ANTI-HERO
"Regimes fall every day, I tend not to weep over that. I'm Russian....Or I was."
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Post by Natasha Romanoff on May 24, 2014 3:32:14 GMT -5
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Hell's Kitchen.
That in itself was a narrative all its own, leave it to the New Yorkers to be so succinct with this area. Overrun by crime and corruption, law enforcement barely came in here when the city wasn't cut off but now with crimes running more rampant in the city and the shadowy claws of the criminal underworld more entrenched.
The particular area Natasha found herself in now, wreaked of the pungent scent of vomit, human refuse, blood, sex and liquor. The area belonged to the destitute, the useless and the unwanted; all of these a dangerous combination because these were the people with little to nothing left to lose and that made them unpredictable. Some would just as much kill her for her for a pack of cigarettes as they would for looking at them. While Natasha did not fear them, she was still on her guard.
She waited impatiently in the cover of shadow at the mouth of the alley near the Yinyanghuo; literally translating the Asian characters, it read "licentious-goat-fire". The bar 'with the goat sign' used as a landmark in describing their meeting point. Natasha smirked at the sign, the appropriateness of the bar's name and its surroundings were not lost on her.
A young woman with too much makeup in a fitted mini mandarin style dress; red and slinky with a slit up the side of one leg long thigh high fishnets and ankle breaking heels waves at every passing car; a Lady of the Evening. She was young, very young; 16 maybe 18 tops; the makeup made to make her look older didn't fool Natasha. It was the way the young woman walked and carried herself that gave away her real age. It saddened Natasha in a way. Down here there was not much these wretched souls could hang on to, once they've parcelled out flesh, honor and innocence the rest of their virtues just went out the window; there's nothing else left. When faced with limited options to survive there becomes a very fine line on what a person is willing to do to survive. Russia was no different, much as they liked to pretend it was. The place was steeped with corruption, crime syndicates and trades of flesh. It seemed no matter where she went the story was always the same; Predator and Prey.
Leaning against a motorcycle she 'procured' from a drug dealer two days prior, she waited patiently for her contact to arrive. Legs stretched out and arms crossed against her chest, Natasha looked up into the sky. Darkness still covered it and the only light across the indigo heavens was a fat partial moon shedding silver light. Hook drawn over head kept her face hidden in shadow as the end of her cigarette glowed with red embers; tendrils of smoke looming around her. The steady creak of an old shopping cart sounded as a woman pushing it with copious amounts of articles and bags overflowing passed her by. The cart hit a pot hole causing it to jump a small crumpled brown paper bag fell onto the ground unnoticed by the old woman pushing the cart and speaking to herself.
Natasha moved from her station walking over to the discarded crumpled bag picking it up and proceeded to walk to a nearby garbage bin to toss out the litter except a very astute person would note the sleight of hand method used to extract a USB key from the crumpled bag as she balled up the bag and tossed it into the garbage. She often exchanged items or communication with her contacts through third parties like these; the homeless made the best couriers in her opinion.
A shifting in the shadows just at the edge of notice alerted Natasha that something was amiss as she headed back towards her motorbike. As she got closer she could see the narrow slits of their eyes almost materialize from the shadows of the alley they seemed to almost consolidate from just as a bladed weapon attached to a chain lanced out from the shadows. The metal gleamed threateningly as it darted straight for her face.
Instinct caused her to react; move out of the way just as she deflected the trajectory with her arm and with a fluid movement grabbed the chain as it deflected by and pulled on it hard causing one of her attackers to be shown...a ninja? Really?! That was the look Natasha gave as more came out of the shadows.
"This is Shadowland territory Black Widow. It was a mistake was returning here." came the distended hiss of a warning emanating from the shadows as Hand ninja materialized. "We killed you once, we will be happy to oblige again."
Natasha smirked. "Clearly you didn't get it right the first time. What makes you think this time's going to be any different?" and with that she feigns movement to get the ninja to commit to a strike and as soon as he moved to stab her Natasha responded with a burst of speed attacking into the arm that struck crucial nerve centers to deadened her attacker's knife arm and caused his weapon to drop. A knee kick to the sternum was her follow through; the two strikes occurred almost simultaneously...defender now becomes the attacker.
ATTIRE: BlackSONG: Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit (Warning explicit lyrics) WORDS: 884 NOTES: Apologies for delay but here be the ninjas...Now, let's get this party started  |
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HERO
18
Years Old
Male
57 Posts
Hetrosexual
Single
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
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Post by Daniel Rand on May 25, 2014 19:52:06 GMT -5
 To have immortality Is to first live a life worth remembering ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯
Danny had rarely visited this darkened side of town, it was not something he could handle in constant doses. The air here was thick with depression and while it was a prime place put find criminals, it was also a great place to get in over your head. They had enough issues as a super powered team with super powered villains to worry about going after the gratuitous amount of thugs and crime lords that were a part of New York. Still, that was no excuse to pretend the place didn’t exist. Getting recognized here could be a death trap if you weren’t careful. Busting someone in this district was a good way to get put on at least 5 hit lists. It was often better to just let them wander from the ‘heard’ and make arrests within the heart of the city during a robbery, then try to trace them into these deep waters.
Tonight though, Danny was breaking his personal rule about entering these streets alone. Something in his gut told him that if there was any place to find information on the dark force that had ensnared them all, this would be it. Still, he could easily end up in one of those worst case scenarios. With no team, and not even a heli-carrier to contact for support, he was on his own. Even a master martial artist could get overwhelmed, and with the ample supply of thugs an enemies crawling within the walls here, it was just as likely he would run out of steam and collapse before reaching safety.
Trying to keep his focus on the goal, soft footsteps carried him silently over the roof tops. Every jump was calculated and ever move was thought out and executed only when it was guaranteed safe to travel. The end tails of his mask whipped against the back of his neck like a tickling reminder of how out of place he would be in this shady neighborhood. A masked hero in the city center was someone people cheered for, here it was more so what the costume intended. It was a target, a big ‘over here’ to anyone looking to make a name for themselves, or settle some grudge. The dragon over his chest was a symbol of his teachings and the challenges he faced and concurred, but to a man with a gun it was a convenient symbol to aim at. If he wanted to make it out of here with info and no holes he had to keep as out of sight as possible.
The biggest issue he faced now though was not even the odds of being attacked, it who he was even going to ask for his information. Danny didn’t have a cold blooded bone in his body, he would never go as far as to hurt someone just for information, and he doubted being polite would get him anywhere. All he had was the one universal language that any criminal seemed to speak, dollars. It was not the best use of his funds, but to get something that could help save the city even if the idiot he was buying it from had no idea that was why, was it not worth it? To save the city, sometimes answers didn’t just drop from the heavens on silver wings. One thing he learned from his time with SHIELD was there would always be a time when you had to get your hands dirty, it was just how often you resorted to it that could be the real issue.
Making it to one of the taller buildings in the area he took a moment to gather himself and purge his mind of the darkness he could feel creeping in. To him, the energy put off by this place was thick like molasses, and while no one else could see or possibly even feel the fog, he had trained hard enough to recognize it and for the most part keep it at bay. “Calm..Just keep focused” he repeated to himself as he felt any worry or nerves slip away and be replaced with a soothing warmth. Positivity was an infinite fuel, and he made sure to keep tapped into it.
In his moment of focus though, something reached his ears that was unmistakable, the sharp clatter and scrape of steel against the asphalt. It was no bullet or pipe, the sound was not sharp enough nor hollow. With the added rustle of a chain he knew this was not your average weapon. Voices floated up from street level and it sounded something like a turf war warning, that is had it not been for one familiar name. “Black Widow?” he asked the emptiness of his roof top and peaking blue hues over the side it was confirmed. He’d never met her face to face, but SHIELD was not as hush hush as it claimed to be and they had heard about many of the agents under their employ. Widow was one that had really made a name for herself and in all honesty it had always been a goal of his to meet up with the skilled spy. Her tactics and combat training were legendary, and as a master of his own style I was always an honor to meet another skilled fighter. It was too bad she seemed previously occupied bye..no wait…was it..couldn’t be. “Ninja’s” he said with no surprise to his tone, but more of a growl. He knew the style, he had studied similar forms during his training at K’un lun. The Japanese fighting form was a tactic developed for protection and it seemed that over the years that style was sullied by these black clad arsenals. The Hand was not a group in particular that he knew, but the way they spoke and whom they were attacking did nothing to convince them they were a force of good. Weather he wanted it or not, Natasha was about to make the night into a team up. Not because Danny thought she was incapable of handling the situation, but more so because it frustrated him to see these clowns use the ninja name for dark gain.
He did not call out for fear of unnecessarily distracting the hero already in mid combat, but instead he used the ninja’s own technique of adopting the shadows and using his surroundings to make a quiet entrance. Surveying the scene as he made his way to closer to ground level. The area was crawling with these so called Ninjas and as he got his bearings he could sense a growing level of hostility as Natasha put the first of them on their ass. Seems there was a grudge here, and one that would not end with one show of strength. Things were about to go from bad to chaos in a few second. All it would take is the next in line to strike and like a chain reaction more were sure to rain down upon the currently solo hero.
Danny waited to make himself known, keeping his own element of surprise as a backup for whatever was to come, and when the next few attacks were launched he was glad he did. Kunai few out from what seemed like empty space, the well hidden figures choosing to keep themselves hidden, even though the action of tossing the weapons gave away the position. Two from above the Avenger to her right, one from directly behind her. The attack was followed by two of the hidden figures launching open attacks from her three o’clock and 1o o’clock. The strategy was there, but at the same time the plan was flawed in its execution. The evasion of the thrown blades would lead her into a perfect stance for the oncoming attack, or at least that is how he saw it. Trusting in her reputed skill, he chose not to interrupt the direct attack and instead went for the others. Ducking into a window he found his way to the stray soul that had taken up he solo position behind her, and after pin pointing him from the kunai trajectory he caught the ninja by surprise, something that was sure to dishonor him if when he came to.
Finding the window ledge that the attacker was nestled in just out of peripheral view he watched the crouched man grab for two more weapons and cross his arms at the ready to launch. The second it seemed like the right time to throw Danny caught him off guard “There is no honor in striking from behind” he announced his presence with a cold tone. The purpose behind his words to prevent him from pulling the same trick. It did the trick and the masked figure turned to see him only to be met with a clean shot centered right for his nose. The shot knocked the assassin of balance and as the weapons were dropped Danny’s swift motions caught the blades and set the spinning follow through sent the black clad figure backwards into the street. Taking up the others position it was easier to spot the signs of his comrades. Using the kunai at his disposal he tossed one to deflect a projectile headed for the occupied Black Widow, and the other to respond to its thrower. His own attack catching the ninja in the hand as he reached for more weapons. Confident that there would at least not be any more well calculated throws from that particular ninja he abandoned his position knowing it would have been given away by his action and dropping down with the help of a few more ledges he made it to solid ground just in time to block a dive blow from another of the assailants with higher ground. The falling cross chop was caught between a defensive block with both his arms up in an x formation. As he slid his hand out by bringing his elbows down he caught the others wrist and pushing with is left foot sent the ninja tumbling across the ground into a parked car. No alarm, what a poor choice of security for such a scummy area of town.
Much like the action itself he recovered in what was only just more than the blink of an eye. His stance loose and ready, feet spread for perfect balance and his left hand forward with his palm out in front, the right hand tucked in tight to his hip and balled in a fist, ready for what would come next.
“I don't mean to interrupt but, perhaps you could use some assistance?” it was far from a ‘hi how are you’ but as close as any hero would get in a combat situation.
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ANTI-HERO
"Regimes fall every day, I tend not to weep over that. I'm Russian....Or I was."
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Post by Natasha Romanoff on Jun 1, 2014 8:00:08 GMT -5
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The shadows almost seemed to undulate from the movement of the ninjas' silhouetted forms; undulate an come alive with an evil vengeance. A case of mistaken identity or alternate identity to be more specific. These particular ninja's Natasha had never crossed paths with however she was very familiar with The Hand. As a child of Red Room she had been abducted by Baron von Stucker and presented to the Hand in Madripoor where she was to become a Master Assassin, however fate intervened in the form of a soviet soldier Ivan Petrovitch and a feral mutant with claws whose name eludes her. She'd been quite young and Red Room's mind altering techniques had done much to fracture her memories so she lived with fragments that still were being pieced together as time went on. However apparently they knew her alternate reality self as well and killed her; or tried, though Natasha doubted they killed her alternate self. Well refused to believe was more like it. So if they thought that she was her, well she wasn't about to correct them.
So when they struck out, spoke as though they had some familiarity, Natasha returned the favor. Her knee smashed into the one that thought to catch her by surprise earlier. ~Big mistake..Huge.~ Natasha thought as she used the moment of stunted action on her opponent's part to do a follow through, got her arm around the man and flipped over his doubled over form all the while her arm was still around his neck. The momentum and speed matched with her direction and pull broke the man's neck as she landed. The limp form of the red clad ninja slid to the ground like a rag doll when she released her hold but this wasn't the end as the shadows around her undulated and writhed angrily with eyes that looked back at her with a certain hatred.
There was no quip no witty comment that came from her lips that were pursed tightly. Flashy talk and bravado were for movie stars and film, when you were about to fight for your life you didn't waste energy and focus on finding snarky comments. Once used their eloquence to deal death with their bodies like Natasha did now but it this night would not end with one show of skill. It would go from singular challenges to all out chaos in a few seconds and all it took was the next in line to strike and like a string of dominos more spilled from the shadows to rain down upon her. The Hand never seemed to trust singular members to do their job, they always seemed to be accompanied by more; almost as though they didn't seem to trust that one of them could successfully carry out a mission so they come in droves. If she were anyone other than herself a short quip about that fact would have come out however instead Natasha focused her energy on surviving. Against one opponent she had it covered, two was barely even a workout but droves of them...she might have her work cut out for her.
Shurikens went sailing by and while she managed to dodge most, one did happen to strike her shoulder as she landed from an agile flip in the air; her body moving and contorting to miss the flying razor sharp projectiles however she couldn't dodge them all. With a wince and a soft grimace from the pain of blade embedding in her flesh she ripped out the shuriken and held on to use on her next target as she used the sharp tips of the star to protrude from the slips of her fingers and struck out; like spiked brass knuckles of the razor sharp variety. In a street fight one used everything around to an advantage.
Kunai few out from what seemed like empty space, the projection of their weapons gave away the position. Two from above Natasha to her right, one from directly behind her. The attack was followed by two of the hidden figures launching open attacks from her three o’clock and 1o o’clock. Their strategy was sound by Natasha's reckoning, but at the same time the plan was flawed in its execution and she made sure to capitalize on it. The evasion of the thrown blades lead her into a perfect stance for the oncoming attack and with nothing but silence and a subtle smirk, Natasha got to work. The one at her three o'clock came just slightly ahead of the one at her ten which was their first mistake. Had they been more in sync Natasha would have had a harder time staving off two concurrent attacks but as it was, 3 o'clock boy was just a stride and a half too fast for his companion giving Natasha the opportunity and opening she needed. Sidestepping the first bladed strike Natasha grabbed hold of the ninja's wrist locking it while she stepped in at the man's arm bend. Bringing her elbow up and around concurrently to be placed behind the man's arm just at the shoulder to arm socket and hooking up caused an inadvertent fold and bend to the mans arm thereby collapsing itself to fold. Everything was precisely fluid and uniform in her movements, as right limb and left limb moved with separate objectives but succinct and timed as one flow. Natasha then moved with the now bending arm, she pivoted her body to twist the rest of the man's arm behind him jamming the shuriken that she was struck with earlier and rammed it into position so that the man's arm was now locked in place and unable to unfold without extreme pain and ripping muscle and tendons. In the ninja's now exposed position Natasha turned so that the ninja's chest was to his teammate who had been coming at Natasha from her original ten o'clock position. With ten o'clock boy's momentum and thrust he couldn't stop his weapon from sinking into the chest of his teammate as Natasha used it as a human shield. Why kill a man if his teammate could do it for you?
The shock of killing his own teammate and feeling the blade sink into his chest with death like precision would be enough to stunt movement even if for only a fraction of a second, but really in a fight a fraction of a second is all one needs. Releasing her hold on the dying man Natasha leaped for the one left standing before her. Her legs immediately locked hold around his neck as she used momentum once again to pull him down to the ground hard, roll him over and then beneath her; pinned so that she could stab his neck with her Widow's bite. Electricity surged from her bracelets pulsing in painful spasms as the ninja beneath her squirmed before passing out.
Rolling back onto her feet Natasha heard a voice speak in English just as movement at her periphery caught her attention. A ninja had been crouched with two more weapons and crossed arms at the ready when a yellow masked figure caught the ninja off guard “There is no honor in striking from behind” he announced his presence with a cold tone only to meet the ninja with a clean shot centered right at his nose. The shot knocked the assassin of balance and as the weapons were dropped the yellow masked man moved in swift motions to catch the blades and set the spinning follow through that sent the red clad figure backwards into the street.
Natasha did not have time to try to register familiarity or anything as two more kunai and chain came at her. One she was able to deflect but the other she could not and only hoped to try to dodge the blade and hope her movement would be enough not to strike any vitals. Thankfully the incoming projectile was deflected by a well placed throw from another area; where the yellow masked man was situated. Blue green eyes dart briefly from where the intervening blade came and she saw the yellow masked man dropping down from the ledges of a building as he made it to solid ground just in time to block a dive blow from another of the ninja assailants with higher ground.
Natasha didn't have much time in the way of even throwing a glance of thanks as another ninja came in and landed a kick that momentarily knocked the wind out of her and caused her to stagger back and onto the ground with an embarrassing thud after her body bounced off a chain link fence. With a grimace Natasha stood once more as the ninjas came at her sensing an opening for attack. Drawing out her gun quickly she fired at the pad lock of a very large thick chain, the pad lock opening caused the thick chain to slide down to the ground by her. Grabbing the chain she swung it around her as she rose to her feet. The large swinging arc of the heavy chain and padlock caught a few ninja faces knocking them down and keeping others at a respective distance, giving Natasha time to get back on her feet and continue the fight.
By this time she was joined by the yellow masked man from earlier. His stance loose and ready, feet spread for perfect balance with his left hand forward with his palm out in front; right hand tucked in tight to the hip and balled in a fist, ready for the next fight. It seemed Natasha had an ally against the Hand and well she wasn't about to complain.
“I do mean to interrupt but, perhaps you could use some assistance?” the young man had said which caught her mildly by surprise as his voice sounded younger than she expected. He carried himself with a certain amount of confidence and poise though, Natasha would have thought him older however he seemed to know how to fight and did not look to be a hindrance. If anything he know his way around a fight and so the help would be much welcome.
She didn't quite have the time to answer as at that pocket of a moment where she should have said something, they were interrupted by a zealous ninja that thought to try to capitalize on the slight lull in the battle. Natasha struck out again with the thick chain at the incoming assailant lashing out to strike the ninja on the face for the interruption. It was with enough force to send him doubling back in staggered footing. From there Natasha followed through with effortless precision; a shot to the ninja's chest with her Glock; the bullet was well aimed to the heart and stopped the ninja cold. But that did nothing to stop the tide of his comrades from coming, it only fueled their hatred.
"Yes, if you'd like." Natasha replied finally to the young man in an almost strangely casual tone, though her expression and body language was of a neutral repose, as if she hadn't just capped a guy in the chest with her gun. "It's about to get a bit messy though." she said as she twirled the chain around at her side.
ATTIRE: BlackSONG: Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit (Warning explicit lyrics) WORDS: 1,871 NOTES: I am just gonna say it was hard trying to do a post that matched up with your amazing one above (it took two rewrites on my end) but I think I got it in the end. Sorry for delay though. I needed to make sure I gave you the same quality you gave me =) |
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HERO
18
Years Old
Male
57 Posts
Hetrosexual
Single
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
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Post by Daniel Rand on Jun 24, 2014 0:21:46 GMT -5
To have immortality Is to first live a life worth remembering ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯
A break was not really something the lulled moment could really be called. It lasted only a breath before the surrounding assailants were diving back in. Danny didn’t have his answer but in a way he hadn’t really expected one. The offer he made was more of an announcement of a friendly presence than a formal request to assist. While Black Widow struck out with her chain he had his own adversary grow a pair and charge. Pulling from his belt a short blade the ninja appeared to have confidence that there would be more luck in attacking the new comer. It made sense in a way as Natasha had already shown she was quite capable of not just handling herself in a fight, but also putting a few of his comrades permanently out of commission. So with a new unarmed masked vigilanty to target, it was far ‘safer’ to place his bet there. While this was somewhat correct as Danny was a pacifist, it was far from wise to assume he had a chance of sinking that blade or even getting a good hit in.
Danny might not be the oldest, but he had more training in combat than many other heroes could lay claim to. Since he was 9 it had been his life, he ate, slept, and breathed combat and these dollar store ninjas bought in bulk were nothing if not sloppy and without a cause. The blade glistened as he surged forward while the silent ninja pushed with his foot to add power to the lunge. Evasion was not a good idea as Natasha was still behind him. Instead he moved his left arm to the right, his full body dipping away from the dagger and bouncing back just as it passed him forcing it off to the left, his for arm battering against the weapons hilt and pulling back so his hand could safely grab the others wrist. Twisting it the weapon was drop while his frame swung forward jamming his elbow into the others diaframe causing him to lose the air in his lungs and stumble back just enough that as his broken wrist was pulled into his body Danny could lean back just enough to get a solid kick into the others solar plexus and drop him. The action only took the blink of an eye, but it was strong enough to leave the man gasping and without any drive to get back up.
Unlike his cohort though, the man was left with the chance to rethink his life choices. Natasha seemed to be less generous, as the blast of the powered cap echoed through the air he felt sick to his gut knowing what the outcome would likely be. It was not a surprise, her reputation never came off as the ‘plays nice’ kind of person, but it still filled him with sorrow when a life was lost without all other options being exhausted. To him a gun was the ‘easy way’ out and there was no honor in firing on someone who could not return a shot.
Out of respect he tried to bite his tongue and give her freedom to do as she felt was needed to keep them both alive, yet as his eyes caught the other two bodies littering the street blood and he cool controlled voice mentioned more of a mess, he felt the need to at least voice his concern. “In taking a life we concede our enemies as equals, for there should be no other reason to kill then to admit you had on other way out..” it was not meant to poke at her profession, and he understood that when one had to keep themselves alive there were times when no other option was available, but that in itself was what his phrase meant. Only when the other is equal to or greater than you should it ever come to considering death. These henchmen had numbers but as individuals they were not their equals by any means.
“Are you willing to admit these men are your equal?” he inquired to her as one final push to try and keep her bullets in the barrel and blades out of chests. There were many ways to disarm and knock down these opponents, taking a life was the easy way out in his books. Not everyone saw things as he did, and he was not there to change her. It would just be nice if that little seed of wisdom could at least save a few lives that night.
While the chain rattled behind him, swung at his partners hip ready to add to its already bloody and rusted surface, he took his focus to his own hoard of ‘at bay’ ninjas. Relaxing his muscles he rocked his balance from tow to tow before two more brave souls struck out. The one to his left brandished the kunai and chain, swinging it similarly to Natasha at his hip before letting the momentum of the heavier bladed end carry it forward ahead of himself and the ninja alongside him to took up using Natasha’s own idea against them, with the blades of his throwing stars converted into protrusions between his fingers ready for adding a slash to his jab. On an exhale Dannys left hand swung up catching the back end of the chained weapon inches before it cleaved his head in two. Not a drop of sweat or panic to be seen he was quick to use the growing slack in the chain to whip it up and around one of the secondary ninja’s wrists. A quick tug was enough to send the first off balance and tumbling as he was unable to recover from the speed he was traveling. This drop had him come into the path of the chain wielder who stumbled over his team mate cracking his head hard on the concrete and sending him rendering him unconscious, his weight holding the other down for now. Not that he appeared too eager to get up.
With the kunai in hand the weapon was useless as the chain was now hooked in the pile of bodies, or it would have been had Danny not had a trick up his sleeve. As he felt the anger of the soul to his right he knew an attack was soon to sprout and stepping on the chain to create tension he concentrated his souls energy into a golden glow around his hand. The swift slice of his glowing hand cut the chain like blade through water and just as he brought the steel weapon up he carried it up to head level while twisting his body. Steel blocked steel as two throwing stars bounced off the no longer chained shuriken and flew to the ground with a skid. Pulling back over his shoulder and slinging it forward he launched the syth like kunai at the one who had attacked him, the blade of it lodging in the wall next to the rather surprised ninja. His red masked face turning for only a second to look at his reflection in the blade so near his head it could have removed individual fabric strands from his hood.
This mistake was costly and when his gaze turned back to Iron Fist it was too late and all he saw was the bare of his knuckles before stars took over and yet another ninja was out for the night. Retracting his fist Daniel turned and notices a few of the figures sink away into the shadows. Some were on the retreat that was a good sign. In any mass organization there was bound to be cowards, but these were trained ninjas, the only reason to run was if they knew they were better suited to regroup and try again later. Not good news for the intended target, Natasha, but good to know they were having some effect.
With a few of the concealed on the run, they still had to deal with those who exposed themselves and the few still waiting for a shot at them. Danny made his way back to Natasha only to spin as the wisp of a blade whizzed past his ear, cutting a thin line over his exposed cheek. Not an accurate shot unless the blade was only to grab his attention. A small drip pooled at the corner of the cut while masked blue eyes darted around the upper walls and windows of the building behind him. Only just catching the Ninja’s location as a gust of wind kicked up dust and the outline became visible in the dirt. Touching his cheek he assessed the damage. Nothing more than a paper cut, but still a shot that could have been far worse for the teen. The Ninja seeing Iron fist lock eyes on him jumped down and drew another blade, this time holding up as he made his way for the younger hero. Danny made no move to evade, not this time. This man had nearly cost him his life and he was not about to mess around. While the other got closer he centered himself and once more concentrated his chi, forcing the mystic energy to flow into his fists and ignite them in a flame like glow.
Determination only grew in the attacker as he cried out and brought his blade down from over his head with the intent to cleave any part of Danny he could. All it took though was one punch, upward and directly into the blade of his attacker. Many would have found their arm sliced in two, but thanks to his fist of iron the blade not only stopped but cracked across where it struck him and the tip clattered to the ground.
In shock the ninja looked to his half sword before thinking he would just use broken sword to try again. The second he drew up though Danny had been given ample time to line up his next hit, his left fist coming forward. Driven by the power in his stance and the full channeling of energy from his feet to his fingertips he hit the ninja square in the gut with an inhuman force. The impact sent the other hurtling back to the building he jumped from, connecting with a light standard though before he made it to the wall. The villain gripped his gut as his body slumped to the side showing a dent in the pole itself. Now, those remaining gave him a wide birth and few seemed hesitant to take more punishment like their comrades. Neither combatant tonight was anyone they could hope to take down while they were together, and thoughts of full out retreat seemed evident as many of the ninja’s looked back and forth between each other to confirm a stay or go.
Finally able to re-join in a closer proximity to Natasha he took another ready stance and with body language alone dared anyone to launch another attack. His hands still glowing with the intense molten energy given by the immortal dragon. “Think they have seen enough?” he asked her with little humor to his tone, though it was still some what implied.
Note: Sorry it took so long but works been killer. Hope we are still raring to kick butt!! Can't wait for your post, this is getting epic! |
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ANTI-HERO
"Regimes fall every day, I tend not to weep over that. I'm Russian....Or I was."
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Post by Natasha Romanoff on Jun 30, 2014 20:10:58 GMT -5
 There was no thought, only action. There was no consideration, there was only instinct; that her primal need for survival elicited. Muscle memory moved her body in ways that made it appear anticipatory; avoiding fatal injuries or death, though at times she was not fast enough to escape it completely. Natasha winced as a shuriken sunk itself onto her shoulder and she was forced to take a pause and pull the offending blade out. Pause enough to have two assailants drop down to take the advantage. A blade was swung so that she was forced to avoid; contorting her body so as to prevent a nasty slash but she couldn't avoid the strike to the face. Pain lanced out from her jaw and she saw flares and stars in her vision as she collided with the ground, her fingers splaying out to prevent total impact. Natasha blinked to clear away the stars from her vision and tested the motility of her jaw. It hurt but at least she could move it which meant it wasn't broken. It would leave a nasty bruise but she'd still be able to talk and chew. The swishing sound from behind her though alerted her that the bladed weapon that missed its mark originally was drawn back again and ready to no doubt lance itself through her exposed back and so Natasha rolled, twisted her body to face her assailant once more only this time she brought up the chain that was wound around her wrist and flicked it up towards her assailant in a wide arc. The end of the chain toted the padlock that impacted on her assailant's face causing him to lose his grip on the blade as his hands went straight to his face. Her other hand grabbed the dropped blade and turned quickly to impale the blade onto the ninja's partner who had tried to come up to flank her. Releasing her hold on the sword hilt she let the ninja sink to the ground as her downed enemy stirred at her side rising to his feet. She grabbed one of her holstered guns and shot the man between the eyes as he rose and then turned the gun down on his downed compatriot. BLAM! BLAM! Two slugs, two deaths. Then she moved on to the next. The blood splatters on her jacket went unnoticed and not regarded much like the injuries she had sustained. Time enough later to feel the injuries, she was running on adrenaline and pure will to survive but neither fear nor pain showed on her impassive face as she continued to stave the onslaught. Good thing the numbers were thinning though as Natasha wasn't sure how much more she could avoid as her leg and shoulder were already lacerated and bleeding through both not to mention the lesser scratches and injuries she attained from blocking or counter striking. Another ninja was entangled at the neck with her chain before he could get a chance to backstab Natasha's yellow masked ally. Natasha yanked the chain to pull the man back and off his feet. The dagger he held clattered to the ground and as he fell back, his head and back impacting with the cement flooring Natasha pulled the trigger yet again. He wouldn't be getting up again of his own accord. The blood at her feet seemed to pool but she paid that little head as well save perhaps to watch her footing. At this point she was close enough now to her yellow masked ally to hear the man's voice and pick up on the concern in the man's controlled tones. ~Concern? For the enemy?~ Natasha thought. Now that was a first for her. “In taking a life we concede our enemies as equals, for there should be no other reason to kill then to admit you had no other way out..” the young man said. “Are you willing to admit these men are your equal?” "In a fight everyone is my equal. To think otherwise would paint them as my betters or underestimate them, either way that opens the door to intimidation or a false sense of security; both would be my demise." Natasha replied as her chain sounded and struck opponents behind Danny as she continued to talk and fight with chain. "So yes, they are all equally capable of killing me given the right circumstances or if I get careless and turn...." she said as she struck out again. "...my back on them."BLAM! Another fell to the ground at her feel, their numbers dwindling and the sparse few that remained seemed to be more cautious and linger more in the shadows pulling their dead and injured with them. Natasha turned briefly at her yellow masked ally who had just exhaled and allowed his left hand to swing up and catch the back end of the chained weapon inches before it cleaved his head in two. Natasha's brow arched at the cold calm the young man displayed. From his voice alone Natasha would give him 17 or 19 the oldest, but she knew he was quite young. Yet still he displayed a calmness that was beyond his years as was the wisdom he had tried to impart to her earlier. She could respect that ideal but she'd been in too many life and death situations that went awry all on the count of mercy, so to Natasha if you pick up a knife and try to kill her, she would return the favor without question and without consideration of mercy. But not others had the misfortune of a life like hers so she understood their aversion to her violence. Regardless the young man's composure impressed her. Not a drop of sweat or panic was seen as her yellow masked ally quickly used the growing slack in the chain to whip it up and around one of the secondary ninja’s wrists. A quick tug was enough to send the first off balance and tumbling as he was unable to recover from the speed he was traveling. This drop had him come into the path of the chain wielder who stumbled over his team mate cracking his head hard on the concrete and sending him rendering him unconscious, his weight holding the other down for now. Not that he appeared too eager to get up. Natasha swung her own chain to keep the last of the combatants at bay; coiling the chain around their forms and using leverage and pure physics to do the rest. Some fell to the pavement or cracked their skulls on concrete of ground or the mortar and bricking of the walls. Some were shot down cold with her Glock. Blows were exchanged, punches and kicks all with a deadly efficiency and all meant to keep her opponents down; some down for good and others simply unconscious but as long as they didn't get up she was guaranteed to walk away from this. With the last of her opponents down Natasha turned to her ally who with his glowing hand cut the chain like blade of his opponent just as he brought the steel weapon up he carried it up to head level while twisting his body. Steel blocked steel as two throwing stars bounced off the no longer chained shuriken and flew to the ground with a skid. Pulling back over his shoulder and slinging it forward he launched the scythe like kunai at the one who had attacked him, the blade of it lodging in the wall next to the rather surprised ninja. His red masked face turning for only a second to look at his reflection in the blade so near his head it could have removed individual fabric strands from his hood. Natasha smiled appreciatively as the young man's knuckles made hard contact and yet another ninja was out for the night. Retracting his fist her ally turned just as Natasha did to notice the few remaining ninjas sink away into the shadows. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't glad the numbers were whittling away for the injuries she sustained and the blood she was losing it was a welcome sight to see. Now they just needed to deal with those who exposed themselves and the few still waiting for a shot at them. Natasha gave her masked ally a smile as he made his way back to her only to spin as the wisp of a blade whizzed past his ear, cutting a thin line over his exposed cheek. Not an accurate shot unless the blade was only to grab his attention. A small drip pooled at the corner of the cut while masked blue eyes darted around the upper walls and windows of the building behind him. The shot even took Natasha by surprise though her body reacted on instinct to the incoming projectile as she flipped out of the way and into a defensive counter strike position her hand in a fist pointer her Widow's bracelet out at the trajectory of the projected weapon. Natasha only managed to just catch the Ninja’s location as a gust of wind kicked up dust and the outline became visible in the dirt. Natasha looked briefly over at her ally who seemed alight other than a small flesh wound. The Ninja then jumped down and drew another blade, this time holding up as he made his way for the younger hero. Natasha would have intervened for the sheer fact that she knew her young friend had this, as mystic energy grew from his fists and ignite in a flame like glow. Almost on queue though the remaining few Hand ninjas surged forward perhaps for one last ditch effort or perhaps to watch cover their comrades as they carried away their dead and injured for ninjas never left traces of their fallen behind. Either way though she had to finish this. So once again her chain swung, grappled the arm of her opponent as she yanked him down then as his body pitched forward Natasha leaped up using his back as a step up to flip over another ninja and loop the chain around his neck. As she landed she pulled hard pulling back the ninja she first upended and slammed him back against the man who's neck she noosed with the remaining part of the chain. As their bodies collided ad fell the one who's neck was in chains twisted with a tug so that when his teammate fell upon him the pressure and impact would break his neck. Another thought he would get the drop on her but Natasha was already anticipating a strike from behind; ninjas were predictable backstabbers. Opportunity was always on the top of their minds when wanting to strike and most couldn't resist a turned back, but she knew this and anticipated it so his attempt was met with a round house to kick the blade from his hand and then came the closing movement, as in one fluid motion that followed her kick her gun hand came up to place itself upon the man's forehead and her gun instead of going off simply clicked back silently in the ready with deadly warning. Her cold blue green eyes meeting that of the dark hatred of her opponent. His life was hers and hers alone to take or spare. Every part of her wanted to pull that trigger, screamed for her to do it but she didn't. Perhaps it was the presence of the young boy at her side or perhaps she just liked to watch the smug face of her assailant dwindle to a begrudging respect as she faced him down with the barrel of her gun. She smirked then at the sight of his loathing and his fear, daring him to make that move that would make this an easy decision. It was then rejoined by her masked ally who took another ready stance and with body language alone dared anyone to launch another attack. His hands still glowing with the intense molten energy given by the immortal dragon. “Think they have seen enough?” he asked her with little humor to his tone, though it was still somewhat implied. "Let's ask them..." Natasha answered her masked ally evenly as she continued to stare down her ninja opponent with her gun pointed at his head. "Had enough?..." she smirked at the ninja
NOTES: Don't worry about how long it took to reply I am pretty laid back person to post with and it was definitely worth the wait. <3 your post. It was awesome!  |
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HERO
18
Years Old
Male
57 Posts
Hetrosexual
Single
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
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Post by Daniel Rand on Jul 13, 2014 15:38:17 GMT -5
To have immortality Is to first live a life worth remembering ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯
Every bullet born of her gun was not wasted, each slug hitting its mark and dropping them mere seconds after. While death was an answer he chose not to give without dire circumstance, he could respect one thing about her choice to fire. It was not for pleasure, but all ‘business’. Many whom he had seen pick up a gun for the sake of taking human life found both a sick and soul darkening joy, but a small few took its handle with the respect a fire arm deserved. Much as his friend often spouted, a gun gave its holder great power, and with it was a level of responsibility that few took seriously enough. From what he could see here tonight, as blood painted the front of his partners frame, Natasha understood what it meant to kill to live and not to shoot for the sake of death.
"In a fight everyone is my equal..”
Her words struck him with a small level of surprise, a tiny smile catching the left corner of his lips. His own Yu-ti had once spoken with similar words to explain that it was never right to look down on others for everyone had the potential to rise up and surpass expectation. Danny himself had come face to face with this reality as he, an outsider, had fought his way through the pains of loss and sorrow to become the man he was to day. To the astonishment of all K’hun Lun he had been the one to face the great dragon and emerge the next in line for the ruler of their city. What right did he in turn have to look upon any other being and not expect that they too would not rise to surprise him?
Still dealing death in response was not something he could bring himself to do without more than just cause. Another part of his training was knowing that the stronger he grew the more he had to know how to control that strength and use it to teach and not punish. That was his choice though, and while he frowned upon it he was not here to try and change anyone’s views. He had come to offer assistance and in the heat of battle lessons could fall on deaf or dead ears.
From what he could at the corner of his eyes, as he faced his own attackers, the Black Widow truly lived up to her legend. Her swift motions and quick thought took down the barrage of ninja’s with what could be called ease. She used what was available to her as if her life was spent by training with the odds and ends one may find lying about. Granted in some ways that was in itself true.
Natasha handled the chain she acquired with deadly skill, and still had the balance and accuracy to operate her fire arm and maneuver her body like it was all rehearsed. Each punch and kick hit vitals with pin point accuracy, and a blend of many fighting skills and styles that he assumed she had picked up from years of world travel. At the root of it all there was a level of street fighting that also seemed to creep up and give her an overall advantage that mad it no surprise why she was a top S.H.E.I.L.D agent.
When the time finally came where he felt he could take a breath he turned to see her face off with a final surge of foes. Instinct told him to move in and help, but education reminded him that sometimes getting involved was the least helpful solution one could offer. Natasha had proven capable of handling a small crowd and these few were nothing in comparison. There was no doubt as she was charged that a plan was forming and with each action dialed in, him getting in the center of it would only cause a train wreck. This was a time for only assist when assistance is needed.
Sure enough the spider named spy made quick work of the first two, thought the sound of the one mans neck breaking under the pressure of the chain forced by his own ally made Danny close his eyes and almost wish he had stepped in after all. Too many were already dragging away the dead and it seemed for as many as were simply wounded, there was almost enough to match that were set for a grave. The only saving grace was he knew a few others that would not have let even one soul survive. One I particular being his team’s former leader, but Deadpool had always struck him as the type that would eventually find insanity.
When the click of her cocked gun met his ears, the reality came flooding back through his mind and he found himself standing before what would be the breaking point between self-defense and out right murder. The ninja on his knees was no longer a true threat, and move and his life would be over, she had the advantage. It was true one should never underestimate an opponent, especially one who faced life or death in a split second. Their eyes were locked and he could feel the fear and bitter hatred that radiated from the red clad man. Following the thick anger of his gaze to hers he saw something that troubled him more than the furry filled eyes of their enemy. In her cool green hues there was a hint of pride that matched well with the smirk on her lips. She knew very well that his life was hers to pick and choose, to end or let live. Hesitation seemed out of her nature though and he wondered if it was his own presence or perhaps a laps in thought but for all that it was worth he wanted to see the gun lowered.
His own words were turned into an acid as she spoke her question to the one who awaited his fate. What was just a hesitation on decision was turning into taunting. She looked to be just begging for a reason to pull the trigger. This was not heroics, this was next to a power trip and he would not let it get any worse. Walking the short few steps between what he assumed was the last of the ninja’s and his partner, he let the glow fade from his hands and spoke in a calm voice in an attempt to ease the situation. “You’re best to concede defeat my friend. Your fellows are fleeing and unless you wish to be another body dragged away then you had best listen to the lady.” Danny in no way supported the idea of killing him, in fact his eyes were more so on the trigger, ready at the drop of a needle to prevent it if need be. Sometimes though, leaving the thought that you were merciful was better than appearing weak and withdrawing. One of the greatest weapons of all was the mind after all.
So focused was he on the situation at hand, that he forgot the one rule that Natasha knew so well. A ninja would take any chance to stab you in the back, or something along those lines. In this case, it was not just theirs either. The first arrow to signal the rain that was coming landed not in either of them, but in the neck of the very ninja that faced Black Widow’s gun. The next few whistles were re calculated for what was obviously the only two targets left. Them.
Danny didn’t have time to contemplate why they would take out one of their own, but when he did have the time it would be obvious they assumed their little speech was some kind of interrogation. Either way, it was best to silence their own before he could be forced to speak. The second release of the bow strings sent 3 more arrows headed for them, and even with the speed of a trained fighter Danny could only force his body to move so fast. The core of his motion devoted to moving so that what he was sure were meant to strike death blows, would wind up as minor wounds. One of the arrows scrapped the ground between them but another sunk its way deep into his left shoulder. The shot meant for his heart.
Instantly his hand snapped up to cover the injured area as he spun feeling the sharp sting as the very motion of air from his turn caught the tattered feather tip of the arrow and pressed it against the edges of his wound. The shot was not life threatening but it landed in a very inconvenient place. Any motion to lift that arm would result in great pain as the wooden shaft blocked the area where his shoulder rotated past the collar bone. Blood stained the green of his suit but calming himself quickly he checked on Natasha and if she wasn’t already, and was still mobile, would usher her to the street edges and under the protection of balcony’s. Another added bonus to being on one side and not in the middle meant that only one of the road sides could fire at them long range. From what little he had time to figure as well, this was the side where the archer had fired on them. His biggest hope now was that they were only looking to recover the final ninja and were not still out for blood.
Blue eyes scanned the other side of the road and roof tops for any glint of the steel arrow tips. Ears trained as he listened for the sound of a release or the rustle of a quiver. It was hard to focus as pain throbbed through his body and the heat of blood met the wind chilled skin under his suit. If this was going to turn back into a fight he knew he would need to be able to use his arm. It was possible to fight without it, he had trained to carry on while injured but with no more hail of arrows just yet and no sign of foot soldiers he had to take the opportunity to correct the situation.
Breathing hard he shifted his shoulder to feel out where the arrow tip was, groaning sharply before he felt the front of his shoulder for where the exit point would be and confirmed there would be a clear enough path if the arrow was moved ever so slightly up and away from his collar bone. He would however need a hand to get it done. The back pointed arrow tip was not about to come out the other way and it would be too inaccurate to try and use a wall to push it though. “Are you hit?” he asked first, checking with his team mate. Looking over with quick glances, not just ready to abandon the watch for more arrows.
What he would ask of her next was not for the faint of heart but from what he had already seen tonight he was sure the skilled fighter at his side had seen far far worse than an arrow. Even he had seem some sights that would put many off eating for months. “If you can I need you to push this through..” he asked letting his right fist glow not only to illuminate the scene for them, but also as both a warning and a defensive move. “I can keep a look out..it just has to come up a bit”. His voice held no fear and didn’t falter out of pain, even though his body screamed at him. He had to keep himself composed and fight back any worries until he could guarantee they were safe. He couldn’t’ however keep his pain at bay and fight at the same time. There was only so much focus even he could have.
Note: Glad your feeling better, here is a present! A long..long present XD |
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ANTI-HERO
"Regimes fall every day, I tend not to weep over that. I'm Russian....Or I was."
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Post by Natasha Romanoff on Aug 19, 2014 0:11:07 GMT -5
The tension of the momentary standoff could be cut with that proverbial knife as things seemed to hang upon the precipice of a gunpoint decision. Natasha was just looking for a reason to pull that trigger, her senses heightened in that way only near death and adrenaline can provide; like every inch of her being was alight.
The decision to live or die would be put to the ninjas; leave now and walk away from the fight with their dead, or try a move, any aggressive move and meet death at the end of the gun. It was in fact more of a mercy than she was accustomed to giving, but maybe she was just getting old and tired of the bloodshed. However experience gnawed at her; pragmatically she knew ninjas did not give up. Death was as much their living as it was hers and perhaps even more so. Most took on their task with the knowledge that it was succeed or die in the trying, but then again times had changed and the ninjas of this generation were not as they once were. So she waited with her gun pointed and her eyes squarely on the assassin before her.
“You’re best to concede defeat my friend. Your fellows are fleeing and unless you wish to be another body dragged away then you had best listen to the lady.” Danny had said in his almost zen like voice though Natasha never took her eyes away from the ninja; she didn't trust them. Then again, she really didn't trust anyone.
And then it came, as if almost on queue. The first arrow to signal the rain that was to come, landed through the neck of the very ninja that Natasha faced. Immediately Natasha was on the move, stepping into the downed ninja as his body started to slump from the death blow and the next few whistles of arrows were re calculated for what was obviously the only two targets left. Her and her young ally.
The volley of arrows headed their way and Natasha having stepped into the downed ninja before her used the body as a human shield to absorb the first volley of arrows. She felt the dead man's body tremble from the strikes of the arrows as they sunk and cut through skin and muscle. Warm blood began to coat her hands with a crimson ichor. One of the remaining arrows scrapped the ground between her and Danny but another sunk its way deep into his left shoulder and Natasha heard the plunge of the final arrow and she instinctively turned her head from beneath the carcass she held as a shield and saw the arrow protrude from the young man. What was meant to have been a shot aimed for the heart instead embedded upon shoulder which in the grand scheme of things was a show one stood the chance to walk away from.
The shot was not life threatening but it landed in a very inconvenient place, Natasha noted. Any motion to lift that arm would result in great pain as the wooden shaft blocked the area where his shoulder rotated past the collar bone; yes most inconvenient indeed, was Natasha's thought. Blood stained the green of his suit. Quickly Natasha moved to Daniel's side helping to usher him to the street's edge and under the protection of a balcony. Another added bonus to being on one side and not in the middle meant that only one of the road sides could fire at them long range. Pulling a few discs from her utility belt Natasha flung them at where the arrows had come from initially as she backed them up beneath the cover of the dead ninja's body. Moving to the other edge of the street still facing their enemy in the shadows. Within seconds the discs exploded erupting a nasty concoction called O-chlorobenzalmalononitrile gas; affectionately shortened to CS. The stuff was nasty with exposure to CS causing violent respiratory seizure, up to and including unconsciousness and it works surprisingly fast; filling the initial area of attack with black smoke within seconds. The action also helping to give Daniel and herself a bit of cover and diversion as she helped to usher him to a relatively safer place to assess his injury better. If the gas didn't knock them out they would in the least be trying to stumble their way out of it if they didn't seizure first.
Divesting herself of the dead corpse she'd used as a human shield, Natasha discarded it as if it were no more then a dirty jacket. The body slumping to the ground unceremoniously as she ushered them further into shadow and a bit of cover. Blue green eyes scanned the other side of the road, into the shadows and roof tops for any glint of the steel arrow tips or other ninja, yet so far there were none. Ears trained for the subtlest shift and nuance in sound and Natasha listened for the release of another volley or the rustle of a quiver.
“Are you hit?” Danny asked first, checking with her causing Natasha to momentarily blink in surprise. The young man was hit and yet his first and initial response was to ask her well being, rather than see to his own injuries first. It was an unexpected moment and well very few things on this earth surprised the woman. "No." she answered simply, her voice perhaps sounded detached with a measured calm, though her eyes glanced at the young man's injury. "Let me have a look." she said to Daniel at his injury.
If the fight was going to continue, Natasha knew the young man would need to be able to use his arm. While it was possible to fight without it, it would make for a serious enough handicap, at least where hordes of ninja were concerned.
Natasha's eyes moved from entry would to exit and confirmed there would be a clear enough path if the arrow was moved ever so slightly up and away from his collar bone. He would however need a hand to get it done. The black pointed arrow tip was not about to come out the other way and it would be too inaccurate to try and use a wall to push it though. It's removal though was certainly not for the faint of heart.
“If you can I need you to push this through..” he asked letting his right fist glow not only to illuminate the scene for them, but also as both a warning and a defensive move.
"I certainly can." With a nod Natasha offered calmly as though he had just asked her the most mundane of things. It wasn't mundane by any stretch of the word however Natasha rarely showed any emotion other than a calm neutral repose.“I can keep a look out..it just has to come up a bit”. His voice held no fear which also amazed Natasha for a young man so young. He didn’t seem to falter out of pain, even though Natasha knew that injury was screaming pain throughout his body. The young man managed to keep himself composed not unlike the way she was now.
"Very well...be ready." Natasha said as she positioned herself and made the necessary precautions to make extraction easier before moving to push the arrow carefully through. With a final look of warning at what she was about to do Natasha carefully pushed out the arrow through.
TAG: Iron Fist
WORD#:1,254
NOTES: Cast is off,healing up and off meds so back to posting. Thanks for your patience =)
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HERO
18
Years Old
Male
57 Posts
Hetrosexual
Single
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
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Post by Daniel Rand on Sept 14, 2014 19:32:05 GMT -5
To have immortality Is to first live a life worth remembering ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯ ☯
Every moment spent standing here was a second their enemy would not take sitting down. He couldn't see them but Danny knew that the forces now known to him as the foot would be rallying to either find a new vantage point, drop down to their level, or escape the smoke cloud of Natasha’s bombs. There was not time for tears or frustration, they had to keep progressing or the two heroes risked being once again over whelmed. This time possibly without such a positive outcome.
“I certainly can” Natasha had responded to his request as if the task were a common place as ordering coffee. It had to make one wonder what life prior to this could lead to such a natural and easily come to response. Then again he had only to look at his own past before he stepped back from judging hers. Granted he was no assassin, but he had been raised to treat some rather shocking situations as every other day. One could only be, at a standstill point in time, what their pasts molded them into.
For only a second, Daniel closed his eyes trying to steady himself for what he knew was not about to be a pleasant memory. The events about to unfold were not for the weak stomached, and even some who saw violence daily, the trauma great pain could cause was nothing to laugh at. A deep breath took his nerves back from their attempted build up, and calmed his mind before it got away from him. It had to be done, and she seemed skilled enough execute the procedure efficiently to avoid unnecessary hardship.
“Very well…be ready.” These words, to most, may have seemed insensitive for the action Natasha was about to commit. There was nothing to show emotion or reassurance, but Danny got a small smirk to his lips none the less. He didn't want to be babied and with time of the essence there was no place for a countdown surprise, or inspiring words that would somehow ‘magically’ take the pain away. It was going to hurt, it was going to hurt bad, suck it up. The life of a hero was no more glamour than a soldiers battle field, he signed up for the ‘job’ and he was not about to start complaining now.
Natasha positioned herself around him, finding the best position for leverage, he could honor and respect the consideration put into her placement. Any need to readjust for extra trust to get the arrow tip through would cause him more unnecessary pain. It had to be swift and accurate on the first shot, much like the original action of the arrow. The force it took to lodge that arrow into him would now have to be replicated without the speed and launching power of a bow string. This was a dead push and would take some considerable strength. His only prayer now as that it didn't scrape of snack on any of the nearby bone.
Green eyes looked out through the holes in his mask surveying the streets and surrounding roof tops, watching the black smoke of the chemical attack dissipate while still claiming victims. Trying his best he focused on the defense of their position but even the most well trained mind could not fully block out the pain. He could feel the very air brush over the feathered tip so when Natasha’s slender fingers even graced it he knew what was about to begin. His body tensed for a moment but he forced it to relax, calm muscle would be far easier to push through. “..Ready..” he repeated, and though it felt like a forever since she told him to ‘be ready’ it had only been a mere second.
Through the shaft of the arrow he could swear he felt the muscles in Black Widow’s arms tense before exerting and even force to slowly push the arrow deeper into him. His breathing was steady and while pain riddled every inch of his frame his face showed nothing of the pain. Eyes continued to scan, and his ears listened to anything but the slick sound of the blood drenched arrow. His eyes only saw fleeting shadows, but his ears could pick up on the crumbling of stone and creak of steel. The ninja’s steps were light but the old streets buildings were not so secretive. They Foot was on its decent and soon they would be back in the thick of things.
Danny felt his teeth clench hard against each other, the pressure causing a new pain to push up through his jaw. Forcing the release of the muscle he dared to think back to the arrow for a moment, needing a progress updated. 5 seconds had passed, nothing to the minds log of time on most occasions. Most basic actions took considerably longer and yet somehow this one seemed to tick on as if time had slowed. Through the pain that he pushed aside in his mind he could tell that the end was near. 7 seconds in and through the other side of his suit he tip finally broke and once the backward barbs were clear it was time to finish things up.
“Break the end off..and see if you can take the rest of it out now.” His eyes looked up at the ledge above them. “I think we will have company any moment now” he informed her in case she had not heard the same sings that he had. His body wanted to shake and tremble through the still radiant pain, but it was only about to get worse. Focusing on keeping the agony away while standing was easy, but the mind was only able to truly focus on one task at a time. Once back into the frey he would soon find the true depth of his injury’s fiery burn.
Once the two halves of the arrow were dropped to the ground Danny did the only thing he could thing of before they were swarmed again. He gave Natasha a kindly smile as if she had bandaged a scrape on his knee and lit up both his fists. “Thank you”.
Natasha had not only exceeded his combat expectations, but really lived up to her credentials and title of top S.H.I.E.L.D Agent. The execution of the arrow extraction went perfectly, no unnecessary pain was caused, no bone scratched, no artery nicked, and her hand had not even slipped on the bloodied arrow shaft. Even the end of the arrow had been a clean break, and the removal of the remaining arrow was swift and steady handed. There as a lot he could learn from such a jack of all trades like herself, and if things continued to go well for them maybe he could get in a good enough image to warrant a moment of her time at a later date. Had he not already.
Note: This took me forever and I can only plead your forgiveness ;-; |
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ANTI-HERO
"Regimes fall every day, I tend not to weep over that. I'm Russian....Or I was."
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Post by Natasha Romanoff on Oct 6, 2014 0:21:26 GMT -5
It was the quiet before the storm, she knew this, could practically feel it and Natasha knew that every moment spent standing here was a second closer to death at least that was how Natasha saw it. Everything with her was life and death, there was no rest, just momentary pauses in the ebb and flow of battle. Even if they couldn't see the enemy, Natasha knew that the ninjas were out there simply rallying and vying for a better position to strike again. Though Natasha had to appreciate the young man's courage and ability to manage his pain. Most would have been wailing, yet he took in the pain and staved any large show of emotions. From one so young, Natasha could only be impressed not to mention curious as to how the young man could handle such an injury with a measured amount of control.
Natasha had responded to his request of removing the arrow with her usual detached tone; as if the task were as common place as asking her if she'd ever taken the subway. In her line of work, injuries like these were in some sick twist of fate rather common or well if you worked with Clint enough arrow injuries were rather common though rarely was she on the side of having to remove them most of the time she just watched it happen to the poor schmucks that got in her archer's crosshairs. Mind you there was that one time in Cambodia but she wasn't going to talk about it or think about it actually because she could still feel the burn of that poisoned arrow and those damned barbed arrow head that took Clint forever to remove not to mention the amount of pain she had to withstand while he worked. All without an anesthetic; vodka doesn't count nor was it effective. The curse of a genetically enhanced physiology from Red Room, Natasha couldn't get drunk.
Her trip down memory lane was short lived as she noticed movement from Daniel as he closed his eyes trying to steady himself. "You'll be alright." she said and while she might not emote the warmest cuddliest feelings in people most of times, Natasha did have an uncanny ability to make one trust in her words at least that was what she was banking on when she spoke to Daniel, this time with a reassuring tone; one that said 'I'll get you through this'. Even if she didn't say it out right, it was in her tone and in her eyes, she would do all she could to make sure this remarkable young man walked out of this alley alive and saw the light of day. If it was her last dying breath she would make it happen.
The events about to take place were granted not for the squeamish or weak stomach. Not even for some who saw violence on a daily basis were necessarily prepared for the trauma or pain about to befall the young man, but no one ever said life was easy. Life was blood, sweat, pain and tears and young Daniel was about to get a good dose of that pain when she took that arrow out. She was about to tell him to take a deep breath however the young man already seemed to be doing just that and calmed his body. Once again the young man could not help but impress Natasha for not only his seemingly aged wisdom of earlier but of his inner strength and control
“Very well…be ready.” These words, to most, may have seemed insensitive for the action Natasha was about to commit. There was nothing to show emotion or coddling sentimentality; Natasha by nature wasn't the mothering type however she did work as gently and carefully as she could to make it less of a pain then it was going to be.
Natasha positioned herself around the young man, glancing briefly around to ensure nothing was going to get the drop on them. Finding the best position for leverage as she gauged the arrow's entry and exit point she took extra consideration into her placement and mentally went over the extraction. Any need to readjust for extra thrust to get the arrow tip through would cause Daniel more unnecessary pain and she wanted to avoid that. It was already going to hurt like a bitch, she didn't want to exacerbate the situation so she had to be swift and accurate from the get go. It required a fluid follow through for the force it took to lodge that arrow into him would now have to be replicated without the speed and launching power of a bow string. It required a dead push with some considerable strength behind it. This was one of the few times she actually thanked Red Room for her enhanced physiology.
Moving her eyes away from the wound momentarily Natasha made one last cursory glance at the streets and surrounding roof tops, watching for signs of the enemy. The black smoke of the chemical attack was starting to dissipate while still claiming victims. She noticed then that Daniel too was looking out as if to survey their scene and circumstance; trying his best to focus on the defense of their position but even still Natasha could see the pain writ in the man's face, masked or not the tells for her were there.
"We need to do this now." she said with an even clinical tone as her slender fingers graced moved to grasp the shaft of the arrow.
Natasha felt Daniel's body tense for a moment and in that instant her blue-green eyes looked into the whites of his mask and for the first time her face shifted to a warm reassurance, though wordless as she was. "Try to relax..." she said in an almost gentle coaxing manner. She knew it was a tall order to ask but it was the truth, tensing would just make it that much more painful and harder.
Taking a breath in of her own, Natasha's arms tensed before exerting an even force to slowly push the arrow deeper into him. Even if she did not look it or even verbalize it, internally Natasha was apologizing for the pain she was inflicting on the boy.
'I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry.' her mind screamed as she pushed the arrow through; face a neutral mask devoid of emotion even as her mind shouted out apologies. Her jaw though was clamped shut and vocal box silent.
Natasha closed her eyes seeming as though through exertion of force but instead it was from the sickening feel of the slick feel and sound of the blood drenched arrow moving through. She might have seen injuries like this and ones even worse but that didn't mean that internally she wasn't affected; she was. Natasha was just very good at hiding those things and masking them into other things so as never to give anything away. Her eyes opened at the end point when the tip finally broke and once the backward barbs were clear it was time to finish things up. Though it was then she saw in the distance the flitting of shadows coming closer. The Hand were coming for their second wave.
“Break the end off..and see if you can take the rest of it out now.” Daniel had said, breaking off Natasha's momentary glance into the shadowy distance.
Daniel's eyes looked up at the ledge above them. “I think we will have company any moment now” he informed her.
"Yes." she replied simply and it was hard telling if it was to his request to break off the end or his warning of the ninjas coming and in actuality it was to both. And with that she broke the end off and removed the two halves of the arrow and dropped it to the ground.
It was then she moved quickly grabbing a small tube from her belt and twisted the slender device. The colour of the dark tube quickly turned a milky white. Without even a word Natasha jabbed the tube like device into Daniel's wound and pressed on the top to release the injectable foam into the wound. The two liquid chemicals rapidly form into a foam expanding into the wound filling the area to prevent blood loss during the critical first hour until Daniel could receive urgent medical treatment. The feel of the foam would seem cooling to the edges of the wound but internally it stemmed the blood flow out of the body.
“Thank you” the young man said as though she had simply bandaged a scraped knee, to which Natasha simply nodded and smiled though as an afterthought she decided to warn him.
"I've only managed to stem the bleeding for about an hour. You will still need real medical attention and I can't do that on the street." she cautioned. "But well, first thing's first I guess." she then said her voice still that measured calm and detached tones. "We finish this."
With that Natasha got out her guns once more, then glanced over at Daniel to see if he was ready for the final wave to come. "And this time, I'm not pulling punches." she said of her choice to offer her enemy quarter. "No quarter." she said, eyes looking out at the shadows expectantly.
"You ready for this?" she asked glancing over at Daniel, guns held at the ready.
NOTES: Round Two of Ninja bashing
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