STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- City in the Clouds

"Oh, I will," Rianna says, running up the stairs. "You and your master have tried to meddle with me for the last time..."

"I sense you are right," Vash says, beginning his cautious descent down the stairs. "This will be our last fight. That doesn't mean either of us will die."

He unhooks his lightsaber from his belt.

"I've defeated you once already, or have you already forgotten about that?" Rianna says, igniting her lightsaber and not being nearly as cautious about going up the stairs as he is about going down them. "You were no challenge to me then, what makes you think you will be now?"

"Preparation," Vash says, coming to a halt on the steps. As you rush to meet him, he hooks one thumb into his belt and waves the other forward, igniting his lightsaber and flourishing the crimson-bladed weapon in front of him. "You have grown stronger in the Force, Rianna, but it is not with you."

-

So, this is going to be a little different than the way we usually do things. I don't need to explain the mechanics of dueling for Rianna; she's seen her fair share. What I will explain are the minor changes I'm implementing.

The duel with Vash will be fought in three parts, simply divided into Beginning, Middle, and End. It is the first two segments that will be fought differently. Instead of the winner being determined by whomever gets to 5 or more by two clear points, the winner is determined by the first to reach a score of 4.

Victory or defeat for Rianna determines the circumstances for the following conflict. The winner will begin the next duel with an advantage.

Vash, standing above you on the stairs, currently has a +1 advantage to all moves for having the higher ground.

Pick your six and we'll get this started.

"Nor is it with you..." Rianna replies.

Three Agility, two Dexterity, one Strength.

Bit of an odd draw for Rianna...

Agility Weak
Agility Weak
Agility Normal
Dexterity Strong
Dexterity Normal
Strength Strong

--

Vash: 0

Rianna: 0

--

Rianna is the aggressor here. She attacks first!

Additionally- if you win a round, you push Vash up the steps. If he wins a round, he pushes you down them. If you manage to push him back to the top, he loses his advantage. He is currently two turns away from the top.

Weird indeed!

Well, Rianna will start out with Agility Normal, as she attempts to close the distance between the two of them by flipping up the stairs and slashing him with her lightsaber as she lands.

Vash holds his ground as you advance, then gives a few steps as you lunge after him. The timing and aim of your jump is good and you land just inside striking distance of Vash. He parries your initial blow with a stylish one-handed maneuver, then tries to force you back down with a series of light downward slashes.

Vash meets your score of 15 evenly, so the round is a Tie. No ground is given either way, but the point goes to the attacker.

-

Vash: 0

Rianna: 1

-

Vash tries to descend the steps further, bringing his blade down repeatedly toward your head and shoulders in an attempt to force ground from you.

Rianna does her best to not give up any ground, instead twirling her lightsaber to catch and parry his attacks, and try and catch him off-balance. Weak Agility.

The exchange continues. Rianna twirls in place on the steps and tries to twist Vash's incoming blade aside to stunt the power behind his strikes, with her spinning blade angled above her head. She manages to intercept his attacks evenly and even pushes one attack aside into the handrail. He chops through in a flash of sparks before regaining his defenses.

It is a Tie again! No ground given, point to attacker.

-

Vash: 1

Rianna: 1

-

Rianna to attack.

Rianna makes a vicious slash at his legs, hoping to force him back. Strength Strong.

Vash seems to have been waiting for you to try that. When your slash comes in, he jumps nimbly over the blade. It skitters across the stairs for more sparks but does come near Vash. With your blade out of position, Vash delivers a tremendous kick to your chest and knocks you down the stairs a short distance.

His Strong Agility outplayed your bid by four points.

-

Vash: 2

Rianna: 1

-

Having kicked you back, Vash moves down the stairs after you. Just before he reaches you, Vash skips a few steps with a light hop and lands directly in front of you and tries to run you through.

Rianna counters with a simple parry to deflect his lightsaber off to her side, while regaining her balance from being kicked down the stairs. Strong Dexterity.

Sadly, the simple parry is not enough to totally negate Vash's thrust. He doesn't run his lightsaber through you but he does fully barge into you, letting his momentum carry him. You have to give a few more steps to keep your balance as his powerful blow undoes your classic defense.

-

Vash: 3

Rianna: 1

-

Rianna to attack, match point to Vash.

Rianna will attempt to regain some ground with a number of deft strikes, attempting to break through his guard herself. Normal Dexterity.

Rianna has been fighting somewhat recklessly. She turns that around this time, exhibiting some controlled maneuvers that Myraline may have taught her, long ago. Vash must have been expecting something flashy as he plays an Agility with a whirling defense.

You remain evenly paired and neither of you budges, but the point goes to Rianna as the attacker.

-

Vash: 3

Rianna: 2

-

Vash gets in close and smacks his lightsaber into yours. He tries to twist your guard out of position and deliver a disabling jab into your shoulder.

Rianna nimbly catches his lightsaber on her own, parrying his attack, while twirling out of his way. Weak Agility (since I think that's all I have left).

This time, it is Rianna that goes for the flashy maneuver while Vash performs a classical jab. He is careful not to follow through too much and move past you on the stairs, but you certainly ruin the effect he hoped it would have. He has to withdraw after his attempted stab in order to regain his footing and composure.

He seems annoyed that you are making a come-back.

-

Vash: 3

Rianna: 3

-

Pick another six!

Same as before - three Agility, two Dexterity, and one Strength.

This should be more to Rianna's liking.

Agility Normal
Agility Weak
Agility Strong
Dexterity Strong
Dexterity Normal
Strength Normal

--

Vash: 3

Rianna: 3

--

Rianna to attack!