3224/WMAT AF Natasha vs Cortex

WMAT AF Natasha vs Cortex
Date of Scene:	18 October 2015
Location:	WMAT Arena - Yunzabit Heights
Synopsis:	Cortex faces Natasha in the WMAT finals!
Cast of Characters:	425, 769, 847
Tinyplot:	WMAT 2015

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Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     "Um..." Came the sound of someone who wasn't quite sure of where they were. "...What am I supposed to say? Oh- ...Sorry I can't...yes..okay." AHEM. "This is the World Martial Arts Tournament Bracket A Final Match. It's um...Cortex versis Natasha? Yes, that's right. These two will be facing off for the title of champion. Please give them both your regards! I'm Konoe Kanno, and we're at the...Yunzabit Heights. Please stay tuned for the play by play?"

     Another pause.

     "...Was that right? Oh- Whenever you're ready, please begin!" Konoe sighed and lowered the mic after that, gaze settling onto the combat area below.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    Cortex is ready for this fight! Taking a couple days off from crime fighting after trying to blunt the impact of the planet roaring into the brain of someone he was psychically connected with has done good for his headache and general health. But now, he's right back to fighting. And this is his last match in this tournament, which will decide whether he's champion or runner-up. Certainly, he's in this for the money. There's a charity that needs it! But he's also learned how to enjoy the fight itself. And from what he's heard, he's facing a pyrokinetic! That's a form of psychic power, right? Two psychics, facing off in the finals of the tournament!

    The super hero is in his standard black body suit with purple swirls and spirals, the top of his mask open for his blonde hair, and an opening over his nose and mouth as well. He tugs on his gloves to make sure they're tight enough, and adjusts his utility belt to make sure it's connected properly... Last-minute preparations he has already made dozens of times before and after getting here. Their announcer is ready, the two competitors have been introduced... This is really it.

    The final match.

    As enthusiastic as he is, nervousness also eats away at Cortex, making him feel a bit nauseous.

Natasha (425) has posed:
Natasha's ready for the final too, she's been waiting impatiently for it. This tournament seems to have been going on forever, of course she's happy to have got this far but she wants to win and get it over with already. Natasha isn't a psychic though but she can't really correct with other people might think. It looks likes she's fighting some kind of super hero, well she considers herself a heroine but only one one of them can win the match.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    In this lonely wilderness, with no stands or view screens, only a commentator and two competitors, it doesn't take long for Cortex to notice his opponent's presence. Cold winds whip through, howling and moaning among the mountains peaks and rocky pillars. The super hero's shortish hair is whipping around in the air currents as he calls out, "I'm Cortex. It's great to get to face you in this final match! Let's do our best!" Then he puts himself into the best fighting stance he has, considering he's a mind-blaster not a fist-fighter, and readies himself for the onslaught to come.

Natasha (425) has posed:
Well, the cold on it's own doesn't really bother Natasha. As long as it doesn't start snowing or something. "I'm glad to fight you too! I'm Natasha hopefully next time we meet, we won't be fighting! Good luck!" She doesn't enjoy hurting people but it kind of comes with being in a fighting tournament. She's not quite sure what he's capable of but the name Cortex sounds like he can do something mental so she rushes in before he gets a chance to react. The fire elemental quickly jabs at him.

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     "The two fighters seem to be ready. The match has yet to really begin, so I can't say whose chances are higher." Konoe tilted her head a bit and thought some more. "Well, we'll see-Oh! It's starting! Natasha-san moves in quick with a jab. I think she's testing Cortex-san's defenses...He doesn't seem like a fist fighter. I wonder if he's not out of his element here."

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    Natasha's first blow comes at the end of a charge! It's a quick blow that hits hard, rocking Cortex backwards! "Oof! Hit that hard right at the start...!" the super hero lets out, startled and in pain, before unleashing a mental blast that normally attempts to trap an opponent within their own mind temporarily, but has less effectiveness against Elites. It still is rather painful, usually, and deal 'psyche damage'. And it augments Cortex's own future attacks as well!

    "I can't let you just keep attacking however you want, so I'm going to have to take steps to increase my chances!" he says as he starts to hover in the air, levitated by his own telekinetic powers. Hopefully this will increase his defensive options!

Natasha (425) has posed:
Natasha wasn't trying to hit him that hard, she didn't even use any extra fire in that attack. Then again her last opponent was a close-quarters fighter maybe she overdid it a bit. Though it did seem like he's more of a mental based fighter, she suddenly has a throbbing pain in her head all of a sudden. It feels like she's fighting for control of her thoughts. He's not the only one who can fly as she takes to the sky as well. She feels a bit disoriented as she kicks upward, jet of fire shoots out of her foot as she does so.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    "Ah! Another flying hero!" Cortex calls out as Natasha joins him in the air. "I think that's... The first time I've fought someone in this tournament who could fly too. Huh." Cortex is only hovering a foot or so above the ground, maybe less, so Natasha doesn't have to go far to attack him with a flaming kick. Cortex manages to actually avoid the kick itself... Only to get burnt by the unexpected flames that accompany it! Thankfully Cortex's suit is insulated against various things... But that mostly just keeps the clothing itself intact, unfortunately. The painful fire damage passes right on through, scorching him!

    "Ow!" he lets out between clenched teeth, before unleashing another psychic attack upon Natasha! This one aims to just deal pure, painful psyche damage, weakening the ability to focus in non-Elites. No fancy Holds or anything. But it continues to ramp up Cortex's own psychic resonance, increasing his abilities further by saving up excess energy now.

    ...Assuming it hits anyway! If he can be evasive in the air, then his opponent probably can too!

    The blast is an attack from mind to mind, so technically it shouldn't miss. But this attack also has a physical form, unlike some others in his arsenal. A blob of rippling pink energy. Not only can his opponent potentially resist the inhibiting effects, but his own focus could be off, making 'aiming' it go wrong. Lots of factors make psychic attacks either more or less effective. It's time to find out which is the case here!

Natasha (425) has posed:
Of course Natasha's still in close so there's not much time for her to dodge. She gets hit by the pink energy and tries to tough it at. Still, she's a bit visibility phased by it as she clinches her jaw a bit. She hasn't dealt with many opponents who could get in her head like this. She punches at Cortex once again, this time her fist is on fire as she aims for his face. She's got to find a way to stop him from attacking her mind.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    A flaming punch to the face! Cortex's cheek burns momentarily, leaving reddened skin in the imprint of Natasha's fist! The heat makes his eyes water, to say nothing of the pain of the blow! He is sent spinning through the air momentarily before, using his determination to win and his heroic will to push himself right back into the fight! He may not be much of a close-range fighter... But he does have SOME attacks that work for such combat! He flies right back up close to Natasha, raises both hands over his head, and brings them down in an axe-handle strike aimed at Natasha's head!

    She wants him out of her head? He can oblige for now. He'll just try to bash it from the outside instead! The blow is powerful enough that many opponents may be knocked right out of the air, or down to the ground. But Natasha is a flyer herself... Using powers that Cortex is unfamiliar with... And she might not succumb to that aspect of the attack!

Natasha (425) has posed:
Natasha tries to block the hit, but isn't able to react in time. She wasn't expecting Cortex to physically attack her, but it's something she'll have to look out for now. There's a rather large bruise where he chopped her, now her head hurts on the inside and out. She's knocked back by the attack as well but manages to stay in the air, it doesn't take much to keep her flying after all. She tries for a surprise attack as a column fire suddenly burst out of the ground below him.

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     Konoe's eyes moved left and right, watching the beginnings of the conflict. "Natasha-san's blow lands cleanly, and Cortex-san takes measures to even the odds. I can't entirely tell what he did, but judging by the aura that's appearing around Natasha-san's head, it might be some kind of magic attack...He takes flight, and Natasha is not far behind. Will this become a mid-air battle?"

     And then it took to the air. "Apparently it will! Cortex-san uses more of that strange magic, firing it off in a tangible form. What does that do, I wonder...well, Natasha-san is unable to evade and is hit, but she remains fast. She clenches a fist and lets loose a punch cloaked in flame! Will Cortex-san be okay? He seems to be, relatively speaking. I think. Nevermind that."

     Konoe blinked at the next move. "Contrary to his strange magic, he lets loose a fierce overhead strike! It lands, and Natasha is knocked back, but she manages to stay in the air. What will she do now?" A moment of silence as the pillar burst up from the ground below. "Huh? Where did that pillar of fire come from? I don't think I saw her do any preparation for it...Will it work?"

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    Cortex is definitely surprised by the pillar of fire that rises up underneath him, engulfing him in burning awfulness! "Aaaagh!" he lets out as he tries to fly out of the attack. But he has already suffered major damage, and his costume is even trailing smoke! His whole body has burns, and that pain is going to interfere with his concentration as well! "Y-yeah, that was a pretty powerful attack," Cortex calls out. "But I have strong ones too!" His flight speed has picked up as he zips around the area, floating near a rocky pillar. Then he tries to seize his opponent in a telekinetic grasp, lift her even higher into the air... And then send her plummeting back down towards the ground!

    He'll have to keep an eye out for more surprise eruptions of flame... Another attack like that would be really bad to get hit with!

Natasha (425) has posed:
Well, the downside is that Natasha doesn't weigh that much so it's not hard to lift her physically or telekinetically for that matter. On the upside there's not much force as she's brought back down to the ground. It still hurts though considering she's being slammed against rocks and takes her a moment to get back onto her feet. "You can move stuff with your mind huh?" She gathers a sizable amout of fire in her hands before hurling it upwards at Cortex.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    Cortex replies cheerfully despite the pain he's in, "Sure can!" He tries to hover aside to avoid the fire attack coming his way, and hide behind the rocky pillar he was flying next to... He kind of though it might serve as good cover. But he can't move fast enough to fully avoid the attack and his left arm gets tagged by the flames, even if the rest scorch stone instead. Fire REALLY hurts! Like, geez!

    He then blasts the rocky pillar he's hiding behind at Natasha with telekinesis, trying to send a couple thousand pounds of stone her way with telekinetically-enhanced speed. Natasha has proven to be a hard hitter. Making use of the environment might be a way to get an edge in a fight against someone this powerful!

Natasha (425) has posed:
Natasha tries to lift off once again but there's too much rock heading her way to avoid all of it. She smacks directly into it bouncing a few times before she finally comes to a stop. "Ouch!" It takes her a moment to bend her body back into place after all that. She doesn't seem be doing too well here. It's hard to deal with an opponent who can hurt her both physically and mentally. She goes airborne once again and goes flying straight at him, bursting into flame as she does so.

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     "These two are...well, neither seems to be ready to give up just yet. It's been intriguing, watching these two very different fighters match wits in the same arena. Cortex-san is caught by surprise, and the flames engulf him. ...I should remember that technique for later." Konoe commented off-handedly before continuing. "He doesn't give up however. He somehow grasps Natasha-san magically, and tosses her to the ground. ...Ohhhh, it's telekinesis. I get it now!"

     "Natasha recovers quickly and hurls a large fireball up at Cortex-san! It doesn't quite hit as much as she would have hoped though. He capitalizes and counters by blasting a pillar and sending the debris her way!"

     "It proves effective as Natasha is bombarded by several stone volleys! Deciding that distance is working against her, Natasha-san flares up and goes airborne, aiming for a flame cloaked tackle! ...Not something I would do, but if it works, it works I guess."

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    "AAAAAAHHHH!" Cortex lets out involuntarily as he is tackled by his opponent, right out of the air, while she's on fire! The flaming impact sends him crashing to the ground, cartwheeling and tumbling for quite a distance befoe he comes to a stop. Blood drips from his mouth where his face hit the rock-strewn ground. He uses another pillar of stone to get to his feet unsteadily with one hand, as he tries to focus his mind enough to attack. The adrenaline is pumping in him, and as much as pain may incite aggression, Cortex's aggression in this case is based upon fear of further exposure to flames, determination to win... And a part of him that has learned to enjoy the violence as long as it's in a control setting like this, for a worthy reason.

    The reason is all those people who need Doctor Vasilikos's charity, the Vasilikos Health Lock foundation. Even if Cortex comes in at second place, a huge amount of money for an independent medical practice will be won! But now that he's here, in the final round... He can't just settle for second best! How many more people could be helped if he becomes the champion? HOw many more lives could be saved?

    His hair rises upwards, separate from the howling winds that tear through the area, as he focuses through all the agony his body is in. He channels his psychic energies, and retaliates by attempting to slam Natasha's sleep centers mentally, in an attempt to induce drowsiness... But even if it does no such thing, the impact of her mind being attacked may still be quite painful!

Natasha (425) has posed:
Natasha's doing her best to win. Just like Cortex she wants the money to help people, and it's certainly she'll get more than she could dream of either way. Still, she's fought hard and isn't ready to throw it away so easily. Plus, she's always wanted to tell stories in front of large crowd of people and she's doing so right now.

Speaking of dreams she feels sleepy all of a sudden, all the pain rushing through her head is certainly making her feel fatigued. She can rest after this is all over, for now she has a fight to win. Getting a sudden second wind, she clutches her hands together and a huge flaming sword forms in her hands. She lowers to the ground before bringing the blade down on Cortex.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    And then a giant flaming sword crashes down on Cortex! His head is filled with psychic energy, but it's failing to protect him. And his opponent is just as determined as he is, and keeps rallying every time she seems to falter. With the blazing sword strike that hurls Cortex into the rocky pillar he was just using to support himself, with a searing gouge across his chest, it's clear that this next attack... Could be his last!

    All that power he has been building up, crackling around him, dark-pink arcs of energy... Closer to purple than the bright pink-white he has been using all this time... Race back and forth between his fingers as he raises a hand, and points it at the fire-sword-bearing fighter before him! Something comes over him. Something other than the cheer and heroism he has been displaying so far.

    A desperation born of fear as he faces a foe like an avenging angel, wielding a searing blade of retribution! He unleashes all his power in a single colossal blast of telekinetic force, accompanied by a single word, enforced by the power he has built up over these months since he started fighting alongside other heroes, and against foes as formidable as the one he now fa<span class=" bold_fg_m bg_n ++ es.

    "chm">MOVE!</span>"

Natasha (425) has posed:
This certainly wasn't good, Natasha notices all the gathered energy. It seems like she didn't knocked him out fast enough. There was no way she could remain standing after her a direct blast, the only way she could is try to get far away as possible while staying in the arena. She starts to fly up as far away as possible. It's still not enough as the blast slams her into the rock below with enough force to ensure she wouldn't get up on her own. The flame covering her vanishes, and in it's place is a weakened teenage-looking girl. She moans in pain but manages to get out a quiet, "I lost..."

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     "Cortex-san gathers his energy and uses his telekinesis to attack Natasha-san's mind again! She buckles under the pressure, but does not give in! Fighting off the effects, she forms a blade of fire and comes down hard on her opponent!"

     Konoe stopped, watching the next move closely. "Unfortunately for her...it's not enough! Cortex-san is still here, and he is preparing what seems to be his final effort! Power builds up! And there! A blast that I haven't seen before! Is this the culmination of all of his power?"

     Her eyes widen at the results. "The blast washes over Natasha-san without any regard! The flames surrounding her vanish! ...I don't think she'd going to be getting up again." Konoe took a deep breath, and then went on. "In that case...The match is over! Our winner of Bracket A is Cortex-san! Please give him your warm regards!"

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    Cortex is gasping for breath after unleashing his attack. Even after seeing the results, as his opponent flees before him, his eyes are wide, staring, almost unseeing. For a moment, he wasn't seeing Natasha. He was seeing a different flaming-wielding enemy. A construct of wood, burning eternally with green fire, claws raised. Right before it cut open his head--But that's not what was happening. Natasha wasn't that monster. And now he feels awful for attacking her the way he did!

    Struggling into the air, Cortex flies towards Natasha, and lands nearby. Holding his ribs, his skin searing all over, especially the cauterized gouge across his chest. "Hey... Are you okay?" he asks as he holds a hand out to help her up.

Natasha (425) has posed:
"Sore...but I've been through worse." Natasha takes the offered hand as she tries to get back on her feet. She's practically died before so what she's saying is true. Still she's in a great deal of pain. "I feel really sleepy though..." Even if she's a fire element she still can get hurt after all. Plus she hasn't really had to deal with mental attacks before. "How are you doing?" She knows her burns can be quite severe.

Demetrios Vasilikos (769) has posed:
    Cortex thinks about saying he's 'fine'. But he really isn't. Physically or emotionally. But... He won. And that means money for charity. Lots of it. And Natasha gets lots of money too. Honestly, his problems aside... This is a win/win. But he still hurts like heck! "Ah... Hurting. I think I could use a doctor. And you probably could too. Let's get out of here!" Then he turns and gives a thumbsup to their announcer, and the viewing audiences at home, doing his best to smile through the pain.

    Because a hero inspires. He doesn't lash out at people because they remind him of a scary monster. They both did their best and came out the other side... This was a fight Cortex is sure to remember!