Match of the Millennium

Description: Gorin girl Tsukiko has the home advantage for this round but it's been said that some of her fellow gymnasts were being less than kind about her during her last match, despite her winning performance. Can she get her schoolmates on side and secure another victory or will Pacific's great Dane Signi spoil her perfect score?

[TSUKIKO]
It's well known amongst the people of Southtown and the country of Japan in general that Gorin High prides itself on its sports program. Nothing exemplifies the lofty ambitions of its athletes than the Gorin Dome, its all-in-one indoor-outdoor sports arena. The mechanical marvel that is its competitive surface can convert the grounds within seconds to a baseball diamond, a soccer pitch, or a tennis court, depending on the demands of the day. There's enough seating for the students of every major school in the city to watch, and then some - and it's just about packed today.

Gorin had offered to host every Rivals match for Professional Fighting Worldwide, and it had been a sound suggestion, but one ultimately rejected by the other schools. After all, they wouldn't have wanted Gorin to have the homefield advantage in every match, or for them to be lording the majesty of their Dome over all the other schools.

But today, Gorin is doing both of those things.

The Gorin High school band is performing the school's theme song to amp up the atmosphere, though despite their enthusiasm, they struggle to fill the whole structure with sound. The weather is perfect, so the roof has been retracted to allow the afternoon sun into the arena.

At the same time, the gymnastics teams - doubling more or less as a cheer squad for the event - are putting on an acrobatic display and forming twin pyramids, one of male athletes and the other of female.

The only member missing from them is Tsukiko herself, exempted from pyramid schemes on the grounds of wanting to ensure she doesn't tire or injure herself before the match begins. Nevertheless, she's still in her gymnastics uniform instead of her kung fu outfit for this match. Like those of her fellow gymnasts, it's a leotard with white and navy blue pattern with red stripes, styled after a past Japanese Olympic competition uniform.

As the squads and band clear the field, somebody throws a switch somewhere, and the arena floor begins reconfiguring itself rapidly until it's covered in what appears to be a single (though actually sectioned) padded white surface emblazoned with the Gorin badge.

It's at this point that Tsukiko emerges from the massive Gorin team entrance doors, her expression composed and neutral as she looks out to the audience before wandering into the middle to meet her opponent and the announcer, currently introducing her.

"Please give an applause for our first competitor! From Gorin High... Shirakawa Tsukiko!"

[SIGNI]
Signi had thought about enrolling at Gorin High at one point. She figured she would probably get rejected for her cybernetics though. After all they were performancing enhancing in a way. She looks kind of embarassed as she enters the the away team entrance doors. It's kind of hard to tell with her mask concealing the lower half of her face.

She looks at that much smaller Pacific High crowd gathered in the stands, it's clear who had home field advantage. It might work her to her advantage though since there are fewer people her that she's familar with. Plus she doesn't have to hold back as much as she approaches Tsukiko a bit nervously. From what she's been able to gather her opponent fights with a mixture of gymnastic and energy webs.

"And her opponent today, from Pacific High give it up for Signi Fye!"

[RAFFERTY]
Rafferty Laurence Stewart is enjoying his time back in Southtown. After initially returning to the city earlier in the year to work on a television show, he's now teaching a drama class once a week in his former school Pacific High. Although he's not someone who's historically been a fan of fighting in the past, he recently got a taste for it in his debut performance in a Saturday Night Fight. It had potentially (definitely) helped that the match had been in Paris, a city he'd always dreamed of visiting, but nevertheless he has warmed somewhat to the art of combat.

As such, when he heard that Pacific High were competing in a the latest incarnation of the New Fighting Generation, his interest was piqued. Due to filming commitments he couldn't make the first round of the competition, which became a mute point when the match was postponed, but he's here in a bright and breezy mood for the second round showdown.

He's found a seat in the front row of Gorin High's impressive dome. The atmosphere is electric with the energy of the excited student spectators palpable. Some of them have recognised Rafferty and asked for his autograph. Others have simply been whispering about the rumour that he's only here because the Pacific High representative is a robot.

Of course, the young actor had considered this possibility when he showed up here. His nickname of 'Robot Fucker', on account of his relationship with Nena, had followed him around for months before people got bored and moved on to the next sexy scandal. His intentions in supporting Signi though are completely honourable. He's simply showing some school spirit.

As always, the Californian is clothed impeccably. His patterned Emporio Armani silk shirt is teamed with tailored black cotton shorts and a pair of pink suede sneakers. The finishing touch is the green tinted Dior sunglasses covering his brilliant blue eyes.

"Come on Signi!" He calls out from the stand, a sunny smile on his pretty face.

COMBATSYS: Signi brings her battle systems online.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Signi            0/-------/-------|

[TSUKIKO]
Possessed of a need to demonstrate that the gymnastics uniform isn't just for show, Tsukiko closes the last several feet to her position with a roundoff, springing forward and reversing across her palms before landing on her feet and presenting her hands to the audience. Most of the Gorin students in attendance cheer, other than about half of the gymnastics team, who are instead silently judging her. They wouldn't be doing it silently, but it's too loud for their pronouncements to be heard anyway.

Turning to her opponent, Tsukiko offers a half-polite half-smile. "Fye-san. I have been interested to meet you," she says, bowing slightly before flicking her head so that the long bang covering one side of her face retreats. Her hair is arranged into four braids in the back tied with small red ribbons. She studies Signi closely, showing a clear interest in her cybernetic parts.

"I hope that you're feeling well," she says carefully as she straightens, then slips gently into her tai chi stance, hands slowly flowing through the air.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko has joined the fight here.

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

[SIGNI]
She simply nods to Rafferty, she's not really aware of his reputation and drama is about the last thing in the world she would sign up for. She also notices that a few Fye company guards are also present in the stands. Her eyebrows raise a bit and she points one of her oversized hands at herself. "Me?" She can be heard breathy deeply as she speaks. "I am functioning well." She wouldn't be here if she was having technical issues. She's undergone recent maintenance.

Signi figures if her opponent is agile, it would be best to try and try to get the drop on her. Her red eyes scan her opponent for movement as she leaps into the air. The cyborg's rocket legs ignite and she hovers in the air before she rapidly kicks downwards at Tsukiko.

COMBATSYS: Signi successfully hits Tsukiko with Rocket Steps.

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

[TSUKIKO]
It's only a moment after the bell has gone that Signi goes on the offensive, leaving Tsukiko no time to hesitate on the defense. Her hands fly horizontally in an attempt to redirect the assault, but Tsukiko underestimates the heat rolling off of the cyborg's feet and flinches as her fingers feel the fiery emission, letting out a wordless cry. With her guard broken, she's kicked and burned about the upper body, sending her sliding back across the mat.

"You're more difficult to read than some of the others," Tsukiko says as she rolls back and up onto her feet, immediately falling back into her martial stance as her scorched fingers weave through the air, assembling a sphere of spidersilk-like essence with circular sweeps. "And you hit harder, as well."

She finally thrusts both palms into the orb that she's been creating, sending it flying toward Signi and threatening to entangle her as it spreads out like a web of adhesive energy in flight!

COMBATSYS: Signi blocks Tsukiko's Orb Weaver.

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

[SIGNI]
Signi's knows she's strong. She figures she might as well make the most of the gifts her new body has given her. She heistates a bit as the energy orb flies upwards at her. Unable to move out of the way in-time it slams into her.

While her body is able to handle it, she finds herself moving slower afterwards. She quickly caculates her new trajectory as her rocket boosters go out. Signi makes most of the situation and extends her leg into a makeshift dive kick aimed at Tsukiko.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko counters Diving Kick from Signi with Trapdoor Spider Elusion.

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

[TSUKIKO]
As Signi improvises to turn her imminent descent into a diving kick, Tsukiko squats slightly, her fingers pointing toward the floor. Threads of essence fly the short distance between the ground and her fingertips, attaching to the ground and becoming difficult to make out against the similarly white padding. When Signi comes crashing down, Tsukiko suddenly isn't there, having sprung straight up into the air and tucked into a flip to keep her silk chi threads from stretching past their limit, her legs pointing upward and hands toward the ground for a moment as Signi becomes ensnared in the webbing.

When Tsukiko lands, she's on the other side of Signi -- and she uses the motion of her flip to put her full body weight into swinging Signi over Tsuki's head as the latter slides down into splits to ensure she's not in the cyborg's path.

"Rather heavy," Tsukiko comments with only a hint of a grimace.

She remains attached to the cyborg for now by the threads - but which fighter will be able to capitalize on the connection?

[SIGNI]
Signi's body has to be bulky to support her arms and artifical parts. She gasps as she swung over Tsukiko and slammed into the ground. It takes a moment for her to catch her breath.

She slowly stand back up amd points at Tsukiko. She then flexes her arms impressed by the small girl's strength. Of course being attached to her also has it downsides. Signi promptly grabs the webbing attaching the two and swings it around like a makeshift bola with the intent of sending the other girl flying.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko blocks Signi's Medium Throw EX.

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

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko is just starting to bring her legs around to the same side when Signi starts swinging her in a circle, causing Tsukiko to sweep the floor in a maneuver not anticipated by the spider-like student. "Gyaaah!"

She's swiftly sent airborne, only managing to avoid serious harm thanks to the acrobatic aplomb with which she hits the mat in a controlled tumble. Her legs are left looking rather pink from the friction, still. Twisting around to face Signi, she nods her head slightly in respect.

"I didn't mean offense, by the way."

She dances back into close proximity, using subtle tugs on the threads to try and keep Signi off-balance and uncertain of her ultimate intent. That intent is to jab the fingers of her left hand into Signi's side, not with deeply penetrative force, but to strike a meridian, then draw out a thread of Signi's own essence out - then, with a spin into a crouch, to attach the ethereal tether to the ground before backing away. If successful, it would only impede slightly, but would cause pain should Signi break the thread...

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko successfully hits Signi with Ghost Needle.

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

[SIGNI]
Signi tries to avoid the jab but instead finds herself getting punched in the side. There's a metallic clanking sound and suddenly she starts to feel the life drain from her body. She's more in-touch with the spiritual world than one might expect from a cyborg. It's like some new age therapy gone wrong.

She tries not to move much but instead she makes a V-gesture with her hand. Suddenly one of her hands deattaches and flies at Tsukiko. Maybe she would have more success fighting from her at a distance.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko fails to interrupt V for Victory from Signi with Five-Poison Palm.

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

[TSUKIKO]
While she's all too aware of Signi's powerful mechanical limbs, there's one thing Tsukiko failed to account for in her orchestration of this plan -- the fact that Signi's hands can detach. Her own next move already planned without that consideration in mind, she decides to commit rather than adjust, attempting to dart around the flying fist to deliver her own intended palm strike.

Unfortunately for Tsuki, that metal fist puts a stop to her momentum, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Eugh..." Tsukiko murmurs as she feels a warm sensation from her nose and reaches up to touch her upper lip.

"Yep... that's definitely blood."

She staggers up to her feet, wiping the blood away from her face as she narrows her eyes at Signi. Having robot arms isn't cheating, any more than having spider webs... but it sure makes her methodology a lot trickier to apply.

[SIGNI]
The hand reattaches to Signi's arm as it comes back around. She notices the blood come from Tsukiko's face and can't help but to feel a bit bad for her now, "Sorry." A good portion of her might be mechanical but she's not emotionless.

Maybe she finish this before it gets any worse. She rushes in and attempts to grab ahold of Tsukiko. Her rocket boosters also ignite once again. If she manages to grapple her, she'll fly up to the roof before plummeting to the floor below.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko blocks Signi's Two Thumbs Down.

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

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko is swept up in Signi's arms as the cyborg grabs for her and starts flying toward the ceiling. She struggles in the Danish student's grasp, pushing her hands against the much bigger prosthetics.

"Nnngh..."

Just as the ground is rushing up at her, she finally manages to slip free, but the drop still takes its toll as she bounces across the mat with painful velocity.

By the time that she comes to a stop, she's struggling to push her upper half off of the floor. Her eyes lift up to the frontmost Gorin bench, where the gymnastics team are seated. Kana, the captain, is sneering with open disdain at the performance.

Tsukiko offers a bloody Mona Lisa smile in return before turning her eyes back to Signi.

"I would be curious what an examination of your chi flow would be like... but I suspect that that might infringe on some trade secrets," she says as she stands up. "It's been a good test. A shame I've performed so poorly in front of my own school."

With that, she suddenly lashes out, sending threads of chi from one hand coiling like a rope toward Signi. If she manages to catch her with the adhesive energy, she'll then yank the cord back toward herself with a pivot of her full body, simultaneously bending forward at the waist - intending to bring the cyborg crashing into her hips!

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko successfully hits Signi with Silk Moon Atemi.

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

[SIGNI]
"I'm curious about you, too." Signi wants to learn more about others fighting style to improve her own. She doubts she can use spider powers, maybe she can make some kind of electric bindings or something?

She tries to catch the rope before it can hit her but is unsuccessful as its wrapped around her waist. She's dragged back towards Tsukiko. Of course she might have second thoughts about getting her back into melee range. She tries to press her hands against her chest as electricity surges forth from them.

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko dodges Signi's Giant Robot Hands Save Lives.

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

[TSUKIKO]
Tsukiko manages to duck under Signi's grasp as she delivers the cyborg to collide with the seat of her leotard. Releasing the threads, she rounds off to create distance and face toward her foe once more. With her palms raised, she sends out a fresh volley of threads from her fingertips, attempting to add even more to the clinging chi that's still lingering in the space and on her opponent.

If Signi doesn't manage to avoid the silken strands, she'll find herself being spun by the Gorin fighter's machinations, rapidly cocooned by the adhesive essence, leaving her encased and vulnerable - before all of the strands in the environment and around her would start to rapidly crystallize into solid bands of hard matter, threatening to shatter painfully at the slightest movement!

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko successfully hits Signi with Silk Cocoon.
- Power hit! -

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

[SIGNI]
Signi tries to break through the threads as she's wrapped up, but is unsuccessful. She's having difficulty just moving at this point. "Entering auxiliary back-up mode" The cyborg speaks an emotionless voice as her body's more concerned with self-preservation at this point.

Tsukiko's not quite out of the woods though as her body discharges a wall of electrity. It seems like she's doing everything to avoid taking further damage. She's breathing quite deeply as she tries to stay online.

COMBATSYS: Signi has suffered catastrophic damage and fallen offline.

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

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko dodges Signi's Great Firewall.

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

[TSUKIKO]
As the wall of electricity erupts toward her, Tsukiko leaps into the air, using what's left of her own energy to vault over the crackling field as it passes narrowly underneath her. She drops back down to the ground, looking as if she might land on her head, but just barely manages to get her palms into position in time so that she lands in a handstand, legs splayed forward and backward. Her chest heaves visibly with each inhalation, her breathless expression plainly visibly as gravity pulls her bangs away from her face.

As Signi appears to no longer be capable of continuing, once the electricity and crystallized energy dissipate, the official pipes up to announce the result.

"Your winner... from Gorin High... Shirakawa Tsukiko!"

Tsukiko's face breaks into an inverted smile at the report, and she finishes her handstand by dropping forward onto her feet as the students - especially those from the home team - break into applause. After all, the victory was an incredibly narrow one, and they knew just as well as she did how close she'd come to giving out. Even the members of the gymnastics team who'd been stonewalling her before seem to be applauding.

Tsukiko turns around to face Signi, walking over to her.

"Are you alright, there? Let me know if I can assist," she offers, before adding awkwardly, "though I suppose you might need a technician more than someone who studies Chinese medicine..."

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko takes no action.

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

COMBATSYS: Tsukiko has ended the fight here.


[SIGNI]
"I am in need of repairs." Signi nods in agreement with Tsukiko. The Fye Corp reps have joined her on the gym floor and are examining the cyborg. One of them offers the gymnast a business card before they prepare a transport cart to move Signi. "Hopefully we will meet again." She removes her mask a moment to reveal a smile despite the pain she's clearly in right now.

Log created on 10:58:17 05/18/2025 by Tsukiko, and last modified on 10:48:28 05/28/2025.