LLK Act II.Lockdown - Lockdown : Stop the Press

Description: As the combined invasion forces lay siege to the STBC news station, its defenders make a last-ditch defense of the civilians in the production room. The mighty Siberian Bear, the Red Cyclone himself, Zangief stands together with the bold detective Daniel to fight back an army of Invaders. But are they ready for NESTs newest creation? The latest K' clone and wielder of stolen Kusanagi flame? The one known only as Nameless? An incredible battle ensues..



War has come to the STBC news building.
Chaos reigns supreme as gunfire and screams fill every hallway, every corridor. Armor-clad soldiers make their way through the twisting white-collar maze of the television studio. The manic tempo of a well-run news program can never be described as 'serene', with the 24/7 hustle and bustle of breaking news at all hours. Especially in these recent days of the military invasion of Southtown by unknown terrorist powers.
Even now, as the War has come to them, several newscasters try to do their jobs. Hastily squacking their reports into microphones, huddled behind overturned tables with trembling camera crews behind them.. Staring down the oncoming horde of armed soldiers as they rip their way through cubical jungles and narrow hallways.

Blood splashes paint the white walls. The floors are covered with scattered papers and broken glass, crunching beneath jackboots and armored heels.

A boot crunches a fallen plaque upon the floor. 'In Recognition For Excellence In Broadcasting - The Mayor of Southtown'. The dark figure looms tall amidst the churning chaos, the tatters of his black cloak fluttering around him as dozens of armed men rush past him into nearby rooms. Gunfire and screams for help follow shortly after, but those cries fall upon deaf ears. The young man only stares ahead soullessly, a neutral frown etched onto his face. Dark eyes staring ahead towards the end of the corridor, to the final room marked 'Production'.
The goal of his mission. Cleanse that room of resistance, and his task will be finished. It is, for him, all that matters. Not these screams, not this blood. Not the means. Only the end.

A pure white glove slips free from the cloak, gleaming as if the leathery contours were forged of pure crystal. A gesture towards the final room, and the NESTs soldiers obey wordlessly. Immediately rushing forward towards this final objective. The production crews making a final stand within..

And, suddenly, there is the sense that there is... an obstacle, here.

The world 'Small' has never been a word that has been associated with Zangief. When it comes to large men, they do not come much larger than him, and he is not amused. The Red Cyclone had come to Southtown fully intent on doing his part to stop this brutal bloodshed, not, particularly, because Southtown was in itself something that he cared about, but rather because all of the powers that had descended on the place were enemies of Mother Russia. He did not know what they wanted, but he was certain that it was not something that would be in the interests of his homeland to allow to fall into their hands.

Of course, where does a man start to get a handle on things in a warzone? Well, with the journalists! That was, of course, why his own glorious Soviet Union had maintained such a tight grip on them. Journalists were men and women who knew what was going on and what people needed to be told. When the gunfire had started, Zangief had already been in the building. And as the place became the center of the war itself, the large Russian had found himself moved to put aside his nationality. This was a conflict beyond such concerns. This was not war, really. This was a slaughter.

And The Red Cyclone will not allow such injustice to go unpunished.

One heavy, booted foot slams down in the dust and the rubble of the corridor in front of the nameless youth. The broken plaster and brick crushed utterly as he grinds it into the ground, before he comes fully into view. Massive, looming, and obviously very, very angry. He wears nothing save the characteristic red shorts, and his giant boots. Everything about the seven feet of scarred muscle /screams/ that this is a man... one does not wish to be in the way of at this moment.

"WELL, COMRADES!" Zangief bellows at the top of his lungs, the loud Russian roar audible even over the continued gunfire. "YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE. YOU MAY EITHER LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND I WILL MAKE THIS AS PAINLESS AS I CAN, OR YOU CAN CONTINUE TO KILL THESE PEOPLE, AND THE RED CYCLONE WILL BREAK -EVERY- -BONE- -IN- -YOUR- -BODY-!"

The gargantuan defender raises his arms, hands open, and narrows his eyes at the young man... the leader, he guessed, simply because he looked so -calm- amongst all the death. "CHOOSE QUICKLY, COMRADE! BECAUSE -NOTHING- WILL STOP THE RED CYCLONE!"

There were three reasons why Daniel Jack was sticking his neck out for the news media.

The first was his dedication to the upstanding liberal news media. No, not liberal as in MSNBC. Liberal as in freedom. A free new press, owned by the objective Howard Enterprises. Free to report on the news in Southtown, to investigate the surfacing of the criminal underworld. To show a man how to love again. All this, and more, was the principle behind why a normally fearful and easily beaten detective would choose to approach the news station he saw under assault on the TV.

The second was the sense of duty instilled by the most unlikely of sources. Master Todoh had left in the city's darkest hour, leaving to rampage throughout the city in a blind, partially nude rage. With his teacher running through the city in a bright red banana hammock, Daniel Jack was left in command of the entire Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu Dojo. Was it because of his own natural competency? Or was it because Daniel was the nearest person near him before impulses took over? The detective only could take the former. Originally fleeing to hide from the forces, he now realized what it meant to have such responsibility. Marz, the Doll from Shadaloo, showed him how important his abilities were, in a weird, confusing way that involved a lot of angst and face punching from both parties. Which came across the third, and most important reason.

Beating up people for justice is fun.

"Well, hell in a handbasket." Daniel Jack muttered to himself, clutching a small snubnosed revolver in his hand as he peeked from around the door. Getting in wasn't hard. Once he followed the trail of destruction, it was just a matter of using what was widely known as 'stealth.' Combining his intense training with Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu with his natural sleuthing skills, Daniel Jack managed to keep in the 'background' of the chaos, just keeping right out of the line of sight of the casual viewer. He gave a quick casing of the situation. Quiet head honcho. Munkies. The detective was outnumbered. In order to get out of this, he needed to take out them all out, and do it with the element of surprise. Slipping through the cubicles and debris, the detective just kept low... low... looooooooow. Already some strange giant Foreigner was shouting in some foreign moonspeak, giving the detective cover. And finally, when the opportunity was right....

The detective leaps out into the open.

"Okay, scuzzies, PUT THE GUNS DOWN, and NOBODY gets the shank, you dig it!"

Daniel swings the small revolver around menacingly.

A complication.
The Nameless lifts his head slowly at the booming voice of the Red Cyclone. More than a few of the nearby armed invasion force backpedals with rifles drawn, staring down the Russian goliath as he makes his inexorable presence known. Some would call the siberian juggernaut all but unstoppable. More than a few wonder what the Hell Zangief is even doing here.

The dark youth considers none of those things. How the Russian got here - Why he is here - none of it enters into his thoughts. This mighty warrior represents but one thing.
An obstacle to his mission.
It must be destroyed.
"Out. Of my way." Nameless voices in a dark monotone. Unlike the booming Zangief, his voice rises barely above a whisper. A calmness in his tone, belying the wild flailing of his cloak about his shoulders. His mirthless expression barely masking the intensity within those eyes.
Eyes promising wild savagery, moments away from unleashing upon those that stand against him. The Nameless may be an image of wraith-like serenity ... Make no mistake - Violent, fiery rancor is his misbegotten birthright.
This the Red Cyclone will come to know.. Before the end.

A second complication.

A surprise defender - perhaps a security guard or undercover cop? Quickly leaping from behind cover, getting the drop on the half-dozen armored soldiers and drawing a bead on the lot of them.
Brave. Though, bravery often makes for poor life choices.

The NESTs clone does not so much as look in Daniel's direction, perpendicular to the mighty Russian. Not a blink or a frown, only the soulless words,
"Shoot him."

Instantly the armed men drop to their knees, drawing their rifles with all the coordinated precision of a firing squad. Automated weapons blasting muzzle fire close enough to rustle the tall clone's cloak as he stands serene. Staring down the Red Cyclone, looking him over and getting his measure. Perhaps hoping, with such a display of violence the man will just step aside? Or perhaps waiting for the Cyclone to make his move, letting his outrage and anger pull him into a terrible mistake?
Maybe Nameless is simply lazy and doesn't want to walk further than he has to? In either regard, let it be known he gave the Russian a chance to walk away.

COMBATSYS: Nameless has started a fight here on the right meter side.

                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0         Nameless


COMBATSYS: Invader has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Zangief has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zangief          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Daniel has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zangief          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0         Nameless
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Daniel           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Nameless focuses on his next action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zangief          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0         Nameless
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Daniel           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Invader


If Zangief is unnerved, he surely does not show it!

They do not, after all, call him the Red Cyclone for nothing. And if there is one thing the gargantuan Russian has never managed to learn, it is that there are some situations in which even his titanic muscle can find itself overwhelmed. The simple fact is, he just has so -much- muscle with which to plough into situations, the question... rarely comes up! As his enemy tells him to get out of the way, Zangief just growls. In more cordial situations, he might even find it funny, that such a small, skinny little man would tell the Red Cyclone of glorious Mother Russia to get out of his way! But, there was killing going on, and this is not such a situation. This is an enemy that needed to be crushed, absolutely, with all the force he could muster!

"NIET!" Zangief roars in response, suddenly barreling forwards, the ground beneath him is stomped deliberately en route, purely to try and get a feel for just how much he had to work with before the floor gave way. (Always a problem one needs to bear in mind when fighting in a building with the Red Cyclone.) He just tears forwards with a reckless abandon that would put lesser men to shame. THIS is how you charge into battle! All froth and anger!

And, suddenly, mid stride, the large man is spinning, his fists outstretched and cutting a wide, sweeping path through the air as he hurls himself at the nameless youth, a roar of boundless Russian rage bellows from his lips as he does so, an unmistakable noise indeed, this is the Red Cyclone... unleashed!

The only question was, would his mighty fists plough into the young man here, as he intended, or would something surprising happen instead...?

COMBATSYS: Invader successfully hits Daniel with Strong Shot.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zangief          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0         Nameless
[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Daniel           0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0          Invader


The plan sounded a lot better inside his mind.

Hoping that the overwhelming spirit of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu would rattle them into a full retreat, Daniel audacity of hope seemed to just backfire. Miserably. And the strange foreign bear man was charging the leader of the pack. He knew how to make an entrance! Meanwhile, Daniel Jack had his own problems.

The detective almost squeals in horror when the order to open fire is obeyed. Daniel Jack turns and flees, attempting to take cover behind a cubicle wall. One bullet hammers in his back, piercing his aikido uniform. Then two. Finally, three. Blood trickling through his shirt, the detective finally takes cover. And for a moment stays there.

Looks like it was time to talk this out.

A small trickle of smoke rises from behind the cubicle. Then, shortly afterwards, the sound of an ammo clip being fixed into place. Daniel Jack rises up again, a freshly lit cigarette bit down in the far corner of his mouth. Glaring directly back at the team, the detective levels a M-3 Grease Gun at them. Eyes burning, he just closes them as he looks away. Gripping the cigarette, he takes a long inhale as he just opens fire into the mass, firing blinding, wildly, and fiercely.

Well, looks like he just went and got momentum again.

COMBATSYS: Nameless auto-guards Zangief's Double Lariat!

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zangief          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0         Nameless
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Daniel           0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Invader blocks Daniel's Sleuth Diplomacy.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zangief          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0         Nameless
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Daniel           0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0          Invader


The Red Goliath roars his defiant response. The Nameless tilts his head forward, eyes partly obscured by his mismatched bangs. White and black. Though the nearby Invaders -immediately- scatter out of the way of the incoming behemoth, the NESTs clone stands bolt still. Unmoving and resolute even as an irresistible force barrels towards him.
"You will not get in my way."
A whispered promise through gritting teeth. A hidden, boiling fury rising to the surface... His white glove clenching.
As the Red Cyclone's swinging arms sweep forward like his apt moniker, Soldiers leap out of the way in more than a little terror. Desperate to get out of the way of that wrecking-ball of a man.
The Nameless stretches forth his hand. His gauntlet of living-ice catching a swinging fist with the sound of a shattering glacier. His jackboots -shredding- the breaking floor of the hallway as carpet is shorn in his wake, shoved back several paces from the hard impact..
..Though the clone stands upright. Not a single one of his wild locks out of place. Intense gaze staring unblinking at the Russian, the massive fist captured - his powerful spin jolted to a stop. The glass-like fractures along that white glove quickly repair themselves in the aftermath of that hit.
From the depths of Nameless's throat, a wordless growl rises to the surface. Glinting eyes slide upwards to meet the Russian's determined own.
Like a trigger pulled, the impact detonates the clone's fury. With flashing eyes, his dark gloved hand flexes wide, sweeping to his side.. Erupting into a column of dark flames! These sacred fires somehow burn darkly, though crimson at their core, the edges of its sacred radiance taint darkly.. A smokey, subdued fire, twisted by the will of NESTs. The flames run along his arm, sweeping wide, unfurling his long wild cloak. The collar of that black, flailing thing clutched and discarded in a single sweeping motion.. The squirming, shadowy thing instantly incinerating away in a rush of consuming flame. Leaving the lithe warrior now free and unhindered by its shadowy embrace.
Even as that dark hand burns, the white glove glistens and crackles with his movements as living ice. Steaming slightly, working to contain the raging inferno that lies beneath its luminous surface.

"DIE!"
The Nameless -launches- himself at the cyclone. Vaulting through the air like a meteor of ice and fire.
His dark hand sweeps outwards, erupting into a gout of dark flames, then fanned yet hotter with a second upward sweep as he lands again. Seeking to immolate the Russian enemy in is searing embrace!

As the two mighty foes engage, The Invasion force is pinned down by Daniel's surprisingly resilient assault. The Soldiers immediately take cover, one of them getting clipped in the shoulder by the detectives wild shooting. Taking positions along the hallway, behind flipped desktops and inside of doorways. A handful of them quickly return fire, seeking to cover their own retreat to cover and send the Detective sprawling. Gunfire erupts all around in this unfolding shootout, paper shredding, potted plants and monitors shattering upon nearby cubicles.

COMBATSYS: Nameless successfully hits Zangief with Sawarabe.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Zangief          0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0         Nameless
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Daniel           0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0          Invader


Zangief is not used to being... stopped like that. For a moment, the large Russian's brow furrows as he takes in what, precisely, has just happened. The large man grits his teeth, and digs his feet into the dirt, ready to take whatever the nameless one might throw at him! He didn't know what he was up against, but that had never stopped him in the past. It certainly wasn't going to start to stop him now.

And then, suddenly, he's on fire! Zangief would, were he not a bit distracted by the intense burning, be considering this in a fairly dispassionate light. Hrm. He would think. That boy could move very quickly, and fire is hot and burns! Unfortunately, with the intense... burning, of the fire, this kind of rational thought is somewhat beyond the Red Cyclone at this moment. His thought process is more along the lines of:

'ARGH ARGH ARGH CRUSH PUNY LITTLE MAN!'

It isn't often that Zangief is lifted bodily off his feet, but that is precisely what happens now. Several hundred pounds of angry Russian hit the floor, and for a moment, they stay there, until he stirs, forcing himself back up to his feet angrily. He snarls, and ploughs his fist into the wall, resulting in a loud /crack/ and yet more property damage for the station to cover later.

"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE, LITTLE MAN?" Zangief bellows, "COME! COME! Hit me again, HIT ME AGAIN AND I WILL BREAK YOUR HEAD!"

COMBATSYS: Zangief focuses on his next action.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Zangief          0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0         Nameless
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Daniel           0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Invader successfully hits Daniel with Medium Shot.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Zangief          0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0         Nameless
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0          Invader


Daniel Jack removes the cigarette from his maw, releasing a cloud of smoke as the gun clicks empty. He tosses the submachinegun aside before diving back under the cubicle. As the return fire kicks in, Daniel begins dashing through the wreckage. Through a hail of bullets, he remains strong. And then he takes another one in the arm. And in the leg.

Stumbling to the ground, Daniel fortunately hits into a roll. Tumbling along, Daniel nimbly evades the rest of the hail of bullets as he keeps moving along. Shooting past Zangief, the detective fires from a standstill through the air. Arms open, his eyes remain wide as he finds himself landing right in the midsts of a lone gunman hiding behind a cubicle. Well, shoot. Pushing his arms forward, he attempted to catch himself and catch the other-person-self with a sharp, smashing twist. To catch the henchman in the face mask, and whip him to the ground.

WITH TODOH MAGIC.

COMBATSYS: Invader fails to interrupt Medium Throw from Daniel with Break The Rules.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Zangief          0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0         Nameless
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0          Invader


The latest of the successful K' clones is not one to bandy words about like some of his equally psychotic brethren.
No words. No quarter. No.
A single image is etched into the Nameless' thoughts. An image of pure white, haunting him at the end of his mission. Nothing else matters.
No pain. No threat. Nothing.
Only the will of fire, and those that stand against it.
Scorched the Red Cyclone may be, but the mammoth warrior has hardly yet begun to fight. Clambering back to his feet with a furious sneer and wall-shattering frustration. His bellowing challenge echoing throughout the whole of the news station.
He does not need to ask the NESTs clone twice.
The smaller dark fighter again charges the Russian in an instant. Obeying the goliath's call to arms as he speeds towards him with a predator's intensity. With flashing eyes, the Nameless extends that gauntlet of living ice once again. Thrusting it forth as its crystalline symmetry warps and shifts suddenly.. Reaching outwards and flowing forth as a swirling spiral, contorting into an elongating drill!
Lancing across the distance and seeking to pierce the Russian through like a Matador. Attempting to bleed him out viciously like a stuck bull in the grand arena..

The Invasion force maintains their positions as best they are able. Delivering volleys of suppressing fire at the Detective's cover, hoping to keep him pinned down as they move in pairs. Slipping closer, moving from desk to desk.. Triangulating on his position a few feet at a time, working to remove his cover a handful of degrees at a time.
Though, their aggressive also leaves their forward team somewhat out of position. The lead most attempts to edge the barrel of his rifle around a corner, spying through his helmed visor towards where that Detective was last seen... Only to find him missing..

The soldier's helmet is grabbed from behind. His squack sounds over his intercom sharply as he struggles in brief from the surprise attack, only to get -slammed- down to the floor. His visor smashed in as his rifle send sliding along the floor.. One down.
Five to go.

COMBATSYS: Zangief blocks Nameless' Yukikaze.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Zangief          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


This time, however, Zangief was ready.

Alright, so, he wasn't ready for the drill. That actually takes him a little bit by surprise, but, the principle was the same. He'd been expecting fire, but, a drill is fine too!

One arm moves to take the drill and turn it aside, though it glances over his muscles, it completely fails to penetrate his forearm, and he is glad of it, certain that such a nasty move would have been quite painful, had he allowed it to hit. His response is immediate, as he steps forwards, the large man seems quite intent on doing just what he said he would do. Seeking to surge and envelop the smaller NESTS operative, and wrap one meaty arm around his neck.

If he can manage that, the nameless one is going to find himself in a very uncomfortable position, as Zangief will haul back with as much might as he can muster to squeeze and crack at that neck, fully intent on literally popping his head off like a cork. If it gets to this point, there will be just a little more banter from the angered Russian, through gritted teeth thick with strain.

"Is all fun and games until people -die-, yes, Comrade? I think you should be taking your people out of here, unless you want me to shove those fancy tricks somewhere very interesting, eh?"

Five against one? Daniel liked those odds. Jerking his victim down to the ground. Daniel Jack doesn't take much more time before he is on the move again. Fade into the background. Fade into the foreground. As long as he kept the Forces moving, he could take them down, one by one.

He slips behind another cubicle. Circling the group. The detective moves up over on a desk, causing it to collapse noisily below him. Grabbing the edge of the cubicle, the wall begins to fall over. The detective flips himself over, shooting his legs feet first as he fires through the air, aiming to landing right into the midsts of the fighters in a double-legged flying kick.

Hey, wait a minute. Didn't he have a partner here?

COMBATSYS: Invader dodges Daniel's Heavy Kick.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Zangief          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Nameless fails to interrupt Choke Hold from Zangief with Amagiri.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Zangief          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


As the living ice drill grinds fruitlessly at Zangief's incalculably tough arm, the clone's eyes widen a fraction. This Russian is most definitely a problem.
The gauntlet withdraws, warping quickly like liquid - flowing back over its master's dark hand as flexible, glassy mail. The Nameless has little time to recover from his aggressive strike as the marauding Russian presses forth. The smaller man backpedals a few feet quickly, but is overtaken with equal swiftness leaving the clone with few options.
Teeth grit, The clone digs his heels and attempts to launch himself point-blank at the Russian. His dark hand catching aflame as he rises up swiftly..
..But Zangief is just a fraction quicker. Catching the smaller man in his coiling arm and clutching him closely. The Nameless' head seems like a child's toy within the wrestler's massive grip, his light and dark hands clutching at that forearm.. grinding his vertebrae and forbidding precious oxygen from entering his system.
Eyes closed, a soundless growl formed upon his lips as his face begins to convert all shades of crimson.

White hair. A delighted laugh. A gentle, snow light touch on his cheek.

The clone's eyes flash wide. His gloved hands clutch tighter at Zangief's arm. The dark erupting in shadowy crimson, the light steaming and hissing as crackling ice. Ripples of flame begin dancing up and down his frame as he slowly begins to work that choking arm loose.
"You.. Will.. Not.. Stop.. ME!"

Meanwhile, the Detective is indeed wise to the Invader's buddy system. Even as he heedlessly charges a cluster of the hiding soldiers, they immediately scatter out of the way. Several of them throwing themselves backwards over tables and desks. Diving and scattering out of the way from that powerful kick.
The felled Soldier's comrade? Standing behind Daniel. The soldiers armored boot attempts to -slam- the Detective in the small of his back, forcing him to the floor and quickly followed up by two of his nearby comrades, immediately all of them stomping and kicking at him in a stampede should the first hit connect.. Brutal!

Zangief is not impressed by the tricks being employed by the Nameless, there were always so many strange tricks employed in fighting these enemies, and this sort of thing was to be expected.

For a fraction of a second, the Red Cyclone's grip loosens on the strange young man, but, the respite is only temporary. "Won't I?!" Zangief roars, "I don't think you know who you are facing, Comrade! I am... THE RED CYCLONE!"

As fast as he can, he's aiming to simply scoop the smaller man up into his grip again, but this time, where before he had simply aimed to grab and squeeze, he's aiming to heft the clone up over his head, and take a firmer grip, turning him upside down as he does so. Anyone who knew Zangief... knew what was going to happen next, if it has gotten to this point, there is only really one way out.

Nameless's head would be positioned between his knees, and suddenly the large man is leaping up into the air, spinning as he goes, before crashing into the ground with as much force as he can possibly muster... and all of it channeled through his opponents head, and that already punished neck. If this were the ring... the crowd would be cheering, the fans ecstatic at his most well known technique...

COMBATSYS: Daniel fails to counter Savage Beatdown from Invader with Combo Attack.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Zangief          0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


"Oh scuzz buckets."

Daniel Jack lands in the midsts of five warriors, and quickly regrets it when the scattered goats come back for grazing. The detective doesn't have time to get up before they are on him. Arms up, he tries to knock them back. To pull through, to take advantage of a raging offense.

Instead, their metal heels tear right through his defenses, turning this few seconds very much like the relationship between an LA Cop and a normal street walker.

"SCUUUUUUUUUUZZZ BUCKETS"

COMBATSYS: Zangief knocks away Nameless with Screw Piledriver!

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0         Nameless
[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


The Red Cyclone is indeed fearsome. This is unquestioned.
However, it does no matter who stands against Nameless. No man, no devil, no force of nature. Though Hell itself should bar the way, Nameless will complete his mission. That Zangief might shatter him into a thousand pieces, Nameless will rise again to strike him down.
A notion that is put to the test here and now.

With wild thrashings, the Clone tries to dislodge the mighty Russian. But his grip proves irresistible. The smaller fighter is ripped from his feet and pulled skywards, sent into a hurtling death-spiral and -SLAMMED- into the floor of the hallway with more than enough force to shatter the boards and structure beneath. Nearby desks dance and paintings fling themselves from the walls. Plaster and dust rise from the crater on the floor, the broken ruin the Red Cyclone leaves the clone within.
For a moment.. Just a moment.. It seems as if the Cyclone had won.
Only a moment.

A small flame arrises, followed by a second.. A third. The Nameless dislodges himself of the shattered moorings of sundered building, rising to a crouch with shoulders heaving. Blood streaming from the corners of his lips, eyes eyes glaring determined fury at his foe.

That. Is. It.

His dark hand clutches at his living ice gauntlet. Yanking the device free and pulling it forth like a sword unsheathing.

The tainted Kusanagi Flame -erupts- like a bonfire. His whole form immediately immolated in a pyre of darkened flame, casting shadows all through the hallway from its black illumination, all while his form is outlined in blood-lit crimson. The white glove is off.. His limiter released.
Promised destruction reflects in the Nameless' eyes while glaring at the Red Cyclone.

Meanwhile, the soldiers continue to rain the beatdown upon the resilient detective. Taking terms punishing his fallen frame with their solid kicks and thorough beatings.
"Hold him down!" One says through the muffled cadence of his visored helm. Another follows through, attempting to drag Daniel back up to his feet in a full nelson. Holding him still as the others square him up. Seeking to make an example of this one as they crack their knuckles.. Preparing to take turns.

COMBATSYS: Nameless gathers his will.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1         Nameless
[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


Zangief straightens himself up after delivering the crushing blow. Exactly as expected. However, when Nameless picks himself back up, Zangief would be lying if he said he wasn't impressed. There are very few people who would be able to get up again after that kind of attack, but, apparently, this strange young man was one of them. And that leant him a small measure of respect, even if he had no intention of allowing it to stop him from crushing him utterly with as much force as he could muster.

Which is why, when the clone erupts into fire, Zangief simply /BELLOWS/ with a terrifying ferocity, and comes stomping forwards again.

There is no subtly in his assault, there isn't even any of the care that he had put into the initial attacks. this is a pure and simple /lunge/. An attempt to grab the clone by the arm and bodily slam him into the wall. If this can be managed... what is visited upon Nameless can only be described as terrifying.

The momentum builds, aiming to whip him around a second, third, fourth time, slamming him into the walls before lifting him over his head, and leaping forwards for a powerful, arching powerbomb into the ground. No words. Just incoherent, loud, painful -RAGE-.

COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Invader's Medium Throw.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1         Nameless
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0          Invader


While Zangief is tossing around J' like a blow up doll at Rick James's summer home, Daniel is busy get man-handled by the underlings. When they finally stop their ring around the black guy, the detective takes a deep breath, gasping for air. As he is brought into a full nelson, a wave of energy overcomes him. Just like Mad Gears. Just like Metro City.

The detective begins to spasm, jerking around his captor. With a final jar, the detective rips himself free. Staggering around, the detective positions himself between the different soldiers. Daniel Jack was losing control of the fight. He needed to take a step back. Regain focus. Eyes burning, his entire body grows frigid. And to that, he raises his back up, and lowers his form into the defensive stance of aikido. "Alright, you jack-boot rabbit rousers. We are going to jack this up a notch." Glancing over his shoulders, he keeps his hands forward, one in front of the other. "So come on. Lets jack this up. Bring it, ya goons."

And Daniel Jack prepares for the storm.

COMBATSYS: Daniel focuses on his next action.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1         Nameless
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Nameless blocks Zangief's Brutal Throw Chain.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Zangief          0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1         Nameless
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0          Invader


A contest of ferocity is the only way to describe the ensuing confrontation. The Red Cyclone is uncowed by the frightening display of flame, charging straight for the blazing clone even as the white gauntlet is tossed aside.. Dissolving into watery mists in the periphery of that annihilating aura. The surrounding floor and ceiling directly above begin to alight to this true, tarnished flame. Nearby floating newspapers and printouts flash into flames one after the other.
Zangief's lunging grab is blocked swiftly. Dark hands grip that powerful wrist, moments before it could find purchase upon the clone's frame and break it asunder. Even the act of blocking that grip sends a powerful -jolt- through the Nameless' body. His boots breaking the floorboards beneath from the force. A fresh gout of blood blasting from his lips, aggravating the potent injuries inside already taken.
The K' clone's intense eyes remain resolute. His blood evaporating within the waves of heat.. His own flesh starting to smoke and smolder, face contorting into outrage and fury.
He'd burn himself to ash.. If it meant taking this wrestler with him and completing his mission!

"Out! Of! My!-"
The Nameless' glove lifts skywards. Less attacking Zangief and unleashing his coalesced flame like a living bomb! The youth immediately disappears in the expanding pyre of destruction, sweeping outwards like a tactical explosive weapon! Disintegrating furnishings, wall and ceiling alike and seeking to consume Zangief completely within its darkly destructive blaze!
"-WAY!-"

As the Detective is being dragged to his feet.. The fighter has moxy left in him. Shoving away that grappling Soldier and sending the NESTs operative sprawling backwards across the desk. A few others attempt to complete the first's work, but are quickly shoved back and away as Daniel defends himself quickly. Asserting himself amidst a swarm of foes. With the man surrounded on all sides, tactics dictate they can't switch to firearms without shooting themselves in the crossfire. Besides which, surrounding they still have the advantage..
..Or so they think..

Immediately they advance upon him as a cohesive unit. A trained squad they are, and they fight with considerably more skill than the average brute squad. Jabbing at him from behind, moving and shifting about.. Fighting with coordination as they try to strike him from all angles at once. Wear through his defenses and put his Aikido to the absolute test..

COMBATSYS: Nameless successfully hits Zangief with Rinkou.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Zangief          1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


Action Replay!

Zangief reaches out to grab Nameless, he is turned aside, there is a loud shout... and then, the world explodes.

It's amazing, it really is, just how suddenly Nameless seemed to... evaporate into a bright explosion of light and fire. The Red Cyclone is sent flying backwards, crashing into the ground, on fire, quite some distance away. He grunts, smouldering gently after the amazing amount of fire that had washed over his form. The large man staggers up to his feet, shaking his head slowly, he tries to focus on what has happened... was Nameless even still alive? It looked like he might have actually -killed- himself doing that maneuver. Which wouldn't really surprise Zangief. It had been an incredibly impressive assault.

Absently, he beats out a few stray sparks and smouldering ashes in his chest hair, shaking his head slowly as he takes a moment to catch his breath. "Hnnnn." He starts, trying to clear his head before he realizes... even if the strange boy -is- dead, there are other enemies in the area! "IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN THAT TO STOP... THE RED CYCLONE!"

COMBATSYS: Zangief gains composure.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Zangief          1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Daniel fails to interrupt Bonesmasher from Invader with Fantastic Todoh Punch.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Zangief          1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0         Nameless
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0          Invader


Well, shoot. Daniel needed to pick fights with more large groups. They gave better experience than what solo fights did. Unfortunately, as one of the men come in, Daniel Jack gets a grip. Winding back, he calls out the intent of his move. "FANTASTIC.... TOO-Doh!"

The other attacks, in turn, shut him down. Looks like Daniel WASN'T the master that Todoh taught he was. And with his inability to reverse an attack, it looked like Daniel was getting paralyzed.

But at least Zangief was doing well!

Flame. Endless fire.
The world itself seems to burn away as Nameless unleashes the stolen Kusanagi Flame within. Power that was never meant to be his, already beginning to burn away his hand as he holds it above him. Power that begins to rage out of control.. Consume him as assuredly it burned away at his foe.

A hissing sound. Mists slowly coalesce themselves through the dark inferno.. Streams of liquid crystal wind their way into the ensuing destruction.
Another memory. A kind smile, a soft kiss on his hand. 'Live .. for me ..'

In an instant, the white gauntlet reforges itself. Its frozen power reasserting itself, instantly -silencing- that massive blaze. The hallway ceases its rage immediately, leaving only blackened ash and smoke - A sign that it was ever present at all.

The Nameless collapses to a knee. His dark hand clutching at his wrist.. Panting and heaving for air. His eyes wide, staring at his ice-gloved hand.. "..Isolde.." A soft whisper to himself.

Slowly. The NESTs clone looks upwards warily from his crouch.. Himself smoking in the middle of that charred crater. His dark eyes widen a fraction more.
The Red Cyclone is not dead... What does it take to destroy this man??
"...Why.." Such determination. Determination that seems to equal his own.. "... Why are you protecting these..." He breathes between huffs for air. The Nameless knows what he will die for.
But what does Zangief pledge his life to? It can be these ... Meaningless people .. Can it? How can he fight with so much conviction and strength?

Still, the clone clings to his duty. Pushed to the brink as he is, he stands regardless. With a snarl he throws himself at the Cyclone once again. Charging across the distance and leaping into the air, seeking to sink his boots hard into the Russian's burnt chest!

The Detective is putting up a hell of a fight. Though he's surrounded on all sides by elite NESTs soldiers, armed with the most advanced weaponry in the world and some of the most intensive training and genetic enhancements science has to offer.. The Detective is still fighting hard. The armored soldiers pound him from all sides. Slamming their fists and knees into him, shutting down his fierce reprisal with a set of their own quick punches.
As Todoh's student reels, one of them waits for a distracted moment. Balling his fists together and swinging them down at Daniel's head like a sledgehammer! Attempting to tranquilize the rebellious defender yet more..

COMBATSYS: Zangief interrupts Heavy Kick from Nameless with Ultimate Atomic Buster.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1         Nameless
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Daniel           0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0          Invader


Zangief's lips curl as the nameless boy emerges from the crater he had made for himself, and when he asks his question, Zangief's eyes blaze with fury. "WHY?" He bellows in response, "Because these are the WORKING men and women of the world! WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!" He roars, stepping forwards as the boy comes at him, "Because this WORLD needs the strength of glorious MOTHER RUSSIA!" The kick... slams into his torso, but, at the same moment, Zangief's hand whips forward, gripping tight around the clones throat, interrupting his momentum and crushing tight.

"And I... AM THE RED CYCLONE! And I will DESTROY the enemies of MOTHER RUSSIA!"

Suddenly, Nameless is whipped around and over his head, slammed bodily into the floor, rage burns bright in Zangief's heart. It was time to demonstrate just what it meant to face the glory of Mother Russia!

The clone is whipped again over his head, smashed down backwards, Zangief doesn't let go for an instant, lifting him again, before tucking his head between his legs...

But this time, the Red Cyclone doesn't hold back at all. He leaps into the air with such force that his head shatters the ceiling tiles above, and he is, of course, spinning, coming down with such incredible force that he risks punching straight through to the next floor... using the poor, unfortunate clone as a catalyst to doing just that.

COMBATSYS: Daniel fails to counter Fierce Punch from Invader with Mad Jack Crack.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1         Nameless
[                         \\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Daniel           1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0          Invader


CLANG!

CLANG!

Daniel Jack is spun around just in time to see one of the invaders prepare to bring down an arm. The detective is becoming whirled around more and more in this five man circle jerk. As he brings his arms up to catch the blow, he just. Falls. Short.

BANG!

Daniel Jack falls to the ground, totally stunned. He was struggling. Struggling to stay awake. And yet, over it all, he heard a voice.

Mother Russia.

The Free American Spirit surged back in his heart. He would NOT succumb.

Just as Nameless brings the fight to Zangief once again.. The Red Cyclone is ready for him. Snatched clean out of the air just as his boots strike the Russian in the chest, the youth offers an abrupt gag while caught by the neck. Mismatched hands clutch at the massive fist at his throat, a brief attempt at freedom before the slender fighter is hurtled about like a ragdoll.
The clone -CRASHES- into the floor with bone-cracking force. A geyser of blood erupts from his lips.. But the mayhem has only begun. Once again lifted up and -smashed- up into the ceiling right alone with the Russian.. And -DRILLED- through the floor itself. Sending both of the fighters clean through the floorboards and to the cubical maze directly beneath. Crashing into a series of desks and shattering computers and fabric walls alike!

In the aftermath of that destruction.. As Zangief steps away.. A cracked ice glove reaches out quickly to grab his arm. Pieces of desk fall away from the Nameless' bloodied, broken form. Battered nearly to pieces, bones broken.. Body shattered.
He Will Not Stop.
"...Destroy... You.." Nameless breathes out in rasps, blood flooding from his mouth, eyes bloodied and crimson. The darkened flames alighting upon his dark gloved hand once more. Fighting on with implacable resolve, from the very clutches of death itself.
Zangief has his cause.. As does J'. Something worth fighting for..
Someone worth dying for.
"FALL!"
With that roar, a fresh explosion ripples outwards. Expanding outwards in a dome of roaring, burning force. Seeking to send Zangief right back up through the hole he made in the ceiling!

All while Daniel struggles to fight the Invaders. Putting his spirit, his all into it. Occasionally pushing and shoving one of his assailants loose, sending them stumbling backwards and reeling. Only to be -struck- down with bone jarring force.

As the Soldiers loom over his toppled form. One of them brandishes a powerful taser gun. Nodding to his fellows and taking aim.. Seeking to shoot the prone man with its powerful electrodes and shock the young Detective into unconsciousness with its potent charge!

COMBATSYS: Zangief interrupts Shakuhou from Nameless with Banishing Flat.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Zangief          0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0         Nameless
[                         \\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Daniel           1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0          Invader


Zangief is quite confident that Nameless will not be getting up again after that vicious assault. Between that and his screw piledriver, there weren't many fighters he could think of easily who -would- get up again. He turns, ready to jump back up to help fend off the rest of the attackers, until, suddenly, he feels the clone grab for his arm!

Zangief reacts on pure instinct, though the explosions of energy washes over him again, the mammoth Russian twists, his fist flashing bright green as it simply ploughs straight into the side of Nameless's head. Enough force in there to punch straight through a car door, his anger is starting to really get the better of him. Just how much more could this weird person take before he would give up and -die- already?

Now, however, he doesn't turn his back, he cracks his knuckles, and narrows his eyes instead. "Stay down, Comrade." The massive Russian rumbles, "If you get up again, I will make you regret it."

COMBATSYS: Invader successfully hits Daniel with Trick Shot.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0         Nameless
[                             \  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Daniel           1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0          Invader


Well, Daniel truly proved his worth in this fight. By keeping the soldiers off Zangief's back for so long, he might hold a chance against the cohorts. Though now, the detective had bigger problems. Namely, the fact that he was about to get tasered. Daniel Jack attempts to pull away, but in fact, he is too slow. The detective screeches as the electrical current rushes through his body. For most people, this was the end.

But not for the infinite spirit of Todoh.

As the numbing effects still burned in him, the detective began to flail. He unleashed a jarring elbow towards one mook, then a wave of energy in his free arm. "KASANE. ATE!!!" And then, the same thing towards another. "KASANE! ATE!!!!" And with that, he blindly swings around, temper boiling up and up and up until.... "KASANE! Ughaaaaaaa...."

And with a blind haymaker, Daniel passes out into a heap.

The Jack is down.

COMBATSYS: Daniel can no longer fight.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  //////////////////////        ]
                                 |====---\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Invader blocks Daniel's Jazz Hands.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Zangief          0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  ///////////////////           ]
                                 |======-\-------\0          Invader


Yet again, the young clone is dashed upside the head. His body hurtles aside - crashing through a row of desks with contrails of dark fire spiralling in all directions.. The brunt of his attack deflected and cast away by the mighty Russian.

Backing down does not begin to enter into J' Prime's thoughts. His entire world has become an ocean of blood.. his thoughts only of a pure, slender hand. Reaching down to him..
'I'll be waiting for you..'

"NEVER!" The Nameless barks, crimson flying from his lips as he scrambles to his feet brokenly. His dark gloved arm hanging uselessly at his side.. A leg fumbling about uselessly, likely broken.
If he cannot fight on his feet, he will fight on his knees. If he cannot kneel, he will crawl to his enemy and strike him still.
If he should die - He will crawl his way back from Hell itself to destroy his foe!
Anything.. Anything and everything.. For her.

The youth lunges ackwardly, swinging his living ice gauntlet at the Russian once more. his fingers warping into a dagger-like edge, slashing through that air and seeking to stab into the Russian, as high as he can reach!

As the taser sends a powerful jolt through the Detective's frame, the NESTs Soldiers relax a little. The tazing soldier straightening up, huffing over the comm as he touches his helmet, "Production room almost secured. Resistance is-SUWK!"
His voice cutting out over the comm as Daniel slams the man with his elbow, shattering the soldier's helmet and sending him sprawling to the floor!
The other soldiers immediately dive out of the way. Leaping in all directions as the Detective unleashes torrents of destructive fury! Energy shattering what few office furnishings remain intact - shattering a nearby copy machine and destroying an entire row of desks. Only then.. when he sinks to the floor with one last attack.. Do the remaining four soldiers slowly rise upwards with guns drawn.
All of them drawing their rifles at the unconscious young man. More than a little nervous in case he rises again..
Once their sure he isn't getting back up, do they turn their collective attentions to the rampaging giants around the corner. Quickly massing about the rim of the destroyed hole from above.. Seeing the burned Zangief, standing above a mostly broken clone warrior.
That's.. not good.
"OPEN FIRE!"
Immediately, they kneel into shooting positions and attempt to light the Red Cyclone up with their collective gunfire!

COMBATSYS: Nameless successfully hits Zangief with Combo Attack.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Zangief          0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  ///////////////////           ]
                                 |======-\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Zangief interrupts Long Shot from Invader with Screw Piledriver.

[                       \\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Zangief          1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  ///////////                   ]
                                 |=======\====---\1          Invader


It had occurred to Zangief that, for all the gunfire going on, remarkably little of it seemed to be focused on him.

Unfortunately, this is not a state of affairs that continues for long, and suddenly he is aware of men above him, lowering guns at him. Hm. This could be a problem. Especially as, he realizes, since it didn't /sound/ like his ally was still getting in their way, there was nobody stopping any one of those men from going on down the corridor, and killing the very people Zangief had set out to protect from the start.

That just wouldn't -do-.

As he considers all this, suddenly, he becomes aware that the clone is coming at him again. With a grunt, he steps forwards, intending to use the momentum he could get from a boost using the boy as a springboard to ease his jump up to the next level again... unfortunately, what actually happens is that he gets stabbed in the foot.

"GAH!" He spits, "You don't know when to quit, eh, Comrade? Well, wait here. I'll be back to finish you off in a moment."

And with that, spurred on by the fact that they are -SHOOTING AT HIM- and that is just not fair at all, really, Zangief LEAPS into the air, and keeps on going. His blood was up, now. The accumulated wounds were starting to take their toll on the pride of Mother Russia, but he wasn't going to give up just because the situation was starting to look grim.

His momentum helps him as he swings the poor man up, and in one smooth, well practiced motion, spins him around and ploughs him back into the ground again. "Dosvedanya, Comrade!" The Red Cyclone bellows, "COME ON! Who is next, eh? Who wants to try and stop the RED CYCLONE with your little toys, EH?!"

The Soldiers sees the Russian Bear leap upwards at him.. And his entire life flashes before his visored eyes, "No.. NO! AIIIEEE!"
His cry is cut short as the massive giant leaps up from the hole punched through the floor. His rifle sent spiralling from his arms as he's scooped up and -SMASHED- into the floor, immediately becoming a broken heap vaguely shaped like a man.

The remaining three Invaders pedal backwards, stumbling away from the encroaching juggernaut with more than a little interpretation in their panicking voices, "KEEP FIRING! KEEP FIRING!"
Ammo magazines quickly switched out before continuing their fire. A third quickly kneels down, affixing a high-explosive grenade at the end of his barrel before drawing a bead on the Russian, "TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE!"
A pitched screech fills the air as the rocket propelled grenade shoots out in a fast, white streak straight for the marauding Red Cyclone!

While Nameless managed to stab his enemy.. As Zangief leaps away he collapses to the floor, face-first. Fingers gripping into the broken floorboards, white-brown bangs plastered to his bloody face as he gasps for air.
His mission is yet unaccomplished.. He cannot stop. Cannot stop!
Isolde..

With a roar, the clone shoves himself back upwards with his ice-gauntlet hand.. -Leaping- upwards with his remaining good leg and sending himself up and through the hole.. With unspeakably agony he forces his broken arm to move, dark-flames igniting one more time as they arc towards the Russian's back!
"GRRRAAAHHH!"

COMBATSYS: Nameless successfully hits Zangief with Yoizuki.

[                             \  < >  ////                          ]
Zangief          1/--=====/=======|====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  /////////////                 ]
                                 |====---\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Zangief endures Invader's Disaster Area.

[                                < >  ////                          ]
Zangief          1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  /////////////                 ]
                                 |====---\-------\0          Invader


There comes a time when a man just can't rampage any further. Even the Red Cyclone has his limits. And, as it turns out, the limit in question is when, suddenly, a very angry clone comes out of nowhere and hits you with burning energy. That's just not cool.

Try as he might, Zangief is too slow to properly defend himself against the powerful attack, it came in too quickly, too unexpectedly for him to bring his guard to bear against it, and the result was a painful collision that slashes across his upper chest, as he had turned, and caused the large Russian to step backwards. His eyes momentarily glazed as his body tells him: Yes Zangief. You can go no further.

And then he is hit in the back by a rocket. And you know, that sort of thing, that's just enough to piss anybody off.

The reaction is likely not the sort the soldier was hoping for. Rather than /really/ look like it hurt the Red Cyclone, it seems instead to invigorate him. It tells him: These are people who are bad people, and there is one right in front of you. You are being pushed at him by a /rocket explosion/ that has singed your back hair. Are you going to take that, Zangief?! WHAT WOULD THE CHILDREN THINK IF THEY SAW YOU NOW?!

With a furious roar Zangief quite literally aims to fall on the poor, unfortunately clone, and tackle him back down that hole. Pinning him under his massive bulk. More disturbingly, however, is the fact that all the way down, Zangief's teeth will rip and tear, rend and gnaw at his -neck-. Aiming to bite and chew through as much of the clone as he could manage before unconsciousness, at last, claims him.

...okay, so maybe it is for the best that the children of Russia don't see their hero at this precise moment, eh?

COMBATSYS: Zangief can no longer fight.

                                  >  ////                          ]
                                 |====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  /////////////                 ]
                                 |====---\-------\0          Invader


COMBATSYS: Nameless dodges Zangief's Kamitsuki.

                                  >  ////                          ]
                                 |====---\-------\0         Nameless
                                  >  /////////////                 ]
                                 |====---\-------\0          Invader


As the Russian is burned from behind.. The Clone immediately falls to the side. Unable to land cleanly, he topples to the edge of the hole. The living ice of his gauntlet forming claws and -digging- into the rim of the ruined hole.. Desperately clinging for balance as he wedges his single good knee at the lip of the edge. Teeth gritting, staring up at the Red Cyclone through a haze of blood and agony.. The air filled with the stench of fire and flesh, adrenaline and battle. He had given it his all.. As had the Russian.
Even as he watches the magnificent siberian get shot in the back with that rocket grenade, the explosion -pushing- him down towards the clone.. J', even now, marvels at his resolve. Half-conscious, he still fights on. Fights with every fiber of his being. Fights just as hard as the Nameless has sworn to. For his Mother Russia.
As those massive jaws seek his neck, there is little the clone can do but hold on for dear life.. Not a scrap of energy life.. Not a..

'Live for me..' A lilting plea. A gentle voice. Soft hands touching his wrist, pulling him.. Guiding him.
His ice gauntlet suddenly -PULLS- him, yanking him forth and hurtling him bodily up and over the edge. Rolling his shattered body beneath the diving Russian, missing him by inches. J' Prime rolls to a stop at the edge.. Staring at the ceiling, gasping for air. That wasn't.. He didn't..
His crystalline glove lifts, fingers flexing within...

The remaining three soldiers quickly rush past the fallen clone. Rifles lowered and pointing towards the fallen Russian at the bottom of the hole. Magazines reloaded, weapons primed.
"STOP!" The Nameless barks.. blood splattering his lips, forcing his voice to be heard clearly. Though barely conscious, his order retains force and conviction. Forcing the soldiers to stand down as they very slowly, cautiously lower their weapons.
"..Sir?" The lead queries.
"..Leave him.." Nameless rolls over onto his side, crystalline fingertips digging for purchase, trying to crawl towards the nearby wall and drag himself to his good foot, "..Complete.. Just.. Complete the.. mission.." He coughs. Blood streaking the floor in his awkward movements.
The Soldiers glance at each other. Mission perimeters state to eliminate all resistance. That Russian is going to be a problem.. But orders are orders. "..Yes sir." They state in unison. Quickly marching around the edge of the destroyed floor and heading to the production room, shouldering the door open.
Nameless slowly pulls himself to his feet, inches at a time. A glance paid to the fallen Detective who bravely launched himself at them.. Heedless of his own life. Then slowly to the fallen Zangief down below. Eyes glued to the burned man's unconscious body.
Wordless, even as gunfire and screams fill the air yet again. Unable to understand. What is this Mother Russia to him? What is a country.. Land to him? What are these strangers to that Detective? Why do they fight so hard.. Not for someone they love... But.. Things? Strangers?
"..Isolde.." The clone whispers in a slow, lost tone. White glove clenching tightly.. Forcing himself to march on, though he can barely stand.
Anything and everything.
For her.

Log created on 16:55:43 03/22/2009 by Nameless, and last modified on 20:03:31 03/23/2009.