Description: Roland wanders back into town, and pays his respects to Daniel after the past years. With VIOLENCE.
$300,000
That was the total amount of money that was invested in the Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu Dojo, from Daniel's winnings. Six Wins from the Neo Development League. $600,000. Split evenly between the winner... and the winner's dojo.
Frankly, Daniel Jack was being a damn breadwinner.
The detective was now overseeing the most important step of the brand new Dojo in its renovations. The construction of the second story of the dojo was almost complete; the new gold leaf shining in the sunset. But what Daniel was looking at now was the lawn. Having slain the crabgrass with Zach, the detective was now putting down sample patches on the lawn, inspecting the various potential grass-types to explore. The detective, dressed in his Zoot Suit, glares at the two before him.
Kentucky Bluegrass?
Or Texas Bluegrass?
In the midst of observing the well-deserved winnings painstakingly earned by one of Todoh's most devout practitioners, another has walked up slightly behind and to the side. There was little attempt to disguise either his approach or presence, but recognition might not be instant for the grizzled American, tilting up his hat to better squint at the building. "Well, I'll be. This place is still around." After a couple moments, a sneer is then done to Daniel, looking him up and down with a slow shake of his head. "And your terrible sense of dress is the exact same, too. Like I never left..."
Daniel Jack suddenly shoots up, back erect. That voice. That drawl. The insult to his sense of dress. The first two were unique to one man. THe last, well... Daniel Jack thought it made him look flashy. And daring! Arms crossing, he turns around, shooting a glare that would even make Master Todoh weep manly tears. Gazing upon the man, the detective belts out a response.
"Roland Brown"
The detective continues to cross his arms as he gazes upon Roland, a fire hiding behind them. He remembered his old rival all too well. And unlike Zach, he had a great deal more mischief with him. "Been too long, Roland. I heard you were sitting on a nickel, scuzzy, for selling junk bonds to an old lady. Just a rumor, right?" THe detective flashes a terse grin, unsure to make of the old rival returning.
"What the hell brings you here, scuzzy?"
In the same motion, Roland twists to meet Daniel's eyes. He chews upon the end of a toothpick, rolling it around in his lips. There is no lack of intensity in his own features. A staredown worthy of any classic film ensues. He spits out his wooden nub, bouncing once before landing on the other man's shoe.
"Daniel Little."
A slow crack of the neck follows, from one side to the other. "A rumor." he agrees, readily enough. "Went back to my roots in America to take care of some business. Decided I'd come laugh at your lack of progress."
After another slow appraisal of Daniel...
He laughs. Hard.
"My progress, Roland?"
Daniel Jack's looks away, adjusting his rose-tinted shades, the gaze having broken. The detective recalled the good old days. Sparring with Roland. Fighting low-level gangsters on the streets. Getting ambushed by Marz, who was totally not stalking him. But now... Daniel Jack was a changed man. A more experienced man.
"Progress has been slow."
Looking back up at Roland, he uncrosses his arms fully. "Been on a lead on a bunch of watch thieves. Real dangerous types, the kind you might get along with. But if you want a real assessment..." Daniel Jack drops into the defensive stance of Todoh-Ryuu, bringing up the guard of aikido with a straddle-stance. Watching Roland with utter seriousness. "Course, you probably forgot how to fight using the best technique."
"The Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu Technique."
"Watch thieves?" Roland sounds more surprised then anything else, but then just shrugs with a sort of lazy sigh, shrugging with palms faced up. "I see. You couldn't make it as a bad fighter, so now you are working as a bad detective." And then there's another grin, with that patented Rival Spark <tm> shining bright. "And unless you forgot... not once did that 'strongest technique' beat me in a spar..." He steps back further into the street, loosening up but not taking any proper stance. "Maybe if you beat me, I'll think about learning it proper..."
And surprisingly, Daniel responds with his own smile...
Which also shines bright.
"A top-tier fighter in the Neo Development Project, and a damn good detective to boot." The detective boasts, holding up his stance. "I'll hold you to that, scuzzy. You lose to me, Roland, and you start enrolling. And you will start at the bottom, right along side..."
"Benkei."
The detective seems to be waiting. "Well, hot shot. You going to put your money where your mouth is, and try to start something? Or are you going to run off with your tail between your legs...."
"... Woody?"
"That sounds like some kind of low-end construction job. So about right up your alley." Roland doesn't even acknowledge the idea of Daniel being a detective. That might be somehow more insulting, in the long run. But there's that smug, self-assured nature in full spades that makes the American incredibly aggravating. Especially given each time thus far, it paid off with a victory. "Letting me go first? Well. How can I decline an offer from a fine lady?"
He then pushes off the ground, quickly reducing the distance between himself and Daniel. That's enough to confirm he's not gotten weaker, but there's no sign of growth, either. Before he suddenly flips forward, a swirl of bolstering green energy causing his heel to arc brutally overhead, aiming to slam right atop Daniel's noggin!! "Better get ready to lose again, Danny Boy!!"
COMBATSYS: Roland has started a fight here.
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Roland 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Daniel has joined the fight here.
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Roland 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Daniel
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Roland's Gold Rush.
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Roland 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Daniel
"You aren't up to date with the newest leagues, are you Woody."
Daniel Jack holds steady, his presence rolling over. His reaction to Roland was confident, self-assured. An interesting contrast to Roland's own smugness. Where did Daniel get his spine? As Roland comes in, the detective keeps his hands up, his stance ready. Watching it warily, he waits for the attack to come rushing in...
And Daniel catches the leg.
Grunting in pain, the detective's own aura flares up in response to Roland's own energy. Orange chi licks his shoulders as Daniel Jack grips Roland's leg. "What's this, scuzzy, you still rely on this?" Daniel Jack begins, as he lets the impact shift past him, carrying the momentum as he attempts to swing Roland back down to the ground. If successfuly, he will slam him down hard...
And attempt to wrench the leg from the socket.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Roland with Mad Jack Crack.
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Roland 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Daniel
"Like I keep track of things like that!!" is offered while Roland advances forward, not exactly all that conversational. Although he does notice that Daniel seems to have a different personality, if nothing else. If there's one thing the makeshift brawler is proud of, it's his specialized attacks; and Daniel catches it clean. "...!" Down he goes, smacking into the ground hard despite an awkward attempt to brace himself. "Hrrgh--!!" He violently rolls with the wrench, before doing a sort of listless roll as he pulls it free from Daniel's grasp. Limp, limp. "Son of a... so you think you're all that now?!" A touch embarrassed, he suddenly whisks off his hat. And then whirls it out, grunting with effort as it goes singing through the air, blade in the brim stlil prominent!! "Judge me after you beat me, Chuckles!!"
COMBATSYS: Roland successfully hits Daniel with Blackjack.
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Roland 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Daniel
Oh, right, the hat.
As he gives Roland a twist, the detective can't help himself to let out a taunt. "I'm all that, and a lot more Roland!" Of course, when he rolls away, the detective saw that he had that signature attack up his sleeve. The hat toss.
Aw hell.
Daniel Jack attempts to stand tall against the whirling hat, enduring the hit cleanly. Well, he takes the hit cleanly at least. But the blade digs deep into his chest, twisting aside painfully. Stumbling, he glares at Roland, wincing painfully. "Guuurgh!" He grunts, staggering towards Roland as he rips the hat from his chest.
And then he launches out the left palm.
Roland may recognize this move from long ago. The palm strike, then shifting into the hand-chop with the right. Chaining into an elbow jab with his left arm, he finishes the combination with a straight kick from the right. The dreaded four-hit combo of Daniel Jack.
Zoot Suit Riot.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Roland with Zoot Suit Riot.
- Power hit! -
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Roland 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Daniel
Well. Some things never change.
Roland recognizes that assault, just as Daniel noticed his. A quick snap of the hand yanks his hat back towards him by the attached wire, before he flows with emerald energy and then attempts to leap backwards. But he's thumped in the chest during the attempt, letting out an 'Oomph!' of pain and slightly doubling forward. Only to get struck by the elbow and then plain kicked right off his feet. Landing hard on his upper shoulders, Roland rolls to a stop a few meters away. He's quick to get up, but is rather shaky afterwards. "Son of a... Heh. You still hit like a girl!" And then he rushes forward, before whirling around and attempting to kick Daniel. ...in the CROTCH. Disguising it initially as a higher kick, before snapping his knee down!
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Roland's Light Kick.
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Roland 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Daniel
Keep it steady Danny.
The detective keeps an eye on the wire, making a note of it. For what, it was a mystery for even the detective. As he eyes Roland's flow of energy, the detective seems to follow the gap. "You think that missed my gaze, Roland?" He stated, unleashing the final kick with gusto. The detective was more observant now, much more clever. He fought smart, and with that deductive eye, was keeping tabs on his cunning opponent.
Which was damn useful when he surged back.
Keeping his footing stable, Danny throws up one hand for the high hit. When it shoots low, however, the detective's steady defense reacts accordingly. Lowering his other palm down, he catches the blow, grunting again as his defense is stretched to the limit. "Roland, I just got my face smashed into hamburger by a woman. I see your insults havent't changed with the times, either!" Bringing his high hand, now free, up in the air, it surges with orange energy. With a swift slash, the detective slashes at Roland, roaring out the name of the attack, as weak as it is.
"KASANE ATE!"
COMBATSYS: Roland dodges Daniel's Mikansei Kasane Ate.
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Roland 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Daniel
"Don't pretend you can see anything." Roland grunts. He still has a light green glow, and quickly hurls himself into the air as a familiar assault is launched in his direction. He clears it evenly, before green energy coalesces into his open hands as well. "Two can play at this game!! KASANE..." And then he suddenly hurls a wrench hidden up his sleeve towards the other man's face. "SYKE-OUT!!" Well, yes. Some things won't ever change. But can you really look down on a person who will do anything and everything possible to attain an advantage? Yes. The answer is yes.
COMBATSYS: Daniel interrupts Large Thrown Object from Roland with Jumping Jack Flash.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Roland 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Daniel
Daniel once caused an entire roof of a wrestling arena cave in, to land a devestating blow on his opponent. He has taken to spitting liquor in his opponent's eyes, fake out with random objects, even ditching his guns for the ability to unload an entire truckload of debris on a victim. The trouble wasn't that Daniel was looking down on Roland's style.
He has been COPYING it.
The detective watches the green glow, seeing that it was much more than for show. It was augmenting his speed, his ability to react. Daniel Jack had to punch through. But how could he react faster than Roland. As his energy swipe is met with nothing, he is readying his own attack. As he calls out the Kasane, he is already bringing his other arm around for the follow through. But then he spies the sleeve. Another fake out? Roland wasn't the only one who was resourcesful though. Stepping into Roland's circle, he stops his own attack cold.
And he promptly crosses his arms.
Roland may notice that the detective's colors begin to saturate, his form growing blurred around the edges. The effect would grow more pronounced if he took his eyes off him; it was as if he wasn't focused on Daniel, he would disappear, fade into the background. As the wrench flies to the detective's face...
He suddenly rushes in.
Snatching up a hand, Daniel quickly catches the wrench, colors surging back. Lashing out with his other hand, he grabs Roland by the front of his shirt, and twists hard. Holding Roland aloft above his head, the detective swiftly JAMS the wrench hard into the conman's ass, before lighting him ablaze with orange chi, mixing with his own green aura. Roaring out the name of the attack, the detective spikes the man HARD down with a wave of energy, sending him rolling away aloft the blast of chi.
"KASANE ATE!"
Impossible. Daniel has evolved tremendously. Roland can tell, when he is completely unfooled by the suddenly hurled wrench. He feels the cold, relentless steel of the wrench thumping into his ass, with a familiar flash of pain! One he has felt many times with Daniel in the past. He impacts the ground on his face, skidding a moment before bouncing once and crashing against the side of a car, hard enough to cause a shrill alarm to start resounding in the air.
But still, he pushes up to his feet, slowly and surely. "Well, well. I can't deny it, Daniel. You got better. Normally, you are the one on your knees before me." Getting upright, he cracks his neck to the left, then the right. "But I'm not out yet...!!" His fingers fan out, revealing a number of playing cards. Before they suddenly burst into green chi. And he starts hurling them in Daniel's direction, in a constant stream!! Each would cause a brief BANG explosion, with the intention of overwhelming his opponent. The last of his cards are launched out in tandem, all ten aiming to hit him in the midsection with a KABOOM!!
COMBATSYS: Roland successfully hits Daniel with Deuces Wild.
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Roland 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Daniel
Wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, the detective continues to look as intense as ever. Still gripping the defiled wrench, he points it at Roland. "About time you showed me respect! Let me return the favor, scuzzy!" He says, grimacing his teeth together tight. But when shows the full hand, the detective tilts his head. "Oh no, you just didn't-" But Roland did. The detective tries to endure the storm, crossing his arms.Once again, the strange fading effect saturates his form. Just like...
Just like Master Todoh's ability to hide in the backgrounds.
"You are still as flashy as ever, Roland. Which is real sharp." The detective's frame surges back to color as the explosion disperses. Danny's Zoot Suit was torn apart now, revealing the waistcoat underneath... and an empty concealed holster. Clutching the wrench in one hand, the detective leaps in, letting loose a quick, surprisingly resourceful chop with the wrench right for Roland's noggin. Wait. Resourceful?
Was Daniel stealing Roland's gimmick?
COMBATSYS: Roland dodges Daniel's Light Random Weapon.
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Roland 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Daniel
Oh, hell no.
If Daniel's going to get into a mud-slinging competition, he's still years of practice away from Roland. Self taught since the day he could kick high enough to reach a bully's genitals, he has worked too long and too hard to be beaten at his own game. The wrench is smoothly ducked, whisking over his head a scant inch, knocking his trendy hat clean off. He's then kneeling right before Daniel. He rears back his arm... and attempts to slug him with all the force that he can muster right between the legs. "HNNGHA!" Not an appropriate sound effect to go with this action, probably.
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Roland's Power Strike.
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Roland 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Daniel
Daniel may not have the trash talk down to a T. What he makes up was with a certain suave and cunning that was beginning to become a signature for the detective. Even as Roland ducks the blow, Daniel was studying his opponent, analyzing him with an inuitive feel he could have only gotten from experienced sleuthing... and getting his ass beat.
A lot.
A hella lot.
But Daniel was still sturdy against the dirty tactics of Roland. Regaining his footing, he sees that the man was already surging in, reading to punch him right in the balls. A ball punch. That would have brought the old Daniel to his knees. But the new Daniel? He was too quick for that. "Come on, Woody!" He shouts, as he catches the low blow with his free hand. "Cheap shots aren't good shots, they are just smart!" The detective belts out as he chucks out that wrench right at Roland.
Right between the eyes.
COMBATSYS: Roland fails to slow Large Thrown Object from Daniel with Huge Thrown Object.
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Roland 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Daniel
That wrench, again. It was a good one. He stole it from a guy selling Rust iconic items; he skipped the hardhat, however. And the only counter to a wrench is... crap, wrong pocket. He hurls a plastic spork at it, which bounces off ineffectively before slugging Roland right in the nose. He stumbles backwards, nose split open and gushing blood before he turns away, thumping on his knees and bending over, hands holding the wound. "NNNGH. TIME OUT, TIME OUT!" he yowls, muffled by blood and his fingers!! "GOD, OW!!"
Rust Iconics?
Dammit, those were collector items, Roland. Especially after Rust saved China, and defeated Vega. As the detective pegs the wrench right behind the eyes, the detective continues to keep apace. But when he stumbles backwards and bleed... the detective scoffs. "Hah! I've fought enough wrestlers to know when you are faking it! I'm not going to fall for your tricks, Roland!"
It hopefully was a trick.
As Roland recovers, the detective launches a punting kick, attempting to kick Roland back to an upright position. Continuing his offense, he throws out a thrusting palm strike of the left... and then a hand chop with the right. Another palm strike, another hand chop. The third round doesn't come, as Daniel Jack suddenly lunges out to grab Roland. If he grabs the conman, he will flip him across on his back, and slam him hard on the ground. The detective will finish the combo with a single, explosive punch right to the strernum, exploding with a flash of orange chi.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Roland with Harlem Sunset.
[ < > /////////// ]
Roland 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Daniel
That's part of the problem. Roland is so good at faking, it's impossible to tell when he's serious or not. He twists around, but fails to bring up his forearms in time and is kicked upright, reeling backwards. Before finding himself up in the air, kicking in the air uselessly before the street cracks beneath him, letting out a "WHOOPHFFPFH!" of air and speckled blood. Coughing and hacking, he manages to roll over. Trembling, he then... launches himself forward, arms crossing. He would do one of those badass-seeming short range blur teleports, with a flash of green chi in it's wake. It may or may not hit Daniel, but either way he teeters over and thumps on the ground. "Nnnnngh. Fricken... alright, alright, I'll join the damn dojo again!! Just leave my ribibs alone!!"
COMBATSYS: Roland can no longer fight.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Roland successfully hits Daniel with Three Card Monte.
[ \\\\ <
Daniel 0/-------/----===|
And then, the Harlem Sunset reaches Roland.
The detective rips through Roland's guard, and when the fiercesome combo comes to a close, he just stands tall, over his opponent. Arms crossed, he stares down his opponent. And as the short teleport tears through him, how does the detective react? Throwing up his arm, and letting it tear through him. The detective just BARELY flinches, but hides the pain by crossing his arms, and turning around. Growling at his former rival, he nods solidly. "Good! Then I expect to see you this weekend! Once, I...." The detective slowly, very slowly, topples over backwards, arms still crossed.
"Once I get the feeling back in my ribibs."
He does not seem to be able to get up.
COMBATSYS: Daniel takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Daniel can no longer fight.
And thus, the two men simply lay on the street, stuck upon backs like a pair of turtles in the sun. He manages to slowly reach into his pocket and pull out a crumpled pack of clove cigarettes. Placing it in his lips, he lights it with a snap of fingers and flash of green chi. Puff, puff. A car starts honking at them, yelling about why the two lunatics are obstructing traffic. "I'm not wearing the gi or anything." Roland states, matter of factly. "You didn't win enough for that."
Daniel Jack simply lays there, in the middle of traffic, his gaze piercing the heavens themselves. "I'm surprised I haven't seen you in the Neo Development Project. $100,000 for every win. I've been using half the winnings for the Dojo. Figured if you weren't interested in it before, you'd be interested in it now." Daniel Jack muses, sniffing the air. "You know, this is just like old times. It is just missing one last thing...."
Suddenly, a crack of thunder.
The heavens open up, having enough of Daniel's glare, as it begins to heavy. The honking of the horns echoes smoothly with the pitter-patter of rain. The detective sighs, staring into the falling droplets. Sniffing the cigarette smoke, the detective suddenly realizes.
"Oh, I also gave up smoking."
"Damn. You're actually becoming a better person. And we're both unredeemable jackasses at heart, so that can't stand."
He spits out the dampened cigarette, before slowly rolling over. Getting up with a couple loud pops and grunts, he walks over to the honking car. Before leaning down, and swiftly stabbing a knife into the wheel. POP! Pffffffffffffffft. A lot of yelling, before he glances back to Daniel. "You still drink, right? Bar." And then he's already limping with all the speed of an old lady down the sidewalk.
"Mostly better. Been scoring waaaay too many dates with Shadaloo dames."
Daniel Jack doesn't add to that, as he rolls over a bit. Scowling at Roland popping a tire, he rolls his eyes. "Hell yes I drink still." THe detective groans as he forces himself up, and limping, pursues after Roland... with one word for a chaser.
"Asshole!"
Log created on 19:28:35 05/14/2012 by Roland, and last modified on 01:28:31 05/23/2012.