Description: Alan R. B. calls in what would later become Blackjack after finding someone very interesting... later, that interesting thing kicks everyone in the head. Now with special sinister plot!
Getting a call from Alan is like getting a phone call from Santa Claus. It just doesn't happen, and you wonder if you're crazy for having picked up the phone. Still, like Santa, Alan has given her a gift that keeps on giving: information. Elle thrives on the stuff. The fact is that wherever there's a scoop to be had, she's there to pick it up and use it to the best advantage she can.
So when Elle hears that one of the Heroes of Metro has hit rock bottom? She has to see it for herself. The idea that he's not only an addict of some new, frightening drug intrigues her on two levels: 1) What is 'Glow'? and 2) Can she use it to control Cody like a destructive hunter killer?
The fact is, Cody is famous for making people of her level of power go 'Augh!' and fall over, only to disappear into the ether after blinking a few times. So she calls up her associates: Marise and Tran. This is too good an opportunity to pass up as she stands in the clearing, pretending to be Alan's 'guard' as he makes the deal.
The Ghostly apparition would not miss this opportunity for the world.
A benefit of being a member of this burgeoning gang. Access to strong, healthy fighters. Warriors who would destroy the mysterious woman in a fair fight.
Excellent thing that nobody present has any intention of fighting fair.
The dark woman stands at Elle's side like her shadow. Making no sound beyond the abrupt clacking of her closing parasol as the item is deposited to the ground carefully. Monitoring the ensuing 'deal' with a passive, silent demeanor.
But that knowing, quite smile never leaves her purple-painted lips.
Alan R.B. surrepetitiously kicks his briefcase filled with incriminating evidence back as Elle arrives, rolling the few vials of Glow unmarked with R's insignia that Cody was about to buy from him in his hand. A cigarette, half-smoked, dangles from the corner of his mouth. "And here's our lovely lady." Eyebrows lift as Marise, whom Alan has not met, arrives. "Hey, who's tall, dark, and traditional over here?" Marise's wrongness is felt by the blonde, but it doesn't seem to register that he should care at all. He peers over his shades at Marise, Cody apparently forgotten for now. "I don't think we've met. I'm Alan R.B., but you'll probably find a cute nickname for me soon enough."
"Uh," begins Cody, still holding a hand towards Alan, fist full of wrinkled American 20 dollar bills. He merely looks bewildered for a second before his brow furrows, and he snarls, "Hey, jackass, this is the part where I give you the money and you give me the stuff. Takes your eyes off... who the hell is this, anyways? Look, just give me the stuff!"
His voice rises dramatically in pitch at as he finishes, revealing obviously soaring levels of anxiety. Normally it might hurt his macho image, but right now he looks more like a hobo than a hunk. His hair's grown out a few inches and looks unwashed, he's got a scraggly beard. At least he's not wearing any garbage bags as clothing, though.
Still, how the mighty have fallen.
And over on the other side of Alan, looking completely bored by what's going on, is Tran. Blah blah, national hero, blah blah, ruinous effect of drugs, blah blah, Alan's hitting on Marise, blah. Nothing new here, although Tran's seriously considering making something happen. Still, there's a time to wreak havoc and a time to sit back and let Elle decide when to wreak havoc, and this is probably the latter. So in short: Tran just stays bored. He yawns.
Tran's always bored, unless he's punching something. Elle will make that happen soon enough, but first she eyes what Alan has rolling in his hands. The strange material catches her interest directly, perhaps more so than Cody or Alan, and she flicks her eyes over to Marise. Though she's only worked with the ghost woman for a little while, the eye contact should be enough to indicate her thoughts.
Part 2: Cody. Elle looks over the man. He's a wreck. But even as a derilict, he's probably stronger than any of them. As long as he can still bring power to bear? Elle doesn't care. She'll be more than happy to use him until he's killed, taken from her, or burned out on drugs. Whichever comes first. It takes some doing, however, to verify his facial features and realize that this man is truly Cody Travers. But the recognition sets in eventually.
Which leads to Part 3: Attack. She raises her hand to her face, scracthing her cheek. With a subtle motion, she makes sure Marise and Tran move to flank him. After Alan finalizes his deal? Jump.
The curiously traditional woman remains in Elle's shadow. Ebon tresses arranged artfully in a traditional bun, held in place by twin golden needles. The pale apparition may seem a bit classier than her compatriot.. if it wasn't for the exceptionally low cut of that kimono. Eyes completely hidden behind a veil of bangs, straight out of a horror movie.
Alan is regarded with a simple tilt of her head. Indeed, this is the first time the two have met.. But such introductions are best left for another time. Indeed, the woman even inclines her head in the direction of the increasingly antsy street fighter her new compatriot is supposed to be doing business with.
While Marise knows little of this man's history.. She can divine much about his present. If it was not for glimmers of strength, hidden behind his tainted life.. She would dismiss him as the hobo he emulates so closely.
But no.. her gaze can pierce that visage, obscured by desperation. There is heart.. delicious heart.. left in this one.
Her attention is divided again only by her leader's side-glance. Offering her a tilt of her head in turn, and a wordless smile. Yes indeed.
The ghost then slowly advances with unearthly grace. Her pale hands slipping from the folds of her dark kimono as she begins to approach in the opposite direction of Tran.. Her grin slowly revealing teeth that seem entirely too sharp...
So, the new babe isn't saying anything. She's looking at a lot of people and seems to have a lot on her mind, and those teeth are pretty creepy and certainly eliminate a good number of options, but whatever. Alan glances to Tran only briefly before going back to Cody - he clucks his tongue. "Hey, man, calm down, calm down, it's not going anywhere." Alan's free hand, trailing faint electricity, comes down and gets the money from Cody at the same time that the other hand slaps a few vials of Glow into Cody's /other/ hand.
"There, see? Everyone's happy. I just figured I knew someone who could open up a few new, y'know, opportunities for you." Alan gives Cody one last smirk before turning away from him, hands in pockets as he moves to his briefcase and reclaims it. He turns around to make sure he can see every moment of it - and also to distract from him slipping the case of drugs under a bush.
Cody's hand latches on to the given drugs damn near tight enough to shatter the vials they're in, Alan completely forgotten the instant the transaction was complete. He sets his prize down in the grass and stuffs one hand into his pocket to retrieve a syringe, going through the motions of preparing it for use with practiced, if frantic, motions, and occasionally stopping to scratch at glaring track marks on the inside of his left elbow.
After a few moments, he starts suddenly as he remembers the presence of the two women and 'Doctor,' and looks up. With a tired sigh, he puts on a fake smile and begins reciting. "I don't do autographs, I have a girlfriend who I love very much, I don't talk to press," he lists off. "Tell me if I should keep going or if I've covered you. And, hell, then beat it either way, I'm busy."
There, finally. That's what Tran's been waiting for, the signal from Elle to unleash hell. Or, well, close enough, anyway. He begins to step forward and to the side, matching pace with Marise. His grin should be a pretty good giveaway that something's up.
And then when Alan seals the deal? That's it. It's time to start the party. "Look alive, Travers, this ain't an autograph session!" That's all the warning the doctor gives before he swings about, leg raised, to club Cody in the back of the head with his heel.
COMBATSYS: Tran has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Elle has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Cody has joined the fight here.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Cody
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Marise has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/-------|
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
That's the cue. Elle's already moving as she shoots forward, drawing her signature weapon from it's holster on her back. The armor plated guitar gleams for a split second in the available light, but hardly long enough for it to matter. "Keep away from his head! We don't want any more brain damage!" Is the one rule she shouts out as she charges , twirling the shining guitar over her head.
The weapon is swung with considerable force at Cody's arm. The drugs will likely calm him and help him relax, if not numb him totally. Elle doesn't know the effects of Glow, but drugs she understands. Given that Cody seems to have a serious need for it and anxiety? It'll do for her to smash the man's hand away and keep him from injecting the stuff into his veins.
The weapons swings through the air like a gleaming blur as she tries to crush the famous man's arm and ribs with a single sideswipe from her weaponized instrument.
"..Busy.."
The shadowy woman finally intones. Her tone strangely haunting as her arms slowly lift. "..That you are.. boy.."
Black silk exploding from Marise's bun as her long locks cascade behind her in a hurricane of motion. Bangs parting to reveal inhuman, golden eyes glaring straight through the addict with predatory hunger.
"That you are!"
Leaning forwards for a heartbeat before rushing forwards.. Seeking to assail the young man from another direction entirely as her arm swiftly unleashes from her sleeve. Pale flesh extending no less than a half-dozen feet in a bid to grip at the young man's ankle and -PULL- him clean off his feet, assisting her allies in keeping him off balance..
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Cody with Heavy Kick.
Glancing Blow
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Elle 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/-------|
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
Alan is now standing some distance away, doing what all great cameos do: leaning against something and performing a repetitive action. In this case, he's leaning on a tree, and smoking. His current cigarette is done, so he flicks it aside and digs out another one. Let others do all the hard drugs they want - a smart dealer never partakes. The blonde shakes his head at Marise. "Now that right there is what we call in the business a 'crazy broad.' Look alive, hero!" Alan snickers to himself.
COMBATSYS: Cody blocks Elle's Medium Strike.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/-------|
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Cody endures Marise's Maou Tsuke.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/------=|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-------|
Well, this is certainly new. If there's one thing that has never happened to Cody, it's that he has never been assaulted by a group of thugs out of the blue before. He will surely be at a loss for words and action, able to do naught but succumb to the assault.
In his anxious, drug-handling state, he notices Tran's kick a split second too late, and though he attempts to duck out of the way, the foot catches him in the back of the head, skidding off but igniting stars in Cody's vision none the less.
He lurches forward from the blow, implement of intoxication spilling from his hand into the grass, but in a recently uncharacteristic turn of wisdom, he ignores it and twists instead to present his forearm to stop Elle's guitar cold in its' tracks, the only sign of exertion at the effort being a slight grunt.
Marisa he doesn't even try to avoid; oh, sure, that's pretty messed up how she stretches like that, but he's not exactly in a position to attack at the moment. That changes when he's yanked off his feet, and though he hits the ground hard on his back, he continues the motion, rocking up onto his shoulders and kipping up onto his feet, already drawing back a fist to plow it into the guitar-wielding woman's torso.
His hand stops not half an inch from contact. It's unclear why, exactly, with possible reasons ranging the gamut from the man's well-known reluctance to strike women to simply a feint. It hardly cuts down on his offensive potential, however, as his right leg suddenly draws up and pistons backwards, directly at the abdomen of one Dr. Tran.
COMBATSYS: Tran endures Cody's Medium Kick!
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Elle 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/------=|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/--=====|
This is no ordinary group of thugs. This is a hardened criminal element, headed by the nefarious, fluffy cat stroking mastermind, Dr. Tran! Or, well. Elle. Technically. Certainly, Tran is not just here to hand out and be handed shitbeatings. Certainly not.
See? Other people can do sarcasm, too. Other people can also do retarded shit like just taking the hits. Like Tran. When Cody lashes out, Tran stands there and he takes it, the force of the kick driving him backwards despite his preparedness, feet creating two furrows in the earth beneath him. But the doctor's still right there up in Cody's grill, and he looks pretty happy about it. "Not good enough, man!"
Charging forward, Tran moves to plant his shoulder into Cody's lower back, knock him down, and then punch the back of his head with chi and steam explosions until Tran's knuckles ache.
Well, well. Mr. Travers has a thing against hitting women? Elle is thankful for the hospitality. Not that such appreciation means anything good for Cody. Elle's just happy that the man didn't punch her into next year. The near punch has her steeling her frame against the assault, only to be left waiting for a strike that never comes. That's fine. She hopes Cody never learns from his mistakes. It makes life all that more easy.
Her hand raches for Cody as Tran goes for the back of Cody's head, and her face instantly switches to a snarl. "TRAN! I said /no headshots/!" There's not enough time to berate the man for making a mistake. Instead, the woman goes to eliminate him as fast as possible. There's no telling what the man will do if he ever manages to catch his bearings.
Ramming her palm straight against Cody's chest, she generates ball lightning... inside his ribcage. The crackle and sparking noise rises above the sounds of combat as she hopes to give the man a taste of what it's like to be hit with a defribulator in the middle of a brawl.
An auspicious beginning, but this young fighter has only just begun.
Seeing that Cody has engaged the good Doctor in earnest, the yurei recoils her slithering arm back to her sleeve.. stepping away carefully to allow her allies to better press the attack upon him as she gathers her strength. Waiting for the moment of opportunity to strike within the frenetic fray.
Marise's arms lower a fraction as she inhales slowly. Her breath carries an odd cadence through the air as sound draws mute. The light breeze dies away around her as she falls to stillness.. the disquiet intensifying from her presence. As if she was robbing her nearby surroundings of their energy.. leaving entropy in its wake.
COMBATSYS: Marise gathers her will.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Cody with Man of Action.
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Elle 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
Alan pipes up again: "Hey, hero, watch your stuff! Careful you don't break it and have to buy some more!" The boxer has a sneer permanently plastered on his face at this point. He doesn't do much more of note.
COMBATSYS: Elle successfully hits Cody with Rock Me Amadeus.
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Elle 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
Cody barely has time to compose himself before Tran is on the offensive again, diving onto his back and driving him to the ground, buffeting the back of his head with steamy blows. This hurts significantly more than the blonde though it would, and it even has the unfortunate side effect of letting Elle feel him up.
"God damnit!" the man bellows, frustrated; Mad Gear were so much less... touchy than this. He shan't go down without a fight, however, and so he begins to struggle to his feet. Tran initially makes it difficult, so he elects to if nothing else shrug off the real American legend from America by moving to slam an elbow quite roughly into Tran's nose.
He's getting back into the flow of multiple opponent combat, however, and Elle just electrocuted his nipples, which is neither fair nor ladylike. As such, he wrenches himself free from Tran's grip and lunges forwards, attempting to plow shoulder-first into Elle's midsection and drag her to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Elle blocks Cody's Quick Throw.
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Elle 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Tran dodges Cody's Fierce Punch.
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Elle 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
Whoa there. Cody's shoulder goes a-flyin', and Tran figures that makes now a good time to get the hell out of dodge. He rolls to the side opposite Cody's attack, hitting the ground and swiftly coming up facing the bigger man. "Well, maybe if his head stopped being such a huge target, I wouldn't have trouble not hitting it!"
Standing up straight, Tran shrugs his coat off, and then tosses it to the side. He's hanging back for the moment, watching Cody and Elle molest each other. "So hey, let me know when you two are finished playing grabass, I'll come back in and make this a fight again."
COMBATSYS: Tran focuses on his next action.
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Elle 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
The rocker looks impassive as Cody lunges for her, her body preparing adequately for the incoming attack. Elle's not Poison OR Roxy, and doesn't rely on raw speed and agility to carry the day. It's a simple matter, therefore, to lean her own weight into the attack with a raised forearm and halt the man's progress. "You're the guy that brought down Mad Gear?" Elle asks, almost incredulously as she backs up with steady steps.
"You're a pathetic has been. Old. Yesterday's model. Ready for the scrapheap," the rocker says, her voice traspy, cold, and dry. "Look at you. Nobody could love a miserable, mangy thing like you." Elle cracks her knuckles, electricity flaring to life from her fingertips. "But when /I'm/ done with you?" Her lips quirk into a hint of a smile."
"People are going to scared of you for a /whole/ different reason."
The woman raises her hand, and fires off a steady stream of electricity from her fingertips, the wildly arcing power streams seeking to wreathe the man in pure electrical pain as well as blast him backward.
Ah! The openning.
The yurei's golden eyes widen as her companions are driven back by Cody's rough-housing assault and snickering wickedly to Elle's ensuing taunts.
Taking the opportunity to join in on the hellion's electric assault; the dark maiden leans her head forwards, her locks whipping forwards in quick motions as stiffened fibers quietly javelin towards the young brawler like a brisk rain of black needles. Should the nearly-harmless needles strike.. their not-so-harmless effect will take root as the man's lifeforce is disrupted like a poison, spilling his chi out into the air like a spiritual wound.
Alan whistles sharply as Cody starts tackling all up on Elle. "Hey, hey, back off, man. I've got dibs over there." The cigarette drops out of his mouth, but he deftly catches it, showing off reflexes for no reason at all. Electricity keeps crackling off his hands with every movement.
In his head, however, Alan considers what has become the first conflict of interests in his double-dealing. Elle seems to have a notion to do something with Cody... meanwhile, Rugal is almost certainly going to want Alan to try and re-secure him. This situation could get sticky.
COMBATSYS: Elle successfully hits Cody with Pure Energy.
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Elle 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Cody
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Marise 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Cody overcomes Onigumo no Dokubari from Marise with Knife Throw.
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Elle 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
Bewildered and impressed by Elle's ability to stand strong against his tackle, he backs off, reaching up to wipe a trickle of blood from his mouth as she gives her miniature speech. When she finishes, and as she goes to make like Emperor Palpatine, he lifts his finger, digit shaking with rage, and hisses, malice in his voice...
"That's not what your mom said, bitch."
And then he lunges once again, attempting to twist out of the way of the lancing energy and failing quite admirably, the force of the blow twisting his upper body and slowing his progress, knocking him into a stagger.
It does, at least, allow him to see Marisa's attack coming, and he reaches up with his right arm and in one motion rips a switchblade from under his left shirt sleeve, opens it, and whips it at the Japanese woman, the blade crashing through the hair projectiles.
In a display of Cody's ability to make the best out of a bad tactical situation, banged into him through years of such trials as saving his girlfriend and having to fight half the football team that one time in highschool oh man that was awesome, he turns the stagger into a 360-degree spin and stumbles out of it on to one knee in front of Elle, lunging his fist upwards into her abdomen with surprisingly little follow-through.
This is because, a mere moment after he unleashes his fist, an eight-foot tall whirlwind erupts into being fully formed around Elle, threatening to rip the woman off her feet and throw her across the clearing.
COMBATSYS: Alan has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Cody
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Elle 0/-------/----===|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
Well, Cody seems to have his hands full at this point. Therefore, it's up to Tran to make him drop his balls.
What? It's a juggling metaphor, shut up.
Anyway, Tran keeps things simple, ignoring the assorted cursing and sinister planning and whatnot. He moves forward while Cody's distracted, trying to be sort of stealthy for once in his life, and plants his hands on the ground behind the criminally inclined hero. Chi wells up, and then BAM. Geyser up the butt.
COMBATSYS: Elle blocks Cody's Criminal Upper.
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
Chi tornato plus a punch? Elle's face twitches to a frown for a split second. The incoming attack slams aginst her palm, and the chi washes over her... but she survives fairly readily. Though pain seeps in through the sheer force of impact, the fact of the matter is, Elle's not so much as batted an eye in blocking the incoming attack. "We're /not/ Mad gear, Mr. Travers," is all she says.
She places one hand on his wrist, the other hand squeezing Cody's with a firm grip as she tries to lift him with a short grunt, and hurl him into Tran's incoming attack. Mad gear never used teamwork. Not like this.
COMBATSYS: Marise endures Cody's Knife Throw.
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/-======|
THUNK.
Marise's golden eyes watch that flying switchblade deflect her needles and land solidly into her shoulder with an audible smack.
The deathly woman makes not a sound, merely gazing at the metal finish of the blade unseated within her milky flesh with something of an amused fascination.
"Interesting.."
She then turns her attentions back to the young man as he engages her companions once more. Seeking to help Elle coral the youth into the good Doctor's oncoming attack, she quickly darts over with shocking speed compared to her usual ethereal grace, swiftly joining at Elle's side in a bid to -push- the fellow towards the assault. One long, pale leg seeking to entangle behind his knee while both hands shove with a measure of technique.
Cody skips Alan.
Finally, Alan pushes off from the tree, rolling his shoulders and tilting his head from side to side. "Alright, if I don't get in this soon, I'm not even going to get a little piece." Flexing his fingers, the iron ring on each shining, Alan suddenly flashes forward, markedly faster than the other three fighters.
Taking up a tight boxing stance, Alan R. B. closes the distance way too quickly, a huge amount of chi crackling into his hands. He starts things off hard and heavy, swinging both hands forward right at Cody's face. "Thunderclap!" The impact brings with it lots of crackling electricity, a loud boom of thunder, and a heapin' helpin' of concussive force.
COMBATSYS: Cody Toughs Out Tran's Dr. Tran Doles Out the Harshness!!
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Cody
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Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Cody blocks Elle's Medium Throw.
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Cody
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Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
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Tran 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Marise successfully hits Cody with Strong Throw.
- Power hit! -
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\====---\1 Cody
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Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Cody blocks Alan's Thunderclap.
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Alan 0/-------/-------|=======\====---\1 Cody
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Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/=======|
Cody is, to put it simply, buffeted by blows. The two women do their damn best to shove him into the good doctor's explosive pillar of steam- the latter Cody bears with a roar of anger, the force of the blast ripping holes in his shirt but simply rolling off his skin, and Elle's shove only causes him to stagger, but Marisa's topples the already off-balance man and causes him to fall and, as luck would have it, crack his head open on a conveniently placed rock.
Human instinct overrides him just long enough to curl into a fetal position and cover his head with his arms as even the dealer joins in, sonic and eletric force splashing against his arms.
Outnumbered and apparently at least evenly gunned, Cody twists out of his curl and rises to his knee, taking a deep breath and recalling his days fighting Mad Gear. He is, clearly, left with only one option.
Cody presses JUMP and ATTACK.
Cody presses JUMP and ATTACK at the _same damn time._
The American suddenly springs upwards a good ten feet into the air from his crouching position; at the apex of his jump, he erupts in blue light, time stopping for an instant as the American hangs there, lit up like a colorblind Christmas tree.
And then he kicks all four of his opponents in the face, at once. Not one by one; not even in quick succession, at least not apparently. Fueled by chi and rage, his right leg does its' best hydra impression, disappearing in a blur of movement and reappearing to crash outwards at the faces of his assailants, each theoretically seperate leg trailing blue afterimages.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, the power cascade is over, and Cody drops heavily back to the ground, landing on one knee with his fist in the dirt, at which time he suddenly tenses at a sudden crunching sound.
Mortified, the blonde slowly lifts his foot to peer under it to the few vials of Glow he just purchased, shattered, their contents draining into the dirt.
In a moment that will be replayed at the ex-hero's expense for decades to come, in the space of four seconds Cody begins hyperventilating, lets out a single wracking sob, throws up, and then passes out, collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Shouldn't have used the last of his health bar on that.
COMBATSYS: Cody successfully hits Alan with Final Destruction.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Alan 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Tran fails to interrupt Final Destruction from Cody with Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Alan 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
Wow, that's honestly just...wow. Cody just /took/ Tran's blast like it was nothing. That won't do at all. Heedless of anything else, Tran just keeps going, cocking his hand back to deliver a punch. It never even starts to go forward before Cody's foot /impacts/ Tran's face, sending him bouncing and tumbling backwards, until he lands in a tangled heap. Suffice to say: ow.
Regardless, Tran starts to slowly pick himself up, getting to his feet, trying to clear his vision. Is Cody down? He can't tell.
COMBATSYS: Elle endures Cody's Final Destruction!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Alan 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
COMBATSYS: Cody successfully hits Marise with Final Destruction.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Alan 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Cody
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 1/-======/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
COMBATSYS: Cody has left the fight here.
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Alan 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 1/-======/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
The kick to Alan's face just right out disintegrates his sunglasses, hurling the boxer flying back, trailing chi as he goes. He hits the ground back-first, ends up levering to his face, and just slides across the ground face-first with the rest of his body perpendicular. He digs a nice trench in the ground before falling over and slowly sitting up. The unthinkable has happened: The lightning bolt styled into his hair has become frayed.
Alan just sits there and blinks for a moment.
The whirling tornado of foot-based destruction flies through the air, and Elle stares at it. It's too fast. Too powerful. There's no way on God's green Earth she can avoid this horrible onslaught. So you know what? She doesn't. The woman stands there, and is beaten about like a rag doll in an industrial warehouse fan. The kick does everything it can to destroy Elle, smashing her about and tossing her to the ground, kicking up dirt with a reverberating slam.
She doesn't move for a second. Then two.
And then? She gets back up again. Slowly, steadily, she shuffles to her feet.
"Ouch."
The woman's face is the same dour, unexpressive mask that she always wears, plus a few bruises and a swollen eye. She rolls her neck in order to make sure nothing's broken. Nothing is. That check done, she strides over to Cody, rolls him over with a foot, and kicks him in the dick.
"Kyeh heh heh heeeh..."
Marise's slow, wicked laugh rolls from her tongue in the aftermath of her allies multi-tiered attack upon the young fighter. Recovering from her own rather lucky throw, her smile widens as she approaches slowly. Golden eyes narrowing to slits as she whispers, ".. It is over now.. child.." Stalking closer with an aura of menace..
That is, before Cody decided he's had enough out of them.
Marise's golden eyes widen as she sees the geyser of power flare within him, his killing intent nearly blinding as she just begins to hold up her hands, scrambling back but far, far too late.
The ghost is caught up in the whirlwind of destruction.. her body struck -soundly- and sent hurdling in the fourth direction away from her team. The maiden's body crashing to the ground like a boneless ragdoll, flopping about ackwardly as crumbled Earth is disheveled in all directions in her wake. Only slowling to a stop a few moments later as her claws dig into the broken ground.
"..Hn...heh.. keh.." The woman rasps, face hidden by her tresses scattered over her face.
My.. what great strength he has! ... And its aaaaaall theirs now..
Alan simply pushes back to his feet, taking another pair of sunglasses out of the pocket that doesn't have cigarettes, putting them on. He's not ready to say anything quite yet.
Still groggy, Dr. Tran staggers back toward Cody, and then winces when Elle kicks him in the tender bits. That probably wasn't neccesary, but he ain't gonna argue it. "Tough bastard." Tran nudges Cody's limp form with his foot, making sure he's really truly out of it. "So what now, boss?"
Good question. Even though smoke still rises from her Final Destruction-ravaged body, Elle reaches into her pocket and gets a clip of bills out. "Alan, I want whatever's in that case. You'll take half price because I ran out of puppies and babies this week and Marise hasn't had anything to eat all day." She looks at Alan, her pupils narrowed to pinpricks. She's not going to argue with him or haggle over price an iota.
"Second. Tran, help me with this living lump. We're going to take him back to a secured safehouse and keep him under lock and key until I figure out how to use him best, tactically. Even if it means just airdropping him on someone I don't like, I'm getting my time's worth," she says, fishing a few lengths of guitar cord from her jacket pocket and tossing it onto Cody's unconcious form. "Check his vitals, and make sure he doesn't drown on his own vomit."
"You two did good today," Elle says to Tran and Marise, giving them a thumbs up. High praise indeed from a woman that normally calls everyone incompetant idiots. "Although Tran, next time I tell you no headshots, I mean it. I don't know what this drug does. It could have popped a blood vessel in his brain, and we'd be scooping up a vegegable right now, capich?"
Finally, Elle starts to count out bills. Alan is and always will be a mercenary for the most part. "Here's the money for the meeting, plus enough money to cover costs for the drugs in the case," she says, waving the bills in her hand. "Take it or leave it, Sparky."
Alan R. B. takes off his shades to meet Elle's eyes, uncharacteristic seriousness in his face, and shakes his head. "No can do, toots, what's left of that's spoken for - and in this business you don't go fucking around, going back on deals." He gestures dismissively at the money, then turns around and backk to his case. "And for the record... Glow, glycolauric octanol, mostly just kicks up the production of adrenaline. It's addictive as hell, and in most normal people it can really screw up the internal organs, especially the heart. Brain's usually fine, physically." The blonde finds himself having to refresh his cigarette.
"In short, whole lotta health problems can result from it in the long term, but for the most part being on Glow makes you more of a badass, not some fragile crackhead. Still, it's dangerous shit. I won't even think about using the shit myself."
Marise slowly rises to her feet with the boneless grace of a ghost lifting up from the grace. Her arm horribly twisted out of place--corrected with simple shrug and audible pop.
At Elle's dietary comment, the ghost's eyebrows lift as her suspiciously long tongue glides over her lips. Which raises the frightening possibility that the rocker might not be joking.
Regardless, the ethereal woman glides forth. A long-nailed hand brushing her shoulder and adjusting her kimono back into place, mysteriously managing to preserve her modesty somehow throughout the ordeal.
Even more errie is her long hair, slowly weaving itself back into their previous bun with a pair of strands lodging those golden needles back into place. Dark bangs sweeping like curtains, hiding those inhuman eyes from the world once more.
Although, a sting in her shoulder reminds her of something.
Paying another quick glance to the switchblade still lodged in her creamy flesh. The woman idly reaches up to yank the weapon from herself casually. Flicking the glaze of crimson from the blade with a deft gesture before closing the weapon again and idly depositing it within the cavern of her bodice.
Waste not, want not. Its a good knife.
Quietly approaching Elle once more to return to her shadow, as if her home-base. Turning her attentions to Alan in full now as he speaks his terms. Hmmm..
"Blech. Thanks, but it was fine, see? Not like he'd miss his brain, anyway." Tran's response is quick and brief as he starts to deal with Cody covered in vomit, already crouching down and working with the wire. In a few short moments, Cody's on his stomach again and his hands are being bound. "Anyway, berate me later if you want. We've gotta talk soon, anyway."
Moving around to Cody's front, Tran grabs for the shoulders and grimaces. "Now c'mon, help me with this bastard. I'll even take the nasty end, 'cuz I'm such a gentleman."
Elle puts the money away. "I'm on a schedule and I don't have time to argue." Cody should still have some samples left on him. She can work with that if necessary. "Marise, bring up the rear while we get this meat slab to the truck." She motions for the ghostly pale spectre to keep an eye on their back while she assists Tran with the body. Right now, Alan RB's just a secondary consideration. Business being concluded and money refused, all she's concerned about is keeping herself covered.
"Do we, Tran?" Her brain switches gears as she picks up the man's legs. "Is it going to be another surprise like last time? I don't like surprises." She sounds just as flat and emotionless as ever, but doesn't appear particularly excited about talking to Tran again. At least Marise provides opportunity. It seems lately that every time she talkes to Tran, it's a new problem or thing he can't do. And as anyone that even remotely knows her, Elle doesn't like problems.
Alan grins to himself as he replaces his shades. "Glad we got that dealt with." Actually /humming/ to himself, Alan slings his briefcase full of incriminating R-marked drugs, strolling off into the forest.
At the order, the Devil merely inclines her head. "Miss Elle." A quiet, simple acknowledgement as she leaves Elle's shadow and does as asked. The yurei's hidden gaze moving back to Alan in turn as she slips towards the opposite end of Cody's fallen body. Calmly leaning over.. waaaay over as her hands firmly grip the fighter's ankles, assisting the good Doctor in his conveyance of their prize.
Seeing the electric man pace off, the edge of her violet lips quirks upwards as she expends just enough effort to get the job done. Seemingly unconcerned with the trail of blood running down her arm. Just a scratch, that.
Marise gaze then returns to their unconscious prize, ".. Aaah boy.. sweet boy.. what things we will do.." Snickering to herself underbreath as they march in exaunt.
Lifting Cody, Tran doesn't seem all that concerned with Elle's concern. "No surprises, probably, I just need to know a couple things." There's no doubt the doctor is high maintainance, probably moreso than anyone else in this merry little band, even if Naerose comes in a close second. He'd like to think he's worth it, but that's really for Elle to decide. "Anyway, like I said. Later." He gives a significant glance toward Marise, giving a healthy indication of why he's not diving into this right now. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise that he doesn't trust her, and he doesn't care if she knows or not.
The woman nods. "I understand," she says. Elle and Marise have already settled any 'discrepencies' in personality, but it's not like Tran's been told. Elle didn't think it important. Nevertheless, Elle does trust Marise... in the same sense that two psychopaths that know that there'll be a day of reckoning between them can have. In as much, it's more of a mutual manipulation game that she plays with Marise. Both women use each other equally, and find opportunity in one another's insanity.
Tran, however, is much, much simpler if not much, much more attention consuming. "We'll talk later, then. In the meantime, I want you to know that I'm still waiting on samples from you. I'm assinging you to Pacific High as of today. I don't care if you have to stand around the front gate and start punching people as they walk out." Because that's what Elle did at Seijyun. It works as a tactic.
The ghost does her best cheap labor impression as she continues to hold her end of the fallen Hero of Metro City. Her attention turns to the good Doctor fully, which may well be for the first time. Regarding the man with that same, mysterious smile that always seems to play on those full lips. Oh, she says nothing. Makes no accusations or demands explainations.
It may well be that she already knows what sort of conversation will take place. Or it may well be she knows precisely where and how Tran is going to die.
Or.. perhaps.. she's doing her best to look like the grievious damage she took from that last attack doesn't hurt like the blazes.
In any regard, she plays her part quietly. But always listening.
Yeah, see, that? That's why Tran said LATER. Damn freaky demon women. Not at all like the good, clean, wholesome demon women. "If you say so. Anyway, fine, alright, punching brats until one doesn't fall down, whatever." His attention's pretty clearly not on that issue, but he's not inclined to talk about it anymore just now. Instead he'll just focus on carrying Cody and maybe staring back at Marise, a flat expression of suspicion on his face.
COMBATSYS: Alan has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Elle 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 1/-======/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
Elle heaves Cody into the back of the truck, and tosses a tarp over it, wheels already spinning at full speed as to best using Cody in her upcoming projects. The man is obviously powerful without question, and Tran does have a point: Cody is not known for using his brains very much. At most, it'll be interesting to use him as much as she possibly can for pure, unrestricted destruction before he wears down and finally out.
Well, all things being equal. Elle's goa few more gambits up her sleeve than can definitely make things end in a decidedly advantageous note.
She tosses the keys to Tran. "Drive." She orders as she pops open the doors for herself and Marise so that they can go back to the warehouse and plan their next move.
COMBATSYS: Elle has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Marise 1/-======/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
COMBATSYS: Marise has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tran 1/=======/=======|
COMBATSYS: Tran has ended the fight here.
Once Alan is out of earshot, still walking, he flips his cellphone open and dials a very specific number.
*ringtone*
Rugal's voice as the phone clicks to life sounds tired. "Mm grrn hmm wh, what is it?"
"Hey, RughhrhrhmHRRM. ... Sir. You might be interested to know who I just sold some Glow to."
"Really, now? Why would I be interested in the latest pearl on a string of addicts?"
Alan sounds entirely too pleased with himself. "Because it is none other than our wayward, ah, associate Cody Travers."
Rugal is silent for a moment. It is a pregnant pause, and it is uncertain for a moment whether it's going to result in happy parents or something out of the movie Alien. Then he speaks, and it looks like Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have got a bouncing baby OH GOD WHAT IS IT- just kidding. "Well, well. That is interesting. Violence not enough to feed him, eh? Maybe we've got a hook on him after all. I assume you've got a lock on his position beyond just where he met you?"
Alan hesitates. "Well, there's a little complication regarding my other little project. That lady Elle? She's pretty interested in him too. On the one hand, that means she's going to try to keep him all nice and in one place. On the other hand, it limits what we can do without exposing myself. She doesn't seem like the kind of gal who's much for organizations right now."
Rugal can actually be /heard/ to narrow his eyes over the phone. It's like steel razors being drawn over glass, except totally silent as if it went right past the ear pressed against the phone and directly into the brain. "Well, then." The next sound is /quite/ audible, and at first sounds like firecrackers in the distance, but eventually reveals itself to be the sound of knuckles cracking. "Well then. I believe I may now take an interest in this Elle, then. Maybe we can get two birds with one- well. For the sake of simplicity, we'll call it a stone."
Alan gestures. You can't hear it except for a faint crackling, but he does it. "Hey, if she ends up working with us, it's a win-win all around. She's apparently pulled someone new into her little band..." Alan describes Marise. Marise is very, very wierd, and literally smacked chi out of Cody."
"Well then it sounds like we've got something of a recruitment drive ahead of us, don't we? Keep an eye on them. Inform me when you can get them into some manner of gathering. Do attempt to make it soon, I am little for patience at the moment. I shall prepare for my trip there in the morning. Be ready for my arrival."
"Alan whistles. "I'll see what I can do, sir. Elle says she needs me over the weekend, I'll spring it on her while we're doing whatever that is. Tell her a big job came my way that I need as many backs as possible for. Guess one way or another, I'm just about done working with her."
"Oh, indeed. You are." Rugal hangs up, leaving the last comment up to interpretation.
"Guess that's it, then. See ya at the gath-"
Quite some distance away, Alan is abruptly cut off in his conversation. The click of the closing phone carries with it an echoing hint of finality. Face mild, Alan glances back from whence he came for a few moments before moving on.
Log created on 21:20:37 05/15/2007 by Alan, and last modified on 14:16:08 06/21/2007.