Description: Katana has just come back from a good day, but someone's out and about to ruin his enjoyment .. and they called out his right to be what he is! In the end, through competition, both agree, although Katana finds himself at the edge of a very scary happening .. and he doesn't make it out alright! Find out what becomes of him!
The Devil is not a happy camper.
The last few days have been.. Exceptionally frustrating, to say the least. And earlier this evening was certainly not something one would consider fun. If the seared patch of burned skin at her cheek is any indication. She does not often brood openly.. When annoyed or fatigued she usually scampers back to whatever dark pit Southtown possesses that could hide such a malignant being. No.. Rather, the haunting woman has a purpose this time. Lingering in one of the worst crime-ridden sections of town. In an abandoned parking lot often habitated by hoods and thugs of all stripe. Simply standing in the middle of the road.. hands folded neatly into her sleeves. Waiting.
Sooner or later, you see, the thugs will come to play. Race their little games, deal with their drugs or women. And then.. they will die.
The Devil can only feel better when someone is screaming in agony... you see. It gladdens whatever resembles a soul this ethereal creature possesses. A few nobodies, a few more bodies for the police to shrug at. Then she can get back to more important matters.
Marise would be waiting when the thugs come to play.
Coincidentally, Katana has just finished his recruitment drive for the various thugs and such that he though he would take them to the seediest part of town and test them against the other thugs in a way that would be like fighting monsters but with real people who will do all they can to get into Mad Gear!
Really, he's taking them to beat some heads then for a drink for the future of Mad Gear! But then, Devil's always get in the way. Walking behind the rowdy group, towering over them, Katana laughs. "Hahaha! Yes, we will feast and drink well! I will treat you all to the best, but first, we will need the money .. and we will get it from the others! Ahahaha!"
Of course, that's when they turn the corner where the haunting women is. She's in the middle of the way .. just standing.
Katana looks on. "Now where have I seen that woman before .. I can't think of it..." Katana .. just can't recall! This may be bad.
"...hnnn..."
The Devil slowly exhales as her head bows a fraction. Slowly turning in place to better face the legion of thugs and gangsters with a mirthless expression. Purple-painted lips twisted in a dour frown, eyes hidden beneath the veil of her bangs. Looming for all the world like some form of quiet, undead geisha.
Of all the gangs that she had to come across tonight for fun... It would be the one gang on her side. Under normal circumstances, she'd likely butcher most of them anyway. ... But the Devil has already pushed Elle's temper more than a little. Massacring Mad Gear would be the best way to lose whatever standing she has left in Blackjack.
The Devil however, does not speak. Her arms slowly slip from their crossed gesture to hang loosely at her sides. The shoulders of her kimono having slipped provocatively low, not that the pale, voluptuous woman seems to care. Perfect ivory skin gleaming in the summer moonlight.
They may get a pass. But don't expect her to move for them. To answer that giant Shogun's puzzled tone, the Devil whispers, "..Katana.. is it?" One thing the woman is not certain of.. Is precisely how much she loathes this man. Outwardly, this monsterous thug is an insult of the worst possible calibur. Mocking her sainted homeland and people with a bumbling American's stage act and gimmick. She has killed men for far, far less.
On the other hand.. Perhaps this dim giant is truly repentant. His adore for her people and ways is somehow, mind-bogglingly sincere. And worthy of some.. small.. measure of respect. Which from this creature, is an extremely rare thing.
Of this... she is yet undecided.
Really, Katana does not just hope to 'mock' Japanese culture. Far from it, not that most people would know. Katana is as far as he can possible be for someone to simply aim to irritate others through his culture interest. He sincerely loves Japanese culture, although he fails at the simpler things.
NOTE : The Kanji on his chest for example means nothing. IT was supposed to be Death. You can see how that went.
But however, as the women stands, lowering her grasp, Katana keeps his eyes from wandering! He would not be honorable to look upon women who stand out in the open like such! "Yes. It is I! Katana, the Mad Gear Shogun! Perhaps word of me has truly even spread here!" ... But she looks AWFULLY familiar. Katana is sure she is important to him, although not Mad Gear. She was not from a dream, was she? It is curious.
But then as she stands there otherwise, Katana looks back at her, looking to the gang members infront of him. "She has business with me! Then I will take the business! I will hear what you wish from the Shogun, or know of them!" Katana less demands, more asks.
"Unless you have forgotten! .. Then I am sure you will remember." He steps a bit forwards on the concrete with his weapons undrawn, his sandal clad feed hitting the ground, his mask and his muscles .. normal. His armor however shines a bit in the moon from the various arm guards.
Ignore the jeans, that are clearly not Japanese, and the head high shoulder guards.
The Devil looms before the harping throngs. Unmoved by the hooting and hollaring, which immediately quiets down as the Shogun stamps his foot and steps forward to take charge. The woman tilts her head a fraction, just enough to keep her hidden gaze fixed upon this behemoth's face mask.
It isn't a question of remembering, more of a question of.. worth knowing. Which, of course, the Devil might as well get right to it. Elle seems to dig up some measure of respect for this thug, as well as another cretin she had recently added to the payroll. While the ghost woman would have prefered to send a few teenagers screaming to Makai.. Perhaps working out her frustrations on this supposed teammate will be enough to slake her thirst for carnage.
"Yes.. What I desire from you.. boy.."
Her pale fingers slowly flexing. Nails extending slowly with the sound akin to unshealthing steel. Her ebon tresses suddenly unraveling from their authentic Japanese style, golden needles unpinning themselves as darkness cascades down her shoulders in an ocean of shimmering black, "..Is to show me your heart. Are you worthy to call yourself.. Samurai?"
She will give him this one chance to prove himself. Of course, the Ninja herself rather loathes the witless followers of Bushido too.. But that isn't quite the point of this matter. No.. Now she will know how much honor this thug brings to her homeland.
COMBATSYS: Marise has started a fight here.
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Marise 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Katana has joined the fight here.
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Marise 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Katana
The Gang members, while good people to Katana, do indeed lack the common respect they need to give a woman of such caliber! Clearly they were happy to see her, but she was not normal, no, they would be demolished in the worst way! By having their soul sucked out. Or was it something else?
Still. As Marise calls him a boy .. the Shogun steels himself, the Samurai taking the challenge head on. Through the mask, his eyes go into slits, glancing towards the woman standing there. If it was Japan, in the fields, the wind would kick by and blow the area around them.
"You call me... boy?" Katana says in response, his hands wrapping around his wakizashi as he steps forwards as Marise begins to become more clear to what she is. He does not remember this, but suddenly remembers the woman. Sort of. It doesn't matter. He's still going to show her!
She's vaguely unsettling as well. But to fall back now ... HE WOULD PROVE HER POINT!
So on the grounds, as she waits for him .. Katana does what she probably wants, rushing towards Marise as fast as he is able, his hands moving up to his blades and then pulling them out in a heavy and yet, somewhat, quick motion. "I .. Samurai of Mad Gear .. back down to no challenge, and I will honor the spirits of my Ancestors with every fight!"
The blades crash forwards, meeting each other at the tip, as he attempts to rush them straight into the .. frail looking woman. Even if she may not really be so frail.
COMBATSYS: Marise endures Katana's Fierce Strike.
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Marise 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Katana
THUNK.
Those relatively massive blades -slam- into the woman's torso. Inches above the slopes of her chest, their glistening silvery surfaces reflecting the milky complection of her skin. Faint lines of crimson ooze just at the contact point.. as the woman indeed is shoved back a few feet from the -impact- of that mammoth figure striking her alone.
The one thing she does not do.. however.. is flinch.
The Devil's head tilts a fraction higher, ebon bangs slowly part to reveal inhuman, golden irises. Glimmering with unnatural illumination with black, reptile-feline slits down the middle. Regarding the blades with bemused detatchment, the woman slowly lifts up her hands.. clasping Katana's massive wrists, "..A fair strike.." And her arms continue reaching.. and reaching.. and reaching.
Slowly elongating and coiling around his own arms.. wrapping around them once, twice.. reaching ever higher, "..Show me more.." The devil whispers as her coiled arms then -wrench- upwards. Unless the giant can pull back in time, his limbs may well be hyper-extended by the extremely unusual joint-lock..
COMBATSYS: Katana blocks Marise's Strong Throw.
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Marise 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Katana
As Katana rushes forth, the blades slam into the woman, slamming high on her frame. "Do you see my power? That of a Samur-" Katana stops for a moment. While she bleeds, and is shoved back, though many are hard pressed not to, she doesn't even flinch. That one woman? She always does.
This one doesn't. "You stand and take my blows but seem not to care..." Katana says a bit amazed, reminding him of that one large football player. But as the woman looks to him with those eyes, Katana's mask, ceremonial in style, is close enough to look back.
Pull back, is more like it, as Marise lifts her hands onto Katana's wrists and then coil about his arms before wrenching.. but Katana does not pull back, instead, falling back and flexing against her motions. She still bends, but his force he moves to keep his hands straight and not bent is too much.
He backs up afterwards, and creates a distance ... before reaching to his glove. "You are strong yourself .. but you will see .. all that I can do!"
His hand had grasped onto a jitte, and he throws it, the small weapon flying through the air towards Marise at a slower pace than normal. What was he planning!?
Wait, KATANA IS PLANNING!? How can that be!? "I have not done all I have .. as mockery!"
COMBATSYS: Marise blocks Katana's Thrown Object.
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Marise 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Katana
As the giant learns that his usual strategy of raw, overwelming strength avails him little against this particular opponent.. the Devil's limbs uncoil from Katana's own. The man's own mighty strength and surprising speed availing him much as those pale, serpent-like limbs whip back into her sleeves properly.
Without so much as missing a beat.. the Devil continues stalking forth. Walking in a slow, unhurried pace. The gangmembers around Katana scramble back and away from her and the boss. Parting like the Red Seas themselves before Moses. Wanting absolutely nothing to do with this monsterous chick. Not to mention getting out of Katana's way if he's about to cut loose..
As that Jite is hurled, the Devil ever so calmly lifts a hand. Catching the hurled blade with her bare fingers inches before stabbing her directly into the chest once more. A trickle of crimson runs along the silvery surface, but the creature again seems not to care. Her sauntering approach undelayed, "And?"
Her voice musing as she calmly tosses the weapon right back to Katana in a nice, slow arc for him to catch.
Before he thinks she was just being honorable and civil... Her other arm suddenly -whips- forth to the side. Extending outwards as her fingers -latch- onto a poor teenage hood's face, not unlike a certain Alien hugger in a movie once.
The screaming youth is then -HURLED- bodily at Katana.. It seems she isn't above delaying tactics of her own..
COMBATSYS: Katana interrupts Large Thrown Object from Marise with Tengu Walking.
- Power hit! -
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Marise 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Katana
Katana had thrown the jitte to get a better chance at the woman. And as he backs up, so do his gang members. But things sometimes have a way of turning around, don't they?
The jitte is caught, but it still pokes. He catches the jitte as she tosses it back, and places it back where he got it from as he still stands upwards, looking as .. she whips and grabs a a member from the crowd as the screaming youth is hurled towards Katana... and Katana has a few choices.
Rushing forwards, Katana slams his upper half against the teens, to cause them to stop, but he flips, his bottom half spinning still as the boy.. lands flat on his face in the concrete, while Katana grabs the wakizashi and slams them into the ground near the gang member, perhaps slashing him in the process, and then moves forwards. "I .. .. will remember your sacrifice, brave member of the Mad Gear Gang!" He's not really death.
And then with fury, and power, he advances at Marise, blades slashing against the ground, holding the giant man up as he continues to pull himself forwards through the air with his weaponry on the ground! The blades with dig into Marise as he barrels into her before he kicks up back to his feet!.
Yes. Part of Katana's strategy IS to be hit for that one.
As Katana brazenly barrels through his own man, the Devil can't help but grin wider in approval.
Yes.. Yes indeed. Perhaps this one does have the temerity so many others in this team lack..
Of course, Marise should spend less time appraising and a bit more time getting out of the way.. as Katana's unusual attack meets with complete success. Walking blades striking and literally bowling the vaguely human woman over as she's overrun by the scurrying attack!
As the giant flips back onto his feet in the aftermath.. The Devil?
"Kyeh heh.. Kya. KYA HAA HAAAAAAAAA HA HAHAAAAA!"
The woman just cackles. A mad shrieking sound as she remains prone upon the ground for a few moments longer. So terribly amused as she slowly pushes herself up to her feet once more. Rising upwards in the manner of the dead lifting themselves from the grave.. Her ebon tresses, themselves, slowly pushing her to her bare feet.. Several blooded gashes running down her pale skin, wounded in all ways except spirits.
"..Yes.. Yes I see it now.." The woman grins, golden eyes flashing as she flexes her fingers. Purple nails extending yet another half-foot.. Nearly individually as long as the giant's own wakazashi now, ".. Your heart is Japanese indeed!" As she -rushes- forward with alarming alacrity she did not display before. Sweeping those claws outwards in violet arcs.. Terrible edges seem almost to glisten with poison in some fashion.. Unhealthy in the extreme..
COMBATSYS: Marise successfully hits Katana with Shinigami.
- Power hit! -
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Marise 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Katana
As Marise is bowled over from the strike, Katana is unphased by the strike! .. But it looks like Marise wasn't. That's about when she pushes herself back upwards, Katana bringing the wakizashi upwards as well. And she doesn't look so well. Not at all. "Yes... I .. Katana.. am truly Japanese. And I will show you my might yet!" That's when her nails extend, to be as long as his swords.
CRAP.
Katana tries to rush towards those blades, but then the edges glisten. Katana isn't indecisive, but it's when the blades finally cut into him that Katana can feel... it isn't NORMAL nails. Those are sharp and are burning into his skin, the claws in violet arcs drawing blood where they scrape, cutting fabric as well. He's not only sliced, he's diced... but he stands in close yet.
"Very ... amazing.." Katana gets out, before yelling out himself. "HYAAAAHHHH!" The wakizashi planning to cut into Marise, and then force her to the ground .. where he'll charge her against the ground, dragging her as he goes on the cement. "DAIKYOUUUUUUUUU!"
And then he'll lift her .. UP INTO THE WALL. "BURNING!"
And then collapse backwards a bit.
She ... is truly .. JAPANESE. As well.
COMBATSYS: Marise blocks Katana's Daikyou Burning.
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Marise 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Katana
As the giant continues to press on, even through her wicked chi-disrupting claws.. Dark eyebrows lift over golden eyes. Reaving claws holding outwards as she seems genuinely.. impressed by this man's endurance and determination.
..Perhaps indeed Elle truly hasn't lost her mind.. And this lunatic may indeed be worth hiring.
"Impressive.." She whispers closely. The blades descend but Marise is prepared for them. Her arms sweeping upwards to block the inside of the Shogun's sweeping arms. Hooking inside of his elbows and stepping -into- his strikes. Too closely for him to effectively initiate what would certainly have been a painful technique even for a mostly-dead monster such as she. His charge grinds to a halt after only a few paces..
"..Most impressive.." As the Devil then unleashes yet another one of her twisted attacks. Her arm -shoots- upwards. Attempting to wrap her fingers and trap that mighty helm within her razored claw.. And her arm will -keep- extending. Shooting forth like an elongating spear and shoving even this mighty warrior off his feet just by a few inches.. and perhaps -slamming- him up against the wall a dozen paces away!
COMBATSYS: Marise successfully hits Katana with Maou Tsuke.
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Marise 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Katana
As Marise hooks inside of the strike, he's unable to force her to the ground and run her against it. Such is the way of the Samurai! But then, as Marise halts the charge .. it's more than impressive. "You were able to stop ... such an assault!" Katana says out loud.
That's about when she shoots her arm upwards, trapping his helm as she extends it forwards, and then it continues forwards. He tries to move with it, but no, he is too shocked. No energy beams or blasts or balls or the such.
Her arm is extending forwards and then it SMASHES him into the wall, causing the large man to hang in the air for a small bit, looking through the hand, Katana then collapses to the ground.. but he stays up once she lets go. Things are not going well! But he ... will not give up.
And that's when he points to member, yelling a few words. "You .. GET MOVING!" What could he be doing!? "I will not give up yet ... it is far from over .. if I were to give up, all I have done would be in vain! HRAAAAGH!"
He rushes forwards with all of his speed! .. But the response is simply a blade thrusting forth into Marise's side. Not too strong.. more to strike her than not!
COMBATSYS: Katana successfully hits Marise with Weapon Jab.
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Marise 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\1 Katana
The Devil's extended arm hangs for a moment, before indeed releasing him once more. Her limb recoiling within the depths of her sleeve before slowly holding her arms outwards, invitingly. Ignoring the multiple stab wounds that seem to bleed rather.. unusually slow upon her feminine frame. "By all means.."
The Devil advances another step. Golden eyes curiously following the youth, running down the street at the giant Shogun's direction. That lazy distraction more than enough to allow the man to charge and -jab- that sword into her side. A stab that.. she barely seems to notice. Turning her head to face Katana in full after a moment, as if the poke at her side was enough to jar her memory about what she's doing, "Mmmn.. Nice.." Clammy tongue sliding over her lips, taking another step to twist the blade free and come a little closer to Katana. Fingers reaching up gently in a bid to touch his armored chest.. Not an attack, just as a calm gesture of approval. Nevermind how frightening those long nails could very well be at a moment's notice, "..Yess.. you are indeed strong.. But you hold back.. Do you not?"
COMBATSYS: Marise gains composure.
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Marise 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Katana
As the Devil's arm pulls back, Katana looks onto Marise, staggering forwards.. however, she is stabbed as she catches the eye of the member who makes it away. But it's not a very good distraction, as it's not too effective in the end. "Yes ... but it is no where near .. MY ULTIMATE ATTACK!" Katana cries out, as she comes closer, touching his armored chest... "I only hold back .. because I plan to use whatever I can to show you of my strength .. my skill .. and my race!" As she questions, Katana shakes his head. "If I were to hold back .. I would have done far less. But now .. I will show you just why!"
And that's when he attempts to catch the woman for a moment .. as something begins to approach REALLY QUICKLY. Lights flood the moonlight covered street. Something large fills the area. As well as the sound of a horn splitting through the night. HONK HONKKKKK!
Marise may be a devil in the night .. but even the devil has an end to their strength .. this time, however, it is not the Semi.. but a Firetruck. And it's painted in varieties of Japanese styles! It's also flashing with lights.
AND ALSO SEEKING TO RUN MARISE DOWN.
TRUCK COMING THROUGH!
<(^.^<) totally also jumps out of the way.
COMBATSYS: Marise endures Katana's Run Your Ass Over.
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Marise 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|-------\-------\0 Katana
"Keh heh... Kya.."
As Katana holds the woman steady. The Devil simply begins to snicker. Listening to the Shogun's declairations of showing his all. Which is when she can hear the loud, blaring horns. The flashing headlights..
"Kya.. HA.. KYAAAAAAHAAHAAAHAAAAA!!"
The Devil's lips part wide as her shark-like teeth display themselves widely. Cackling with maddening, inhuman glee. Her arms held at her sides as the headlights bathe her form in a blindingly white glow,
"KYAHAA-" *WHAAAAAAAM*
The Devil doesn't even try to budge. Her form instantly erased from view as the massive truck speeds directly into her. Going straight through without slowing down in the slightest. Brakes -screech- as the massive truck slowly grinds to a halt. The grill slamming only lightly against the brick wall at the side of the nearby building, doing little to the Truck but hard enough to crack the masonry in a blast of dust and debris! Doubtlessly splattering that twisted woman and ending her dark threat for all time.
..Fwew! That was scary.
"..Kyeh heh heh heh..." That soft voice echoes faintly through the alleyway.. Echoing from all directions at once.. "..KYA HAAAAA..!"
She's close... Very close.. But.. where? -HOW-??
COMBATSYS: Marise successfully hits Katana with Onigumo no Kokufuu.
- Power hit! -
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Marise 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Katana
The Mad Gear Shogun finds himself surrounded by that haunting laughter. All the gangsters also look around in all directions..
..Maybe she really IS a Ghost?..
The Shogun only hears the faint whispers of something streaking through the air..
...Before he finds himself in the middle of a rain of black needles. Dozens upon dozens of them falling from the sky in a torrential downpour. Peppering his armor and finding little nooks and chinks to wedge themselves and delve into his flesh. Filling him with that chi-disrupting poison the woman's body seems laced with all over. More than few gangsters nearby similarly get peppered by a few needles, likewise flopping to the ground in pain.. Until finally the dark rain stops. Leaving the alleyway a glistening forest of a hundred shimmering spines.
A few moments later.. the Devil Ninja fades into view... Becoming visible in the aftermath of her dread technique.. Landing in a low crouch. Her body? Coated in a layer of dust, and clearly looking like she indeed got run over.. But, slowly standing back up none-the-less.
Aha! She explodes! .. Wait that's not good. Katana looks one, before he heads the laughter, but he can't quite place it, and he can't quite figure out where the woman had went either. perhaps, yes, she is one. "Come out! If this is a trick.. I will not be the fool of it!"
But yet, he is, because rain of black needles rips down from the sky. The needles slam into him randomly about his flesh, filling him with the poison that disturbs whatever chi he has. And it certainly does well. The blades are rather ineffective at stabbing him.
The poison is far more than enough, as he feels his power upheaval, but yet, he cannot control it.
that's when he collapses forwards in pain as well, and as much as he wishes to get up, cannot, the woman standing up. Katana, however, does not for the moment. He will in time, but the burst of energy was too great for him.
In other words.
Shogun words - Ow.
COMBATSYS: Katana takes no action.
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Marise 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Katana can no longer fight.
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Marise 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Marise has ended the fight here.
The Devil can hear that monolith of a man slowly collapse to the ground. Armored plates and blades clattering amidst the forest of black needles, as she suspected he would. The Ninja just beginning to turn in place.. before wobbling, stumbling a step only to reach out a hand and balance herself against the wall. Coughing an unhealthy gout of blood past her lips as she gasps for breath..
"Ky..Kyaha.. Heh ha.." Snickering and laughing inbetween pained rasps. Perhaps mocking her own foolishness in this matter.. Or laughing out of genuine, sincere amusement. For nearly being crushed by a truck, stabbed over a dozen times and smashed about.. She certainly feels -better- now. Yes, yes indeed. That was great stress relief.
The ghoulish woman pops her neck in an painfully awkward direction, audibly cracking her bones back into place as she straightens once more. Twisting about to face the fallen Katana. Kyeh.
She then regards the first of this Samurai's men who hasn't run away. Staring at him with her inhuman eyes and all but willing him to hold still, "Take care of your Shogun. Tell him.." Her lips crease as golden eyes glint, "..He does his Ancestor Spirits proud.." The Devil murmurs with a faint nod.
At that, she releases the man from her intense, frightening gaze.. and slowly, veeery slowly, walks away down the alley. The shadows slowly taking her home..
Log created on 22:05:31 09/23/2007 by Katana, and last modified on 01:45:08 09/24/2007.