Match of the Millennium

Description: Both Ryo and Duke have lost their respective battles in the World Warrior, and now must fight in the loser bracket. Struggling in the midsts of the Strolheim grounds, Duke faces his second Kyokugen opponent in this tournament... and Ryo has his opportunity to avenge Robert for his loss against the Syndicate crime boss. Who will advance, and who will flounder into obscurity?

[DUKE]
Loser.

The title was a heavy on for Duke Burkoff. After his humilating loss in the King of Fighters, it was the title whispered around him. Weak. Embarassing. Loser. Duke promised himself before Hein that he would disperse the rumors, destroy the whispers. He made it to the World Warrior, he earned his place, his standing. He had made his stand. He earned his invitation, and then, his placement. This was his moment.

And he was eliminated in the first round.

Duke strides out into the Exhibition Grounds of the interior of the Strolheim castle. Every step comes with a deep boom, a rumble. He... survived his encounter with Azrael. That was the best way to describe it. He survived, and after he pulled himself together... he was complete. Dressed in a suit of black, made of light cotton, the dark-skinned crime boss was easily going through the cheap suits. It was almost perfect.

And yet, the wound continued to burn.

Under his jacket, the bandages bound over his chest. Reaching a stop in the center of the fighting arena, he crosses his arms. This was not his first Kyokugen opponent. It may not be his last either. He had already faced Robert Garcia in a bloody fight, narrowly winning. But Robert was a student... Ryo was the son. If Robert was a close match...

Duke would have to keep himself ready for his opponent.

[RYO]
For Ryo Sakazaki, the concept of Loser is almost alien. Loser doesn't really mean anything, other than another challenge to overcome. A wall to be broken down. A limit to be pushed and eventually snapped. A pathway to greater strength. In some ways, Sakazaki might even prefer to lose a fight than to win one. There is more to learn, and grow from. He is, after all, still a student, and still climbing his way up the ladder to some day be as strong, if not stronger than his legendary fighter, the great Bear of Kyokugen, Mister Karate himself, Takuma.

Ryo's own path through this tournament has had its ups and down. He had faced Lee Chaolan and came out ahead, offering the Silver haired demon a place as his disciple in the Kyokugen Dojo. He had a devastating defeat at the hands of some inhuman monster, but even that had done little to dissuade Ryo from pushing forward to a victory against the behemoth Abigail. And then there was Baiken. The one eyed swordswoman had been a good, close fight, but ultimately, once steel was drawn, Ryo was bested.

Clearly, he needs to harden himself, as both of his upsets have come at the hands of those who would carry a sword to a fistfight. And frankly, swords aren't his style. So, he'll have to learn how to more reliably overcome weapons with his fists. He cannot rely on Haohshokoken alone to be stronger.

Now, Ryo faces his next challenge. Duke. He had heard of this man. Another would be kingpin of crime in South Town, if the rumors were to be believed. Ryo has a long standing history with the seedy underside of South Town. Luckily, this match isn't with any personal stakes on the line, and it seems that Ryo Sakazaki doesn't hold much animosity for gangsters in general.

Striding into the arena, Ryo looks proud and strong. He walks with the bearing of a warrior king, his chin held high, his shoulders straight and back. Large, thick hands clad in reinforced gauntlets of black leather reach up, grasping the open hem of his oragne gi top and pulling it open and down over his broad shoulders, letting it hang loosely about his waist, secured by the obi cinched tightly around it. His densely muscled physique is accentuated perfectly by the clingy nature of the compression shirt that he wears, in shades of dark and light gray that form a pattern that loosely call to mind the image of flames, or possibly reverse tiger stripes. The symbols of Kyokugen adorn each of the short sleeves of the shirt, adding a splash of color in the form of brilliant red.

"So, how about it, Mister Underworld Champ?" Ryo says, a lopsided, rakish grin forming on his lips, and his cobalt eyes flashing with a steely glint of determination. "Have you been training hard? I heard you managed to best my boy Robert, but don't let that make you think that you have this one in the bag.

For Ryo Sakazaki, the concept of Loser is almost alien. Loser doesn't really mean anything, other than another challenge to overcome. A wall to be broken down. A limit to be pushed and eventually snapped. A pathway to greater strength. In some ways, Sakazaki might even prefer to lose a fight than to win one. There is more to learn, and grow from. He is, after all, still a student, and still climbing his way up the ladder to some day be as strong, if not stronger than his legendary fighter, the great Bear of Kyokugen, Mister Karate himself, Takuma.

Ryo's own path through this tournament has had its ups and down. He had faced Lee Chaolan and came out ahead, offering the Silver haired demon a place as his disciple in the Kyokugen Dojo. He had a devastating defeat at the hands of some inhuman monster, but even that had done little to dissuade Ryo from pushing forward to a victory against the behemoth Abigail. And then there was Baiken. The one eyed swordswoman had been a good, close fight, but ultimately, once steel was drawn, Ryo was bested.

Clearly, he needs to harden himself, as both of his upsets have come at the hands of those who would carry a sword to a fistfight. And frankly, swords aren't his style. So, he'll have to learn how to more reliably overcome weapons with his fists. He cannot rely on Haohshokoken alone to be stronger.

Now, Ryo faces his next challenge. Duke. He had heard of this man. Another would be kingpin of crime in South Town, if the rumors were to be believed. Ryo has a long standing history with the seedy underside of South Town. Luckily, this match isn't with any personal stakes on the line, and it seems that Ryo Sakazaki doesn't hold much animosity for gangsters in general.

Striding into the arena, Ryo looks proud and strong. He walks with the bearing of a warrior king, his chin held high, his shoulders straight and back. Large, thick hands clad in reinforced gauntlets of black leather reach up, grasping the open hem of his oragne gi top and pulling it open and down over his broad shoulders, letting it hang loosely about his waist, secured by the obi cinched tightly around it. His densely muscled physique is accentuated perfectly by the clingy nature of the compression shirt that he wears, in shades of dark and light gray that form a pattern that loosely call to mind the image of flames, or possibly reverse tiger stripes. The symbols of Kyokugen adorn each of the short sleeves of the shirt, adding a splash of color in the form of brilliant red.

"So, how about it, Mister Underworld Champ?" Ryo says, a lopsided, rakish grin forming on his lips, and his cobalt eyes flashing with a steely glint of determination. "Have you been training hard? I heard you managed to best my boy Robert, but don't let that make you think that you have this one in the bag."

[DUKE]
Duke watches as Ryo strides in boldly.

His yellow eyes lock on, his nostrils flaring as his arms stay crossed. Already, the stench of sulfur was filling the air, of hellfire and brimstone. Duke's presence was a wall, and Ryo Sakazaki was penetrating it. Compared to Duke's own garments, Ryo's wear was as a professional fighter should be. For Duke, well. He looked the part of a street fighter and ruffian well enough. So much, in fact, his reputation and look gives Ryo the title to unleash upon him.

Mister Underworld Champ.

Duke's response is rehearsed, and instinctive. "Underworld champ? You must be mistaken. I am a legitimate businessman, who trades in various art. With that said, I have... partaken in a few underground matches. But any winnings I have from those are the concern of the tax revenue man." Duke gives a rare smirk to Ryo Sakazaki, his glowering composure breaking. "And yes, I did break Robert Garcia. But he is hardly the heir of the Kyokugen name. This is not the end of the World Warrior tournament. If I defeat you here, then the Kyokugen will be dishonored. But if I lose..." Duke draws up his fists, bringing up his guard.

"I will not lose."

Duke's stance was open, staggeringly so. A martial artist expert like Ryo could see the gaping holes in the defense; it was almost like a street punk or thug. And yet, as the violet-red flames course over his arms, his chest, the undeniable power boiled from him. His yellow eyes transfix on Ryo, that smirk now turning into a scowl. "Are you ready, Ryo Sakazaki?"

"Or do you need a moment more to warm up..."

COMBATSYS: Duke has started a fight here.

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

COMBATSYS: Ryo has joined the fight here.

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Duke             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Ryo

[RYO]
"Legitimate. Like Mr. Big, or Geese Howard? C'mon," Ryo says, flashing Duke one of those incredulous smirks that essentially repeats his last statement. "If you don't know, I've had some business in the more seedy side of South Town. I know my way around the streets, and I definitely know a gangster when I see one."

The commentary about Robert diminishes Ryo's outwardly jovial nature quickly, however. The half formed grin fades, and the corners of his stubble lined jaw tense into jutting sharp edges. Those deep, cobalt eyes become things of steel, and his thick brows come crashing down to a brooding place over them. "You didn't break Robert. You overcame him. And you only made him stronger for it. Next time you see him, you won't be able to stand up to him. Don't be so cavalier."

At this point, between being a gangster, lying about it, and insulting Robert as he had, Ryo's good will about this match is bleeding dry quickly. He wasn't consumed by rage, or anything as such, but he's definitely not going to take this with his usual approach of having fun with it. No. When Ryo adopts his stance, he does it with a cool, detached precision. Low, with most of his weight on his back foot, and his arms extended high and low before him. An unorthodox stance that looks somewhere between traditional karate and the stance one might expect of a grappler. He doesn't need some fancy flames to show off. His very presence radiates power like some sort of intangible aura that just spills from him in waves. When Duke says he will not lose, Ryo just gives a quiet grunt. At the implication that he needs more time? He simply says, "Quit talking and let me cave in your face."

With that, Ryo leaps forward, with the speed and ferocity of a pouncing tiger. His large, gauntlet clad hands reach out, thick fingers looking to grab hold of Duke's fine clothing and use it as leverage to rip Duke from his balance. One of his feet plants itself into Duke's groin, the ball of his foot almost like a knife trying to pierce Duke's flesh.

Provided he succeeds, he drops back to the ground, using both his might and his weight to wrench Duke from his footing and carry him overhead as they tumble, with the ultimate destination of sending the legitimate businessman flying.

COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Ryo's Tomoe Nage.

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Duke             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Ryo

[DUKE]
Oh, so he knew better.

Duke's smug glare continues to burn as the Kyokugen expert falls into his stance. Duke was aware of the Kyokugen style, not only from Robert. But Ryo had a unique character ot it; that variable style. As the insult comes, though, calling out Mr. Big... and Geese Howard. Duke's face twists into a snarl as he is compared to them. "Then COME!" Duke bellows, as he takes a step towards Ryo.

But Ryo was already moving in.

The leap comes with full force. The open stance is eager to catch him, as the fiery chi cascades over Duke's form lightly. He was expecting full forced punching and kicking like his counterpart. But when Ryo comes to grab the clothing, tearing at the cotton, he realizes that this was a grapple. And the foot comes to the groin, it drives in deep, earning a grunt from Duke. Duke is tumbled and thrown... and the crime boss rolls with the hurl. Rolling across the ring, Duke shows a surprising agility as he comes with it, perking up at the end as the strench of sulfur builds. The suit was dirty, and the slight limp shows that the groin plant had earned it's keep. But Duke's eyes were burning as that arrogance glare comes.

Duke had only begun.

The crime boss builds up speed, every step coming with heavy shockwaves deep into the earth. THe pressure, the pounding pressure comes like a wave as Duke surges back at Ryo. The massive man's speed was distinctive; even Geese wasn't so bold and reckless. Stampeding back at Ryo, he opens with a staggering punch with the right, with a bone-shattering straight with the left. THe assault comes to a close as Duke brings both fists together into a hammerblow, attempting to slam it down at Ryo with a finishing blow.

All while the fires around him builds into a pyre.

COMBATSYS: Ryo just-defends Duke's Fierce Punch!

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

[RYO]
Ryo rolls right up onto his feet as he comes out of the throw, and pivots on his feet to face Duke. He's genuinely surprised that the large man proves to be so agile. One brow hikes up high, and Ryo prepares himself as Duke makes his raging bull dash at him.

A swing from the right. Ryo, open palm interceeds, allowing the blow to slap against his hand, which closes around it. The straight from the left meets a similar fate, easily deflected away. Ryo moves with the sort of sure grace of someone almost functioning purely on rote. As if this were a routine he had seen a hundred times before. When the double fisted hammerblow comes crashing down, Ryo intercepts by reaching up, at the same time as he steps forward. His hands clasp around Duke's massive forearms, stealing the leverage, and thus momentum of the blow.

Immediately, Ryo is using this to his advantage. He pushes Duke's arms back, using both his legs and his arms to surge up and forward so that he's forcing Duke's defenses open. He'll capitalize on that attempting to slide his hands around the back of the crime boss' neck, and drawing him in and downward as Ryo's one knee rises to bury itself deep, deep into the soft, gooey core of Duke's solar plexus.

If he manages this, Ryo follows through as his opponent is doubled over with the wind knocked out of him. He stomps his foot, setting his stance, rooting himself to the ground and keeping his center of gravity level with his bent knees. His shoulders straight, he delivers two lightning fast and bone crunchingly powerful straight punches to Duke's face, with enough force, one would hope, to knock the man down. At least maybe take him down a few pegs.

COMBATSYS: Duke endures Ryo's Kyokugenryu Sanren Geki.

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

[DUKE]
A raging bull was apt.

As the rampaging combination comes, with the blows swinging wildly and ferociously at Ryo, the Kyokugen expert is carefully able to dismantle the offense. The first blow is deflected like it was a mere fly, and from there, Ryo matches Duke's movements nearly flawlessly. The absolute power of the crime boss is merely a mutter as he keeps his yellow eyes transfixed on his opponent, the second blow redirected. As the hammerblow comes, it is deftly caught, the crime boss over Ryo, his power matched. He sneers at the boy. "You don't think you-"

He is interrupted by a knee to his chest.

The blow comes so swiftly, that Duke only can stand fast as the sickening crack is heard. That much was enough, as he remains doubled over, stunning by the pure impact. And that's the opening Ryo needs, as two more staggering blows come. Duke reels, for a moment almost seeming like he loses his balance. But Duke does not fall. A powerful foot comes down as he carries with the momentum, the very force pushing away comes surging back in an instant. Duke looks back at Ryo.

And the damage was plain to see.

Face swelling up like a balloon, with great sacks of bruises building all over it, Duke narrows his yellow eyes. Blood and teeth spurt from his face, as he is already swinging his foot back at Ryo, pivoting to slam it squarely into the Sazakai heir's leg. That in itself may be hardly worth any notice, being far less impactful than even the swinging charge. But the leg would reverse to swing around a full circle, whipping overhead with building momentum to unleash a seismic axe kick, slamming down with bone-shattering impact straight down at Ryo, hurling his full weight in, building that momentum back at Ryo. "GRAGH!" Dynamic flexibility, with stunning agility:

Building into the tidal wave of power.

COMBATSYS: Ryo fails to interrupt Hellfire Hammer from Duke with Koho Shippuken EX.

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

[RYO]
There we go. Like he had said, quit talking so he can cave in your face. Or make it swell up like a bag full of water balloons. Whatever. Semantics.

Ryo considers this a sort of small victory, at least, for the way Duke had claimed to "break" Robert. He can't stand guys with attitudes like that. They're almost as bad as spiders. Geh. Spiders.

Sadly, the small victory would be shortly lived.

Duke's kick collides against Ryo's leg, but the karateka barely seems to notice it. Within him, it triggers an instinct. Duck and turn. Ryo's body curls in at the waist, drawing his fists in tight to his chest, much like a boxer protecting his vitals against an assault. He pivots on his feet, spinning in place, only to come lashing out wi--

Right into the axe kick, Ryo rises up to deliver his punch. His fist falls short, as a result of the impact of that staggeringly powerful axe kick lands on his shoulder. He feels the weight of it wrench his arm out of socket with a dull, stomach churningly wet snap. Sharp pangs of electric pain shoot through his arm, up his spine, and then the entire length of his limb goes numb. He cries out, a guttural sound, like a snarling dog.

[DUKE]
The arrogance of this boy.

As the thundering stomp is unleashed, Duke was already caring his momentum forward. "GRAGH!" He snarls again. He would have more words, but, well. Face. Caved. Hard to talk. Spiders. Even now, blood was pouring down his face, as he choked, struggling to breathe through a collapsed lung. Ryo was stunned for the very moment, Duke does not stop his attack. Already, his other leg was prepared to continue

So it does.

There is an audible sharpness as Duke's other leg flares up with chi, as he gives a very familiar sweeping kick. Swiveling it upwards into a kind of cutter kick, likely suitable for genocide, he tries to carry Ryo up with the kick. Should it connect? He would finish the assault with a second, slicing kick across, to knock Ryo away. The relentless offense that overwhelmed Robert was continuing. Duke was an animal, a beast, a mad dog. And despite his injuries?

He almost seemed unstoppable.

COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Ryo with Swivel Gun EX.

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

[RYO]
Still reeling from his arm being wrenched out of socket, Ryo is left open. He tries to raise his guard as Duke's assault comes in, but he's unable to manage it, with his numb, disjointed arm. He's lifted up by that first kick, his feet leaving the ground, his back arched painfully, and his head thrown back. The second kick bats him away like a ragdoll, sending him flying a few feet and flipping so that he lands on his stomach, face down, to skid on the ground.

"Alright!"

Ryo pushes himself up to his knees with one arm. Gritting his teeth, he actually throws himself onto the ground, right on that painfully numb arm so that his shoulder pops back into socket with a loud snap. He gives another unintelligible scream, but quickly scurries to his feet.

He doesn't even hesitate. Duke is a mad dog, and Ryo has to act accordingly. He can't take a breather. He can't spend time recovering his wits or trying to slow the pace of the fight. Such luxuries are not afforded to him. So he runs full tilt at his opponent in a mad dash.

At the last moment, Sakazaki slides on his feet. His fist draws back against his side and comes flying out leveled at Duke's chest. This punch seems incredibly mundane. It is the kind of straight forward punch that you see white belts in every dojo across the world practicing day in and day out. Fist to hip. Shoulders straight. Fist thrust out, with a snap of the hips, and a slight, abrupt torque of the shoulder. The wrist twists at the end of the punch, turning the punchers fist from upside down to standard, knuckles first, thumb down.

It's solid. It makes use of all of the karateka's body, bringing the full force of their body's combined might into one Voltron Punch that exceeds the momentum built up by punching with your arm and shoulder alone. It's effective.

And with Ryo, it's been perfected to an unerring science. Fast. Impossibly powerful. So much might lays behind that punch that it disturbs the air so greatly that the faint lines of a horizontal whirlwind spiral around him and thrust outward in the wake of this single, thundering punch. His deep voice rumbles out like a threatening snarl, "Ichigeki hissatsu!"

COMBATSYS: Duke fails to interrupt Tenchi Haoh Ken from Ryo with Crack Up EX.

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Duke             1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0              Ryo

[DUKE]
Duke would not stop, unless he his made to stop.

The pacing was relentless, unceasing. Every strike was like an open-face blow of a hammer. As the kick finishes, Duke lands on both feet, bending on the impact. And he begins his stride again. Every attack he unleashed took away the mangling fury Ryo unleashed into his face. It was unstoppable, unyielding. And what's more, his lungs were reformed. And with that, he is able to growl out real words.

"This is the end of Kyokugen."

Duke snarls. "Robert will be defeated. And you, Ryo, will be broken! Your fight ends here!" As Ryo begins his slide, Duke already was drawing back a fist. He was moving with momentum. And as the punch comes, Duke already moving to power through. Another attack. Another open faced blow.

And the momentum breaks.

Duke cannot punch out of Ryo's technique. He couldn't. For despite it's appearances, the subtle changes of the punch conceal it's pure power. The blow connect straight into his center of his mass, the nearly one-inch punch, is like a shotgun blast point blank into his chest. The recoil of wind in nothing compared to Duke being blown backwards. Even as the uppercut comes, it connects with nothing. Body breaking, momentum ceasing. Duke slams into the dirt again, his lungs useless again.

And slowly, he rises again.

Body blazing.

Eyes burning.

His mangled face twisted into a glower of rage.

Before he begins a heavy step back at Ryo.

[RYO]
"You may have defeated Robert," Ryo says, his voice calm and steady, though the depth of it has dropped enough to reveal the deathly seriousness of his words. "You may even defeat me. But broken? It'll take a lot more than some third rate Geese Howard running a fourth rate gang to break the spirit of Kyokugen."

To punctuate his word, Ryo spits to the side. Blood, mostly. He watches as the two-tone haired crime boss stands up, and as he does so, Ryo readies himself.

Duke takes a step forward, and Ryo moves to intercept, cut him off. It's nothing fancy. He steps forward, lifting his leg with his knee bent to his chest. Then it is thrust out, chest level, as he pivots and snaps his hip to the side, throwing all of his might behind the driving kick that channels all the energy to the ball of his foot, so that the impact comes from a smaller surface.

It's a basic thing. A perfectly executed side kick. No frills. Just fast, lethal efficiency.

COMBATSYS: Ryo dazes Duke with Light Kick!

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Duke             1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0              Ryo

[DUKE]
Pound,

Duke's advance would come with a crushing presence, his gaze withering at Ryo, his lips in a sneer. His breath shallow, his body stinking of the brimstone. And the words only make his pace faster. He was stronger, he was stronger. He wanted to rip Ryo open, and pour those words into him. But the blow to the chest nearly killed him. And when the side kick comes, even the crime boss shifts his advance to try and escape it, try to evade it.

And another break in his stride.

The impact actually connects with his abdomen, and Duke was slowing down to a crawl. His head reeling, mind shaking. For a moment, he falls to a knee. The crushing, unstoppable momentum was gone now, smothered by Ryo's skill and finesse. For a moment, Duke was stunned, his mind lost, his effort... nubbed. And yet, the fire around him surges up. The words rattle in his mind.

Because he was -stronger-

Duke throws a single arm up, rising into a stand. He was blinded by his own fury. Lifting his hand up, a small ball of black, red, and violet flame seems to condense into a point. That was the warning. No frills, no power, no finesse. He flattens his palm, as the waves of energy burst out around. Waves pulse again and again, battering around him in a searing pressure of hot fire. Should Ryo be caught in the path, he would be smashed down to the earth, as the crater builds around the crime boss. But it wouldn't last forever. Duke snarls as he finally clenches his fist, the bones in his hands twisting, as he narrows his yellow eyes outward, breathing hard.

Slowly, he was regaining his senses...

COMBATSYS: Ryo just-defends Duke's Gravitational Wave!

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Duke             0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0              Ryo

[RYO]
Duke really shouldn't have started this off by ripping on Robert. That really pisses Ryo off, and that anger seems to help fuel the Kyokugen warrior in his apparent comeback during this match. As Duke is downed to one knee, the Invincible Dragon stands over him, looking down on him with a fire of rage burning bright in his steely eyes.

And then Duke is making his attempt to strike back. The waves of force radiate from him, and Ryo lifts up his hands to defend against it. Of course, hands would not be enough. Those hands alight with shimmering motes of blue and white ki, the power of his Ko'oh Ken residing in his palms. It crackles and sparks against the fury of Duke's gravitational attack, but manages to keep it suppressed while Ryo is only pushed back on his feet a few scant inches.

"I told you! It'll take more than that!"

Ryo rushes in. No frills. No finesse. He just cocks back his fist, his back arching sharply, before he throws all of his weight in to a right hook that is meant to be swift and savage and possibly finish the job his first attack had in trying to shatter Duke's jaw to get him to shut up for good.

COMBATSYS: Duke endures Ryo's Aggressive Strike.

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

[DUKE]
Duke was rage.

Unleashing the rage. Feeding on it. And then, becoming consumed by it. As the waves of force finally disappate, the Kyokugen warrior's own aura decimating the force. And yet, Duke seemed to be invigorated. Even now, the waves of energy continued to pulse off him, as his yellow eyes burned at Ryo's rushing in. He almost seems ready to say something... until the punch comes. He doesn't look away, as he stands fast. The punch comes to his jaw.
%It was shattered.

Duke's jaw was shattered, his face twisting into an even more hideous shape. His jaw slacks loosely, as his face swells violently. The muscle control was gone, the force was gone. And yet, the pressure was not ceasing. Already, the momentum was beginning to surge again. Duke hurls in, launching a singular side kick with bone breaking force at Ryo's gut. A second kick comes, from the opposite, with a staggering roundhouse aiming for the opposite side of Ryo. A one two kick combination, seeking to tear open the last defenses of his Kyokugen opponent.

COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Ryo with Medium Kick.

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Duke             1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0              Ryo

[RYO]
The kicks come, and it looks like Ryo doesn't even attempt to defend against them, choosing, instead, to weather the storm of the kicking blows that Duke rains down upon him. Oh, he feels it. His body bows and bends. But he doesn't break.

And that is his point. He won't break.

Even as the sidekick collides into his stomach, doubling him over Duke's massive foot, and threatening to take the breath right out of him. He won't break, even as the roundhouse collides against his ribcage, instantly leaving the flesh growing dark and purple, as the bruise spreads like a seeping stain on a carpet.

He still doesn't break.

Instead, he draws both of his hands back against his hip, teeth gritting. An ambient, sparkling light surrounds him, and his blonde hair whips about him, as if he were in the eye of a turbulent storm. Veins of light course through his arms, illuminating the flesh from within, and shooting down towards his hands. Swirling mist seems drawn in to the space between his hands, glowing a faint blue-white and growing brighter. That light condenses, becoming a compact sphere of pure, undiluted ki energy.

"HAOH..."

Thrusting his arms out, Ryo's hands part, wide, extending as far as the will go both up and down, and spreading that ball of ki between them until it becomes an expansive wall of swirling blue and white concussive force that rockets at Duke like a missile.

"SHOKOKEN!"

COMBATSYS: Duke interrupts Haohshokoken from Ryo with Minefield EX.

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Duke             0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0              Ryo

[DUKE]
It was a brutal chain.

The first kick almost lures Duke into the trap. The second barely escapes it, as his frightening power is able to smash through. Point blank, staring directly into the face of his opponent, he doesn't waste words. He doesn't give any opening now; the next time he gave any space between himself and Ryo would be almost certainly be a last, fatal mistake. Any hesitation would be a last, fatal mistake. And any fear, when things are so close, would be a last, fatal, mistake. Duke stares as the flow of energy retracts, instinctively stepping forward. He knows this technique.

Haohshoken.

Duke remembers this against Robert. His was in more dire straits than Ryo, but the essence was before him. The technique. Last time, he attempted to overpower it with a seismic impact. He was less ambitious this time; the crime boss stands fast, glaring with burning eyes as the enger builds before him. And he strides forward, rushing in fast. Duke doesn't yield. He cannot yield. In the face of awesome power, he forces in, forces into the maw of the pure power. He had to be as close as possible to Ryo.

He would not break either.

Crossing his arms before the building maw of power, the blast rockets point block. You could hear the groan of agony from Duke, as the blast consumes around him. And yet, the pressure of Duke builds even stronger, as he forces back into the blast. His eyes -burn- through it, as his very body trembles. He almost looms over Ryo. In a moment, the blue is devoured by the red. There is a crack of an explosion, as the shape of Duke flickers. Fiery red-violet chi erupts around him, blasting back against the fire. The recoil forces Duke backwards a step, as his own backfire blows straight at Ryo. A landmine against the missile; a desperate charge against a desperate man. Duke's expression did not show any hesitation, any mercy, and weakness.

But the sluggish recovery showed otherwise...

[RYO]
What even just happened? Ryo isn't sure. Duke's chi overpowered the Haohshokoken, and sent him flying, falling onto his back. Every nerve ending in his body is seared, screaming in electrical agony as synaptic firings go haywire throughout the karateka's nervous system. His flesh is bruised and battered. His shirt is all but shreds of fabric clinging on to his collar in tatters, but little more. He grits his teeth, crimson blood ringing them and staining them pink. But he climbs to his feet.

He doesn't speak. He has no more words. Just the roiling fire of his fighting spirit that radiates from him like a force of gravity. It speaks for him.

Pushing onward, back into the fray, Ryo rolls forward, tumbling with a ground based somersault to close the gap between the pair of powerhouses. As he comes out of the roll, his fist clenches tight, and he springs upward into a mighty leap. Unleashing the power of his rising uppercut, Ryo corkscrews upwards into the air, his body violently spinning as he ascends. His intention is to lift Duke off of his feet and knock him back down a peg or two.

COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Ryo's Koho EX.

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

[DUKE]
Boom.

Duke stands fast, not bothering to stride now. Ryo was coming to him. His warped, twisted fast, his bloodied chest, and his yellow eyes lock upon Ryo, what was left of his lips curled into a sneer. As Ryo breaks into a roll, Duke seems to spasm, trying to read what this was, how this was. At the last second, as Ryo explodes out from below, he breaks his arms before him. For his effort, he deflects away most of the uppercut. The sickening crack on impact, and the strange shape his right take afterwards only demonstrate how hard Ryo had pushed him. His arm were broken. His body was intact. But with one of his arms out of commission for now... he steps back, looking up at Ryo with a hiss of pain. He needed his secret weapon.

His signature move.

He watches, staring at the man in the air cooly. Taking a single step back, he draws a foot up. And he waits for Ryo to descend. The opportunity was narrow, too narrow. He drop his foot, and it slams into the earth. The ground shakes, as a crater drives deep around his heel. Around it, a massive shockwave boiling out around the epicenter. Timing was everything. A little faster, and it would pass under Ryo. A little slower... and he could do something to negate it. Timing was everything. If there was on thing Duke did not want...

It was to give Ryo the chance to finish him.

COMBATSYS: Ryo guards against Duke's Seismic Impact.
COMBATSYS: Ryo refuses to stay down!

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

[RYO]
Ryo feels more than sees that his Koho has been mitigated by Duke's deft maneuver, absorbing the impact into his arms. A part of him takes satisfaction in feeling the bones of the crime lord's forearm snap. Still, he'd rather it be his face. He just wants to end this. Now.

As he descends, the orange clad, all-but-shirtless Sakazaki's stormy eyed stare follows the movements of this monstrous fighter he has been tasked to face. Oh, Duke's timing is impeccable. He syncs his movements so that, when that shockwave spreads out, it is there to meet Ryo's landing. Pre-emptively, as a result, the Kyokugen Dragon starts to raise his defenses while still in the air.

5tThe shockwave collides against him, and he feels the pure, unbridled power of it, slamming against his knee, his shin, and his forearms as they each form a protective barrier before him. Still not rooted on the ground, he's thrown back some distance, until he comes to a sliding halt, crouched and turtled up as he is.

Blood gets in his eyes, tinting everything with a pinkish hue as his tears dilute it. His lungs burn and ache as he takes in heavy breaths. He can feel the pull of the darkness calling to him. To surrender and fall to blissful unconsciousness. But he's too tough for that. He will overcome.

Kyokugen doesn't break.

Rising to his feet, Ryo's right hand erupts with a flaming aura of golden and orange ki, leaving wisping trails of fiery light behind it as he sweeps his open palm up and back. Thrusting it forward, he ejects a crackling sphere of that light, manifesting as thunderously concussive force, at Duke.

"KO'OH KEN!!"

COMBATSYS: Ryo successfully hits Duke with Ko'oh Ken.
- Power hit! -

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

[DUKE]
Impossible.

As the slam comes, the timing was perfect. He saw how perfect it was. He was in perfect sync with Ryo. But in turn, Ryo was in perfect sync with him. That makes the difference, as the shell of aura is manifested around Ryo. And like before, Ryo is able to match Duke's own brutal strength, stopping it just enough. Duke staggers towards Ryo, his pace quickening. He turns as the right hand surges up, as second energy blast comes roaring at him, smaller than the last. Duke turns to slip around it...

And it connects directly into his bad limb.

There is a roar of pain, as Duke swings around on impact. What was once a broken arm, was something... far worse. A car accident, a limb into a wood chipper. The bleeding, mangled limb showed it's broken bone, it's sinew, it's torn muscle. It would have been a catastrophic accident in any other opponent. For Duke, it was the coup de grace that would stop him. He struggles, as the blood loss creeps on him. The pain creeps on him. His breathing was fast, his skin was clammy and cold. This was the end of his fight.

But Duke was not done yet.

Already, the fire weaves around him, building into a catastrophic catalyst around him. Already, it builds and builds, transforming into a volcano of power. He cannot lift both arms up,but he rises, his good arm in the air. Yellow eyes locked on Ryo, he gives his last stand. "GRAAAAGH!" Was the roar, as he -slams- down his good arm, a tidal wave of chi flames spreading outward, spreading, spreading and consuming.

Before Duke collapses forward with the slam, face down. Writhing. Struggling. His good arm gripping his bad one.

Defeated.

COMBATSYS: Duke can no longer fight.

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

COMBATSYS: Ryo dodges Duke's Sledgehammer.

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

[RYO]
Ryo knows. He can feel it instantly. Something in the air shifts. The malevolence of Duke's unyielding spirit finally gives way. He rages on, but it is the raging of the predator who has been backed into the corner and whittled away at with spears until its claws no longer have weight, and its fangs no longer have their bite.

But still he tries. Like the cornered beast, even in that regard, Duke tries to go out fighting. That fire comes like a wave at him. But Ryo no longer has the patience, or the stamina to try to match power for power. Instead, he bends his wobbly knees, and with his trembling legs, he pushes with all of his might to leap up and forward. His body tucks and rolls once, over the shockwave of fire and fury, and when he lands, he touches down feet first, but instantly drops to his knees.

Ryo sits there for a moment, taking in deep breaths as blood and spittle run freely from his open mouth, spilling down his stubbled chin and his now bare chest. His hands rest on his thighs, swollen from so much punching, and it certainly looks like maybe.... just maybe, a few of his fingers might even be out of joint.

But he didn't break.

"Heh," is all he manages, as he slowly.... achingly... pushes himself up to his feet. As he walks out of the arena, with those silent, glassy, unblinking eyes of the cameras watching in silent judgment, Ryo does pause just over Duke's torpid form. He looks at one of his bruised and beaten arms, where part of a sleeve still reside. And slowly, his swollen, busted lips curl up into a lopsided grin. Reaching up with his other hand, he tears that remnant from him, and leaves it resting over Duke's face.

On that torn shred of cloth, in bold, bright red is simply the kanji symbol of the Kyokugen Dojo.

"Dis Kyokugen Karate, will you? Now savor the pain it brings. That's absolute karate. Don't you go forgetting it now, dweebenheimer."

Log created on 00:29:12 03/06/2018 by Duke, and last modified on 01:51:51 03/19/2018.