Description: Turrets say hello in such an unusual fashion... (Winner: Nagare)
COMBATSYS: Turret has started a fight here.
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Turret 0/-------/-------|
What a cold, sterile environment. The light saturated room did little to calm the nerves of being shuttled off and tossed into this kind of observatory 'cage', even if in his time Oswald had seen his fair share of extremely strange environments. Crimson shades did give a bit of rest for his eyes against the ominious white glare, and for a moment he plucks a cigarette from the pack and places a stalk 'tween his lips... and almost - just /almost/ lights it up....
... but ends up simply putting it back into his pocket instead. In a sealed environment wouldn't make it too good a plan... plus there could be gas. Giving a little sneer, he simply leans up against the wall and stays mostly still - they said the match would start off soon enough.
It's almost as if he had a sort of insight to the room - his suit is much along the color of the stark ivory of the walls, the fabric fine and white, shirt a bright red underneath to offset the purity of the color on the suit, the tie is black and the kercheif is much the same.
COMBATSYS: Oswald has joined the fight here.
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Oswald 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
Water, water where is the water?! That's something Nagare is thinking just a little of. This sterile environment which they're all located in is entirely displeasing to the Taiyo Swimming coach. There's endless white walls leading all about the room to only twist up and box them in. The light shine down terribly, glaring and blaring and even giving the man a tan! He doesn't really need one, but its different allright.
Looking about, Nagare blinks, slowl moving down his headband infront of his eyes, if only to get some of the glare out. He notices that Oswald man. He's an impressive fighter, so Nagare would have to make sure to watch out from him during the fight!
But still, the environment really doesn't match this man's whole gettup! The bright lights, the lack of water or a pool! Not even a beach! Just endless white and a terribly secure environment. Nagare's not to thrilld to be in such a lifeless arena!
COMBATSYS: Nagare has joined the fight here.
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Turret 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nagare
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Oswald 0/-------/-------|
In her years on the street fighting circuit, Maki Genryusai has fought in countless locations, some exotic, some common, and some unique. Temples, city squares, onboard trains, many places that she's fought, some of which she can't name off the top of her head. But none of them can compare to a location like this.
This whole sterile room, it's nothing like anything Maki's fought in before. It's like something out of a science fiction movie, and it really makes Maki feel a little uneasy. But even the best fighters get uneasy at some points in their career, so it's nothing major. Besides, once everything gets underway, those uneasy thoughts will be brushed aside.
Maki looks around, sizing her opponents up. She's not entirely familiar with them off the top of her head, but they look like they should provide a very good challenge for her. That turret also seems to look very enticing to Maki, although when it comes to weapons, Maki generally prefers to stick with her tonfa.
But either way, this is definitely going to be a match to remember!
COMBATSYS: Maki has joined the fight here.
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Turret 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maki
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Oswald 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nagare
The discussion Frei had with the SNF people outside this 'facility' had a lot to do with the waiver. He picked it up and read it, squinting a little at some of the finer print, chewing on the end of his pen (to the dismay of the secretary) and generally being a nuisance about it. When he finally opens his mouth to speak, it's to say this: "You want me to sign... a waiver. Where I agree not to indemnify you in the case of bodily harm incurred during... a Saturday Night Fight." He says it slowly, as if explaining the concept to a small child.
They nod.
With a shrug, the monk signs on the dotted line. "Science." He says this in much the way someone else might use the phrases 'those damn kids!' or 'Democrats!' or 'lady, turn off your cell phone while you're driving!'
And then he is ushered into the room.
Unlike Oswald, Frei's wearing blue jeans and a too-big hunter green moleskin buttondown and stands out against the white room and in the glare like a sore thumb. Shielding his eyes, he looks up and sees the turrent, then raises an eyebrow. "So... we're fighting in the Wonkavision room. Tubular."
COMBATSYS: Frei has joined the fight here.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-------|
"Mn. Glad to see I'm not alone in this white-room misery." Oswald intones as the others make their presence known, pressing a button, and then another on the little remote in his hand making the hanging turret whir to life in brief spurts, making it shudder a bit to the left, and a bit to the right, pointing away from everyone now, "Everyone's friend yet everyone's enemy up above." he glances to the turret and gives a dry chuckle before first stowing the remote back into the suit's jacket pocket and then moving to stand a bit more upright.
"Good ... afternoon, my fellow combatants... I think. It's been a while, Mister Nagare. I'm pleased to see you're still active." He closes his eyes and gives a debonaire shrug as he greets, offering a formal, gentleman's bow, "Everyone, Let's have a clean, lively fight."
Nagare looks around, well, there are a few fighters here! And a turret, since Nagare has that stashed away in his flipper. Well, the turret aiming thing at least, since right now, Nagare is even thinking if he should use it. He'll certainly find out sooner or later, but right now he'll just have to be sure to keep up.
"Yeah... I'm not really enjoying this place too much." Nagare states to Oswalds ol statement. "Ah, it's been a while as well Mister Oswald, sir." Nagare states, "Yes! Let's have a clean fight!" The swimmer announces, still in his outfit of fins, a jacket and a speedo.
It wouln't be Nagare without it.
Nagare, Frei, and Oswald. Now that Maki has got the names set straight, it looks like it's time for the fight to start. After a few quick stretches on the spot and a little jumping around to get the blood pumping, Maki assumes her fighting stance, pausing briefly to look at the turret one last time. Despite her preference of wielding a tonfa, that turret could possibly be useful in this fight as well. But that's for later on.
For now, Maki looks over her three rivals, sizing them up and trying to figure out which of them to go after first.
COMBATSYS: Maki focuses on her next action.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-------|
An interesting group of people, gathered in this room... none of them typical, even by fighter standards. For a moment, Frei's gaze is dominated by the turret. That... something's not right about that thing. His opinion shows in the furrowing of his brow and the tilt of his head as he examines it. 'Everyone's friend and everyone's enemy', huh... well, that's one way to describe it. With a shrug, Frei puts the remote he was given in his pocket. Someone else can use the crazy superscience thing first, thanks.
"A clean, brightly lit room... there are worse SNF venues, believe me," the monk says simply, thinking back to the canals of Venice, for example. Nagare might enjoy the water, but probably not THAT water, as his colleague Hayato can attest. "Still, I feel like I should've brought some sunblock or something..." he adds, shielding his eyes with his hand at forehead level for a moment.
But then the signal to get things moving is given, and like Maki, Frei prepares himself for the fight rather than taking the first move. Perhaps not smart, with all these people about... but it's just how he operates. "Well, good luck, everyone." He drops into a basic defensive stance, taking a deep breath... and from out of nowhere a light wind kicks up, the air in the room resonating with the chi prodigy as he attunes himself, preparing. This is gonna be... difficult.
COMBATSYS: Frei gathers his will.
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Frei 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-------|
Well, it really does seem odd! But, as everyone manages to make no movements, Nagare decides to take the first strike! As Frei charges, and Maki seems to pay really close attention, Nagare decides to head towards Maki! But he doesn't make any terrible manuevers at first, instead he simply aims to charge across the arena.
"Well, it isn't the desert. But it's worse than the desert. No sand." Nagare announces.
And then, he comes down towards Maki, both hands aimed towards the woman's stomach in an attempt to pump air into her lungs... or in this case out of them!
Oswald's lips broke into a small smile. Everyone seemed to be in a 'hurry up and wait' mentality, give or take, and given the circumstances it's unsurprising that everyone is taking their time figuring out they will be doing first...
Everyone except for Nagare, whom takes no time to decide who his first victim is going to be. The elder Irishman gives a bit of a nod and widens his stance just a tad, bringing a hand up and tapping the bridge of his specs to push them up before stepping forward more into the middle of the room, making his way toward Frei, "Seems they have it going... can't have the both of us being bored, now can we?" One shoulder rises up in a sort of half hearted shrug before slipping in to a well defended pugilist's stance, bringing a leg up to his chest and thrusting out at Frei's body with it.
COMBATSYS: Maki blocks Nagare's Artificial Respiration.
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Frei 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-------|
Looks like Maki's mind has been made up for her. Nagare wants to pump her stomach, but quite frankly, Maki doesn't need help breathing right now. In fact, she's already got more than enough oxygen, so this whole thing about helping her breath is totally unnecessary. Hence the reason she brings her arms down to protect her stomach, using her tonfa to help deflect the incoming blow away.
"Thanks for your consideration, but I think you should be more concerned about yourself," Maki replies sternly, turning to face Nagare once she's regained her stance. As soon as she's sure she's ready to attack him, Maki quickly brings her tonfa towards Nagare's stomach, attempting to return the favor in her own unique style!
COMBATSYS: Frei endures Oswald's Light Kick.
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Frei 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-------|
Oswald... Oswald... shouldn't that name be ringing a bell? As the elder fighter decides to pair off with the monk as Maki and Nagare go at it, there's a sudden look of concentration on Frei's face as he tries his damndest to remember where he's heard that name before. Until just recently his life had been busy, with little focus paid to other peoples' existences, but for some reason 'Oswald' and 'fighting' stuck together in his brain...
Just as the kick is coming at him, he remembers.
It's difficult to evade from the stance he's in, and even if it weren't that's not something Frei is inclined to do often. Instead, he braces himself and allows the attack to land, the forward kick smacking into his stomach and making him briefly wince at the impact. However, it doesn't knock or bowl him over, which is important. Two hands come down on Oswald's leg, briefly holding it in place, and Frei grins at his opponent. "Now I remember you." And on that cryptic statement, he suddenly pushes *down* on Oswald's arm even as he brings his leg *up* in a snap kick for the white-haired man's shoulder... a kick that blazes with an aura of red-gold flame.
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Nagare with Medium Strike.
- Power hit! -
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Frei 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
Well, that certainly was unexpected! That's all Nagare is thinking for the moment as he's slammed by two tonfa's, both blows striking Nagare in the stomach, as it hurts, it doesn't manage to drop Nagare all that far! He's sent back a decent distake however, rather pained on his face still. "Huh. I wasn't expecting that! But don't worry, I'll be fine!" Nagare states, coughing a little.
And with that said, Nagare leads forward, striking back towards Maki once more, moving across the ground once more in an effecient way, attempting to use his fin in a way that would help a lot! And that, being said, is a rather funny jumping kick that takes a little longer to reach the ground than he should, flipper and all!
COMBATSYS: Oswald dodges Frei's Light Kick.
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Frei 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
The kick is solid, Oswald is somewhat pleased. The hands come down on his leg and he can't help but crook an eyebrow at the sudden blurt of a statement from Frei, the sheen in his specs giving way for a moment as the Gambler stares into the eyes of his current target. "You remember me? I am pleased to hear I have left an impression..." And then his body lurches down a moment as Frei's leg skyrockets up toward his shoulder, letting his still-stable knee bend down then pulse backwards, sending the man in an improvised somersault - not elegant for the most part - but it did the trick.
There's a wisp of smoke at the shoulder of the white suit, the expensive fabric charred just a tad from the aura of fire that encompassed Frei's leg. Still crouching low for the moment, Oswald tilts his head, offering a satisfied nod, "A good kick... But I must know..." He states in a blunt, very direct tone as his legs propel him forward suddenly, then up, bringing an elbow up toward Frei's ribs, "...your name, warrior."
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Nagare's Light Kick.
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Frei 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
Very funny looking kick indeed. And indeed, it does take longer than it should to get to Maki. This is why Maki is given more than ample time to avoid the incoming attack without breaking much of a sweat. In fact, she jumps to the side to avoid the flying kick, and then waits for Nagare to land before, once again, returning the favor in her own unique style.
"Here, let me kick things up a notch for ya," Maki says with a grin as she drops down onto the ground, and then literally positions herself so she's balancing atop her tonfa. But this isn't just a balancing act, folks. This is where Maki demonstrates her favorite maneuver, where she spins around while balancing like this with her leg outstretched!
COMBATSYS: Oswald successfully hits Frei with Medium Strike.
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Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
'Warrior'? That's a new one.
Perhaps he overextended himself on the kick a little bit; it's just as likely that Oswald's somewhat formal way of speaking throws him off his guard. Either way, Frei's attempt to deflect that elbow is too little, too late; the strike sinks into his stomach and two blows in the same spot in such a short time is one too many to completely withstand; he stumbles back a few steps, hand going to his stomach. Alma did a number on him just recently, and even for a quick healer like Frei there's only so much you can do in so short a time.
"Inigo Montoya," Frei says absently, as if reciting from some mental cue card. "You killed my father, prepare to die." There's a brief pause, and then the freckled face widens into a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I've always wanted to say that. We haven't met, if that's what you're wondering."
His luck fighting the card shark isn't very good, and so despite the conversation Frei decides to get himself acquainted with a few other people in this battle. The extra distance he pushed back from Oswald puts Maki in his line of sight, and with an almost lazy air about him he waves a hand at her, palm flashing briefly with blue-white light. On cue, a swirl of ice and frost appears out of nowhere, looking to chill the Bushin-ryuu fighter to the bone.
His attention's still on Oswald, though. "My name is Frei, though."
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Nagare with Bushin Senpuu Kyaku.
- Power hit! -
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Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-======|
Even as Nagare seems to throw himself into the strike, he doesn't! Instead, he's just thrown backwards, the spinning, outstretched leg bashing into him as he goes. Oof! Nagare's knocked clear over towards the side of the box like arena. He just lays down and lets himself sit there for the moment. Wow, he's hurting a bin, energy and such added with the blow.
He just seems to not be on his game today, but never worry! Never fret! Nagare can take care of himself. Know why?
Because Nagare begins to pump his chest. Powerfully. One after another after another, water chi being forced to heal the blows he had taken as he goes. Well, it was painful, but nothing Nagare can't fix with his masterful skills as a lifeguard. See?
You sure do!
Through the guard the elbow sails, and Oswald is quickly skipping back away from Frei after the successful shot, "Princess Bride, Mister Frei? I hope that does not make me the six fingered man, in that case."
And Frei slips by him, not that Oswald chases for the time being, instead taking a moment to step back and examine the rest of the battle. Frei to Maki... Maki finished with Nagare... and Nagare doing that strange display of chi. Oswald's mind races. He knew what Nagare was setting out to do, but should he take the time to interfere? It was a gamble, a bit of spent energy now for reward later? Yes, it was a viable bet.
With a sudden snap, the sound of the metal lined card flicking out of its holster could easily be heard if anyone was paying attention as he lets it flick up into the air, floating and spiraling in the luminous white of the room before it slices downwards toward Nagare's body.
COMBATSYS: Maki blocks Frei's Hatsuyuki.
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Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/-======|
An attack like that might chill some fighters to the bone, but not Maki. Maki's a fighter who has a lot of experience with projectiles, and when it comes to protecting herself against them, she is capable of blocking quite easily. She gets into her defensive stance again and uses her forearms to absorb most of the projectile. It leaves her a little cool, but not chilled to the bone.
"Looks like I'm being double-teamed, here," Maki thinks to herself as she pulls back a little, realizing that her previous target is now distracted by Oswald. Frei looks like he might make a good target, though, so Maki has no qualms about switching her focus to him. She does a few quick steps forward, then pushes off and flies directly at Frei with her foot extended, aimed right at his chest.
COMBATSYS: Oswald successfully hits Nagare with Queen.
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Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Nagare with CPR.
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Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Frei interrupts Hassou Kyaku from Maki with Ashura Ressenjin EX.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Oswald
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Nagare 1/------=/=======|
Thankfully for Frei, the initial burst of frost was just the opening salvo. It had the dual benefit of shifting Oswald's attention elsewhere for a moment, and setting himself up for an opportunity to use up some of that pent-up energy he's been letting swim through his body the entire time. He braces himself, eyeing Maki carefully. Lately he's been trying to change the image of him and his personal fighting style as haphazard and goofy... it can be, at times, but when he's determined, the soul of a true martial artist does burn in there, somewhere.
The flying kick smacks into Frei's chest, but even as it starts to make contact, the monk lets out a sharp kiai and slices *downward* with his hand, knocking Maki's leg toward the ground and sending her off balance just long enough to give him the opening he needs...
It starts with a single palm strike, and when it impacts the blonde fighter's body it bursts with purple-black energy that's cold to the touch, and is followed by a string of hand strikes and kicks, each one exploding with that odd, cold power; the final strike is with both palms to Maki's stomach, looking to send her flying away from him.
Even as Nagare is in mid thrust, it seems he's unable to really accomplish and finish his strike, as Oswald comes up and fires a metal card down towards Nagare. It cuts off Nagare's ability to really finish what he was doing, stopping the ability mid way while causing a terrible gash on the side of his chest.
Still, the fighter has to get up. He can't sit around forever or he'd be rather unfortunate and not a really intersting contender. So Nagare does what Nagare's do. Get back into it, and that means sending himself flying into the air, no matter how far from Oswald he may be, he's going fast, water chi dripping as he rises towards Oswald as he swims above... and then moves to drop down, right towards the man's body, attempting to slam right into him from where he is, head first!
Nagare hasn't had any luck, but that doesn't mean it's time to give in! It means he just have to keep on trying!
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Oswald with Concrete Dive.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Oswald
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Nagare 1/-----==/=======|
Oswald had been the victim of this strike twice before, and this - a third time - he was no more lucky. The confusing mix of swim-and-drop leaves Oswald vulnerable even as he tries to guess-and-sidestep, taking the hit in full, making the white-haired man crumple backwards in recoil with one hand planted behind him to keep him from going down completely.
"Every... damn time..." He grins to himself despite his obvious failure to dodge Nagare's strike, "Got to hand it to you. Your style, as always. Impressive." Still crouched down, Oswald shifts his hips and turns his back somewhat as he lets one of his legs loop up and around after Nagare lands, aiming to strike him just at the knees.
Now that's totally not cool. Maki's interrupted in the middle of her kick and her leg is hit hard, and then she's hit even harder by the cold chi power that sends her flying into a nearby wall, whacking her head and back against it, leaving her dazed. She groans as she tries to catch her breath, having some difficulty standing back up.
When she does get back up, her face is a little bloodied and bruised, and she's having a little trouble keeping her fighting stance going strong. Sometimes, it's better to pull back and wait, giving yourself a chance to rest, instead of keeping the offense up. Hence the reason Maki chooses to take a moment to catch her breath.
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Oswald
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Nagare 1/-----==/=======|
You definitely have to keep the pressure up, and in Frei's case this is a lesson he's learned quite well. Even as he comes out of that attack, the monk is continuing to dash right at Maki, ignoring Oswald and Nagare -- probably to his peril -- for the time being. This is a little different from his typical wait-and-see tactics, but something about the elephant in the room -- the bullet-firing one -- is giving him the willies... so he thinks the faster he's out of here, the better. Even if it means walking into another fighter's carefully-laid trap, or putting his bruised and battered form up against someone a little less injured.
Even as he runs, Frei's right hand drops to his side, fingers extended, the position for a knife hand. Starting at his fingertips and peeling backwards like speedlines, a gold and silver aura materializes, like the glint off a sword blade in the sunlight. When he gets close enough, Frei suddenly sweeps his arm upward in a parabolic arc, the metallic glow becoming a line of cutting chi that slashes through the air along the path of his hand with a sound not unlike a tuning fork being struck.
COMBATSYS: Nagare endures Oswald's Light Kick.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Oswald
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Nagare 1/---====/=======|
Even as he comes down, Nagare finds himself bashed around by the simply action of coming down head first onto Oswald. Of course, with a bonk that simply doesn't end all things! Oswald shows him this nicely. Still, the swimmer has to watch out when he comes down, but that's not the only thing he has to watch out for.
Oswald follows forward with a kick, aimed down to strike Nagare's back and leave a nice imprint, but Nagare throws himself into it, diving into the kick, it laying into his back. "Thanks! You have an impressive style too." Nagare announces, only before he explodes forward, through the air diving directly into Oswalds side. Bloop. Bloop. Bloop. Nagare swims right into Oswald, attempting to swim the swim out of him, and, in a mistake, he hits the button on the remote. The one that activates the turret. Directly on Oswald. It's a mistake! But mistakes can help as well.
"Whoops, forgot I had that!" Though, the bullets and the swimming through the air on water chi may not really help the 'whoops'.
Mistakes are mistakes! But sometimes, not really fun ones.
COMBATSYS: Oswald blocks Nagare's Underwater Dash.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Turret successfully hits Oswald with Turret Fire.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
Oswald knew that great build up of water chi just as well, the last time he saw it, he foolishly walked into the attack - and it almost cost him an important match. "D...damn..." He curses to himself through clenched teeth as he brings his limbs inwards to brace and prepare to take the volley - and the strike takes a punishing toll on his arms and defending legs, the older man hissing his breath out hard and heavy as Nagare drives the offense forward.
That turret's fire, though... well he didn't expect that. Uncovering from his defensive stance, Oswald flinches just long enough for his guard to be down as he hears that 'chik-beep-whirrrrr-HeLLo-FRieND' that soon follows a strange, hazy cone of red laser light...
... and the volley of autofire that punctuates its so cold, so artificial, so mechanically friendly greeting. Clothes punctured, groaning hard and loud as the fire strafes him, Oswald buckles a bit forward, both arms crossed over his chest where the majority of the bullets landed, squinting hard and panting. That didn't look like it was fun. No...
That didn't tickle at all.
COMBATSYS: Oswald gains composure.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Turret
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Maki 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
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Nagare 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Maki with Houken.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Maki 1/-----==/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/----===|
That really hurts, in more ways than one. It hurts where it hits, and it hurts Maki's ears too. That attack from Frei leaves her reeling and a bit more bloodied than before. To top that off, her attempt to avoid it backfired on her completely. But this time, Maki's really starting to lose her patience with Frei.
"I've been patient enough with you, now it's time to play for real!" Maki then dashes at Frei, and then jumps into the air, flipping herself over vertically and attempting to grab Frei by the shoulders. If successful, she'll flip over again, and throw Frei through the air while she's still in the air!
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Frei with Tengu Daoshi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/----===|
Maki finds herself getting her opponent firmly, and then turning things around for both herself and her opponent. She lands on both feet while Frei is gonna find the ground coming up very fast!
Well, that was unexpected. Since he's not a ninja Frei is not familiar with the ins and outs of the inverted head drop, but once Maki gets her hands on him, the gist is easy enough to understand. The monk yelps a bit in pain as he slams into the ground, mostly from the oncoming force of gravity Maki so helpfully put to work... but also at the feeling of the remote in his pocket being slammed into his hip, painfully, at the point of impact.
Frei rolls to the side just in time to see the turret turn toward Nagare and fire off a shot, making Frei's all-too-expressive face go completely D: in the process. He doesn't attack, taking a sort of accidental rest break while he realizes the enormity of what he just did.
"...oops."
COMBATSYS: Frei gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Nagare dodges Turret's Turret Fire.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/----===|
The same ol' same ol KRAKKA KRAKKA KRAKKA goes off in Nagare's head. Just what could that be? And then he finds out. Oh. THAT. And most certainly it's the same thing that he had used against Oswald. It's no surprise that the turret comes at him, and seeing Oswald all laying there terrible, Nagare's none too proud of what he just did, but he's got to try something after all.
And then the bullets come to him. The swimmer saw what they could do. The 'i See You' call coming towards him before the fire strikes, laying a sheet against the ground. Nagare doesn't sit there, he just swims for it, through the air as the bullets rip across the ground behind him. It was close, way too close, but he managed it.
Within a thought of what to do, Nagare turns towards Maki, seeing that she's in a better position than many other of the fighters, and manuevers towards her. He can't quit yet! He has to keep going! And sure enough, Nagare will.
Getting close enough, Nagare throws himself backwards, actually swimming his way to the ground while his feet come up, sweeping around with his fins, aimed right to deliver an upperfin strike to Maki's chin!
There's a groan from Oswald as he struggles a bit to get up, lifting one leg to plant a heel firm on the ground before pushing up to stand. Lumbering a bit, he brings a hand up to test at his suit. Damn thing's riddles with holes now and at this rate he's thinking on starting a collection of discarded or ruined threads just to remind him of the salvo of unique strikes all his opponents over time have made his body taste. If only he had started this sooner...
There's a deep breath from Oswald as he gives his head a sudden tilt to the left, limbering up a bit before drawing his arms up, and starting up in a semi-skip jog toward Frei, aiming to loop an arm about his shoulders and sqatting down to get below his center of gravity, to try and throw him to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Maki blocks Nagare's Flipper Roundhouse.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Maki 1/--=====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/---====|
Chin up, Nagare, it's not all that bad if Maki blocks your attack. It just means she doesn't want to feel your fins striking her chin! That's why her arm came up to deflect your fin away. The chin is a very sensitive spot and can sting if struck by something like that there.
Maki doesn't react with much more, though. She's starting to look very run down and not exactly having a lot of luck keeping herself breathing steadily. She decides to step back and rest again.
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Frei just-defends Oswald's Medium Throw!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/---====|
Apparently all that's needed to kick-start Frei's defensive mojo is for him to... get slammed into the ground really hard and then accidentally fire a prototype artillery cannon at a stranger. Who knew? Regardless, as Oswald makes that skipping attack to snag an arm around his shoulders, the monk calmly moves with Oswald's own line of attack, effectively 'rolling' under it and off to the side, completely unharmed and with his little 'rest' undisturbed. Handy!
It also leaves the monk face to face with the card-using fighter once more, and with Maki and Nagare busy, he seamlessly throws himself back into the previous conversation. "You helped a friend of mine, I think... other people might not have noticed it, but I was watching Hotaru's Neo League bouts pretty closely for... my own reasons." With that all out in the open, however, he decides to press his attack, hands glowing a dark green as he brings them up near his chest. "I wanted to thank you for that."
With a single, lunging step forward, Frei throws both hands out palm-first. The green glow suddenly becomes a torrent of chi-created, spectral 'leaves' that slice through the air around Oswald in a roughly spherical shape, their impact feeling almost like a hundred jolts of electricity from the Wood chi Frei called up.
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Oswald with Reiki.
Glancing Blow
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/---====|
Wow. It seems that Maki isn't fighting back. Well, alright! If Maki isn't going to fight, then Nagare's going to have to chose a different target. After all, Nagare believes that it's wrong to attack people that aren't really fighting back! Still, as he goes, Nagare simply looks upon the two. Oswald and Frei, and decides, for now, to go after Frei, since he hasn't assault him yet!
And sure enough, as he goes, the Swimmer moves with untimely grace, floating as he goes, at least almost, as he moves towards Frei with a simple punch in tow, flippers and all, aimed to strike the boy in the chest.
"You've been doing good so far, keep it up!" Nagare states with a helpful voice, at least, one that is rather tired.
Defensive mojo, that's an excellent word for it. Oswald's arm finds very little to grab on to as Frei slips past the attack and starts into that short monologue. "You know of Futaba-san?" He stops only for a moment as her name is mentioned, his eyes catching that brief glimmer of green as Frei gathers his power to thrust forward into that leafed strike.
And with Frei's thrusting hands and lightning crackle of energy finds only a sliver of Oswald's body, enough to send arcs of power rippling through the side of his chest and part of his arm as the Gambler turns a full-twist around the majority of the blow to stop at Frei's profile. "Thank me properly... by visiting in person." the strain in his voice is evident as he brings his palm to the back of Frei's head, palming it and giving a sudden shove forward just as he hooks one of his legs in front of the younger fighter's, shoving him down to the ground. "...and bring tea for us."
This whole fight is getting more and more exciting by the minute. And Maki's done resting up, as her energy is back, and her will to fight has returned as well. Oh, and it seems that Nagare might have expected her to fight back instead of resting. Well, patience young swimmer. You can have what you want if you wait. It's just you might not like what Maki has in store for you.
As Maki approaches Nagare as he approaches Frei, with her tonfa at the ready. As she gets closer she starts to bring it back, and when she gets close enough, she swings it in an upward motion, aiming directly at Nagare's chin!
COMBATSYS: Frei dodges Nagare's Strong Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Frei fails to interrupt Strong Throw from Oswald with Shindou.
-* CRITICAL FAIL! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 1/----===/=======|=======\====---\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/---====|
Dealing with two fighters at once is not the monk's specialty, or at least not when he decides to get tricky about it. Nagare and Oswald are both talking at him, and both trying to HIT him (sort of), and it's just too much to process. He gives Nagare a quizzical look, saying only "...thanks?" as he pivots on one foot, sidestepping the punch neatly...
...and completely screwing up when it comes to Oswald. He'd intended to turn and grab the card-using fighter by the arm, turning his own throw against him. This becomes a problem when he turns and reaches out an arm to realize that... Oswald is no longer there, or perhaps never was. He's missed the pushing of his head down, but this isn't actually that helpful, because when he gets tripped, his center of gravity is totally off. Instead of dropping, he *tumbles* forward, stumbling toward the center of the room at a hunch until he smacks into the turret headfirst with a loud *CLANG* noise, before dropping to the ground in a sprawl.
As he lays there, staring at the ceiling, he also faintly adds: "...buy your own damn tea, then."
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Nagare with Genkou.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 1/---====/=======|=======\====---\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/=======|
Whoops! It looks like Nagare slipped up, but that's alright. Nagare hasn't been very hot this fight at all, but he's going to continue to attempt to clutch on to victory! Or at least, clutch onto something! Whack, the tonfa's strike Nagare's chin rather harshly! And Nagare gets send backwards as he lays up against the wall. He smiles still.
"Hah. This is an interesting fight." The swimmers states, just sort of letting himself lay there for now. Since, well, he's been pushing himself hard! He should be able to take a breathr once in a while! And he does, right now.
Looking towards Oswald and Frei and even the turret! He's gotta keep vigilant still!
COMBATSYS: Nagare gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 1/---====/=======|=======\====---\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
"...agreed...sir..." Even Oswald has to pause at the bruising he's dished in that single toss, rolling his head a tad and letting the remainder of the breath caught in his lungs escape out in a really low hiss - almost a vicarious feel for the blow, "I'm certain Futaba-san will appreciate your presence, as well. But for now - it's business."
Frei would take a bit to recover from that one, and he'd picked on him long enough. Maki, whom was busy dealing with Nagare seemed to be doing well. And two fighters were in close proximity to each other? Clenching a fist and bringing it up to his chest a moment, there's a subtle tremor that flows through the room as the lights suddenly dim and flicker, as if the wiring had suddenly gone bad. Oswald's become a shadow, echoed in the flickers of the light but obscured by the darkness all the same. The turret clicks and whirs as it pops open and up to life as it chirps, 'PRePaRiNG To DiSPeNSe PRoDuCT....' turning toward Nagare as Oswald's programmed it to dispense a bit of payback.
Just as the hazy, obfuscuated outline of Oswald's body flies toward Maki...
'DiSPeNSiNG PRoDuCT~'
COMBATSYS: Oswald successfully hits Maki with Joker'.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|====---\-------\0 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
Maki is gripped by the throat by the bodak-like shadow, lifted and for a moment, almost seems suspended. The lights flicker and the mere glints of the metal-edged cards flare out all over as the lights hum in and out, the blades cutting grazes and cutting in, taking opportunity of the airtime the lift and toss up gave him to deliver the fifty-three card salvo into her body...
Not sure of what to make of the incoming attack, Maki gulps and tries to move out of the way, but it turns out to be a very bad call. She's grabbed by the neck, which leaves her struggling to breathe, and then finds herself getting all cut up. In the end, after all is said and done, she's pretty badly beaten up, and bleeding profusely no less. As she tries to get back onto her feet, her legs begin to buckle underneath her, and she hangs limply looking like she's about to go down.
But then, just before she passes out, something illuminates around Maki. A force of chi flows from her as she rushes at Oswald, intent on delivering one last attack before going out...
A last attack that consists of a series of tonfa strikes and kicks delivered at a rapid rate of speed. This is pretty much retaliation for that cheap shot. But Maki's definitely done with this match.
COMBATSYS: Maki has reached second wind!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
Well, that's unpleasant. As Frei's getting himself off the ground, he naturally uses the nearest thing that's standing and not trying to (actively) kill him for support: the turret.
The talking turret.
The hot, moving, talking turret.
Snapping his hand back IMMEDIATELY the red-haired monk surges to his feet and dives backwards a few steps just for good measure, but thankfully the thing has decided to take its fury out on Nagare rather than himself. He breathes a sigh of relief, hand to his chest... just before Oswald breezes by holding Maki by the throat. Blinking, he turns and sees the Karnoffelisto pull a Gambit on the poor girl, and perhaps feels a little bit of sympathy for her. Driving at Oswald, the monk snaps out with one hand to grab for the white haired man's arm. If he can get it, he twists him around and, immobilizing him with an arm hold, puts his hand over Oswald's breastbone.
Flowing out from that hand is an aura of purple-black chi, much more intensified than the type he used on Maki. It's still cold to the touch, but the feeling seeps through the whole body instead of exploding at the point of impact.
COMBATSYS: Nagare blocks Turret's Turret Fire.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/-======|
By now, Nagare has a working knowledge of this so called 'turret fire'. Especally since that turret seems to dispense product his way. Deadly product. And it comes, more than likely, right at him.
But what doesn't happen is Nagare escaping the shots this time. It's too risky, he has to choose a different action. And he does, bringing his flipper up quickly to stop the turret from hammering him terribly hard, Nagare is driven back by the powerful shot, crushing his guard as the bullets ping into him, even bite into him. But it could have been alot worse seeing Oswald not too long ago.
But that's when Nagare knos that he has to keep pushing. And that pushing will be done as he goes for Frei, throwing himself in an all out swim towards the man, swimming swimming swimming! In the most rediculous way yet.
Water chi does drip, and for good reason! The man's trying to bash himself right into Frei!
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Oswald with Bushin Gou Rai Ha.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Oswald with Shihaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Maki 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
As Maki launches into her attack, she finds herself not only hitting her opponent rapidly and with a lot of power, but her inner power seems to fuel her back into action too. Despite being bloodied and bruised, she's still got some fight left in her it seems. As she finishes, she jumps back and says, "I'm not done yet!"
Oswald's glance at Maki as she gets back up and starts her attack is in disbelief. That girl had heart to say the least if she was standing up and staying up after that barrage. The moment of disbelief costs him dearly as he's set up for a fair share of punishment, the grab at his arm making his body pull upright, full into the vitatlity-sapping blow from Frei and the hailstorm of kicks and tonfa blows that Maki answers Oswald's most powerful strike in full.
Frei's blow had dealt the intended effect, leaving him wobbly and staggered but blasted and across the room now in a crumpled pile a good ten or so feet away. Groaning, laid out, bloodied and overall a terrible mess compared to what he was a moment ago.
COMBATSYS: Oswald gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
Seeing that she's not out of the fight yet, Maki's grinning arrogantly at her opponents, but that rush of adrenaline doesn't fully mask the pain she's feeling right now. She begins to breathe heavily again, and realizes that another rest might be in order. But then she realizes that she also has that remote to use.
As she fishes it from her pocket, Maki attempts to aim it directly at Oswald, not quite competent with electronics at this moment due to her dizziness. But once she gets it figured out, she aims and prepares to open fire on the fighter who nearly took her out.
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Frei just-defends Nagare's Dog Paddling!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|
For whatever reason -- with maybe one exception, cough cough -- Frei appears to be on the ball defensively now that the fight's building toward an obvious climax. He turns from Oswald to see Nagare floating at him. Sort of... literally. Both eyebrows go up at this unorthodox use of water chi, but he actually looks pretty impressed. For all his fine control, that's not something Frei himself thinks he could ever pull off. But he also has to deal with it coming right at him, so he improvises: both hands start to glow blue-white, and as the water-laden strikes come toward him, the monk gently redirects each one to the side... but the frosty chi around his hands *also* gives him more to work with, freezing the water solid. Not enough to harm Nagare, but enough to make this most improbable defense possible.
Stepping back a bit, the monk tilts his head at Nagare, then smiles cheerily. "Neat. Very innovative." And secretly he resolves to try it himself some night when the YFCC is empty.
Holding out his hand, the monk concentrates, and a glowing orb of white light soon becomes seven smaller such orbs, circling his hand erratically. With a sweep of the wrist, he sends the seven orbs out toward Nagare, but not AT him... merely around him. Making a downward gesture with that hand, the monk directs the spheres into the ground... and with a successive upward sweep, he turns the 7 spheres of light into 7 *columns* of light, massive pillars of energy that erupt out of the ground around Nagare!
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Nagare with Hokuto Rekkoudan.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Maki 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\ <
Nagare 1/-----==/=======|
For a lack of a better term, owch! Today is not Nagare's day at all! Just trying to keep up seems rather impossible, but Nagare had to swim up currents before. He's a swimmer, not a sinker, and this proves it! Even if it means he's being completely anihitted left and right. But Nagare will endure! Somewhat. Even as the orbs strike into Nagare, he's thrown backwards by the strength! Oof! And when he's sent backwards, he has no real thought of what to do! Caught in a stream he tries to escape but fails!
Once at the wall, Nagare once more just sort of lays there breathing heavily. Definitely not his day! Weak and wounded, the swimmer begins to try something else, for lack of a better term, by once more building up a powerful chi about his flippers, and then pushing it into his own chest once more, a somewhat rejuvinational effect taking place! When push comes to shove, Nagare's forcing himself to get back and fight through remedial techniques that deliver a rather healthy dose of what the body needs. Water!... chi.
Still, it's anyones game.
Nagare is just in this corner, practicing his technique. Really!
COMBATSYS: Turret successfully hits Oswald with Turret Fire.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Frei 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Turret
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Maki 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Oswald
[ \\\\\\ <
Nagare 0/-------/-----==|
His ears were ringing, his vision was blurry. Somewhere in the underwater-sounding gurgles in his ears, the sound of the turret whirring to life is heard but the worn out gambler is only able to make a meager attempt at crawling away before the firepower pours out and strafes his body once more.
There are words coming from his mouth, but somewhere along the stream of blood and hard grunts of effort as he pushes himself up along the wall to use it to stand, it's all lost. There's only four cards left in his hands, two in the plies of each finger, giving them a hard, final flick with what's left of his strength before his body slumps down near-lifeless in the corner...
COMBATSYS: Oswald can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Oswald's Royal Flush.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
If that's Oswald's best hand, then it looks like he just folded... big time. Not only is he out of the fight, but his last attempt to take Maki out failed miserably. The ninja somersaults out of the way of the incoming cards, shaking her head as she notices Oswald going out of the fight. She then looks at Frei and Nagare, sizing the two of them up and trying to figure out which of them is her next target.
Given that she came close to going out herself, however, Maki's not one to take things lightly. Instead, she watches the two of them and attempts to make her decision from there.
COMBATSYS: Maki focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
Apparently, the monk has decided to make Maki's decision for her. He blinks as the white-haired fighter goes down, but doesn't have a lot of time for sentimentality or confusion. Nagare is off in the corner doing... something... to himself involving chi and a lot of repetitive motion, so Frei steels himself and turns to the speedy blonde, giving her a nod. "And then there were three," he says with a faint smile.
Pushing off the floor, the monk sets at Maki in a run, but as he does so a red-gold glow flows around his body, and then OFF of it. The fiery chi becomes a 'second' Frei; a featureless fire clone that mirrors the monk's actions. When he gets in close, however, the two start weaving back and forth unpredictably, until Frei suddenly drops and sweeps a kick at Maki's legs... while the fire clone suddenly snaps a kick up at her shoulder. Hopefully, the two-stage strike will be able to overcome the ninja's speedy abilities.
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Nagare with Combat Defibrillation.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
Wow. That was a lot more effective than he thought it was going to be. Even as Maki gets up and Oswald goes down, Nagare is sad to see Oswald knocked out. He was a real conteder, even if the others are too, perhaps it's a faint knowledge that Oswald gave it his all to the end, and that's all Nagare has to think. Because it's true here. He gave everything he had! And that's the important part.
And now, that Frei strikes after Maki, whose busy watching them, she'll find out that she's not the only one that's watching, as Nagare comes up as Frei moves, and goes after Maki as well! Perhaps in an underhanded or sneaky attempt, or more striking the one with the least action, Nagare's doing it! Throwing himself right towards Maki!
And in turn, he's going to make sure to try to make it matter as he comes down, sending a heavy handed heavy after weirdly waddling himself towards her! Fwoosh!
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Maki with Heavy Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Frei 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
COMBATSYS: Maki interrupts Kagerou from Frei with Bushin Senpuu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Frei 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
Unfortunately, Maki's getting a bit overly confident again, and that means when she attempts to dodge Nagare's kick, she finds herself moving at the wrong rate of speed, and ends up getting kicked hard, sending her down a little. But that gives her a bit of an advantage as she finds herself flowing into her Bushin Senpuu Kyaku, knocking Frei away from her a little. His attack does strike her, but at least she's made her mark on him at the same time. A mark in the shape of a sneaker.
But when she gets back up, Maki's breathing heavily again, trying to keep herself from collapsing. She's still in the fight, but for how long?
It's a nice dramatic dismount, the spinning kick sending Frei's relatively lightweight body hurtling through the air in a low arcing spiral, until he finally seems to get some semblance of awareness and twists his body so that he lands in a crouch, taking deep breaths. This fight's gotten really nasty, really fast. He really would have liked it to be over now, too... but Maki's proven to be a Weeble and Nagare... well, who knows what Nagare is doing. Thus he doesn't attack, but once again drops into a defensive stance, taking a deep breath and centering himself. This is doable! He can make it work.
Maybe.
...that suggestion of tea from Oswald actually sounds really good right now, though.
COMBATSYS: Frei gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
Even as his kick strikes, he's rather lucky he's not the one under the constant strike. But as it goes, Nagare can see that Maki is rather breathing hard. Everyone is. Including Nagare, but the swimmer has some test of skill through the years to be able to go for long times. You try swimming six hundred laps around the pool! It can get tiring.
Even still, Nagare watches as Maki keeps in the fight, and then looks towards Frei who's proving to drop into a defensive stance. For once, Nagare goes after Maki yet still, actually grasping the button given to him and taking it in hand before hurling it towards Maki, attempting to give it to her the easiest way possible.
"Well, I don't know what this is for anymore but... you can have it! Hopefully the turrets dead for the rest of the fight. It was pretty scary." Nagare states. And he does hurl it towards Maki. It's a momento! At the worst possible time.
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Nagare's Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
Battered and bruised, Maki still finds herself having trouble keeping her reflexes and vision going as well as it should be. But that doesn't mean her ninja reflexes can't remain intact. In fact, as Nagare throws the remote at her, Maki swiftly jumps to the side, meaning that the gadget hits the wall and lands on the floor, obviously useless now. Maki takes this time to drop hers beside it.
"I already have one, thank you very much," Maki replies, proceeding to rush at Nagare and attempt to grab him by the shoulders like she did with Oswald earlier. However, this time, if she manages to connect, she's not just gonna slam him into the ground. Rather, she's gonna throw him with such force that he'll rebound off the walls several times like a ping-pong ball, and THEN land on the ground!
The exchange of remotes makes Frei think about the one's holding, and indeed he brings it up from his pocket while Maki hurls herself at Nagare, holding it in his hand palm-up and staring at it for a moment. Oh, hopefully they're insured for this, because the impact of that throw before for sure crushed this thing. With a sigh, he turns his hand upside down and lets the thing fall to the ground with a clatter. Rated up to 30,000 Kelvin my ass.
The blonde's assault on the Taiyo swim coach leaves the monk with a difficult decision: throw himself at the more wounded Maki, or help her even the score with Nagare? Perhaps some sense of fair play leads him to the latter, and he takes off for the duo at a run. If it looks like Nagare's going to slip Maki's grasp, he strikes then and there, spinning and lashing out with a high kick crackling with purple-blue lightning... just the thing to use against a water-chi type, he surmises.
COMBATSYS: Nagare blocks Maki's Ajara Tengu.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Nagare
COMBATSYS: Nagare endures Frei's Light Kick!
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Nagare
Even as Nagare watches Maki come down towards him, bruised and battered, he's surprised she can still get out of the way. None the less, Nagare isn't one to give up to easily. "I know! I was being cheritable!" Nagare cals, even as he's grasped by the shoulders and slammed into the ground, and then towards the wall, but mid way, he vaults off, throwing himself off and instead floating in mid air for a moment or two! He's not done yet. He just has to make sure he counts!
And still, as he comes down, Frei's there to help him a little, and so, even as the kick crackles with lighting, Nagare throws himself into it, causing him to be driven through the air like a rocket, a single forward thrust in air even sending him faster, attempting to flipper slap Maki!
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Maki with Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Nagare
With the slap coming at Maki, the ninja brings up her arm to deflect it away, but it uses up what remains of her energy. It looks like Nagare's pretty much beaten her, and this time she's not getting back up. Still, as she starts to go back down, Maki brings her tonfa up and attempts to clothesline Nagare with it as she's heading to the floor.
COMBATSYS: Maki has reached third wind!
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Nagare
Oh. So, he just volleyballed Nagare into Maki, entirely by accident. And he smacked her, and she fell down, and then got back UP, and decides to cross him one in the jaw with her weapon. Frei, fatigued and injured and all-around confused at this point, just kind of... stares at those two, head tilted, trying to figure this out. Easy pickings if one of them wants to off him! As it is, he simply says, "I don't even know what's going on anymore."
COMBATSYS: Frei takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Nagare
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Nagare with Medium Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Nagare
Even as Frei doesn't make a move, Nagare still has to fight, even as he's clotheslined backwards! Oof! Still, Nagare's getting tired, and with good reason! He's not done... quite yet. It's impossible how all of the three fighters should continue like this, but still, Nagare's not going to simply let everything pass him by!
So Nagare does the only option a man of his stature can do, even as he's knocked back a fair distance by the move.
SWIM. Right towards Maki.
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Maki with Dog Paddling.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0 Maki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Turret 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Nagare
Well, first off, Maki gets yet another surge of energy. Meaning that she's back in the fight once again, but that's only a brief thing, since Maki finds herself abruptly having her attempt to go at it again interrupted by Nagare swimming into her!
Being knocked out is never something easily accepted, but when you're knocked out by someone swimming into you, it's even more humiliating. Maki's hit once again by the swimming foe, and as she goes down to the ground, she finds herself bringing her leg up to attempt to kick Nagare in the stomach as she goes down. Let that be Maki's retaliation for knocking her out.
COMBATSYS: Maki can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Frei 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Turret 0/-------/------=|
...well, waiting didn't help.
The monk watches as Maki and Nagare square off again, but it looks like the swim coach has got the better of the blonde ninja this time. Which isn't to say she doesn't have one last gasp in her; in fairness, Frei waits to see how that plays out before he throws himself back into the fight. Taking a deep breath, he shrugs, then runs at Nagare. Once he gets close he snaps out a hand to grip the swimmer's arm even as he snaps out a leg to send him off balance. However, rather than sending him to the ground, the monk intends to shift around Nagare and drive his forearm into the coach's back... a forearm charged with a burst of purple lightning.
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Nagare with Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Frei 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Nagare
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Turret 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Nagare dodges Frei's Shunrai.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Frei 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Nagare
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Turret 0/-------/------=|
Even as Nagare seems to have been wore down by the combined strikes of Frei and Maki, he's not going to give up! At least not yet! Even as Maki strikes Nagare with a kick, the swimmer is still just enough there to escape the horrible fate that Frei fires towards him! The purple lighting all but strikes nagare, but with a burst of speed, the swimmer hurls himself into the air!
And once there, he swims about, attempting to get a hold on Frei, in the weirdest way possible. Like an eel, Nagare moves to wrap himself through Frei's legs and swim up, sending Frei to what could be the ground!
"Wow.... this was pretty... hard to keep up sometimes!" You said it Nagare!
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Nagare's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Frei 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Nagare
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Turret 0/-------/------=|
That's... unorthodox, for sure. Frei blinks in surprise at not just the evasion, but Nagare's *extremely weird* way of attacking. Thankfully, he is aware enough so that when the totally bizarre throw sends him toward the ground, he's already throwing out a hand to catch himself, vaulting back into a standing position. Sure, that stung -- catching all your weight on one limb usually does -- but it could have been far worse. Plus it leaves the monk standing toe to toe with the swim coach. For a second, Frei's body hums with chi, barely visible as a flicker of green, and then it's gone.
Hard to keep up, huh...
Completely without ceremony, Frei looks down at his hand, then balls it into a fist surrounded by a hazy aura of red fire, and then tries to pop Nagare in the nose with it. "Yep."
COMBATSYS: Nagare blocks Frei's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Frei 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Nagare
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Turret 0/-------/------=|
Nagare's way of attacking is extremly hard to measure. No matter what angle he's coming from, swimming is a really hard think to actually gauge. Especially when it's going through the air.
But as Frei balls a fist and sends it flying towards Nagare, the swimmer attempts a rather simple manuever! Well, it is! Bringing his hands up to stop the fire laced chi punch, Nagare is driven back! But back and up? That's right, Nagare swam right into the air! And from there, Nagare's leaving a trail of water chi as he goes up and up... and then finally comes back down towards Frei! Head first!
Oswald knows of this move. It's also very unorthadox.
COMBATSYS: Frei fails to interrupt Concrete Dive from Nagare with Hatsuyuki.
[ \\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Turret
COMBATSYS: Frei can no longer fight.
[ \\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Turret
Frankly, Frei's just... tired. He has a really great idea, but honestly, this chatty and weird swimmer guy is already getting his hackles up, he doesn't want to BE HERE anymore, and the turret is (in Frei's mind) making weird noises and he just wants to LEAVE.
He looks up and wearily waves a hand, and there's another white-blue flash. This time he had thought to freeze the water chi that Nagare was swimming on, but sadly basic physics says that moving water has greater kinetic and thermal energy and thus doesn't freeze as fast. Which is to say that the monk has a furrowed brow as Nagare smacks into him, sending him stumbling backwards to drape across the stupid turret.
There's a pause, and then he waves a hand dismissively and slumps down, leaning against the cannon. "Ugh, I'm done. God, this was weird. And it's me saying that, which should tell you something."
Nagare comes crashing down, flopping like a fish out of water on the hard, metal floor. Like a fish, Nagare finally comes to a stop, on his chest before turning over to his back and laying there, breathing heavily. "Y-yeah... that was a good fight thought. Just..." Nagare takes a breath, "It's just entirely weird. I don't like this place at all." Nagare states. And he just looks at that creepy turret.
He should have destroyed that first.
COMBATSYS: Nagare drops his guard to recover.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Turret
COMBATSYS: Nagare takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Nagare 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Turret
COMBATSYS: Nagare has left the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Turret 0/-------/------=|
Log created on 13:51:57 06/16/2008 by Oswald, and last modified on 13:43:52 06/17/2008.