Deadliest Warrior, Episode Two: Michel Ney vs Mikuru Sawai

[Holy Marsh]

OOC-

This is closed,. Only Brittania and Moto may post
Credit for the format goes to The 4th Realm and to Sgt. Reynol of FanFiction.net. I do not own Deadliest Warrior.

THE FOLLOWING BATTLE SCENARIOS AND TEST ARE BEING EXECUTED BY COMBAT AND WEAPON EXPERTS AND SHOULD NOT BE IMITATED

THE COMMENTS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE EXPERTS AND PARTICIPANTS AND NOT THE OPINIONS OF THE PRODUCERS

Mikuru Sawai

A priestess is seen praying, bowed to the floor, as three men enter the chamber and she rises, back to them as they charge.

A legendary warrior whose faith was warmed in the fires of war.

She turns, swinging her katana at neck level, and the three men crumple to the ground as she calmly sheathes her katana and steps past the bodies.

Michel Ney

A French general is seen encouraging his troops, shouting and waving his saber from on top his horse. Suddenly ten Prussians come over a hill close by, and some of the men waver as the general brings out his pistol

A general whose patriotism and valor bolstered one of history's greatest leaders.

He fires, shooting one of the men in the head as the cannon fires, taking out two more as he charges towards them on his horse, saber waving maniacally.


WHO…IS…DEADLIEST?

To find out, our world-class fighters are testing history's most lethal weapons. Using twenty-first-century science, we'll find out what happens when the two warriors go toe-to-toe.
No rules, no safety, no mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is…



THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!


In our LA-based fight club, we've assembled a team of doctors, scientists, and military specialists. Each one going to show us the power of these two elite warriors.

Mikuru Sawai: Faithful Shrine Maiden of the Warrior Shrine.
Mikuru Sawai
Height: 5'3
Weight: 93 lbs (body weight)
Gear: Kusari katabira chainmail (primary), Leather Vest (alternative), Priestess Robes (standard outfit)
Years Active: 1866 AD-1888
Loyalty: Warrior Shrine

VS…

Michel Ney: Legendary French General
Michel Ney
Height: 5 feet nine inches
Weight: 190 lbs
Gear: Equiptment of a Napoleonic Marshall
Years Active: 1798-1815
Loyalties: Napoleon I
Nation of origin: France

A man in a low cut shirt looks over two sharp blades from the two opposing sides, nodding his approval.
Biomedical scientist and test operator, Geoff Desmoulin will run the test these two warriors will run.
"Both of these people have had major impacts on their respective nation's histories, so it is more than a clash of warriors or even nations and their pride, but of history and their different cultures." He says, picking up a katana and feeling the blade.

A man in a blue medical suit examines a dummy with multiple stab wounds and bullet wounds.
Biologist and medical Consultant, Dr. Armand Dorian, will show us the lethality of each weapon, test by test.

"This fight is going to be intense. Both are the very best in their own ways, and so we're going to see how their respective strengths come into play." Dorian says as he stands back from a pig carcass.

A final man, a small afro perched on top of his skull, stands next to a computer.
Max Geiger will add the data and present it into the simulation program by Slytherine studios.

"This is a battle of complete opposites, and I'm interested in seeing if we can accurately computer their advantages."

The computer will create a true-to-life battle simulation between these two warriors. To prevent a lucky bullet or shell from getting the win, the battle will be a Squad on squad battle, ten men each, run over a thousand times. The winner will be...The Deadliest Warrior.

A well-dressed man appears, hand in shirt.
Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor of the French from 1804-1815, and is regarded as one of the greatest military geniuses of all time. Bonaparte refered to Marshal Ney as "the bravest of the brave". Ney's valor at the Battle of Borodino, the bloodiest single day of the Napoleonic Wars and one of the largest in history cemented Ney's role as a soldier and later have him be named Prince of Moskva (Moscow). Ney would later fight at Napoleon's side at Waterloo, and despite furnishing him self in more glory, may have cost his Emperor the battle.

"Ney is one of my top Marshals, a man who would walk into hell if I asked him to. Despite him being a poor strategist in his own, give Ney a sword or a gun and he will fight to the death. At Borodino, Ney saw death several times, and cheated again and again, only to be rewarded with more glory." Bonaparte says as he stands next to a cannon.

Marshal Sadam Heidar, Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army of Britanania, is the second expert. Heidar is the Emperor of Britanania's top comnander since 2020. Heidar studied at West Point and is also a military historian of the Napoleonic Wars. Without Heidar, it may have been near impossible for Britanania to conquer all of North, Central and South America, as well, as India and the Middle East.

"Ney may have been one of Bonaparte's top Marshals, as he always accomplished what was ordered. Despite Ney's apparent incompetence at Waterloo, he still almost never let the Emperor down. Example, Napoleon's Prussian Campaign was won primarily by Ney's bravery and timing in battle. Nothing but high remarks for Michel Ney." The expert speaks as he examines the pistol that will be brought into battle.

Ney was regarded as Napoleon's best Marshall, and fought at the Battle of Friedland, which cemented Napoleon as the master of Europe. He later fought at Borodino, and became famous for starring death in the face several times. His last battle was at Waterloo, where his reckless behavior may have cost Napoleon the battle.

"Ney is a fantastic warrior, one who without Napoleon would have be far less successful. He will be tough to stop." Dorian says.

But there are some who disagree.

A young Asian woman steps forth and bows shortly before whipping out her katana in a short arc in her priestess' outfit. Her name is Sakura Uzumara, expert on the weapons of the Shrine, has spent almost her entire life dedicated to the fighting arts of the Shrines of the Faith, attaining the rank of Senior Priestess at the young age of twenty-five. Now, she will be forefront in the defense of her Shrine's most legendary warrior.

"Mistress Sawai is a warrior of God, blessed by the Shrine with the skills that will showcase in all of its glory the crafts of war that we practice. There can be no victory against God." She says, her voice carrying softly as she sheathes her katana.

An Asian man steps beside her, also giving a bow. Of medium height and build, Hiro Anuzoki is a historian of the Shrine and can shed light on the historical context upon which this Shrine warrior stood tall.
"Michel Ney is a great leader; Mistress Sawai is a great warrior. While Ney is deserving of all respect, he stands no chance against the Angel of God." He says, examining the wrist-mounted crossbow well.

"Sawai is a warrior through and through and attained her fame purely through her skill in fighting. Can Ney say the same?"

And indeed, her reputation is well-earned. Mikuru is a dedicated Warrior of her Shrine, she was entered at a young age to be a resident of the Shrine and has been trained to fight with her fellow warriors since. She's faithful and true to her faith and always willing to defend it. Though her legendary skill mostly derives from legends pertaining to dozens of duels and skirmishes on the lawless frontier, her participation in the 1888 uprising is said to have turned the tide of the war when she killed two of the leading ringleaders before being killed herself by overwhelming odds.

*******************
Two of history's greatest warriors square off...

"I've got to go with Ney. He brings better technology and pure devastation into the fight, and he will utterly tear through that lightly armored Sawai. She has a lot of skill, but I'm not sure skill will stop that bullet from splitting your head in two." Geiger starts as they examine test footage of the cannon firing into a field of dummies.

"It's really a toss up. He might have the upper hand in technology, but she is a legendary, fanatical warrior of her faith. If this comes down to a sword fight, I've got to go with her, but will she ever get that close?" Dorian says as they see the wrist-mounted crossbow fire dead on into a target.

"I'm going with Sawai here. I think she brings more battlefield, one on one experience into this. Ney may be a fantastic fighter, but Sawai dedicated her life to close combat." Geoff finishes as he watched the flintlock pistol fire into a target and the katana in action.

The first test between these two legends compares their close-range weapons of choice; the legendary katana versus the infamous Georgian Infantry Officers Sword. First up is the blade of choice by Michel Ney.

Georgian Officers' Infantry Sword
A deadly blade used to show the users' skill and rank, it can kill the unwary and foolish who engage the user.

[Britanania]

"The Georgian blade was the weapon of choice for officers," Heidar explains," It could slice through a man's skull with ease and precision. Made of folded steel, it was very versitle. The blade was often used in cavalry charges' and with the proper velocity, enemy soldiers may lose a limb or even their head." Heidar demonstrates the strength of the weapon by using it to cut a human skull, chopping it in half. "The blade was also evenly weighed, meaning it could be used in a duel, and was prefered by sword duelists of the era."

[Holy Marsh]

"Plus, when galloping towards an enemy, all you have to do is is hold it to the side and you can cause some serious damage." Geoff says as he examines the blade.

"And our test will take all of this into account."

****************
An open field, with two beef carcasses arranged in open view not far from one another. About ten feet away is a horse, neighing and pushing against the restraints, and about fifty feet away is a single gel torso.

"Okay, what we have here is a bloody little test. Do what you want to the beef and when you are done, hop onto the horse, gallop towards the gel torso and, without swinging the sword, see how much damage it does just by holding it to the side. You ready?" Geiger says as the three look at one another, smiling profusely.

[Britanania]

"Ready." The men then slash the beef and cut it into pieces. They then hop on the horses and begin the test, galloping towards the gel.

[Holy Marsh]

The men clap, though Dorian eyes the beef with a disapproving glare.

[Britanania]

They cut through the gel with ease.

[Holy Marsh]

The men clapped.
"Great work!" They all say, though Dorian shakes his head and places his hand on their shoulders.

"I wouldn't get so worked up, guys." He says, much to their confusion as they approach.

It is soon apparent why. The beef sides appear initially to be seriously damaged, but underneath the superficial wounds is a side of beef that has not been seriously damaged.

"As you can see, they worked too quickly and didn't really do a lot of deep damage. Both sides of beef are cut up, but nothing through the bones, and nothing too deep. To a human, this would basically mean a very serious wound, but no kill shot. The sword was good, but no kills here." Dorian says, exposing the flaps of beef and showing the relatively minute damage.

"Wow, it looked so much better. I thought it was dead for sure." Geoff says in amazement.

"Don't get me wrong, they did some serious damage, but no one is dead. Here at least. Let us check the gel torso." Dorian says as they walk to the torso.

One large cut appears on the neck, slicing about halfway through and halfway in.
"This is a kill shot. The jugular is cut right open, other major arteries are sliced, and the windpipe is punctured. He bleeds to death within seconds." Dorian says as they walk up to the start of the range.

"Well, good news and bad news. Good news, that gel torso is dead in moments. Bad news, the beef survived relatively intact."

[Holy Marsh]

"Well, I thin k we've, uhh, heard enough." Geoff says nervously before they cut to the next test.

Katana
A weapon of legendary make and utility, the Katana is more than capable of killing anyone in the hands of a skilled operator.

[Motokata]

"The Katana is mighty sword. It has centuries of tradition as it is often known as a Samurai sword. Great warriors of past have used this sword in combat and have triumphed. The blade extremely sharp and it's design reduces drag making it easier to cut with. The blade curvature also adds to the cutting power. This can easily slice through a defenseless person. The blade is forged of hard steel which makes it very strong. Combined with proper care this can be a deadly weapon."

[Holy Marsh]

"It is one of the most famous and successful blades in history for a reason." Geiger says, nodding as the expert continued the description of the blade that needed no introduction.

"Well, I think it is time to see how this can compare."
***************
In an open field, four sides of beef are strung open apart from one other, arranged in a circle.

"In this test, you can take as long as you want to do what you want to these sides of beef. We are going to try and see how much pure damage this katana can do. Are you ready?" Geoff asks as the three stand far away from the sides of beef.

[Motokata]

"I am ready." She mediated briefly raised the sword and sent it down gently a few times at first to warm up. She inhaled deeply then thrusted the sword down at full force "KAI!" A full power swing and slice! Clean through the stacks of beef, a perfect slice in half right down the middle. "Perfect. Even if I was only at half strength I still could deliver a fatal blow. This was my full strength."

[Holy Marsh]

"Very impressive." Geiger says as the three move in close to the side of beef she attacked.

The beef has been cut through, the blade easily slicing through not only beef meat, but the bone. Dorian is impressed.
"If you can cut through beef like this, then you would have no problem whatsoever cutting through human flesh. This person would be dead." Dorian says assuredly, moving the flaps of beef to show the extreme damage.

"But..." Geiger says, moving his head in a shaking manner as if unsure about something.

"But what?"

"Well, we only saw one strike. The Officer's Sword, for all the flack we gave it, still attacked two targets and then nearly decapitated a third. While impressive, we don't know how it would react to multiple uses, or how easy it is to wield." Geiger says as replays of the somewhat ineffective, but numerous, attacks of the Officer's Sword against the single, but extremely effective, attack of the katana were played against one another.

"This is a toughie. Thoughts?" Geoff asks the experts, as if honestly still forming an opinion.

[Holy Marsh]

"Well, I guess that is all we need to hear." Geoff says in response to the overwhelming silence that the experts give the three.

*****
Back in the club, the debate is short.

"Katana for sure. The Officer's Sword was impressive at a gallop, but it didn't do much for me at close range against the beef." Dorian starts.

"Agreed. The Katana cut through that beef with ease, and the Officer's Sword was only really very impressive when he had a running start on a horse." Geoff responds, sealing the victory.

"Katana, but I wasn't really impressed with either. The Officer's Sword was ineffective against the beef while we don't know if the Katana is easy to wield or takes a lot out of you since we only saw one strike." Geiger says, clearly disappointed.

Despite reservations about both weapons, the experts do agree on one thing; The Katana is a deadly weapon.
Edge: Katana


"I think they under-estimated the effectiveness of the Georgian Sword. While perhaps not as brutal as the katana, it doesn't take more than what we did to kill a man." Heidar explains, clearly frustrated.

And indeed, both sides are well-versed in the arts of killing a man. For while close combat is a time-honored form of combat, Michel Ney is an expert in the use of more modern methods of brutality. For when the enemy is beyond the range of his sword, he can always extend that reach- with a flintlock pistol.

Flintlock Pistol
A personal firearm that can silence an enemy long before personal combat is joined.

[Britanania]

"The Flintlock," Heidar explains,"Was the pistol of choice for officers for 200 years. A good officer could load, cock, and shot it in under a minute. It was effective for up to 15 yards. Usually an officer had multiple pistols ready to shoot as to avoid the hassle of reloading."

[Holy Marsh]

"At close range, I can see this punching through the chainmail that his enemy is wearing with ease." Geoff says as the three examine closely an unloaded pistol.

"I can't wait to see this thing in action."

*********
At a firing range, three gel torsos are wearing chainmail at ranges of ten, fifteen, and twenty yards.

"Okay, the test here is to shoot all three targets as quickly as you can. We will be testing speed, accuracy- try to hit dead center, if you can- and the pure power of the pistol. Ready? Go!"

[Britanania]

He quickly loads and cocks the pistol and fires at the ten yard target, hitting it clear in the center. Again, reloads and cocks, clock says 2 minutes, and fires at the fifteen yard target, also hitting at the center. Reloads, cocks, 3 minutes down, and fires in the chest of the target, a little to the left of the target.

[Holy Marsh]

He quickly loads and cocks the pistol and fires at the ten yard target, hitting it clear in the center. Again, reloads and cocks, clock says 2 minutes, and fires at the fifteen yard target, also hitting at the center. Reloads, cocks, 3 minutes down, and fires in the chest of the target, a little to the left of the target.

OOC: Just for future reference- you don't say where exactly the bullets hit.

"Impressive." Geoff says as the three examine the dummies.

Each one is shot in the chest, very accurate shooting.
"The first two-" Dorian says, examining the wounds in the torsos, "-are probably kill shots. The first one has a wound straight to the heart, dead very quickly. The second one is perhaps a kill shot, but the bullet did not penetrate the heart exactly. It cut through the major artery so you have a very similar result most likely, but it is not a sure thing like destroying the heart is. But still, a probable kill shot. This third one...not a kill shot. Serious wound, though- you have a punctured lung, so you are seeing problems breathing and likely some blood leaking in, causing even more issues. Definitely out of the battle." Dorian says as they wrap up, walking towards the experts.

"So nice shooting at close range, two kills and a third guy taken out." Geoff says, nodding profusely.

"Yeah, but it took three minutes to fire those shots. He won't have that chance against Sawai." Geiger responds as the three reach the experts.

"Thoughts?"

[Britanania]

"Well, as long as she is closer then 15 yards, she is dead. And if she is even shot anywhere around the heart, she'll be taken out. And recall that most officers had several ready-to-shoot pistols on his persons."

[Holy Marsh]

"This is true." Geoff says in agreement.

"But if you miss, then it still takes a while to reload. Even with multiple pistols, you are looking at time wasted." Dorian reminds everyone.

"I dunno, this is a tough one..."

[Motokata]

"The gun is a powerful weapon this is true. They're deadly. To underestimate them would be foolish. However I do not feel the gun poses great threat to me. Any good warrior will have stealth and speed. For greater accuracy, the user needs to load his weapon and take aim, in that time I can quickly move about making me harder to hit and by then take him down."

[Holy Marsh]

"Also very true." Geoff sayus as the three men mentally processed the differing opinions.

"Can Sawai even compete?"

************
The weapon chosen by the Motokatan experts is just one of dozens that Sawai mastered in her life. A weapon utilized only by the most skilled and bold, it can kill in a number of ways.

Throwing StarsA difficult weapon to master, legendary for its utility and lethality.

[Motokata]

"Throwing Stars are something that many people underestimate as a deadly weapon. Throwing Stars require a keen wrist and good speed to become a dangerous projectile. Because they are small and light a warrior can easily carry dozens at a time, it is easier to throw these while moving. Throwing Stars are also easy to conceal when you are not on the battle field."

[Holy Marsh]

"You can't discount the ability to use them repeatedly. You miss once, you can still fight and you can do so quickly."

"And we sure can test it."

********
There are six gel-torso dummies with targets on the chests, light cloth covering them, at five yards, ten yards, fifteen yards, twenty yards, twenty-five yards, thirty yards.

"We will be testing how much time it takes you to hit all six targets, how many stars you use, and the damage you do. Ready? When you are, start."

[Motokata]

"In my test I will do it half and half, three will be thrown while I stand still, and three I will throw while running."

Mikuru first threw three stars into three of the six dummies. Then she backed up from a distance and made a dash towards one dummy tossing the star while still at a short distance she tossed two more while running parallel the last target she leapt tossing the star to it.

[Holy Marsh]

"That was fast!" Geoff exclaims as the grouo claps their approval.

"Let's check the dummies out."

The first dummy has a star in the right eye.
"Not a kill shot, at least immediately. The star is not large enough to pierce through the skull into the brain, but the eye is gone and with that you have immense blood loss, skull fracture, nasal issues, brain goes into shock, Traumatic extradura, subdural hematoma- a very serious wound, but not a kill shot right off the bat. If he doesn't get help immediately, he dies." Dorian says, inspecting the disgusting wound as he pulls the star out with his gloves on.

The second dummy has a star that is lodged quite deep in the neck.
"Kill shot for sure, here. The jugular and carotid arteries have been cut, lucky shot, and the windpipe has been cut open. Dead." Dorian acutely observes.

The third dummy has a star in the middle of the chest.
"Hmm...the aorta is cut open. I wouldn't call it an immediate kill shot, but if he doesn't die, he is both lucky and still out of the fight." He says.

The next three have stars in the left shoulder, neck, and stomach, respectively.
"One of these is a kill, the one in the neck is the same wound as before. The other two are wounds, but not serious wounds, and neither would necessarily take someone out of the fight." He finishes and the three start their walk back.

"So you have two kills, two very deadly wounds, and two light wounds." Geoff said

"Impressive, but two people are alive and can fight and only two were killed." Geiger counters as the three reach the group.

"Yeah, but it was over fast and she can carry as many of these things as please her."

"Thoughts?"