2919/WMAT B1 The Black Knightmare vs Allenby Beardsley

WMAT B1 The Black Knightmare vs Allenby Beardsley
Date of Scene:	29 August 2015
Location:	WMAT Arena - Diablo Desert
Synopsis:	The Black Knightmare and Allenby Bearsley face off in the WMAT.
Cast of Characters:	395, 726, 760
Tinyplot:	WMAT 2015

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Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    OFFICIAL WMAT HAS STARTED! The crowds are completely hyped!

    Allenby wasted no time-or rather, her support team wasted no time-in arranging for their fight to happen right away. Allenby couldn't be more pleased by this (and secretly, neither could her team since if she did lose that means she would be out faster and back to focusing on other things they'd rather have her doing). A message was left for this mysterious Black Knightmare fellow to meet her as soon as possible in the Diabolos Desert where Allenby seemed interested in doing battle with the guy on foot. Or at least that seems to be the case. There is no sign of the Nobel Gundam anywhere near the blue-haired teenager, who stands atop one of the wind-shaped dunes.

    Of course, Gundams are known for dramatic entrances so it could be hiding in the sand somewhere. Under the shade provided by the mushroom trees is the rest of Neo Sweden's team, a group of middle aged scientists currenly in Hawaiian shirts and khakis.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    It's time then. Another match. Another battle. Another bloodbath for the entertainment of the crowds... The Black Knightmare received that message...

    And The Black Knightmare comes.

    Treacherous conditions mean seemingly nothing to the figure on approach amid the mushroom trees, bringing with it the howling hiss of small but dangerous sandstorm. Silhouette crests the horizon, protected from the harsh elements of heat, wind, and flesh-stripping sands, by little more than a ragged and tattered cloak. The storm eventually dies down... The approach however, does not stop. Hisses of steam vent and gust from beneath the battered cloth, glimpses of dark plating are the only hint that this is the challenger for this fight. Before one hand clutches the folds of the cloak... And rips it off, letting the harsh desert winds carry it off to reveal dark armor as black as the night itself, sword and shield held loosely in the other hand, before...

    The Black Knightmare goes completely, inhumanly still. Waiting. Staring. Lone blue eye peering out the dark steel visor in silent defiance.

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    A heated battle in a blisteringly hot desert is soon to be underway! Seated inside of a large semi-opaque black box is the vampire Joachim Armster, free of his confinement for the first time in he doesn't know how long. Out in the open world once more. And yet still inside of a prison of sorts. Sigh. Better than dying in the sunlight. He has been volunteered for the task of commentating. Lounging on a beach chair alongside him is the other commentator, a demoness quite aptly named Succubus, because that's what she is. She's a very old-fashioned full-body 'bathing suit', which is like a black and white striped dress. She has some glitter-covered star-shaped sunglasses on too.

    "Are you even awake?" the vampire snaps irritably.

    "Mm-hmm." the red-haired demon replies and then sips from a glass of something very red and salty through a straw. ...Must be tomato juice. A bloody mary or something. Yeah, that's the ticket.

    Joachim looks up and squints at the combatants as they arrive. Then he reaches for the microphone awkwardly, still rather unfamiliar with modern technology. But he's been studying. "Welcome, mortals, to the World Martial Arts Tournament's Bracket B matches. My useless companion, Succubus, is too busy cooking herself in the sun to contribute, so I, Joachim Armster, shall be commentating on the no doubt impressive battle between the nimble human girl, Allenby Beardsley, and the armored menace, The Black Knightmare."

    Succubus flips him off without looking.

    Joachim, unfamiliar with the gesture's significance, ignores it.

    "Now that the combatants have BOTH arrived, we shall witness their skill at murder--"

    "It's not to the death," Succubus pipes up.

    "--What? Not to the death? Well, fine then. Their GOOD SPIRITED and NON-LETHAL battle of PACIFIST MARTIAL ARTS and JOLLY COOPERATION shall begin shortly. They've made it this far in the tournament so they are worthy and talented warriors. I look forward to seeing either of them achieve victory. Shall fisticuffs and physical prowess or strength of armament and a cape made of mystery rule at the end of the day?"

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    Allenby squints off in the distance as she sees a suspicious figure walking their way. At first she thinks it's just a mirage, brought on by the punishing heat of the desert arena. But as it nears, she knows in her heart that it is definitely not so. Her lips pull into a wide grin as she watches the Knightmare approach, clanking and hissing like a minature version of the robots famous on her world. Hell, maybe he (?) is a robot. That stuff happens in the multiverse, it wouldn't surprise Allenby anymore.

    "Hey." she greets the Knightmare. "Sounds like our commentator got lost on his way to a different tournament, ha ha ha!"

    Testing the waters, really, on a response since she's got a little bit of an idea of the Knightmare's attitude from his qualifier fight.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Armored menace. It's an apt title, and yet still, the black beast doesn't budge an inch, that lone blue eye locked with a full focus upon Allenby. It may not be to the death, but the tension quickly mounts. For the Gundam Fighter's lighthearted greeting is met with little more than a rumble, a rattling screech of unpolished metal sliding on metal, as armor joints shift ever so slightly.

    Slowly. Methodically, as Joachim and Succubus bicker, the Black Knightmare pointedly starts to strap that dark shield to one arm, gauntlet-clad fingers curling around the hilt of their sword and drawing it free of the scabbard with a ringing whine of steel. When the figure speaks, the voice is but a whisper, hoarse and rasping.

    "Are you ready for your worst nightmare...?"

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    Lighthearted banter: check-minus. Pretty much exactly what Allenby was expecting. Despite that, she still looks just as excited as she did seconds ago, subtly shifting her footing on the dune as the Knightmare draws a sword free. From the looks of it, she seems pretty unarmed unless she's /really/ good at hiding things in that skin-tight blue bodysuit she wears.

    "I'll show you a nightmare, robot knight guy! Come at me!"

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    "An attempt by Beardsley to engage in friendly pre-battle banter has been brushed aside as the Knightmare pulls a sword on her! Someone has their priorities straight! But perhaps Allenby has a clever plan based around needling her opponent with the spirit of cooperation to cause a slip-up! How thrilling! ...The match has started now, yes?" Joachim looks to the referee. He gets a head shake. "No? Well... Well, something dramatic will no doubt happen!" Pause. "Eventually!"

    "Why are you even here?" Succubus asks in annoyance.

    "Shut up and drink your tomato juice. At any rate, it appears we are getting down to it now! Allenby has offered the eloquent and sophisticated challenge of 'come at me bro'. And the Knightmare cometh!"

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    That eye narrows. Still focused intently on the Gundam Fighter, the dark armored knight stills again, as if contemplative a moment, fingers slowly drumming on the hilt of that dark blade for a moment. An 'unarmed' opponent. Or if armed simply hiding it, or not drawing it yet. Friendly banter is not this one's forte in the least it seems.

    Not when the figure in black begins to approach, a slow, methodical, trudge along the sand, like a killer with no sense of urgency, taking their time...

    Until a trudge becomes a hustle... A hustle becomes a charge.

    It's a loping pace that quickly bridges the gap of distance between the two and lifting sword to strike--

    But it's not the blade that comes... It's a sudden swing- like violently opening a door with all the force of a battle charge, that the knight's shield swings out with intend to batter with jarringly blunt force.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    If Allenby had any issues with fighting someone that has a bladed weapon, she's definitely not showing it. She seems a bit more concerned with the initial slowness of the Knightmare's approach, idily wondering if it was just toying with her or completely bored of the fight already. She seems to be taking the time to study the Knightmare in its approach, using these moments to try and put something to her theory that based on the movements, the Knightmare was a human-sized robot.

    Her focus is not on the blade and it is this distinction that apparently enables her to spot the feint long before another opponent might. She turns a hand over and moves, 'swimming' against the shield with her arm. It still scrapes against her, but the damage ins minimal as she rides out the arc of the shield, sidestepping around him.

    Now behind the Knightmare, she swings herself onto one foot and stomp kicks the lower back of her opponent, undaunted by the armor. "You're pretty fast. I don't suppose you have hidden rocket boots in those greaves, do you?"

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    WHAM. The solid impact of boot to the back earns a harsh CLANK of steel denting. But to their credit, the dark knight is not thrown off balance. Skidding to a halt a short distance away, lurched forwards in a hunch, shoulders rise with a slow breath. It all comes out as steam, hissing in an angry whistle from between that armored plating as the Knightmare straightens slowly, turning to glance over shoulder. No response... Not at first.

    Then it comes. A snarl. Not of rage, but almost bestial in nature as the black armored warrior turns about, shoulder rolling. "No need."

    It's with that simple reply that they... Drop?

    Yes, suddenly throwing themself down, the Black Knightmare takes to all fours, even with hands full, and breaks into a low, loping, sprint; kicking up sand and dust in their wake in a zig-zag before lurching up at the last second, flinging the entirety of that spike-armored bulk at Allenby.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    "Yep! Definitely a robot. Well, maybe." Allenby herself had been pushed back a little bit by her own strike if only due to the weight difference between the two. Still, for a girl her size, she seems to hit a lot harder than what's expected. "I guess it could be power armor. Oh, you could be really tiny and piloting your own giant robot." Allenby makes a motion with her hand to indicate a three-inch tall person.

    She seems a little surprised at the noise it's suddenly making, then even more so when it drops to all fours and charges as easily as a two-legged person would. "...huh!" She steps right, then left, then right again as she tries to square up to the zig-zagging, later realizing that doing so is not a great idea. As it lunges at her, Allenby dives down low, throwing herself against the ground, squeezing between its legs, though not without some difficulty as she again scrapes against the hard armor.

    Cushioned by the sand, Allenby pulls herself to her feet and tries to jump on the Knightmare from behind, strike with her feet, then latch onto its back.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Attempts to analyze are met with a snort, the Knightmare's focus fully on the fight rather than the banter- and still goes sailing over the slippery brawler. And then Allenby is on top of the Knightmare.

    The traumatic landing is one thing, body jarring with a dull thud. But in an instant it's as though the dark-armored beast bristle.

    "... Get off..."

    The voice is calm. But the manner is like an animal, thrashing and whild, tumbling and rolling before rising to stand. With Allenby mounted on back, the Knightmare WHIRLS around, intending to slam backwards against one of the stone mushrooms with all the thrashing force in that heavy armored frame.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    "Hm, this is kind of like riding a-" Before Allenby can finish her thought, the Knightmare issues a polite request accompanied by some very impolite thrashing. Right away, Allenby grips onto the Knightmare's armor, riding the wild movements out for a few impressive seconds before it slams her up against the mushroom. She's completely compacted between the Knightmare and the mushroom, a snapping sound suggesting that might have just broken a rib.

    Strangely she makes no comments on whether or not this actually happened but does offer: "Hey that was fun." as she squeezes herself out from between the two obstacles. A quick catlike movement follows as she spins to sideways palmstrike the side of the Knightmare's armored head, trying to smack it into the mushroom.

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    Joachim thought for certain he was going to be bored out of his skull doing this job. But the vampire actually finds himself strangely enthused about it. This role calls to him somehow. It's like... It must be...! Yes! That's it!

    He gets to hear the sound of his voice constantly as he remarks on whatever pops into his head, and everyone has no choice but to listen! The increasingly violent battle that increases his bloodlust is just another benefit! He stands up in excitement when the Black Knightmare acts to crush Allenby into a rocky outcropping, announcing to the Multiverse what's going on!

    He sits down, a bit disappointed, when Allenby is not a mangled body, BUT THEN HE STANDS BACK UP AGAIN WHEN SHE worms her way out and strikes at the Knightmare's head! "Beardsley counter-attacks after nearly being turned into blood paste, striking at her opponent right in the FACE! Let's find out just how well punching metal works out for not only Allenby but also the one wearing it!"

    Succubus slurps the last of her bloody mary.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    And just like that the Knightmare's grip on the Gundam Fighter is gone again. Like some kind of hard hitting eel, the armored beast is left scrabbling at empty air when Allenby is off their back, as if unable to decide to be relieved the contact is over, or irritated that the brawler is no longer in a position where the dark knight can arguably be considered as the one having the advantage.

    The sudden open palmed blow hits likte truck, sending that armored head reeling, helmet hitting the rock with enough force to crater it. And they don't even grunt. In fact for a moment, from how stone still the Knightmare goes, it might seem as though they were knocked out standing up...

    Until one hand plants on the mushroom-shaped stone, a slow push allowing that helmet to peel free, caked in dust and broken stone, slowly turning that blue eye upon the nimble boxer for a momentary stare. Before bringing that sword to bear. This time there's no feint. No using the shield, no tackles. It's a heavy chop, a horizontal swing fast enough to cut the air itself as the Knightmare lashes out in a vicious slash.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    The sudden lack of noise or expression of any sort of pain immediately leads Allenby to the conclusion that she knocked out the Knightmare. She even reaches over to poke it with a finger, expecting it to topple over, nonfunctional, with a small push. The tip of her finger touches the hard armor of the Knightmare just as it moves an arm to push itself free of the mushroom.

    There's a brief, comical moment of Allenby with widened eyes.

    Then, at last, the Knightmare lands a direct hit against the slippery Gundam Fighter. The edge of the blade tears open her skin just beneath her ribcage, though not deeply enough to create a mortal wound. There is definitely now blood on the sand and blood on the Knightmare's sword. Allenby looks fascinated by this and perhaps in shock. The Hawaiian-shirted scientists get up and crowd a little closer in the stands to watch closer now.

    "...it's been a while since I've seen my own blood like this." she remarks before suddenly darting forward, intent on not giving the Knightmare a chance to swing a second time by getting in too close for it to effectively manuver the weapon against her. What follows is a flurry of blows too fast to follow, palm inverted, striking with the meat of the hand, right against the armored 'gut' of the Knightmare.

    Her hands do look like they're getting bruised from punching the metal, though.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    In the instant after that swipe, eye meets gaze. Cold, clear. Fathomlessly deep sea blue, almost staring right through Allenby.

    "How long."

    Though the answer comes in the form of fists, each blow resoundingly clashing against the dark plating, making that heavy body jerk with every crashing connect. The moment of beatdown is almost disturbingly long, and the center of that chestplate is like a crater now. It takes much to get the Knightmare to back up in a fight, and this hail of hard hits is doing just that, boots leaving two furrowing trails in the sands.

    Before one leg snaps up. A creaking groan of metal and then that foot comes straight forward with blurring speed. It's a simple, single flat out horsekick, aimed for the center of Allenby's chest if she doesn't get out of the way.

    And the Knightmare kicks with all the full force of a wild stallion.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    There is a long pause before Allenby answers, those green eyes of hers looking glassy for a few seconds.

    Red. Machines around her, fuzzy shapes on the outside, blood on her hands. Was it really her blood? It must've been because she hurt.

    "I can't remember." she admits, her cheerful attitude suddenly evaporating right out of the blue-haired girl. She stands there, not even chasing it down after her final blow lands that sends him sliding across the sand. Normally she would since that would mean she remains inside and too close for the sword. It's a vulnerable position that she pays for immediately as the Knightmare comes back and kicks her, although the kick does not wind up dead center but to the shoulder, which spins Allenby around. She falls to the ground partially, catching herself with a knee and a hand.

    It may have just been a graze but she can feel the bruise already forming as the muscles in her shoulder tighten. Despite that, she takes advantage of the spinning motion that the Knightmare started with her as she pulls herself up and delivers a kick of her own, though this one a horizontal strike that leads with her heel.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    As soon as black boot hits the sands again the Knightmare has to react, that whirling reprisal coming back around. Up comes that shield- and even though it comes up in time, the force of that kick is astounding.
    Ringing like a gong, the dark metal dents with resounding crunch, and the force is more than enough to actually take the black armored behemoth clean off feet, toppling sidewards in a rattling clatter of armor and groaning steel.

    And they lay there for a momentm legitimately stunned and breathing hard, before, as implacably as before, beginning to slowly, inexorably upright. And now Allenby isn't the only one bleeding. A thin trail of liquid silver-shining fluid seeps from the corner of the helmet's visor, but it's wiped away on the back of a gauntlet as the Knightmare shifts stance. Shield up defensively, sword held high. The approach has gone from wild and brutal to now cautious and tactical, slowly circling, looking for an angle to attack from.

    "Why do you bleed. For what purpose do you fught?"

    It's not the light banter the gundam fighter was seeking before. It is a serious question of motive. "What drives you to fight? And is it enough to best me I wonder."

    Musings are over though, a sudden lunge of motion and that black sword is hacking in a bitter flurry, carving dark blurring arcs through the air as the Knightmare intends to hack their foe bloodier.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    "...is that blood? Or sweat?" Allenby asks, spotting the silvery liquid. Her daze, lost in events of the past, seems to be broken by this curious question, if only momentarily. In a way, she's still trying to pry more information out of her opponent.

    The shift in approach is responded to in kind, Allenby lowering her center of gravity and moving to face the Knightmare at all times while circled. If there is anything that catches her off guard, it's the question. "Outside, I fight for my country. Here, I fight for myself. I fight because it's the only thing I can do now." There's just the slightest hint of frustration in her voice. "But here, at least I can fight /strong/ people. At least, then, it's enjoyable." She seems to struggle with her words on this, most feel empty except when she speaks of fighting the strong.

    It throws her off bad, overwhelmed suddenly by the burst of speed from the Knightmare and the flurry of slashes. It's almost bordering on gruesome and it produces the effect the Knightmare had intended. At the very least, Allenby was able to protect her neck but her limbs and torso now show a variety of bleeding cuts. She finally manages to swoop in for a counter during the attack, slipping beneath a swing, coming in low with a flying knee to the already cratered 'gut' of the Knightmare. It's only to soften as she twists, slips an arm to his hip and another over his arm as she attempts to hip-throw the much larger opponent to the ground.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Briefly, the Knightmare looks to their own gauntlet, and the silver smear upon it, before flicking it away. "I don't sweat."

    It's a plain, simple, honest answer as the circling continues for that moment. "Ah. To fight for the pleasure of fighting the strong. Admirable in its own way..." Murmured in that cold, hoarse voice. But by the time the Knight draws back, blood on their blade, they continue, "But be careful about biting off more than you can chew..."

    And then-- knee to the gut. that earns a grunt. Somewhere between pain and surprise as Allenby- even injured- hoists was feels like no less than several hundred pounds, heaves, and-

    CLANK.

    Right down onto the sand, the Knightmare lays on back for a long moment in a crater. And once again they go stone still and silent. It's a beat before the ringing dizziness wears off, even if they don't show it under all that plating, they sure felt it.

    But then one gauntlet-clad hand snap-reaches for the Gundam Figher's ankle, intending for a vicious tug to pull her to the sands as well, sit up, and start punching in the midst of a dust heap.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    "Aha." Allenby comprehends the answer easily enough. "I have no problems with that. I've fought people stronger than me now. It's...motivating."

    Something's clearly definitely up with the girl, though, to be able to throw around several hundred pounds like that, even with all the injuries she was currently packing. Her facade seems to be slipping every few moments now, a wince of pain on her face. During one of those winces, the Knightmare seizes her ankle and drags her to the ground into a brawl on her back. The heavy gauntleted hand smashes into the Gundam Fighter a few times before she can roll out of the way, cringing as sand clings to the cuts all over her body.

    She attempts to lunge at him to shove him back to the ground, climb on top, and start her own flurry of punches aimed downward.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Motivating is one way to put it. But now the Knightmare is done chatting. But where Allenby's expression's are like wearing her pain on her sleeve, that black visor betrays nothing but the deep, heavy breathing, from within that armored suit, steam hissing visibly with every breath. And though they lose their grip again on the wiry, wily, brawler, the lunge is met with that armored bulk. The connect of two bodies slamming together inches the dread knight backwards, the blows rattling armor and bringing about another hissed snarl, but then, the Knightmare hooks shoulder low, intending to flip her clean over and back in a reversal.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    "Oof!" Allenby's results are definitely less than optimal as she's hurled over onto her back by the Knightmare. Right away she wiggles backwards on her back, intent on not getting in a position where it can pin her to the ground. She's actually no stranger to fighting on the ground either. She stops for a moment, perhaps waiting to see what it will do.

    Instead she sets up for a trap of sorts. Once it gets in close enough, she strikes out with both feet aimed at it's chest to launch it away.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Two feet to the chest with the force behind them are enough to lift the Knightmare off the ground by a few inches- this is a feat with all that weight, touching down with a rattle and buckle of knees. Somehow the Knightmare manages to not topple over, but weight being thrown off balance means several steps backwards before balance is regained.

    "This grows wearisome..."

    There's no missing the two new dents in that middlesection, but the Knightmare is undeterred. By now though, motion is sluggish and slow to respond, body hissing with steam before... The Knightmare reaches down. If they can get ahold... Then comes the lift. And then bodily slam into nearest mushroom rock.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    Allenby takes that moment to rock onto her back and hurl herself onto her feet into a standing position. "Tell me about it. I can't believe you're still standing." says the girl still bleeding, though most of the cuts are now caked over with sand. They're not bleeding now but being stuffed with dirt is probably much worse.

    Squirming to evade, Allenby's own speed fails her as she's snatched up by the Knightmare, lifted into the air, and flung against the mushroom rock. She smacks against it in a decidedly crunchy-sounding fashion. Despite that, she manages to hit the ground crouched, launching back up at the Knightmare with a yell, a fist pulled back into one mighty punch.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Definitely as tough as it looks, at least. But once Allenby takes the wall and-- flings back up to feet. It seems to genuinely shock the dark knight.

    The fist genuinely dizzies the knight.

    A stagger, a shuffling dizzy backpedaling step, one hand clutching the side of skull before sagging in place, dropping their blade. Nearly dropping shield too, using it to lean on and hold up with a growl.

    And now. It has turned into a back and forth slug off and little more. Free hand reeling back before swinging forward in a monster haymaker of a right hook.

Allenby Beardsley (760) has posed:
    It looks like Allenby's about to follow up on that last hit. She moves in, but before she does, the final punch connects right in the jaw. The jaw doesn't break, at the very least, but it is more than enough via a direct blow to the head to send Allenby tumbling unconscious. She falls to the ground in a heap.

    No doubt she'll wake up later confused. The rest of her team breathes a sigh of relief.