden laceration across Rolento's chest is noticed with a mild grunt, skidding backwards in an awkward land. But he digs his toes into the snowy soil once more, allowing a mild smile. He anticipated that reaction. That Adelheid managed it merely speaks of his mastery. But much of his focus was broken in insuring it landed, and the advantage is hardly shifted irrevocably against him. Locked eyes show that another surge forward has taken place, Rolento twisting overhead while arcing out his heel and snapping it down with frightful speed. Aiming to strike right into Adelheid's own, precisely where his blade just grazed, and slam him into the ground. The speed and precision is almost unnatural. "...You are not the only one who is adaptable. But who has the experience in combat cannot be questioned, even if your training was superior to my own."
COMBATSYS: Adelheid blocks Rolento's Mekong Delta.
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Rolento
Unnatural speed and precision are par for the course, with these two fighters... in an instant, Adelheid pushes back to a full, albeit casual standing stance, and his flexed forearm circles high, deflecting the descending heel wide with a bruising glance off a forearm that's remarkably resilient... a definite improvement over the last time Rolento 'tested' Rugal's only son. Of course, Adelheid knows well of Rolento's capabilities where being unpredictable and adaptable are concerned... and it was a pain and a half clearing all that char off the Black Noah's deck after the grenades he set off last time, that's for sure.
Despite the neck in neck intensity, Adelheid seems more satisfied than pressured. This is the kind of battle he came here for, and even as Rolento lands, he'll find himself face to face with a determined Adelheid... who happens to be far less pummeled than Schugerg might have hoped. His black-gloved right palm shoots forward with the weight of a lunging shoulder behind it, seeking to clasp his hand over Rolento's face... and squeeze. With force enough to allow him to heft Schugerg off the ground by that grip, and hurl him forwards. Though the clenched fingers would hold, should the grip be found... it would be the explosion of point-blank windshear released in a punishing, chaotic storm of blades from Adelheid's palm that actually blasted Rolento back.
COMBATSYS: Rolento blocks Adelheid's Scorpion Deathlock.
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Adelheid 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Rolento
This fight is still neck and neck; There's scarcely a nuance of advantage in either court, although Rolento seems intent on rectifying the latter at the very least. Grasped by the face, the baton is gripped by either side before snapping upwards and breaking the contact just as the explosion takes place. Rolento stumbles backwards. But Adelheid might realize that's complete crockery. Rolento would never stumble. His impossible coordination and precision is what makes him such an alarmingly good fighter. Thusly, that is the only hint he gets as an almost invisible wire shoots up, deposited via the initial stinger which lays far behind. "...Ready?" It seeks to snap around the other's throat, tightly. The helicopter now maneuvers to hover overhead, hook descending from the base...
COMBATSYS: Rolento successfully hits Adelheid with Take No Prisoner.
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Adelheid 1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0 Rolento
And it seems the maneuver works as intended. "GO!" Rolento leaps upwards just as the pressure about Adelheid's throat is at the maximum, looping it over the base of the hook. And as he descends, he yanks the younger fighter skyward, applying every bit of force he has with a snarl. His right fist shoots out, but just before impacting the ground, Adelheid's head hits the hook above. For a few agonizing seconds that pressure continues, and then the baton is twirled around to gently tap it. TWANG. It breaks, allowing Adelheid to crash upon the ground in a likely crumpled and uncomfortable heap.
OHSHI---
Take No Prisoner is always that kind of a moment, and while Adelheid drops his weight as soon as he sights, or perhaps senses the sproining zipline, the hurtling garrote catches him anyway... and up he goes. Quite naturally, he chokes, trying valiantly but rather uselessly to keep his neck tense, fighting the whole time, but the surprise was complete, the ambush sprung, and Adelheid drops after a rather painful journey.... landing on his knees in the snow. He gasps for breath, a gloved hand rubbing at his throat, as Rolento is regarded on the periphery of his vision.
Defeated? No, that spark's not out of him yet, and he's practically bleeding chi, the arctic landscape fluttering in a windy outward burst as the last of his fighting spirit burns, "I've seen that trap." He murmurs a bit hoarsely, giving a bit of a cough, "But now it's sprung. Your machine flies higher, and it's just you... and me."
COMBATSYS: Adelheid gains composure.
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Adelheid 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Rolento
"Do not make such brazen claims. It was just you and me in the first occasion I defeated you." Rolento mulls, before advancing forward once more with his body low to the ground. Again he shoots out his right hand, attempting to snag Adelheid by the throat. One foot would pivot, trying to snake behind an ankle in order to deposit the other man with incredible force against the ground, a basic Krav Maga takedown; Which is not much different then others, other then the fact it's more savage and can potentially break one's ankle in the descent, outside knocking the air from a person's lungs. "You can see my current plan. But I can see two steps ahead... That is the difference between us!"
COMBATSYS: Adelheid interrupts Medium Throw from Rolento with Crown Prince.
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Adelheid 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Rolento
"No claims." Adelheid replies calmly, "Merely an observation. You're the one claiming superiority..." The young Bernstein eyes the rapid charge, lowering his own center of gravity as he pivots back on one foot. His ankle is still caught, but it follows the other in short order, and the young Bernstein rolls heels over head backwards into a crouch, shoving both hands forward, "I JUST CLAIM TO BE YOUR PEER, NOT YOUR 'STUDENT'!!!" Schugerg can keep his grades and self-glorifying. Adelheid is here because of Schugerg's strength... and his own, but that's as far as that goes. The shout comes in perfect synchronicity with a sudden, absolutely rampant storm of silver-white power. The storm crashes over Rolento, turning his offensive into a rather punishing battle against a sheer riptide of raw chi. The wave is man-high, raging with chaotic lances of windblow energy, the tumultuous hurricane washing over the commando commander, and likely taking him with it as it blasts a wide bearth across the tundra.
The platinum blonde braces against the conjuring of the not-Kaiser-Wave, his well-muscled arms flexing furtively as he pushes his gathered power into that singular tidal wave. Maybe he doesn't have the next plan firmly in his mind.... or maybe he does. Or maybe that he doesn't gives him the versatility to succeed! ... or something in there, somewhere. Either way, there's nothing to criticize in the violent culmination of those years of training. That the veteran might still be beyond his reach isn't the point. No hesitation.
"...You seem to be overreacting to fact, Adelheid..." Rolento muses. This is peculiar, as he fully realizes he has no possible defense. Instead he manages the statement at the outburst, before he's entombed within the burst of chi, blown backwards like a leaf in the wind. Landing on his back and skidding away painfully, Rolento manages to twist around and land in a crouch, breathing heavily before suddenly vaulting overhead. Ceasing his offense at this point would be suicidal. Instead he lands a few meters away in a tight ball and suddenly /rolls/ forward, aiming to impact into the other man and blow him backwards with a snarl, trying to end the fight in a somewhat laughable manner...
COMBATSYS: Adelheid blocks Rolento's Mekong Delta.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Rolento
Does Rolento have him backed into a corner? The audience is likely split on the issue right this minute, but the Bernstein heir has definitely been having to give his all to even keep up with the cagey commando... and that pursuit is still questionable, at best. But surrender is not a tendency looked well upon in his family, and Adelheid just pushes for that extra, unnameable commodity, shoving crossed arms into the rolling Rolento, a firm defense that stops his hurtling roll rather abruptly, albeit jarringly for Adelheid as well. Shoving forward, Adel's arms unclench, and his palms shove forward for Rolento's chest. He seeks to catch the veteran soldier off balance, and his ambush would come from within Schugerg.
Swirling, dark grey-silver winds gust to life, coruscating violently in a rather symmetrical, raging disc of swirling chi. This is summoned before his palms, with the clear and imminent intent of conjuring a rather sudden flashstorm of power in-line with or even virtually /inside/ Rolento's chest... to rather explosive results. One more push... the Bernstein heir isn't going to give in to his adversary just because Schugerg asked nicely.
COMBATSYS: Rolento blocks Adelheid's Dark Barrier.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Rolento
But one hand snaps out and grips the offending wrist, wrenching it away as the onslaught of energy is began. And then Rolento begins to twirl around his baton at a frightful speed, before shooting it out point-first in an attempt to peg the other fighter right in the solar plexus. Hard. If done successfully, all air would be thrust out of his lungs, and he might find himself doubled over and out of breath. ...And mayhaps out of the fight. "I gave you two options to intercept me... You made them both, but I still calculated this as the end result... You are impressive. It is rare I am on my last fallback plan, Adelheid Bernstein. You retain my respect as you did that day, regardless of outcome."
COMBATSYS: Adelheid fails to interrupt Weapon Jab from Rolento with Reppukyaku.
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|======-\-------\0 Rolento
COMBATSYS: Adelheid can no longer fight.
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|======-\-------\0 Rolento
Fallback plans abound! Rather than raise his defenses again, Adelheid surges forward... squarely into a swinging baton. The air leaves his lungs, his top half suddenly moves at reverse velocity in opposition to his sprinting legs, and he's knocked squarely to his back on the unforgiving tundra, landing with a ground-crunching impact, his legs splaying below him a moment later, previously kicked haphazardly into the air. He may have been planning something, but today it lands the young warrior soundly on his ass. A deep, gasped breath refills his lungs, and crimson eyes squint to reaquaint to the sudden... blinding glare off the snow. His head clears in a few moments... but too many to keep fighting, even if his dazed state seems shortlived indeed.
Not the most punishing way to be downed, but it served its purpose.. and Adel rises to his feet after those moments of regaining his breath, "Your skill was the only thing worth this... roadtrip." Adelheid observes dryly, "And you'll find plenty more where you're headed next." In that, Adel envies Schugerg. But only a little... there are many places to seek his unique 'education'. He doesn't seem inclined to mince words with Rolento, at least on camera, and his snowmobile becomes his destination, snowboots tromping evenly through the icy expanse.
Immediately Rolento shifts to press his knife upon Adelheid's neck, raising up his baton with intent on bringing it down during this moment of weakness with potentially crippling force. It's here that the match is called; It only took a split moment of vulnerability and full desire to end a fight for victory to slip to the elder man. He retreats, sheathing his weapon as the helicopter flits overhead. "We still have business I wish to attend. ...Current events dictate I move up my operation. I trust we can counsel after this?" Rolento doesn't pause to wait for a response, instead flicking a simple card in the other boy's direction while gripping a line. A lazy salute is offered; He's not staying here longer then necessary, after all. Upon it is only a radio frequency, but one in direct contact with the USPL leader. What else he has to say will sadly be missed by the television audiences...
COMBATSYS: Rolento has ended the fight here.
Log created on 19:29:00 05/01/2007 by Adelheid, and last modified on 18:53:42 09/13/2007.