View source for 3148/WMAT A2 Ika Musume vs Cortex

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/10/03
|Location=Papaya Island - Stadium
|Synopsis=Ika Musume and Cortex compete in the WMAT 2015 quarter-finals!
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=414, 637, 769, 840
|Tinyplot=WMAT 2015
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cortex is here in his usual black bodysuit with purple swirls and spirals across its surface. A mask that leaves his mouth and hair exposed, gloves and boots upon hands and feet, a belt about his waist with pouches for storing equipment... Like the tranquilizer darts that came in handy last match. He hasn't been to the main stadium since his first match, against Iria. That one had been eye-opening in a lot of ways. Now here's here again, and closer than ever to securing the prize money that will go towards the Vasilikos Heartlock charity's efforts to treat patients for free and build new hospitals all over Paragon City, Primal Earth, and the Multiverse.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't know much about his opponent, so Cortex focuses on her, and not the mounting pressure from a number of things, including a conversation he had with Dr. Vasilikos a couple hours ago about the origin of his powers...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes, not the time for that. For now, he needs to focus on the challenge right in front of him! ...Whenever she arrives, if she hasn't already. The stands are packed. This is going to be a really exciting match for sure. But Cortex feels a lot calmer about this one. More enthusiastic about it. Not reluctant like he was before. He learned from Iria, and he learned from N'raha Tia. He sometimes must do things he doesn't want to do, for the sake of others. And he sometimes can't get so hung up on the greater ethical implications of a simple matter like a tournament fight.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It doesn't matter if he enjoys fighting normally. And since this ISN'T a fight against super villains, he doesn't have to worry about if he's fighting as a 'hero' or not. As long as he isn't going overboard, all he has to focus on is this moment. This match. This fight.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Everything else is for outside the ring.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>This is totally a fight against a supervillain!<br /><br />You know, for a given definition of 'supervillain.'<br /><br />Ika Musume strides out into the stadium, lifting both hands to wave at her adoring fans. She has -fans-! This is not something she ever expected to happen, but it can't be helped after winning twice already. Of course, she'd be overwhelmed enough with just a handful of people cheering for her, and she has no idea how many out there are cheering for her specifically or for the fight in general. <br /><br />Still! People are cheering, and she's partially responsible for it! This is totally all going to her head.<br /><br />Once she reaches the center of the arena, Ika Musume points dramatically toward Cortex. "Fwa ha ha ha! Now that I'm used to this whole fighting tournament thing, it's pretty inkredible! I'll look forward to inkvading the hearts of everyone here!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:414|Revan (414)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the stands was someone Cortex was fairly familiar with, a presence who tried to be encouraging and a proper sort of person to look up to. Lowri Revan-Shan was still trying to get used to that fact. Certainly, being a Jedi Knight meant living up to an example, and Revan personally has become a hero figure to some. But to see the results of her Light Side decisions was at once inspiring and yet terrifying. She really did not want to let Cortex down, even as he and others who looked up to her kept her properly grounded. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Putting two fingers to her lips, the pale-haired Jedi whistled, hopefully to let the young psychic superhero know she was watching. 'Show me what you've got' it seemed to say. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>In the stadium box is a fully equipped Kongou with an old 1930s desktop microphone. Before she even starts talking, the main battery cannons on her hips fire, filling the stadium with their echoing reports and surrounding her with smoke. The girl leans forward, eyes sparkling with excitement, while she chatters into the mic, her voice booming through the stadium and over the airwaves, "&lt;Ladies And Gentlemen! Your Attention Please!&gt; It is time for another exciting fight in the World Martial Arts Tournament, &lt;Bracket A~!&gt; Your announcer for the evening is me-- Kongou~!" dess, "Tonight's battle shall determine if &lt;Mind Over Matter&gt; really can turn back terrors from the deep! In this corner is the Paragon Superhero &lt;Cortex!&gt; And in this corner is the Squid Powered &lt;Ika Musume!&gt; Please tune to 900.8 for exciting fight commentary as these two clash at the WMAT Stadium~!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The battleship straightens up, though stays standing, "The competitors have entered the ring-- Cortex shows little trepidation, and Ika Musume is excited to be here! Both fighters look ready to battle! Follow your hearts to victory~! There are so many &lt;Question&gt; about a fight like this! What brain games will be used? Will terrible fish puns be a good attack? &lt;I Cannot Wait!&gt;"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sound and also the SENSE of Revan being present certainly boosts Cortex's confident even more. His sensory abilities have been increasing gradually, and now he can feel when those he knows well are nearby. Sometimes. He thinks.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The psychic was a bit puzzled by Ika Musume's declaration, but takes it in stride with that encouragement from the stands. "Well, as long as you aren't LITERALLY invading their hearts, I guess there's nothing wrong with that! I'm going to be doing my best to win too, though, so don't expect this to be easy!" Then the super hero raises his fists of all things! Wasn't he a psychic? Maybe he punches out mind fists or something. Who knows!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But he seems to be ready to defend, giving the squid girl the first move!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Of course I'm--" Ika Musume pauses, mouth open, then slowly closes it. "I think I'm too big to do something like that. Don't be silly!" <br /><br />She glances toward the announcer's booth and listens carefully. "So you're a superhero, huh... like in the comic books?" She shifts her weight from foot to foot, before planting her fists on her hips. "Anyway, here I go!" And she stands there.<br /><br />But after a moment, two tentacles from the back of her head whip around, stretching out to close the distance to Cortex and swat at him!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, that certainly is a swat! Cortex is struck by two tentacles and is already having to work to maintain his balance. Cute as Ika may be, she is clearly capable of fighting, and those tentacles of hers could be tricky to deal with! Cortex retaliates by using one of his more basic attacks, a simple psychic blast that attempts to impede Ika's movements slightly, slowing reaction time a tiny bit while also dealing 'psyche damage'. Of course, that immobilization effect isn't even guaranteed to work on non-Elite opponents... Against someone with an Elite mind that Cortex has no familiarity with, the secondary effects might be completely useless, or at least greatly reduced!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But this is what he can do. And so it's what he attacks with!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We'll see how things turn out, but I expect that the people here are going to cheer for the both of us no matter the result!" Cortex just has a good feeling about his opponent. Like maybe she could be a super hero too! He has no idea she is actually a 'super villain (for a given defintion of super villain)'!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:414|Revan (414)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lowri had to admit that the blue-haired -- was that actually hair? -- was rather cute and full of energy. She'd come to cheer on her friend/colleague/accidental protege and would continue to do so; Cortex needed the morale boost. But whichever competitor won, she would have to make a point of cheering him/her on in the following matches. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Her agenda just increased significantly...oh well. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Go, Cortex!" she yelled. He might hear it mentally better than audibly, though. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kongou leans back, though stays standing in the commentator's box, clutching the microphone by its base with one hand, "After some banter, it's Ika Musume who strikes first-- With all the powers of a squid, she has reach with those tentacle arms~! This little girl can hit you without using her hands! Cortex takes the blow but stays standing--" She leans forward, squinting, while the dishes on her headband swivel, "I can't quite tell what he's doing, but my Radars are picking up something weird~! This must be psychic power, will it stagger the squid?!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>As that pink... thing gets closer, Ika Musume just sort of stares at it. It's moving too slowly to be dangerous, right? But it gets closer, and closer, and her eyes cross as she tries to keep staring at it...<br /><br />"Waugh!" She still doesn't know what that was, but she's pretty certain she doesn't like it! Two more tentacles swing up, making four swaying around as she begins to run toward Cortex and swatting at him again. Now that she knows he shoots pink things from his head, she'll be ready for anything!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cortex is being bludgeoned by FOUR tentacles now! That's twice as many as the previous number! It's as many as four ones! And that's terrible. He takes two to the jaw leaving his face stinging, but the other two he manages to at LEAST take on his right arm instead. Which isn't any less painful, but less likely to result in a knock-out blow. He still isn't used to getting hurt from combat in a situation other than crime-fighting, but for now, that's not even in his head. He can feel the encouragement coming his way from Revan, the enthusiasm from his opponent is evident in Ika's face and voice, and he himself is actually, just for once... Actually enjoying testing himself in a battle where no lives are on the line. None except the ones who need that prize money...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crap, he shouldn't have thought of that. FOCUS! He lifts up into the air a bit, hovering several inches above the ground to increase his defensive abilities, and releases another psychic attack in the form of a nimbus of pink energy that appears around both Cortex's head and possibly Ika's as well! Cortex doesn't know if his opponent sleeps the way humans do. But he is trying to psychically slam her sleep centers to induce drowsiness, even if only a little bit!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kongou leans forward on her free arm, "--Oh! Ika Musume didn't like that, &lt;Not One Bit!&gt; Whatever was driving my radars nuts has pushed her into a charge with even more tentacle arms flailing around!" Her posture straightens again, "I think she got real mad~, you better watch it, Cortex! Ah! He's started floating! And glowing! Something pink is filling the air~!" Gaze lifting, she muses, "It'd be lovely if I didn't know it was a &lt;Dangerous Super Power,&gt; don't you think so~?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Pretty pink lights again?" Ika Musume blinks as that haze surrounds her head, and she feels something strange in her mind, but...<br /><br />Well, she's a squid, not a human. She staggers a bit, but it isn't enough to make her fall asleep! "What sort of weird stuff are you trying to do? It doesn't make any sense!" She takes a wobbling step forward, but points a dramatic finger toward Cortex. Point! "And what's with the flying? Come back down here!" Tentacles whip out, but this time not to strike. Instead, she tries to wrap a few of them around Cortex and slam him down toward the ground.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cortex is only hovering a few inches above the ground, so he's still within reach of those dangerous tentacles! He gets yanked right out of the air and into the ground! Hard! "Ooof! Ow, hey, it's usually me knocking OTHER people out of the air...!" he protests somewhat dizzily. Scrambling to his feet, he demonstrates this by lifting into the air again... But only enough to raise both hands above his head and try to bring them back down on Ika's head in a double axe-handle strike! He's still working on improving his hand to hand combat attacks, and this maneuver is more meant to take down flying foes than ground-bound ones... But it has proven to be a useful, and damaging attack in the past.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After taking damage like that, he probably should try to employ a heftier maneuver such as this one! ...But dang if he doesn't need to ask Backalley Brawler how to deal with getting your head bounced off the ground in a match. Not only does that hurt, but it's disorienting as heck!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Staggered but not estranged, Ika Musume presses the attack through Cortex's pink attacks!" Kongou leans forward in her seat, "With him in the air, she uses her tentacles to yank him back down to earth-- &lt;Painful!&gt; Cortex manages to recover and get back off the ground!" Her eyes close for just a moment, "Ahh, close quarters combat~!" Snapping them back open, she leans into the microphone, "This Cortex brings his hands down, rather than using his strange powers~!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>From this close, the difference in their sizes is a lot more apparent: Ika Musume is pretty short! She looks up just in time to see two fists coming down at her from above, and lets out a squawk of surprise as she's slammed down against the ground hard enough to bounce. Do squids bounce?<br /><br />Regardless, she pushes herself up from the ground, tentacles wiggling all around her. "I think I kinda preferred the weird pink stuff..." Ika Musume shakes her head quickly to clear it, then slams her tentacles down into the ground all around her, cracking through the arena floor. "I'll show you not to underestimate the power of a squid!" She steps back farther, farther, stretching back against the anchored tentacles... then lifts her feet to launch herself toward Cortex!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cortex is TORPEDO'D right in the belly, sending him skidding across the arena floor, with pain flaring through his ribs! This girl hits REALLY hard! There's no way he can match output like that! It was foolish to swap to a method of attack he isn't as good at against a foe like this! While pain interferes with concentration, the super hero nonetheless struggles to his feet and focuses his powers as best he can. "Okay, then..." he manages to get out as he gasps for air. "...Have some more of it then!" Then he narrows his eyes and focuses on trying to blast Ika's mind with an attack that tends to leave non-Elite foes trapped inside their own heads temporarily. Not so much against powerful fighters like this, though.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a flare of psychic energy around his target either way, even if it fails to work, the attack attempting to connect minds for an instant, not simply hurl projectiles of psionic energy!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Keeping his distance isn't a defense... Hovering isn't... And he isn't super dodgy or tough... While he's counter-attacking right now, how is he supposed to deal with the raw damage output of a foe like this!?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>With the fighters growing close, Kongou holds up a hand, pointing, "If you look here-- Ika Musume is much smaller than Cortex, so a close range hit like that is pretty nasty, isn't it?" Her hand smacks down, "Ah, but squids are rubbery and she landed on her head, so it's okay~! Back on her feet, she's..." The battleship pauses, leaning forward with a squint, "What is she doing?" Before long, her eyes widen, "...Ah! She's using her tentacles like a slingshot and herself as the bullet, right into Cortex's amidships! More of that pink light, his special power. My radars are going a little crazy, now~! Is this his real power?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Trying to link minds with a squid can be dangerous. Right now, though, about 85% of her mind is focused on shrimp, while 10% is on the fight at hand and the last 5% is largely 'invading the surface world.' But that last 5% sometimes wanders over toward videogames, instead.<br /><br />Ika Musume still staggers under the psychic assault, but she doesn't seem really incapacitated. It definitely hurts, and she clitches the sides of her head. "Nnnn... stoppitstoppit!" As she lifts her head, the tentacles digging into the ground begin to pull up, gathering chunks of the arena floor with it. Instead of attacking with it, though, the squid purses her lips and spits! ...except that's not spit, that's most definitely squid ink!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cortex doesn't know what that ink does, but as chunks of the arena floor are being torn up, he has to assume none of what's happening right now is good for him in the long run. So he wastes time trying to dodge the ink, and goes a bit off-balance, giving Ika a chance at an even better hit whenever she attacks! But Cortex himself isn't just going to wait for that to happen! Instead he thrusts out one hand, unleashing a blast of raw telekinetic force that attempts to slam into his opponent while she is standing there so menacingly with chunks of stone in her tentacles, and potentially even hurl her backwards with a combination of psychic energy and smashing force!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm sorry!" he apologizes, as well, because even though he has come to terms with this being a tournament match, and thus can't hold back, he still feels bad about using his powers on people who aren't bad guys!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Oh! For some reason, Ika Musume is really aggrevated now! She's ripping up bits of the arena and spraying ink everywhere! Don't squids only do that when they're scared? Hmm~... Ah! While Ika sprays her ink, Cortex uses more of his brainpower to put the hurt on~!" Head tilting, Kongou adjusts her radars, "But is pushing her back when she's anchored down really a good idea~?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Aww, he dodged the ink! Now that splat of ink is on the ground, completely alone. Who will think of the ink?<br /><br />As she pulls up more pieces of arena floor, Ika Musume suddenly feels a strong pressure slamming into her. Her dress flutters back from the force of impact, but instead of being thrown backwards, she simply stands there, squinting her eyes against the pressure. The reason behind that might be hinted at if one looks at the cracks forming in the ground beneath her feet. "Don't apologize! It makes it seem like you're the one who's spineless here!"<br /><br />Using her additional weight as leverage, Ika Musume flails her tentacles, slinging chunks of rock at Cortex one after the other!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What!? Spineless because he has empathy!? Well, that's rude! Also, technically his empathy is rather restricted, he can't heal with it, unlike someone with Empathy, but that is BESIDE THE POINT. And also not the first thing on Cortex's mind as he gets hammered with chunks of the arena. His best attempts to dodge, rolling and tumbling, leaping aside, all fall short of what's needed to avoid taking serious, painful damage that leaves the relatively fragile super hero not only winded from his failed defensive efforts, but als hurting from all the places big pieces of rock nailed him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't like where this fight seems to be going. There's no more time for sympathy. There's too much riding on him winning. He reaches out with his psychic powers, his costume torn in places, and blood running from the corner of his mouth from where he took one tile right to the side of the face, to try to lift Ika up into the air and then forcefully bring her right back down with the power of telekinesis to attempt to drive her into what remains of the arena floor!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're really strong... But I'm not going to lose here!" he yells back.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"&lt;Oh!" Kongou leans forward, clutching her mid with both hands, "She's not slingshotting-- Ika Musume is throwing huge rocks of the arena at her opponent now! &lt;Creative!&gt;" One hand is raised, providing two fingers raised in a V shape. This is dropped right away, "--It seems like mister Cortex wasn't expecting that either, as he's struck several times! The cerebral superhero is still awake, though~. Ah-- look, my radars are going crazy~! His power must be going up again--" Leaping to her feet, she shouts, "--And so is everything else!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The first thing Cortex may notice is that Ika Musume is quite a lot heavier than she looks. That doesn't stop the telekinetic force from eventually lifting her up off the ground, though. "What the squid?! Untentacle me!" Even though she's not actually being touched here... She flails arms and legs uselessly as she's held in the air... then lets out a surprised shriek as she's slammed down into the floor hard enough to crater it.<br /><br />From the dust of the impact, though, two points of light can be seen: Ika Musume's eyes, as she pushes herself unsteadily back to her feet. She steps forward slowly, menacingly...! <br /><br />"That -hurt-!"<br /><br />Okay, cross out menacing.<br /><br />Several tentacles whip out, once more trying to wrap around Cortex. Rather than just pulling him down, though, Ika Musume tries to swing him one side to slam against the ground, then whip him over her head to slam on the other side. Rince. Repeat.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's menacing enough for Cortex's purposes! Looking scary like that actually hardens his resolve! Ika's fast-moving tentacles fail to find solid purchase upon Cortex only because he takes to the air once more, flying as quickly as he can to evade the attacks! However, those tricky tentacles do manage to smack him around in the air, sending his evasive maneuvers off course, and eventually crashing into at least one of the locations the squid girl intended to slam him into... However, in this case, it's directly behind her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And still powered by his <span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr">Inspiration</span>, Cortex turns immediately and tries to blast Ika once more with a telekinetic slam! The adrenaline is certainly pumping for someone like him to be fighting tactically like this... He's used to supporting other heroes, so having to do it solo like this doesn't come second nature to him. Heck, he's a scientist, not a fighter, so NO fighting comes naturally to him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But this time... He can not let himself be defeated! Not again! Not like<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr">*FLASH*</span><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The claws came down and he couldn't move in time, couldn't dodge, couldn't rea<span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n ++ t--<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;chr">*FLASH*</span><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;back then! The super hero is throwing everything he has into this fight! Maybe Ika Musume isn't a bad guy... But neither are the ones depending on Cortex!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Among other things Cortex even lifted Ika Musume off the ground! Wow, she doesn't like that one bit... and returns the favor! Though she doesn't have mind powers, Ika reaches out with her tentacles for the superhero! She manages to smack him around a bit--" Kongou leans forward, shouting excitedly, "But he's still fighting! Another mind attack comes out, this pink light is so weird~!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Aaaaah, you're so slippery!" Try as she might, Ika Musume isn't able to get a solid grip on her opponent. "Hold still!" She tries to track his movements, but she loses sight of him for a moment... long enough for him to get behind her.<br /><br />"Where did you--" She starts turning around, just in time to get slammed by a blast of telekinetic force and sent flying! Squids apparently -do- bounce, as she skids along the ground a few times before finally coming to rest. "This is gettink really rough..." Ika Musume clibms back to her feet, tentacles spreading... and leaps toward Cortex!<br /><br />Strangely enough, she seems to fly a lot farther than the force of her jump seemed to be. Rather than trying to impact with him, though, she stretches out tentacles to try to grab him again! If he doesn't slip out of her grip this time, she tries to yank him up toward her in the air.<br /><br />Her trajectory suddenly changes as her weight increases dramatically, sending her (and perhaps Cortex!) plummeting down toward the ground!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cortex didn't notice Ika's weight earlier because he was lifting with his mind, not his muscles. But he sure notices now as he is tackled and then slammed into the ground hard enough to crack it! However strong his will may be, his body does not live up to such. Rather than remain in grappling range, however, as soon as his head clears from the dizziness and the pain of the jarring impact, he attempts to seize Ika in a telekinetic field that may send her floating way from him, constantly repelled for as long as he retains concentration, and has the energy to spare...!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfortunately, his energy is rather low, and the other way out of this is to be able to resist somehow, to have psychic powers of one's own, to manage to attack him despite being held in the air, and uh... Probably a lot of ways, actually. But most mooks on the street can't.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thankfully for Ika, she is no mook, nor is she on the street. And also Cortex is rather drained from this fight so far, so if he can even repel her, it only lasts long enough to combine it with another mental attack as he tries to work his way up onto his hands and knees, and focus enough to unleash two psychic attacks: one to restrain for a few seconds, and another to actually do damage!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"The little squid is still kicking, it looks like she really prefers to fight up close! After shaking off that latest brain wave, she's tossing herself into the air again! Looks like she's gonna drop on him... Ah, did she get heavier?" Kongou closes her eyes when the impact shudders her box, "--Ouch!" Eyes opening, she leans forward again, "Even I felt that impact way up here! Pinned under Ika, Cortex is tryin' to toss her away and put more of that purple smoke to use! &lt;So Tense!&gt;"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ika Musume moves to stand up, but it takes a moment for her to realize that she's already lifted up into the air. "Wha--?" Arms and legs begin to flail as she's pushed back further, then begins to make swimming motions. Not that it helps her...<br /><br />Even that swimming is interrupted, though, by a telekinetic hold on her body. "I don't like this at all! Lemme go!" Strange enough a complaint for someone who's done a lot of fighting today by grappling. The second blast hits her while she's restrained, knocking her back a bit farther! <br /><br />On the plus side, it also knocks her out of that telekinetic push! Tentacles whip out, slapping against the ground to launch her high into the air, then spread out over her head. She seems to hover for a moment, gliding on the slight breeze blowing through the stadium, and positions herself over Cortex.<br /><br />That's when she suddenly drops, weight increasing greatly as she tries to land right on him!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:769|Demetrios Vasilikos (769)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The problem with putting everything you have into an attack that drains you significantly to use is that if it doesn't finish the job, you're in a lot of trouble. Thanks to the conditioning that any hero who heroes long enough obtains through the course of their heroing, he recovers from such tiredness quickly... But not anywhere close quickly enough to evade Ika as she smashes into him with the force of squid-powered artillery! From the pain as he rolls onto his side, fighting not to just lie their holding his ribs, he'll be lucky if all he has is bruises after this, instead of broken bones.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But he gets to his feet once again after he struggles to get some distance between himself and his opponent. He is nearly out of endurance to fight with, and the injuries are piling up. Despite her cute appearance, this is truly a formidable opponent! Not that he doubted that for a second, of course. Appearances don't determine how powerful someone is.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still catching his breath, which is even harder with these injuries, all he can do is try to once more lift Ika Musume into the air with telekinesis, straight up, as high as he can lift her if he can even focus his mind enough to grab hold... And then... If he manages it... To hurl her back down as hard as he can in an attempt to end this in a final blow!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:840|Ika Musume (840)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The weight changing ability of hers wasn't exactly made for combat. It's there so she can lift heavy objects without tipping over, or so she can make dieting girls dangerously jealous. It just happens to also be useful for landing on people!<br /><br />That doesn't help, though, when telekinetic powers are lifting her again! Ika Musume is pushed high into the air, tentacles flailing for a moment before they stretch downward, trying to anchor into the ground to pull herself downward! "Nnnnn! Put... me...." Tentacles grab onto the ground and try to pull her body against that kinetic force.<br /><br />When that force turns in the opposite direction though, Ika Musume is no longer being pushed upward... "...down?" The combined force of the telekinetic slam and Ika Musume's fighting against the lifting force sends her plummeting toward the ground, striking the arena floor with a loud CRASH!<br /><br />Rubble and dust fly upward, obscuring the fate of the squid. It's a few moments before the dust settles enough to see Ika Musume... sprawled on the ground, her eyes spinning. "Uuuuu~"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:637|Kongou (637)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ika Musume really doesn't like being thrown around like that! She's banged around and then thrown into the air... Wait, no, she jumped and she's just floating up there! How is she doing that when she was so heavy before? Oh! She's dropped right onto Cortex again, ouch! The whole arena's gonna need a remodel after this, I think!" She pauses, leaning back when an assistant leans into the box, "Eh? They're used to this and it's just a minor repair..? ... &lt;Okay!&gt;" She leans back into the microphone, on the edge of her seat, "Cortex is pinned again so he uses his brain to lift her up again, does it ignore weight? Hmm~! Ah, but Ika's not going quietly this time and latches herself down! ...Oh! Cortex reversed it--" She closes her eyes in a wince when the impact shudders her box again, then squints down. Still holding the mic, Kongou leaps onto her booth table and throws a hand skyward, "Ika Musume is out and Cortex advances to the next round!" In celebration, her main battery fires again, booming throughout the stadium.<br> <br>


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