[Auto Exam] Maze of Madness [AJ and Maple]

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

If only she had an ounce as much faith in herself that he had in her. (And if she had a silver seed for every time she had that thought). Maple shifted her gaze at AJ for a brief moment, her shadow self still pushing against her broom and swiping and gave him a pleading look. "I ... d-don't .. think they. w-would allow... th-that..." It was probably against the rules for him to help her. This was an exam. Even as much as she really wanted him to help.

(This would be a rather nice chance to prove his point, of her improvement... but she still didn't think there was a chance of that happening qq).

As quick of a glance as she had managed, it was a small enough window that allowed the shadow to reach around the broom and grab at the witch's arm and squeeze. Maple let out a small little cry and tried to break free, twisting her own body and pulling away. She didn't get a chance to free herself but at least smacked the shadow really hard where its head was.

Quote:

Maple's HP: 36/40
Shadow HP: 45/50
Damage: 4

meegane

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

He froze for about a second with Maple's reply, "You're right.....how can I forget..." He chuckled lightly but there was a hint of abnormality too weak to catch. He put a face on his face, head raised up and ignored his opponent. The dark tendrils crawled onto his legs and arms when he didn't do anything, they squished forcefully and left marks on his skin. It hurt but he didn't move. He simply let the tendrils to dig deeper until he heard of the cry Maple made.

He jerked his limbs and let his claws sank into the tendrils to twist them together and tore them from his body. The head snapped and ate some other. He punched that AJ right into his abdomen, as if it was himself. AJ wanted to punch himself really badly for everything. Really really badly.

chirigami

AJ: 36/40
Shadow AJ: 39/ 50
DMG: 6  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

She was too caught in her own struggles to notice any changes with AJ, but even then she probably wouldn't have figured them as such. As much as she considered him a friend, there was still so much she didn't know about him and what she did, the witch was aware he didn't mind a fight. And some creeple just got.. a little.. different in fights.

Like sometimes when adrenaline was high and the flight response was winning out, that someone could gain the upper hand, even just for a little bit. "L-let.. g-go!" She pushed her free arm downward, twisting the handle of her broom so it was right tight against the shadow's arm, trying to pry it off of her own with as much force as she could. Still, it held on, digging its fingers deep still. Maple whined and twisted harder, the handle digging deep into the blackness of the creature until it finally cleaved right through releasing the pair of them and sending both stumbling back from one another.

Quote:

Maple's HP: 34/40
Shadow HP: 38/50
Damage: 7

meegane

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

She reminded him that it was an exam and he should let Maple showing her abilities to whoever watching somewhere. Taking a breathe, he recollected himself to focus on his own battle, knowing Maple would have difficulties but handled them through her signature stutters and stumbles. The witch might look weak but she actually was able to do much more than one would expect.

On the other hand, his attacks were stable but not hard enough. I need to be stronger, he thought, and that belief prevailed and occupied his mind as he kicked the shadow off and scooted over to Maple, until his back touched hers. "Maple, nice hit." He turned his head slightly to look at her over his shoulders before he bounced out to give another AJ more damage.

chirigami

You're so cool, Maple! <33333

AJ: 34/40
Shadow AJ: 34/ 50
DMG: 5  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

The arm of the shadow mended easily enough, at least what seemed like the way its arm would. It's mass simply twisted and reformed as if she had done nothing at all. A quick recovery, one at least to send the shadow back on the attack. It spun lightly on its feet, building momentum as it threw a back handed punch but the young witch managed to block most of the attack with the handle of her broom once again and clipped the creature in return.

Still a bit focused, Maple seized up when she felt a pressure on her back (though, that probably would have happened regardless) and almost whirled around in panic. Attack from another front? But her wide eyes simply found herself looking at AJ. "Aa, AJ!" Her cheeks flushed, "Th-thank.. you..." Had he been watching her this whole time? (Now she felt bad having no compliments to give to him!)

Quote:

Maple's HP: 32/40
Shadow HP: 35/50
Damage: 3

meegane

She disagreeeeees gonk

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

It might be a misconception, but the shadow selves seemed getting stronger. The tendrills from and behind the shadow AJ flailed and brandished, shot to grasp onto the monster. He dodged once and the Head torn another, but there were countless of them. They wrapped around the body and served as a shield when AJ attacked and pricked out when the boil was from a distance. They created holes after another on the solid ground, reflecting how perilous it would be piercing by on of them.

They were intelligent and not blindly attack, the two shadows exchanged idea with a glance. They made a step closely towards the centre with their strikes, the witch and the monster didn't pay attention until their backs touched each other again. "Jack," AJ hissed, realizing their tactics finally. They wanted to restrict their area of movement and locked them into a confined room that was hard to fight. It was not a light spar that he could relax, but a real battle that his bloods boiled and sweated.

Knowing how bad it would be if they succeeded, the Amphibaena lunged to the bosom of the shadow of himself to push him away as to interrupt their perfect plan. It gave the advantage for the shadow to catch him, but at least they broke through the envelopment. He groaned at the tight crush at his wrist. He pulled and tugged for the escape, didn't forget to remind the witch about it. "Don't let those tendrils catch you, they'll crush your bones."

chirigami

Be confident, Maple /boops her

AJ: 32/40
Shadow AJ: 32/ 50
DMG: 2  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

The plan that the shadows were seeming to come up with, that AJ spotted probably miles away was not something Maple had picked up on. The only thing she noticed was their nod to one another, "Are.. th-they.. working t-together?" It was only things like that, identifying species and facts were what she could manage. Battle plans and strategy were not; she liked to stay out of fights, thank you.

Maple eeped when AJ shot forward and dared not to follow in example. In fact, she ended up going backwards as her own shadow took it as a window of opportunity (probably one of several) to lash out once again. The witch managed to get out of reach in time but in turn didn't get to strike back.

"A! A-alright." Her arm had hurt very badly where the shadow had grasped it. Not to self, don't let it happen again.

Quote:

Maple's HP: 32/40
Shadow HP: 35/50
Damage: miss

meegane

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

Sadly he didn't have time to answer her question, dealing with the shadow getting more and more powerful already occupied his concentration. AJ clawed on his arm and he swatted him back on his face with the tendrils, he returned him a high kick while AJ booted him backward. There were too many back and forth going in a short time.

He wanted to check on Maple but the shadow didn't give him time, he gritted and wanted to knock him down so that he can go to the witch. Yet, he didn't show any flaw he could take advantage of. Maple wasn't making much noises and he begun to worry. Just a quick glance, he turned his head and the shadow took the chance to give him a strong blow. AJ stumbled and panted, realizing the longer the fight, the worse situation they would be in.

"Maple, are you still alright?"

chirigami

AJ: 30/40
Shadow AJ: 29/ 50
DMG: 3  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

The answer to his question could have easily been a long winded answer about how everything was not alright in the slightest. She was trapped in a maze, her arm hurt a little bit and she was fighting against a shadow version of herself. It could have even gone back further before this day and a whole life story. But all she responded with was a very morose, ".... I th-think.. so..."

Again, she managed to dodge an attack from the shadow but failed to land a hit herself. AJ was probably fairing a lot better. "Are... you.. al-alright?" Not that she could possibly do anything to help him if he wasn't.

Quote:

Maple's HP: 32/40
Shadow HP: 35/50
Damage: miss

meegane

apparently she doesn't want to get this done...

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

"Me, I'm still fine. Nothing hurt worse than the burns." It was clear for the first part, but the second part turned into a muttering. The crushing of bones hurt, the punches and kicks hurt, but he already experienced more painful blow to his body and soul, they were not big deals. AJ cracked a short laugh, he shouldn't mind it but he was all fussed over it.

Jack! He was annoyed like a young teenager. Never mind, he told himself. He would let the fight take over his mind and gave vent to his emotions by punching the shadow. He put his forearm in front of him, vertically placed to form a temporary shield to the high kick and took the short time to strike back.

chirigami

/gives my feeble luck to you~

AJ: 28/40
Shadow AJ: 25/ 50
DMG: 4  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

Maple let out a little yelp when the shadow managed to land a punch to her face. It wasn't the worst thing ever, but it still held some power behind it and she could definitely feel it on her cheek. She was going to have a bruise there or something. Hopefully not a black eye. The pair of them were at least close enough now for her to smack it back with the solid mass of the bristles.

Wait, did.. she hear AJ mention burns? The ghoul gave him a horrified look. Was it from baking? Or did someone do it?!

Quote:

Maple's HP: 30/40
Shadow HP: 32/50
Damage: 3

meegane

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

AJ didn't expect his words would distract the witch that much, seeing her being punched on her pretty face got him so irritable. He lost his concentration and his own punch missed when the shadow squatted and attacked his stomach. He coughed for the nausea and braced himself. Stumbled for a few steps, he recollected himself and swept at the feet of the shadow.

chirigami

Hey it works!

AJ: 28/40
Shadow AJ: 25/ 50
DMG: miss  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

Maple found herself distracted a second time - third... fourth... - when AJ began coughing. Had he been injured? "A-are you a-alright?!"

Thankfully, she and her shadow seemed to miss each other's attacks. Her broom didn't quite connect and the shadow's arm didn't manage to connect with her head.

Quote:

Maple's HP: 30/40
Shadow HP: 32/50
Damage: miss

meegane

 

[Meegane]

PART 2: THE FIGHT

"I'm alright, and you?" The boil said as he was pushed to slide backward. Like its owner, the shadow got more aggressive. Tendrils shot like spears to limit the space that he moved, while the shadow punched as AJ dodged the tendrils. When successfully made him temporarily immobile, the shadow impaled him at the shoulders. "Sneaky thing." AJ hissed at the piercing pain.

He crushed the tendrils as if it was some glass fibres before he returned the shadow with a spin kick. His shoulders were bleeding, his clothes were tainted in red.

chirigami

Maple, you can do it~

AJ: 26/40
Shadow AJ: 21/ 50
DMG: 4  

[chirigami]

Phase Two: The fight

This would be another one of those times that Maple chose not to answer AJ in a series of words and just a small pathetic sort of noise like often before. There were so many ways to respond to that and none that he probably would want to hear (how long did he have?) nor that she would want to burden him with. And even then, some of that was just with the situation here. Because to her, her shadow was winning.

It seemed to constantly have the upper hand on her, like it could fight with the form of her body better than her. (Well, that... could probably be pretty easily done). Even without a broom, each attack was small but they added up. Her's were equally as small but didn't seem to amount to much. They just exchanged blows and Maple just... felt them. Her arms felt bruised, her cheek was throbbing and her hands found themselves just stuck in their constant grip on the wooden handle of her weapon.

Urg, why hadn't she ever figured out her other natural abilities?

Quote:

Maple's HP: 28/40
Shadow HP: 30/50
Damage: 2

meegane