Stolen Artifacts - Stolen Artifact Challenge: Makoto v Zach

Description: The battle for the stolen artifacts continues as Makoto Rindou tracks down Zach Glen in search of fame, glory, and perhaps a bit of cash. (Winner: Makoto)



Metro City
Quon Chen Institute for the Gifted

Zach Glen has an ambition. To make a place where people who are gifted with psychic talents could learn to come to grips with their abilities in a controlled setting. One that was not controlled by madmen or criminals, or criminal madmen.

It has been surprisingly harder work than he had thought it would be. Harder, in many ways, than his fighting career. It has been complicated, in some ways, by a recent delivery. A medallion. A fairly pretty thing, but also fairly useless. It has attracted no small amount of... unwanted attention, mostly from petty thugs. These were dealt with fairly easily, but the time involved was time not spent during this final stretch of preparation for the school's opening with the fall semester.

One hand shading she eyes the foreign girl glances up at the sun during a momentary pause. Almost the appointed time, maybe an hour early.. maybe two or so but enthusiasm counted! Walking alongside the road in her European cut Gi and short black hair occasional passing cars honked and people waved and screamed ' Ryu!' as they sped past. Occasionally the boyish looking girl would look around but the cars would have long speed away with her unable to respond.

Glancing down at the address scrawled across a piece of paper she holds it up to compare to the address beside the gate. A perfect match, with time to spare before the match she hesitates before purposefully putting her foot forward and beginning to walk towards the site of a rather large building still enclosed in a latticework of scaffolding. This place looked really nice and comfortable, or it would be when it was all finished. The grim set to Makoto's mouth turns downward another degree as she plops down on an undisturbed plot of grass, legs and arms crossed and folded tightly. Her very sitting stance conveys irritation and impatience whilst she waits.

Makoto may have to wait. The challenge letter went unnoticed, buried in the small stack of papers the psion now carries in a briefcase. Actually Steve, Zach's personal assistant, carries the suitcase as they leave the main building. The two men make an interesting contrast, where Zach is short and lean of build Steve is tall and rail-thin. Both men are well-dressed and look like they have had a long but productive day.

Zach notices the young Kareteka first, mostly because her garb makes her stand out a bit in the cold January weather. Zach raises an eyebrow.

"Can I help you, Miss?" he asks cautiously.

Maktoto cranes her neck about so that she can peer sternly up at the one man speaking to her. The intensity of her gaze falls of as she begins to evaluate the man in terms of physique, height and his reach. Setting one muscular arm on her knee she watches him for a moment and then heaves herself to her feet. The Japanese girl barefoot on the grass stands the roughly the same height as the Psion. The back belt at her waist and hachimaki worn around her throat flutter in the wind as she squares off, all without her saying a word. They're the same height but her opponent had some weight and maybe some muscle on her as well. This could be a fun fight after all.

Finally realizing that her opponent views her with curiosity rather than she removes and unfolds the same piece of paper she had been using earlier to find this address. The very address of this place, alongside a few other memo-like scribbles, and turns the paper toward Zach. This was indeed the correct place for their duel. Zach's name is written prominently on the paper, the address is underscored. What to make of the quick scribble of currency conversion and the little doodled cartoon rabbit? She snaps the drawing closed and tucks it into her Gi out of sight. Her poited finger draws back around to point at Zachs Chest.

'Shobu!"

Zach takes in the young woman. Judging from the open appraisal from the young woman, and the outfit, he's starting to draw some conclusions. He peers at the piece of paper, taking in the name and address. "That's me, and you're in the right place. What can I-" he says helpfully.

Then she declares her intent to challenge. That pretty much confirms just about everything. The psychic frowns slightly, glancing back at Steve, waving the taller man over. Zach takes the suitcase, and starts going through the stack of papers. It doesn't take very long, but he finds the envelope folded exactly the way he seems to expect it to be. Opening it, Zach quickly reads the letter before turning on the taller man. He holds the letter dangling from thumb and forefinger.

"These?" Zach says, waggling the letter gently, "Need to be at the top of the stack." The taller man nods once, and Zach tucks the letter in the suitcase before shrugging out of his jacket. He pulls a pair of MMA-style gloves from the suitcase and pulls them on.

"Any particular reason for this," he asks politely, "Or is this one of those random 'I want to fight you' deals?"

Makoto presses her lips firmly together as her unopened letter is waved back and forth before the other man but even with the language barrier between them her expression lightens as the envelope is torn open and read. It's a mask to hide just how angry she really is that her challenge may go unanswered or postponed. An unwarranted worry on her part as the Fighter before her experiences a negative reaction all his own.

The flow of words form his mouth directed at her isn't slow enough for her to decipher so much as his intent and action. Whatever he asked came secondary to the fact he was making ready to fight with her. Makoto flexes and tightens muscles throughout her body watching carefully as the man straps on gloves. Her own bare fists hardened through intensive training hang lose at her sides but her fists were strong, she had worked long and hard and strengthening her body but her fists were strong ; they were heavy with purpose.

"In the Honour of Rinkokan karate. I take your Medal."

The practiced sentence practically fell out of her mouth and only the worlds Rindokan karate she did not stumble over. It felt very strange to be challenging a school before it were even built, and not for its honour or even capturing their sign. But then again, the challenger was equally odd.

COMBATSYS: Makoto has started a fight here.

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


Zach grins a bit, shrugging slightly as he slides into a tight boxing stance. He speaks, in Japanese, with that slight grin on his face. "Well, you'll try at any rate," he says with absolute certainty. Her english may be bottom-tier, but her resolve is formidable.

Zach dashes in quickly, snapping off a flickering left jab as he tries to close with the young woman. A faint aura of gold sheathes the fist, adding a little something extra to the technique!

COMBATSYS: Zach has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zach             0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0           Makoto


COMBATSYS: Makoto endures Zach's Jab Punch.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Zach             0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0           Makoto


The blow to her face snaps Makoto's head back, lights dance across her field of vision but a faint headshake is all the reaction it provokes in the girl, He's fast. The blow stung something fierce, the fight would most probably be brutal and short.

Steeping in, for her move that could best be summed up as a lunge she snatches for the front of that fine suit and prepared to drive him straight up off the group with pure physical power.

COMBATSYS: Zach endures Makoto's Karakusa.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Zach             0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0           Makoto


Zach accepts the throw. It doesn't help him take the crushing impact any easier, but it does help the boxer ensure Makoto's position. He lets out a fierce yell, psyching himself up for the pain...

...and also psyching himself up for the sphere of Soul Power that charges from the outstretched fist towards the Karateka's head. He rolls onto his side after firing the shot before clambering to his feet, his eyes locked on the young woman while he tracks her movements.

COMBATSYS: Makoto dodges Zach's Blast Punch.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Zach             0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0           Makoto


Eyes widen at the energy build up but as the sphere of psychic energy passes through the space she formerly occupied the Japanese girl is already passing along the side of the balst as though skimming across the surface of it -and coming in again-. Keep up the pressure! Showing no fear she closes at a run she aims to all but barrel right through Zach.

Arms pumping she grabs at him to try and seal his movement, her own forehead lancing toward head.

COMBATSYS: Zach dodges Makoto's Tacchuu.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Zach             0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0           Makoto


Zach snakes his arms inward, forcing his hands to the insides of Makoto's wrists before shoving her hands away to break the throw. His right hand lashes out for the front of Makoto's gi. "Like this," he says quietly.

He then calmly pulls his own head back before slamming his forehead into Makoto's, a faint sheen of psychic energy protecting him from what would normally be a painful move for both fighters!

COMBATSYS: Makoto fails to interrupt Headbutt from Zach with Fukiage.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Zach             0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0           Makoto


Sliding to a halt the snap of material beside Zacch's ear is all he might notice of the misaimed counter. The upward striking fist turns aside with barely a glance on the field of psychic energy harmlessly passes by his head while the girl recoils a pace, one hand going to her temple and warding against a follow-up blow.

She resets her rigid seeming attack posture without backing down despite the new small cut on her brow.

Zach charges in, despite Makoto's steadfast stance, planting his feet when he gets in close. That punch came closer than he might have liked. No matter. The boxer lowers his left hand, forming a gauntlet of Soul Power around it.

This is promptly driving directly at the woman's liver in an attempt to knock the wind out of her!

COMBATSYS: Makoto blocks Zach's Liver Blow.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zach             0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0           Makoto


That warding arm wasn't just for show. As her opponent t steps in and swings she drops and agles it so the muscled forearm meets the brunt of the attack and opens up a few new avenues of attack. A straight aimed right at his chest and a rallying cry.

"Chesto!"

The fist looms ever with each dilated second but Makoto is absorbed totally in the fight. Nothing else exists except she and her opponent.

COMBATSYS: Zach fails to interrupt Medium Punch from Makoto with Gazelle Punch EX.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Zach             0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0           Makoto


Zach's next move is almost reflex; even as Makoto blocks the liver blow, he is lunging in towards an uppercut. The force from his legs drives the boxer off of the ground, and directly into Makoto's strike!

Zach staggers back from the blow to the chest, gasping for air while shaking the cobwebs loose. He stares levelly at Makoto, waving her on as if to say 'Come at me.'

Even as ground opens up between them Makoto pauses only a moment before chasing. The invitation to attack is accepted before she even realizes she has done so and the flow of combat continues. Now it is her initiative she lunges in with a fast blow as he had done earlier, always direct as a spearthrust.

COMBATSYS: Zach blocks Makoto's Jab Punch.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Zach             0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0           Makoto


Zach parries the jab with a bit of effort, moving in a circle to Makoto's straight line. The psion takes in a lungful of air, and reveals the purpose of this roundabout movement.

Soul Power flares to life around Zach's right hand as he drives a shot directly at the young woman's jaw!

COMBATSYS: Makoto endures Zach's Hook Punch.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Zach             1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1           Makoto


The fist buries itself in her cheek while only managing to turn her head to the extent of the length of his arm. Makoto won't let go of her offensive momentum especially with the taste of her own blow in her mouth and the flare of anger and pain.

Her fist lances out at Zach groin in what is considered an illegal move pretty much anywhere but in street fighting.

"Seichuusen.."

All that pain and anger boiling furiously inside her and her fists poised to follow up with a heavy rain of blows.

COMBATSYS: Makoto successfully hits Zach with Seichuusen Godanzuki.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Zach             0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0           Makoto


On the edge of conscious thought, Zach realizes that Makoto is psyching up for something... impressive. Reaching for that wellspring of power that is his birthright, Zach prepares a barrier or sheer willpower even as he gets ready to put up an active defense.

It becomes apparent that his physical defense is woefully inadequate to stopping the strike. In fact, the only thing that ensures Zach's ability to sire children at a later date is that barrier of psychokinetic force. Sparks fly as the fist strikes the barrier. More strikes come in, and the barrier shimmers and wobbles under the force before shattering completely under the force of the uppercut in a cascade of golden motes.

Zach's body draws a graceful arc through the air before crashing to the ground. The psion groans as he wobbles to his feet. Instead of using his power for offense, he instead uses it to bolster his battered body as he tries to get some air into his lungs.

"Impressive," Zach says.

Makoto lingers on the spot only long enough to allow her opponent to regain his footing. Whatever his technique all that she had to face it was with Rindokan karate. Bother her shield and her sword and there was no point holding back and waiting to discern the nature of the attack. Her confidence in her fists was unwavering despite the endurance her foe displayed. Wether it was an art or his conditioning, that was his style.. this was hers.

'Toriah!"

Kicking up her knee at his midriff she leans in as well the cocked back fist going to drive her opponent all the way to the floor. Keep up the pressure, Keep up the pressure. She would press him so flat there was no room left in his body for air.. with a single blow!

COMBATSYS: Zach successfully aids himself with Lay On Hands.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Zach             0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0           Makoto


COMBATSYS: Zach fails to interrupt Araiso from Makoto with Dynamite Punch EX.

[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Zach             0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0           Makoto


Zach has to admire Makoto's determination. In fact, he decides to meet this head on. Planting his feet, the boxer throws a left handed punch that isn't quite a hook, nor quite an uppercut, but something in between. Surging a disturbing amount of Soul Power through the punch, Zach fires the strike right at Makoto's jaw.

The punch goes slightly wide, the following burst of energy disturbing the air around the two fighters. And then Zach goes down hard. He lays on the ground gasping for a second, before staggering once more to his feet. He can't possibly take much more of this kind of abuse.

Can he?

A solemn nod. She knew her fists were not light, These were parts of her honed to a purpose and hardened through training. She didn't understand her opponent's techniques and this was the first time she had ever seen them. But.. she recognised him. Even as he climbs back to his feet she tightens her muscles and prepares the next blow.

Makoto doesn't leave much of a gap there for contemplation or recovery. She's on him again and fists punching like she was attempting to go right through her opponent.

COMBATSYS: Makoto successfully hits Zach with Aggressive Strike.

[                          \\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Zach             0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0           Makoto


Makoto's honed weapons slam into the still wobbly boxer, who seems unable to put up any kind of defense in the face of the assault. Somehow, the boxer manages to keep his feet, for one more strike.

It's the same punch as the last one he threw. But there's something off about it. Something more, perhaps.

Zach channels as much energy into his fist as he can scrap together. He might not be standing after this punch, but he is certainly going to try to leave an impact on Makoto!

COMBATSYS: Zach can no longer fight.

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


COMBATSYS: Zach successfully hits Makoto with Dynamite Punch.
- Power hit! -

[                         \\\\\  <
Makoto           1/---====/=======|


This is a whole different order of punch, Makoto doesn't so much recoil as fly away with the force of the impact. She twists in the air completely out of her control and falls to the grass where she tumbles and rolls before righting herself. When her senses return she is left sitting a good dozen paces from the point of impact. Awe for the power of that blow fills her, her fists are strong but she had perhaps never landed a blow that heavy. There was still further to go.

Climbing to her feet unsteadily marks her as the victor, but that last punch had shaken her resolve. Makoto executes a formal bow form the waist and turning toward the man holding the suitcase she extends her hand palm upwards, she came to win a prize and it was rightly hers. The training would be even harsher after this.

Steve is a personal assistant. He's no fighter. So he is visibly shaken up from this clash. The suitcase clatters to the sidewalk, and the tall man scrambles through papers and writting utensils and other officy-type implements before all but throwing the stone disc at Makoto.

He then tries to scramble AWAY from this crazy, intimidating woman before she decides to hurt HIM! Steve is no fighter.

Makoto watches the man retreat with a stony face, completely confounded by his actions but the gold shining on the grass draws her focus. She picks it up and brushes a few rogue stalks of grass form the surface before tucking it away inside her Gi. The feeling of metal against her skin wasn't pleasant but walking about displaying a large chunk of gold would certainly attract far too much unwelcome attention.

As a whole the thing didn't impress her much but gold medals were usually attached to accolades and recognition. Things she sorely wanted for the Rindokan Dojo.

"Thanks you for meeting me."

Even trying to speak English Makoto was a little out of her depth. Not as studious as some nor as travelled she was by no means as easily understood as a near celebrity like Kasugano. Makoto waves over her shoulder as she starts walking back towards the gate. The battle was over and done and while she should feel elated she had triumphed, she instead felt the obstacles in her path were larger than she had figured on. It was that thought that excited her.

COMBATSYS: Makoto has ended the fight here.

Log created on 21:00:34 01/13/2013 by Zach, and last modified on 09:32:56 01/20/2013.