Match of the Millennium

Description: Ken Masters and Liu Kang fight fire with fire in the World Warrior 2023 Tournament!

[LIU KANG]
A new tournament approaches...

World Warrior.

Fighters all around the world have been called to participate. A master of ceremonies by the name of Miss Calendar has rung the bell. Whether it is for proving their skill, testing their might, seeking the sizeable purse, or simply the reward of a grand championship belt that determines the Grand Champion of the World Warriors tournament, many from all walks of life have gathered.

Among them was Liu Kang.

Normally determined and focused on his quest to protect Earthrealm from all comers, foreign and domestic, he saw this challenge as a way to encourage him. To encourage him to train. To encourage him to persevere. To encourage him to always be ready. The arena calls to him.

And he answers.

He finds himself at this theater of combat - quite literally a theater. The drive-in theater abandoned, though what it lacks in populace it makes up for in ambiance. A storm was brewing up above...and out of a request, a lightning bolt strikes the ground and Liu Kang is present in all of his old-fashioned glory.

No doubt a favor of transportation from Raiden, his mentor.

He's dressed in a white loose rugged gi top with a red sash around the waist, baggy black pants on his legs, simple boots on his feet, and white handwraps about his knuckles. A red headband is wrapped around his forehead. He knows his opponent.

But where is he?

[KEN MASTERS]
Wait a moment. Hear that? Sounds like somebody's decided to be fashionably late on purpose.

The roar of the red Ferrari's engine is what seems to be interrupting the night for everyone gathered but from the way that red car speeds and skids into the lot, it becomes quite clear that the driver knows exactly what he's doing.

And what a driver it turns out to be when the car is turned off and the door is thrown open. A bare foot leads the way as the red gi and black belt combination make it so abundantly clear that said driver is none other than the US Martial Arts Champion himself: Ken Masters.

There's a toss of his blonde hair as he looks around at the gathering crowd and holds his arms up and out to drink in any applause that may be headed in his direction. He keeps his mighty smirk on his face as he turns to finally greet his opponent. He's all smiles as he wanders closer, reaching out with a sparring gloved hand to offer a fist for bumping purposes.

"Liu Mothereffin' Kang." He obviously is impressed. "'Bout time they started puttin' some real competition in this tournament." Another flash of charming grin from Ken to make sure the vibes for this fight are just right.

[LIU KANG]
The aggressive engine that sounds out into the night immediately draws Liu Kang's attention. It wasn't as if the vehicle was trying to drive away. For a moment, Liu Kang seems to take a defensive stance, putting his strong foot behind him and tightening his fists...

Until he sees who steps out of the car.

"Ken Masters." Liu Kang greets the other warrior as soon as he's greeted. Though there was now a gathering crowd - certainly people knew where fights were going to be had, but Liu pays no mind to them. He's focused /entirely/ on his opponent in front of him. Good, he's no fool. He looks at the fist when Ken draws close enough and he lifts his fist to bump Ken's own.

"The competition has always been fierce, Ken Masters. You simply haven't been challenged yet." He smirks at him and he clasps his hand to his fist in front of him, slowly bowing in respect.

"It is an honor to fight you."

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken is playing up to the crowd almost as much as he's greeting his opponent. Mostly because that's what kind of dude he is. Especially with them being on his home turf here in Sunshine City. He might as well be the hometown hero of this place or something. Regardless, Ken seems to be bouncy and spring stepped enough to be down with whatever for this fight.

"I like the way you think, Liu Kang." Ken responds to that whole 'challenged yet' comment. And when he actually takes a second to think about it, Liu might actually be right. Thus the affirming nod as he backpedals a bit to give them some room for this fight to commence.

As more and more people crowd around in order to make this truly a Mortal Street Fight, Ken glances around at them and then looks back across the makeshift battle ring he's created by putting that air and opportunity between them.

"Let's give 'em show, huh?" Ken winks. "Then afterward you can tell me how much of an honor it was for me to kick your ass." Ken taunts playfully as he slides into his fighting stance.

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters has started a fight here.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang has joined the fight here.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Liu Kang was never much of a 'hype man'.

That was more Johnny Cage's thing. Yet, even as he looks across from him at his opponent, Liu Kang was very much so focused. Sunshine City was not Liu Kang's stomping grounds in China. This is Ken's group, Ken's crowd. In a way, he has a psychological advantage over the so-called 'Chosen One'. In fact, it's quite likely that Ken may even have an environmental advantage if any are able to be used in this fight.

But Liu Kang believes in heart.

"As best as you can manage." Liu smiles at Ken as he steps away, though confident in his own abilities, if Ken is destined to defeat him, Liu would /not/ make it an easy gamble. All the same, the battle begins with Liu suddenly /speeding/ forward like a freshly fired bullet, his body spinning like a tornado as his fist lunges out, intending to try and strike Ken across the cheek with a vertical backfist strike!

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters blocks Liu Kang's Dragon's Roar.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken's all smiles in this moment because it's fight time and who wouldn't be hype in a fight with Liu Kang, right? Even when Liu breaks at him with so much damn speed that he actually has to take a step back in order to get his arm up in time to block that backfist. His late reaction time on that causes his arm to get shifted enough that he ends up smacking his own self in the face.

"Oh, okay. I see." Ken's smirking in the next moment as a hint that his retaliation is coming.

Ken's body spins quickly, allowing him to bring his leg up overhead and drops that heel towards Liu's head like the falling blade on a guillotine. This overstylized axe kick is all the rage when it comes to getting himself set up for some bigger moves down the line.

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters successfully hits Liu Kang with Inazuma Kakato Wari.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Liu Kang is feeling that same energy.

The blood rushing into his chest, into his head, the adrenaline starting to surge...but he must be careful in this moment. One wrong move against Ken, and this fight is all over. Liu speeds towards him and his backfist strike is blocked by a raised arm! His retaliation, even though telegraphed clearly, is found with shock in Liu Kang's eyes, as if he had not expected such agility out of the other fighter as his leg is lifted up.

He lifts his arms in an 'x'-shaped block to try and block the coming heel, but he fails! He's struck from the top of his head, forcing his head downwards, but his hands catch the ground before he can fully face plant, pushing himself right back up to a standing position.

Arms raised, no trash talk leaves Liu Kang's lips, but Ken Masters will get the fight he so craves:

In an attempted combo, a quick jab lunges for Ken's face, followed by two quick hooks to the same target, and lastly an uppercut is swung at his jaw!

Will any of these connect?

That's up to Ken's reflexes!

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters dodges Liu Kang's Fierce Tiger EX.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken is already starting to feel it. To be perfectly honest, it's often hard for Ken not to feel it when he's in a fight. Fights are like breathing to him so this physical conversation he's having with Liu Kang right now is one for the ages. At least, it will be because that's the way he's feeling right now about all of this. So much so that even his cocky nature is taking a back seat to the excitement of the fight itself.

That doesn't happen with every fighter.

Recovering after that kick has put him in a pretty solid position to try and stay a step ahead of Liu Kang. So when those fists are sent in his direction, Ken does the only thing he knows how to do and that's get out of their way. His head bobs out of the way of that jab, his body weaving through both of those hooks before he just hops backward to get clear of that uppercut. All done with a healthy grin on his face.

Ken barely has time from his hop dodge to leap back into the air and launch a flaming spin kick back at Liu Kang before his opponent gets too far away.

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang blocks Ken Masters' Senpuu Nata Otoshi.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
It will not be so easy to catch Liu Kang off guard again.

The heartbeat is steady now.

The feet are willing to move.

No more is there uncertainty is facing Ken Masters. Even as his strikes are blocked and evaded by Ken, Liu Kang doesn't allow any kind of doubt to best him today. Instead, he manages to put Ken on the back foot as he comes charging forward with a flaming spin kick! However, what is fire against a Dragon?

Liu Kang's hand catches Ken's leg, attempting to keep up the pressure while he's in the air. A quick jab is made for the face once again in an attempt to just ouright punch him, while he jumps in the air, his leg attempting to hook around Ken's head and throw him to the ground with some unique Aikido!

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters dodges Liu Kang's Pouncing Tiger.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
If there's anything that Ken's learned from fighting Ryu on a regular basis, it's that he has to always be on his toes. Taking those some elements and applying them to other crucial fights in his career, such as fighting Liu Kang, is where he gets an opportunity to shine. Or at least let the things he's mastered or learned shine.

So this is why he's already in motion when Liu catches his leg. Ken moves with enough quickness to get out of the way of that initial punch, sliding to the side to stay out of the way of that jumping hook kick. Ken actually has to hit the ground and roll to make sure he's not going to catch another foot. Can't be too careful and putting some space between himself and Liu is always a good thing.

As he pops back up to his feet, there's no hesitation in his rushing for Liu! He doesn't even have time to quip as he reaches out to try and grab Liu and plant a foot in his chest! If he can manage to fall backwards and into a somersault roll for a couple of rotations before sending the other fighter sailing... that'd be just great.

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang counters Jigoku Guruma from Ken Masters with Hidden Lotus.

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Ken Masters      1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Ken was *fast!*

The man already in motion once Liu has caught the leg. Though he doesn't follow a popular tact of sweeping the other one, he does find himself at a bit of a disadvantage when Ken evades the hook kick! Liu Kang is wise enough to know that both are skilled enough that they can both end this fight whenever they please, all they need is one shot.

One punch.

One kick.

One true strike.

Alas, that won't be this time. The foot that tries to find Liu Kang's chest is caught by a palm, yet kept close to the chest. He knows what's coming next. Ken follows through with the somersault roll and he finds that Liu Kang actually uses his foot as a springboard, pushing with his hand to twist and using his elbow to break Ken's grip on him, all so he can end up back on his feet, pull Ken's foot to force him to complete the roll, and letting his arms wrap around Ken in a choke, only to try and deliver a sudden throw from behind the man to drop him right on his head and shoulder!

He steps back then to gain distance, pulling his sash off to the side as he enters a stance many would say was inspired by Jeet Kun Do: he bounces on his feet, his hands are down and to the side and always in motion.

"You are skilled, Ken - but I'm fast too."

[KEN MASTERS]
So this is interesting. Ken Masters has fallen into his signature somersault roll but somewhere in the middle of it Liu Kang has managed to make it something else altogether. He's not used to this type of treatment. He really should be more upset about this than he is but considering this fight is one of his more entertaining ones, he's almost all smiles when his body is up and slammed into the ground. The pain in both his head and shoulder is very much felt as Ken rolls out of the collision to a kneeling position.

One of those brown sparring gloved hands reaches up to rub at the skull beneath those blonde locks. "Okay, you got me on that one." Ken pushes to his feet and wags a playful finger in Liu Kang's direction. "Time to stop goin' easy on ya'!" While it's not a Jeet Kune Do stance, there is a bit of a bounce to Ken's idle stance before he steps forward quickly, aiming a swift and high roundhouse kick for Liu's face. It's daringly and immediately followed up by a swift crescent kick to try and even out the tide that Liu has recently turned!

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang instinctively blocks Ken Masters' Shishi Kudaki.

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Ken Masters      1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Well...that's different.

He's not used to his opponents /smiling/ when he hits them. Well, except for Sonya Blade, but she's kind of a badass, so.

He stays in his stance, a smile on his face. "You were going easy? Well, don't hold back anymore, Ken Masters." Acknowledgement in Liu Kang's eyes, as well as a fire that burns in his iris. "I will do the same." Just as so, he switches his feet and his arm lifts to catch Ken's roundhouse kick with his forearm in a quick block, while the swift crescent kick is met with Liu Kang leaning slightly backwards to allow it to go over his head, knicking some of his long hair out of his face!

In immediate response, Liu tries to push Ken away with a palm strike for his chest, then with numerous high-pitched shouts common with Kung Fu practicioners, he leaps into the air as his feet catch fire, trying to deliver a myriad of stomping kicks to Ken's face in bicycle format!

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang successfully hits Ken Masters with Bicycle Kick EX.

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Ken Masters      1/=======/=======|=======\-------\1         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken Masters. Fighter. That's where his mind is at right now. There are a lot of other hats that he wears but this time he's focused on wearing his fighter hat. Well, honestly, if it were a hat it'd be more of a visor thing because he has to let his hair flow in the wind and even then he'd be rocking it backward or to the side to try and be cool. EITHER WAY, the focus is on the fight and not actually showing off for once. Even if the Drive-In crowd is loving this bout. The back and forth has been /insane/.

Then Liu Kang decided to turn up the heat.

The stylish dismantling of his kick combo is met with a slight frown on Ken's face. A frown that gets knocked clean off when that palm strike impacts his chest for all the marbles. Ken skids backward, his eyes going down to watch his feet for a moment as this happens. Then that sound that no fighter fighting Liu Kang wants to hear smacks into his eardrums and Ken looks up. His eyes narrow and then widen as he fails to get his arms up in time. Flaming kicks smash and burn into his face with rapid succession, each one knocking Ken back a step, another step, another another step. The impact and flame combination juggling and singe-ing his face without fail, leaving Ken in a half-daze by the time Liu Kang's kicks stop tap dancing across his face. The blood, soot and bruises already starting to form.

"Okay. Turning up the heat is supposed to be /my/ thing!" Ken spits out some more blood and grins. Even with the bloody grin and the wobbly stance, Ken still looks like he's got some fight left in him.

Ken moves with more speed than he usually does, picking up the pace as he attempts to cross into Liu's space. Almost immediately he swings a leg up, the flames igniting around that leg as he aims for a smooth roundhouse kick. If he can get his laurels under him, there will be a series of these that lead up to a counter of five total! A flaming combo that just may culminate in a rising flaming Hurricane Kick that just may take Liu Kang off his feet!

It's less of a Bicycle Kick and more of a Helicopter Kick(?) in response!

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang fails to counter Shippuujinrai Kyaku EX from Ken Masters with Dragon Parry.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Liu Kang says, "Yeeeep, that sounds right XD"

"YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAA!"

Liu Kang shouts as his feet smash against Ken Master's face, though his opponent manages tos tay standing! Liu Kang's feet hit the ground and he's dragging his heel across the ground to enter a stance, his breaths slow and controlled.

But he never goes down easy.

"Not today." Liu Kang teases the other fighter with a smile on his face, though Ken's retort is...impressive on it's own, the helicopter-like movements as Ken's leg catches ablaze! Though Liu Kang reacts quickly, standing on his own as his hands move in a circle, creating a flaming circle as his palms increase their heat...but whatever barrier or block Liu Kang was intending to use fails miserably, Ken's foot smashing straight through it and kicking Liu Kang /clean/ in the chest! Then in the face! Then three more times to the face all over again, leading Liu Kang to get knocked right onto the ground, but he keeps rolling until he's built up enough momentum to be on his feet.

He's forced that distance and he's stunned!

[KEN MASTERS]
Coming down from his flaming Hurricane Kick and landing with an extra sense of style is the Ken of Masters. He takes a second to blow some of the hair from in front of his face because that's a tell-tale sign that he's having a blast. When the hair gets wild, so does Ken.

A step backward to keep an eye on Liu Kang for a moment, maybe checking to make sure another speedster attack isn't headed his way. The hesitation only lasts a moment before he can hear his Master Gouken's words from one of their sessions telling him to not hesitate. Just like that, Ken is pressing his advantage and trying to capitalize on the momentary stunned nature of his World Warrior opponent!

Ken steps in, swinging his now unflamed leg back in Liu's direction, aiming a swift and sturdy side kick at the other fighter. Just aiming to put a little dent in his chest if he can land it. A little check in to make sure Liu's still in this fight.

"Don't tap out on me yet, Liu!" And there's a little bit of trash talk to go along with it.

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters successfully hits Liu Kang with Medium Kick.

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Ken Masters      1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Blood trickles from Liu Kang's nose.

Ken Masters is having an absolute /blast/ by the looks of things! Liu Kang doesn't look much the same, yet even as Ken demands Liu Kang to stay in the fight, he's having great difficulty! He stands there for a moment, huffing as he settles into his stance but Ken knocks him right back out of it with a sturdy kick to his side, enough to knock Liu Kang to a knee as he spits blood out of his mouth.

He stands there for a moment, he slowly lifts his hands for a moment....and stands there a moment, smiling at Ken as he beckons him for more with a fist silently. "I advise you to hit harder, Ken Masters."

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang gains composure.

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Ken Masters      1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken's bouncing on the heels of his feet right now, doing that thing where he stays moving so he doesn't lose his mental momentum. He's starting to feel like he's in the zone and doesn't want to misstep so he just keeps moving. Even when Liu tosses that quick remark in his direction, Ken's eyebrows go up and he has to look quite impressed. Which can be seen even through the blood and bruises on his own face.

"Well. If you insist."

Ken's next movements come at Liu Kang in the form of a quick and hard punch aimed for Liu's chest. As almost always, this is a lead-in to a combo move that has the immediate follow up trajectory of a short but swift uppercut aimed for Liu's chin! A quick two-piece to follow the Kombatant's advice! Or baiting. This could be a trap.

... Too late!

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang dodges Ken Masters' Ago Bachi Ni-Ren.

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Ken Masters      1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Liu Kang had a plan.

There's only one way to know if it will actually work. He calls out Ken, demanding nothing short of his best from here on out - because if he doesn't? Liu Kang is going to come back in a big way perhaps. Nonetheless, he smirks right back at Ken as he swings that massive punch towards his chest!

Liu Kang moves out of the way, leaning to the side to let that fist move right past him, then another swing is coming for his chin and he moves his head out of the way again as his fists catch fire.

"My turn."

And like rapid fire, he swings his fists in machine-gun like blows at Ken's chest, trying to break down his guard and structure...all to lead to the final punch which aims for his chest, then extends his fingers out to provide an inch from his knuckles to his chest:

One-Inch Punch.

A punch he tries to deliver with devastating effect!

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters blocks Liu Kang's Fist of Flame.

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Ken Masters      1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
If there was a thing as slow motion in this here fight, there's be an opportunity for the facial expression of Ken Masters to be something in the same lane as: 'oh shi-' mixed with 'i hate it when they say that' and then some. Because that's the feeling that courses through his entire body before those mighty fists start slamming into his chest as almost a reminder of those stomping kicks that slammed into his face not even minutes ago. The brutality of those fists caving in his chest is one for the ages and Ken Masters feels the full brunt of every single one of them.

It's almost possible to see Ken's head shakes while his body stumbles from the rapid fire punching. He almost seems to know what's coming next as Liu's hand is a mere inch from his chest. Ken raises his arms in a last ditch effort to take the brunt of that One Inch Punch and the skidding backwards on his bare feet seems to be the only thing keeping him standing. So much power behind that simple punch and yet Ken Masters remains on his feet. With tenderness all through his chest and arms.

Ken shakes the hair from his eyes as he stabilizes his stance in favor of preparing to kick back into action. "You alright over there? That felt a little slow!" Ah yes, now it's Ken's turn to get a little taunting turns of phrase into the mix.

Time to motion with that Bring It On hand of sparring gloves and a burning sensation of core heat and flame within the now focused eyes of Ken Masters. More focused than they might've been before having to deal with Liu Kang's impressive offense and fortitude. From the way Ken's body language is shifting and molding in this moment, it seems as though he's looking to bring a little more attitude to the next leg of this fight.

"Come on, Liu! What else you got in the tank?!"

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters issues a challenge!!

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Ken Masters      1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0         Liu Kang

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters enters a trance-like state.

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Ken Masters      1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

The punches themselves sound like cannonfire, each strike meant to absolutely devastating damage without killing. Just enough to keep Ken on his feet. Sure enough, Ken is stabilizing but he's taking a beating to his arms. Last ditch effort or no, that one inch punch shoves him backwards and tears through the feet. Liu Kang looked impressed, a smile on his face and he smirks.

"You talk trash when you're scared, Ken." Liu Kang tells him as he feels he's slowly understanding. But now it's time for Ken to invite trouble. A smirk touches Liu Kang's face and he rushes at him!

He dashes in towards him, a backhand strike coming for Ken's gut, followed by a side kick aimed for the abdomen, a hooking punch aimed for the face followed by a backhand to followthrough with the spin, a chop aimed for the neck, a strong punch to the chest, and a sudden spinkick aimed for the chin!

Ken isn't the only one who's a fan of combos!

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters blocks Liu Kang's For the Shaolin.

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Ken Masters      2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0         Liu Kang

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken actually has to take a moment to tilt his head at those words that come from Liu Kang's mouth. He's not sure if he likes those words! He's not sure if those words are striking a chord or hitting home or what! He's going to have to think about those words a little bit more! In fact...

Them's is Fighting Words!

There's only a moment where Ken gets the opportunity to prepare for the sudden arrival of Liu Kang. His eyes are zeroed in and focused so even though Kang comes with the quickness, Ken is as ready as he can be. That backhand comes in and catches him right in the side for a wince that cues the rest of his reactions into action. That side kick meets the palm of Ken's hand, the hook punch gets stiff armed and Ken crosses over himself to slap at the second backhand and takes stock of the spin through in time to bring an arm up and protect his neck from the oncoming chop. When that punch comes at his chest, Ken's arms are X'd to block but that punch breaks them apart and he feels some of that brutal momentum. Enough to make sure that spinkick aimed for his chin gets stopped by his hands. He can't be having Liu Kang wreck his features too much! He's got an Eliza to go see after this!

"Scared? Hah!" Ken boasts a laugh as he hops back to get some space. He's lacking a more focused comeback at this moment since he's preparing to go a little more on the offense. He's starting to feel the burn of this fight in his bones and the only way to keep it going is to burn hotter than the pain. If there's one thing that Ken Masters knows it's how to push past those physical limits and into another gear. There's /always/ another gear.

"You're right about one thing though, Liu. Maybe we do need a little less trash talk..." Ken rushes. A rush that almost seems to be an explosion of flame as he aims to close the small gap between them and ignites his fist on fire.

"And a little more..." Why is he doing so much verbal set up for this? Because it's Ken. Of course he is.

"SHIIIIIIINRYUUUUUUUUKEN!"

The explosive nature of this rising, spiraling, vertically tremendous dragon punch of flaming justice is all that follows. And it's aimed right for Liu Kang.

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters successfully hits Liu Kang with Shinryuu Ken EX+.

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Ken Masters      0/-------/-<<<<<<|=======\-------\0         Liu Kang

[LIU KANG]
Fighting words indeed!

Them's fighting words like none have ever spoken. To give those words to Ken Masters - a man who has never been known for his cowardice (only his arrogance) - was eitehr a motion of foolishness or straight up stupidity. But Liu Kang wasn't stupid. He was smart. Dangerous, even. However, Ken is blocking his attacks! From each punch and chop to the sudden catch of his heel when he tries for that spinkick!

Ken was too skilled.

The laughter from the other warrior would be enough to chill another fighter to their very bones! But instead, Liu Kang just smiles back. It's all you can do when defeat is staring directly into your eyes. Sure enough...that rising, spiralling dragon punch of flaming justice is coming straight for Liu Kang as he tries to lifth is arms to block, but hte strike is FAR too powerful! Ken punches Liu Kang straight into the air, having broken his guard and decked him right in the face as Liu Kang's body goes flying.

Yet, as Liu Kang falls to the ground, his entire arm ignites with dragonfire as Liu Kang's final move involes him throwing his shoulder towards the ground, causing his arm to immediately snap with a punch aimed for the ground. As soon as his fist connects, a LITERAL flaming dragon emerges from the ground and tries to devour Ken with flaming energy!

Then? Liu Kang faceplants the ground, pushing himself up to a knee to see what happens.

Will Ken fall? Or will he triumph completely?

COMBATSYS: Liu Kang can no longer fight.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  <
Ken Masters      1/------</<<<<<<<|

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters dodges Liu Kang's Immortal Dragon.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  <
Ken Masters      1/------</<<<<<<<|

[KEN MASTERS]
Ken might as well be on fire. This extra level that he's managed to push himself into doesn't seem like it's going to burn out any time too soon. The way his feet touch back down on the ground still leave scorch marks as he prepares another attack. Ken is not going to just let Liu Kang mount a comeback. At least, that's his plan.

Then Liu Kang decides to turn the ground into a punching bag and summon a FLAMING DRAGON OF FIRE from beneath the pavement. That roaring dragon of fire means absolutely nothing but business and even Ken's follow up attack is stilted to a complete halt when he sees the giant flaming maw.

"Seriously? How come I don't get one of those?"

Ken's idle quip is mostly to keep himself calm as he takes a step and dives into a side roll, his body smacking the ground with a grunt as he gets out of the way of the vicious draconic attack of flaming justice. He rolls up onto a single knee and looks over to see what that fire dragon smacks into instead.

A moment later and Ken Masters is back onto his feet. His hands are up and ready for more if Liu Kang. There's even a few more flickers of flame in his own eyes as he seems to be staring at his opponent to see what move is coming next. If any.

COMBATSYS: Ken Masters has ended the fight here.

Log created on 23:03:35 09/08/2023 by Ken Masters, and last modified on 07:08:25 09/13/2023.