KS19/20

Vanguard stepped forward, flourishing his weapons and making his intent to fight the two clear, while Jaune did the same on the opposite side, looking to the multi-coloured girl who had finally dropped her illusion. She stood now on the bonnet, the added height allowing her to smirk cockily down on him.

"One thing," Vanguard said without turning around. "Our cars are VSS-tech, which means they're about as high tech as everything else. Designation 1409. Codename: Vanguard. Initiate emergency termination. Timer: two seconds."

The car's headlights flashed brightly.

Neo glanced down, widened her eyes and made to leap away.

The explosion struck first. It buffeted the alley in heat and fire, propelling the girl and shrapnel everywhere, smashing windows and denting walls on either side. The two behind flinched back in surprise – the opening Vanguard needed to dash into them and catch the girl about the side of the face while she was distracted.

Jaune knew it was the only opening he'd get as well. He didn't for a second think Neo would be down. Not one second.

—KS19

[...]

Jaune slammed his knife towards Neo's face, all squeamishness gone in the knowledge of what she could and would do to him if she had the chance. Her parry was sloppy, uneven, and though it saved her from a blade to the eye he was still able to drive his fist, and the handle of the dagger, into her left cheek. Her head snapped back. She pushed off to create room, but he stepped in and slashed for her throat. When she ducked, he rammed forward and drove a knee into her face.

At any other time, Neo might have back-flipped away and taunted him, but the explosion from the car had taken some toll on her. Apart from her singled clothing and skin, her body swayed left and right – her ears no doubt ringing from the noise and ruining her balance. She looked sick, like she wanted to buckle over and vomit, and what skin could be seen under the dirt was paler than usual.

She wasn't at her best, which was fortunate given that her best could have slaughtered him in an instant. As it was, he swung high, drawing her arms up to block, then gripped her elbow and twisted it to the side. She let out a silent cry of pain and slammed her heel into his mask, knocking him back. Even then, she stumbled on one foot and failed to properly steady herself, fumbling against a wall with both hands to keep herself standing.

Behind, the sound of metal on metal, gunshots and dust explosions echoed. Vanguard was busy keeping Emerald and Mercury busy. He'd have liked to see how that was going but he didn't have time. Every minute was time for Neo to recover and gather herself. Every second could mean death. Even now she was shaking her head to try and clear it, one palm cradling her cheek.

He dashed in, swept low and tried to bring his dagger up under her chin. Neo's mismatched eyes narrowed at the last second and she leaned back, kicking up with one foot. It caught the bottom of his hand and knocked his weapon away. Her smile was short-lived as he barrelled into her and carried her to the concrete. Her palm struck his mask but the armour held and he forced the umbrella out of her other. His knees found purchase on either side of her hips and he brought both hands down on her head.

She managed to block it with a hasty parry, through from the gasp she let off it still hurt. She kicked up and wrapped one leg around his neck from behind. She tried to straighten her body and pull him off, but he forced his aura to hold true and punched down on her again. Another gasp, a slight weakening of her grip and a dizzy expression.

In a fair fight he had no chance. He wouldn't give her one. He pressed his right hand to her left hip and slammed his other hand down on his vambrace. There was a pneumatic hiss followed by an explosion of gas – and Neo's body jolted.

This time, some noise came from her – an agonised hiss and shriek as the hook shot dug into her flesh at point-blank range. She quickly tried to defend herself with aura, but it had already drawn blood and no doubt broken a bone as well. With tears in her eyes she twisted an arm around his neck and kicked up from behind, using both her arms and legs to knock him off. She staggered away, pulling the hook from her body in a spray of blood and tossing it aside. She staggered over to her umbrella while Jaune picked up his dagger.

She no longer smirked as she watched him. The pain had broken through her nausea from the explosion, but she limped on one foot and her eyes promised nothing but the most brutal murder.

[...]

Neo was stronger; they both knew that. She was wounded though and low on aura, the lion's share of that having been dealt with Vanguard's opening gambit.

[...]


There was no time to ask how as Vanguard rushed Neo, and Jaune followed after. Emerald and Mercury cursed and did the same, even as Neo's eyes widened. She hopped back readied her weapon but was left unprepared as Vanguard paused at the last second and threw his black coat at her.

She slashed at it but the blade didn't cut through the armour, especially when it folded about her weapon, arm and face. She flailed blindly but only became more entangled. Vanguard struck her stomach with his shoulder, turned her around and then kicked her in the direction of their pursuers.

—KS20