Sixth Duel

[misplacedxsheath]

*Margulis must have dropped his phone at some point during his last fight with a group of Shadows, because it's on the ground, looking up at him. He seems as calm as ever, sword in one hand and Persona standing in front of him, but he abruptly turns when an even, relaxed voice sounds behind him.*

Hello, colonel.

Uzuki-?!

*Margulis' eyes go wide as a black haired man walks into view.*

I guess it's too much to hope for you to be glad to see me. You really are stubborn, aren't you?

*Margulis' eyes narrow and he turns the rest of the way around, gripping his weapon tightly.*

What reason would I have to be glad to see you?

How long are you going to keep up this charade? Why don't you admit how you really feel?

What kind of nonsense are you spouting this time?

*The dark haired man gives a soft smile that still manages to come across as somewhat patronizing and shakes his head.*

You really are a sad man, colonel. Is admitting that you care really so terrifying?

Maybe I am a sad excuse for a man, but it's not for that reason.

Is that so? Then can I assume that Pelligri's death didn't bother you?

*That's the last straw. With an angry shout, Margulis charges the other man, swinging his saber harshly down to meet with a swiftly drawn katana. Chips of ice fly when the blades meet and Margulis' eyes widen in realization.*

You-I should have known. Even Uzuki wouldn't be shameless enough to talk about her so easily after killing her himself.

*Margulis dodges a counter slash from the katana, evidently even angrier for realizing the deception.*

Your point?

It would be an insult to a worthy opponent to allow an imposter like yourself to live.

*Margulis charges in again, and this time the pair exchanges blows without stopping. The Shadow obviously has a distinct upper hand in terms of both speed and strength, occasionally moving in a blur and once slicing a lamp post in two when Margulis dodges a swing. Paschar manages to even the odds somewhat, but the Shadow is wearing him down fast. Fortunately for him, the combat kicks the phone around enough to give a good idea of where they are, before it finally shuts off.*

(If nobody rescues him, odds are he's going to die during this. Either way, he'll be incredibly grumpy when it's all over.)

Comments

[needsteaplz]

[Hey she spent most of the day sleeping so this is exercise. Plus she's mad at the fact no one listened to her earlier post about how they shouldn't solo the Dark Hour. Saori manages to find them and arrives in the scene.

She brings out Brigid and uses both Rakunda and Diarama for support.]

Margulis!

[misplacedxsheath]

*That heal is very helpful, since he already has several bleeding gashes. But he shoots her an irritated glance as his blade meets the Shadows again and he slides back.*

Stay out of this, Nakagawa.

[needsteaplz]

Not a chance. I told everyone to stay together if they were going out and I find you here!

[Pot calling kettle black much, Saori? She readjust her hand wraps and gets into a fighting stance.]

Bring it.

[misplacedxsheath]

I can deal with this impostor on my own.

*The blades part and Margulis attacks again, but he's nowhere near fast enough to get under his opponent's guard. He does, however, manage to lock the blades so that it's a contest of grips rather than pure strength. It's a fairly standard disarming technique, but it's worked in the past.*

[needsteaplz]

Fine, fine be stubborn like that. Just don't expect me to leave just yet.

[She punches a shadow that was trying to pounce at her.]

[misplacedxsheath]

*He won't dignify that with a response. Partly because the Shadow is responding to the attempt at disarming by kicking Margulis' feet out from under him. He manages to keep a hold on his sword, just barely, and roll with his landing to avoid an icy slash that cuts right through the concrete that had been under him.

But while the Shadow is focused on that, Paschar fires off an Agi spell that it barely notices in time to avoid, ending up with a singed leg as it jumps, landing behind Margulis as he stands.*

What happened, colonel? Has dying rusted your skills that much?

*All the response that gets is an angry shout and a harsh swing that's easily dodged, before the Shadow launches a counter-attack. From the looks of it, Margulis won't be able to avoid a nasty chest wound on his own.*

[needsteaplz]

Brigid!

[Her persona appears and casts an agi spell at the impostor aiming for his head. She doesn't care if Margulis would yell at her for interfering but she doesn't want that body count to rise anymore even hough they would come back eventually. ]

Sorry I don't plan on losing any more people to you fakes.

[misplacedxsheath]

*The Shadow breaks off its attack to dodge, responding with a large chunk of sharpened ice aimed at Saori.*

A friend of yours, colonel?

That's none of your concern, impostor.

*He charges again, prompting the Shadow to leap over his swing. Paschar, meanwhile, attempts to cut off the ice attack with another Agi spell, but it's not nearly as strong as the Shadow's attack.*

[needsteaplz]

Maha Agi!

[Huzzah for party targeting magic. Saori managed to dodge the ice during the last attack.]

You guys sure have a lot of nerve to copy people from our worlds. I'm afraid your little charade is over though.

[misplacedxsheath]

*That connects, hitting the Shadow while it's still in midair. It lands, looking a lot worse for the wear thanks to that Rakunda, and Margulis is quick to capitalize on the moment of weakness. The Shadow blocks his slash, tying up its sword so that it can't block the Zan-ei attack from Paschar. Its grip on its sword falters at the attack, giving Margulis enough leeway to pull his blade back and drive it through the Shadow's chest, giving only the briefest moment of hesitation because of its appearance.*

If you're going to imitate Uzuki, do it right. He isn't this weak.

*The Shadow dissolves around the saber and Margulis slowly lowers his arm, pretending he's not bothered by the injuries that the Diarama wasn't enough to fix despite the blood still seeping into his clothes.*

[needsteaplz]

[Saori sighs in relief and goes over to Margulis.]

C'mon let's see that. No using hiding it.

[Sorry no time for a victory theme, she's intent on seeing his injuries.]

[misplacedxsheath]

*What isn't obvious from a distance but is fairly blatant up close is that he's breathing heavily. He's worn out and trying not to show it.*

I'll admit, it's worse than what I usually get, but it's nothing I can't manage.

[needsteaplz]

Hang on, I should be able heal that up a bit.

[Last thing they need to deal with is massive blood loss and other bodily things. She begins casting multiple diarama spells.]

Feeling a little better? Okay maybe this isn't a good time mention this but...you know we never did have that sparring match.

[misplacedxsheath]

*Well, it doesn't do anything for the fact that he's already covered in blood, but he does look a lot better. Even if he is frowning, since he's never really liked making use of healing abilities. It stings his pride. But apparently it's a better time to bring it up than she thinks, because the reminder makes him smirk instead.*

You know how to provide someone incentive to recover quickly, don't you, Nakagawa?

[needsteaplz]

[She cracks a smile.]

You could say I have experience in this sort of thing. Of course we'd be sparring once the full moon is past and whatever big baddie of the month shows up.

What do you say we put a little bet on it?

[misplacedxsheath]

A bet, hmm? I assume you have something interesting in mind?

[needsteaplz]

How's...your tolerance for spicy food?

[misplacedxsheath]

Hah, I haven't met a dish yet that I couldn't handle.

[needsteaplz]

[She chuckles with confidence. Just as planned.]

Is that so? Well how about this: Loser has to eat the winner's spiciest creation.

[misplacedxsheath]

*That, actually, earns another small laugh, just as confident as hers.*

You're going to regret making that bet, Nakagawa.

[needsteaplz]

Really now? We'll see about that after the match then.

[misplacedxsheath]

Indeed we will. Just don't expect me to go easy on you because you helped me.

[needsteaplz]

I don't remember saying I wanted you to. It won't be as fun without a challenge after all.

[misplacedxsheath]

Then it's no wonder you agreed to spar against me.

*Can you feel the ego radiating off of him?*

[needsteaplz]

[Oh yes and this is why beating him in both matches will be so fun. Just kidding. Or is she?]

Shadows can be tough at times but they don't make good sparring partners.

[misplacedxsheath]

*She might want to watch it, that ego isn't completely unfounded.*

Anything lacking in the intelligence to attack and respond in more than an instinctive manner isn't worth anything more than cannon fodder as far as combat practice is concerned.