Match of the Millennium

Description: Seijyuun prides itself on educating its students in the traditional feminine values of Japanese culture, while Gorin prides itself on putting forward the best athletes of the next generation. Will the grace of one of Gorin's great gymnasts in Tsukiko be able to match the style of one of Seijyuun's select fighters in Sana?

[TSUKIKO]
The weather in Southtown is just a bit on the chilly side today, but that hasn't stopped the students on break from the city's high schools from arriving in droves to the Southtown Mall and surrounding area to check out the International Fighting Festival as it's hitting its full swing. The sky is sunny and the air is crisp, a light breeze blowing through the lanes of the outdoor venue.

A shiver runs through Tsukiko Shirakawa as she stares up at the structure that's been established as the designated combat arena for the Rivals student fighters in their preview exhibition matches.

"Is it a ball pit... or is it a bouncy castle?"

At first, the large combat cage could be mistaken for a carnival bouncy castle, with its puffy surfaces and netted sides to allow the action within to be seen, but it's actually made of foam material supported by padded metal poles, cushioning any hard landings within and adding extra spring to any acrobatics. Balls of various shapes and sizes litter the floor of the interior to provide ready access to safety-friendly Thrown Objects and Random Weapons. The words 'RIVALS BATTLEZONE' have been emblazoned on each side of the foam cage's base, confirming its purpose.

"I don't know if this is safe enough," Tsukiko's mother, Taohua Shirakawa, comments on the assembly.

"It looks like a playpen for five-year-olds," Tsukiko says with a tone that buries her excitement under a ball pit of teenage derision.

The girl is dressed in a sleek black kung fu-style martial arts uniform fashioned from lightweight fabric, the trouser legs slightly loose to allow for a range of movement, the jacket top slightly more fitted, with silver clasps at the wrists to keep the sleeves mostly in place. Her hair is pulled into a pair of practical braids held in place by red ribbons, a long bang dangling loose in front of her face. On her feet are a pair of white sneakers.

As she's about to ascend the steps into the BATTLEZONE, it's the sneakers that draw an interjection from one of the fight officials.

"No shoes inside the playpen, young lady," the man says.

"I thought it was a battlezone," Tsukiko protests, though she starts to unlace her shoes regardless.

"Oh, sorry, Miss - I thought you were one of the kids," the official says. "You can wear your shoes if you want."

Tsukiko scowls for a moment at the mistake. She's probably one of the shortest fighters in the Rivals competition at 4'10", but surely she can't be mistaken for a child?

The twin braids probably don't help.

She kicks the footwear off, then steps into the BATTLEZONE with a huff, kicking one of the bouncy balls out of spite and sending it flying around the inside of the cage.

Her mood almost instantly improves, and she relaxes into her Tai Chi stance, practicing her forms in a steady flow of circular motions as she awaits her opponent's arrival. Her eyes search idly for any sign of her father in the audience. It seems that he's running late, as to be expected from her gymnastics competitions over the past year. She lets her disappointment slip away, focusing on her breathing, the flow of her chi.

[SANA]
Sana steps into the RIVALS BATTLEZONE, her presence as serene as a calm spring morning. Her light blue kimono and purple hakama pants flow gently with her movements, the subtle cherry blossom patterns catching the light as she walks. In her hands, she carries her trusted naginata, Eienchi, its blade gleaming faintly as if reflecting her inner calm.

As she approaches Tsukiko, Sana offers a warm, respectful smile. "Good luck," she says softly, her voice carrying a tone of genuine encouragement. Her violet eyes meet Tsukiko's, and the nervous flutter in her chest is hidden behind her composed exterior.

Sana kneels gracefully, sitting back on her heels in a traditional seiza position. She places her naginata on the ground in front of her, the blade resting horizontally as if in quiet reverence. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath, her hands resting lightly on her thighs. Cherry blossom petals, glowing faintly with chi, begin to swirl around her as she meditates, centering herself for the battle ahead.

Eienchi's voice, calm and wise, echoes in her mind. "You are ready, Sana. Trust in your training, and let your movements flow like the petals on the wind."

With a final exhale, Sana opens her eyes, her gaze steady and focused. She rises to her feet with effortless grace, her naginata in hand once more. The petals dissipate, leaving behind a faint, shimmering aura as she takes her stance, ready to face Tsukiko.

If Sana is surprised by the height or anything else about Tsukiko, she's not letting it out.

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko turns as she feels the foam shift under her feet from the subtle ripples generated by the second presence entering the enclosed arena, her senses heightened in her own semi-meditative state. She draws in a breath sharply through her nostrils as her own heart starts to beat harder. Her dark eyes look the somewhat taller fighter up and down - and the advantage of height is quickly surrendered as Sana kneels down to focus.

"Fascinating," she thinks aloud as she observes the cherry blossom petals starting to swirl about. "You seem to have an abundance of wood chi - or at the least, an affinity for it. Though wind also stirs in your presence - and I see that you wield metal. Metal controls wood, so I suppose that this is not unusual."

She relaxes her posture enough to bow slightly, arms at her sides, before bringing her open hands back up in a semi-circle, adopting her tai chi stance once more. "I am Shirakawa Tsukiko. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Are you feeling well this day?" she asks politely.

[SANA]
Sana rises to her feet with the fluid grace of a dancer, her naginata held lightly in one hand as she faces Tsukiko. She offers a respectful nod, her violet eyes meeting Tsukiko's with a gentle warmth.

"I am Yasuda Sana," she says, her voice soft but clear. "It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Shirakawa-san. I’m feeling well today, thank you for asking."

She pauses for a moment, a faint smile playing on her lips as she considers Tsukiko's observation about her chi. "You have a keen eye," Sana replies, her tone modest. "The cherry blossoms and the wind are part of my path, but I still have much to learn."

With that, Sana shifts into her fighting stance, her naginata held horizontally in front of her. Her movements are deliberate and poised, every step and gesture exuding elegance and control. She stands tall, her posture relaxed yet ready, her gaze steady and focused.

"Shall we begin?" Sana asks, her voice calm but carrying a quiet determination....

COMBATSYS: Sana has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Sana             0/-------/-------|

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko watches Sana's movements, nodding her head once as she voices her assessment: "Your chi seems in good balance today. I promise that if I cause any disturbance in that, I will rectify it after the conclusion of our match." She offers a slight but sincere smile. Then, in response to Sana's question, she replies simply: "Yes, we shall."

As a gong rings to confirm the beginning of the match, Tsukiko begins to weave her hands through the air in a circular motion, mimicking the patterns of a silkworm spinning its thread as her body sways with the shifting force within. Pure white essence coalesces out of the air as she does, a simple point of hardening light at first, but quickly lengthening and gathering intro a growing ball of silk-like chi. Once it's amassed fully, she thrusts her palms suddenly forward - pushing the orb of adhesive essence forward to fly at Sana. As it flies, it fills with air, expanding into a net that threatens to entangle the other teenager like so much webbing!

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Sana             0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0          Tsukiko

COMBATSYS: Sana blocks Tsukiko's Orb Weaver.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Sana             0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1          Tsukiko

[SANA]
Sana listens to Tsukiko's words with a calm, attentive expression, her violet eyes reflecting a quiet respect. "Thank you, Shirakawa-san," She replies softly, her voice carrying a tone of gratitude. "I appreciate your consideration."

As the gong rings to signal the start of the match, Sana's focus sharpens. She watches as Tsukiko weaves her hands through the air, the white chi coalescing into a shimmering orb. When the net of adhesive energy is thrust toward her, Sana reacts with practiced precision.

She shifts her weight slightly, her movements fluid and deliberate. With a graceful sweep of her naginata, she intercepts the net mid-air, the blade of her weapon glowing faintly as it deflects the attack. The force of the impact sends a slight tremor through her arms, but she stands her ground, her posture unwavering. The net dissipates harmlessly around her, though a faint residue of chi clings to her naginata, a reminder of the attack's potency.

Without missing a beat, Sana takes a deep breath, centering herself as she channels her chi. Cherry blossom petals begin to swirl around her, their soft pink hues glowing with radiant energy. She spins gracefully, her naginata held horizontally as she builds momentum.

The petals follow her movements, creating a dazzling vortex of light and color that obscures her form. As she completes the spin, Sana delivers a wide, sweeping slash with her naginata, the blade trailing a radiant arc of sunlight-infused chi. The attack covers a large area, making it difficult for Tsukiko to evade.

The petals surge ahead of the strike, adding an extra layer of beauty and power to the technique. Sana's movements are precise and elegant, her every motion flowing like a dance as she attempts to overwhelm her opponent with this breathtaking display of skill and chi mastery.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko blocks Sana's Hana Mau Senpu No Mai.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Sana             0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1          Tsukiko

[TSUKIKO]
The foam fortress sways lightly with the force of motion within. Tsukiko's center of gravity shifts to compensate for the somewhat unstable surface beneath the fighters' feet. As the stream of chi sweeps forward her in the wake of the naginata's blade, she twists her body, pushing her palm upward into the haft of the polearm to redirect its business end away from her body. The sharp edge catches her narrowly across the shoulder in spite of her efforts, slicing a gash through her uniform's sleeve and causing a small red cut to open up a moment later.

Tsukiko is too focused to notice the injury immediately, though, or the balls being battered about by her shifting feet as she's already transitioning into her next move. With a point of her other hand, she sends a strand of silken thread toward Sana's extended wrist, attempting to arrest its motion in the midst of her follow-through. If that succeeds, she'll use the thread to pull while turning with the opposite palm open and thrusting toward the point on Sana's wrist identified in Chinese medicine as the Spirit Gate - aiming to impede the flow of chi along her heart meridian and potentially disrupting her sense of well-being and mental clarity.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko successfully hits Sana with Sealing the Spirit Gate.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Sana             0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1          Tsukiko

[SANA]
Sana's wrist is caught by Tsukiko's silken thread, the sudden restraint disrupting her balance and rhythm. Before she can react, Tsukiko's palm strikes the Spirit Gate on her wrist, sending a jolt through her arm. Sana's vision blurs for a moment, her sense of well-being and mental clarity faltering as the flow of her chi is momentarily disrupted.

Eienchi's voice echoes in her mind, stern but supportive. "Sana, focus! You let your guard down. Now, show her your strength. Use Yogetsu No Mai-full power!"

Sana takes a deep breath, shaking off the disorientation as best she can. She channels her chi, the cherry blossom petals and golden light swirling around her once more. With a determined expression, she leaps into the air, her movements fluid and precise despite the lingering effects of Tsukiko's strike.

As Sana spins in mid-air, the petals and light trail her naginata, creating a glowing crescent of energy. The foam fortress sways beneath her, the unstable surface adding an extra challenge to her balance. The balls scattered across the floor are sent rolling and bouncing in all directions, some colliding with the padded walls of the arena.

Sana brings her naginata around in a sweeping horizontal slash, the blade glowing with sunlight-infused chi. The attack is both beautiful and devastating, the radiant crescent of energy surging toward Tsukiko with increased force. The foam fortress trembles slightly from the impact of her leap and the power of her strike, the structure's flexible material absorbing some of the energy but still swaying under the force.

COMBATSYS: Sana successfully hits Tsukiko with Yogetsu No Mai.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1          Tsukiko

[TSUKIKO]
Seeing the crescent of energy flying toward her, Tsukiko narrows her eyes, spinning to one side to try and step out of the way of the attack. She's not able to move quickly enough, though, and the attack scores her across the back, leaving another gash in the fabric of her top and causing the teen to flinch in pain and stumble out of her maneuver.

"I have not had much practice in being hit," Tsukiko admits with a grunt as she faces Sana once more and attempts to steady herself through controlled breath and the slow, dance-like motions of her tai chi form. "It must be an acquired enjoyment."

Sweeping forward, she attempts to push the naginata's haft to one side to open the path to her opponent, following the motion with a spin into a firm elbow to further break Sana's guard. From there, if successful, she'll aim a seemingly almost harmless thrust of mid and forefinger into one of the meridians running along Sana's midsection. The true power of the attack would come when she would withdraw those fingers, drawing essence out into the shape of the threads she conjures and slinging it with a spinning motion toward one of the pillars of the pavilion. If it works, Sana will find herself anchored to the structure by the thread, limiting her ability to maneuver until she gets free.

COMBATSYS: Sana counters Ghost Needle from Tsukiko with Hana No Mai.
- Power hit! -

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1          Tsukiko

[SANA]
Sana blinks rapidly, her mind still clearing from the disruption to her meridians, but she manages a faint, almost delirious smile at Tsukiko's words. "Acquired... enjoyment?" she murmurs, her voice slightly slurred as she tries to steady herself. "I don't think... anyone enjoys getting hit. But... it's part of the dance, isn't it? The pain... the rhythm... it's all part of the fight." She shakes her head, as if trying to dispel the lingering fog, and her grip on Eienchi tightens. "You're impressive, Tsukiko... you're pushing me further than I expected. Thank you for that."

As Tsukiko sweeps forward, her movements fluid and precise, Sana reacts instinctively. The haft of the naginata is pushed aside, but Sana doesn't resist the motion-instead, she flows with it, her body spinning in harmony with Tsukiko's elbow strike. The two fighters move in a blur of motion, their movements almost mirroring each other as Sana seamlessly transitions into her counter.

Golden light begins to emanate from Eienchi's blade as Sana spins low, the naginata's edge tracing a glowing crescent of sun-infused chi just above the ground. The attack is swift and deliberate, aimed at Tsukiko's legs, but it's the chi-infused power behind it that makes it truly devastating. When the blade connects, a burst of golden energy erupts, sending a shockwave through the foam fortress. The explosion is accompanied by a shower of cherry blossom petals that fill the air, their delicate beauty contrasting sharply with the force of the attack. The petals drift slowly to the ground, settling on the uneven surface of the fortress and mingling with the scattered balls that still roll and bounce from the earlier chaos.

The foam fortress groans under the strain of the powerful strike, its unstable structure trembling as if on the verge of collapse. Sana remains poised, her naginata held low as she completes the spin, her breathing heavy but her focus sharpening with each passing moment. The golden light fades from Eienchi's blade, but the energy of the attack lingers in the air, a testament to the sheer power of the technique.

Sana stares at the aftermath of her strike, her eyes wide with disbelief. The sheer force of the attack surprises even her, and she takes a half-step back, her grip on Eienchi loosening slightly. "I... I didn't mean to..." she stammers, her voice tinged with regret. "That was... too much. I didn't realize..." She trails off, her gaze flickering to the cherry blossom petals now scattered across the floor, their presence a stark reminder of the power she had just unleashed. For a moment, she looks almost apologetic, her earlier bravado replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, though whether she's speaking to Tsukiko, Eienchi, or herself is unclear.

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko's legs are swept out from under her as Sana swings her polearm low, causing her to crash down back-first on a rubber ball in a way that shoots pain through her spine despite the otherwise soft and malleable texture of the sphere. She grimaces as she feels the burning sensation left behind by the strange chi in her lower limbs. Forcing them to move, she bends her legs and tumbles backward and up to her feet, catching herself against the side of the cage.

"You seem to be catastrophizing," she says as she pushes away from the netting, her hands moving in swift, rounded sweeps with fingers splayed that seem chaotic, but soon show a surprisingly clear direction as threads of essence manifest in the air and rapidly spread through the side of the chamber that she's in like the web of a spider. "The pain you have caused is temporary. We are simply fulfilling our duty. I do not require your apology."

As she makes her declaration, she reaches up and takes hold of two handfuls of thread, pulling herself up swiftly onto them in a partially split-legged position, balancing on the thin threads with her hands and feet like a spider.

"Besides, we both must test ourselves," she says as she lurks in her makeshift nest of webbing, her dark-eyed gaze inviting the naginata-wielding warrior into her lair.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko gathers her will.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1          Tsukiko

[SANA]
Eienchi's voice cuts through Sana's lingering regret, firm and steady. "Tsukiko is right," the naginata says, his tone carrying a note of wisdom. "You are not here to apologize or hold back. You are here to be the best version of yourself. Every opponent you face will strive to do the same. If you hesitate, you dishonor not only yourself but also those who push you to grow. Focus, Sana. Be the warrior you are meant to be."

Sana takes a deep breath, her grip tightening on Eienchi as she listens to his words. Her eyes, still clouded with the remnants of her earlier disorientation, begin to clear as she centers herself. She watches Tsukiko carefully as the other warrior moves with precision and grace, her hands weaving threads of essence into a complex web that spreads across the side of the chamber. The sight is mesmerizing, but Sana doesn't let it distract her. Instead, she focuses on her own chi, drawing it inward and balancing it within her core. Her breathing slows, her stance solidifies, and her mind sharpens as she studies Tsukiko's movements, searching for weaknesses in her technique or openings in her defenses.

The golden light of Sana's chi begins to glow faintly around her, not in a burst of power but in a steady, controlled flow. She doesn't rush to attack, nor does she let her guard down. Instead, she waits, her gaze locked on Tsukiko as the threads of essence form a intricate web. Sana's mind races, analyzing the patterns of the webbing, the way Tsukiko moves within it, and the potential vulnerabilities in her position. She knows that rushing in blindly would be a mistake, especially against an opponent as skilled and methodical as Tsukiko.

As Tsukiko pulls herself up into the web, balancing with spider-like precision, Sana remains grounded, her naginata held at the ready. The faint glow of her chi intensifies slightly, a sign that she is preparing for whatever comes next. Her voice is calm but firm as she speaks, her eyes never leaving Tsukiko. "You're right," she says. "This is a test for both of us. And I won't hold back anymore. But I won't rush in recklessly either. If you've built a web, then I'll find the way to unravel it."

Sana's stance shifts subtly, her weight evenly distributed as she prepares to move at a moment's notice. The golden light around her pulses gently, a reflection of her balanced and focused chi. She is no longer apologetic or uncertain; instead, she is determined, her mind clear and her resolve unwavering. The battle is far from over, and Sana is ready to meet whatever challenge Tsukiko presents.

COMBATSYS: Sana closes her eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath as she attunes herself to the rhythm of the battle, her senses sharpening.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1          Tsukiko

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko remains suspended in her web as the two fighters stare each other down for a moment, neither approaching the other. A faint smile quirks at the corner of her lips as Sana remains firm and refuses to charge in.

"I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised that a Seijyuun student is so restrained. Restraint seems to be one of the core tenets of the school. I shall honour that."

Curling her hands and toes around the threads she's balancing on, she pulls them together, causing them to bind together as a single stronger thread so that she can balance her feet in serial rather than parallel as she raises her upper body. Then, like a tightrope-walking acrobat, she steps forward along the threads, then leaps seemingly to deliver some kind of gymnastic assault against Sana as she tucks into a forward flip - but instead aiming to land on the far side of the other female fighter, facing away. As she spins around to face toward Sana, threads fly from the extended fingers of her right hand, aiming to catch onto the girl's limbs and her weapon. Then, more insidiously, ropes from the web that Tsukiko leapt from flying toward Sana as well, having been directed during Tsukiko's leap, aiming to Sana her while she's facing toward the Gorin student and distracted by her sudden movement.

If she doesn't avoid it, Sana will find herself trapped by dozens of strands before Tsukiko manipulates them remotely with sweeping arm movements to spin Sana around until she's practically encased like a mummy in the wrappings, at which point Tsukiko would stamp on the foam mat beneath their feet to send a ripple through it and unbalance Sana while her limbs are bound!

COMBATSYS: Sana fails to reflect Silk Cocoon from Tsukiko with Quick Strike.

[                       \\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Sana             1/---====/=======|>>>>>>-\-------\0          Tsukiko

[SANA]
Sana's golden chi flares as she sees Tsukiko leap toward her, her instincts screaming at her to act. She swings Eienchi in a quick, precise arc, the blade glowing with sun-infused energy as she attempts to reflect the incoming threads back at Tsukiko. For a brief moment, it seems like it might work-the threads waver in the air, caught in the golden light of her strike. But her chi falters, the energy not strong enough to fully repel the onslaught. The threads slip through her defense, wrapping around her limbs and Eienchi with alarming speed.

"Pathetic," Eienchi's voice cuts through her mind, sharp and cold. "You had the opportunity to rise above this, to prove yourself worthy of wielding me. But you hesitated. You doubted. And now you falter. Perhaps you deserve to lose." His words sting more than the threads tightening around her, and for a moment, Sana's resolve wavers under the weight of his disappointment.

The impact of the threads is brutal. They tighten around her, their grip unrelenting as Tsukiko's web closes in. Sana grits her teeth, her body trembling as she struggles against the bindings, but the more she moves, the tighter they become. Her movements grow sluggish, her strength sapped by the enfeebling effect of the threads. The golden light around her dims, her chi flickering weakly as the jolt from the attack courses through her, leaving her muscles aching and her reflexes dulled. She can feel the weight of her fatigue pressing down on her, each breath coming harder than the last.

Tsukiko's stamp on the foam mat sends a ripple through the unstable surface, and Sana stumbles, her balance compromised by the bindings and the uneven ground. She crashes to one knee, Eienchi still clutched in her hand but her grip noticeably weaker. Her vision blurs for a moment, and she shakes her head, trying to clear it. The threads continue to wind around her, encasing her like a mummy, and she knows she's in trouble. Her attacks will be slower, her defenses weaker, and the damage she's already taken is pushing her to the brink of collapse.

Despite it all, Sana's determination doesn't waver. She glares up at Tsukiko through the haze of pain and fatigue, her voice strained but defiant. "You're... good," she manages to say, her words coming out in labored breaths. "But... I'm not done yet." She forces herself to her feet, her movements slow and unsteady, but her resolve remains unbroken. The golden light around her flickers faintly, a testament to her fighting spirit even as her body struggles to keep up. She knows the odds are against her, but she's not ready to give up-not while she can still stand.

Eienchi remains silent now, his earlier harsh words hanging in the air like a shadow. Sana knows she has to prove him wrong, to show that she's more than her mistakes. But for now, all she can do is fight through the pain and hope that her spirit is enough to carry her through.

[TSUKIKO]
Elsewhere, Tsukiko's father sits in a bar next to a stranger, both watching the broadcast live on the television.

'But... I'm not done yet.'

"Well, you know what that means," the stranger says.

"Bottoms up," Koshiro says, clinking a shot glass against the stranger's before knocking it back.

Meanwhile, Tsukiko slowly sways her form, hands flowing through the air, regulating her own inner chi and allowing her heart to calm as she watches her entangled opponent rise.

"You are also skilled, and your chi is very strong. But it is not a fair fight; my horoscope today said that I cannot be defeated in a bouncy castle."

She suddenly sweeps her arms up and forward to thrust the fingers of both hands toward Sana, releasing several threads of adhesive essence toward her body and weapon, attempting to ensnare and anchor the other student to her. Then, with one flowing motion, she would spin twice, threading the strands into a rope, tightening and strengthening them, before finishing her motion facing away from Sana, wrenching both hands powerfully in the opposite direction so that the captured Sana would fly toward Tsukiko. If that works, Tsukiko would abruptly throw her hips backward as her arms extend fully forward in something of a standing jackknife, causing Sana to slam into Tsukiko's pushed-out posterior if she doesn't manage to escape!

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko successfully hits Sana with Silk Moon Atemi.
- Power hit! -

[                                < >  /////////////                 ]
Sana             2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0          Tsukiko

[SANA]
Sana struggles against the threads binding her, her movements sluggish and uncoordinated from the enfeebling effects of Tsukiko's earlier attacks. She tries to dodge the incoming adhesive essence, but her body refuses to respond quickly enough. The threads strike her with unerring accuracy, wrapping around her limbs and Eienchi with a sticky, unyielding grip. Tsukiko's fluid motions are almost hypnotic as she spins, weaving the strands into a stronger rope and yanking Sana forward with a powerful tug.

Sana's feet leave the ground as she's pulled toward Tsukiko, her body helplessly airborne. She braces herself for impact, but there's little she can do as Tsukiko's hips thrust backward, her arms extending fully in a standing jackknife motion. Sana slams into Tsukiko's pushed-out posterior with a force that knocks the wind out of her, the impact sending a jolt of pain through her already battered body. She crumples to the foam mat, her vision swimming and her strength nearly spent. The threads still cling to her, their adhesive grip unrelenting, and she can feel herself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.

But just as she's about to succumb, Eienchi's voice cuts through the haze of pain and exhaustion. "You've disappointed me, Sana," he says, his tone cold and unyielding. "But I will not let you fall without one last chance to prove yourself. Take my energy-use it to finish this fight with honor. But know this: it will come at a cost."

Before Sana can respond, a surge of energy floods her body, Eienchi's chi merging with her own. The pain intensifies, a searing heat that feels like it's burning her from the inside out, but it also brings with it a fleeting burst of strength. Sana grits her teeth, forcing herself to her feet one last time. The golden light of her chi flickers weakly at first, but as she begins to spin, it grows brighter, fueled by Eienchi's power.

Glowing cherry blossom petals swirl around her as she starts to spin, the naginata held horizontally in front of her. The petals form a mesmerizing vortex of light and color, the sunlight-infused chi concentrating in Eienchi's blade as Sana gains momentum. Her spins become faster and faster, the naginata cutting through the air with increasing speed, creating a whirlwind of slashes that are difficult to evade. The foam fortress groans under the force of her movement, the unstable surface trembling as if it might collapse at any moment.

With a final, powerful spin, Sana delivers a wide-arced slash, the blade glowing with concentrated chi as it cuts toward Tsukiko. The move is desperate, fueled by pain and determination, but it carries the full force of her momentum and Eienchi's borrowed energy. Whether it lands or not, Sana has given everything she has.



As the slash completes, the energy sustaining her fades, and Sana collapses to the mat, her body finally giving out. The golden light around her dims, and the cherry blossom petals drift slowly to the ground, their beauty a stark contrast to the pain etched on Sana's face. Her vision darkens as unconsciousness claims her, the threads still clinging to her limp form.

Eienchi's voice is the last thing she hears before everything goes black. "You fought poorly, Sana. But at least you fought to the end. Perhaps there is hope for you yet if you survive the consequences of your failure." His words are harsh, but there's a faint undercurrent of something else-perhaps a glimmer of respect, or at least acknowledgment of her effort. For now, though, Sana is beyond hearing it. She lies motionless on the foam mat, the fight finally over.

COMBATSYS: Sana can no longer fight.

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

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko blocks Sana's Sakimidareru Uzu No Mai.

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

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko manages to keep her footing as Sana crashes into her backside, though the impact of Sana landing on the floor of the ring does send Tsukiko bouncing off of the mat for a brief moment. She twists around in the air so that she's facing Sana when she lands in a crouch, one hand on the ground, the loose bang dropping back down to cover half of her face as gravity reclaims it.

The whirlwind of sunlight and sharpness causes Tsukiko concern that's clearly visible in her wide-eyed expression. She brings her hands up one after the other, attempting to redirect the rotating blade whenever she cannot avoid it outright - but even touching the pole seems to send searing pain through her hands, which are shaking with agony by the time that Sana hits the ground. Tsukiko looks down, realising that she's suffered several slashes to her shoulders and sleeves that she'd missed in her focused state.

"Owwww," she complains, her brow scrunching in a grimace.

But as the gong rings out to announce victory, she sees that Sana has lost consciousness, seeming to have been harmed by her own chi - or perhaps that present in the weapon that she was wielding. She recalls her promise made before the battle had begun. And so, before she addresses her own injuries, she approaches and kneels next to Sana, quietly assessing her state, hands sweeping over her without touching, eyes closed - and then she presses her fingers into a point along Sana's heart meridian, dispersing what she perceives to be an excessive amount of trapped chi. It should help her recover, if she's correct in her assessment in execution.

Nonetheless, the official who was gatekeeping Tsukiko from the playpen earlier sees what happens and isn't sure about it. "Hey, kid - let the medical team take care of that! And you, too - you're bleeding."

"Oh. Sorry," Tsukiko says with some embarrassment before looking out to the fans. She sees her mother applauding politely, along with her grandmother - but her father is missing.

Somehow, that hurts a little more than the bleeding wounds she's suffering from.

"Feel better soon, Yasuda-san," she bids the Seijyuun student. "Perhaps we will meet again in the competition."

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko takes no action.

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

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko has ended the fight here.

Log created on 10:49:35 03/05/2025 by Tsukiko, and last modified on 11:35:31 03/09/2025.