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[Twinwolf]

Neon Aletheia vs. Ethereal Hunter

Maddie took a deep breath when there wasn't a hit registered; unfortunate, but it did get her a bit of a gauge on the woman's reflexes and mobility; she'd have to either try to get closer or trick her into an exploitable move for the next one.

She'd nocked another arrow, charging up, as she waited for it to get a bit narrower. Not too narrow yet, but somewhat. She cut the jets on her boots, no longer hovering and falling to the ground. Then she braced herself and stomped. While the height of the curtain was too much for a normal jump, it wasn't too much for a boosted one; the charge of kinetic energy, gathered from her movement and now expended by the stomp, launched her into the air, where she could sail over the bullet curtains and force Neon to change direction, or else just guess where she went.

Or at least, that's what it sounded like. But being predictable wouldn't help here.

Instead, Maddie launched herself upwards and let herself fall down in roughly same position. The drone that had been playing decoy leapt over the right-hand bullet curtain, just a hint of a shadow over the curtain and fell onto the other side, while another drone fell back and jumped over the other. Hopefully Neon would be distracted (or at least conclude she had to follow it in case it was her), and give her some breathing room. The Ethereal Hunter had a backup plan for dodging if she didn't fall for it, but well, it was a resource to be conserved.

[IntSys]

Neon Aletheia vs. Ethereal Hunter

A surprising move, one that Neon would not have been able to see coming from past records. As it turned out, her opponent still had stronger vertical movement options. And from the sound of it, it was a successful jump. The shadow crossing the light emitted by the blasts only further added to the observation.

But panicking wouldn't help here. She hesitated briefly. That could have been anything. Whether it was EtHun or her drones. And on top of that, at that point, whether she guessed it was the former or the latter, the risk attached was very much unwanted. So, she instead expanded the circular sector again, jolting the stream of fire the shadow had crossed to restart at the rough position where EtHun would be able to reach at full speed. The possibilities were still covered, and she still managed to maintain a position that made sure her opponent was before her. Though it meant her progress was set back, it was still well within plan.

[AzyWng]

Midas vs Sycophant

Oops. Hadn't thought of that. Quickly flipping a few switches on the controls, the barrage of unseen confetti stopped and the music lowered to a volume less likely to destroy Celica's eardrums.

Midas raised its shield, Aleks' eyes sweeping the area to prepare for any attacks Sycophant was likely to bring forth. While he was at it, Aleks made sure he could quickly activate one of the rockets in case he needed to light up the space around him for a moment. He'd reveal himself, but he'd also be able to see around him a lot better than before.

"Sorry, but I had to find some way to get you to act. Didn't want this match to devolve into 'two mechs playing blind hide-and-seek' for the next half an hour. Promise me you're gonna at least try for something a little more entertaining than 'hit me in the back of the head'?"

[GodofGamingRWBY]

Midas vs Sycophant

"Much better" Celica commented as the music's volume began to lower, her mech's claws digging into the rounded walls of the arena in order to gain a bit of a higher ground. At Midas' request, she allowed a brief pause to go through the communicator, to act like she was even considering the request instead of rolling her eyes, before speaking again, "Sure. Might as well make this first match a spectacle, right?" she stated, slowly moving across the arena in her hunt for her opponent. Going straight at him was suicide still, and her enemy likely knew that, and was preparing a counter if she tried to come from the front or back, in case she went back on her word.

She wouldn't, but she needed to actually pinpoint the walking music box before she could make a move. She'd only have one shot at taking them out after all, so she had to make it count.

[AzyWng]

Midas vs Sycophant

Not one to charge in blindly, huh? Shame. It would've looked cool.

Still, though, as tempted as he was to start running in a direction, he knew doing so would likely open him up to a sneak attack - there wasn't really any way of knowing if his opponent was willing to actually face him. So, in light of this fact, Aleks readied his mech to produce a bit of... "spectacle".

Midas hefted its hammer before tossing it forward in a blind throw - the aim not being hitting Sycophant so much as to prepare for what would happen next.

The hammer, propelled by the power of an extremely strong mech, bounced off one wall of the arena - then another. Just as it was bout to fall to the ground, Aleks hit a few buttons on his controls...

And the jets fired up. The hammer was no longer a stone thrown with the purpose of distracting - it was a bright spark that drew the eye as it bounced around the arena in a pinball fashion. Midas's shiny armor and shield all too easy to see in the burning of the jets, but doing so would require Celica's eyes to adjust to the sudden flash of light - and Aleks, who shielded his own eyes from the worst of it, could close in and make the first swing.

At least, that was the plan.

And if the plan failed, he'd just come up with another, simple as that.

[GodofGamingRWBY]

Midas vs Sycophant

As Celica continues to focus in on where the music was coming from, a new sound suddenly rang out, drowning out the rest of the noise. Instantly, Celica tensed up, making her mech leap further up the wall in case it was a direct attack, only to relax somewhat when the second bang came. Judging by that, it was likely that Midas was throwing themselves around the arena in a desperate attempt to find her, or had thrown his weapon to do the same thing. Both ideas were idiotic in her eyes, but she couldn't take a chance just yet. So, she decided to wait, seeing what their idea of finding her would be-

And then everything erupted into light as a bright object suddenly began to bounce around the arena, blinding Sycophant's exterior cameras, and by extension, Celica herself. Thanks to the fact that she had been watching too closely on the darkness, the young girl didn't have much fortune avoiding the worst of the light, letting out a shout of both surprise and annoyance as she instinctively turned off her direct communications. She should've seen that coming, but dammit this guy was pissing her off. First he attacked her ears, probably leaving her slightly deaf for the rest of her life, and now he had attacked her eyes.

But she wouldn't lose. Not so soon, and not by a little trick like that.

Though temporarily blinded, Celica knew her mech's controls like the back of her hand. So, after a brief moment following the flash of light, Sycophant moved, digging its claws into the slopped surface around it as it climbed up further, putting some extra distance between itself and Midas as Celica's eyes quickly recovered

[AzyWng]

Midas vs Sycophant

With practiced bravado, Aleks directed the jets in his hammer so that they would shut off at the right moment, causing the hammer to fly back at him with the jets switched off. Grabbing onto it once more, Aleks carefully watched and listened over the song. Still didn't catch a glimpse of Sycophant. Someone less accustomed to mech fighting - let alone mech fighting with music playing - probably wouldn't have senses nearly as good as his, but he could tell that his opponent still wasn't interested in attacking. In hindsight, such an action was obvious enough - if his trick had worked, he'd just blinded his foe - and few would want to rush towards their opponent in such a state. He had to move in closer. Approaching the opposite wall with hammer and shield at the ready, Aleks decided to try yet another trick to attempt to goad his foe into making a mistake.

"You know, when I got here, I thought I would get to fight someone strong! Someone able to take bad odds and shove 'em! All I've heard so far is some bitch complain that I set the volume too loud! If all you're going to do is run away or ask for mercy, why the hell are you even here?"

[Chevaleresse]

Ruby Darter vs. Wandering Dragon

Her startlement proved that he'd guessed correctly; unfortunately, he couldn't close the distance fast enough. Tarmo knew he was facing a ranged build, and that the Darter knew his current position - or a very close approximation. He dodged to the side a short distance, conserving charge in his movement systems. The lack of impact told him he'd dodged the inevitable counterattack, and she would likely have anticipated that as well, so he began to move back towards where his opponent had started - only to be buffeted by the shock wave of the bomb going off just before he would have moved into its effective range. So that's what it is. He hadn't taken any damage, but it was a close call regardless.

This was a problem; a delayed blast meant that he couldn't use the reports to accurately gauge where his enemy was. However, he had been close enough to her a short time ago to gauge an approximate direction, and judging by the path she'd traveled, she would likely still be in the air. . . He risked another flash of light to charge his blade and send that charge rippling upward through the air, a blue arc ascending directly from where Ruby Darter had taken off from. Immediately after launching his attack, Tarmo started to move diagonally, ensuring he didn't make himself an easy target for bombing.

[GodofGamingRWBY]

Midas vs Sycophant

Celica was suddenly glad that she had turned off her communicator just a few moments prior, as Midas' taunt had caused her to immediately tense up and let out a small growl, inaudible to anything outside of her mech. If he considered her polite request to lower his music as her being a 'bitch', then he must have everything go his way in his personal life. And to call her weak because she didn't chose to rush him head on annoyed her even more.  But even if his insults had hit home, it didn't change Celica's strategy. In fact, it only gave her time to think, and to force Midas to play his actual hand.

"... Who knows, maybe you'll be able to find someone who'll fight you like that" Celica began after turning her communicator back on, keeping her voice in its normal, cheerful tone despite her newfound distaste for the man, "But I did agree to make this a spectacle. Hiding in the shadows really doesn't do that. So..." she continued, before the red outlines to her mech lit up, marking the activation of her Spark and exposing the normally hidden mech...

Or at least, it would've, if the red outlines didn't appear several meters behind the actual mech, hopping down from the wall and sitting down next to the edge. Waiting for Midas' response. All while the true Sycophant lied above, watching the darkness in preparation for her opponent's move that would inevitably reveal his position to her. She wouldn't fall for the same light trick again... And she would win.

"I'll give you your fight."

Sycophant's Spark has been activated!

[AzyWng]

Midas vs Sycophant

After all the noise and light, a few harsh words were all that was needed to get her to reveal herself?

Well, whatever the case, he could hardly do nothing. He needed to test his opponent - see how they reacted to his moves.

Spinning his hammer (even though none could see it), Midas threw it straight at the red outlines, putting its shield up in case they moved closer.

[Twinwolf]

Neon Aletheia vs. Ethereal Hunter

Well, that was probably the smartest way that Neon could've played that short of calling her bluff. Maddie let her bow charge a bit more as the bullet curtain approached, and then turned and sprinted towards it at top speed, preparing for the teleport. Usually this would be a bit risky, letting her opponent catch a glimpse of her as she speed-glitched through the wall of energy, but in the pitch black she was just as invisible as she would be standing still as stone.

Speed Bonus Used: 4/5 remaining

On the other side, she had ample time to charge up and plan out the next shot. She'd ducked that first round; good reflexes, aim for center of mass to give her less room to move. Get a bit closer so she doesn't have time to dodge it. And decoy shot to force her into a dodge before firing.

3... she aimed, getting ready to fire as the bow hit full charge. 2... Once more, a shot CRACKED out from within the area held by the bullet curtain, roughly where Maddie would be if she'd kept ahead of the wall from before she'd teleported, aiming straight at center of mass. When Neon moved to dodge the false railbow spike, the Ethereal Hunter would take advantage of her being caught in her movement; she adjusted her aim just a bit.

About two thirds out from the center (a good bit closer than the first time she'd fired) and from Neon's 7 o'clock, and with the echo of the fake shot still ringing through the arena, another CRACK split the air, and Maddie was ready to move the moment the spike left the bow.

[IntSys]

Neon Aletheia vs. Ethereal Hunter

EtHun's maneuvers went unnoticed by Neon until the first crack pierced through the arena. The first thought was to evade the attack right away, but just as she sidestepped out of the false shot's way, things began to feel incredibly suspicious. Surely, her opponent would know that she could see all of her shots as long as she's right before her. Why would she waste her precious shots like that? She didn't have all the time in the world, after all.

And then, the second, real shot announced its entrance, coming from behind her. A metal rod flying at ultrasonic speeds hit her chins squarely and sent her flying. A loose flash of blue light followed, an imitation of a botched attempt at shielding the attack. Then, she slid on the floor, absorbing the recoil, before finally stopping near the edge of the arena. The pain was comparable to Trinity's blasts. No doubt, in exchange for having to charge for so long, EtHun's railbow had the ability to decimate armor that should normally be able to handle 6 Firepower builds.

There was no sound. The only possible explanation was that her opponent had glitched past the curtains. "... Good job. I guess that wouldn't work anymore, huh?" Neon's spirits remained unfazed even after the first hit. She flew up high into the center of the arena and faced down, overlooking every corner. She could afford to play four more rounds of curtain searching, were she not being seen by all of Tempest. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Without further warning, she began to scatter blasts at the ground, starting from the general area where the last shot came from, but eventually spreading into the entire arena. Though being spread out meant it was possible to dodge them one by one, they also acted as flickering lights that lit up the ground. And on top of that, her new position meant that she could see any shot coming from the floor as soon as they were fired.

[Twinwolf]

Neon Aletheia vs. Ethereal Hunter

Maddie hadn't stood still to celebrate the hit; she'd learned early on that if you stay in the same position after sniping a ranged-focused foe, you're just gonna get your position glassed with you on it. So as Neon flew into the sky after the hit, she was strafing the arena's edge again, watching her and making sure to have her drones keep peppering her with fire; sure, they didn't hurt nearly so much as her bow, especially against someone with as much defense as Neon had - but even if they only did superficial damage, they kept her nice and visible and forced her to keep on her toes so they couldn't just keep wearing down the same spot. "Probably not, no!" Ethereal Hunter responded.

When the initial blasts hit the ground, Ethereal Hunter wasn't anywhere near the spot she'd fired from, and was quite happy to charge the bow while Neon set up another spread. But instead of a curtain of bullets too thick to avoid but in a predictable location, now Neon was firing apparently at random; the bullets could be dodged but it was an unpredictable shower instead of a slowly advancing wall, and that meant Maddie's attention had to temporarily turn to dodging; the bow could charge while she did it, but actually stopping and aiming might well mean getting hit for it; nevermind the fact that they lit up the arena, which if she wasn't careful would let Neon catch her tell-tale shimmer in the air.

[IntSys]

Neon Aletheia vs Ethereal Hunter

Neon's speed and position advantage proved to be more than sufficient to evade the drones' attacks from down below. If they were to come any bit too close to her, they would inevitably be struck down by her energy blasts, so there wasn't much they could do to improve their hit rate.

She used the newfound leniency to take some more time observing the newly-exposed flaws in her foe's stealth ability. And of course, to wait for her opponent to give her more opportunities. For starters, though, she considered waiting for EtHun's next attack to see if she could correctly follow her movements.

Until then, the bullet hell unfolding beneath her continued to apply pressure to EtHun and her drones.

[GodofGamingRWBY]

Midas vs Sycophant

Though there was no sight, the sound of Midas throwing his weapon was clear as day. As soon as the weapon had left his hands, the red outlines suddenly became a blur, practically teleporting to the side of the hammer's trajectory, glowing eyes now seeming to stare directly at Midas' position. Yet it didn't advance, merely beginning to pace and observe, listening to the sounds around to it to determine if the hammer was coming back to hit it again.

Up above, Celica barely paid any attention to the doings of her illusion. It was a distraction, nothing more, and as long as her opponent was focused on it she didn't care how they reacted. Not even with the fact that her opponent had chosen to throw his weapon at her instead of revealing himself, all after he admitted to wanting a straight fight. She couldn't exactly blame him, it was something she would do, but it was a bit too on the nose.

But for now, she waited, slowly closing in on the source of the music while waiting for Midas' little light trick. It had come from his weapon, so she was certain that it would have to be used again so he could retrieve, and although it had blinded her the first time... She wouldn't be so careless the next.