Description: Hollywood, California sets the stage for a three versus three (grudge) match between Ash Crimson, Gato Futaba and Duo Lon and Benimaru Nikaido, Elisabeth Blanctorche and Shenwoo. Wacky hijinx and hilarity ensue, but who wins!? (Winners: Benimaru, Elisabeth, and Shenwoo)
It's a lovely and clear Saturday night in Hollywood, California, the only place where you see more stars walking around than you do up in the sky. Because really, even on a clear night like this, there's a lot of light pollution! But that means little to the people attending tonight's event, because it's all indoors. Various rich and powerful guests are already present on the lot, inside a 'ballroom' set that was probably used in some wish-fulfillment movie about a normal teenage girl who finds out she's a princess or something, milling about and socialising in their finery, enjoying the music in the background and the buffet table... Really, it seems like any high society party, and you probably would never guess it was in an old movie set that was scheduled for demolition, nor the setup for a fight.
Upon getting his invitation to /spectate/ a match, Shenwoo was filled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, his pride was flattered by being a 'guest of honour' at the match; on the other hand, he was kind of pissed that he wasn't /fighting/ in the match, because while he enjoys watching (and betting on) combative sports, he'd much rather be participating. It only got worse when he read that it was 'black tie'.
And when he found out what 'black tie' meant, it got REALLY bad.
So, Shenwoo is one of the first of the six 'guests of honour' to arrive, along with his cheerful French buddy, Ash Crimson. The self-styled 'God of Battle' is clearly out of place here, uncomfortable with the people and the environment, and even more uncomfortable in formalwear, though he carries it surprisingly well... But there's no hiding the feral nature of the berserker, whose earrings are still in place and whose blond hair refuses any sort of order. "Why the hell," Shen wonders, looking over at Ash, "do you get to dress like a weirdo like usual, when I have to wear this stupid thing?" He's frowning down at Crimson, whose own formalwear is probably the greatest eyesore the Shanghai-born brawler has ever seen. Except maybe when Ash wore a skirt. SERIOUSLY, WHAT A FREAKMO. "This is goddamn boring."
When you're Benimaru Nikaido, and you find out that you're going to be having a match in Hollywood, you can only think that very very good things are going to happen. The blonde model was further ecstatic to recieve an invitation, it was almost King of Fighters in manner, though he wasn't exactly sure what the event itself was about. Was it, perhaps, that there was some sort of 'Best of Saturday Night Fights' ceremony going on after this match or something? Well either way, he wasn't going to miss it, he'd be there right on time, and dressed to impress.
There seems to be a small gathering of actors about, so luckily Benimaru doesn't see Ash, the man he's been waiting for over a year to get revenge on, just yet. He's served a glass of wine at the wine table, and takes casual interest in a red-head that passes him by, a small smile forming on his lips. He felt quite at home in this kind of setting, and it was rather suprising just how real this set felt! Maybe he should get some set of 'Heaven' or something back in his condo. He could be God or something.
As for his appearel, of course Benimaru Nikaido is in a tuxedo. And he looks damn slick in the mix of black and white and even has a top-hat on his head, with his hair worn back in a slick ponytail. He was looking more handsome than ever, actually. No doubt the chicks would be flocking over to him in just seconds.
When a stoic, no-nonsense Chinese assassin gets an invitation to a 'black tie' affair in Hollywood, there is only one thing for that man to do. Which was, to throw the invitation away. And indeed, the stoic, no-nonsense Chinese assassin named Duolon had considered that. The invitation had even been tossed into the trash of his penthouse suite. But then a day or two had gone by, and like usual, certain contacts had gone under or simply stopped resonding to him. It was almost as though, other than the big groups that he dealt with, someone was capping any potential lead the Hizoku assassin might have on finding his one true mark. ...But that's the thought of crazy and paranoid men.
So, left with nothing to do, the Hizoku had considered his options. Normally, a no-nonsense type like him wouldn't have even considered going to this event... but Duolon was unlike most stoic, no-nonsense Chinese assassins. He had pride... a not negligible amount of ego... and above all else, a sense of showmanship. So when a stoic, no-nonsense Chinese assassin with pride, a bit of ego, and a sense of showmanship has nothing to do on a Saturday night except show up at a stupid Hollywood event, what does he do?
He shows up at said event in an outfit that likely costs more than the first-class airplane tickets, limo, hotel expenses and probably a fair bit of change left over probably costs. He's not wearing a tuxedo, nor a suit of any kind, but rather a traditional formal Chinese wear, a male model of cheongsam, where the lapels close at the right instead of the center, the 'dress' falling to his ankles, with a pair of loose pants on underneathe. The entire outfit is a violet and black color with gold thread, and made entirely of extremely fine silk, and trimmed with extremely soft velvet. If the 'guests of honor' at this event were meant to look like a million bucks, Duo looks like two million.
After all, he did have a not negligible amount of ego.
Stepping into the front door, he provides his invitation to the desk man, and then steps right on in, hands folding into the broad sleeves of his outfit, quietly stepping into the room... and, oddly, rather than finding a place to stand that is out of the way, steps into the crowds, mingling with various folk. He doesn't ever smile, but is completely polite in his manner, apparently an old pro at this mingling thing? Who would've guessed?
When you're Benimaru Nikaido, and you find out that you're going to be 'guest of honor' for a special event in Hollywood, you can only think that very very good things are going to happen. The blonde model was further ecstatic to recieve an invitation, it was almost King of Fighters in manner, though he wasn't exactly sure what the event itself was about. Was it, perhaps, that there was some sort of 'Best of Saturday Night Fights' ceremony going on after this match? Or perhaps it was to be a stand-in for a ''Very Special' episode of Ultimate Fighting Championships'? Well either way, he wasn't going to miss it, he'd be there right on time, and dressed to impress.
There seems to be a small gathering of actors about, so luckily Benimaru doesn't see Ash, the man he's been waiting for over a year to get revenge on, just yet. He's served a glass of wine at the wine table, and takes casual interest in a red-head that passes him by, a small smile forming on his lips. He felt quite at home in this kind of setting, and it was rather suprising just how real this set felt! Maybe he should get some set of 'Heaven' or something back in his condo. He could be God or something.
As for his appearel, of course Benimaru Nikaido is in a tuxedo. And he looks damn slick in the mix of black and white and even has a top-hat on his head, with his hair worn back in a slick ponytail. He was looking more handsome than ever, actually. No doubt the chicks would be flocking over to him in just seconds.
And who would've thought... Much as how the seemingly unlikely Shenwoo was invited to be a guest of honour here at this event, so too was the likes of Ash Crimson, who accepted his invitation graciously and then promptly tricked his roommate into wearing a tuxedo. You see, the Shanghai-born brawler isn't the brightest crayon in the box, and when asked what a 'black tie affair' implied, the cheerful, freckle-faced Frenchman seized the opportunity to exploit his friend's naivity and explain that it was formal event that required him to wear a nice tux. There's no way he'd let Shen think that he could've worn just a regular suit, and that would've been acceptable. No, Ash, the dick, has got the poor 'God of Battle' dressed to the nines, and all for his own amusement.
For his second visit to the United States, which hopefully will turn out better than the first, the flamewielder himself is dressed down somewhat in comparison, and though his suit jacket with tails is pristine white, along with the slender pants... His ruffled-front shirt is a bright, BLINDING green, and long cuffs of the same colour stick out from the sleeves of his coat. Of course, the cummerbun is a clashing pink, and he even has a cravat of the same colour tied at his throat, with an pin, bearing the same strange design as is often seen on his usual fighting outfit, keeping the cravat secured to his shirt. His hair is done in a wild manner, with the back all purposely messy, while a pink headband keeps it held back and, contrastingly, his bangs are in place. Really, he looks like a flat-chested girl with broad shoulders in a suit, and he pointedly ignores the brawler's remark about his attire while snaking his arms around one of Shen's, smiling like the creepy weirdo he is. "Saa, je t'aime. I'm sure that there's a few celebrities here who wouldn't mind laying a small fortune on the line, if you feel like betting on the results." Which he's quite sure Shenwoo would, the gambling addict.
Assuming that the brawler will probably tug away from Ash at about that point, he then punctuates his statement by looking around, perhaps looking for a likely target to con into gambling. Some of those present, he has SOME idea who they might be due to those crowded around them, and then he sees, a fair distance away... "Oh hey, pookums. It's that model, Benimaru." And Nikaido should be impressed that the Frenchman can recall his name, or even the fact that he knows the blond half-Japanese man at all, given how absolutely horrid his memory happens to be. "Perhaps I should've worn that dress he forgot at the apartment. The red one..." Lifting a hand, he places a finely manicured fingernail against his lower lip and seems to consider something before chuckling softly, while Shen no doubt probably looks appalled by the very thought of his roommate in a dress. "I don't know where it is anymore, though. I might have given it to one of the neighbours. I'm quite a fan of her legs," he adds, sounding a bit self-satisfied, and why he is, let that be left to one's imagination.
Of course, he continues to look around interestedly, and he seems rather more comfortable in their current environment than Shenwoo does. Head turning in a glance towards the entrance of the studio set, "And there's Duo," Ash remarks, seemingly unconcerned with having pointed out Shenwoo's two least favourite people in the world in quick succession. Yes, Crimson is a wonderful friend to have! "Maybe we should try the hors d'ouvres?" He then suggests, as though he hadn't said anything else at all.
The invitation was rather sudden and out of the blue, but flattering in its own right. The Blanctorche heiress was no stranger to special invitations to various high-class engagements, and this Hollywood invite - while especially different from most parties - was no real exception. Far be the woman to turn the welcome down. It would give her a chance to observe other fighters, while avoiding fighting herself.
Regardless, the woman arrives, hardly making a scene for herself as she enters the old, long-since abandoned ballroom set. Her attire is simple but elegant; a sleek black spaghetti-strap dress, coupled with a gauzy black scarf and sharp black heels complete her dressy ensemble. Simple, yes, but it seems to draw the attention of various people scattered about the crowded room. The heiress does not seem to pay attention, however. Instead, she finds a secluded table and seats herself.
For the time being, those dark blue eyes see no familiar faces. In fact, some of the more famous actors scattered about are otherwise ignored; instead, the Frenchwoman focuses on the luxurious wine, enjoying its flavor as she remains seated by her lonesome. Most women would seem sad and out of place. Being alone seems to suit the Blanctorche heiress just fine.
A few murmurings catch the woman's ear however, mention of an "eccentric gentleman" wearing an awful shade of green to such a formal affair. Lifting her gaze ever so slightly, the woman's eyes slowly stir, moving across and over the sea of faces before her, until they zero in on Ash. Who'd have thought they would invite him here? This is a good opportunity, however.
Rising from the table with one last sip of wine, the woman begins moving through the crowds toward the young man and his cohort in crime.
Of course, Ash didn't answer Shen's question. Why does he even bother? The brawler heaves a bit of a sigh, grumbling, and it's true that he tugs himself away from the shorter man's grip. "Like I'd wanna bet with any of these snobs," the tall blond mutters irritably, folding his arms over his chest to better avoid any further armgrabs by Ash. In fact, his attention seems to go somewhere vague... Until Ash points out Benimaru, which draws Shenwoo's dark eyes in the direction of the eletrokinetic shootfighter. "Oh /great/," he says, totally ignoring the rest of what the Frenchman has to say, about dresses and their neighbours. Well, maybe this means Shen can blow off some steam by punching Nikaido in the face later on.
When /Duo Lon/ is pointed out, that's just the icing on the cake for Shenwoo. "They're all crawlin' out of the woodwork today, aren't they?" the self-styled 'God of Battle' grouses. "Go check the food if you want, I just lost my appetite," he adds flatly, and at the very least, he doesn't notice Elisabeth headed their way, probably with some horrible vengeance on her cold, calculating mind. Still, least it can't get any worse, right?
But then, a waiter comes by, carrying drinks; of course, he then asks if Shenwoo or his 'date' would like anything to drink. Shenwoo, being Shenwoo, just about takes a swipe at the waiter who promptly takes off, after Shenwoo manages a few very family-unfriendly threats to his person. Shen doesn't take a drink, either! The nerve of some people.
Chinese assassins, eh? But is he a no-nonsense chinese assassin? I don't think it was made especially clear for the viewers at home.
The unusual air about Duo Lon actually reaches Benimaru's radar, causing him to look up from his glass to spot the male-cheongsam clad man, and he whistles slightly. Yes, that is definatly some expensive looking material, and feeling the urge to catch up then, he goes to approach the small gathering of women that seemed to have suddenly flocked toward Duolon, "Excuse me, but could you look any more girlish?" the blonde model teases, approaching the other man from the side.
"It's been a while, Du-"
BREEEEEEEE!!! Benimaru's spider sense!! Going... Crazy!!!
Benimaru is suddenly looking around for the source of this warning, and surely enough, baby-blue eyes catch sight of Elisabeth whom truely, truely, is a sight for sore eyes. To Duo Lon, Benimaru vanished in thin air. To a nearby cameraman, this was a golden opportunity to catch what would undoubtedly be an award winning scene. As Elisabeth makes her way through the minglers, the blonde model seems to come out of nowhere, blocking her path with a small white rose in hand, and a dashing smile.
"I have been to Hawaii.. To France.. To California.. To the Virgin islands," the young man murmurs, "And never, in my entire life, have I ever seen a person as awe-inspiring.. As beautiful.. As time-stoppingly enchanting as myself..."
Benimaru takes a short sniff at the rose, and offers it then, to Elisabeth. However he seems to have caught his mistake, and quickly throws in, "I mean, as -your-self."
"...... I mean.. Ah, cameraman, could we do a retake there, that was horrifyingly embaressing."
"This is real life, Mister Nikaido," the man replies with a frown.
As he is approached and the initial comment is made towards him, the Hizoku assassin turns his head to regard Benimaru... for a fraction of a second, then smoothly, and probably a bit coldly, turns his back again to the half-Japanese man, bowing slightly to the congregation around him. "If you will excuse me, please," he speaks in that quiet voice of his that... somehow still carries well enough to be heard, and then turns around, back towards Benimaru. No doubt he was ready to quip something in response to the blonde model, but... he never gets the chance. For as soon as Duolon is turned, Benimaru is off on another skirt-chaser quest, which leaves the assassin looking a little... annoyed? What, Duo show emotion? Nowai.
But that's the best word to describe how the Chinese man looks as his former team mate walks over and begins throwing on the charm to a woman... who... looks familiar? Irritation forgot, Duo's eyes narrow a little as he looks towards the Blanctorche heiress, recalling where he'd seen her. Oh, that's right. The encounter in the woods, where she had spoke to him about Ash. Speaking of, hadn't he heard a comment about a certain eccentric 'woman' dressed in a green suit from someone he was making small talk with? It certainly seemed so. And, given Elisabeth and Benimaru's presence, it would make sense for said woman to actually be a certain male no doubt all of them were involved with on some level.
Rather than moving after Benimaru, he allows the man to flirt as he would with the woman he's not entirely concerned with, his eyes scanning over the rest of the crowd and - there. The sore thumb in the group. Stepping around Benimaru and Elisabeth, he moves silently over to the man, weaving through the crowds, and makes a bow of his head to the familiar face of Ash Crimson. "It has been some time, Ash Crimson. I did not expect to attend, but I am glad to have come, now..." his eyes then totally fall on Shenwoo with a pointed look. "If only to see the rare sight of a dog dressed in finery. Truly, it is a wonder."
Oh, but the nerve of some people is utterly hilarious, and as he's labelled Shenwoo's date, the Frenchman purses his lips together. He's trying to keep the mirth in, but can't help exhaling a snort of laughter from his nose, and then, no... No, he can't keep a straight face. Lifting his hand as that broad slash of a mouth starts twisting at the corners, he just... covers it daintily and turns his head away so that he may snicker off to the side freely. Of course, that's about the same time where Shen takes a swing at the poor fellow, and Ash laughs outloud, before he just... viciously goes after what would appear to be a sore spot, "But I am your date, aren't I?" Sounding somewhat put out, but at least he doesn't go so far as to pout, "I clean and cook for you. I even do your laundry, but I'm not good enough to be your date? I see how it is." And as he starts to walk away, more to avoid the reach of the brawler should he want to wring his neck, the flamewielder then looks back over his shoulder. "I think I will get something, though... Maybe a nice plate of escargot, or some calamari... Hm. Oh, Shen. I think they have jellyfish here," he adds, intending it to be a last parting shot... But then Duo comes up to them, briefly spoiling his escape.
"Duo!" Ash says cheerfully to the Hizoku assassin, and he certainly sounds glad to see the other man... But that might be due to the fact that the slippery flamewielder intends for his associate to deal with what's likely to be a bout of very bad temper from Shenwoo, while he himself gets lost in the crowd. Though he chuckles a little at the pale assassin's joke, Ash soon excuses himself. "I'll let you two catch up, it must have been a while since you two have spoken, non?" The Frenchman says, as though the two were the very best of friends, before he moves off, heading Elisabeth's way unintentionally, where he'll likely cross her path halfway. Or that's what would've happened, when Benimaru cuts in with his cameraman cohort.
Having seen the blonde-haired electro-fighter only moments before, Ash just knows it's him, and he's unable to see the Blanctorche heir until there's a falter to the speech. With an expression of interest, pencil-thin eyebrows arch, one vanishing behind the lock of hair swept over his sharp features, and Crimson does something which might not be in his best interests as he moves closer to the encounter between Benimaru and Elisabeth. He's being nosy! "My, what's going on here?" Ash wonders. "I see you've finally gotten over me, Benimaru." Crimson is just being mean all over the place today, isn't he?
With a brisk and assured stride, the Frenchwoman moves with considerable grace and elegance through the crowds. Her head held high, Elisabeth Blanctorche's gaze is focused ahead of her, toward Ash and his buddy Shenwoo. Unfortunately, as it just so happens, Benimaru is in the way. If he were more vain, he might presume she's staring right at him!
Approaching, the woman's trek seems to take her right for him. As she approaches the rose is proffered, presented, and words spoken. Even if bumbled and messed up, they might win the heart of a lesser woman. But Elisabeth Blanctorche is a stuffy noblewoman. So it should come as no surprise as she suddenly stops, stares and replies coldly, "You're in my way, monsieur." It even makes the cameraman stop and stare before he looks to Benimaru.
Without further adieu, however, the woman moves around poor Benimaru, making her way straight for Ash Crimson. Only when she approaches does she stop and fold her arms, offering the white-haired man a stern glare, her jaw set into place. If he couldn't see her before, it's likely that he will see her now. And she does not look too pleased.
"Ash Crimson," she states, mildly annoyed - if anything - at best. Lifting her chin gently, the heiress' arms lift, folding across her chest in an almost haughty fashion. She'll let the silence between them linger before she adds, quite sternly, "You have something of mine I think would be in your interests to return to me when this soiree is over and done with."
She pauses only briefly to spare a glance toward Duo Lon, before she turns her attentions to Shenwoo. "I see you brought your "friends" along with you as well. It would seem that no one has taste these days." Really. Why'd she bother coming if they let in weirdos like Shenwoo?
And of course, there's Duo Lon right in front of them. This does distract Shenwoo, who was about to start yelling at Ash and maybe take a few shots at the Frenchman, and to hell with this being a party and them ostensibly not the ones who are supposed to be fighting! But when the Hizoku makes his introductions, the berserker lets a hissing exhalation out between his clenched teeth, dark eyes slowly turning to look over at the pale Chinese man. Just what he needs to make this day complete!
"Big talk from somebody who looks like they just came from their own funeral," Shen says, his tone a bit dangerous. It's entirely possible that the assembled audience might get an early fight here, judging by the former street tough's body language, his fists clenching reflexively. And the Benimaru Situation not far away doesn't help either, with things looking pretty tense and also given the presence of Elisabeth who... Probably isn't a big fan of the self-styled 'God of Battle'. But Shenwoo himself can't really hear her, he's too focused on his rival. "Speaking of which, how 'bout I put you in the ground right now, huh?"
As if to punctuate this fact, or perhaps because they notice the growing tension in one part of the ballroom, the master of ceremonies is suddenly on the small stage with the band, at the microphone. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" the MC announces. "If I could please have your attention... It's time for our, ah, 'main event'! As you all know, tonight is being hosted in cooperation with Howard Enterprises, as a part of their 'Saturday Night Fight' franchise, and we have our very own three on three tag match. Presenting the first team..." And the lights go down, spotlights from overhead - since there's no roof after all - seeking through the crowd for the fighters, illuminating each in turn as the MC names them. "Former Team Japan member and King of Fighters participant...BENIMARU NIKAIDO! From France, the lovely ELISABETH BLANCTORCHE! And from Shanghai, the man who calls himself the 'God of Battle', SHENWOO!!"
Perhaps predictably, at this point Shen's expression goes terribly flat. Oh /boy/.
"And the second team," the man at the microphone continues. "Also from France, he always flamboyant ASH CRIMSON! The mysterious Chinese martial artist, DUO LON! And hailing from Japan, GATO FUTABA!" Who's surely here somewhere right? Well, they're in kind of a hurry, so they didn't check. Oops? More rules are read out to explain the situation to the fighters, and the viewing audience as well, but the point is: Fast-paced tag action, ending when one team is out of fighters! "And remember, you have free run of all the sets in this lot, to destroy as you will. So if our fighters are ready... And our team leaders, Mister Nikaido and Mister Crimson would start us off... You may begin!"
Shenwoo, uncharacteristically, looks VERY UNHAPPY to be in a fight. Look who he's got to partner with? But at least he gets to fight Duo, right? Eventually.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ash has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Duolon has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Duolon
COMBATSYS: Benimaru has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Duolon
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|
OH SWING AND A MISS! STRIKE ONE!!!
You know those moments in anime, where the person getting rejected gets an arrow through his head? That burn.. That burn was just so bad that Benimaru would just be a complete pincushion, a flurry of arrows in his body and then a piano crashing over his head. And then lightning strikes it. It's just that bad. But the blonde model takes it suprisingly cool, even of the cameraman doesn't.
In fact, the camerman mouths the words 'ouch', and then gets the call in his headset, so he can quickly spot out the other fighters that are to be in the match and zoom in on them.
"Very cold.." Benimaru murmurs. But that was fine, he did like that in a woman after all. He was actually well on his way to follow after the woman, but in doing so, he nearly walks right into Ash Crimson whom is dressed so.. Uh.. "I'm sorry, pardon me, Miss," he murmurs apologeticly, until it sinks in just exactly what it was the alleged frenchman said.
And there's a good long pause, a pause so long that it leaves plenty of time for the announcer to speaks the earth-shattering true intent of this fiasco and he has even more mixed feelings. He wasn't even dressed to fight! But then it was all clear. He knew what he had to do, and what Benimaru had to do at that very moment was extract his long awaited revenge. He would simply lift his foot and just kick Ash right in his damn head, right across the damn nose, and proceed to punch and punch until all that was left was a bloody stump of a jerk.
No one could miss it.. The moment the fight was permissed to start, light blue electricity danced about his form, and some of the candle-shaped lights lined along the walls proceeded to flicker like crazy from the sudden rush of power, "..... Ash.." he growls in such an annoyed tone, further embarassed that he made the same mistake twice and his right hand shoots upward, ready to punch Ash to the moon. And he faulters.
And then he raises his fist a second time, and again, he faulters, unable to make the first swing. In complete frustration, Benimaru slaps a white gloved hand at his face, rubs it down slowly and then cries, "For CRYING OUT LOUD, can you mess up your hair a bit or unbutton your shirt or something??"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Duolon
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|
Oh, how wonderfully deflected, Ash Crimson. No sooner does the Hizoku come up to Ash than does the atrociously dressed young man excuse himself to go and have a chat with Benimaru... or may it is really Elisabeth he was interested in. Or both. Or none. It was hard to tell, with the Frenchman. Still, Duolon showed none of the irritation he had when Benimaru 'brushed' him off in favor of the woman. Duo had long since grown accustomed to Ash's personality to get irritated at the eccentric young man. And it wasn't like he didn't like exchanging words with Shenwoo. No, really. It was simply fascinating to carry on a conversation with the missing evolutionary link - the monkey-like proto-human himself!
Making a small 'hmph' in distaste, he turns away from Shenwoo in order to look at the rest of the crowd, not looking at the self-styled God of Battle at all. In fact, if it weren't for him replying to the other man, it would seem as though the Hizoku were ignoring him altogether. "Is that the best insult you can come up with, or is it merely wishful thinking?" The Hizoku wonders aloud, and then glances askance at the muscular blonde. "It won't be by your hands that I finally am laid to rest, however--" and whatever he's going to say next is completely cut off by the announcer.
It's quite comical to watch the Hizoku and the brawler, because their expressions go flat at the very same instant. Remaining quiet until the announcement is over, the Chinese man finally sighs to himself, looking less than pleased at this... well, trickery. "Seems you may have the opportunity sooner than you think. And yet I cannot help but wonder... if someone had a hand in this," he says, and then glances pointedly across the room to where Ash is. Not quite an accusation, but he's certainly thinking it loudly.
COMBATSYS: Duolon takes no action.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Duolon
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Gato has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Duolon
"Ahhh~hhh." Though he's smirking all over his pale, freckled face, Elisabeth and her demands suck a lot of the fun out of Ash's amusement at Benimaru's expense. She was pretty cold to him, after all. The half-Japanese man may learn next time not to hit on the heir to a fortune and legacy, but then again this is Nikaido the bold, so probably not. The flameweilder smiles a saccharine sweet smile at the noblewoman however, and his thin shoulders rotate in the most carefree of shrugs. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait until we're back in Japan, Betty." Ash informs her logically, "And you know where I live, though you never did make any sort of effort to retrieve it, now did you?" The barrage of poor attitude from this woman never stops, does it? From her behaviour when they were reunited, to the time at the apartment where she refused some VERY good homemade waffles, thank you very much, she's been nothing but rude to him and his friends! But on the flip-side, it's true that Ash himself isn't much better. Although he wasn't so bad when she was left unconscious after having been knocked out by Shenwoo, was he? Ash sighs with great gravity, "Not even a 'bonjour', what's the world coming to these days? No civility at all."
As if in answer to his question, well... Benimaru nearly runs straight into him, making that mistake of gender once again, and young Crimson gives him a wolfish smile as the spotlight illuminates the three of them standing there in the midst of a crowd that starts to back away from the collected fighters. He's in... enemy territory, it would appear! And ultimately, he's not in the least bit surprised, as the night's agenda is revealed to those gathered. Guess this is what the world's coming to! A fight-hungry society, and Ash... is more than delighted to participate, formal wear or no formal wear. He makes a fair bit of money, though one might never guess such considering how often he mooches off Shen instead of paying his own way. The Frenchman can always buy himself a new outfit, should this one wind up ruined. "This should make Shenwoo happy." He comments to himself, and then, as it would seem that the leader of their team would be himself, and he and the other team's leader are invited to do the honours, his narrow eyes just... watch Benimaru with interest, perhaps in wait. Looking for a moment of weakness in which to pounce?
Of course, as the electricity flickers around the model, the outpour of chi is a delight to his senses, to that part of the flamewielder who really does enjoy observing the power of others. When Benimaru proves himself unable or unwilling to make the first strike, however... Ash sneers, derisively at him and this perceived weakness, and lifts a hand. "Why would I do something like that? Is there a problem?" And soon enough, he's holding a plume of flames in that upraised hand; if Benimaru hasn't the resolve to start things, then Ash will show him the error of his ways. It would be in Elisabeth's best interests to probably step back, unless she really wants to get involved, but this is a tag match. Such things would be in direct violation of the rules. Not that Crimson always follows them himself. "I suppose since we've been given permission to demolish these sets, they won't mind if we start..." Suddenly, his other arm comes whipping forth, and it's almost point-blank that Ash is throwing those familiar green crescents of fire into the other man's face, showing not a hint of the hesitation the model seems crippled by, "RIGHT HERE!"
There is clearly too much tension here, even for Elisabeth's tastes. And yet, she does little more than add to it, approaching they mysterious Ash with a less-than pleasant air about her otherwise confident self. Even at the smile, however fake and sweet it may be, Elisabeth's demeanor does not shift; if anything, it only serves to mildly irritate her further. A brow slightly ticks, thin red lips pulling into a line across her face. "You should not have taken it in the first place," she counters swiftly, navy blue eyes narrowed as she stares back at the freckled Frenchman. Everyone else? They are seemingly forgotten for now. She opens her mouth, and begins to speak again...
Then, darkness. When the lights go out briefly, Elisabeth's pale features shift into a brief but vague look of mild disbelief, her lips pulling into a thin line. This doesn't bode well, not at all. She was pretty sure this was a formal affair, not some fight. And yet...
When the spotlights cue above, it draws a cold chill down the woman's spine. Yep, just as she figured. It was a ruse, if anything, and the Blanctorche heiress fell for it. A part of her regrets making this trip to Hollywood at this point. But it's too late to turn back now, isn't it? This could be interesting.
However, the Frenchwoman's features seem to go flat the moment the MC announces the "teams" - more particularly, the fact she's paired up with the likes of Shenwoo seem to make the woman twitch slightly, slender digits curling into her palm before she exhales and relaxes. Lifting her gaze, the heiress slowly turns her attention toward the self-proclaimed "God of Battle" before she frowns. As for Benimaru? Her eyes flicker aside, toward the eccentric blonde. She's paired with HIM too?
No matter. She says nothing; instead, Elisabeth backs off and away, the MC's words clear. Benimaru and Ash will square of first. Good, good. This gives her a chance to see what this Benimaru man is capable of. She's also not a fool - Ash's powers aren't precisely what she'd call "refined," and have a tendency to be a bit broad in their stretch and range. She pauses mid-retreat, however, to spare a glance toward Benimaru.
"Bonne chance," she offers, the luck wished feeling a bit forced, if not sounding cold. Elisabeth's dull expression doesn't help matters any more. Regardless, the fight is now in his hands. Will he live up to her expectations?
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth takes no action.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Duolon
And what evening would be complete without someone who is fashionably late. Found waiting outside under a streetlamp, Gato is helped into the room by an overly cheerful organizer. So hey, he missed the party but found out there was a fight about to break out. That's something, right?
As he's led into the set, he takes a glance at the people gathered with a stern expression on his face and arms crossed as always. Though some people in the group he recognizes from their past exploits in the SNF circuit and other avenues of notoriety, only one strikes him from personal experience. From across the room, he glares at Elisabeth Blanctorche.
Oh yes, He remembers her. In his black silk set of usual attire, he finds what just happens to be the perfect target to sneer at for the event.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru negates Ventose from Ash with Raijin Ken.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Duolon
You heard that 'Bonne chance'? That was so totally for Benimaru, the blonde model knows it. It's no suprise to him that Elisabeth would so quickly fall into the models charm and get a little crush on him. Benimaru can't blame the woman of course, in the end, he is always IN THE ZONE.
But he doesn't have any time to enjoy it at all, his reddened cheeks having to deal with the humiliation of being unable to start the fight himself, even as upset as he is. And of course Ash? Yeah, he has to go ahead and continue being a jerk. You jerk.
"Hmph, I'm interested in demolishing something, and it most certainly won't be sets." There's another sudden surge of power, Benimaru's eyes widen and for a brief moment, in fact, in mid-strike of Ash's flaming attack, the light blue bolts of electrical power flicker to a deep electric violet, that twirls and gathers into his hands, "NOT THIS TIME!"
The right hand is withdrawn, tightened into a fist and then is thrust forward, the energy exploding with enough force to not just create a wade field of electrical power, but that same field completly absorbs the unusual green flame...
Something he'd not been very lucky against in the past with the old Kusanagi flames mind you. Impressed with his own display and control of his electrifying chi, Benimaru is suddenly looking very very confident, despite his power dissipating before he can go any further, ".. Seems you've gotten a little sluggish over the year. This match isn't going to end like the first time, Crimson. You may as well tag out now."
From the sidelines, Shenwoo takes his time away from glaring at Duo Lon or whatever to raise his hands to his mouth so he can shout above the din: "KICK HIS STUPID ASS, ASH!" Not much else he can do right now, right?
Elisabeth rolls her eyes.
Duo Lon :|
Benimaru is standing there looking totally awesome right? With his hair blowing back a bit by some wind from somwhere, and looking sexy and snazzy with his top hat tipped forward. Oh and there's some stray electricity dancing about his form. See, that right there is the very epitomy of sexy.
Which is completely thrown off by Shenwoos yelling, and the hat falls right off his damn head, "God!! Shut up you damn hairless ape, I'm on your team!!" he yells back.
".. God damn!"
Though his flames meet an unfortunate end, negated by the static electricity, Ash has little chance to react with disappointment or contempt. There's just the narrowing of those blue eyes of his, and who would've thought he'd been invited to a comedy act? You never told him you did stand-up, Benimaru! If only he knew what the blonde man thought about Elisabeth and her 'bonne chance'! "Aha... hahahaha!" Hand drawing up to his face, fingers threading through the silken strands of white obscuring those sharp facial features, Ash just laughs up a storm... And even winds up with tears in his eyes! Who thought it possible! The Frenchman could probably convince people that he had the tear ducts surgically removed most of the time, as cold-blooded as he is, but no longer. It's just... tagging out now? The model's confidence? Ash is pretty arrogant himself, but make a remark like that and you're liable to jinx yourself. That and young Crimson is sure enough of his ability to ground the shootfighter into a fine paste. Even Shenwoo thinks so, and the lean man laugh all the more until... Well, he winds up coughing a bit into his hand, because he's out of breath.
... Or is he?
It could all just be an act, meant to generally disarm his opponent, or to show signs of a weakness that one can potentially exploit in order to lure them in; Crimson is a tricksy fellow, after all. Still, regardless of whether or not Benimaru is fooled, Ash pounces soon afterwards, crashing through the last of the residual chi as it dissipates between them, ready to do right by the barbarian's demands and knock the model's head off. After all, this is a real fight, organized by the Saturday Night Fight coordinators. He might've not bothered if they had met on the street and started brawling, but when it's legit, why not get serious, and seize the opportunity to clash with a worthy fighter! The Frenchman's fist lashes out from his side, and he's going right for the face in a vicious right hook. Though Pikachu's nose wasn't broken before, Ash just might be making the attempt now, or maybe he's just trying to knock Benimaru right through the set wall, located conveniently beside them, just a tumble or two away. "Mon petite putard, here I thought you wanted revenge," he says as he attacks; at least, that's what he gathered from what the half-Japanese had to say, "Telling me to tag out is rather counter-productive to that, non?"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Ash's Strong Punch.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Duolon
Benimaru isnt going to make a huge deal about this fight coming out of seemingly nowhere; after all it couldn't have come at a better time. Let it be known that he is NOT a fight freak like a certain well-dressed ape. Ash's laughter really only makes things more annoying though, because he's still mildly irate with Shenwoo's outburst. I mean really, he could go on a rant about that, but no one has enough time for that. What he does have time for, however, is Ash's big-ass punch sent his way, and it seems like it's going to score directly into the blondes mush to faithfully recreate that scene from a year ago, when.
SMACK!
Instead that fist comes crashing into Benimaru's right palm, just centimeters away from his noggin, and the models ice-blue eyes narrow even further, "Well now you can't say that I'm not a fair man," he murmurs, his gentle voice getting more... Edgy.
"I gave you a chance to back out, now it's time to get real." So yeah, he won't be flying away just yet. The fist is pushed away, and Benimaru twirls around in a very quick circle on one foot, a roundhouse kick shot heel-first toward Ash's chin. He doesn't seem to be aiming for the wall, but rather wants to knock his opponent closer to the wine table.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ash with Medium Kick.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Duolon
... What? They're here to demolish sets, walls and stuff, and all the half-Japanese is trying to do is knock Ash at the /wine table/? Well, fine. The Frenchman chuckles lightly, as if to taunt Benimaru into bringing it, and bring it the other man most certainly does! When the foot comes up, the thinner fighter attempts to simply duck underneath, and perhaps retaliate with a hit that will take his opponent to the next stage in line, but either he's a fraction of a second too late, or maybe... There's no reason to dwell too much on why; Ash prefers to focus on adjusting his plans accordingly, even as the heel crashes into his chin, and he in turn actually doesn't wind up near the intended mark. He /hits/ the wine table, causing the end he lands at to buckle under his slight weight. As for the other side, it's thrown upwards in turn, and suddenly there's a large bowl of wine and numerous champagne flutes showering the crowd as they shriek and run for cover, OH THE STAINS ON THEIR PRISTINE CLOTHING, NOW THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR DRYCLEANING!
It hurts, but at least he's not drenched, which is probably the funniest thing. Dressed in white, but his clothes remain clean, and Ash cups his chin for a moment, doing a quick check of the damage to his face, before the rising recovery. His movements, despite having been knocked down, are graceful, and running slender fingers through his hair in order to fix his bangs, the Frenchman then starts forwards again as glass crashes amongst the crowd. Presumably, he'll get close enough to the shootfighter, and when he does, Ash actually tries to grab Benimaru by the lapels of his tux, with a smile. "Allow me to thank you for your generosity. How about a dance?" The Frenchman wonders, before aiming to whirl the model around... And at that wall. Ash is persistent about wrecking things!
COMBATSYS: Ash successfully hits Benimaru with Quick Throw.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Duolon
You're DAMN RIGHT he has to pay for dry cleaning and that's just what Benimaru wanted to do! Who cares about destroying sets? He's here to destroy Ash Crimson, -and- his pretty little outfit because that's how he rolls! Benimaru smirks, tilting his head to the side as one of the bottles just barely miss his head and when Ash stands he stands... Uh.. Unscathed?
"... You can't be serious." Benimaru grumbles to himself, eyes drawn closed for a moment. And when they open, Crimson is all up in his mug, getting a firm grasp of his tux, and despite his attempt to slip away.. Doesn't quite manage to do so. So around he goes, and he goes flying toward the wall of the set...
The scene: Some sort of sixties era, somewhere out in the middle of the dark, dank, serious streets of New York. Night time has struck and it looks like it's going to be raining in the streets. To the left, the East Side Gang, trademarked by their white half-shirts and torn black jeans all stand on one side of the street, some with knives, some with pipes.
To the right, the West Side Angry Guys, all of them bald and wearing glasses, with their arms folded, sporting leather pants and oversides jackets with brown shirts under them. They stare long and hard at one another, and then proceed to snap their fingers.
*snap* *snap* *snap*
The leader of the East Side gang steps forward, reaches into his pocket and whips out a comb in a very VERY threatening manner, and slowly combs back his hair as he starts to sing, "o/~ Weeee, are the East Side Gang.. And we gonna.. Take you ouuuuu-"
CRASH!!! The entire 'brick wall' backdrop comes crashing down onto the East Side gang along with Benimaru Nikaido, his large body smashing primarily into the lanky gang leader and sends them both tumbling to the floor much to everyone's suprise on that set. Wait.. There are people still useing these sets? "Uurgh!!" the blonde groans, sitting up quickly and rubs the back of his head.. He assumes that Ash is going to be hot on his trail, so the moment he gets to his feet, he clutches the burlier bald man by his jacket, and slings the large man at his white haired opponent!
Well, they're not SUPPOSED to be using the sets, so one would assume the gangs probably probably extras, hired to make this event more entertaining. Otherwise, this town has some real weirdos in it. Ash is about as surprised as Benimaru, however, when all the chaos unfolds; he wasn't expecting people to be in any other area aside from the main 'ballroom'. It's a very uncommon occurance, but it could be that the Frenchman is actually at a /loss for words/ at what he sees on the other side after the model's sent crashing through the wall. Then, a wide, perhaps even cruel, smile starts to wind its way across his lips, and as soon as he's on the blonde man's trail, setting his foot down heavily on the set wall (While someone goes 'ARRRRRGH, MY KIDNEY!' somewhere underneath it.), this is going to be fun... But then, Benimaru's up and hucking a big fat man at him! Well, presumably the crowd's been following Crimson, and for the sake of convenience, let's just say that their respective teammates have as well. Unless they'e just jerks. Thinking quickly, and deciding to let someone else have a little fun with Benimaru, Ash HITS THE DECK, and looking back over his shoulder, yells out, "HEY DUO! Heads up, mon ami!" It's your turn, Spooky McNinja!
Honestly, Ash just doesn't want to get hit with some bald dude, and since this IS a tag match, now's a good a time as any!
COMBATSYS: Ash gathers his will.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Duolon
COMBATSYS: Duolon negates Large Thrown Object from Benimaru with Genmu Kyaku Uchikiba.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Duolon
Indeed, at the very least, Duolon has been following Crimson, because... well. No matter the trickery involved, this fight was still an SNF, and therefore was an official match. That meant that Duo was going to get paid for appearing in this fight, and winners got more money. So, no matter the trickery... the Hizoku was totally in this for the long haul. So when Ash suddenly cries out 'Hey Duo!' after dropping to the floor, the assassin is totally ready for the flying fat guy. How ready? Well, as soon as he realizes what's going on, the Chinese man calmly lifts a hand, the familiar purple-black chi bubbling up from the pale skin and covering the hand. Duo then flings his hand out, releasing the chi, and the familiar screaming mass of black faces flies out towards the fat man, who begins to scream anew: "OHMYGODWHATISTHATOHJESUSCHRISTHELPMETOMCRUISE-"
BAM! The wailing chi projectile slams into the fat guy with a blinding flash of light and a scream that isn't entirely human, no doubt due in part to Duo making a small manipulation of his chi. The fat guy doesn't seem to be dead, for the last he's seen is flying -up- through the roof, jibbering with fright and pain, and disappearing from the set entirely. Duo then calmly steps forward, not minding the groans that erupt from underneathe him as he walks over the brick wall set, hands folded into his sleeves. Taking up position right across from Benimaru, he gives a slight bow. "It's been awhile... shall we?" Is all he asks, looking steadily at the blonde model.
"Tch.." Yeah, Benimaru should have known that Ash would be a slippery one, and the most inconvenient of times. That's right, Crimson, bust Benimaru right over to the next stage and then retreat. You jerk! Benimaru frowns a little bit, but it isn't on his features for long once Duolon makes his more than creepy entrance and on top of that takes out the .. uh.. Actor on top of it. He kinda hopes he'll be ok. .....
Naw, he doesn't.
"It has been quite some time, Duolon. Listen, sorry about earlier.. You know how it is, priorities." Now the other stagehands, they all have enough sense to get the hell out of the way from these two fighters, and the setting is now fully in the dark streets of New York, with the massive fans off-stage tossing newspapers, empty soda cans and burger wrappers down the street.. It.. it almost makes Benimaru want to start snapping his fingers! Instead though, he jumps forward and tries to grip the shoulders of the male cheongsam, "I like your outfit," he seems to be in a mildly better mood at this point, doesn't he? "... Though just between you and me? .. I think she's crazy for me." and he'd twist and slam the assassin right onto his back, that is, after being flung over the models shoulder.
COMBATSYS: Duolon endures Benimaru's Quick Throw.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Duolon
Inclining his head a bit, Duo seems to acknowledge Benimaru's apology. After all, he knew Benimaru's... er, style came before all else. And in truth, while it was somewhat exasperating, Duo respected it on some level, mostly because Benimaru shared a sense of showmanship. It was a flirty and very... gregarious kind of showmanship, but showmanship nonetheless. Also, Benimaru complimented his clothes, and when you're dressed to the nines like he was, you have to forgive -some- things.
As the grip comes, Duo doesn't seem inclined to move much beyond his feet, shifting his stance a bit. He listens to what Benimaru has to say, but doesn't really get to respond as the man picks him up and throws him, being slammed on his back... but not all of it going exactly to plan, as as soon as Duo lands, he tucks into a forward roll, away from the shootfighter, gaining his feet quickly. Turning, he then strides a step or two closer to Benimaru, and shakes his head a bit. "If I were you, I wouldn't get too lovesick over her," he says in his usual quiet tone, but also seems to be... lifting his arm? Yes, he seems to lift his arm straight up into the air, and waits a moment, glancing upwards once... for some reason? It's not sure what he's doing, but surely... something is about to happen?
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Duolon's Random Weapon.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Duolon
So he's close enough to hear the exchange, crouched down at the backdrop, and afterwards, the Frenchman straightens because the coast /is/ clear, wandering over to chill with Shenwoo. Brushing his long fingers over those thin lips, Ash smiles coldly and looks up to his roommate, "Hey, je t'aime. Wanna make a bet on something? Twenty dollars says Benimaru spends four hours crying into his pillow at night after Betty rejects him again."
Meanwhile, Elisabeth is minding her own business, trying dearly to ignore pretty much everything that's said between the four weirdos.
Benimaru is the most handsome weirdo at least.
Gato is just still crossing his arms and glaring.
Ash then considers something, and goes, "I suppose betting isn't any fun when I'd be using your money, though. Oh well, ahaha!"
...And that's when it happens. It's not known how Duo could've known, but he picked the exact spot where the fat guy who was previously thrown would come crashing back down through the roof (though there technically isn't one). Screaming in the same fear and pain as he had been when he left, the man seems to just have terrible luck, tonight. First he's used as a projectile at Ash, who then leaves it to Duo to... knock the fat man away with a ball of screaming faces. Now? Now the man lands on Duo's outstretched hand, neatly as you please, a grunt escaping from him as he lands gut-down. Displaying some real strength, the Hizoku keeps the man aloft for a moment, and then... strikes with him?? The man screams, and then totally is swung at Benimaru, impacting against the man. The screaming suddenly stops, as he's finally knocked out cold. Duo pulls the man in, in order to dust off his front. Then? He just tosses the guy back down on the ground, looking... well, stoic. Odd, considering he just hit Benimaru with a flying man
Of course, Shenwoo just scowls at Ash's little 'joke'. "That's why I never bet with you," the brawler says flatly. Of course, his dark eyes remain on the two fighting throughout, rather than looking at the Frenchman... And then he feels the need to cheer someone on again. "C'MON, STOP DANCING AROUND AND START HITTING EACH OTHER, YOU GIRLS!!" he shouts at Benimaru and Duo Lon, which... Isn't really cheering at all, is it?
The blonde model actually does not catch wind of whatever Ash was muttering to Shenwoo.. However it is mildly annoying that two opponents are hanging out like nothing wrong was going on at all. Seriously, people, come on.
Now there's a bit of mild confusion on Benimaru's part when dealing with Duolon. The warning is respected, he just doesn't need it, the model simply smirking as he brushed his fingers under his own chin, ".. Ah? Are you saying you're competition?" the blonde murmurs in mild amusement, but before he can continue, he just pauses. His baby blue eyes glance up for a moment, then back to the assassin in confusion.
"... After you," he murmurs with mild impatience, though at the last moment he figures out exactly what it is that Duolon is up to. The large man plummeting from the sky locks on target, and is wielded with expert precision and while Benimaru is able to life his arms in time but the impact still sends him staggering and nearly falling flat on his ass.
Yeah he catches word of Shenwoo's yelling, and in obvious annoyance, he springs up to his feet and storms over to the pair, his hands raised as if to tag Shenwoo.........
... And pulls his hand back at the last moment to instead race at Duolon and thrust back the hand he was going to tag with to instead reach out and clasp the assassin by the face. Alone, that isn't going to be much. But combines with a sudden burst of elecricity, the man attempting to force his electrical power into the mans body with shocking results, that's another thing entirely! The slender bolts dance about his arm and upper body, and hopefully coats his opponent completely in his light-blue and white power for a few seconds, "Gyaaaaaah!!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Duolon with Benimaru Collider.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Duolon
Yeah. He just hit Benimaru with the extra playing the East Side gang leader. And apparently, the blonde model wasn't too hot on that idea, for he's either tagging out... or, just leading in to another attack. Duo, meanwhile, was a bit busy tossing the unconscious extra aside, and though he does catch the attack, his body shifting a bit in order to attempt a dodge... he either was simply too slow, or just caught off guard, for the shootfighter's hand gets ahold of the Hizoku's face. There's a confused silence, before then the electricity begins flowing into his body, and Duo lets out a growl of pain, staggering backwards from Benimaru after the attack comes, a bit of him steaming from the electricity flowing through him.
Shaking his head, Duo recovers himself quickly, and launches forward again. This time, rather than relying on a falling man for an attack, he attacks with his own power. Stepping forward, he ducks low in order to strike out with a foot, sweeping at Benimaru's legs. Whether it hits or not, he'll continue on, rising up in order to perform a roundhouse kick, finishing it off with a an uppercutting axe kick to Benimaru's chin.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Duolon's Fuuka Tenshi Combo.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Duolon
It's been a very long time since Benimaru had last fought with Duolon, so he can't remember the assassins attacks all that well. And at this point, it's too late for a refresher, he doesn't have the luxury (like the onlookers) to stay back and study. Curses.
Benimaru's reactino to the combination of attacks is quick, and nothing less! The first kick seems to hit dead on, but instead of falling completely, he catches himself on one hand, springs to his feet and is able to fend off the kicks afterward with his snazzily dressed forearm, stopping low, and then high, and simply ducks under the last kick. "Mnnn, not bad."
So now it was his turn to strike back, and this time he intended to do so with a fairly big maneuver, his shoes scuffing on the streets the shootfighter slouches and bursts forward, wanting to slam his shoulder into Duolons gut. He'd then wrap his arms about the others waist, and with a short grunt, lurches back into a BIG ol' suplex! "RYaaaaaaaah!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Duolon with Medium Throw.
- Power hit! -
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Duolon
Duolon isn't very familiar with Benimaru's movements, either... it had been some time. He's sure of the man's strength, certainly, but not precisely the way he moves! So when the creative dodging-slash-blocking comes, the Hizoku is not entirely surprised, but is fairly surprised when Beni's followup to the move comes so swiftly, a shoulder rush to the stomach, and then up and over he goes, right into the floor! However... the floor cracks, splinters, and then breaks apart entirely, the Hizoku, and probably Benimaru himself, going flying downwards into... a brand new set!
This set does, in fact, have a ceiling, and is underground because of the necessity of its, well, setting. It seems like a mausoleum, a small raised platform ringed with columns, a single slab in the center. The set past the light cast by the torches set in brackets on the columns is dark, obscuring the rest of the set... but no doubt cameras are set there to capture the action! Either way, Duo (and probably Beni) fall straight down into this mausoleum, a little to the side of the slab in the center of the raised platform, Duo breaking Beni's possible fall. Two extras, a woman and a man, are near the slab, the woman looking over the man who lies on the slab. The woman seemed to have been in the middle of a speech of some kind, leaning over to kiss the young man, but then pauses with a gasp as the two fall in. That's right, Beni and Duo just fell on the last act of Romeo and Juliet.
Regardless of that, despite his body feeling quite solid when it landed, Duo feels very much... thinner than he did previously, which is a feat in of itself, no doubt! Looking, Beni might see that the thing he landed on... doesn't seem to be Duolon. In fact, it seems to be a prop, part of the set itself - a skeleton. If the man doesn't watch out, the real Duo will be appearing from the shadows behind the man, totally aiming to kick him in the back of the head.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru full-parries Duolon's Genmu Hishou Keikou!
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0 Duolon
Gato says, "Jus a box."
You know the sound of a missle, when it's zooming toward the ground just moments before it completely blows everything to bits? That's probably the sound that Romeo and Juliet heard before the terribly moving and tragic finale was completely ruined by hilarious chaos. Because that's just the way Duolon and Benimaru roll today, or something. Benimaru crashes to the floor and kicks up a large cloud of dust in the process, pauses and immedietly rolls off of the skeleton, because he doesn't swing that way, contrary to popular belief. In fact, he holds up the skeleton, stares at it, and goes mildly pale.
This is interrupted by the scream of poor Juliet that not only is in shock of seeing teh skeleton, but also a creepy-ass assassing coming out of nowhere in an attempt to end his very life. Keep a close eye at what happens here, for Benimaru is looking at Juliet, as Romeo is slowly sitting up and rubbing the back of his head, extremely confused by what just happened. Benimaru carelessly swings the skeleton at Romeo, mistaking him for Duolon somehow, which in-turn, ends up smacking him like a baseball right into Duolons kick that ultimately sends him flying RIGHT off the set with a very loud crash.
There might be a moment of awkward silence for a second or two, and then the blonde would sweep Juliet into his arms with a warm smile, "Fret not, Rapunzel, I will awaken you from the sleep of the cursed apple.." ... "Shenwoo, get your ass down here!!"
".. Oh.. Uh.. P- Prince Charming!" Juliet cries, stars in her eyes as Benimaru races off-stage.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru gains composure.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0 Duolon
Of course, since the crowd and the fighters who aren't tagged in have been following the match, Shenwoo is on hand when Benimaru decides he's a big pussmaster and runs off. When the half-Japanese model 'tags out', Shenwoo is there to leap down from above into the mausoleum set, which is pretty much the perfect place for Duo to be fighting, isn't it? "/FINALLY/." the berserker says as he lands down there, cracking his knuckles and then punching his fists together. Well, today there's no gloves, and no heavy metal rings either, so people's faces are relatively safe, right?
"Ain't this an appropriate set for me to put down a zombie or whatever the hell you're supposedta be?" Shen wonders of Duo Lon, grinning that big, wolfish grin of his as he rushes in close to the Hizoku assassin and then raises one leg, aiming to smash the assassin in the chest with his very nice shoe, before throwing all his weight forward into an overhand punch with the opposite fist. "GRAAAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Duolon full-parries Shenwoo's Fusen Kyaku!
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Duolon
Duo's kick is dealt with in a very unorthodox manner. By... having another extra fly right into it? Yep, that's the case. Pushing off from Romeo, the Hizoku lands carefully back on the platform, and turns towards Benimaru, expecting an attack of sorts... but nothing ever comes. Instead, Benimaru seems quite enamored with the actress playing Juliet, enough so that he doesn't pay any more mind to Duo... yes, it seems that once again the Chinese assassin has once again been dumped for the nearest (female) pretty face. Sighing a little in irritation, the man speaks quietly and not really to Beni himself, saying, "...Wrong plays..." in reference to what the blonde model is saying.
And that's when Shenwoo appears. Glancing up as the man breaks through the ceiling and lands, the Hizoku seems ready for him... indeed, almost expecting him. His former opponent DID call for him, right? So it's only natural that the Chinese man would look for the muscular brawler, and here he was! Foot first, no less. Duo just steps forward, however, raising a hand to move the very nice shoe'd foot aside in a redirection, and then he calmly states, "In mausoleums, it is appropriate to bury family pets," as he raises his own hands, driving both open palms into Shenwoo's chest to stop his forward momentum, then uppercutting him with an open palm, before finally shoulder rushing him, hopefully knocking him back and away. "--Perhaps if you ask kindly, Ash will accompany you."
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo endures Duolon's Shaki Juuryuu EX.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Duolon
As the berserker leaps into the mausoleum set with a kick and he's left all to his lonesome, the Frenchman lowers himself into a crouch, elbows on his knees, chin cupped by those slender hands. Peering down the length of his nose when Duo retaliates, he taps a long nail against a freckled cheek... and finds himself at a loss for who to cheer for, BUT! "This place has two floors?" Ash wonders outloud, and then, "Ahaha, are you suggesting that I join Shen in being buried as a family pet?" An eyebrow twitches faintly, because he damn well hopes not!
Well okay then, that's not what Shenwoo was hoping for. His attack is deflected, leaving him seemingly wide open for both Duo's verbal jab and his attack... So he doesn't even try to avoid either. Wordlessly, he stands his ground as the Hizoku strikes him with his hands, and then there's the uppercut palm and shoulder block, which sends the brawler up and back indeed... But he nevertheless lands on his feet. "Stop that!" he yells as he does so, rushing forward again...
Shenwoo pulls his left fist back as he runs at Duo Lon, and when he gets close enough he throws himself into a rushing punch with that fist, executing what is perhaps his most well-known attack... "GRAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Duolon with Gekiken.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Duolon
Knocking Shenwoo back, the Hizoku gets a little breathing room in order to glance up as Ash talks down through the hole Benimaru made with him. "Not at all," he retorts to the Frenchman, "He's -your- dog, after all." But... that's all the time he has, for Shenwoo isn't one to just stand around and wait! Especially when Duolon is involved. And ESPECIALLY when Shenwoo was forced into a tux. That's just asking for trouble. And, when he looks back down to the man across from him, it's already a little late. Careless, getting distracted like that... but even so, he gets totally punched. The fist slams into the skinnier man, sending him flying backwards a short distance. Twisting to land on his feet, he raises a hand to rub at his mouth, in an oddly habitual move. Huh, Shenwoo wasn't wearing his rings? How'd Ash manage -that-? Anyway, assessing himself, Duo sighs, and stands, noting he's not really in the best of shape to be fighting Shenwoo. Now... what was that other person's name? "Gato," he says. "Switch with me." And with that, he steps backwards from Shenwoo, letting the other fighter in.
COMBATSYS: Duolon gains composure.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
The man in the black silk chinese shirt blinks as he's finally made aware of just whose team he's supposed to be on, having chosen not to socialize at the beginning of the match. He leaps into the air, to find himself in the Romeo and Juliet set, doing a quick aerial somersault, and travelling in a smooth parabolic curve towards Shenwoo.
For a long time it doesn't seem like the newcomer is going to attack at all, landing on the ground with nothing uttered. But at this exact moment is when his assault begins. He thrusts himself forward on the ground, angling his heels down and sliding across the surface of the mausoleum floor towards Shenwoo in a baseball slide that threatens to knock the street-brawler's ankles from under him. Such a quiet fighter, Gato is. Not a quip escapes his lips. Nothing but the grunt of effort.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
What, that's it? One little punch and Duo Lon goes running? Shenwoo lets out an irritated huff, adjusting his tuxedo a little, and then... There's Gato coming down towards him! Rather than trying to avoid the weird baseball slide attack, the brawler stands there and takes it, getting knocked over, but... Well, he wanted to see how hard Gato could hit, since he's the only unknown quantity in the match to Shen.
Despite being knocked down again, Shenwoo is quick to get back to his feet, whirling around as he does so to throw one leg out and up in a wild roundhouse kick. Of course, he's trying to catch Gato with it, in the head preferrably, with enough force to blast him back at the wall...!
COMBATSYS: Gato fails to counter Heavy Kick from Shenwoo with Hou-zan Sai Heki-Ga.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Gato
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Gato swings his feet wildly, in an attempt to get back to a standing position as quickly as possible, but manages to only put his head right in the blast radius of Shenwoo's foot, and he's sent flying through several layers of brick and mortar. As he bursts through the rubble and debris, he doesn't have time to note the scenery changing.
He doesn't even notice as he lands on the head of a large animatronic brontosaurus, and slides down all the way to its large humped back. In this artificial jungle with plastic plants and robotic dinosaurs, the cackles and fictional roars howl through the air, as huge fake mosquitos flit about. A large gate with a sign at the top gives all the information necessary 'TRIASSIC RECREATIONAL HOTSPOT'
Huh, that might've been a catchier title. Take note, Michael Crichton.
The hell, robot dinosaurs?! Shenwoo stands at the hole that Gato blasted through the wall, frowning down at the strange park they have to fight in next; of course, he has little choice but to /also/ slide down the brontosaurus, in order to keep up with the escaping kenpo fighter.
Everybody else of course gets a more leisurely route onto the new set, guided by the studio personnel through doors and stairways. But you know, that's the difference between being on the spot in the match, and currently being a spectator for all intents and purposes.
Once he's settled in the Triassic, Shenwoo straightens up on his feet, and of course he immediately goes after Gato again, running in and aiming a rough right cross at the other fighter's head. "C'mon! Don't bore me now, whatever your name is!!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Gato with Strong Punch.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Gato is brutalized by Shenwoo, getting punched in his already abused head before his eyes narrow. It seems he's not happy to be punched by such a scrappy looking brawler. After Shenwoo's fist leaves him, he hops onto his feet, and once again leaps into the air.
His somersault however stops just at the peak of his jump, and his hands thrust forward and down. The skin of the brontosaurus rips apart harshly as gears and steel replace it. Just like the old toys when the first movie was released, it's undergoing "DINO DAMAGE!" This unseen wall of chi continues, heading right in a Beeline towards the worst boxer in the universe, kicking up clouds of dust in its wake.
And as he's led along into the next DINOTASTIC set by studio personnel, Ash comments, "How did they get all this stuff in here? The studio didn't look all that big on the outside."
COMBATSYS: Gato successfully hits Shenwoo with Kou-Ga.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Invisible things are apparently difficult to get out of the way of; Shenwoo tries, regardless, correctly guessing something bad is coming his way as the animatronic dinosaur is damaged by the passing of Gato's chi... But he doesn't guess the thing's speed quite right, and instead he gets quite securely struck. Staggering he falls a bit towards the ground... Ending up in a low crouch, Shenwoo grabs the nearest thing he can, a rock, and before he even bothers getting to his feet he twists and wings the damn thing at Gato. It's one of those 'eye for an eye' things, maybe. "Jackass!!"
COMBATSYS: Gato overcomes Thrown Object from Shenwoo with Thrown Object.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Gato grins as the rock comes his way, actually changing the expression on his face, for the first time in the fight. Snatching the rock out of the air, he lands and examines it for a moment, standing on the back of the Brontosaurus before looking at Shenwoo with a quizzical glance.
"Hmph," he finally says, before chucking the thing right back at Shenwoo. If this is a battle of throwing rocks at each other, it seems Gato is pretty wise to the ways of things. So once again that same rock is sent hurtling towards the air, this stamped 'RETURN TO SENDER' Really, now, Shenwoo. You can do better than that, can't you?
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo parries Gato's Thrown Object!
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
"OUTTA THE WAY," Shenwoo yells, swinging his arm through the air and smacking the rock, indeed, out of the way. This done, the self-styled 'God of Battle' rushes forward and up the side of the brontosaurus in order to get at Gato, lashing out at the silent fighter with a rough uppercut punch... But of course, if he lands that, he doesn't stop there.
Instead, Shen bellows at the top of his lungs, as though he were one of the many dinosaurs this park is reproducing through the miracle of modern robotics, and he's briefly enveloped in a violent red aura of chi, before the berserker unloads a furious combination of attacks on Gato, punching and kicking and even headbutting the other man a little, before finishing it off with a zero-range Gekiken to blast Gato away again, ideally through the big 'TRIASSIC RECREATIONAL HOTSPOT' doors, and out of this set and into...
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Gato with Bakuma Assault EX.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=======\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
...AND ACTUALLY OUT OF DOORS, INTO THE WILD WEST?!
Gato sails through the terrain of varmits and wranglers, landing in the water trough where a trained horse would presumably be drinking were they being filmed, after the loud sploosh, he lifts his head up out of the water, before looking for his tag partners in this battle royale.
"This isn't over, boxer. However, I'm sure that this test of strength is meant to entertain. Discretion, Valor... et cetera. I've got my eye on you, you TYRO!"
With that, he hops into the air in his now seemingly trademark somersault, before landing on one of the rafters and waiting for mister Crimson to make his appearance on the scene, "I think you might be more suited to deal with this."
COMBATSYS: Gato gains composure.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Luckily, though the Frenchman's a little behind, Ash DOES make his muchly anticipated appearance on the set eventually, stepping through the hole in the wall, leading from the Triassic era into the Wild, Wild West. After the surprise of the extras hanging around in all the other areas, it's strange how empty this place happens to be... A dusty street with all the curtains of the shops and homes drawn, and a lone tumbleweed blowing past, thanks to a wind caused by some large fan stashed somewhere in the studio. He runs long fingers back through strands of white hair, and then... smiles pleasantly. He might be more suited to deal with this? Why thank you, Gato... whoever you are! He most certainly is, in his own mind, quite suited to deal with Shenwoo. Guess that means that the flamewielder's been tagged in once more, and so, in a terrible mock Western accent, Ash lowers both hands to his hips, pointing at the dirt road with his 'guns', "DRAW, PARDNER!" Might as well get into it, right?
But, not actually being the sort of person to play fair in a shootout - as if Shenwoo even had anything to 'draw'! - the Frenchman draws first, probably before the Shanghai-born 'God of Battle' can even react, both hands whipping up and as he points at the brawler with his fingers, acting like they're pistols, a wave of emerald energy courses down along his arms. "Bang!" Ash says lazily, and as he does so, the chi collects at the tips of those digits, condensing into flames, and he fires them off at his friend, blowing the smoke off of each long fingernailed 'barrel' afterwards like a REAL WESTERN HERO. Except he's so not; he just thinks he's terribly clever by faking it!
COMBATSYS: Ash successfully hits Shenwoo with Ventose.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
And of course, Shenwoo follows Gato into the wild wild west... Only to have the other fighter tag out on him? Which leaves Shenwoo to face... Of course, Ash. And you know Shen, he was just about to make some smartass remark or something when Ash goes and gets 'into character', and shoots green fire at him. "What the fu--" ...And Shenwoo gets /blasted/ by the green fire, though he tries to duck out of the way at the last minute, the flames knocking him off his feet and onto his back. Ow.
"DAMMIT ASH, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" the Shanghai-born brawler demands as he gets back up to his feet. His nice tux is all dusty now too! Not that he cares, he'd probably throw it out afterwards anyway. Like he's ever going to wear such a thing again? The brawler, of course, charges right at Ash, and hauls off with a straight left-handed punch, aimed right at the Frenchman's chest. "YOU'RE NOT A COWBOY OR SOMETHING."
COMBATSYS: Ash blocks Shenwoo's Quick Punch.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Ohoho, and the master of the draw twirls his imaginary pistols before sheathing them back in their respective holsters at his sides, clearly enjoying his little game. Standing all relaxed otherwise, the Frenchman adjusts his cravat, and grins broadly, eyes reduced to slits. "Well, that much is obvious." About his not being a cowboy anyway, and then, predictably, the brawler is coming right for him. Ash unfortunately can't say much else right away, as the lean fighter has to move to absorb the impact of Shenwoo's fist with his bare hands, and it tickles a little bit. Could it be that his roommate has been getting rusty? Normally, this would at LEAST sting. The look the Frenchman gives the taller blond is a bit disappointed, maybe even questioning, but, like usual, he doesn't dwell on such things for very long.
Releasing the berserker's fist and taking a step back, he finally tacks on to the original quip, "...And I wouldn't want to wear one of those terrible hats, either!" That's a fashion statement even Crimson would prefer to avoid, because surprisingly enough, he has LIMITS. And then, well, he hauls his leg up, twisting his body and aiming to brutally kick Shenwoo in the face with his whirling foot... Enter the fruity ballerina kick! With luck, it'll send his tuxedo-clad friend smashing through one of the windows nearby and into the next set! He's actually quite curious to see what else is here in the studio... It might even be a little bit exciting to him!
Oh, isn't that disappointing? Shenwoo grits his teeth a little as Ash blocks his punch, immediately retreating back before he can get some sort of horrible flamey death unleashed upon him. In fact, though he kind of regrets it, it's probably time to let somebody else get in here... Especially given his own historical problems with fighting Ash Crimson, right? In fact, who would much prefer to... OF COURSE. "Hey... FROSTY PANTIES!" Shen shouts over at the spectators and other fighters. "YOU'RE UP!"
Which of course allows Shenwoo to leap out of the way before Ash's kick even starts heading his way, which makes it... Totally Elisabeth's problem, and not his. On the other hand, Shen now has the chance to catch his breath a little bit. Whew!
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo gains composure.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth fails to counter Prairial from Ash with Mirage Derriere.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-----==|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|=======\===----\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
For the longest time the Blanctorche heiress has been minding her own business, pretty much ignoring much of the fight to be had between the other fighters. Only, that's how it seemed; instead, she'd been keeping a close eye on the others, taking notes. Particularly, those keen navy blue eyes had been fixed on the likes of Ash, observing his moves. Has he gotten better? Is he better than her? It's a thought that usually plagues the heiress.
Only does she move when Shenwoo shouts, her features stern as she glares toward him. "Mon dieu," she mumbles, before she charges forward, past the God of Battle and right at that fruity ballerina kick. Lifting a hand from her side, she attempts to cut a swath of silvery chi before her, to catch that kick - only, she gets kicked and is knocked back, sent skidding a few yards before she stops, offering a glare toward the white-haired Frenchman.
"About time," she states, lifting her chin. "I was wondering when I would have the chance to face you down again, Ash Crimson." Lifting a finger, she thrusts it forward, pointing it at his chest. "I refuse to have a repeat of our first match."
It seems the Frenchman's fighting a team full of people that would really like to beat him down, how interesting! Of course, if ASH had been behind the organization of this fight, as Duo seems to suspect, he'd almost certainly be torturing Benimaru and Elisabeth by having them both on /his/ team... Not setting them up against him like this, because where's the fun in that? But whatever, he can't really stop that kick once he's started it, his entire body animated in the movement, and as it crashes into Elisabeth instead of Shenwoo, well... He heard the brawler call for a 'Frosty Panties', and though Benimaru could've certainly been the one he was referring to, the heiress seems like the more logical target of such an uncouth nickname. In any event, he's not surprised, and he still wouldn't have been if it was Sparky over there that he had just booted instead. Oh well!
Landing only a few feet away after the kick, as the noblewoman jabs her finger in his direction, Ash... leans forwards, one hand resting on his hip while the other slides down the length of the leg in front to his knee in an exceedingly effeminate manner, "You can't beat me." He tells her in response to her claim, and he means it quite seriously, too. Arrogance radiates from every pore of him, as well as his infinite confidence. He walks forwards after that, sauntering with his hips in full swing, "But try all you like." Just don't get in his way, when it comes to his own true goals and plans. Ash then, with those long nails of his curling in towards the palm, lashes out with a fist, and while he really isn't all that fond of beating on women... At least he's not going for her face. He won't hesitate to bury it into Elisabeth's stomach, though, and quite roughly besides!
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth blocks Ash's Quick Punch.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|=======\===----\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
It's a quick enough recovery, despite the obvious embarrassment of failing her attempt to counterattack the Frenchman. Regardless, the Blanctorche heiress seems nonplused or ruffled by the failure; if anything, it just fuels her desire to overcome seemingly impossible odds and best the eccentric - and clearly confident - young man. Her rival. The heiress' jaw tenses a bit.
His gesture earns him the slightest of frowns, the woman's thin brow twitch softly before she simply bows her head and draws her eyes shut. Crossing her arms over her chest, she holds her ground, unmoving as she listens to him. Even as he approaches, she doesn't move; Elisabeth stands there. Slowly, a single blue eye opens, fixed on the white-haired fighter as he nears. He's going to hit her, isn't he?
She's ready for it. Her arm jerks away from her chest as he punches out, catching his incoming fist in the center of her waiting palm. Narrowing her eyes briefly, the woman fixes them on those odd blues before she lifts her chin. "I think I will," she declares...before she tugs his arm forward and jerks a knee up, attempting to strike him sound in the gut if he's not careful!
COMBATSYS: Ash fails to interrupt Light Kick from Elisabeth with Nivose.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|=======\===----\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Well, of course he's going to hit her... That's sorta the way a fight goes, you know? But as his fist connects with her waiting palm, Ash seems less disappointed than others might. It's really not all that big of a deal to the Frenchman, and he's ready to just step back from there, but she's pulling him in instead. Ash's eyes widen for a fraction of a second before he fully comprehends the situation, "Is that it?" He wonders outloud. It's clear that her knee is coming up, so the lean fighter makes an attempt to push up from that force, with every intent of delivering the nastiest of flaming kicks... But he's hit pretty hard in the gut before he can manage it, enough so that it wipes the smirk off his face momentarily, and his plan fails. Just a small misjudgement, he tells himself; that's all. The flamewielder withdraws smoothly, and then sorts his hair again, as if that hit were nothing at all, followed by checking his nails in the 'sunlight' beaming down on the worn dirt road. A recovery really didn't take all that long, obviously. "You'll need to do better than /that/, Betty. Ahahahaha." He taunts, laughing cheerily. Poor Elisabeth.
Without hesitating the Frenchwoman snares the young man and pulls him forward, despite the ponder he utters aloud for her to hear. Closing her thoughts off, she doesn't let him get the better of her. Instead, she just lets her body move, a knee lifting quite quickly and abruptly from below. Despite his attempts to execute an odd, flaming green kick in retaliation, Elisabeth's knee makes purchase against his stomach. Only after impact does the heiress step back, giving him room to do...whatever. Even if it means looking at his nails.
Then, laughter. It draws a mildly bemused look across the woman's features, her chin lifting a touch as she just stares at the man. She says nothing; she instead continues to watch him, even as he cheerily taunts her. "I think you should take your own advice, Ash," she retorts, albeit a bit quietly. With that the Blanctorche heiress jerks to life, attempting to reach out to his collar and grab him harshly, before she twists and turns her body, attempting to send him sailing toward the wall of the adjacent set!
COMBATSYS: Ash blocks Elisabeth's Quick Throw.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|=======\===----\1 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Maybe Ash should listen to his own advice, but he'll continue with being an arrogant ass, thanks. It's just the way he is, after all. Anyway, as the Blanctorche heiress approaches, her hands grasp his collar quite firmly, but she should notice something strange about it all. Mainly, Ash's knees bend, and from there on, the momentum of the throw is completely under his control. He goes sailing, of course, but doesn't connect with the wall in a manner that is harmful. Instead, his feet make the impact, and with the combination of inertia and his weight, he brings the entire side of houses and shops down, crashing heavily into the next set. Dust and grass go flying everywhere, along with a bubbling cauldron, that bowls over an extra who screams with surprise. Ash lands perfectly himself, stepping off the fallen display afterwards, and... Huh. It's a... Cemetary? One of the extras, all painted up white with snake-slits for a nose, stares at the suddenly-arrived Frenchman, then throws up his arms in frustration. "How am I supposed to work with all these interruptions!"
"Voldemort, I think Harry's badly injured!"
"I don't care, it's just a reinactment anyway!"
Ash, meanwhile, has scooped up the wand of the fallen Harry Potter, and twirling it in his fingers, he remarks to no one in particular. "Ooo, I've always liked these books. I'd have to say my favourite spell..." Whipping the wand around in the air, he points it directly at the heiress, and suddenly he's enveloped by an explosion of green flames, engulfing him. His eyes, for a brief moment in time, flicker strangely before he abruptly closes them. "Would have to be the Killing Curse." Which is exactly the spell Harry should've used in the fourth book! ... So he reads sometimes, who knew! But they're just children's books, ha ha. Oh Ash, probably bought them with Shen's money, too. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" The Frenchman shouts out, because this is just... entirely too much fun, and he's getting into things far more than he should. But with those words, suddenly the emerald flames encircling him are crashing forth, burning up the 'grass', and charging down the noblewoman. He also catches Voldemort in the cross-fire, saving the day for poor unconscious Harry, and the man takes off screaming with his cloak on fire! "Oops." Ash says, quite innocently, but almost as an afterthought, "Sorry about that." Liar.
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth blocks Ash's Sans-Culottes.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Though Ash is sent flying, it's evident that he's offering a defense of sorts against her attempts to throw him into the adjacent set. She follows through with the motions regardless, sending the white-haired main toward the houses and shops down, ultimately crashing into the wall. The result? The wall itself crumbles down, causing things on the other side to get chaotic. People run and squeal and shout at one another...but Elisabeth seems she could care less. Instead, deep blues level on the white-haired Frenchman.
So he reads? "Sorry," she replies, her chin lifting at touch once again. "I'm afraid I don't follow you. But whatever this curse is in these obviously childish books of yours, I'm afraid they won't work on me." That being said, the woman just focuses her eyes on the young man as he flares to life with green flames, which, in turn, lap across the faux grass and scream right for her. Sliding a foot back, the woman lifts her arms, letting the fire crash against her bare forearms before she pushes forward and against them, snuffing the fires out altogether.
"It'll take more than that to be rid of me, Ash!" With that the woman's fist ignites with silver energy at her side before she thrusts it forward, sending three points of searing white light screaming toward Ash.
COMBATSYS: Ash negates Etancher from Elisabeth with Large Thrown Object.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Pity. Ash had been hoping that she would've sustained more damage from that, but life has its ups and downs. One can't expect things to always go the way you want them to, and so his tactics are once again adjusted accordingly. "I don't recall saying that I ever wanted to 'get rid of you'." Ash remarks thoughtfully, and as she snuffs out the flames, the ones left encircling him hungrily gobble up the wand as he releases it, charred remains falling to the ground. The Frenchman walks past them as they bubble up into nothing afterwards, and he rests a hand against his hip, but with those three points of light sent screaming towards him, hmph. Really, is that how this is going to work?
With his foot lifting and set against the toppled cauldron, he just rolls it around to sit in front of him, and lazily picks it up. Holding it in that one hand, he angles his body just right and SWINGS the pot by its handle, right into the bursts of white chi! IT'S A HOME-RUN! Except now he's not left without any bat, as the aforementioned handle comes clean off, and the whole cauldron explodes in a flash so bright that it BLINDS everyone looking, even better than Ash's clashing formal wear! The Frenchman shields himself with his hand, but there's really not much to be concerned about, aside from a few droplets of water raining down from above, and mostly small, charred bits of what was once a solid object. The chi itself is gone entirely. Dusting off a sleeve, he tosses the mangled handle aside and rolls his thin shoulders in a shrug. "I can see why they want these things destroyed," He says, conversationally, "The quality is absolutely terrible."
It still stung, besides the successful defense she held up against the Frenchman's impressive emerald flames. But it is of little concern to the woman at this point; instead, the heiress just drops her arms, letting either idly brush her singed forearms off. Damn those odd flames of his. She never did like them.
Lifting her eyes, the woman fixes them on the Frenchman as he speaks. "That is not the point," she argues, before her fist thrusts forward, points of bright white energy sailing toward the white-haired man. A quick improvisation spares him the grief of her inherited talents; the cauldron used as a bat, those three points of bright white light are struck harshly, though the pot itself is lost in the process. As result, both Ash and Elisabeth are left standing, otherwise staring each other down across the singed fake landscape.
"Perhaps," she replies, meeting his gaze with a stern look. "But it works." Clearly. It spared him from her chi. Bowing her head a touch, the woman's eyes draw to a thoughtful close as she stands there, considering her options. Only after a few moments does the woman's head lift, a finger jutting forward.
"Shenwoo! I call you in!"
Then Elisabeth backs up, taking her place on the sidelines...but sure to give herself some distance from the strange blonde fighter with a crush!
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth focuses on her next action.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Wait, what? It's /Shenwoo's/ turn? If that's really how she wants to play it... The brawler hops on into the graveyard, facing off with Ash once more, shaking his head a bit as Elisabeth takes her leave. "Pfft... Like she even /did/ anything," he says dismissively, with a wave of his hand. His dark eyes turn to the Frenchman, and he figures he might as well get right back into it... By throwing himself into a rushing lunge at Ash, his left fist extended for another of those rushing punches he loves so much. Of course, it's never /really/ worked against Ash at all, but hey, the 'I've lost count'-th time is the charm, right?! "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Ash with Gekiken.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
When Elisabeth bows out, calling in his roommate, there's visible annoyance radiating from the Frenchman's stance in the graveyard. His irritation increases tenfold when the brawler speeds across the distance that separates them, throwing out his fist in the move that Ash, and indeed anyone who's ever fought Shenwoo, is all too familiar with. But, hey. At least he's not getting headbutted, right? Alas, however, that this time, it would seem that fortune has flown away and left Ash Crimson with very little luck at all. Though Shen's thankfully without his rings, it's painful when he barrels right into the flamewielder, who manages only a weak attempt at defence at best. His arms come up to intercept, but he's unable to absorb the hit, and it slams right into his face. The cheek, specifically. Ash has enough sense to turn his head, because he'd rather not have a broken nose.
Anyway, after being punched harshly, Ash goes flying only a short distance, crashing into a stone tombstone and sliding down to the 'grass'. He stares up at the dimly lit ceiling of the studio, and just... mutters something very inappropriate in French before hauling his ass up, wiping the sweat away from his brow with the lengthy green sleeve. "I think you broke one of my teeth." And if he has to shell out for some dental surgery, the 'God of Battle' is going to be the sorriest son of a bitch on this planet. Ash even goes so far as to stick a finger into his mouth in order to check, and it comes out coated with blood, but that's only due to the fact that he wound up biting the inside of his mouth. Which means, Shen's lucky, still... Grrr! GRRRRRR, I DAMN WELL SAY! It's enough to raise Ash Crimson's ire, in any event, which is rarely something seen so obviously. Stalking forwards, his arrogant swagger replaced by something which is definitely a more masculine walk, he then raises a hand, black nails flashing in the light, and brings it crashing down in a fist, meant to completely floor the berserker. "Putard! That hurt!"
COMBATSYS: Ash successfully hits Shenwoo with Messidor.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Duolon
Of course it hurt, this is a fight! Shenwoo punches people, and it's uncomfortable! Anyway, Ash's overhand punch crashes into Shen's head, and the tall blond goes careening down to the ground, which isn't fun. He rolls a little to avoid getting like, stepped on by the Frenchman or anything, before he gets first into a crouch and then rises to his feet. "What were you expecting, a tickle?!" the berserker wonders, incredulously. Of course, he's not just going to stand around or anything...
Instead, Shen gets in close again, aiming to fake Ash out with a couple of quick punches that aren't intended to hit at all... Before kicking one leg forward, low, trying to take one of Ash's own legs out from under him. "You don't get to complain during a fight!!" Except about other people not fighting right, like Shenwoo sometimes does. BUT THAT'S DIFFERENT, HONEST.
COMBATSYS: Duolon blocks Shenwoo's Light Kick.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Duolon
But as Shen tries to get in close, he'll find himself being led towards the crowd, as Ash moves backwards. In fact, he lures the berserker right over to Duolon, who happens to be the first of his teammates he can find, and after dodging the punches by simply stepping off to the side, he quickly pats the Hizoku assassin on the shoulder with the word, "Toooooooouch!" which makes Shenwoo /Duo's/ problem. ...Though it's not until after Ash has tapped the thin figure on the shoulder that he notices... Duo seems to have gotten /much/ skinnier than he was before. For a moment, his eyes widen and nose wrinkles as he sees that it is, in fact, a prop skeleton dressed exactly like Duolon was. EWWWWWWWWWW! "Mon dieu." He mutters, shaking his head.
Which begs the question... Where's the ACTUAL Duo gotten off to?
However, since he's now out of the match, at least for the moment, it's also now not his problem where the real Duo is; Ash instead just stands there lazily, arms folding across his chest as he examines the dried blood still present on his fingertips, giving a haughty sniffle, "I can complain all I like, and don't you lecture me about it, hypocrite." He aims back at Shenwoo in response to the other man's admonishment, because if there's anyone here who knows the brawler, it's Ash. And he's well aware of the Shen's habit where he bitches about those who don't 'fight right'. Like he even has room to talk there! Honestly, what kind of a boxer KICKS PEOPLE?! Hmph. The back of his tuxedo jacket is dirty, too, from all of that rolling around in the 'grass'. That makes the flamewielder a sad panda.
COMBATSYS: Ash gains composure.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Duolon
Watching the fight, Duolon had kept track of the progress of the battle, and came to only a single conclusion. They were now in a graveyard, and Ash was facing down Shenwoo, both of these no doubt leading the Frenchman to a single idea: that the Hizoku should totally be fighting this battle, not Ash himself. Or, well, that was how -he- had thought the flamewielder would think... and, after all, he sees that he is right, as Ash steps closer to him. He doesn't feel the touch, because by then the Hizoku is already gone... he knows what he has to do. Which, apparently, seem to entail a kind of odd 'explosion', rising up out of a grave directly in front of Shenwoo, in order to intercept the kick Shenwoo makes to Ash's legs by punching out with a palm for Shen's knee, meeting force with force and stopping the leg cold. Of course his force is MUCH less than what Shen can put out, and it was sort of an impromptu block, so his wrist takes a good jarring.
None the less, the explosion out of the ground - out of a GRAVE - no doubt makes for a surprised moment, which Duo is fully prepared to take advantage of, his body twisting around so he can lift a leg, and attempt to make one strong, heavy boot right to the heavier brawler's face, stiffly kicking him right in the nose. As for the skeleton Duo, it and the several hundred dollar outfit seem to fade into ashes, a mere illusion created on the spot by the assassin.
COMBATSYS: Duolon successfully hits Shenwoo with Genmu Hishou Keikou.
Glancing Blow
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\====---\1 Duolon
And as usual, Duolon proves to be creepy and weird! Shenwoo is as surprised as anyone when his attack is deflected in such an unusual way, but if he's upset that he has to fight the Hizoku instead of the Frenchman now, he doesn't give any sign; he's probably happier this way, up against his longtime rival. Anyway, the assassin explodes out of a grave, which is certainly dramatic and all, but rather than getting kicked in the face Shen ducks to the side, feeling the other man's foot graze he side of his head. It still hurts, sure, but it could've been a lot worse.
As the speedier fighter is probably still in the process of heading down towards the ground, since he didn't quite hit Shen as hard as he wanted to, the brawler turns on his heel and raises his hands over his head, clasping them together and swinging downwards in an axehandle attack; he's hoping to hit the assassin right in the head, but if anybody is well aware that things don't always go that wag against Duo, it'd be Shenwoo! "HORA!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Duolon with Fukuko-Geki.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\======-\1 Duolon
Unfortunately in this instance, things -do- go the way the brawler wants, it seems, and the overhead axeswing of the muscular man's hands connect, driving down into the Hizoku's head, causing him to stumble forward as his feet touch the ground, grunting in pain. That kinda hurt! And on the head, no less. Staggering a bit, Duo is only able to bring himself around in order to look at Shenwoo, a small, displeased smile appearing on his lips as he looks to the monkey-in-the-tux. "I've had enough of you this night," he says, and moves his hand from the back of his head, drawing it over his chest. A small bit of concentration later, the hand begins to bubble up with familiar purple-black energy, coalescing around the pale hand. With a cry of "Away with you!" the Hizoku tosses his hand out, and the usual ball of screaming faces flies out... except after it leaves his hand, it seems to grow in size, to nearly triple its normal size, and also flying at a much faster pace, screaming out towards Shenwoo.
COMBATSYS: Duolon successfully hits Shenwoo with Hiden Genmu Juu Onshii Kon.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\ < > /////////////// ]
Shenwoo 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0 Duolon
Again, it's supposed to hurt! Shenwoo is quite pleased as his fists hit home on Duo's headmeats, grinning that wolfish grin of his when the assassin looks his way, looking all unhappy. "C'mon then, bring it," he says, beckoning Duolon on, and then... Well... It's brought? The roiling ball of screaming faces and other scary stuff rushes at him with terrible speed and purpose, and of course, the brawler tries to get out of the way, but to no avail. He's struck by the blast, knocked right off his feet, and rolling twice before stopping against a headstone. But he's not quite done yet.
Instead, a bit shakily, Shenwoo springs out of his prone position into a low run at the Hizoku, charging headlong and heedless of any possible danger, and when he gets close enough the brawler lunges at Duolon with an attempted headbutt. "Shut up!!" he yells as he attacks, and if it hits, he follows it up with a pair of punches to Duo's fragile torso, ending it in a left straight to the face to knock him away. "AND GO DIE!!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo can no longer fight.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Benimaru 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
> /////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Duolon
COMBATSYS: Duolon dodges Shenwoo's Kohyou Rengeki.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Benimaru 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
> /////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Duolon
This time, things don't go so immediately well for the brawler. Ready for the exhausted Shenwoo, the Hizoku braces a little, setting himself up for what would come next! Which seems to be... sidestepping and rolling right out of the way of the attacks Shenwoo is dishing out, ending up with his back to the blonde man. Casting a hand out, he hmphs a bit, and then turns back towards his opponent, shaking his head a bit. "Sloppy. Your part in this match is done with..." but despite all this bravado that Duo seems to be putting forth, the Chinese man doesn't look entirely all that good on his feet, either. No doubt he'll be out with only a few hits or so. Closing his eyes a moment, he breathes in deeply, then exhales, looking up between Benimaru and Elisabeth. "Which is next?"
COMBATSYS: Duolon takes no action.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Benimaru 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
> /////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Duolon
Well, there's been a lot of flirting and such going on with Benimaru, so for a while he actually hadn't been paying attention to the match. One moment he was with the group the next he realized they were gone, ".. Nani.."
So he had to zip through Neo-jurrassic park to get into the wild west but his appearance isn't immediete, no.. A tumbleweed passes, a very much needed tumbleweed, and then the faint sound of galloping.
Trollop trollop trollop, and then in comes a black stallion, a truely beautiful mare if one didn't say so themselves, and atop that ride is the lone ranger himself, mask and all! Drawing his pistol as he pulls up next to Duolon, he shoots it into the air and grins wide, "Fret not, the LONE RANGER is here!" he cries mightily.
And Benimaru sneaks up behind Duolon to punch him in the back of the head. Hard.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Duolon with Medium Punch.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
> /// ]
|=======\-------\1 Duolon
It's difficult to miss the entrance of the Lone Rider. The man gallops right on in with his black stallion, rears up on the horse, and shoots into the air. This gives Duolon pause, for he can only think the Ranger is Benimaru, finally having broken away from Juliet, and riding in in order to make a grand entrance, possibly to impress Elisabeth. Indeed, the Hizoku expects such, because it's exactly what Benimaru would do, or what he -thinks- Benimaru would do, anyway, because the shootfighter just had that natural showmanship to him. He notices, however, that the Lone Ranger looks nothing like Benimaru, even behind the mask. That would be enough clue for the Chinese man to realize that something is amiss. Likely, he could have turned around and saw Benimaru coming. But in fact, he stays his ground. Then, he speaks, in a quiet, though somewhat... annoyed voice?
"...This is a Harry Potter set. Return to your foul American setting."
And that's about the point that Benimaru sneaks up and socks him right in the back of the head. Disappointing, really, that his secret love of books would make him get distracted enough to let someone sneak up on him. Also disappointing that Benimaru would -sneak up- on someone like this. But the fact remains that he gets hit, and staggers forward, crying out a bit. Turning, he glares at Benimaru, and raises a hand, as though to reach up and hold the spot he was hit. Instead, after a moment of silence, he says, "...There's lipstick on your collar," and then flings his hand out. No buildup this time, but evenso the purple-black chi flares out of Duolon's pale hand, streaking towards Benimaru with shrieks and unearthly screams as the twisting, writhing faces on the energy projectile race right towards the man's face, at point blank range!
COMBATSYS: Duolon can no longer fight.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Duolon's Hiden Genmu Juu Onshii Kon.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Benimaru 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
Yeah that was pretty... That would have been grande if it was Benimaru, yes, but the blonde model had a slightly different plan in mind. Actually it was a very different plan, with a different goal in mind!
The blonde model doesn't seem too disappointed in himself that he used such an underhanded tactic though, even with an ally. Poor Duolon, three times in a row used as some sort of stepping block to impress the ladies. However the blonde model, he doesn't quite fall for the assassins same trick, because not long after the mention of lipstick on his collar, in fact, it's probably at the same time that he asks incredulously, "... You read Harry Potter?"
There are some things in life man was just not meant to know. So alas, he does see the projectile ripping his way, and even screaming deadly chi isn't going to be quite enough to take out the shootfighter, who's way well versed in chi himself. His right hand snaps up, palm facing his own face and there's a sudden massive burst of electrical power.. He's being a major showoff here, as the wall of energy clashes with Duolons chi until it finally dissipates, leaving him standing there looking like an electrical badass, "... Well, it looks like I don't have any choice.. In the name of the lovely Elisabeth, in her honor I'll just have to defeat the rest of you."
Look at him, Elisabeth! Look how cool he is! Date him! :(
COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Gato
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Benimaru 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
Gato Hmphs and decides it's his time to take action. With all this crazy set changing, he doesn't even know who he is anymore! However, he knows what he is, and what he cand do. Dashing towards the Blonde supermodel he does his part, hooking his elbow backwards before thrusting it forward towoards the blonde QUOTE UNQOUTE supermodel's chest!
COMBATSYS: Benimaru fails to interrupt Zero Kiba from Gato with Raijin Ken.
- Power fail! -
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Gato
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Benimaru 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|==-----\-------\0 Ash
As his open palm impacts Benimaru's chest, Gato uses the moment of stun to leap onto Benimaru's shoulders. Here, he wraps his thighs around Beniumaru's head, and somehow almost impossibly pulls both himself and the blonde modle into the air, twisting and putting incredible strain on Benimaru's neck.
Finally Gato slams benimaru down against the ground before stepping away from the the supermodel and crossing his arms,
"Is this all you have to offer? You are useles."
Gato slides away from Benimaru and slides away from him, sternly frowning at him.
Well damn.. Benimaru was looking totally badass for.. Well, a moment there, wasn't he? And when Gato comes flying into the scene, the blonde model can only quirk a brow as he wonders aloud, ".. Who the hell is this guy?"
Well his chi was still burning strong, it'd probably be a good idea to tear Gato apart since he's still going to need energy leftover to take on Ash, he'll have to do it quick while keeping an eye on his own reserves.. He smirks at Gato, the electrical power again dancing about his left hand and puffs a bit of hair from his face, "All right, come on.." and he runs forward to meet Gato, fist shooting out and seems to go clean over the head while getting slammed into the chest but hard, "HRRRGH!!" And then he's what? A human pretzel? Twisted and pulled, Beni can only grunt as he doesn't fare quite as well against this attack, slams into the ground, and there's a light crack.. Actually it's not very light at all, it's incredibly heavy and with another crash, a good chunk of the theatre set proceeds to collapse.
Meanwhile in the sewers, four men are dancing on the 'sidewalk' while a boombox jams to a super hardcore j-pop beat, 'Oooh waku waku! I wanna waku waku with you tooo!! Nani nani nani, oooooh wakuuu!!' the boombox cries, as the four men, wearing turtle shells and ninja masks headbang...
And it's completely interrupted when the damn set from above crashes down upon them, Benimaru plummetting right into the sewer water with a huge SPLASH!!!!
But he immedietly sits up, taking in a deep huff of air and holds the back of his neck, "... Rrf.. If that's the hardest you can hit me," he grumbles, "You may as well leave now. That was pathetic.." Ow ow ow
"Totally tubular!!" cries Turtle A.
Ash, following the fight along to the new set and leaping down into the sewers (AUGH, EW!), stops dead in his tracks and STARES. "What in /hell/..." How big IS this place? AND WHO ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE?
Gato, after slamming Benimaru to the ground in such a vicious way doesn't even offer anything in the way of an apology. He merely flows like water into his next attack, thrusting his fist toward Benimaru with such force that it seems like he's not quite a good sport.
Gato, you have to learn how to play nice with people. Seriously.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Gato's Mou-Ko Kou Hakan.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Gato
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Benimaru 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|==-----\-------\0 Ash
Man what's with Gato suddenly getting the spotlight here, huh? It would seem that Benimaru doesn't have much choice, when the older brother comes zooming with a big fist, he gets up, dripping wet, and clenches a hand into a fist, "Crap.." it comes at him with evil intent, but what he didn't know is that Benimaru is the man. He snaps his left fist up and deflects the blow, then punches Gato right in his sister-abandoning face. Only it's not really a punch, it's a massive explosion of electrical chi that sends the sewer water flying up like a guyser. It'd take mad skills to avoid it, "RAIKOU KEN!!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Gato with Raikou Ken.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Gato
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Benimaru 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
Well, so much for being useful Gato. Well, at least he soften the blond man up. And as a side note, he hope to soften him up further before he falls by the wayside, unconcious, he launches himself in a final jump kick against Benimaru, putting it all on this final attack
C'mon Gato, ligthten up!
COMBATSYS: Gato can no longer fight.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Benimaru dodges Gato's Sen-Ga.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/-------/=======|
Kurow heads to the Pacific Ocean.
Lighten up, Gato... Lighten up Gato indeed. But at this point, Benimaru is just a demon posessed, sure, Shenwoo may have done most of the work, but as of now the Electric Wonder is completely stealing all the glory. Taking out two fighters in a row? Oh yes, that is an epic one for the cameras.
However at the moment Benimaru isn't looking too badass in his tux since he's soaked in 'sewer' water, but he does have enough sense to get the hell out of the way, the model doing little more the shifting to the side, kicking up a bit of that water and casually redirects the mans foot so he goes splashing into it as well.
A brief pause, and then the model brushes his wet hair from his face, and turns to face Ash, a tired, but very confident smile on his face. He raises his left hand, and gestures to the fru-fru as if to say 'Just bring it'.
"It's just you and me now, Crimson. Come and get some." Oh -hell- yes. He has got to be looking so badass right now, he wishes he could look over his shoulder because he knows the Elisabeth has to be swooning. He wondered if she preferred seafood or italian.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/-------/=======|
Looking up from her nails, Elisabeth seems to completely miss everything said and done by poor Benimaru. Sporting a dull-eyed gaze, the Blanctorche heiress stares briefly before she...looks back to her nails.
How the mighty have fallen... But they certainly put up one hell of a fight, didn't they? And, ha ha, Duolon's read Harry Potter. Isn't that /weird/? "Oh, so it's not 'Ash' anymore?" The Frenchman says with the purr of a predator, slinking forwards from the shadows as he's summoned forth, the final remaining member of his team, and neatly stepping over a puddle of that disgusting water that spots the cobblestone sewer here and there. He already jumped into it on the way down, and certainly would rather avoid soaking his socks further, thank you very much.
Of course, Ash can tell exactly why Benimaru is posturing, an amused and sly look crossing his face as he glances from the blond half-Japanese model over towards the French noblewoman, who seems about as impressed with Nikaido as he would guess. "It doesn't seem she likes you too much, does it?" He wonders of the shootfighter, with a light laugh. "If you want, I could give you a few tips about attracting her attention..." But the world may never know if he's being serious or not; one arm lifting, it's brought up in front of his face, and then he 'brings it'.
There's a bit of distance between them to start with, but Ash is closing in on Benimaru within seconds, a sudden run eating up the cobblestones underfoot, before abruptly rising up into the air in a surprising leap. Unfortunately, this particular set doesn't really provide all that much room for him, so he really can't do anything fancy beyond extending one slender leg, arm rising in the air for a bit of flourish, and from there he's aiming to bring his heel crashing down on the model's shoulder. Or his face, if Benimaru is really unlucky. Ash really isn't all that picky about /where/ he hits the other fighter, as long as hurts. The point is: jump-kicking Benimaru.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru endures Ash's Heavy Kick.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Ash
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Benimaru 1/----===/=======|
The model doesn't look too amused, however for his own benefit he actually doesn't completely listen to what Ash is saying. Because he's just very damn sure that Ash is a big fat liar! Well.. At least for the first half of it. Tempted horribly to look over his shoulder, he resists, and seems to actually... Well, consider Ash's offer. Could it be possible he was telling the truth? If it was, why would he help Benimaru after what he'd said previously?
He only has a few seconds to think about it, since now there's some serious jump-kicking action headed his way. His blonde brows furrow and he suddenly smirks, "I'll finish this in one shot.."
Benimaru doesn't move very much, he's reading the kick perfectly, and while it does land on his shoulder, the model is already leaning back with his hand drawn back into a fist, "Enough of your tricks!!" he yells, the light blue energy dancing about his form, crackling about his fist, "You're about to see the most beautiful ending of them all!" and a small orb forms within his hand, eyes widening as he thrusts his fist forward, "RAIKOU-"
The orb is squeezed, and there's just such a TREMENDOUS explosion, that it just shakes up the floor, the lighting within the studio flickering on and off as the pyrotechnics show just blows the hell up in front of him and hopefully completely engulfs Ash within the electric explosion, "KEN!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru can no longer fight.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Ash
COMBATSYS: Ash blocks Benimaru's Raikou Ken.
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Elisabeth 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Ash
Ha ha, he'd be incredibly amused if the blonde model had actually taken him up on his offer, for Ash is indeed a liar, though he's most definitely not fat. The Frenchman is actually quite UNDERWEIGHT, if anything, skinny as he is! But he wouldn't provide Benimaru with a shred of genuine advice that would actually help him in his pursuit of Elisabeth. For reasons that the flamewielder can't exactly comprehend, much less articulate, it gets on his nerves that Mister Libido would attempt to attract the noblewoman's attention, but it's hilarious at the same time how she completely disregards him. That's probably the only reason why he's been taking this in stride thus far. As his heel connects, crashing down heavily on Benimaru's shoulder as intended, Ash feels a sense of satisfaction. That should do for the model, and quite decisively. However, there's something strange...
Much to the Frenchman's dismay, he doesn't feel content over his successful hit for more than half a second, because it was just... too easy. There was no resistance on Benimaru's part, and soon enough, Ash Crimson comprehends WHY. "Or perhaps... it will be the end of YOU, mon ami." The Frenchman remarks back at Benimaru. As the crackling fist is thrust forwards, the ball of electricity encircling him in the air, there's indeed an explosion as the flamewielder in turn uses his own chi as a barrier. Moments later, he reappears from the light show, blown back from the force of the electrical attack, but it's hardly the end for him. Elegantly, the lean fighter twists in the air, then hits the cobblestones on his feet, sliding back through the sewer water in a spray that soaks the closest bystanders, and he straightens afterwards, running a hand back through his lengthy white bangs. "Is that it, then?" His jacket smokes gently, and the palms of both hands are red from the burn of chi that he was forced to absorb with them, but otherwise... Ash is fine, and he steps out from the water to approach the last remaining combatant, giving Elisabeth a faint smile. This is, of course, assuming that Benimaru is down for the count. "How appropriate that the battle should end like this..." He says, tone level, and not at all flighty or joking... For once.
When Benimaru says 'one shot,' Elisabeth Blanctorche is finally paying attention again. Frowning a touch, the heiress looks on as the young blonde is struck, blue eyes hooding. He took the hit on purpose; what is he planning? The crackling chi gives her a clue. He's going to attempt to end the fight.
Alas, it would have been swell, had he done so. Furrowing her brows as Ash staves off Benimaru's electrical blast with a burst of flames, she observes her environs. Glancing away from the display briefly, the woman's eyes drift to the ceiling, watching as the halogens flicker wildly in the presence of the unnatural energy. But just as swiftly as it comes, it leaves, and with it the lights cease flickering.
Inhaling deeply, the woman's shoulders sag as she sighs. It's up to her now, it would seem. "Useless," she murmurs, those blue depths shutting briefly as she considers her actions. It's just her and Ash now, and each fighter has no one left to call on. Even now, he seems to offer mild threats at best. This is how the fight should end? "Feh," Lifting her chin, the woman's eyes open, deep blues fixed entirely on the white-haired man.
"HAAAAAAAAH!" Quite suddenly the heiress lunges forward, dipping low as a glowing fist curls tightly at her side. Only as she nears does the woman suddenly rise in one swift, graceful motion, that tight fist aimed for Ash's jaw. Should it land cleanly a burst of silver chi will erupt from beneath him, to rock him skyward before carelessly dropping him to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth successfully hits Ash with Grand Rafale.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Ash
Benimaru utters, "Ungh." he fell back into the water by the way. But at least he was pulled out by the very helping Ninja Turtle Awesome Gang.
Ash wouldn't say it's a threat so much as... Well, she was his rival for many years, when he trained with her family, and it seems appropriate to him, how they're the only ones left here in the sewer as combatants. However, there really isn't all that much time to be waxing poetic here... It's more a time for action, as the noblewoman seems well aware. Elisabeth's lunge is followed with narrowed eyes as she approaches Ash, and perhaps he was just too arrogant, or flippant, or... maybe just plain tired, especially after Benimaru's earlier attack. At least he makes another half-hearted attempt at a defence, but it's just as successful as the last, and as her fist cuts up to soundly smash into his chin, the Frenchman doesn't really move until there's the blast of silvery chi erupting underneath him.
He's blasted upwards at the studio ceiling, and just as it seems that he might wind up in another set, Ash regains control, twisting so his feet hit the 'sewer roof' instead. The halogen lights shake on their steel supports as he hangs, almost batlike, suspended briefly as his knees bend to cushion the last of the force that sent him upwards... and grant more to him as he pushes off towards the ground below, and Elisabeth herself. In the process though, he grabs onto one of those steel bars, and tears a heavy light fixture from the set, before hurling it downwards at the heiress hoping the weight and momentum will deal her some serious harm, Ash himself plummeting after it. CATCH!
COMBATSYS: Ash successfully hits Elisabeth with Large Thrown Object.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Ash
Threat or no, Elisabeth treats Ash Crimson as if he were, in fact, as much. Launching herself into a swift attack, the heiress moves in without hesitating, lifting herself and smacking the man quite soundly in the jaw. While the strike alone, painful as it may be, does accomplish little, it's the blast which does most of the dirty work. Launching him up into the 'rafters' of the set, he's sent flying at the lights.
...from which he seems to choose to hang from. Tilting her head slightly, the woman looks up, squinting blue eyes at the white-haired weirdo. It earns him a frown, his antics none too pleasing to the eye of Elisabeth, but no matter. Her feet part slightly, eyes narrowing further as the fixture flies. Though, try as she may to avoid it outright, she's struck, staggering from the impact against her. It's dizzying and disorienting, but it does not hinder her. In fact, the harm itself seems to pose little threat to her well-being.
Shaking the last of the dizziness off, the woman breaks into a run, swiftly covering the distance between herself and Ash before she lifts a fist and attempts to punch him in the throat. It's a swift attack with no real power behind it, but it should be enough to disorient!
COMBATSYS: Ash dodges Elisabeth's Quick Punch.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Ash
Well, Ash wasn't hanging from them so much as defying gravity momentarily through sheer awesome, pulling the remaining force that had send him upwards into his body before launching himself back down at the heiress, and how it has paid off! The light fixture flung in Elisabeth's direction strikes true, and as she staggers back, the noblewoman saves herself from the plummeting Ash, who hits the cobblestone floor heavily, cracking a structure bar for the halogen light right in half. The bulbs themselves either smashed in the impact against the floor, or on the heiress themselves, and as Crimson rises from his crouch, his breathing laboured with both eyes visible for once, there's not much time to shake out his legs from the landing, so his feet are still tingling when she lunges at him again.
Fate, however, is kinder to Ash this time, and as she lifts that fist with the intentions of thrusting it into his throat, the Frenchman is no longer there. In fact, he ducks under that outstretched arm and practically glides past the heiress in a single long stride, letting out the faintest of amused giggles as he does so. "Where exactly are you aiming, anyway?" He wonders, twisting as he gets behind Elisabeth, and gathering his distinctive emerald flames quickly. Without a moment's hesitation or reconsideration for such unhonourable tactics, the Frenchman brings his arms around in a full circle, as though crafting his attack with his bare hands, before thrusting the large sphere of rolling green fire at his old rival. "I'm over here!"
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth blocks Ash's Thermidor.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Ash
Launching toward the man, it would seem his flight off the ceiling of the set works in his favor, even upon landing. Her fist howls through the air, but eats only that - empty air. Why? Well, he simply ducks to avoid it. Perhaps her vision was momentarily disoriented by the fact that, well, ...she got hit by a light fixture. That doesn't really do any wonders for the senses.
Irregardless, the Blanctorche heiress recoils her fist and paces back, giving herself distance from the young man. Only, he moves swiftly as he twists behind her. Pivoting sharply, she turns to face the young man, her lips pulling into a thin line before she scoffs. The sphere of emerald is noted, but she does not move. Instead, Elisabeth crosses her arms before her, shielding herself from that large green blast of flames. Gritting her teeth against it, the woman grunts slightly before she pushes forward into it, dispersing it before dropping her arms to her sides.
"A miscalculation," she states. "It won't happen again." With that she pushes off her back foot, charging after Ash before she leaps up, coming at him with a swift flying kick aimed for the center of his chest.
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth successfully hits Ash with Light Kick.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Ash
And it would seem that this is the end of their match, at least for Ash; when Elisabeth disperses the rolling ball of emerald flames, he only smiles while she leaps up and kicks him square in the chest. Of course, he had tried to evade the strike, but fortune is fleeting, and they say the same trick never works twice. The breath in his lungs is forced out, and though the edges of his vision are enveloped in black as the fight catches up to him, sweat once again on his forehead, he reaches forwards in an attempt to snag Elisabeth's leg before she can pull it back while she's still airborne. This would be the part where Ash would normally walk away, for he's far too classy to simply pass out in defeat like the rest of this lot, but if he can deliver a last hit... Have the final say... Then he'll make that effort. Just this once.
Should he be successful in grabbing hold of the noblewoman's leg, Ash then leans forwards with a chilling grin that can only mean very bad things are about to happen. He pulls her long leg along one side of his body after Elisabeth has landed, while his free left hand extends, palm flat and igniting with the rest of his energy. The chi courses down the freckle-faced fighter's arm, flickering wildly as it's channeled, and then, at point blank, with the flick of the wrist twice, he'll attempt to fire two condensed crescents, which look more like a blob of emerald flames, right into the heiress's face. Such a pity, he's always liked her stern, regal features, but all's fair in love and SNF... And then he'll fall unconscious in her arms, if she even bothers to catch him, ha ha.
If in the event that he's unsuccessful in his attempt at a grab, well... Ash will attack regardless and with more flourish, using the full rotation of each arm, but in the end... The world goes black, as his blue eyes roll back in his head, he crumples in an ungraceful heap on the ground, the Turtle Gang pulling the white-haired Frenchman as well from the water as the announcer's voice booms out through overhead speakers up above...
COMBATSYS: Ash can no longer fight.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Ash successfully hits Elisabeth with Ventose.
Glancing Blow
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Elisabeth 0/-------/---====|
She promised she would not miscalculate again, and she sees through to the end she does precisely that. Launching herself at him foot-first, the heiress closes in and, though he attempts to dodge it outright, he's struck. The end has come, but the heiress looks the least bit smug or arrogant. If anything, her expression is the same: serious and stern.
But surprise fleetingly finds purchase on her pale features as she's grasped by the leg, her eyes going slightly wide. His eerie look does not affect her as it likely would others; rather, the woman looks him straight in the eye, features hard and unyielding. Then, briefly, she meets that smirk with a tiny one of her own. There's those flames of his.
When he lashes out with his flames, the woman bends in an odd fashion. Though she avoids it for the most part the tails of the fiery blob singe her features, causing her to wince in a manner of annoyance, rather than out of pain. Tensing her leg, she jerks it to the side as she comes to stand again, setting it down easily enough. Only, when she rises...Ash is falling at her.
Be it reflex or whatever, the woman catches the white-haired man, thin brows knitting in what could be likened to confusion. Has she beaten him? It would seem that way. But, even so, the woman appears baffled by this realization. It's only when the SNF officials scurry in and announce winners into the cameras she accepts this. They're even now, in a sense. Tit for tat. She can live with this.
Hefting the man up a bit, the young heiress twists her body, drawing his arm across her shoulders and supports his weight at the waist, carrying him toward the nearest SNF medic for medical attention in his unconscious state. Forget Shenwoo; the brawler doesn't NEED her help. And Benimaru? Well, he's just weird.
The fight is over and done, and Elisabeth is pleased with the outcome. It reminds her while Ash might be a little better than herself, she's still formidable nonetheless.
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth takes no action.
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Elisabeth 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Elisabeth has ended the fight here.
And indeed, as it's clear that the only person left standing is Elisabeth, who's so graciously helping Ash to medical attention, the announcer's voice echoes throughout, well, the entire movie lot. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Your winners, via knockout courtesy of the lovely Madame Blanctorche... The team of BENIMARU NIKAIDO, ELISABETH BLANCTORCHE, AND SHENWOO!" And from the audience that's been able to keep up with the mobile fight, there's applause! There's more piped in over the sound system, but hopefully nobody notices them padding things a little.
Log created on 21:44:07 05/28/2007 by Elisabeth, and last modified on 20:55:52 06/07/2007.