Description: Duo Lon, Hizoku assassin, gleans information from an employer about the whereabouts of certain individuals involved in the cartel known simply as 'NESTS.' Investigating this, he runs into Zero... and proves he's not as weak as he appears. (But he still gets skirtified.)
Russia. Even the summer days here are unpleasant; the heat of a Russian summer can reach past the hundreds in fahrenheit, and the nights do not show much significant improvement. Even with the lack of the sun here in a relatively smaller city within the heart of Russia, the climate is still dry, warm. The air throughout the city is, for all intents and purposes, dead -- no winds circulate through the streets, nothing provided to offer any kind of respite from the night heat.
It's the time of night that, even in Russia, perhaps /especially/ in Russia, many do not stray outdoors for fear of what kind of filth might be lurking about. Most of those who wander the streets at this time of day are either extraordinarily brave, extraordinarily prepared, or... they're the exact filth the people who remain indoors are afraid of. Despite this small sliver of people who wander the streets, there is another kind of person who wanders the streets at this time of night. Worse, more terrifying than filth. The kind of person even the so-called 'monsters' would be wary to cross. To describe them with words would be hard to accomplish, but there would be no doubt who they are to look at them--
--and one of them just so happens to grace the dead streets of this small Russian town tonight.
He comes from a building towards the center of town; a small research facility that, on the surface, claims to act as a place to study varying forms of cancer and potential treatments. A front for something far, far different, though; at night, this facility largely appears just as quiet with just as much people entering and exiting it as the rest of the town. Tonight, though... a single man leaves, one that does not belong here. Dressed in a casual, black business suit, a long coat that holds close to his body, and with swept back, white hair and a stoney, almost coldly noble presence, he seems distinctly out of place from the common drifters, and even the researchers that attend the facility. Still, in the dead of night, there's no one to bother him as he exits the facility. Whoever he is, whatever his purpose here, remains a mystery and will continue to be as he begins to make his way down the street at a steady pace.
Zero, after all, has a schedule to keep.
An odd sort of coincidences had been set up in Duo's favor one night, when he was hired out by a crime lord in Japan to assassinate a local rival. The job had been carried out, but rather than asking for money, the Hizoku had done something a little different. Knowing of the crime boss's supposed connections, he had said one thing to the man: 'NESTS'. A name he'd seen popping up in various places, but the name itself was not much to go on. It seemed suspicious... and interesting. Asking for information on this organization was a gamble, because he had no idea if the crime lord knew anything more than he did.
It turned out he did.
Dropping payment in what amounted to a few million in USD in order to get a simple bit of information instead was quite a thing to do. But it seemed that few million was worth only this much: that a man related to NESTS would be in a certain city in Russia, at a certain place in that city, at a certain time. For a few million dollars, he had gained what for all intents and purposes could very well be a trap. It could very well simply be false information. It could also be just very useless information - even criminal organizations had people 'related' to it that knew absolutely nothing about the criminal side of the business they worked for, and there was no proof the person here would be any different.
Nevertheless, there he was. A stranger to the land both in his looks and his manner of dress. A foreigner, an unknown, and apparently, given how the slight young man strides through the streets of this city at the dead of night, was a part of the 'flith' that kept this city terrified by night. Dressed in his usual dark robes, the man steps into the street that holds the 'harmless research lab,' appearing, perhaps oddly, given Duolon's profession, in front of the man, several steps away. Hands folded in his sleeves, the young man turns to look at the suited individual leaving the building - the very building he was told to be at, inside this city, at this very time. Well, at least it didn't seem like false information. So was it a trap, or still useless? For now, he doesn't say anything, simply watching the man's reaction to an oddly dressed foreigner stepping out of the shadows to greet him
There are not many times in his career when Zero has been actively halted by another individual. He can count them with a single hand, in fact; amongst these individuals being the legendary commander of Ikari himself, Heidern. The anonymity he uses in all of his actions lends to a typical lack of intrusion to his day-to-day business, no matter where he might be. It means, when someone has actually managed to track him down, and confront HIM instead of the other way around -- purposefully or not -- the individual is someone to make note of. Someone to remember. So, as he steps outside, his expensive shoes pivoting across the rough ground, he takes a single look at the man in front of him... and he pauses.
Silence overtakes the relatively dead city street. The young man in front of Zero says nothing, and the Vice President of the NESTS cartel is similarly silent -- though perhaps for different reasons. Stone gray eyes observe the darkly-clad form in front of him, that gaze carrying with it a chillingly cold feeling with it like the icy presence of death. The manner of dress of the young man in front of him, the appearance of the young man, speaks of several things to Zero. One key thing, one that he truly remembers. After all, it's hard to forget the garb of 'those' kinds of peoplee.
Still, for a long moment he says nothing. His arms cross behind his back, his expression almost completely lifeless in reaction to the young man's appearance. Silence still, before Zero offers a single, cryptic statement:
"You are making a severe mistake."
And that is it. The words are deadpan as Zero speaks them, and as soon as he finishes the sentence, his right foot lifts, carrying him off to resume his stride. As simple as that, he'll walk once more, with every intent of simply moving /past/ Duo Lon. A wise man would take Zero's words to heart as the warning they clearly are. But despite the passive, dead look in his eyes as he walks past... Zero is prepared. Prepared to see just what Duo will offer when his hand is forced.
Silence seems to be the name of the game here, as when the man stops and looks directly at Duolon with his stone gray, cold eyes... he looks directly back at Zero with his own dark, cold eyes. His emotions don't really register on his face, but there's several ghosts of reactions to what the man does. Or rather, more specifically, what the man doesn't do. Dressed as he is, the Hizoku could figure him for an executive, or someone in management for the company. It was very unlikely, then, that he didn't know at least something about this agency... if, indeed, he was related to the agency at all. His reaction, however, said he was related to it. A tall, gaunt Chinese man stepping out of the shadows in the dead of night and staring at you silently tends to prompt a reaction. Zero gave none... or very little of one, anyway.
But then the words are spoken, and Duo's features do shift, growing a bit more wary. He isn't quite sure what to make of it. It could mean anything... he could be mistaken for someone else. His intentions could've been mistaken. But, it is more likely that he's on the right track, at least where learning about this 'NESTS' Cartel is concerned. It might just be an inkling of hopefulness, or it might just be that there's no reason to think that this is a simple case of mistaken identity or intent. No, he thinks. No, this is the way. So, as the man steps -past- Duo, the Hizoku remains silent, as though he'd taken the man's advise to heart. But, just as the two come even, the Hizoku does speak, in a quieter voice, meant only for Zero's ears, "The Hizoku assassins have made only one mistake... which was allowing Ron to live." A complete gamble on his part, but there wasn't much to suggest saying that would be bad. If the man didn't know anything, he'd just get an odd look. If he knew something... well, he'll just have to see. Even if he didn't know about Ron, he might very well know about the Hizoku, after all. Keeping his back to the man, not turning, his hands still in his sleeves, Duo tenses just a little, and waits.
He is intent to leave. His destination is out of this small city, where transport awaits to take him. He has a schedule to keep, and at the moment, the figure in front of him does not merit enough importance to alter that schedule, nor does he actively try to halt Zero from carrying on. He walks with a calm, confident stride, almost completely disregarding the young man after his statement has been made. For Zero, this robed figure no longer exists, nor does he present any importance to the executives plans for the rest of the night. But as he passes by, something is hissed out in the space of silence between them. Words that should hold meaning to some people -- significant meaning. Yet, he continues to walk for a few feet longer, before those polished shoes come to a slow, steady stop. The last footfall slaps solidly against concrete; Zero keeps his back presented to Duo Lon, and utters a single word:
"... Hizoku."
It comes out almost testing, as if, perhaps, he does not know it. Perhaps Duo DOES have the wrong organization; perhaps they don't know anything about his ninja clan. And if so, perhaps they don't know anything about Ron. But, Zero has stopped. The words are intoned in an almost deadpan curiosity. And slowly, he turns to consider Duo once more with that cold gaze. "Hizoku, an outdated and outdone clan of assassins the rest of the world has passed by." As he speaks, he twists on his heel. And, in an almost casual motion... Zero thrusts /forward/ in that same instant, his right, gloved hand slamming forward like a piston with aim to crash into Duo's gut in a quick, testing bodyblow.
"That is the Hizoku you refer to, yes?"
COMBATSYS: Zero has started a fight here.
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Zero 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Duolon has joined the fight here.
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Duolon 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zero
COMBATSYS: Duolon blocks Zero's Jagai Kusetsu.
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Duolon 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zero
The first word spoken causes Duo to turn his head slightly, looking over his shoulder at the man behind him, perhaps looking just a touch perplexed. The tone suggested he'd never heard the name... but then the rest of the words come, and the Hizoku's expression hardens. It doesn't show anger or wounded pride, but it becomes a lot more serious, that's for sure. Not only had he been right... seemingly... but now he was being mocked. No doubt this man in the suit had knowledge of -something- useful, even if it wasn't directly related to what he was interested in. And, while he's pondering just what to do next... it comes. An attack.
Spinning around, the pale man's hands come out of his sleeves, and he crosses them in front of himself, the fist impacting against his forearms instead of the intended target. The kinetic force, even then, forces his feet back a little, skidding over the cement of the sidewalk just an inch or two.
Holding his guard, Duolon makes a slight 'hmph' sound, and then speaks up, "Outdated or not, our skill will speak for itself." That's all the response Zero would get, as the Hizoku then moves, arms shifting and seeking to grab the arm that had struck out at him, attempting to pull the suited man forward, closer to himself, so that the now raised foot can plant firmly in Zero's stomach, and shove him back hard.
COMBATSYS: Zero fails to counter Suishu Makyakuho from Duolon with Forcefield.
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Duolon 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Zero
Duo's reflexes are impressive, but such is to be expected for a ninja of all things; Zero seems hardly perturbed. Instead, his hand snaps backwards and back to his side with such speed that it theoretically allows him time to react to the ninja's own assault. Theory, it seems, is not always correct; data is fed to Zero from an unknown source, unseen by even the Hizoku's observant gaze. Cold gray eyes watch things in a way normal people could not even begin to imagine, and as Duo begins his advance... he is prepared.
Or so he thinks. Instead, he reacts quite literally a fraction of a second too late, those grabbing arms managing to secure a grasp upon the NESTS executive. He is struck firmly by the foot as he is pulled forward, and the force causes the tall man to stumble /backwards/ -- yet the force is not nearly enough to send him down. In truth, it only manages a few, brief backward steps on Zero's part before he comes to a full stop, observing Duo calmly as he presses hands to his suit, calmly straightening it.
"Your style has been analyzed," He observes, "And has already proven to present a minimal threat."
As the attack comes and goes successfully, though no real thanks to Zero on that, the Hizoku regains his balance, and then immediately adopts his usual fighting stance - the odd one, with his hands held out, palms open but facing down, legs spread but body turned. One would think the Hizoku were just trying to show off with a really fancy though functionally improper stance, and yet it's one that has been seen countless times on various SNFs he's participated in... so perhaps it actually works?
"Your bark is more dangerous than your bite, thus far," the young man says, and lets the mere ghost of a smile pass over his lips. It was true... Zero hadn't been exactly impressive so far, but that didn't mean he was going to think the man wasn't holding back. It would be quite dangerous not to think that way. "I suppose, however, if you say that... I should try my best not to bore you!" And with that, he moves forward, stepping closer to his impromptu opponent, and thrusting both hands, palm out, at his stomach in a dual palm strike. Assuming all goes well, then, the attack will be followed up by a quick uppercutting palm strike, followed by a shoulder ram to Zero's torso, forcing him backwards even more.
COMBATSYS: Duolon successfully hits Zero with Shaki Juuryuu.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Duolon 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Zero
It seems that goading is not a proper tactic to use against the young Hizoku ninja. Even if that isn't actually his goal; his words are delivered as a matter-of-fact statement. No matter how skilled Duo may be, the Hizoku are overall no threat to the NESTS cartel in the slightest. It's an analytical assumption, but one that certainly has its own reasons and merits. But, even as it's delivered, Duo is moving forward in a rather predictable maneuver. Predictable, and one Zero sees from a mile away... but apparently? Apparently, he's just not fast enough to respond to it. Something happens. Something, to dull his reaction speeds just enough so that Duo PLOWS into him with those strikes, perhaps harder than he might have thought possible, sending Zero reeling backwards in their wake before he comes to an ultimate stop. The blows hurt; much more than the previous. But even so... all there is to his expression is a complete and eerie passive expression as his fists clench.
"Hm. Interesting."
That's all he says. Lurching forward, Zero makes a sudden, twisting motion, crossing the distance between himself and Duo in a sudden and speedy movement. He seeks to do one thing; crouching low, he swings his right foot upwards, LANCING it forward in an attempt to strike Duo straight in the gut with his heel. It is fast, but even so -- it carries with it an unmistakeable amount of force.
COMBATSYS: Duolon endures Zero's Light Kick.
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Duolon 0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0 Zero
While Duo DOES have an ego, and it is indeed wounded by the jabs made to it, his sense of professionality is much greater than his ego is. And, all things were pointing him towards this man being important, somehow. Maybe even the most important person the Hizoku has met thus far. Insults as to the outdatedness of his group, or the fact they're not much of a threat - skill aside, Ron hadn't exactly left them in the best of shape - Duo has something to do. And insults weren't going to disturb him from this goal.
His attack hits, and sends Zero staggering, but it isn't enough to take the man down, which is impressive in its own right. There's no mistaking it, this man was strong. And, as he zips forward and crouches low in order to send a kick upwards, it only seems that with each attack, he keeps getting better and better, which is disconcerting to the assassin. The speed of the man's movements catch Duo off guard a little, and he, in a split second decision, determines he has no time to dodge or even get his arms up. All he can do is literally lean right into the attack, letting the force of the blow lift him upwards, off his feet, being kicked straight into the air.
But to think that was going to knock him out would be a mistake, as the Hizoku spins in mid-air, adding a bit of force to his downwards momentum with his feet, which he lashes out towards Zero, intent on more or less drop kicking him right in the facemeats.
COMBATSYS: Zero blocks Duolon's Medium Kick.
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Duolon 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Zero
Fortunately, Zero is typically NOT in the habit of underestimating his opponents. Unlike some, his ego does not blind him to the capacities of another person; the past two flukes aside, it seems that whatever had been causing his momentarily lapse of judgment is at an end. His kick striking, he notes the fact that there was no attempt to guard against it, and even further the fact that the momentum was used in Duo's /favor/ rather than his own. It might confuse or derail some people. For Zero?
He remains absolutely prepared as the Hizoku assassin descends. In the very moment that foot should strike the other man's face... he'll find nothing but a single palm stopping his downward momentum dead in his tracks. Zero does not budge. He doesn't even do so much as shift his stature as the kick strikes almost harmlessly against his outstretched hand. Instead, he simply clenches his hand, and notes one thing:
"Your skills... you still have room to grow."
A single fist swings at that point, to crash into Duo's solar plexus and knock him out of the air before he can naturally descend. Fast, but no doubt strong, it'll likely be a very, very unpleasant experience for the young ninja.
"You are not quite near Ron's level, are you?"
COMBATSYS: Zero successfully hits Duolon with Quick Punch.
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Duolon 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Zero
Momentarily balanced on Zero's hand as he is, he has time to hear the man's comment and reflect on how the comment is a good deal less insulting than everything else that has been said to him so far. This is all before he loses said balance, and begins to tip, right into the oncoming pain that is his opponent's fist, striking him dead in the chest, casting him away. The Hizoku lands on the ground nearby and rolls a short distance, before making it to his feet in a smooth motion, remaining crouched. Coughing a bit, he looks back to his opponent, and gives him quite the glare at the second comment. "I've tracked him down this far, haven't I? I won't rest until he's paid for his crimes."
As he speaks, purple-black chi begins to bubble up around his hand, gathering into a rolling and twisting ball, and then as it reaches proper size, he flings it directly out at Zero. In mid-flight, the ball twists even more, faces composed of black eyes and mouths appearing on its surface, writhing and screaming as the ball flies towards its target.
COMBATSYS: Zero blocks Duolon's Genmu Kyaku Uchikiba.
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Duolon 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Zero
"You're lacking the skill and the resources to accomplish that." It's intoned with a complete deadpan, his voice a void of emotion. The tails of Zero's pristine, expensive coat whip about him as he slams his fist into Zero's sternum, knocking him away like little more than an insect. His recovery is swift, staring at Duo Lon with eyes that reflect the tone of his voice perfectly. These words are not taunts, though they could easily be perceived as such. Perhaps, what makes them more eerie is precisely that. They're not mocking. They're like simple statements of fact that, in the way they are delivered, imply that they cannot be denied or changed.
It's a fact that Zero demonstrates the very moment that Duo surges forth with a sudden burst of power, forming that distinct, death-like chi that is so unique to Duo's clan. Still in an unsettling calm, Zero presents once more a single arm. In one motion, he lifts that arm, and in the next... it's swiped DOWNWARDS, crashing against that screaming sphere of dark chi and completely battering it into non-existence, dispersing the chi with a shudder of power across his arm... but little else. He does nothing, though. Instead, he continues to analyze the Hizoku boy, lips twisting in a thoughtful frown.
"I imagine you feel differently, however."
COMBATSYS: Zero gains composure.
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Duolon 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Zero
Watching as his attack is batted away like an annoying insect, Duo comes to something of a realization. Whatever the case may be, however it may have happened, his ability to inflict damage on this man has been a fluke. Luck, maybe, or something else, but in any case, the fact remains that the man in front him, while not -impossibly- hard, is still very much a better fighter, pure and simple. There's no hurt ego here. It's again, just a pure matter of fact, as perceived by Duolon. It could just be luck shifting around on the battlefield like crazy, but he doubts that's the case.
Rising to his feet, the Hizoku doesn't adopt his fighting stance, but rather just looks calmly, if a bit seriously at Zero. Thinking over the words, he eventually responds with a: "...I do not know how I stand against Ron." Clearly the man was powerful, being able to take out an entire enclave of Hizoku assassins, but Duolon was no slouch himself. No bragging in that thought - again, just the facts. "But in my quest to find him, as I get closer, I get stronger. And as I get stronger, I get closer. I do not expect to find him tomorrow, or even next week, but when I do, he will die." It seems the two are far past any statements of ego or pride, as the Hizoku's words are now as deadpan as the other man's, his expression no less serious. He makes no outward motion against Zero for now... but neither does he lower his guard.
COMBATSYS: Duolon focuses on his next action.
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Duolon 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Zero
"It seems you don't understand the full implications of what you're searching for." Again, cryptic words, but Zero offers little more than that; he's not attempting to entice the assassin boy's curiosity, but it is a probably after effect that is unavoidable. No matter; it's clear that Zero is not going to expand any further upon it. Duo's own skills are not one to be put into question; if he found Ron, he could put up a decent fight. If he could /find/ him. However...
... there are other factors to consider, and the words that Zero speak only barely clue into this. It's the last thing he says, before he grips onto the edge of his coat. His body bends inward in a tensing of muscles, and with deathly silence... he leaps forward. Swift like a rush of darkness, Zero leaps /into/ the air in a graceful somersault, flinging out the edges of his coat with the flick of his wrist. The distance between himself and Duo is still great; greater than a simple business coat could cross by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, with an odd sort of ripple, the coat suddenly expands OUTWARD, shifting into something different altogether. The hem of it becomes lined with sharp, teeth-like blades, intent on sawing into Duo from left hip to right sternum. And, if Duo looks, he'll find in place of the business suit Zero was once wearing... is now a strange, almost alien-like battlesuit of blacks and grays.
COMBATSYS: Zero successfully hits Duolon with Ouga.
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Duolon 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Zero
A statement odd enough that it seems to distract Duo from his focus long enough to give him very little time to dodge the attack when it comes. What, exactly, do the words mean...? It implies so much, yet gives so little. If you think about it, the man had been talking about Ron as if he knew him. Or knew about him, anyway. It could very well be a trick, but the implication seems to be that Ron is directly connected to NESTS. If that were so, it's all the more reason to continue fighting this man, if only to see what he knows.
But the talking part will have to come later, as Duo is totally getting hit with a coat at the moment. The off-putting statement plus the odd behavior of the coat is enough to derail any defense the Hizoku might've put up. His feet move as though he were to attempt to get out of the way, but the teeth of the coat strike true anyway, ripping open a line on his clothing, a small spray of blood accompanying the gouges, causing the Hizoku to cry out loud, staggering back a bit. Holding a hand to his chest, he pulls it away to look at the blood momentarily with a frown, and then looks back up to Zero. Pushing off his feet, he zips towards the man, blurring somewhat as his unnatural speed takes hold, becoming mere black lines that slice through the air, before the Hizoku appears once more in front of the man. Attempting to grab Zero by the hip and shoulder, he'll also try to slide a leg through the man's own legs, then pull him around in a quarter-circle, before tossing him to the ground. "It doesn't matter!" He'll say as he attempts the throw. "Ron will meet his death by my hand!"
COMBATSYS: Zero endures Duolon's Strong Throw.
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Duolon 1/--=====/=======|=======\===----\1 Zero
At this point, it's too late. Zero has returned to his element, the luck that Duo was gifted with the first part of their little spat faded away into nothing. Zero seems to, as he has been this entire fight, be at a level of supreme calm to what appears to be Duo's rapidly devolving emotional state. First calm, and now a certain raging determination. Zero knows the reasons why, but it matters not to him. This boy has presenting himself as a threat to his organization and his plans, and such a threat will not be treated kindly. As such, when Duo becomes naught but a blur, the NESTS Vice-President does not move. He stands at a pristine calm, allowing Duo to grasp him securely, with not even the smallest amount of give. Pulled and then tossed into the ground, he is wordless, his expression all but deadened; the blow is mildly painful, but not nearly enough to stop him. In fact... it seems, in that very moment, that he's chosen to use Duo's own force against him.
The moment that Duo releases his hold, the edge of that cape snaps out again while Zero is still airborne, seeking to carve from hip-to-hip across the Hizoku's body. If it's successful, the moment Zero lands, he uses the cape to knock Duo up into the air... before beginning a series of sudden, swift somersaulting cape swipes like the one that had struck Duo earlier, sawing into the young man over and over and knocking him higher and higher. The cape expands along with these motions until he begins to cut through the ground like butter, until its sheer length nearly reaches the height of the nearby buildings. At the apex of that height, the cape snaps BACKWARDS, and as Duo descends, he'll be treated to one more horizontal slice--right across his chest, with more than enough force to send him LAUNCHING backwards.
COMBATSYS: Duolon interrupts Gokusa Zanjin from Zero with Hiden Genmu Juu Onshii Kon.
- Power hit! -
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Duolon 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Zero
The lack of a real response to the Hizoku's blurring speed is a little disconcerting. In fact, in general, it was kind of disconcerting to fight Zero, because the man might as well be a robot, for all the reaction he gives to... well, anyway. The throw goes off, but it isn't without its own manner of penalty, as Zero seems ready for it, enough so that the man's cape whips out at him, slashing again, which makes yet another cut on the man's body, another stifled cry of pain jumping from the young assassin's throat. It staggers him enough that he's thrown into the air easily, but it doesn't stagger him for long, it seems.
As Zero jumps up, he'll notice Duo's arm outstretched, fingers spread with his palm facing the other man. A purple skull seems to be settled into the hand, and from it the same purple-black energy begins to flare up around it, engulfing the Hizoku's entire arm this time, rather than just his hand. Firing straight out, the projectile does as it was before, the body of it becoming entangled with faces of wailing torment, while the front remains a large skull, its mouth open wide, as though it were trying to engulf Zero. The projectile slams into the NESTS agent, stopping his forward momentum and likely derailing the followup to his attack. As for Duo, he'll land on the ground a little unceremoniously, with a heavy thud that is none too pleasant on his already hurt body, standing a touch shakily, eyes following the fallen Zero.
Unexpected. It seems that the luck that Duo was graced with earlier is coming back to haunt him once again. With Zero's attack based on speed rather than power, it is no doubt surprising when Duo manages to work /THROUGH/ it, stopping the assault preemptively with a flare of power and that dark purple-black energy that once more comes in the form of seeming wailing souls of the damned. That large skull SLAMS hard into Zero, effectively halting his assault.
Being airborne as he is, it causes the man to SLAM into the ground with such force that concrete cracks beneath the resounding impact, rubble flying upwards from the cite of his landing. He bounces once, skids across the ground... but as he does, he reaches out, and snatches up a single chunk of cement. Rolling across the ground in a rough backwards movement, Zero is still quick to launch right back onto his feet -- his suit is smoking, but even so... the effects of the attack seem to effect him with only a sliver of a degree. Like an ant stinging down a giant, Duo's attacks seem to be gradually wearing him down. Yet, not enough to halt his movements, CHUCKING that piece of sidewalk and aiming it straight for Duo's head the moment he lands on his feet. Inelegant, yes. But if it hits... effective enough.
COMBATSYS: Duolon dodges Zero's Thrown Object.
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Duolon 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Zero
A small pant is given from the Hizoku as he makes it to his feet. As hard as his opponent was, he was giving his best effort... and it really shows. Whereas Zero is likely in no better condition than he is, the pure difference is that it doesn't really -show- on the other man. It's like he really hadn't just been blown out of the air with a massively huge chi-skull and smacked down into the cement sidewalk hard enough to shatter it. Maybe he really wasn't a robot... or inhuman. Or better than Duo even realizes. In any case, the sidewalk chunk is seen coming, and as it comes, Duo... stands still? And lets it hit him no less. As the cement piece hits him, however, the expected reaction doesn't seem to occur. In fact, rather than a man collapsing to the ground under a pile of stone, Zero would see a man literally -flying apart- as the chunk hits him, pieces of bone and age-old decayed flesh flying every which-a-way... but wait, that can't be Duo, can it?
The real Duolon seems to have gotten behind Zero with another of those swift blurring motions, for his feet can be heard on the sidewalk taking a step or two, before the Hizoku twists, lifting a leg up and over in an attempt to perform a spinning kick to the back of Zero's head, following it up with another kick, spinning in place and crouching, to use the same leg to try and sweep the man-robot's feet out from under him.
COMBATSYS: Zero blocks Duolon's Medium Kick.
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Duolon 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Zero
Were it not for a rather strange series of events that have led to him ultimately failing to react to two rather simplistic assaults, perhaps the result of this would be different; regardless, Zero is at a rather poor stage, but he still has yet to truly give Duo anything to worry about. His previous assault was one for speed, not power; that alone should be somewhat worrisome, were it a known fact. But even so, Zero stands, still smoking from the previous strike, with little else to blame for his current state than Duo's own skill as a Hizoku. Perhaps he HAD underestimated the boy's skills. Regardless, though... it all ends now. One way or another.
Hardly perturbed by the sudden, strange melting of the ninja, Zero knows what happens next; he knows /Hizoku/, after all, and having one within his organization merely means he's all too well prepared for the sudden assault that comes in from behind. Eyes impassive, he seems to still be staring forward, as if perhaps tricked when Duo closes in. Yet... the moment that kick comes? There is a single forearm to block it and stop the entire assault short with little more than a dull throb to his own arm. Gray eyes narrowed, he is quick to simply SPIN around and aim a single, powerful uppercut straight for Duo's jaw... intent on knocking him away and, hopefully, out of combat.
COMBATSYS: Zero successfully hits Duolon with Quick Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Duolon 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Zero
Duo is not at all surprised that Zero seems not at all disturbed by the skeleton, nor the fact he was flanked by a speedy motion. And even less surprised, therefore, that the man can block his attack. But the closeness of the return attack, as well as how fast it is, the Hizoku simply doesn't see it coming. Punched, the assassin staggers backwards, and manages to catch himself before he falls entirely. Wiping a hand across his mouth, even though there's no blood, in a purely reflex motion from how many times he's been hit in the face by a certain berserker, the Hizoku looks up to Zero... and then bows his head a bit.
"...Maybe I am too weak. If I could not defeat you, then surely I could not defeat Ron." Despite the fact he gave Zero a good run for his money. Standing up straight, he looks to Zero with a calm, stoic gaze... and then turns. "I will continue to look for Ron. And when I find him, I will kill him. The fact I could gain nothing from you means this is simply a dead end... there are other ways to find him." And with that... he'll begin to walk forward, away from Zero, though not extremely quickly. Mostly because he's hurt, and explaining how the blood got on him when he goes to catch his flight back to Japan won't be fun, but hey. He's learned... a lot, from this encounter, at the least.
COMBATSYS: Duolon takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Zero 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Duolon can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Zero 0/-------/-======|
The comparison of Zero's abilities to those of Ron are met with a single shake of his head. "Do not overestimate the capacities of Ron, or underestimate my own. My statement stands firm; Hizoku is by and large a weak and outdated clan of assassins. You are a notable exemption from this... as was Ron. Their decimation by his hand could be considered something of a proving ground." And that is that. He reveals no important facts that could truly give Duo Lon an advantage over NESTS, nor does he attempt any further communication with the Hizoku on the matter. His kind are weak; the result of Ron's betrayal, in that effect, was nothing more than inevitable.
"Attempt to locate me again, attempt to interfere with our designs, and you will be killed." It is unusually merciful for the NESTS executive NOT to just kill Duo Lon right here and now. Concsidering the cold look within his eyes, it's all too apparent he would not hesitate to kill the other man if he needed to. In the end, however? Zero simply does not see the ninja as that great of a threat, despite his skill in this battle. With knowledge of the young man's capacity under his belt, he is sure... if they meet again, the results will be considerably more brutal. So, with a single, fluid motion, Zero turns briskly, his battlesuit melting away into that unassuming, elegant business attire once more.
So there is at least one Hizoku who presents some measure of talent beyond Ron.
COMBATSYS: Zero takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Zero 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Zero has ended the fight here.
Log created on 19:52:26 06/03/2007 by Zero, and last modified on 03:44:34 06/04/2007.