Description: Marz goes to see her good friend, Daniel. After all, Daniel saved her life, and since she can just about justify attempting to intimidate him out of getting in Shadaloo's way herself, rather than bringing it to the attention of Lord Vega directly that this might be a problem, that is precisely what she does. What ensues is, perhaps, the least successful attempt to intimidate someone ever. The pair clash in a furious bout of pain and, well, more pain! Each giving it their all in order to defend their relative ideals. But the fight leaves more questions than it resolves answers. Prime amongst them: Will anyone ever be able to deal with the crab grass plaguing the Todoh Dojo lawns!?
They say that under times of great duress, magnificent things can happen. Nations can be built. Cancers be cured. That even miracles can happen. Here in the Southtown village, such a miracle occurred. In the wake of the invasion from both NESTS and Shadaloo, the Todoh Dojo underwent a marvelous transformation.
The weeds were being pulled.
Daniel Jack was on his knees, dressed in full Dojo wear. The baggy grey pants weren't exactly suited for yard work, but with Master Todoh streaking throughout Southtown in the nude, he couldn't ask to borrow clothing. He just had his aikido uniform to rely on. Struggling, he was cleaning up the yard of the Dojo, an abomination of the entire street. Why? Because otherwise, he would have to start beating people up throughout Southtown. And he just couldn't do that.
He had a lawn to take care of.
Marz has not had a particularly good time of it, since all this began. Between continuing her administrative duties at an accelerated rate, and getting beaten up by a pro wrestler, she has not had a very fun time. It doesn't help that she doesn't particularly like Southtown at the best of times. She'd spent far too much time here, and none of it had been pleasant. Between vomiting blood, and fighting evil clowns in a hellish nightmare world, it is, perhaps, understandable that her opinion of Southtown is not very high.
But, she knew her duty, and for Marz, that is more important than anything else. However. There was one man in Southtown who she didn't entirely despise, and that man is Daniel Jack. Now, Marz was slightly concerned that the highly moral man might just be preparing to do something stupid. After all. Vega /had/ said that Shadaloo owed him a favor. But. Marz knew, that favor- helping to save her life- was really remarkably small in the grander scheme of things.
So it is that Marz, in full doll uniform, quite suddenly steps into view behind Daniel, and clears her throat. Not saying any other words, for the moment. She'd watch how he responded, first. Half expecting him to leap to the attack... or cower in fear. Either reaction wouldn't come as much of a surprise.
Dandelions. Why did it have to be dandelions? The detective gripped the broken stem in his hands, brow furrowed. Great. Now he had to dig up the roots. Looking through the underlying vines of the crab grass, he knew he had to tear up some serious topsoil to do so. And what topsoil it was. Todoh never touched the dirt, making it good, clean, and rich. Daniel would regret tear it up.
He digs into the dirt with a small spade, hunting for the root. With a little work, he manages to dig up the tiny white tuber. Tossing it aside, he stops dead. Slowly, he rises up. Oh great. He didn't even notice Marz was there the entire time. Jaw gritted, he just growls out silently. "You got to be jacking me."
Turning to face Marz, the detective just crosses his arms. Marz was Shadaloo and completely unpredictable. Compulsive and effective liar. Plus, she was a freaking dame. The detective remembers when he saved her life. And frankly, now she was here. At the Dojo. Just like how they first met. Daniel Jack entire stance was pure ice, frigidly locked on the purple-haired doll. "Gertrude. Sorry about the 'tude, but I gotta ask. What trip are you FULL ON jacking it up in my stomping grounds like this. You're trailing me, aren't ya."
The detective tightens his grip on the spade.
Marz notes Daniel's response carefully. The tightening of his grip, the growl. Well. She hadn't expected him to be pleased to see her, and it seemed that she was correct on that front at least. The girl takes a moment to adjust her hat as she takes him in. Perhaps she was a little nervous. She'd bested him before, but, then, she'd had the element of surprise on her side; nobody expected a little girl off the streets to beat them senseless. But, now, she wasn't so sure of herself. But. At the same time, he hadn't immediately lunged for her. That was a good sign.
"Not exactly." She states, adjusting her pack on her back, she smiles brightly. If it wasn't for the continued, firm lock of her eyes on his, it might even have been convincing. Unfortunately, it falls a little short.
She, however, decides to get straight to the point. "Unless you have spent an unhealthy amount of time in the garden, you must have realized that I would likely be in Southtown." She states, simply. "I decided to check up on you, and make sure you are well. It would be unfortunate if anything happened to you, because you were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I hope you don't mind that I didn't call ahead." Her eye drops, for a moment, to his spade. "I hope this isn't an ... inconvenient time."
Daniel Jack began to get a nauseating, sickening feeling. It was the feeling of unrighteous security, and it was an unusual combination of syrupy honey, malt vinegar, and alum. The vinegar was normal, situation being as it is. Nothing but a sharp sour flavor could come from Shadaloo having a great interest in you. Especially when you save one of their top agents.
The sweetness was an interesting newcomer to the party, however. Shadaloo, or at least Marz, didn't want harm to come to Daniel Jack. In a vague, euphemistic way, though. As long as Daniel kept out of the way, he didn't have to worry about being crushed like a tick. At the moment, he was in the mind of Shadaloo, but as someone who shouldn't be touched. Daniel was safe.
And that is where the choking bitterness came in.
Daniel Jack was being blackmailed into being impotent. He had to help the people in the city, and he had to undercut Shadaloo. Even Geese was helping the city, and Daniel Jack knew that he needed to follow in the footsteps of such an upstanding businessman. Especially when he was being threatened by the criminal presence. By hiding from Shadaloo, he was trading away all his freedom for security… based solely on the whims of a madman. Daniel couldn't stand for that. He wanted to, deep down.
But he couldn't.
"As you can see, Gurdy, I've skipped out of Gedo Street. Don't see how I'll be in your way- for now." Daniel slowly uncrossed his arms, setting the spade between both hands. Playing with it in a twisting manner, he continues to speak with the young lady. "You know how it is. Jacking up the garden, need some tools, supplies, all that jazz. I might just need to go out shopping." The detective taps the spade in his hand. "Gedo Street, Pacific High, maybe even some high-quality products down at that Youth Community center. I'm a smart shopper, you -dig?-"
The detective curled up his lip, snarling into a pseudo-sneer. Apparently, his temperment was unchanged.
Marz listens carefully. She takes it all in. She can only read so much in his body language, but, she reads enough. Marz was loyal to Vega above all else; and to Shadaloo second. But, the best way to serve Vega was to continue her duties first, and attempt to minimize the potential damages that could be incurred throughout the process second. It was true, utterly, that she wished Daniel wasn't involved in any of this, because he had helped her when she needed it. But, if he was going to get in the way- and it seemed like he would- the best thing she could do, for Shadaloo and for Daniel himself, was to be the one to try and hammer home the message the first time. It would be an unnecessary expenditure of forces on the part of Shadaloo, to waste more than needed to be wasted in beating some sense into Daniel. And it would be unfortunate for Daniel if the person to deliver the message decided to make an example of him.
So it is that Marz nods, the fake smile dropping from her features, she straightens up somewhat, and her eyes focus intently upon Daniel's. Where his had been icy cold, hers are neutral. Dispassionate. She would wall off the softer emotions she felt for the services that Daniel had rendered to her, and would become what she was, really; a killer.
"Well, then, Daniel." She says, slowly. "I was never any good with metaphors. So. I will say this simply. If you are going to those places, you will die. I will kill you." Blunt, suddenly, she keeps her relaxed, empty posture. But Daniel would likely remember... looking unprepared didn't mean that she was any less dangerous.
"So, it would be in your best interest to attack me now. Logically, fighting me here, when I do not have any backup, is a better choice for you than to wait until there are others with me. There are no more games being played in Southtown, Daniel. It is a war. So choose your side."
COMBATSYS: Marz has started a fight here.
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Marz 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Daniel has joined the fight here.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Marz
COMBATSYS: Marz focuses on her next action.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Marz
"If I had a dime for every time a scuzzy dropped that line at me, I probably would be enjoying a nice flat up in Downtown right now, Gurty."
The detective drops the spade on the ground. Drawing his entire body back, he enters the defensive stance of Aikido. Body turned perpendicular to Marz's. One hand forward, one hand behind it. He was preparing to receive the dame, as the form was meant. However, he remembered the girl from their last fight. Her techniques were commendable. And that strange tingle… the Psycho Power. He didn't understand much of the details, or even the special techniques of how to deal with it. He only knew one thing.
It hurt.
Face still cold, he inspected the girl. Kill him. A furious, forced grin overcame Daniel face. It was more like a wolf over fresh meat than a smile, but it served its purpose. "I am my own side, Gurty, you should know that. So let me give you two bones to chew one." Daniel raised his inside arm up, flashing a single finger up. "Both of us are going to be walking away here." The detective then raised another finger, forming a strange glowing V. "Kasane."
Stepping into Marz, he swiped his raised arm down, unleashing a wave of orange energy from his two fingers. It wasn't a powerful arc, but it was fast. "ATE!" The detective remembers to shout. He can't have a Kasane Ate without the shout, after all.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Marz with Mikansei Kasane Ate.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Marz
Marz narrows her eyes slightly. She wasn't sure, really, how to respond to that. Thankfully, she doesn't have much time to worry about banter, because there was a Kasane Ate storming in at her, and it was coming in far too fast for her to be confident of getting out of the way! The girl starts to bring her arms up to block the energy, but, she's just a fraction of a second too slow, and the energy ploughs through into her, sending her sprawling to the dirt with a grunt. Ow. She hated it when people did that to her.
Not that she lets it get to her for long. Suddenly, she's coming at him. The girl zips to the left, then to the right. And suddenly, she's coming in from dead center, the aim being to slam an elbow into Daniel's gut, and wrap her arm around the back of his neck. If she can manage that, she'll swing him up and around into the ground, hard, before flipping away.
"... You are still quite good." She'll comment, then, touching her hand to her side. That attack had really hurt! Just as she suspected... well. He was a man of his word, at least. She could go all out, and she'd still be walking away. Yes, even if she gave it everything she could possibly give, the resource expenditure would still be within acceptable limits for the intended outcome.
COMBATSYS: Daniel dodges Marz's Momentum Punisher.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Marz
Daniel's technique and form had improved over time. Inside the Dojo was his title belt for the Contender's league. He only had one fight, and he used that fight well. It wasn't just a matter of physical talent. It was a matter of mental discipline and acumen. The detective was gradually fighting better and better, making better judgments, and understanding better approaches. The turning point, most likely, was when he tried to counter a Double Lariat.
He failed.
After his energy knocks Marz away, the detective doesn't take a great deal of time to recover. Shifting his feet around, he is already back in his defensive stance, ready to meet Marz head on. He keeps focused, and for good reason. Despite her size, the doll really could lay down the pain. So when she dives to the left, he guides both of his arms to the right. When she goes for the right, he guides his arms the left. And when she goes for the center, Daniel is already positioning his arms in the center. Her attempt at a feint failed.
With a deft motion, the detective pushes the elbow away with one arm, and the other arm with his own opposing arm. Both Kasumi and Todoh had taught the detective the proper form to block. A good block, as Daniel was taught, was just as effective as avoiding the blow completely. With both strikes evaded, the detective took a step back.
"No, Gurty. I'm better than I ever was before." Daniel seethes, swings his arms in smalls circles as he recovered from the block. Lowering his body down slightly, he wound his body up. As Marz just stood there with her hand on her side, the detective would be pouncing at her... literally. Leaping through the air, Daniel Jack was attempting a flying tackle, trying to hook his arm around the girl and simply throw both of them right down upon the ground. That wasn't Todoh-Ryuu core, to be sure. But Daniel always thought that you just try and mix things up, and unlike many of his earlier beliefs, that was one thing that kept with his growth in combat.
COMBATSYS: Marz parries Daniel's Skiffle Drop!
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Marz
Marz would be lying if she said she wasn't impressed by the abilities demonstrated by Daniel. The attack had been completely negated, unfortunately, he follows it up by leaping with a flying tackle through the air. And Marz knows his exact positioning. She barely seems to move at all. Shifting down at the last possible moment, he sails on overhead, and meets nothing at all.
He really had improved. She could tell that much immediately. Far better than he had been when they first clashed. She didn't know if this was because he was fired up today, or because his confidence had been boosted by getting his belt victory. Perhaps his training had simply paid off... or he'd not been serious when they first thought. Either way, she is impressed. But she has no intention of letting up. Daniel goes sailing overhead, and it might, for a fraction of a second, look like Marz is going to back up...
Suddenly, however, she is on him. A quick cartwheel, perfectly positioned, brings her within kicking range of the man, and she follows up as quickly as she can. There is a simple blow first, a wide kick, but, it is followed up by another, and another. She dances and twirls around Daniel, striking out a total of six times, before she back pedals. Never quite /advancing/, but dancing around him, and striking out from as far as she possibly can, before she steps back, and nods firmly.
"You are." She states, calmly. "Now show me that you are better than I am, Daniel Jack."
COMBATSYS: Marz successfully hits Daniel with Fantastic Footwork EX.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Marz
Skiffle Drop was not one of Daniel's favorite techniques. While it was fast, it was also reckless. Recklessness was something he was trying to downplay. Back before he took up Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu, Skiffle Drop was one of his trademark techniques. And now, with Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu? Well, he has avoided it short of mixing things up. The reason why was obvious when Marz dodges it exceptionally.
Sailing over the Doll, the detective lands on the ground roughly. Fortunately, falling was something that he was good at. But when Marz begins kicking him, the detective was still in a prone position. He tried to get up, but every attempt was followed by another kick. Only when she stops does Daniel get a chance to rise up. Tumbling back across the crabgrass, he increases the distance between himself and the doll. Now his body was sore. But there was something that played in Daniel hand.
See, while Marz had speed, she didn't have much in physical power. And while she was unloading six full kicks onto him, the detective just wasn't knocked all the way out. However, he had to return fire. And fortunately, he knew how. The detective returns to form, and steps towards the girl. "All right, you crazy dame, gird your loins, you dig!" Snapping an arm high up, he suddenly manifests a glowing ball of energy in his palm. Wait, that's not how Kasane Ate is supposed to go. And yet, he slams it towards Marz, spreading it wide and out as it smashes towards the ground. "KASANE ATE!" The detective roars as it cuts through the air at the girl.
COMBATSYS: Marz dodges Daniel's Kasane Ate.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Marz
The roar of energy is noted, analyzed, and monitored. Yes, it seemed that Daniel really had gotten markedly better since she had fought him. Well. That was surprising, but not so surprising as to find that blast of energy coming in fast for her. Luckily, he tells her to watch herself, and he's not within striking distance, so, when the blast comes at her, she isn't entirely surprised, and, nimbly, she steps around and to the side.
"Good." She says, calmly, "But not quite good enough." However, now she knew something important: Daniel has perfected a long range strike, as well as being relatively formidable in hand to hand combat... the girl hrms. Considering, for a brief moment, how to respond to this revelation. She comes to her decision quickly enough.
Marz leaps into the air with surprising speed. Completing an acrobatic flip, she comes down behind Daniel, and, unless he reacted very quickly indeed, she was going to take full advantage of his disadvantage to deliver a rather... unpleasant strike. Suddenly twisting up, she aims a strong kick square between the legs, and twists, into a second rising heel right for Daniel's jawline. If she manages to complete this eye-watering maneuver, she'll flip into a low crouch, and seek to meet his eye.
"No holding back any more."
COMBATSYS: Marz successfully hits Daniel with Cannon Spike.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Marz
The wave of energy crashes out, but for Daniel Jack, that isn't enough. The girl sidesteps, and while Daniel recovers without any major loss, he isn't prepared for the rush to his balls. He had only experienced that once before from a certain man. A man known as Stray Dog. While the move is crippling, the kick to the heel simply staggering. Daniel takes several steps back, his form rattled. Not holding back anymore. Well, then, Daniel would meet her in like.
Wait, no.
The detective holds back, taking a long, deep breath. He needed to regain momentum, yes. But she was moving too fast, too irregular. She was a smart combatant, but Daniel was flexible. She has found that the detective could fight from a distance. She has found that he can fight up close. Daniel was trying to regain composure, but through a manner that wasn't self-constructing. Instead, it was purely to get his sights locked on Marz and just -think- of a new approach. As he returned her gaze, the detective just growls.
"Too bad. I'm not going to kill you, clown job."
COMBATSYS: Daniel focuses on his next action.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Marz
Marz straightens somewhat, and lets all of that tension melt away. She had been expecting one of two things- either for him to sag to the ground and need to catch his breath, or to advance on her in manic retribution. But, Daniel had never been the easiest opponent to judge, and she is actually somewhat glad that he takes a third option. Composing himself, and glaring her down. She knew herself, too. And she knew that she'd been throwing herself at him with such manic intensity that she was just starting to feel the burn.
Her eyes match his, evenly. Her expression almost robotic, she simply nods in return. "I know." She states, calmly. "And that is going to be your undoing." Of course... Marz had no intention of /actually/ killing Daniel herself. That was the entire point of her being here. She needed to send a message, but she didn't want to kill someone who could, and had demonstrated in the past, the possibility of being a valuable tool to Shadaloo.
... oh yeah, and he saved her life.
However. She doesn't underestimate Daniel either, and if there is one thing Marz has learned is incredibly annoying, when you try to get your bearings and monitor someone else, it is a quick distraction. So in an instant, she has darted forwards, her fist leads the way, and aims to simply... -smack- Daniel right on the nose.
And then she darts back, ducking around and to the side. Trying to stop him from being able to maintain that bead on her.
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Marz's Quick Punch.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Marz
The rapid punch could have been met with pure pain. But Daniel was building up. As she darts in, the detective pulls a crude block. Not as excellent as the block before, but still a solid effort. Taking a step back, he watches as Marz moves to his flank. And promptly sticks his hands in his pants.
Marz should remember what is coming up next. Daniel Jack draws out a small, snub-nosed revolver. Again, one of his primary tools back from his old style. This time, though, there was a minor modification. As he levels the gun at Marz, he snidely calls out to the girl. "You are right, Gurty. I guess I should have played fiddled in that alleyway until that clown gutted your brainpan. Funny how compassion is easy to blow at when it isn't jacking the blood in your veins, ain't it." And with that, Daniel fires three rounds. He knew she could dodge them. But there was a little change from last time.
These weren't rubber-tipped.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Marz with Wobbly Wobbly.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Marz
Marz does her level best, when that gun is brought out, to repeat her previous feat. She honestly does, but, the trouble is, Daniel has thrown her off. She doesn't show it, the girls features are as stony as ever, but, he was right. She was fighting the man who had gone out of his way to save her life, when she could very easily have wound up dying a meaningless, pointless death, at the hands of a psychotic child and the monster that had taken hold of him. It causes enough of a hesitation that one of the bullets slams heavily into her midsection, and Marz is sent stumbling back and over.
Picking herself up, the girl touches her fingers to the wound left by the gunshot. Luckily, the doll uniform- though it may not look it- does have some armor properties, and though the bullet does go through, the gunshot isn't as bad as all that.
She straightens herself up, and forces her breathing back into a calm pattern. She meets Daniel's eye, and shoves her emotions down deep inside. No time for that. She was here to force him to back off, before he got himself killed. The girl adjusts her hat, and then, carefully, removes the bullet from the hole in her side. Giving a little look of distaste as she does so.
"You are correct." She states, simply, and shrugs easily. "Leaving me to die would have been your optimal choice. I manipulated you, Daniel Jack. Because of you, I am still alive. And Lord Vega still has my full support. Which shall assist him in fulfilling his goals. Goals which you seem to find so distasteful, for reasons I do not understand."
COMBATSYS: Marz gains composure.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Marz
Daniel fired off the rounds, striking Marz solidly. Yeah, he was using live ammo. But like Marz said, this was total war. The detective knew that non-lethal subdual wasn't going to cut it. Popping open his pants, he hooks the gun back in its secret holster, using the time that Marz was buying for herself to his own gain. And more, it seemed. If Marz was paying attention, Daniel was getting a suddenly rush of energy in him. While Marz needed to take a break, the detective seemed to just get his second wind like a spark in the Hinderburg. But then, she mocks him for being a nice guy. And to that, Daniel Jack just snaps as he shut up his pants.
"That's because you are a tool, and you are, physically speak, unable to in any other way. You dig?"
The detective doesn't waste much more time after that. His words were true to him. Marz was thinking like a cultist. She couldn't understand. Marching forward with steady steps, he begins to bring about his own combination strike. He begins with a palm strike inwards, followed by a hand chop from the opposing hand. He quickly follows this with another palm strike, followed by a slow, steady roundhouse kick aiming right for the torso of Marz.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Marz with Zoot Suit Riot.
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Daniel 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Marz
Suddenly, Marz finds herself crumpling over Daniel's strike. She knew precisely what she was facing now, and the blow hammered it home harder than ever. She had been prepared to try and get out of the way, to find some way to hit back against him, but, suddenly, that is all taken away. Not because she was distracted, this time, but because he was just... better than she was. It is a frustrating admission, but when the chop sends her staggering to a knee, she can't even find a way out, before the two final blows send her skidding across the dirt. One would be forgiven for thinking that Marz would be ready to sit down, after that. That, after such a brutal beating, she would be down and out.
You would of course, be completely wrong. She was going to see this fight through to the bitter end. She owed it to Daniel, and to herself.
"I serve Lord Vega out of belief." She spits, wiping dirt from her lips. "Only his strength can unite the world, you've been in his presence... there is no other way I can convince you. So I will not attempt to do so. I will simply eliminate the threat you pose."
And then she straightens up, again. Her eyes cold and calculating, she raises one hand, and beckons. Lightly nodding.
"Come again, Daniel Jack. I will not relent."
COMBATSYS: Marz focuses on her next action.
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Daniel 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Marz
The detective's kick invited another attack, but Marz wasn't moving in. She was keeping her distance, trying to avoid being caught into his grasp. She was trying to out-defend Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. Well, the detective was being forced to play into the long range game. As she rises up, the detective just spreads out his form, dropping his stance to glare at the girl. The detective knew a cultist when he saw one. "I am my own master, Gurty. And I don't need unity, you dig? I just need the sky around me, a dame to hold close, a roof, good food, and some decent weedkiller."
That crabgrass was really tough, at least 5th Ratio.
But then, Marz invites him to approach her. Daniel Jack doesn't take long to think about how he wants to play this out. The detective sighs, and reaches into the front of his pants again. To that, he draws out the gun again, and levels it at Marz. "You really want to jack me up a notch, don't you." And to that, he fires the last two rounds of the revolver at the girl.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Marz with Wobbly Wobbly.
- Power hit! -
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Daniel 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Marz
Marz knew the positions of the bullets. She knew where Daniel was, how many steps it would take to meet him there, how many movements it would take to deliver a knife into the small of his back, and how to bring all of these facts together. With that in mind, Marz starts forwards, intending to divert the force of those bullets by taking them on the forearm.
Marz knew all of these things, and in the end, all of that knowledge does her no good at all. Because Marz learns an important lesson. And that lesson is:
Bullets are fast.
The pair of bullets pierce her body armor, and send her sprawling to the dirt, the force of the impact literally lifting her off her feet. Badly positioned for attempting to stay strong when getting shot.
Blood trickles from the corner of her mouth as she lifts herself to her feet, and with a clear effort, she exhales, long and slow. Gauging her health. She had bullets in her. That hurt. A lot.
So in retaliation, she smacks her hands together. Gathering her energy, the girl flings a bright ball of burning purple energy forwards at Daniel, the blast zips through the air... but, that isn't the main point of the exercise. Because the ball had been flung almost carelessly. The more important part of this, to her, was to recover her footing. Which she starts to do, setting her feet carefully apart, and raising her hands.
This may be the first time Marz has tried to actually position herself in preparation of what was to come.
COMBATSYS: Marz successfully hits Daniel with Psiball.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Daniel 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Marz
Oh crap. Psiball.
The detective begins to draw his energy in. Aura was a very important concept for any traditional martial art. It was how one defended against the aggressive bursts of Chi. Kasane Ate was one means. But if all else failed, you had another option. By flaring up your inner energies, you could partially deflect the blast. Just enough to side step it. Daniel Jack begins drawing in his energy, slowly beginning to sidestep the blast. But there was a problem.
Psycho Energy isn't Chi.
The blast cuts through Daniel like a hot knife through butter. Blasting him backwards, the detective lands in a roll. Well, at least he could roll. The detective was gasping for air. He couldn't feel his face. Hell, he could barely see. He tried to rise up. Apparently, he couldn't feel his legs either. The numbing effects of Psycho seemed to have fried his nerves for a moment. He laid there, stunned for a moment. He wasn't going to try to attack Marz. But, there was something that was bothering his mind. And to that, as he quickly regained the feeling in his skin, he called out to the Doll.
"… Say, I know you want to kill me, but you wouldn't mind slipping me the secret in fighting off that weird psychic stuff, real sharp, you dig?"
COMBATSYS: Daniel gains composure.
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Daniel 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Marz
Unfortunately for Daniel, Marz has no intention of explaining the difference between psychic energy and physical power. The attack had been surprisingly effective, though. Good. She still had bullets in her, and a girl with bullets in her is not a very forgiving girl at all. Not. At. All. Each step felt like it was a burning ache, and she was sure that she should get them out. But. The moment she dropped her guard, he was going to come rushing at her, or reload his gun. Marz was not particular enamored to the idea of either of these things happening.
So instead, she reaches behind herself, and produces a small, weighted knife. "No." She says, firmly. "Perhaps I would be convinced to discuss it with you at a later date, if you were not going to stand in our way. But."
And now she straightens up, relaxing a great deal. "You are. So, I am afraid that it ends here for you, Daniel."
And with that, she flings the knife at him, even if he is on the ground, she needed to continue to keep the pressure up, and hammer home just how merciless the forces he was tangling with were!
COMBATSYS: Marz successfully hits Daniel with Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Marz
Well, FINE Marz. Be that way. As Daniel slowly recovered, he got a bad answer, and then, a knife. He tries to roll away, but that just doesn't cut it. He catches the knife hard in his leg, and he sucks in painfully. Jerking it out of his leg, he rises up, pushing down on it. He didn't need any of your fancy calculations and stuff like that to know what was going on. He just had a feeling. Intuition, so to speak.
This wasn't the time to attack.
Don't attack. Try and get control of the fight again. Tossing his gun aside, he released his leg. Daniel Jack eased himself into a defensive stance. He tried to kick back in his focus. Something nagged at the back of his mind. Marz was probably a lot smarter than him, and probably a lot more tactical. And she had that damned psychic power. She was setting him up now, forcing him to make a mistake. Daniel Jack gritted his teeth, and blew out his counter towards Marz. "Dames. That's all I have to say. DAMES." This was turning into a war of attrition. Both fighters knew one mistake would mean the end of them. Like snakes, they were winding, winding around in a pit.
Just waiting for the best point to strike.
COMBATSYS: Daniel focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Marz
Marz has indeed studied Daniel. But she isn't certain she can actually win. She knows that if she sees an opening... she can seize it, and perhaps turn the tide. But finding that opening has proven marginally more difficult than staying on her feet when being beaten half to death by the One-Eyed God of Muay Thai. This man was stubborn. Definitely. But, then, was there ever any doubt that he was? He wasn't the sort to back down when the chips were down, if there was a chance he could do good, he would do it. So whilst he wouldn't stand up to Vega- she thought, at least- he would certainly stand his ground against her.
She needed to strip away that doubt.
But, as she steps forward, she winces. Alright. The burning in her stomach was really starting to get to her, and she was starting to slow. She needed to /make/ her own opening. And she wasn't going to be able to do that at range. She knew her own limitations well. It was time... to take a risk.
And with a sudden flip, she is in the air. The girl twists and turns, making her trajectory hard to follow... and she moves as fast as she can, aiming to, again, get behind Daniel. And if she can manage that?
Well. It isn't graceful, but one leg slips around his, and she shoves with her hands. Fully intending to just... trip him up. And already bringing her hands up a second time. Marz's exterior is stony cold. But, Daniel had read her well...
Just give her an opening.
COMBATSYS: Daniel counters Quick Throw from Marz with Mad Jack Crack.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Daniel 1/------=/=======|=======\=====--\1 Marz
Marz flies over the detective, landing behind him. Daniel Jack turns in place, switching over with a sharp, sudden movement. As Marz moves his leg by his, he knows exactly what is going on. Kasumi taught him a throw like that. And Kasumi, at the same time, taught how to respond to such an attack. So as Marz moved in, the detective moved with the brisk, solid motions.
Reaching his arm around, he snatches the doll by her thigh and shoulder. With a barely a grunt, he simply lifts her out of her throw, and begins to flip him over his own shoulder. With a solid hurl, he smashes her down to the ground. For her light frame, it might not be a huge problem. And if Marz remembers, he usually begins a pin.
Then he swings his legs around.
Before Marz has the chance for a second bounce, the detective jams his heel right into the neck of the girl. Not to kick her, per-say, but instead he used his entire leg in pinning her in place. Forcing all his pressure down, he just holds her there as he fumbles around his waist. Delicately, he fishes out a package of cigarettes. "I hate doing this, you know? I mean, you are just a kid." He mutters, drawing out a single cigarette from the package with his lips.
Marz realizes what is happening the moment his hand lays on her shoulder. She tenses, and, suddenly, finds herself crashing into the ground with a grunt. She tries to roll, but she just doesn't have time before she finds herself pinned under the larger man, her form wracked with pain. She coughs, and hacks. And, for a moment, she goes limp.
"Alright." She whispers at that, going limp, and, for a moment, Daniel might think that he's won!
Until suddenly, the girl beneath him /twists/ in an /insane/ display of athleticism! Suddenly! Her leg is coming up for his chest!
COMBATSYS: Marz successfully hits Daniel with Spin Drive Smasher.
[ \\\\ < > //////// ]
Daniel 1/-======/=======|=------\-------\0 Marz
And Daniel is lifted up as the girl literally spins into his torso, her feet ploughing deep into his gut. She lifts him up into the air, and the reason why this packs such a potent punch soon becomes clear, as blazing purple energy burns around her feet.
"SPIN DRIVE!" She shouts, and she twists even further. The usually calm, analytical doll shouting out the name of her technique as her left foot stomps into his chest. It was the height of her technique. Everything she had ever learned, perfected. The move that had even momentarily irritated Sagat.
"SMASHER!" She shrieks, the strain on her form painfully clear in her tone.
Her right foot shines with that psycho power, as the girl somehow, in defiance of the laws of physics, pivots in the air, streaks around to slam directly into his jaw. And then she flips back, and lands, crouched, on the ground.
Breathing hard, she shakily wipes the sweat from her brow. Straightening herself up as she watches Daniel warily. Hoping, praying, that this was the end... that he would have the good sense to stay down... because she didn't think she could go on much longer.
The detective drops the cigarette the moment Marz erupts up at him. Launched up into the air, the attacks rocket through his body, breaking first a few ribs, and then much deeper. He is at Marz's complete mercy, unable to block each and every attack. The strike to his jaw sends him back, finally, and she falls. She turns to see that Daniel doesn't get up.
But Daniel had yet to get down.
Daniel Jack lands on all fours, and staggers back up. The detective was rushing towards Marz, not even looking at her. He was just staring at the ground, reaching out blindly. The spirit of Todoh was burning brightly in him, and stopping it wasn't an easy task. Just look at Master Todoh himself. He wasn't going down quietly. After all, he promised that both of them would be walking away from this place.
That promise wasn't going to be kept if Marz was still standing.
COMBATSYS: Daniel can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Marz 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Marz with Jumping Jack Flash.
[ <
Marz 0/-------/=======|
Daniel Jack grabs Marz by the torso, and spins her around his body. Once. Twice. Upon the third spin, the detective is leaping high into the air. Raising her above his head, the girl might feel the fact that a bright orange energy was spreading all around her. Reaching an apex, the detective howls in a hoarse voice as he winds the doll back. "KASAN- *cough* ATE!" And with that, he spikes Marz back down to earth in a stream of energy, smashing her back into the lawn in an explosion of chi.
Before he falls right on his face with a dull thump.
Damned fool... why wouldn't he stay down? She /felt/ those ribs go! Didn't he realize that he was just going to hurt himself even more? Didn't he understand how illogical this was?! It was ridiculous! "Give up, Daniel." Marz spits, disdain entering her tone, even as she tries to convince her body that she has a lot more energy left in her.
"You've lost. Accept it. Just go back inside, and keep the doors closed until all this is over. -WHY- won't you--?!"
And then, suddenly, he's grabbed her. "... Oh." She squeaks, moment before she finds herself spun around like a ragdoll. Ironic, considering.
The explosion of energy draws a cry of pain from her, as she is slammed bodily into the ground by the blast. She twitches, scorched and burning, the little fanatic had no intention of allowing herself to give up now! How dare her body deny her at this point? She'd /beaten/ him. All she needed to do, was stand up.
How hard could it be to stand up, and drag herself out of here?
For a moment, her hand grips that finely cared for lawn. For a second, she quivers, putting all the energy she had left into trying to just throw herself to her feet. This manifests, as her hand pressing weakly against the ground, and a pained, whimpering cry escaping her lips.
And then she blacks out.
COMBATSYS: Marz takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Marz can no longer fight.
Log created on 14:31:39 03/03/2009 by Marz, and last modified on 16:57:32 03/04/2009.