KOF 2017 - Mission 12) Cry Of The Planet
[Toggle Names]Description: Following a series of rolling brownouts in Hokkaido, G-Corporation quickly takes credit for it as a side effect of their experiments. In truth, Raiden, the Thunder God, has awakened. Hearing the cries of the planet, he's driven to a blinding rage, and in his fury, he unleashes his power upon the countryside in a manner most unbecoming of his status. With more than just the hidden Darkstalker village where his temple is located in danger, one of the inhabitants by the name of Kelly moves to try and quell his rage. Ryu Hayabusa arrives in tandem, sworn to protect the world against apocalyptic matters just like this. It's up to them both to stop this clear and present threat to humanity, at any cost. Are they up to the task of striking down a God-
[RAIDEN]
Progress. It's a word often bandied about by mortals, usually used by those who wish to reshape the world. They see themselves as forward thinkers, people of vision, and they are completely unaware of how blind they truly are.
With the recent announcement of successful experiments into completely green, naturally sourced energy, many throughout the world have begun calling this the next step in energy evolution. 'Finally, we have made progress!' they say. Those who argue against the breakthrough do so from a place of pragmatic greed. They worry of the economy. They warn against the destabilization of governments. But the truly wise, those who know the way of the world, they remain silent. There are things that should not be done, and consequences for actions taken.
For most, the first sign of danger came when heavy clouds begin to form off of the coast of Hokkaido. Out of nowhere, an enormous storm began to gather, shattering all forecasts and leaving meteorologists stunned. And it was no small storm. No forgettable squall. Over the course of hours it built, and built, holding unnaturally still over the ocean. Rain poured, thunder lashed, and the winds grew ever-more chaotic. A super cell of unimaginable force began to take shape. A storm of rage.
But that was the first sign for the uninitiated. To those who feel the energy of the world, the first sign came several hours ago, when every leyline on the planet shivered all at once, and a supernova of invisible energy burst forth from one, hidden deep in the dark forest of Japan. Something was happening. A ritual had began. No simple demon summoning or spiritual banishment, but something truly apocalyptic. A working of power beyond the scope of mortals.
Now, deep in the heart of the Dark Forest, lightning flashes and winds howl as a vortex of wind whips around the borders of a hidden village. Most of the denizens have fled inside, though some cluster around the base of a tall temple at the center, its gate sealed shut, barring them entry. The crowd is mixed, containing both monsters and humans. Some kneel in prayer, others rage. A few attempt to bash their way through the gate. All are pelted by rain and sleet, lit by blazing flashes of lightning. The fury of the storm drowns their cries completely.
Four stories above, the top of the tower is in chaos. Rocks are tumbled free of the decorative corner gardens. Planted trees sway and bow in the wind, threatening to break. And at the center of the chaos, droplets of wind swirling about him in a miniature tornado, floats Raiden, god of thunder.
Hat pulled low and head bowed, the ancient protector chants quietly to himself in a language no mortal has spoken in thousands of years. His entire body is encased in sheets of crawling lightning, bolts flashing out to vaporize droplets of rain into puffs of superheated steam. It is through him that the ritual is being channeled. Through him, and the tower that he stands upon that the energy is aimed, guided into a mold of destruction.
Thousands of miles away, the residents of Hokkaido scramble to evacuate, as the enormous storm breaks from its holding pattern and rolls toward the island with frightening speed.
What could have caused this? Why is it happening? If only the wise had been consulted, this path might have been avoided. But no. Perhaps this is the lesson humanity needs most of all.
[KELLY]
(Ooooooooone step at a time! Don't look down!)
Thoughts like these go through Kelly Masons mind as she, very slowly and probably very foolishly, leaps onto the second floor of the temple from one of the nearby trees. Luckily it's one of those stepped japanese-style ones, meaning it has windows and likely a door on each of its floors. Being smaller than the main entrance she manages to force one of these open and gain entry!
She's rather gobsmacked upon reaching the top and seeing Raiden. She KNOWS his reputation as a combatant, to say nothing of his rank and station.
For the moment, she is too suprised, and honestly frightened, to do more than openly stare initially.
[RYU HAYABUSA]
There are those in Earthrealm who are not those things which frustrate Raiden about the masses. Proud, gluttonous, exploitative; ambitious with a razor focus on all the things most shallow and transitory. Some such humble souls are caught outside, drenched in a downpour, harried and hammered by debris driven on those growing cyclones, begging to the heavens for relief-- or to man for succor inside the sealed temple.
There's something symbolic to the entire affair, the Shinobi Prince can't help but observe from his silent perch in an aged tree on the perimeter of the Sky Temple approach. The rain and sleet pelt him, sheeting off and across the modernized incarnation of ancient armor that he wears, a medley of black and silver a silken crimson scarf trailing like a shadow through the night as the Dragon Ninja moves.
A flash of lightning reveals a curved crescent blade nearly as large as the man, held easily at the slayer's side, silhouetting Hayabusa like the grim reaper of yore against the dark backdrop of the raging night. The treelimb he balances upon writhes in the volatile winds, but the last scion of the Dragon Lineage has impeccable poise. The next time the lightning flashes, he's gone again.
For a brief time, he moves among the panicked populace, using that oversized scythe edge to unbar doors to wise shelters-- the sturdiest buildings surrounding the temple-- and remain largely unseen as he does so. When Ryu Hayabusa passes over the sealed gate into the courtyard, and begins his ascent, the Dragon Ninja does not unbar the way, however; no one wishes to be closer to -this-.
The master shinobi scales the temple's four stories in stoicism and silence, heedless of the pouring precipitation, patient and unswayed, only somewhat slowed, by the horrific winds. When Hayabusa next shows himself, it is elegantly standing unshaken in the wind atop a rooftop pagoda bordering this sacrosanct shrine.
"You should run." the Shinobi Prince offers to Kelly, his calm baritone somehow projecting through the cacophany so near Raiden's rage. One thing Hayabusa is not-- he is not afraid. The edge he carries carries an endlessly intricate pattern of woven metal in its repeatedly folded and forged length, that hada grain etched along its fuller with the sleek, curved patterns of the lunar phases. He's come here loaded for bear; and who can blame him given these portents.
Despite all that, the last scion of the Dragon Lineage is respectful, even humble, a he turns to unflinchingly address the God of Thunder, "Lord Raiden, I am Hayabusa Ryu. By my duty to the Celestial Dragons I must challenge your current course--" it's the shackles of honor, the demands of Balance, that bring him here today; that force Ryu Hayabusa's hand even once he's confirmed who it is he faces.
"The planet herself keens in dismay. This is not in keeping with our ancient pacts." There's no ire, no threat; the Dragon Ninja is matter-of-fact and impeccably polite. When and if he gains Raiden's attention? The fiendslayer bearing that reaper's edge bows his head with utmost grace, the storm pouring over him with its cleansing wrath.
[RAIDEN]
A string of low, constant syllables falls from between the floating god's lips as he hangs in the air, taking no notice of Kelly's gob smacked arrival. Both she, and the quickly approaching ninja can feel the power in the air. Feel the might of the being before them as he draws forth the wrath of the planet. At times, it can be easy to forget that Raiden is not mortal. So often his demeanor is playful and light. But now, in this moment, with his long white hair flailing and his body sheathed in electrical discharges, there can be no doubt of what he is.
The flow of words stop, leaving only the howl of wind and boom of thunder, as Lord Raiden slowly raises his head. Despite the abundance of electrical light, his face remains shadowed, eyes burning like twin pools of white fire.
"The earth weeps at the abuse of mortals." Raiden replies, his words not so much cutting through the storm as thundering down from above. His voice, usually soft and crackling, now booms with the rage of eternity. "The pacts have been broken. Your kind has overstepped. But I will be merciful. You will not all pay for the transgressions of the few. Leave this place, dragon warrior. The gods do not support you."
Kelly, it seems, is beneath the notice of the god, who's blazing gaze remains focused upon Hayabusa and the weapon he carries.
Slowly, Raiden spreads his arms, causing the writhing mass of electricity to jump from his body and stream out to all four corners of the tower. Sparking and hissing along the lightning rods planted there, the charges linger, as if the ground itself were pushing energy up to meet the sky. Raiden, now cloaked in the much more modest flickers of electricity generated by his own body, drops to land lightly on sandaled feet, adopting a loose kung fu stance. He does not bow in return, but neither should he be expected to. Both he and Hayabusa know that the Dragon Warrior will not retreat, misguided or not. The god of thunder has given him his due respect by relinquishing the energy of the Leyline. If Hayabusa wishes to challenge the might of a god, he will contend with only that might, no more. That is, after all, what separates a god from a demon. Gods are willing to respect tradition.
Turning his chin slightly, Lord Raiden tilts his shadowed face away from Hayabusa to stare toward the entrance to his temple interior, sparking eyes focused on Kelly.
Lightning flashes.
The earth quakes with thunder.
Below, grateful villagers break away from the temple, fleeing for the shelter of the surrounding buildings.
Miles away, the enormous storm closes upon its target, guided by the ritual coursing through Raiden's temple.
Time is running out.
COMBATSYS: Raiden has started a fight here as a boss!
RAIDEN
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[KELLY]
Kelly looks between Ryu and Raiden. She has seen them both before, the former she has seen in combat (against her brother no less), and is aware how skilled he is. The latter.....
Al the stories and rumors in the world wouldnt be enough to equal standing here, witnessing this firsthand. Kelly has seen power on the fighting broadcasts, but even that pales in comparison to this.....
When Ryu tells her to run, she takes a step back towards the door before turning to leave post-haste! As she reaches it, fingers inches away, she stops. A flash of memory. Her brother putting himself in the line of fire against their parents for her sake. Doing nothing to help. Even now, despite all the training shes done, the old habits still kick in.
Moments later Kelly returns to Hayabusas side, the nerves in her hands and face along with her irises glowing with blueish white light as her body pulses with psionic energy "I'm not going to let you fight him alone. I cant just sit and do nothing anymore". Despite her resolve, inside shes shaking like a leaf with fear, fully aware she may not be walking away from this.
Looking at Raiden and meeting his gaze as best she can, she says "If we have to do it this way..... or die trying..... what you're doing is no better than.... whatever else it is you say humans are doing!". With that, she fires a pulse of blue-white psionic energy at him, one from each hand simultaniously!
COMBATSYS: Kelly has joined the fight here.
RAIDEN
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Kelly 0/-------/-------|
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"If that is true..." and Hayabusa, voice quiet yet intense, humble yet firmly projected, makes no argument that it is not, "Then guide us to the impurators, that they might be expunged." The Shinobi Prince drops from the pagoda roof to the courtyard to face Raiden as the Thunder God takes the field, the man-sized blade the Dragon Ninja wields aparently balanced perfectly on the utilitarian lever dancing between Ryu's hands, the massive scythe flowing deceptively gracefully through the air for a weapon of such size.
"You are an Elder God, awakening power that already grows beyond your intent; or your wrath simply outstrips your words." Neither would surprise Hayabusa. "I am the surgeon by which threats to Earthrealm are cut out, to avoid escalation just such as this." Among other things.
"Long have the Dragon Ninja defended this world, sworn to uphold the Balance thereof. As the last scion of the Dragon Lineage I must implore you again, Lord Raiden-- we should be allies in this. But the actions you undertake in the name of your crusade sully it before it begins."
Kelly, god bless her-- she's brave. And at the end of the day, she declares much what Hayabusa does. This does little to sway his estimation of her involvement as foolish.
"Do not rush in on such a foe; make every moment count. They will be few, and fleeting." Ryu takes his own advice, he has little choice; Raiden could kill him easily, while everything the Dragon Ninja has at this moment might at best discorporeate the deity for a time.
Wielding Ryuken against one such as Raiden almost feels like sacrelige; enter, then, the Eclipse Scythe, a blade tempered and purified in the blood of a Lycanthrope Emperor; a demigod in his own right. ... and then quenched executing the slaughter of the entire marauding tribe.
The essence of death, the power of the heavens, they are inherent in the artifact whirling through Hayabusa's grasp as he focuses uncanny eyes, those of a bird of prey, on and through the righteous celestial who has nonetheless declared himself an enemy.
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa has joined the fight here.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa equips the Eclipse Scythe.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa calculates his next move.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Kelly successfully hits Raiden with Channeled Blast.
Glancing Blow
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
The Dragon Ninja's descent into the courtyard is enough of a distraction to remove Raiden's inhuman gaze from Kelly, her glowing eyes unable to command the same respect as the enormous weapon that twirls gracefully through the shinobi's hands. Droplets of water spray in wide, arcing fans as the young warrior's weapon cleaves the storm.
The god is not afraid.
"You do not comprehend the threat that this world faces." Raiden replies, his own voice having quieted to a static murmur, a gentle crackle through the fury of the storm. "There is no time. Humanity has made its choice. It has chosen to turn against Earth, and I must defend it. Even from you."
Then, the younger of his two opponents attacks. Duel pulses of bluish-white light cut through the sheeting rain, flashing across the distance and impacting the Thunder God's chest in a brilliant detonation of psychic energy and roar of booming thunder. Or, that is how it appears. Though when the flash of white has faded, the god is gone.
Kelly can sense it first. The faintest whiff of her own energy appearing to her right. It seems that she must have landed her hit before Raiden teleported, giving her a fraction's warning before he appears, materializing out of the storm as a crackle of white static. Even as he reforms he reaches out, attempting to grab Kelly by the throat with his left hand and force her down with a surge of near irresistible strength. Unless she can somehow work her way free, he will slam her back-first to the tiled courtyard, water spraying out in all directions, and prove to her that he is indeed the god of storms.
Thousands upon thousands of volts of electricity blast from Lord Raiden's palm. Enough to hurl the unfortunate girl free of his grip and send her tumbling across the ground, arcs of lightning leaping and dancing out from her to sizzle against the ground.
Leaving Raiden crouched where he is, energy jumping between the spread fingers of his now empty hand with an ominous 'tzzzzzzzsit'. Slowly that electrical charge grows, spreading up his arm and bouncing over his chest, circling down to loop around his ankle , then flinging itself back up into his other hand. The lightning is alive, as much a part of him as his hair. As the storm above.
COMBATSYS: Kelly blocks Raiden's Almighty.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Kelly
[KELLY]
Kelly blinks her eyes in suprise as Raiden vanishes. She has only a moment of realization when he remanifests to her side, and tries to duck out of the way.
Unfortunately, he manages to grab her anyway, though from behind. When he slams her down, she gives a scream of pain as her arms absorb most of the impact rather than anything actually vital, and then tumbles away as the electrical energy he is giving off propels her forwards, though she manages to shoulder roll in time to prevent more serious injury.
Her arms shaking from the very concentrated bruising covering them, she stands again while gritting her teeth "Humanity as a whole, or just certain humans abusing their power? What about those who have no idea what is REALLY going on?". She herself isnt quite sure what these 'pacts' mentioned are, so shes guessing its not common knowledge.
For now, Kelly allows herself a moment, watching Raiden, waiting to see what Ryu does, and generally trying to control both fear mixed with a nice helping of pain.
She abruptly begins moving forwards towards Raiden again. She feints a punch, but at the last minute opens her palm, emitting a bright burst of psionic energy not far from Raidens face supposing she manages to get that far. Thinking like a human and unsure what his weaknesses are, the intent is to potentiall blind him momentarily as she moves for another assault!
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"I comprehend many of the threats this world faces." Hayabusa corrects politely, taking the conversation back to a broader view than whatever has so roused Raiden's wrath. Not that that issue isn't of similar, hefty importance. "The wrong actions you speak of-- I have felt it as well. Allies are investigating the forces behind this threat to the Balance, already." Not that Ryu expects to so easily sway the Thunder God, at this juncture. The resolve in the deity's celestial voice speaks volumes.
"But if humanity is to be your enemy--" The Dragon Ninja concedes, at least for this moment. "Then you are correct. I must be, as well." Raiden may be all but mythical in his benefactor's role to the children of Earth over the eons-- but he's not really a protector of mankind, much as some might be hurt to learn such a lesson.
The Hayabusa Clan, however, -is- sworn to defend humanity; even against itself. Ryu would indeed likely pursue Raiden's other foes readily, given half the chance... but with this godly genocide looming, it is a very different decisive action the Shinobi Prince must take.
To the human eye, he scarcely seems to move at all, until he's gone. The Dragon Ninja translocates across the sacrosanct battleground in an instant, in the blink of an eye it takes Kelly to strike again, so fast and fluid that the curtain of rain in his wake falls undisturbed. Hayabusa, flipping with great alacrity out of that shadowy ether through which he steps, seeks a poised, momentary perch atop Raiden's shoulders.
A booted foot and forceful backflip would force the Thunder God face-first into the ground rather abruptly indeed, if the Lord of Lightning doesn't avert the onslaught swiftly indeed. As he descends out of that backflip, Hayabusa would use his momentum and that of gravity to whip around and -slam- the point of that greatscythe in an overhand arc, intent on reaving Raiden where he fell with a singular, massive two-handed bisection.
COMBATSYS: Raiden dodges Kelly's Blinding Flash.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa successfully hits Raiden with Hane Karakuri.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
"You are a child." Lord Raiden responds, though which of the two fighters he is speaking to might be difficult to judge. Having landed between the two, he turns, remaining in a low, defensive crouch. Lightning crackles up and down the length of his arms as he aims a palm toward each, chin tilted forward so that his face remains cast in deep shadow. Still his voice is soft and crackling, intensely disappointed. "Your body has been trained well, but your mind lacks. False humility does not suit you."
Ah, he must be talking to Hayabusa then. But, if that is the case, could the Dragon Ninja's humility really be false? What sort of ego does it take to challenge a god? One whom has defended the world for longer than his entire clan has existed.
Questions to be pondered upon at a less crucial time.
The two champions attack near simultaneously, forcing the god once more onto the defensive.
Snapping his hands up, Raiden spins, long white hair whipping out behind him, and whips both sparking palms around in a broad, forceful sweep. His hands impact Kelly's wrists, and the two of them spin off in different directions, sizzling droplets spraying into the air as the god slides across the soaked tile.
Mid twist, the God of Thunder begins to lift his forearms over his head, sensing from which direction Hayabusa is coming. The Dragon Ninja is not considered one of the most dangerous mortals alive for nothing. he is fast. Fast enough that his boots slam into Raiden's shoulders before his forearms have quite finished lifting, throwing the white-haired god off of his feet.
Impacting the ground chest-first, Raiden rolls out of the impact, coming onto his back just in time to see the huge blade of the scythe descending toward his chest.
"HayiNahWahyeeIII!"
The sudden burst of sound tears itself from the Thunder God's throat, his shout primal and raw, spoken in a language unknown to mortals. As he speaks he thrusts both palms upward, passing to either side of the blade--
BOOOMM!
The entire top of the temple shakes as the scythe is deflected away from the god's chest in a blazing flash, the force of which sends Raiden skidding backward through the damp.
Jerking his feet up, the god flips backward out of his slide and lands on bare feet, what is left of his sandals currently smoldering several feet away. it seems whatever he just did took a bit out of him, the electricity that normally surges across his body briefly flickering to a dim trickle. Then, all at once, he surges back to crackling glory and thrusts his right palm toward Hayabusa, hair whipping out behind him as twisting arcs of electricity jump across the distance, seeking the illusive Ninja's chest.
"Paymahdaaaaaaah!"
BOOM!
COMBATSYS: Raiden knocks away Ryu Hayabusa with Lightning.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[KELLY]
Her attack deflected harmlessly, Kelly visibly jumps as the temple rocks with Raidens stopping of the blade, following this it is all she can do to bring her hands up to shield her eyes from the flash of lightning suddenly lighting up the darkened area!
However, she takes note of his status after he has sent his lightning at Ryu, hoping the ninja can live up to his legendary reputation at least for THIS encounter.....
Otherwise, she is SO.... well, you get the picture.
She DOES notice Raiden seems a bit..... strained after his assault, and moves around behind him before coming from the rear! She goes for a grab of his arm to attempt to pull him back a bit, offbalance. Following this, a sweep of the feet as a takedown, followed by spinning an delivering a downward heelstrike to him to finish the combo! She doesn't say anything, in the hopes to not draw attention to herself as her reserves of extra energy finally run out.
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"Nearly so." Hayabusa concedes. "Relatively so, most certainly, Lord Raiden." If the Dragon Ninja's humility is an act-- it's a very good one. There is no apparent pride to injure with the insinuations of the-- in Ryu's estimation-- fair enough words.
Rather than behave as one might expect, and channel that electrical force up the blade and down the metal stave serving as the weapon's handle, the Eclipse Scythe seems almost hungry for everything Raiden can give it, tearing into that clinch of chi for a moment as it's deflected, lightning coursing into the fine hada of the scythe's edge... perhaps never to be seen again. "And again I say-- there are easier ways. Better ones."
Hayabusa comes up swiftly, readies the weapon, redirects his momentum towards Raiden's relocation. When the bolt from beyond comes, the last scion of the Dragon Lineage seeks to slide sidelong around it, pursue his perhaps ill-advised, honor-demanded confrontation with one of, if not THE fiercest single enemy the master shinobi has ever had to face.
Instead, the too-fast blast strikes true into Hayabusa's chest, tightly constricting muscle and burning flesh as he's, instead, soundly electrified and sent reeling backwards into a slide. One hand snaps down, the other affixing the scythe to his back as he stabilizes his threateningly tumultuous forced flight-- eyes of gold-flecked emerald snap steadily to the Thunder God. And then Ryu is gone.
Seeing the error of his ways, in a flash of black and crimson, nearly simultaneous at entry and exit, the Dragon Ninja appears directly behind Raiden seeking to give him a firm, tight, reaffirming hug; ideally as Kelly finishes her flurry. There, there, guy.
Should that visegrip dragonhug be acquired, a trick would again be shared between god and ninja as Ryu teleports both of them some substantial distance above the roof, inverted.... and corkscrews with high-velocity, brutal intent in the attempt to drive Raiden headfirst at the fore of a divebombing ninja missile.
COMBATSYS: Raiden dodges Kelly's Hammer Strike.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Raiden blocks Ryu Hayabusa's Izuna Drop EX.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
Combat is now fully joined, and it is growing ever harder to manage speaking and fighting all at once. Still, though Hayabusa is a legend in his own right, and Kelly is doing her best, it is clear that if they do not give it there all, they may not be walking away from this.
Long white hair snapping out in the wind, Raiden is forced to break off his stream of force lightning and twist, breaking Kelly's initial arm grab with a sharp downward jerk of his forearm. Stepping with the jagged, frenetic pace of the storm, he neatly avoids her follow up strike, maneuvering himself deftly into Hayabusa's clutches as the Dragon Ninja appears behind him.
Strong arms close around Raiden from behind, jerking him backward from his feet. However, he does not go easily. Hayabusa is strong, very strong, but Raiden has strength far beyond what his frame would suggest. As they port upward, flipping upside down, the god of thunder suddenly surges free, bursting from the shinobi's clutches and vanishing in a jolt of bluish white.
"Hackahmasaaaaaahw!"
Blasting out of empty space, Raiden descends from above,a tempting to grip Ryu beneath the arms and speed him on his way down, down, for a sudden abrupt smash into the courtyard. Only if he can stun the ninja with this initial hit will Raiden twist, heaving Hayabusa free from the ground and hurling him through the air, droplets of rain exploding against him...
COMBATSYS: Raiden successfully hits Ryu Hayabusa with Dark Force.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Kelly
Vanishing in another flicker of white and blue, Raiden appears before Ryu and intercepts him with a flying superman punch, right fist driving solidly into the side of the Dragon Ninja's face.
Then, there is pain.
Kelly has the best vantage to witness as Raiden's body transforms into a mass of electricity and surges through Hayabusa from the point of contact, blasting completely through the shinobi's body.
Reforming on the other side, the Lord of Lightning descends, bare feet touching down upon the flooded tiles of his courtyard, sparks dancing within his white eyes.
[KELLY]
This is not looking good... Kelly can't even deliver a clean blow, and Ryu is taking a real beating..... Her hand even sizzles a bit from where she had a grip on him briefly, though superficial enough that it isn't harmful.
As her powered-up state fades, she stops to catch her breath. If this continues...... "How can you defend and aid humans in their development if you've lost your way just as badly..... destroy us, and you will have FAILED as guardian.....".
She stops and thinks for a moment abruptly, smirking to herself "Geez.... now i sound like Delen. Since when do the Shadows fire electricity.....".
As she recovers herself, she watches Raiden, looking for an opportunity if need be.....
COMBATSYS: Kelly focuses on her next action.
RAIDEN
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Ryu Hayabusa [E] 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Kelly
[RYU HAYABUSA]
Easier ways. Better ways. Hayabusa's own words now seem portent to ill fate as he's well and thoroughly punished for daring to challenge a god-- then again, this isn't the first time, is it Dragon Ninja?
In the wake of the punishing turnabout Ryu is left lightly smoking from the sheer current discharged through him, face down on the stonework of the rooftop, his face pelted by sheeting rain which quickly mixes with and washes away the blood freshly flowing from his face. With a groan, the Shinobi Prince pushes back to his feet, cracks his neck back into place, plucks up his greatscythe once more to face down this most formidable foe.
~
"Are you man enough to stand up and fight your better?" In his mind's eye, Jo Hayabusa asks that of his son. When the question first rang out, the last scion of the Dragon Lineage was truly the inferior in battle; but even then, his courage was boundless.
~
"The era is gone where gods dictate the existence of mankind." Ryu has a duty to fight this fight, little as he desires it. He stands back up and fights on. In a flurry of silver-grey flashes, numerous crescents and half-moons are drawn in the air as the Dragon Ninja presses in on the Thunder God anew, striking from a myriad of compass points in a whirling dervish led by an edge as tall as he is.
The final two strokes have a full three-hundred sixty degrees of momentum, the technique once more closing by -slamming- the weapon down at Raiden overhead with force enough to shatter that stone beneath their feet; soundly.
COMBATSYS: Raiden dodges Ryu Hayabusa's Ring of Insanity EX.
RAIDEN
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|-----==========
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
Thunder rolls and clouds churn overhead, lightning sheeting down to spark across the tips of the sparking metal rods set at the corners of the rooftop shrine. Tossed about in the chaotic wind, Raiden's long white hair billows about, lightning dancing in his eyes beneath the brim of his conical hat. Though his white and blue outfit is soaked through, he doesn't seem to mind. In fact, it looks natural on him. The right state of things.
"All I have done for this world, and still you lack faith." the Lord replies in a crackling murmur, focused upon Kelly now as Hayabusa gathers himself in the background.
"I have not fallen." Raiden states with quiet intensity, turning once more to face both young warriors, "You have."
Hayabusa's charge is met with a thrusting palm block, lightning flickering across, then absorbing into the scythe's blade as it is batted to one side. However, the next furious swing has too much force behind it to be so trivially redirected.
Sparks jump and zap through the air as Raiden ducks a horizontal swing, dodges forward around a diagonal, then reverses direction to clear a spinning swipe off the shaft, his footwork quick and chaotic.
"That you believe," he states, a bolt of lightning descending from the heavens to strike nearby, shattering tile, "that you are ready for existence without gods, proves only that you do not understand our purpose. I am not a tyrant."
Hayabusa's scythe descends toward the crown of Raiden's head, and the white-haired god flickers, vanishing mere moments before the weapon hammers through the ceiling, the tip of its blade punching through into the room beneath.
Meanwhile: Thousands of miles away, the enraged storm bares down upon the island of Hokkaido. Rain pounds the ocean, enormous waves rolling up shore to flood the coast. Hurricane force winds blast the sea, whipping it up into a thrashing, swirling mess. There is so little time left.
"You have disturbed the rest of ancient beings. You have drilled into the soul of the Earth. You attempt to enslave powers you can not hope to control. I will not allow it."
The edge of fury has returned to Raiden's voice, his words seeming to boom down from above. But for a moment, he is nowhere to be seen.
Rising from the tiles as a mass of sparking currents, the God of Thunder appears directly beneath Kelly's feet, uncoiling into a human shape as his right hand thrusts upward toward her stomach. A single, concentrated bolt of lightning flashes from his hand, attempting to hammer through Kelly and carry her up and away toward the swaying trees planted on the border of the roof, the energy forking and writhing as it claws toward the sky to rejoin the clouds.
COMBATSYS: Kelly reflects Distant Thunder from Raiden with Repulsion.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|-------========
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/-----<</<<<<<<<|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[KELLY]
Kelly watches as Ryu attacks the angered thunder god, flinching again as the lightening strikes the ground nearby, arms coming up to block small harmless fragments of flying rubble and stone. Unfortunately, it seems they can't get Raiden to see reason. He is too set in his path, as they are in theirs to stop him, to see reason.
At just that moment, the sound of sparks at Kellys feet reaches her ears. Seeing Raiden come up out of the floor earlier, she acts without entirely thinking it through. Channeling intense amounts of psionic energy through her palms, she brings both hands down at the last possible second as Raiden makes his reappearance! The electrical energy of his attack strikes her small but highly focused shield! The force of the impact sends her sliding back several feet with an explosion of sparks, but it holds!
The attack is sent back towards Raiden, for all the good it might do to hit lightning with more lightning. Kelly, however, is left shaking from a mix of fear and exhilaration. Smoke from the energy drifts off her hands, and her whole body feels charged from static electricity still in the air, and for the first time in her life she can't help but feel like a badass, and in the heat of the moment a bit of sass slips into her tone "Excuse me, but i haven't drilled or enslaved ANYthing! Don't rope me in with the dumb humans. THANKS!".
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"I hope you are wrong; yet almost hope you are right." Hayabusa notes in seeming paradox. But he's no fool-- his limited window to stop Raiden is closing with largely the Dragon Ninja's own pain and failure. If he's right about the scale and haphazard nature of these gathering destructive forces? Much more will be lost than one battle-- or even two lives.
"I have not lost faith, but perhaps yours has ebbed in us. Your target sounds just; even necessary. But your methods.... there are options to exhaust that do not require the death of many who have done none of what enrages you, Lord Raiden."
Options like taking the True Dragon Sword to whatever ancient power has been stirred-- and to whomever have delved too deeply, for all the wrong reasons. His muscles screaming, his body bloodied and bruised, the last scion of the Dragon Lineage once again, with no ebbing of regret, takes up arms against another, greater defender of Earthrealm... for the sake of the lives of strangers.
"I do not ask you to allow it." Clearly, Ryu has no intention of allowing it, himself. "Only to work -with- us to destroy it!" In the moment's distraction that Kelly's astounding display sadly translates to, Hayabusa seeks to capitalize-- he rushes forward in a flash, a singular, graceful lunge that seems to transit the distance seperating him from Raiden like the dive of a bird of prey.
That high-velocity assault is closed with a reaving stroke of his greatscythe, tearing the intricately-grained blade from low to high in a singular, brutal stroke carrying ample power to launch even the Thunder God skyward; at which point Hayabusa would disappear, translocating in front of that flight, and seeking once more to wrap Raiden in a warm, generous embrace before spiralling Earthward in a brutal ninja-bomb, led by Raiden's head.
COMBATSYS: Raiden blocks Ryu Hayabusa's Izuna Otoshi.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|----===========
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/-----<<|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
There are tiny moments throughout a fighter's life that they will never be able to forget. Flashes of perfect clarity in which the world comes together before them, and for just a moment, they are part of something. Truly one with the universe. Perhaps that is what really drives entities such as Akuma. This state of perfect oneness that can only come during combat.
Kelly has likely just experienced one of these moments.
The last of Raiden's upward blast arcs off into the sky, the entirety of the discharge having forked around Kelly, or bounced back to sizzle up the god's out thrust palm, leaving his young opponent remarkably unharmed. Unfortunately, Raiden seems to have come out of the experience little worse for ware. Maybe, if Kelly is optimistic, she can tell herself that she gave him the electrical backlash version of a brain freeze, or loud feedback.
"You have moved beyond reason!" Lord Raiden rages in reply, and the sky above echoes with the thunder of his displeasure. With Kelly shoved a good few feet back, hands smoking, he has room to maneuver, shadowed face turning to glance back toward Hayabusa. A single lively spark tzzzzts its way up his arm and jumps free of his shoulder, snapping a drop of rain into steam. "No longer does humanity show respect or restraint. The harvesting of oil has been tolerated. The pollution of the atmosphere is permitted, because you are young, and foolish. But now humanity wishes to harvest the soul itself. To disturb the remains of monsters long slain. You overstep!"
Hayabusa chooses that moment to rush him, scythe ascending in a single, devastating stroke.
Lord Raiden's hands clasp, lightning surging along his arms to gather in a furious halo around his laced fingers. Whirling on the spot, he brings his lightning-wreathed hands arcing down in a massive double chop toward the enormous blade, time seeming to slow as the two forces approach.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The entire temple jumps on its foundation as the blinding charge goes off, hurling Hayabusa one way and Raiden the other.
"ENOUGH!"
The heavens themselves quiver at the rage in the Thunder Lord's voice as he rises out of his backward flight, forks of lightning flashing down from the sky to smash into trees, rods, the ground, and the roof. Everywhere there is sound and fury, light and noise.
Raising both arms overhead, Raiden summons forth a massive pulse of electricity, the arcing currents pouring out to swirl around his body in a sudden rush. That is the only warning Hayabusa will get before Raiden's left hand is brought down, releasing a focused bolt of lightning that streaks across the distance toward the Dragon Ninja.
then, Lord Raiden vanishes, only to reappear not 10 feet behind Hayabusa, right hand snapping forward to release a second arc of electricity. So perfectly timed are they, that unless Hayabusa can defend himself in time, they will strike him near simultaneously.
COMBATSYS: Raiden successfully hits Ryu Hayabusa with White Lightning EX.
RAIDEN
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|-==============
[ \\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/---<<<<|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[KELLY]
It takes a moment, but it dawns on Kelly just how close a call that was, beyond any or every encounter in her past. Her mind slowly begins to actually recall things happening, almost like it is out of sync with the flow of real time. She goes to move in again..... to try to help against Raiden as more lightning illuminates the sky and fills her ears with its crashing....
.... and for a moment, she can't. Her legs are too busy shaking. Breathing seems difficult, though it is just in her head. The rush of the moment catches up with her in an overwhelming way, and as the building rocks violently with Raidens latest attack and shout of 'Enough!', she drops unsteadily to one knee.
Slowly, Kelly pulls herself back up to her feet as the rush passes and stability to her limbs returns "So...... what do you plan to do? What about the innocents not involved that get caught up in all this?". He SAID 'Enough', so maybe it's a chance to get through to him without dying in the process?
It's a chance she's willing to take.
COMBATSYS: Kelly takes no action.
RAIDEN
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|-==============
[ \\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/---<<<<|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"I make no argument to that overreach or its implicit tragedy." Hayabusa concedes, his polite unwilingness to delve into the debate of reason or lack thereof perhaps telling in its absence. "I came here to reason with a guardian of Earth, to combine forces to answer this thr--- grkk!!'
The Dragon Ninja is in motion with the first bolt, but lightning has this interesting way of following its course to culmination, and the bolt subtly arcs to connect mid-weave, dropping Hayabusa to one knee. The second bolt blasts him once more down face-first, steam rising from his back as he's pelted by rain.
"Instead... I find an angry god drunk on what he -can- do to stop this, that he hasn't paused to consider what else he -should- be trying first, what the consequence will be of this-- impending genocide." Call it like he sees it. Even as he struggles to regain his footing. "Willing to destroy those who should be allies without even a second thought as to their own expertise; after all, I am not an ancient being." But Ryu, perhaps, has a keener view of his duty to those now threatened.
... Or perhaps they've simply misjudged Raiden's true nature all these ages... or the actions of a few evildoers have simply so roused his ire that humanity's benefits are, as he states, finally well and truly out of balance.
"I would help you slay any fiend--" Hayabusa intimates quietly, sincerely, "But not at the cost of so many who have not committed this wrong!!" Will the God of Thunder go so far as to end the bloodline of the Heavenly Dragons? Ryu isn't sure-- but it makes little difference now.
Drawing into a classic kata and centering substantial, stubborn pools of his own powerful, inner spirit even as his body threatens to quit, the Dragon Ninja launches himself like a missile, like a lightning bolt, right back at Raiden, led by the hefty weight of the Eclipse Scythe's head. Should that impact land true, he'll conclude his flight by whirling about, once more bringing the cruel-edged weapon down upon Raiden.
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa keeps on fighting!
RAIDEN
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|-==============
[ \\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Raiden dodges Ryu Hayabusa's Fudo Kaganui.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|-==============
[ \\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
"You came with the intent to stop what I have started. The weapon you carry is proof of this." Raiden responds, bare feet planted in the inch-deep flow that swirls across the damaged arena, pouring over the edge of the roof to splash into puddles on the next tier down. "If you wished to avoid this, you should have focused your efforts on stopping those who abused their position. Your call for help has come too late. I have given you, and them, all the time that I can."
Tiny forks of energy snap out from the Thunder God's eyes as he considers Hayabusa, watching as the young ninja drags himself once more to his feet. Still the god's face remains shadowed, posture poised and dangerous.
The Dragon Shinobi lunges, and Raiden vanishes in a flash of divine lightning, appearing once more in the center of the courtyard, where this fight first began. Head bowed, he folds his hands before his middle and lowers his voice, words becoming a sizzling murmur that cuts through the sound of pounding rain. Overhead, the storm quiets slightly, electrical storm fading out to an odd rumble of thunder, wind gusting heavily.
"Dragon Ninja. You have come to my temple to force your will upon me. I am no pitiful fiend. I am no lycanthropic pretender. I have judged the actions of your race and chosen the most merciful punishment available to me. You have broken the sacred pacts. Your kind, human kind, is no longer deserving of protection. Until you right these wrongs, and cast out those who have chosen to ignore restraint, I will not defend you. You will receive the punishment you have earned. This is my duty, as tasked to me by the Elder Gods. I can not champion the actions of dishonorable criminals."
As he speaks, the Lord of Lightning's body glows, white, purifying sparks pulsing along his limbs and zapping across his chest. For the first time, the shadow retreats from his face, and the sternness of his expression can be seen. For just a moment, his temper is checked, and he allows them both a chance, for his words were meant for both fighters, even if Hayabusa seems to have commanded the bulk of his attention.
Miles away, the storm of wrath continues to bare down upon Hokkaido, guided ever forward by the energy pulled up through Raiden's temple. There is no time left. All who took the hours provided to evacuate have done so. All who remained will likely be forced to face their fate. Any moment now, the storm will hit the coast and sweep across the island, bringing with it hurricane force winds and horrific amounts of rain. Is there any time left at all? is it too late?
COMBATSYS: Raiden flickers with holy lightning.
RAIDEN
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|------------===|===============
[ \\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[KELLY]
A wince crosses Kellys face as Ryu is blasted away yet again...... at this point shes amazed he is still standing, honestly.
As he and Raiden speak, she shakes her head sadly "So because of a few, everyone else has to suffer and potentially die.... ? Humans look down on Darkstalkers for what some of their kind have done, and it isn't any just then, either".
As they continue speaking, and more of Raidens words are spoken, she decides she has heard enough. Real heroes don't give up. Raiden may even speak the truth, but if what he is doing is going to potentially take lives, and they are fighting to save them, that makes them the good guys!
Right?
Before she can think it through any further, Kelly breaks into a run towards the highly conductive god. As she nears, psionic energy pulses through and around her hands and feet as she sends a strong series of punches and kicks at him in between her words "Right or wrong, we can't just stand by when lives might be in danger! Even against you!".
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"You already -know- the foe to be fought. I do not." Hayabusa objects, as he slides back to rather less than stable footing, defiant despite his wounds. "You choose to fight it not by calling on your allies, but by judging us. Not by destroying the guilty, but by addressing the threat amidst the blood of countless innocents. How often has -that- worked out?" The Dragon Ninja may not be an elder, much less an elder god-- but he IS a student of history, of myth, of the folly of both god and man.
"You risk -becoming- little more than a fiend, Lord Raiden. An exceedingly deadly one." The assertion carries more than a trace of sorrow. To fight what was unfolding was his sworn duty-- but to find it an uncompromising Raiden at the heart of the crisis is certainly a blow to the young master's heart; to his soul. "I have long kept faith; and would fight this foe via any other means."
A dark smile crosses Hayabusa's features, hidden on his face by the mask he wears, barely touching his gold-flecked eyes. "... but you are so caught up in our destruction you haven't even properly shared that righteous target, content to make it all so much worse. I may not be able to stop you..." This time. He made his play-- it was unsuccessful.
"... And you don't seem to be hearing the true statement in my actions regardless...." Indeed, the Thunder God at this point... doesn't even seem to grasp his mission here. "But I must... speak it!!" For all their sakes, if there's any way in his desperate last gasps to get through, Ryu will find it. What is the alterative?
The last scion of the Dragon Lineage flashes forward at least this one further time, whipping the greatscythe about in a deceptively swift windmill, the arc of each rising strike intended to send a freshly bloodied Raiden skyward in a series of three swift rotations, before Hayabusa would flip clear, a charge of pure white chi burning in his grasp.
The Dragon Ninja would take one hand from he weapon, /point/ towards Raiden with purpose... and blasts forth a beam of pure spirit, a white-hot punctuation to his admittedly frustrated sentiment. To his general dismay at the loss of life and disaster invoked to stop-- well, whoever actually -is- responsible for the ancient, evil energy being tapped at this moment.
COMBATSYS: Raiden dodges Kelly's Fierce Combo.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|------------===|===============
[ \\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa successfully hits Raiden with Gessen Goryu Ha EX.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|-----==========|===============
[ \\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[RAIDEN]
"If you do not see the enemies aligned before you, then you are blind, as well as foolish." Raiden replies, white sparks floating away from his body to crackle gently across the wet ground . There is something different about the energy he is currently emitting. A simple purity that both young fighters can clearly sense.
"When you return home, look toward your leaders. Observe their conflict. You will soon find your enemies."
What little advice he can provide now given, the Lord of Thunder vanishes from the path of Kelly's wild charge, appearing directly in the path of Hayabusa's first upward slash. This he meets with a crackling forearm, absorbing the heavy blow even as it drives him into the air. The follow up block is mistimed, however, and the blade of the shinobi's mighty scythe finally finds the god's flesh, tearing a bloody gash through his ceremonial garments from hip to chest. The third blow catches him in the thigh as he curls it up in an attempt to block, gouging another wide, bloody cut through his pants that weeps sizzling red droplets. Even his blood is electrically charged, each drop hissing with divine lightning.
Unfortunately, even as the ninja is flipping away, hand poised to blast, Raiden is spinning out of his uncontrolled tumble, spraying static-charged blood from his deep wounds. Blasting forward out of the air, he meets the lance of chi head on, seeming to partially absorb the violent energy as it pierces his being.
The white lightning coursing across Raiden's body grows in intensity, crawling along his limbs with a constant buzzing hum.
"Hah Yuu Hayahntuu!"
The God's cry is rough and raw, a battle shout torn from the depths of his soul as he hurtles forward, attempting to slam his electrically charged fist hard into Hayabusa's throat, following the opening left with a swift right palm to the chin.
"Let the error of your ways become clear to you in defeat." Raiden murmurs as he brings both hands up, attempting to slap a palm to either side of Hayabusa's head and deliver a quick, sharp jolt through his temples, directly into his brain. If the attack lands, he will release the ninja, allowing him to fall freely toward the temple roof, leaving the god alone with Kelly as he floats perhaps a foot off the ground, long hair snapping and crackling around him.
COMBATSYS: Raiden successfully hits Ryu Hayabusa with Sudden Energy.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|----===========|===============
[ \\ < > /////////////////// ]
Ryu Hayabusa [E] 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Kelly
[KELLY]
Again, Kellys attacks meet open air as the elusive god blinks from sight, her fists and kicks meeting open air.
When Raiden grabs Hayabusa and sends current through his head, she sees it as an opportunity potentially!
Slipping around behind him, she closes to juuuuust enough range, and throws her hands forwards with a warcry, a large burst of psionic energy flaring from her palm for a few inches. Hopefully, with his attention elsewhere, Raidens exposed back will be hit nice and hard.
At worst, maybe it'll give Ryu time to get away, supposing he is still even conscience afterwards....
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"I have... enough sight to see... the backlash, the death, this escalation will yield." Hayabusa is laid low by the strike, electricity surging through his brain, steam rising from his head. He falls to the Earth once more, beaten-- much as he must have known he would be.
"And even now, you speak insults instead of sharing our true enemies." Ryu shakes his head, pulls down his facemask, and spits a bit of blood. "I am... sorely disappointed in you." It may seem virtually weightless, just now-- but the Dragon Ninja does not seem to care. "
All you have proven is that you are strong enough to see your great and terrible intentions to fruition." he calmly observes, "Not their rightness, not your rightness; that comes only with time. As with every great error in history." His own-- and those of everyone else. "All you have done is expand a growing war." And for that, another man would weep, rather than voice stoic, if heartwrenched dismay.
"I hope to one day stand by your side once more and right this wrong." He murmurs, not devastated, but out of fight-- aware of the futility of taking just one more swing to abate this fate. "Assuming you have perspective enough not to slay me for my audacity in standing in your way."
It's not a plea, not backhanded searching for sympathy-- why would the Dragon Ninja speak such maddening retorts at this late hour if it were his life he feared for? This chance was always part of his fate-- something no child should have to make their peace with as early as did Ryu Hayabusa. Even in defeat, the master shinobi is calm, fearless, assured. Amusingly, his hope may well mirror Kelly's-- give the girl time to get clear of the god's wrath.
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa takes no action.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|----===========|===============
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kelly 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Ryu Hayabusa can no longer fight.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|----===========|===============
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kelly 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Raiden dodges Kelly's Psionic Burst.
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
1|----===========|===============
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kelly 0/-------/--=====|
[RAIDEN]
"I have told you all you need to know." Lord Raiden assures Hayabusa even as the smoking ninja slips free of his grasp, allowing the young man to continue bemoaning the outcomes of things he claims to understand. There is a certain perspective that comes with age, and though Hayabusa is mighty, insightful, and dedicated, he is not old. Perhaps he will look back on this some day and grow stronger for the experience.
Still, one champion remains. A young woman who has proven to be far more skilled, or perhaps lucky, than expected.
Just as Kelly's hands thrust forward, Raiden vanishes once more, porting away in a flash of white lightning. When next he appears it is just to the right of where Kelly's psionic blast emerges, the stern-faced immortal's eyes alight with focused power as he snaps his left hand up and aims a quick stream of lightning passed her extended hands, attempting to flash blind her much as she so recently attempted to do to him.
"You fought well." Raiden praises, the origin of his voice shifting as he vanishes in another flash only to appear instantly behind her, driving a brutal elbow forward toward the center of her spine. Not enough to break, but just enough that she may lose feeling in her legs for a couple of hours if she can't avoid it.
"But when next we meet."
Now the God is in front of her, appearing just as her psychic blast fades and bringing his right hand down in a lightning-infused chop squarely for the center of her forehead.
"Heed my words. Hayabusa Ryu should have known better."
And with that, Raiden, Lord of Thunder, thrusts his left palm forward, attempting to hurl Kelly back with a constant stream of lightning focused directly into her chest. The attitude in which he attacks is stern and matter-of-fact. blunt even. it may be insulting, but who can deny he has dealt with the more dangerous of the threats.
Or has he?
COMBATSYS: Kelly fails to deflect Shock Therapy from Raiden with Repulsion.
*KNOCKED AWAY*
RAIDEN
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
0|---------------|------=========
[ \\\ <
Kelly 1/-======/=======|
[KELLY]
Once more Kelly attacks, and once more Raiden proves how elusive he is. She blinks as he reappears suddenly, attempting to bring her arms up to stop the potential attack!
All she succeeds in doing is sparing her eyes being blinded for a moment, and as a result not seeing Raiden reposition. Her eyes go wide with pain as his strike to her back takes out her legs. As she falls, she goes RIGHT into his head chop, her head snapping back and pain coursing through her skull.
She is, of course, completely defenseless as she lands on her knees just in time for the electrical blast to take her full-on in the chest, sending her flying across the arena to slam into the opposing wall! She slides down, holding herself up with arms shaking from the effort. Blackness threatens the edges of her vision, but she is somehow still conscious.
[RYU HAYABUSA]
"Perhaps he did-- but had to stand against the meaning in those words and deeds nonetheless." Hayabusa observes calmly, if a touch sadly, as he draws himself up off the floor. There is little more he can do to stop the Thunder God's wrath from being unleashed upon its island target. Little but prepare himself for the further battles he suspects this one will only spark...
"Thank you for your assistance." Hayabusa offers to Kelly as he approaches her new crash-space-- and gets between her and Raiden. "But we have lost this battle. Come, you should find shelter."
~
"What the HELL. It branches? I can't continue and retry?"
"No man you have to reload from the last Tournament fight and clear it solo again to face Raiden."
"But if you don't take him out in those first couple combos and parry-dodge perfectly he just--"
"I know man."
The sound of a controller thunks across the floor, "That's bullshit. Your game is bullshit."
"More like the BEST shit. Epic fighting action, man. Get good."
~
[RAIDEN]
Kelly is sent flying, smashing into the wall of the courtyard and flopping to the ground with a splash. Meanwhile, Raiden remains poised, water flowing around his bare toes as he watches her struggle to stand.
Then, Hayabusa is there.
"You have each been given an opportunity to convince me. You have each been given an opportunity to defeat me. Hayabusa, you have failed, and you have interfered with the conclusion of Kelly's trial as well. The ancient customs have been observed, and my patience," the god states, lifting his right hand with pointer and middle fingers extended, "have grown thin."
That is the only warning either fighter gets before duel bolts of lightning fork down from the sky, striking them with mind-numbing force. it is as if reality itself has turned around and punched them both in the brain, as they find themselves scorched, battered, soaking wet, but somewhere very far away from where they were just moments before.
Where?
Difficult to say.
The top of his temple now devoid of trespassers, Raiden spreads his arms wide, drawing in the power of the storm that rages overhead. Lightning jumps from all four corners of his tower, the tethers that once tied him to the leylines returning to gather around him. One with the earth and sky, he drives his will forth, assuming direct control of the distant storm that now rages over the island of Hokkaido.
Howling winds blast through towns. Rivers swell. Levies break. But as the god rejoins his storm, it gains purpose. Slowly, the full force of Raiden's judgement is directed through the Saru district, wrathful winds tearing across the modern structures, testament to Japan's steady urbanized encroachment.
Further the whipping winds are focused, to the town of Biratori.
Further, to the Nibutani damn.
Steel and cement strain beneath the weight of overflowing waters, battered mercilessly by unplanned upon winds. The main structure, and those around it, begin to break apart.
The Saru river is set free.
If a certain prototype facility happens to be blasted apart, the remains flooded, that will be a secondary concern to the locals. Much of the countryside will, of course, be flooded. The entire island is likely to be partially submerged for some time. No doubt many have died. But many more will survive. And those who are wise to the ways of the world, they will know.
The wrath of the planet has been awoken. Not all is well, and a sacrifice must be made. But who, exactly, is it that needs to be cast into the nearest volcano?
Or, perhaps, flung into a ravine.
[KELLY]
Pain rockets up and down through Kellys nervous system. Her legs refuse to respond completely, shaking like her arms when she tries to stand. She focuses what psionic power she has left, readying it for one last attempt before what seems the inevitable outcome.
When Ryu gets back up and moves to stand between them, on one hand she is upset by a feeling that shes being dismissed. On the OTHER however, she is clearly out of her league and he might be the only thing standing between her and her own potential death.
Her hearing is muffled from her injuries, and is unable to make out what is being said, and when Raidens lightning bolt strikes them, she gives a disoriented scream as reality warps and the breath is knocked out of her.
As her eyes open again, and she realizes she is still alive, and no longer on top of the tower. With this realization, the hold on her energy is released and she passes out.
COMBATSYS: Raiden has left the fight here.
[ \\\ <
Kelly 1/-======/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kelly has ended the fight here.
Log created on 18:19:04 08/31/2017 by Ryu Hayabusa, and last modified on 17:00:06 09/07/2017.