Neo League 701 - #720: Zaki vs Preston

Description: A Neo League fight between two weapon fighting uuuh... well, one's a titan and one isn't! Atop the rooftops in Southtown, Aoi "Zaki" Himezaki fights Preston "Big Oar" Wellington in a fight that never actually clears onto any other rooftops! What will prove stronger, Preston's pen or Zaki's chain...sword?! (SPOILER ALERT!! Winner: NOBODY)



It's been a long while since the likes of Preston Alistair Wellington the II has graced the noble stage of the Neo League in an attempt to reach up and grasp that brass ring. He's been busy; school, relationships, an overwhelming desire to eat an entire cow, that sort of thing. He's succeeding at most of those. And in this case, he's fresh off the back of a trip out to the sticks to locate and devour an entire cow. It was really a thrilling moment for the boy's life, but right now...

Well, right now he has other concerns. Stepping out onto the roof of one of the few six-story buildings in the precinct, it seems that the organizers have decided that this fight... is to be free-flowing and dramatic, to topple as much scenery as possible while they do the utmost damage to one another.

"Nice view," Preston quips, rubbing his stomach through the opening provided by his failure to button-up his button-down. Glistening already, he surveys the terrain. The buildings surrounding this one are smaller by a story or two, and they range from one type of establishment to the next. A maid café, a doujin shop, and naturally clothes and electronics as well.

With a slight shake of his head, the Brit considers just how badly this could go for him -- but hey, they're offering him a chance to do something fun: beat the shit out of someone. And while he's not familiar with the person he's been drawn up against -- a surprise, almost like a godawful blind date -- he eagerly awaits the arrival of his next victim.

The camera crews are ready, choppers buzz high overhead, and the crowds in the adjacent buildings are all waiting for the fight to begin! Another blistering Neo League fight is about to commence!

COMBATSYS: Preston has started a fight here.

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Preston          0/-------/-------|


And they're offering his opponent the chance for ultimate stress relief and a way to satisfy her rebellious nature: beat the shit out of someone.

It drives her grandparents insane to hear and see their granddaughter on television in such a barbaric event, and she could care less about what her parents overseas could think about this. The thought strikes her as she's on the way to the roof, from elevators to the last set of stairs before the door opens up one more time to allow one more person up onto the roof, leader of the infamous Ladies Team with members that stretch across Southtown if not more of the country itself: Aoi Himezaki.

On the paperwork, it just says 'Zaki.'

Striding out onto the roof with an air of unshakable confidence, the redheaded girl in the Seijyun uniform so modified it only has the emblem in common with the real thing reaches into left cuff of her jacket's left sleeve, withdrawing a steady length of chain that spans three, no four-- five, six-- even seven feet of the steel links, not counting the lesser length hanging around her throat as a necktie.

"Oh, I see they've sent me a musclehead this time," she remarks, her deep voice muffled and muted somewhat by the mask on her face.

"Well, get on with it."

COMBATSYS: Zaki has joined the fight here.

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Preston          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Zaki


It seems that Preston isn't alone by himself; he's soon joined, the sound of the door swinging open and shut drawing that clear hazel gaze of his away from the surrounds and onto the -- relatively -- petite form of Zaki. He gives her the once-over, lingering on the face-mask and the chain that's withdrawn.

Whether he picks up her mumble or not, it seems that the Brit is destined to leave his mark on this battle one way or another. With a heavy grunt, he tips his hat -- hat?! -- and makes an odd 'eh-heee' sound from deep within his throat. The hat is thrown to one side, and with both massive hands he grips his shirt and sheds himself of the hindrance. The fabric rips in twain, both parts shooting off to each side as he reveals just how much of a man-meat mountain he truly is.

Taking the oar in both hands, he twirls it in front of him, showing off a decidedly staff-fighting background for someone holding a rowing implement. He snaps the weapon into place under one arm, the weapon fanning across his body and then held out to one side. His range seems pretty clear, potentially a match for that chain itself. With another heavy snort, he declares;

"Preston Wellington... has arrived!"

Straightening, he lifts the oar over his shoulder, scratching at his back with it. A laugh booms out his chest. "That's how you crazy Japs do it, isn't it? I was expecting you to do it first. Been a while since I've done one of these." Is he being jovial, or is the heavy condescending pattern to his speech just a trick of the mind?

Regardless, the siren blazes -- and the Brit takes three big steps forward, both hands seizing the shaft of the oar as he brings it back over his shoulder and follows through with a tremendous horizontal swing. But the range is too far, right? That's not what Zaki needs to concern herself with, as the wooden blade slices the air; it's the wake of the weapon as blue-white energy surges down its length, leaving a crescent that swiftly slashes forward for the mask-wearing vixen!

COMBATSYS: Zaki blocks Preston's White Horses.

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Preston          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Zaki


With the great ripping of the shirt, it seems as though the posturing on both their parts is complete-- and the siren ringing out overhead only seals the deal. Her stance barely changes, her footing shifting to a slightly more open, relaxed stance... still, she's ready and set to go.

Three steps forward and the massive oar swung, the crescent arc of chi looks damn well ready to rip Zaki a new one and give the Brit a proper first blood. But, her hand tightens up and her wrist snaps, the chain in her grasp spinning around her wrist and wrapping up her forearm with a great deal of speed-- and acting as a shield against the force thrown at her. Her high-heeled boots dig in to the rooftop proper, the gravel rumbling on the rooftop.

"Zaki."

Zaki's arm reels backwards as she takes a step back, her chain unravelling from her arm in a hard spiral. Pulling the length back a bit, cracking it almost like a whip, her hand opens again to get a doubled-up grip on the steel links, making the weapon a little heavier and a little larger. Her arm hooks forward for an impressive overhead attack, attempting to simply chain-whip Preston but good!

"OoooriYAH!!"

COMBATSYS: Preston endures Zaki's Medium Strike.

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Preston          0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0             Zaki


There's a savage looking grin on the face of the burly Brit as his strike encounters the coiled chain of Zaki. He notes her defense, analyzing it as he goes, taking in her garb as well as she takes a half-step to re-position the weapon. He thinks he sees something he can exploit, but for the moment it seems he's on the receiving end of something else entirely -- that hooked punch + chain-whip!

Setting his feet levelly, he absorbs the blow into his middle, his massive muscles flexing in response to protect his ribcage from that rather unsettlingly fierce strike from a girl so tiny.

"Oooh, saucy," Preston growls the words out as he takes a half-step back. His foot scrapes through the gravel, preventing himself from going any further back. Instead, rather than allow himself to be driven off-balance, he retaliates, seeking to return the gift that she's given him; radiating pain.

His free hand reaches out, aiming to grab her by the arm, shoulder-pad, ample amount of hair -- anything he can sink his meaty fingers into to hold her still long enough as he rears his head back and slams it forward, seeking to drive his massive melon right down into her skull and rattle her brainmeats! He fails to grunt from the effort; he simply wears that savage grin.

COMBATSYS: Zaki parries Preston's Random Strike!

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Preston          0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0             Zaki


The strike rains down on him hard, the strength in her arms translating to the ferocity of the chains used to beat against him. The fact that he stands there and -takes it- speaks volumes for him, like the muscles are his own sort of body armor as well as one of his greatest offensive weapons. She's not unsettled by this turn of events; she knew something like this could happen the moment that she saw the incredible hulk of a Brit.

A meaty hand closing over her shoulder and the head reeling in toward her, Zaki turns the tide with the heel of her left hand, twisting herself to the left and catching Preston's forehead in her hand. It doesn't slow him down, nor does it do a whole lot to cushion the impact-- instead, she uses it to hasten her movements, making the brute strength work to her advantage.

Springing a surprising amount into the air and with the range they have, Zaki's right leg whips up likewise surprisingly high.

Zaki's foot is suddenly aglow with a burst of energy, trailing the arc as the steel-plated heel of her boot tries to -slam- onto his head. Grunting, she even pulls her leg down with a little more effort, trying to make this one count all the more!

COMBATSYS: Zaki successfully hits Preston with Gankou Geri EX.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Preston          0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Zaki


"Fuck me, where's the earth-shatterin' kaboom?" Preston demands to know as his forehead is caught by Zaki's hand rather than leading into a devastating blow. His moment of confusion seems to work to his disadvantage though, as Zaki more than simply capitalizes on the lull in combat.

The glowing foot lifts up, up and UP as the lithe girl takes to the air, drawing the Brit's gaze with it. Too late does he lift his oar onto the defensive; the steel heel slams down, thundering across his shoulder. The bones threaten to crumple under what turns out to be a rather damaging strike, but with a colossal effort he forces the plummeting boot off as he slides backwards and away, gaining some distance.

Recoiling, Preston reconsiders how he's approached the fight so far. That grin reappears a moment later as his sweat-slick body heaves a few gigantic breathes. He puts them to good use."Interestin' little twat they've put me up against, ain't ya?" he questions her, rather rhetorically. "You from around these parts? Must be, judgin' by the slant of ya eyes. Pity that mask is coverin' up ya face though. You ugly lookin', is that why?

"I'd query the clothin' as well, but hey, I gotta be careful these days. For all I know, you're bloody well fourteen years old, and while that might be legal here it just ain't my bag, y'know what I mean luv?"

With that, he lunges forward, boots sliding across the gravel once more as he closes the gap between the two. His aim is simple, his strike linear; the oar thunders forward in a massive stabbing thrust, aimed to catch Zaki square in the middle -- and send her flying off the rooftop and into the maid café next door!

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Zaki with Bunting Tosser.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0             Zaki


He starts insulting the mask-- the look, the entire image. He even insults her nationality! He calls her fourteen.

Still, Zaki doesn't seem to be horribly deterred by all of this, having heard it all before a grand many times from people weaker-- and stronger-- than he is. Still, his strike is a little more powerful than she had barganed for, and her attempt to try to catch the oar and stop it in it's tracks ends with Zaki being struck in the stomach with enough force to fold someone in half.

Hands grabbing out at the air, she catches the ledge of the six-story building's roof while her legs fling out wildly before the whole of her body slams into the wall with a heavy grunt. Sure, flying into the maid cafe next door would make someone like him happy, but a fall from six stories is still a fall from six damn stories high!

So this time about, Zaki puts all she's got into it, digging her feet against the wall and letting the strength surge in her arms while pulling herself back up over the edge, gloved hands-- one with chain hanging wrapped around it-- displaying some of the total power the girl still has yet to show. And once she's back up onto the rooftop, Zaki flings her chain over her shoulder and dusts off the shoulder of her jacket with her free hand.

"It's called 'pride,' you ignorant son of a bitch."

COMBATSYS: Zaki takes no action.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0             Zaki


Holding the pose for a moment after the strike, the Brit watches the aftermath; the girl flies, and nearly loses her life -- or at least a fair bit of the pride she later goes on to mention -- in the exchange. There's a slight nod to his head as he watches her pull herself back up. He doesn't capitalize on it, allowing the girl a chance to regain her position on the rooftop.

It doesn't last though. "Pride, is that it?" Preston questions, gaze narrowing as he considers those words. That too does not last. "Interesting that you call on that. But then, you're a proud people, aren't you? Pity it so often ends with you being under the thumb of some other country." The words are all sculpted to test her, to see just how much she'll allow to roll down her back like water. But will history repeat; must Britain again invade?

That it does. The boy streams forward, pressing the attack once more. While Zaki may potentially be taking it easy on him, Preston gets the feeling he can't allow this girl any quarter. Letting her climb back up without intervention was enough; right now, he simply wants to knock her as far away as he can.

Thus, he charges. A wall of meat approaches. Command?

In this case, Zaki has to deal with the big oar of the Brit, swinging through for a tremendous wallop. If at first he didn't succeed, he's intent on trying again; maybe he can launch her off the roof this time so their fight can continue in a much, much more scenic locale -- for Preston, at least!

COMBATSYS: Zaki endures Preston's Medium Strike.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Zaki


Clearly, there's only one thing to do.

Take it with vengeance.

The great oar of the massive Brit comes swinging in, though Zaki seems more intent to stand her ground than defend or dodge away. The great and mighty paddle of English wood cracks across her stomach, but it doesn't send the redheaded Japanese girl through the air and off the roof, no-- instead, she hangs on for all she's worth, letting the pain sink in well enough while using the swing as a ride-- a slingshot, almost, to put her back further in on the rooftop proper.

Landing in a tumble, Zaki rolls her wrist and sends her chain into a taut spin around to build momentum... and then, with an underhooking swing, the chain -launches- at Preston like it were some kind of chain bullet-- one that seeks to plow into the Pacific student's chest and let the slack pile in. The chain has a sudden, surprising weight to it-- enough to even perhaps shove -him- closer to the edge?

"Like I give a shit about that!!"

COMBATSYS: Preston just-defends Zaki's Hakai no Tessa EX!

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Preston          0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Zaki


What an interesting twist this takes! Rather than go with the motion in the ocean and go flying for the maids, Zaki manipulates the strike to her advantage; she's back on the rooftop while a gawking Preston watches her tumble, and then there's that chain of hers flying at him!

A surprised grunt lurches the mammoth into action. His hands twirl upon the shaft, a dazzling fist spin performed as the weight bounces off of the wooden defense that suddenly forms in front of the Brit. "Not bad," he compliments her with a slight nod, opting to put the insults to the wayside; this victim is proving herself mostly immune, so he'll have to rely on his performance alone to carry him through this!

"Let's see if you give a shit about this!" Preston roars the words as he takes to the air, showing off what all of those leg presses have enabled him to do. He gains a fair bit of height, but it seems as if he were jumping TOO high.

The reason? The rooftop beneath Zaki swells in a sudden geyser of water-based chi, a white-blue spike of energy slamming into existence in an attempt to uproot the ball of Asian and send it flying into the air like so many rice balls! If truly unlucky, the girl may find herself lofted at Preston, only to be slammed back down onto the rooftop by a downwards strike from his oar!

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Zaki with Azimuth Circle.

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Preston          0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1             Zaki


The chains pile in against Preston's oar, the weight and the strength of the toss attempting to break through his defenses... but he's more resiliant than she had accounted for. Moreso when he suddenly breaks all thoughts and senses of gravity, the column of watery energy launching her up, up, and up!

And then with a mighty crack of an oar, back down, down, and down!!

Zaki impacts with a grunt, hitting the ground once and just about bouncing from the driving force. Rolling hard to her side, she half-throws herself up into a crouch with a screaming crunch of gravel. Twisting her grip on her chain, Aoi moves in at the site where Preston would land from his massive strike, suddenly turning herself half-away from the huge Pacific student and snapping the weapon at the ground.

The chain screams and slithers across the rooftop, kicking up gravel and pebbles in its wake, the chain itself suddenly erupting with sparks of friction and chi-- ultimately, trying to repeatedly rip and lash across the oarsman's shins and legs!

COMBATSYS: Zaki successfully hits Preston with Dokuhebi no Tessa.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1             Zaki


Definitely, it seems the Brit is more resilient than Zaki had predicted. But then, he is a meathead, isn't he? Certainly he shows that as he lofts her into the air and then sends her back down to earth. There's that savage grin on the young man's face once more as they meet in the air, his oar cleaving through to simply topple the girl down to the rooftop with a decidedly painful crunch.

But as the Brit lands, something seems entirely too wrong. Preston's attention is seized, his gaze darting to one side as the chain suddenly explodes from the loose gravel and lashes out time and time again at him. His attempt to muster his defenses falls short; she simply struck too fast, too unexpectedly!

There's a sour grunt from the boy as his pants are lashed into, his meaty legs revealed as pieces of his garment fall away. Ultimately, he's left with a severe case of bleeding legs and an even more severe desire to beat the shit out of this chain-wielding Jap for the annoyance she's putting him through.

Gazing over at her through a film of red, it seems that Preston is about to pounce, to launch himself into the fray once more. Instead he relents, opting to catch his breath as the anger that paints his face gives way to that grin once more.

The oar lifts, beckoning her to come at him, a taunt if ever there was one.

COMBATSYS: Preston gains composure.

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Preston          0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1             Zaki


Pulling the chain back from Preston's legs, Zaki takes note of his change of demeanor-- and change back again. Her weapon lays in an awkward pile at her feet, arcing this way and that with no clear path or no easy way to tell where she might send the weapon next. Still, she's watching Preston like a hawk, with no visible change in her demeanor... as if one could really see what she's thinking, in the first place.

Zaki's arm reels back, the mouth hidden behind the leather and buckle mask twisting into a grin of her own-- a grin that forms when her chain rings backwards in a broad arc before whipping her arm over her head, bringing the arc of the weapon around in a faster, harsher swing-- and then she puts a spin on herself, bringing the weapon up at a high arc on the next turn and screaming down to slam down at Preston's head and shoulders and bring him another taste of the pain she still has to offer him. "Eeeyah!!"

COMBATSYS: Preston blocks Zaki's Random Strike.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1             Zaki


Yes, with that pesky mask there's little for Preston to read off of her; and he's definitely watching, baleful eyes waiting for her to surge into the next strike. The oar beckons; how can one resist the power of the oar?

It seems that Zaki can't, and with little wonder! The oar is wondrous, after all! And it comes into play once more, lifted to block the bulk of the attack. The chain impacts with the broad expanse of the blade, but still the links slip by to nip at the flesh of his arm, drawing a thoroughly annoyed grunt from the burly Brit.

Opting to take the defensive approach, he pushes back, sliding across the gravel once more. His back impacts with the low ledge of the rooftop itself, but it doesn't seem that escape is truly on his mind. Instead he lifts his oar high and slams it down, cracking the surface of the roof with his titanic strength. That savage grin flashes to the fore; they're practically committing foreplay at this stage, with all of their grinning.

"Hey, try this," he suggests, changing his grip to a more traditional rowing one, both hands poised on the shaft of his embedded oar. With a roar from deep in the belly, he surges forward, ripping the oar through the gravel and concrete as he does so, ultimately arching the weapon upward in front of him. Yet the sheer force of his strike continues on, the rooftop crumbling as a wave of gravel and splintering concrete surges on, aiming to catch Zaki and send her flying!

COMBATSYS: Zaki blocks Preston's Devil Seam.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1             Zaki


It's wood, it's wood~! Everyone's oar is wood! And the oar is used to defend against her chains one more time, the steel links spin and coil around the broad end of the oar and smack Preston regardless; then the steel slides off and hits the roof. With the extension she's put into her own attack, the retort from Preston-- the chunks of gravel, concrete, and pain-- seems more likely to hit than ever. Still, she twists the whole of her body to the side, lowering her shoulder and presenting her back to take the majority of the damage.

Easing back for the moment, Zaki loops her chain in the air, a short spin to catch the length in her other hand while regarding Preston with a even, careful stare. He's got more than enough time to move in on her, but the chain-wielding Seijyun girl keeps her distance, keeps her steps small. She's taking a break from direct attacks and actions for the moment, waiting for more taunts, jabs, or the occasional oar acting as the prelude to waves of gravel or waves of oceanic chi. Zaki still says nothing, but she carries herself well-- not leaving any immediate openings, not giving an inch to the British boy, and carrying herself with experience and confidence.

But she's not attacking, either.

COMBATSYS: Zaki gains composure.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1             Zaki


After the wave of concrete and gravel barrels forth, it seems that Preston is indeed going to make use of the pause that Zaki goes through. While she's busy gathering her breath and studying him, waiting for the next strike, the young man seeks not to disappoint.

Holding the oar out behind him, the Brit streams forward. The gap ceases to exist as he brings himself in close, that grin fading as he opts for something that -- compared to the other strikes he's performed so far -- highlights more the grace he possesses with regards to swinging that cumbersome oar of his.

Stepping forward, he swings the oar horizontally between them both, aiming to clip Zaki square across the mask with the first strike. The second follows as he spins the oar behind his back, thrusting it forward for a stab at her middle. The final strike follows as he takes yet another step forward, aiming to sweep the girl's legs right out from under her and leave her-"Flat on your back, just where you belong," Preston comments, if it gets that far.

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Zaki with Queen's Regulations.

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Preston          0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1             Zaki


Catching her breath, he watches the initial swing with a degree of anticipation-- which way is he going to swing it? Which direction is she going to have to move? Her body even shifts to a more evasive posture, the chain held between her hands going slack to be held with only one hand. Unfortunately, it isn't fast enough-- the oar slams across her face, the mask providing a degree of protection-- and even loosening one of the decorative buckles in the process.

At least she won't be spitting out teeth.

The second stab to the stomach unsteadies her, followed with the hard sweep to the legs. Zaki grunts as she hits the rooftop, landing nice and hard.

Again, she's quick to recover-- though instead of half-rolling and twisting and then adding in the little hop, skip, and jump to get away from Preston, Zaki twists and leaps up high one more time, her heel alight with that same energy as before. The blow is, this time, a whole lot more powerful-- and the crushing strike aims to go right down on his head.

But wait, it gets better.

If she gets the chance, it doesn't end there. Twisting again, she lets out another axe kick, trying to further drive him closer and closer to the ground. Twisting again, she lets out a third of these heavy kicks, screaming with energy. The end finally comes after the fourth of these kicks, when she drops into a squat and twists -hard-. Aoi lunges in for the final kick with a thrusting heel kick that will actually carry her forward while trying to plow clear into Preston's gut in, ultimately, an attempt to finish off the combination with a powerful backward-thrusting blow!

COMBATSYS: Zaki successfully hits Preston with Hissatsu Inazuma Gankou Geri EX.

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Preston          1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0             Zaki


There's a heavy 'harumph!' sound from the burly Brit after he sweeps the legs out from under Zaki. He stands poised, his back turned to her, the weapon slanted across his broad shoulders -- looking every bit the regal, burly son of a bitch he truly is. The heir to a Dukedom may well be stepping up, bringing the charge to a superior opponent so readily. But then again, striking that pose may well have been a mistake for him.

Once more, Zaki seems to prove just how Asian she is, taking to the air to strike at him with that energy-laced chain one more time. He feels it coming, the surge of energy that fills the air. His hazel gaze cuts up to see her descending, but by then -- as he attempts to lift the oar from his shoulders -- his attempt to lift his guard is once again too little, too late. It's not as if he's feeling the fatigue from this exchange; far from it. It's simply that the not-so-petite little Asian is entirely too fast for his liking.

The chain crashes down, and it's a slippery slope from there. The kicking begins, an axe followed by a spinning followed by powerful thrust-kick that drives him back. A pained grunt leaves him after the final strike, and his arms -- and oar -- pinwheel as he attempts to maintain his footing and not fall like the tall timber he is.

And somehow, he manages just that.

Half leaning on his oar, he pants, wincing from the pain that courses through his torso and legs. Her strikes have certainly stepped up a notch, and he's feeling it. Yeah, how can he not? "Nice," he compliments her with a nod, a stark contrast to the bitter man who would have cursed her out for being such a plucky opponent.

"But we ain't done just yet, luv!"

The declaration comes with a vicious cutting of the air, his oar whistling through as he turns intent into action. With a thunderous roar, he leaps right back at Zaki, spinning in the air as the oar slides further and further down and away from him, his grip running its length as he maximizes the range.

Landing a bare pace in front of her, he completes his revolution, swinging the oar through for a titanic impact. The blade snaps out flat, aiming to send the girl into another dimension!

Or simply overboard!

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Zaki with Man Overboard!.

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Preston          0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0             Zaki


Chains spin in the air with a snapped wrist and form the makeshift guard one more time around her forearm. She brings her hands ahead, her right arm ahead with her left hand bracing it all in the name of providing herself with a better, more solid defense. It could work! It -has- to work!

*WHAM*

It didn't work. Still, Zaki refuses to go down immediately, even as the incredible strike sends her slamming down to the rooftop without mercy. The chain on her forearm rattles, the one around her neck screams an off-key song as it lands in a bit of a pile. Still, she manages to scoot herself back up to one knee-- and from that crouched position, she throws what could almost be called a punch at Preston-- but it falls way short, the metallic links spiralling off her forearm and seeking to plow into the young man's head-- and once and for all, god -damn- it, shove him back, away, or just off his feet!

"Not so bad y'self!"

But after that, she'll stay down on that one knee, breathing hard through the leather mask and supporting herself with her other hand and against her leg. She hurts, top to bottom, and tonight is going to involve a very long night with a hot bath and counting the massive bruises.

COMBATSYS: Zaki can no longer fight.

[                        \\\\\\  <
Preston          0/-------/-----==|


COMBATSYS: Zaki successfully hits Preston with Kuuha no Tessa.

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Preston          0/-------/-======|


Massive bruises seem to be the soup of the day, because everybody's getting a heavy order of it. After knocking the girl down -- into her place, as Preston may otherwise have put it if discussion were still on the cards at this stage -- he watches as she gathers herself for one last punch. And then the chain comes flying at him.

With a grunt, the Brit attempts to get the HELL out of the way, but alas it seems that at this stage even his efforts fall short. The chain clatters into his head, drawing forth a heavy grunt from the tortured and battered Briton. And finally, the timber falls.

Landing on his ass, Preston considers getting back up. He even makes a half-hearted attempt at it, before he acknowledges that she's done the unthinkable -- she has felled him, just as he has felled her.

With that, his head tips back, and he laughs up at the heavens. Enjoyment in the fight; it's a rare feeling for him, but one that is becoming more and more common with every passing fight. Perhaps the boy is growing up.

Another exciting Neo League fight has ended with no clear winner!

COMBATSYS: Preston can no longer fight.

Log created on 00:51:16 06/29/2008 by Preston, and last modified on 11:28:50 07/01/2008.