Match of the Millennium

Description: Sagat, having left Shadaloo behind, has chosen to take his place at the world stage by claiming the legendary belt. It's owner, Duke, has thrown around his own power and arrogance, and eagerly accepts the challenge. The duo battle outside the Live House in the Second South, ready to find who truly is the strongest. (Winner: DKO)

[DUKE]
The Second South wasn't normally Duke's explicit territory.

Certainly, it was within the grounds of the Syndicate. But the Second South was more Kain's territory. For a fellow lieutenent to be striding around the turf, it might be an invitation for a small war. In the post-war environment, however, Duke felt unusually bold. Having driven off Billy, the crime boss felt a certain freedom in the city. If his fellow lieutnents have a problem with him traveling around their territory?

Let them stop him.

For now, Duke had business in the Second South. With the King of Fighters tournament still being reorganized for the finals, Duke was surprised to have received a new invitation. Sagat, the world famous Muay Thai master, had stepped forward to challenge Duke for his belt. The Red Legendary belt, granted to one of the strongest fighters in the world, was simply another prize for the crime boss to claim for himself. He hardly expected anyone to even challenge him for it. But for Sagat, the former Emperor of Muay Thai, to come forward?

It was simply another prize to crush the master.

The site of the fight was Duke's choosing. There are classier places in Southtown, yes. But Duke felt a certain muscling by choosing the Live House Old Line. It was a younger place, for children, not men. But it was deep in the heart of Kain's territory, and he wanted to send a message to his rivals. Besides, the brick house had a relaxing outdoor sitting, and an acceptable dining experience. Duke had a seating outside, of course, dressed in his fine silk suit of red and black. The dark skinned crime boss smokes a cigar, sitting by the already cleared parking lot in a wire-frame table and chair. The judges were standing by with the camera crew. Upon the table? A tall, amber beer, and the Red Legendary belt himself. Duke puffs on his cigar, his yellow eyes scanning the cleared parking lot, as he strokes his salt and pepper goatee. He was ready.

But what of his opponent?
You get this"
it's like this"

[SAGAT]
Sagat approached the parking lot wearing his usual garb of shorts and boxing tape. He was also wearing a dark cloak with a hood, to help him avoid attention on his way to the venue.
Today was the day he would assert his presence and show the world that he was no longer a lacky of a delluded organisation. No longer was he a slave to power.
Sagat approached the venue and made his way to the man indulging himself nearby. He took a long look at the parking lot surrounding him and this individual. He said to him "I'm the one here for the belt and the recognition that comes with it. I've heard many rumours about a man named Duke. Some call you the king of crime in south town. Others call you a thorn in Geese Howard's side. I care about none of that. Those who desire power for power's sake can only learn how I learnt."
Sagat proceeds to cast off his cloak, revealing a red-brown scar across the centre of his chest. He says sternly "It took me this scar, and a life of crime to teach me the true meaning of the fight and significance of one's power." Sagat cracked his knuckles. "Hmph, there are so many like you in this world, you desire so much power and you will stop at nothing. What will it take for you to change?" He observed a red mark on Duke's neck "It seems one scar was not enough for you. Maybe today I will show the error in your ways."
Sagat lets his cloak be blown away by the wind and listens, waiting before he assumes a fighting stance.

[DUKE]
The arrival of Sagat comes with a smoldering glare.

Duke doesn't even stand up as his opponent arrives. He only even pulls out the cigar when Sagat casts of his cloak. Taking a sip of the beer, he places it down. His stare burns, his eyes seering with contempt as Sagat lets those words boil out. Already, the rage of the crime boss was manifesting, with the chi of the enforcer beginning to burst out from around him.

And Duke lets out a rumbling chuckle.

"My line of work." Duke growls, rubbing the scar upon his neck. "Is the purchase and sale of fine art. Certainly, there are rumors. But men are jealous of the powerful, and will say anything." Duke rises up from his chair, throwing the cigar into the glass of beer. "But perhaps I will retire, once I have broken your body under my foot." Duke strides forward, each step coming with a small shockwave underfoot. "I have already fought the man who brought you your scar. Ryu, was it? Yes, yes. Of course, men change over time. Who knows." Duke eases into his own fighting stance, a somewhat crude brawler stance, halfway into a boxing stance and Sagat's own Muay Thai, a sneer on his lips.

"You might have even improved since your humilation."

[SAGAT]
"Humiliation? Hmph. Humility is exactly what I needed, I may not have realised it back then, but I came to understand it in time. As you soon will." Sagat stood his ground against Duke and stared down at his head. He shook his head. "You are all the same. You won't learn until it's too late. Your open threats tell me everything I need to know about you. You're not all that different from how I was so many years ago." Sagat takes a step back and assumes his muay thai stance with arms held forward. "Now I know that I'll make a far better use of that belt than you ever will!"

[DUKE]
He was not backing down.

"If humility is what you need?" Booms Duke, as he steps forward. Duke smirk darkens, as he strides closer. The judges, almost in desperation for the obvious fight that would start too soon, suddenly make the gesture for the match to begin. "Then I will give you plenty, and keep the belt for myself!"

And the fight begins.

Duke, lunging in, hurls a gut punch. Power comes roaring out with the crime boss, but for all his power, there was a certain crudeness to his technique. Even the punch itself was more reckless than careful finesse. Duke was looking to smash through Sagat, to break through him like his previous opponents. Sagat's endurance was world renowned, yes.

But Duke felt he could crack it.

COMBATSYS: Duke has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Duke             0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Sagat has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Duke             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Sagat

COMBATSYS: Sagat blocks Duke's Strong Punch.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Duke             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Sagat

[SAGAT]
Sagat drops his raised arms in the way of Duke's fist and easily shruggs off the undisciplined power of Duke's punch. "Hmph just as I expected from a warrior like you." Sagat prepares a counter, his tape covered foot begins to rise from the ground as he aims for Duke's feet. His kick is calculated and disciplined. This man might be called Duke, but Sagat is a king.

COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Sagat's Tiger Kick.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Duke             0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0            Sagat

[DUKE]
Was he royality?

Duke barely recognized Geese as his superior at this point. Duke was arrogant beyond arrogant, a rogue knight, roaming his realm, looking for any who would dare knock him from his lofty throne. Sagat was strong enough to dare.

And strong enough to fight back.

Extended deep into Sagat's guard, the crime boss was no longer smirking as the kick strikes to his feet. Duke steps in, forcing his own leg to catch it. In itself, it was not much; he only barely catches the frightful kick with his own leg. More notably, though, was the audible 'crack' as it connects. Grimacing, the crime boss brings his other leg down into a massive shockwave of a stomp. The asphalt rumbles, as he unleashes a snarl. "As for you, I am disappointed!" He roars, as he hurls himself in point blank, attempting to blast back Sagat with a driving punch, wreathed in violet flame.

COMBATSYS: Sagat fails to interrupt Seismic Impact EX from Duke with Tiger Crush.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Duke             0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0            Sagat

[SAGAT]
Sagat makes a bold move by attempting to raise his knee to strike at Duke's fist. The attack is fruitless and Sagat only succeeds in wounding himself further. It had been a while since he had fought, but he had always believed in his strength. Perhaps after leaving Shadaloo he had gone soft. The punch knocks him back and he shudders and tries to concentrate and regain control of the fight.

[DUKE]
Duke was not going to let Sagat get his momentum back.

The crime boss continues to stagger forward, letting his own momentum carry him ahead. Hurling after Sagat, he lurches in, his other fist drawing back? "Is this the Tiger of Muay Thai? The former emperor? You fight like a kitten!" Duke snarls, his fist finally hurling forward into a staggering punch, attempting to bring out the mother of all haymakers for Sagat's jaw, to send him -smashing- into a nearby car at the edge of the ring. Duke's desire for destruction was fueling him.

And already, he was not slowing down.

COMBATSYS: Sagat blocks Duke's Power Axe.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Duke             0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0            Sagat

[SAGAT]
Sagat resists Duke's attack with his monstrous arms. He can feel his strength returning, his lust for the fight. He strikes back at Duke again with his leg.

Sagat shouts "This fight... has only just begun." His leg goes careening towards Duke's chest.

COMBATSYS: Duke interrupts Strong Kick from Sagat with Swivel Gun EX.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Duke             0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Sagat

[DUKE]
"Then lets truly begin this!"

That was the response from Duke, as the staggering punch crashes through, smashing against the formiddable limbs of the Muay Thai Master. Duke's reckless offense was demonstrating itself; even with the blocks, he was hurling himself harder and harder at Sagat, with only the faintest regard for his own defense. Not quite a berserker approach, no. But there was a reckless charge to it, that wasn't quite clear why he would expose so much risk.

Unless the massive leg comes for Duke's chest.

There is a sickening crack, as the blow crushes the man's rib cage. The lungs, the ribs, the solar plexus; Sagat could -feel- it give way as Duke does not even attempt to defend against it. Instead, he was bringing his own leg around. Intercepting the assault with a fiercesome smash into Sagat's own thigh, he lifts up in the air with a swivel kick, which might have been the only thing keeping his heart from being ruptured. A second kick comes, as his burning energy boils from him, the crimson-purple flames boiling out from his leg as he smashes the second kick around, crushing it at Sagat's neck. Landing down off-balanced, blood pours from his lips, as he grins fiercely at Sagat, a crimson stain spreading into the front of his suit. There is no words this time.

He could not speak with collapsed lungs.

[SAGAT]
Sagat grinds his teeth together as his neck is hit by Duke's leg. He can feel the muscles in his neck cracking under the pressure. The swirling energy seemed to make the hit burn against his skin. The pain was immense, but Sagat had felt far worse in his life. He had recovered from far worse. It seemed that not only Duke would be learning something today, so would Sagat.

Sagat tried to wrap his arms around Duke's torso and cast him onto the pavement. He had to make calculated moves and rely on everything he had within him in order to win, but also to show Duke the true meaning of all this fighting.

COMBATSYS: Duke barely endures Sagat's Tiger Carry.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Duke             0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0            Sagat

[DUKE]
Duke's defense still refuses to manifest.

The relentless aggression continues to boil forward, the furious crime boss still giving no ground, as he hurls into Sagat again and again. By the time Sagat recovers, Duke was already striding into him, forcing himself forward. And yet, this time, as Sagat seizes him, Duke actually seems to slow down. With the pivot, he is hurled away, as his skin begins to look clammy, his lips turning blue. Smashing into the asphalt, he rolls briefly before forcing into a stand. Gripping his right shoulder, he continues to press forward. And then, he suddenly opens his mouth.

A gasp of air.

The first gasp of air, since that kick connected with his chest. He couldn't breath. And yet, how could he breath now? Wiping the blood from his mouth, he grins as he strides forward. "You almost killed me, Sagat." He chuckles. "A little harder, and you might have blood on your hands again. I suppose I shouldn't be holding back either." Duke balls both of his fists together, and swings them in tandem in a massive hammer blow, attempting another ruthless blow straight into Sagat's head. A crippling, cruel strike. The blood on his chest had stopped spreading.

But his offense had just barely slowed down.

COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Sagat with Fierce Punch.
- Power hit! -

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Duke             0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1            Sagat

[SAGAT]
As Duke's fists collide with Sagat's head, he begins to hear ringing in his ears and his already impaired vision becomes blurry. He blinks many times, and for a split second he sees not Duke, but a figure from his past who struck his face before. Who struck him so hard it redefined him as a person. But Ryu is not there, the memory only conjures up pain within Sagat, pain that exists now, in reality. He opens his eyes and sees Duke preparing yet another attack. Sagat can feel a deep rage within him, a deep rage he thought was gone a rage that he thought he had quelled so long ago.

He can feel the adrenaline begin to flow through his body as he breaths in. He can feel his scar once again, the way it burned him when he got it. Sagat roars at Duke but lowers his body and bends his legs. His fist shakes as he begins to rise into the air, straight for Duke's face. He aims straight up with his Tiger Uppercut.

COMBATSYS: Duke endures Sagat's Tiger Uppercut.
! VENGEANCE !

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Duke             1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1            Sagat

[DUKE]
Duke grits his teeth as the blow connects.

Knocking aside Sagat, Duke was already preparing his next attack. Lifting his arms up, the font of energy pours over him as his body becomes a gesyer of chi. Burning alight with his crimson-violet chi, he glares fiercely back at Sagat. Already, he was drawing his arms back. Already, he was ready for Sagat to step into his trap.

He wasn't, however, expecting the pure =power= from Sagat.

As the uppercut comes, the raw -anger- of the Tiger of Muay Thai nearly rips his head off. Duke is forces to -smash- his own face against the fist, in order to keep his head on. The blow instantly shatters his teeth, his jaw, his endure facial structure, as pain pours over him. His own rage boils up, as Sagat's fury becomes his own. Bellowing in rage, he -smashes- his hands down, unleashing a tidalwave of fire point-blank at Sagat. To pour it in, to pour in the full fury of his own rage, to blast him back.

As his face sags into pockets of shattered bone, teeth, and blood.

COMBATSYS: Sagat fails to interrupt Sledgehammer from Duke with Jab Punch.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Duke             0/-------/<<<<<<<|=======\====---\1            Sagat

[SAGAT]
Sagat can feel the energy draining from his body. With extreme futility he tries to jump over Duke's projectile and make contact with a small hit, but he only succeeds in further injuring his already broken body. The fire burns Sagat's flesh and he cries out in pain. Being battered and bruised was one thing, but being burned alive was far worse than he had ever imagined.

Doubt and fear begin to overcome Sagat's mind as he can only think of his last defeat at the hands of Ryu. Now he is reliving all that pain and suffering at the hands of Duke. In a state of pure shock his knees begin to buckle and he falls on them.

[DUKE]
Duke stares down at Sagat.

His face was puffy, bloodied. The full force of the Tiger Uppercut had nearly killed him, as did the kick to the chest. And yet, Duke was still standing. Two nearly mortal blows, and he still was standing. Hurt, oh yes. But the crime boss's legendary endurance was showing in full force. Looking at the trembling at the knees, Duke shakes his head, and looks aside.

Spitting out a mouth full of blood, flesh, and teeth.

Wiping his mouth, he begins to surge again with chi. He could not speak; his tongue was too damaged. But the look in his eyes said it all, that smolding, burning glare. That arrogant smirk on his lips. As Sagat stands fast himself, Duke lunges in. Should he get a grip on the God of Muay Thai? He would lift him straight up, and then, lifting him high in the air, he would unleash a staggering powerbomb, smashing Sagat straight down to the ground, into an explosive piledriver.

To finish this fight.

COMBATSYS: Sagat blocks Duke's Volcanic Bomb.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///                           ]
Duke             0/-------/---====|=======\======-\1            Sagat

[SAGAT]
With great futility Sagat reaches for Duke's arms, trying to stop him from lifting. His efforts are in vain as he is brought into the air. At the last second he feels Duke's grip listen and his able to shield his body as Duke makes the final hit. Sagat has the wind blown straight out of him and he spits blood straight into Duke's face.

But Sagat can still feel blood inside him, he can still feel his heart beating. With ribs shattered by the attack he breaths in and remembers that he has to give everything, absolutely everything for what he believes in. Barely able to stand, Sagat pushes himself off Duke and he stands on shaky legs.

"I... can... still... stand." He can feel his last reserves of energy and strength being drawn into his limbs. They were not as battered as the rest of him, and he might be able to muster one last attack, just one. He concentrates and looks Duke dead in the eye. He spits a broken tooth out and prepares his final attack.

COMBATSYS: Sagat can no longer fight.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Duke             0/-------/---====|

COMBATSYS: Sagat knocks away Duke with #Tiger Destruction#.

[                           \\\  <
Duke             1/-----==/=======|

[DUKE]
Duke executes the assault brutally, and finally. An imperfect execution, to be sure. But as Sagat spits the blood into his face, his eyes, he is blinded for a moment. A moment of respite, as he clumsily slams Sagat down in a devestating, if flawed piledriver. Rolling off, blinded, he expects his prey to be finished.

No.

As he struggles into a stand, he hears the voice in his daze. No. Turning towards Sagat, the blow was already rushing towards him. Bringing his arms up, he attempts to catch it, attempts to stop it. Finally, the defense that had eluded him, that had been denied by him, had emerged. But a moment too soon. Sagat's final attack slips through his guard... and sends Duke flying, flying into a nearby car, smashing him with a sickening crunch.

Duke does not get up, as he lays there.

There is no smirk on his face now.

COMBATSYS: Duke takes no action.


COMBATSYS: Duke can no longer fight.


[SAGAT]
Sagat's Tiger Destruction ends with him falling to the ground with a newfound grace. He lands back on the ground but his body is now devoid of all energy and strength. His head and his arms fall inert but his legs are unable to move. He falls unconcious while still standing up. To duke he would look more like a statue than a fighter.

He does not move.

Log created on 23:33:38 01/02/2018 by Duke, and last modified on 14:06:26 01/04/2018.