Description: In one of the more anticipated fights of the Strolheim Tournament, Kyo takes on Ryu and his student Tony, with the help of the student assigned to him: the enigmatic Shermie. (Winners: Kyo and Shermie)
Tonight, the gate of Strolheim Castle plays host to a rather remarkable battle, or at least a matchup that promises to be a memorable part of a memorable tournament. Teachers and students, with a Krauser twist. Of course, that twist means that not all the entrants wind up with their original teachers. And not all the teachers wind up with your typical students. There's little doubt in Ryu's mind that the head of Strolheim has a love of both irony and chaotic unpredicatbility, of seeing how fighters choose to rise or fall in uncertain situations. His own is one of the most amusing setups, his own protege fighting alongside Sagat, his longtime rival, while the rightful Emperor of Muay Thai's student fights alongside the World Warrior. There's not a lot he can teach Tony in the short time before this bout was scheduled, with his own tumultuous recent schedule and Styles' already accomplished training and practice regimen.... But this is more of a test, a first hurdle, a chance to see how the pair can work together, and whether there's a future in that pairing... Or merely an end. There is plenty he could pass on, but much still in question... Questions which will be answered tonight. Pacing out between the massive stonework archway, Ryu tightens his red headband and considers the battlefield... Not the most typical, but it will serve well enough. A similar tug is given to his well-earned black belt, the gentle breeze rustling the young champion's white gi. This is a team battle, but he's here, mostly, with an interest in fighting one man. Kyo Kusanagi. Gouken's ties to the Kusanagis ran deep, but the late Ansatsuken master's progeny has a somewhat different view of the clan, or at least... It's latest heir. And he's got something to prove, with this battle. Silently, Ryu folds his arms over his chest, and awaits the gathering of the other three, and the beginning of the inevitable fight.
Lucky for Ryu, then, that his wait isn't too horribly long. Light padding sounds grow louder and heavier until Tony is within a few paces of his 'teacher', preparing himself for the fight ahead. Whereas Ryu had something to prove in fighting the latest of the Kusanagi offspring, Tony had something of a chip on the shoulder he was dying to get brushed away...showing to the world that he was capable of performing, that he was someone to watch for. It was a simple acknowledgement that he craved, denied to him during the last major tournament he took part in and fueling his drive ever since.
Tony takes in a deep breath, letting it all go in a loud rush through the nostrils. "Here we go," He intones, staring dead ahead. "It's showtime. I think I might vomit during the first few seconds, but past that I should be okay." To help bluff both himself and Ryu into believing it a jest, Tony puts on a weak smile.
On the other hand there's Kyo Kusanagi, looking mostly ambivelant about the coming battle, as is his usual nature. Unlike Ryu, Kyo doesn't feel the need to prove anything here, not to himself and certainly not to his father and some dead guy. Right now he has his hands shoved in his pant pockets, tapping one foot impatiently as Strolheim's irritating (at least, in Kyo's opinion) fight announcer goes through the histronics of hyping the team match. Idly, he starts his pre-fight ritual; casually grabbing his pair of gloves from his back pocket then stretching them tight against each hand, continually adjusting and re-adjusting them. Once the garments are satisfactorilly tight, he glances over across the arena at his chief opponent in this fight; a stoic man in a plain white gi. It's a good thing Kyo is fighting him, because otherwise he'd probably be bored to death by Ryu's wooden-plank personality.
On Shermie and Kyo's end, the pairing isn't quite so ironic. Or at least, as far as they know it isn't. It's just sort of like, the King of Fighters got teamed up with some relative unknown. So unknown, that part of her face seems to be missing for that matter. Where are her eyes? Some would say teaming her with Kyo is fitting, and others might say it's a cruel twist of fate, almost like Kyo is going to be fighting with a handicap against *Ryu* of all people. But that's more than likely because A) she's a woman, and B) almost no one has seen her fight to know any better. That's just what some people are guessing though, since it seems unlikely that someone who didn't know how to fight would even sign up for a thing like this. Unless they were crazy, of course, which can't exactly be ruled out when one gets a look at the fashionable French girl.
The ringtone for a cellphone plays from somewhere far behind Kyo, and then Shermie comes stepping out to stand beside him, yawning cutely and hitting the off button after seeing the number on the LCD is either one she doesn't know, or one she doesn't care to answer right now, and she tucks it down into her cleavage before rolling her shoulders back and clicking the tip of one of her boots against the floor. "Did he say go yet? I wasn't listening."
"You're ready for this." Ryu replies simply to Tony's concerns, his deep voice calm, utterly placid. A lake on which nothing stirs, much like the rest of the World Warrior's stoic demeanor. He's relaxed, focused, utterly intent on the battle ahead, and his confidence is not limited to his oddly placed partner. The legendary nomad's gaze shifts from his partner to the opposing side, considering Kusanagi and Shermie as they make their appearances, and allowing his eyes to linger on the former for a longer moment. Every moment of nonchalance seems to reak of the same arrogance, that sense of birthright entitlement that drove Ryu to his initial opinions of Kyo, and so the warrior in the white gi merely steels his expression, face growing somewhat sterner as he faces down his counterpart, a man he has so little in common with despite the similar origins, and he murmurs quietly, to Tony though without looking back to him, "So am I." Shermie is... definitely hard to miss, though it's hard for Ryu to form any initial impressions of her. She's not moving like a fighter, she's not doing warriorish things, so... He'll have to wait for the fight to begin to make any final judgements. Something he won't have to wait long for, it seems, as the announcer nears the end of his overly long spiel. The Ansatsuken wanderer shifts where he stands, feet drifting a stable shoulder width apart as his fists tighten high and low in a ready defense, eyes fixed on his adversaries.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has started a fight here.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Tony has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Shermie has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shermie
And, of course, Ryu's biggest fangirl is watching from the sidelines, finishing off the remains of a double bacon cheeseburger in the front row of the audience section. She's surrounded by a handful of Strolheim students, many of whom she'd befriended over the past couple weeks -- two in particular were on hand to witness the fangirl's own fight against Kyo. A pleasantly smug grin is plastered upon her face as she waves back at the combatants -- particularly Tony. "Give 'em heck, Styles!" she shouts with a pumped fist, passing an impishly -- some might say 'weaselly' -- wink in Kyo's direction.
"I suppose I am," Tony offers. Seems like at least half of the crew was ready to rumble, and once things got going he'd be doing his best to keep pace. After all, there was something considerably deeper running here than just a chance meeting...but that was another side thought. Clenching his fists, Tony tests the wrapping surrounding them. Satisfactory, or at least they'd have to be.
Tony's eyes move to find his opposite number, and just sort of hovers there. She most certainly didn't look like a fighter, but by now he ought know those looks were deceiving. "No time for regrets now. Just...fighting."
COMBATSYS: Tony focuses on his next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shermie
Also in the audience, a touch less conspiciously, (if you discount a number of Strolheim fighters watching her like a hawk,) sits Mature. Somehow, someone, either out of their mind, or beaten out of their senses, gave her a ticket and she actually showed up. Clearly reconized for her affliations by the organizers, it's a wonder she was even allowed in to watch. Though she doesn't cheer loudly, the sum total of it consists of a 'Hmph' sound.
Kyo peers at Ryu for a moment longer, then makes a languid tossing motion towards the fighter, sending a small, mostly harmless bolt of fire right past the Ryu's eyes. It's just close enough to let him feel the heat. "Hn. So you don't get surprised with just this. I'll attack you at full power!" Did the announcer give the "Ready, FIGHT!" call yet? Regardless Kyo breaks into a full-speed dash right at Ryu and and Tony, a vicious smirk plastered across his face. He'll see how good this Ryu guy really is with his own fists! "Haaaah!" Aiming to break his opponent's cool veneer, he launches into a series of heavy punches consisting of two hooks punches and an uppercut.
Shermie's question is answered by the announcer of course, rather than Kyo, who probably wouldn't have bothered to answer even if he wasn't already in that staredown with Ryu, but it was more of a rhetorical question anyway. Shermie always turns out to know quite a bit more than she lets on, and perhaps just because of her looks, she always seems to get away with it. People just believe she's that naive, even when there may be proof to the contrary. The lady in pink adjusts her lapels as she looks away from Kyo and Ryu, or at least, turns her head away from them, and then she's very clearly facing Tony, popping her collar one last time before nodding to him with a smile. "You look like a pretty rough guy, Tony. I do hope you'll be gentle with me." She then puts a hand on her hip, and starts to saunter over with a measured and rhythmic step, before suddenly she just lunges in and goes to try and grab him around his mid-section, trying to grapple him into what amounts to a good old-fashioned body-to-body suplex.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Kyo's Strong Punch.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shermie
Feel the heat? Most certainly. But Ryu is far from phased by the subtle surge of uniquely charged chi, and it takes him only a half-second past the summoning to judge its trajectory, and subsequent intent, the World Warrior leaning only slightly away from the launch as it passes before his face, the young champion anything but intimidated by the show. He's seen the flames that the King of Fighters can conjure up, and this is far from the best he has to offer... But then, it's just one element of showmanship Ryu chooses not to participate in, simply holding his defensive posture as Kyo barrels in, a deft bend of his legs weaving him away from one cross, and then the other, a darting step backwards leaving that uppercut cleaving nothing but intangible air, the World Warrior's upper body leaning out of reach of Kyo's fist, though only for a moment. Ryu is quick to seek a reversal to Kusanagi's forward momentum, his legs bending as he drops backwards, a quick jump propelling him slightly up, but more forward with a dazzling speed, his upper body twisting in the brief ascent, his lower half whipping around with hurricane force, right leg outstretched in a sweeping roundhouse that flies level with Kusanagi's skull, the rotorblade spins sending up tremendous gusts of wind beneath the Ansatsuken master as he whirls his way in at his adversary, his flight an impossible straight line through the air, bringing that punishing kicking foot around again, and again, and again in blurring succession, accompanied by a fierce battle cry, "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!!!!" And so it begins.
COMBATSYS: Shermie successfully hits Tony with Front Flash.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Shermie
It was a ruse. Tony /knew/ it was a ruse, which made it that much worse. Still, he knew next to nothing about the fighter, no idea where it was heading. Maybe she had some kind of funky chi technique, or maybe she...
The introspection is ended once Shermie's grip is good and secured, bringing Tony back to the here and now. The look of surprise flashes over his face just before he goes airborne, wiped away by the impact with the ground. The girl was no joke, but then he knew that already.
"That was pretty good," Tony offers, working at creating some distance between the duo...even a foot would do. Snapping his knee upwards, Tony seeks out something resembling flesh on his opponent...and should it find purchase, following through with the other knee to the chin. "/Pantherr.../"
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Shermie
The Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku is a devestating technique, designed to batter the opponent's face over and over again, but it's only effective if the face is placed in front of the foot... and in this instance of the attack, that won't be the case. Kusanagi displays his fair share of quickness in response to Ryu's own dodging, quickly ducking the whirlwind of kicks, which only manage to change the part in his brown hair as Ryu flies over him. Still in his crouched position, Kyo pivots on his heel and uncoils like a serpent, hopping into the air and shooting two flying kicks at Ryu's back.
COMBATSYS: Tony successfully hits Shermie with Panther Assault.
- Power hit! -
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Shermie
While Shermie doesn't get overly cocky after delivering her special brand of suplex to the Muay Thai student, she does add a little insult to injury just by pretending to be concerned afterward. "Was it really? It didn't hurt too much, did it?" She seems to be ready to give the other fighter the distance from her he looks to gain, and she even goes so far as to giggle and turn her back to him, taking a few steps away. This of course, is to her own detriment, and she catches a knee right in the spine, and then the back of her head, since her chin isn't quite there for it. All of this certainly sends her staggering forward quite a bit, and she squeals in frustration before wheeling around on her heels, and just when you think she's going to give some kind of angry look? She goes and smiles all sexy-like. "Ooh, I definitely felt that. But that isn't quite what I'm looking for, I want something more like... " Her sentence is of course finished with action, and before she's even finished trailing off, she starts to run up on him and tag her hand onto his shoulder to throw herself up into a perfectly executed gymnastic handstand. ...with just the one hand. And from there, depending on whether or not he gets away from her, she goes to try and wrap her legs around his head and spin him toward the ground. Whiplash anyone?
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Nana Juu Go Shiki Kai from Kyo with Kuuchuu Seoi Nage.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Shermie
Ah, Kyo is quick on his feet, and Ryu finds himself sailing harmlessly overhead... Much to his own detriment, in terms of being in the right place to launch a follow-up assault. As it is, he's airborne, and without immediate options to react to Kyo's leaping kicks. Which is when the Ansatsuken master is prone to improvise, and so he does, the final turn bringing him around faster than anticipated, his hands reaching to find purchase on his opponent, but again, Kusanagi's speed serves him well, and instead of catching ahold of the fiery fighter, Ryu catches Kyo's foot right in his gut, the kicks sending the World Warrior away, and to the ground, in a crunching roll. It's a painful strike, to be sure, but Ryu rolls up and out of it as quickly as he fell, once more raising his guard, his eyes holding to Kyo without a great deal of apprehension. Despite the exchange, his confidence is unbroken, and he merely waits for the proverbial round two, his left hand drifting forward, fist spreading to an open palm held at an almost vertical angle before him, a nod paid to Kusanagi.
COMBATSYS: Tony counters Spiral from Shermie with Chokehold.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
With the momentum of the fight in his favor for the moment, Kyo doesn't give an inch to the Ansatsuken fighter; he lands from the Shiki Kai kicks running, if not straight-out charging Ryu. Again Kyo's gloved hands ball into fists, but this time once he gets within striking distance the punch he launches is cut short, serving more as a device to swing his momentum around. He spins right in front of Ryu, in the process trying to snatch that open palm and use it as leverage to toss his opponent over his back and to the ground in a type of modified Judo.
"/Assault!/"
Tony wasn't expecting Shermie to turn around--never turn your back on an opponent, or so the saying went--so when it comes with the conclusion of the Panther Assault, Tony can do little more but follow through on the momentum. His true mentor had a tendency of maiming people in combat, and his adopted one had a mean streak that was left on Sagat's chest...so it might not be too surprising to find out that Tony's grown a bit calloused to it in turn. He still had a long way to go, but it was there, gestating in him.
Landing upright, Tony draws himself back into his fighting stance, keeping his guard at middling height. There's little time to fire off witty retort before Shermie is rushing him again, leaving him to deal with the surprisingly athletic fighter. A handstand and--
Reaction. Instinct. No thought, just go. Tony twists as the hand secures itself, raising his own arms in turn to entangle around Shermie's neck. Squeezing and dropping his own weight down, Tony brings the pair to a potentially rough landing...all the while tightening the hold. He didn't expect to win a submission this early, but it was important to see how the Frenchwoman would react to some offensive pressure.
Shermie never quite gets to hear that pleasing sound of creaking leather that her skirt always makes when she squeezes her thighs down around someone's head, and while at first, her reaction to being caught around the throat and brought down along with Tony in the awkwardly upside-down position to be held in a stranglehold is to cry out in surprise, it soon turns into quite the fit of giggling. Sure, her windpipe is being constricted, but somehow she's still got enough air in her to laugh about it. "Oop- !! ..hehe... ahahahahaha!" She's loud about it too, and when she finally manages to get Tony's hands off of her, she rolls to her feet and takes a couple of steps back, almost dancing as she does so, before stopping and leaning forward a bit to swallow and fan herself like she just needs a glass of water or something. At least for now, there won't be anymore teasing or lewd remarks coming from her. She's gonna need a minute, no matter how much she may have seemed to enjoy herself there.
COMBATSYS: Shermie focuses on her next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ryu with Issetsu Seoi Nage.
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
Ryu has little room to evade Kyo's continuing charge, and less time in which to do so, his attempted evasion cut short by Kusanagi's quick grab, which does indeed bring the World Warrior up and around, a rather pleasant journey considering the crashing halt at the end, as he's crunched to the hard ground before the lavish castle, his body twisting in ways that can't quite be healthy in the moment it takes him to recover his own control over the momentum and roll to his feet a short distance from Kyo. Ryu's expression has shifted little, his rough-hewn features still set in a grim mask of determination, but his eyes... Those seem almost brighter, the deep brown orbs lit with a sparked intensity, a redoubled commitment to this battle. And along with that roused passion, it seems that Ryu has decided to reach down deep for that something extra, the surge of chi around him almost tangible in its instantaneous spike, a gleaming flash that's simultaneously light and dark gleaming around his hands, around his form, seeming to steal illumination from the surroundings as a dark swirl of rampantly whirling bluish chi blooms to life between splayed fingers, cradled in the space between his open palms, at his waist. The conflaguration grows quickly, rampantly, drawing the air that surrounds it inexorably inward in a steady rush, "Shiiinkuuuuuuuuu...." Ryu incants, channeling more and more power in mere moments through and around the expanding energy sphere, its power licking wild waves about its form as powerful arms sweep the flaring projectile forward, clearing the newfound distance between himself and Kusanagi in instants, the waters of the lake rippling madly as the mother of all fireballs passes above, searing its wrathful path for Kyo's chest, "Hadoooooooouken!!!!!!!!"
"Oh, god," Tony begins, looking a little incredulous even as Shermie squirms herself free of the chokehold. "You're as crazy as half the chicks here." Even then, Tony isn't really willing to just stand there while Shermie gathers her wits...instead lashing out with a Roundhouse kick with designs on the side of her head. Easy, Efficient...if not a little underwhelming on the flash when compared to Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kyo with Shinkuu Hadouken.
- Power hit! -
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
Sakura throws up her fist again as Ryu says the word Shinkuu. She's silent -- out of respect, rather than a fear of breaking her master's iron concentration. It's been a thrilling fight so far, and she's actually been holding back -- a LOT -- in the midst of it. But still, this fight is right up there with Ryu vs Sagat, on the fangirl intensity meter. The fact that her friend and counterpart Tony's also pulling off an awesome fight is just more icing on the cake, making her exultant grin at every successful hit that much brighter.
Kyo smirks as he tosses Ryu over his shoulder, the sound of the world warrior hitting the arena floor is a satisfying one. As Ryu rolls away, Kyo curbs his aggressive streak and just watches as Ryu starts to gather energy for some sort of technique, "Tch, finally decided to get serious?" He asks, flippantly. Even as he mocks Ryu, however, he's girding himself for the attack, knowing that dodging will probably be a fool's venture, he instead concintrates his inner strentgh to blocking the energy ball. The Shinkuu Hadouken comes soon enough, and it's power is even greater than what Kyo's defenses can muster up. It's bluish-white explosion sends Kyo staggering back, but it's obvious it wasn't quite as destructive as Ryu might have hoped. "Heh... you think you're pretty quick with that stuff?" He asks lowly, one gloved hand reaching up the blast markings on his chest. Suddenly, he looks straight up at the world warrior with a jolt, twin blazes errupting from his opened hands, their fires stretching to the sky!
"YOU'RE A TURTLE COMPARED TO MY FLAMES!!"
Kyo says, "Haaaaahhh!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo gathers his will.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
COMBATSYS: Shermie dodges Tony's Strong Kick.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
"You sound so surprised! I love it." Having regained sufficient control of her voicebox once more, enough that she can properly make use of that sickeningly sweet and enticing tone of hers, the girl just throws her body into a very forceful backward roll when Tony goes to try and roundhouse her in the head. Not only does this get her pretty little head well out of harms way, but her legs also whip out during her maneuvering and aim to scissor onto his extended leg to drag him with her and slam him into the ground behind her. Should that succeed, she'll move to roll herself on top of him, and from there grapple him with her arms once more for a suplex like before.
Ah, Kyo's focus saves him from the full impact of the Shinkuu Hadouken, but... Ryu can tell that it hurt, whether Kusanagi's ego allows him to simply admit it, or not. Not only that, but it gives the World Warrior the offensive edge for the first time in the fight, a shift in rhythm that the young champion is quite keen on exploiting. When Kyo chooses to speak taunts rather than offering a retort in action, well, Ryu's quick to capitalize... Even if he can sense the remarkable well of chi that Kusanagi taps in that impressive, fiery display. The Ansatsuken master is not without his own tricks such as that, however, and instead of advancing on Kyo, he demonstrates just that, his hands drifting back to his sides... Rather than bluish chi, this time, the surge is fire-red, multifaceted flames cascading to life in a swirling inferno between the World Warrior's cupping hands, the sheer heat thrown off from the spherical mass both astounding and instantaneous, the projectile charging to its full, potent force in mere moments, only to be sweapt forward much like the last, flames licking along the young champion's hands and arms as the flaring, superheated ball of napalmy wrath flies free, trailing flaming tails behind it as it burns through the air in an effort to deliver the fire-summoning warrior a little more flame than he'd like. Ryu's eyes narrow as the bright projectile hurtles free, his deep voice intoning a fierce, "Hadoooouken!!!!" His way of answering Kyo's question.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
COMBATSYS: Tony blocks Shermie's Shermie Whip.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Kyo
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Tony 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Shermie
Tony was used to dealing with grapplers before, and rightfully so: What seems like a lifetime ago, it was what he had to deal with on a regular basis. Hugo and the Andores on one side, Haggar on the other. It influenced him to the point where it became a part of his own street fighting style, and learned how to deal with them easily enough. Leveraging was as important to offense as it was defense, and saved him from some rather...brutal violations on more than one occasion.
It was a while ago, but old habits die hard. Shermie was proving to be a grappler...albeit an extremely unorthodox one. When Shermie scissors out for his leg, Tony drops to the ground...squirming and rolling out of the hold. It was rough, unpracticed...but did the trick when it came to avoiding whatever acrobatic feat she was getting ready to crank out. Hoping to keep Shermie at a healthy distance, Tony raises his leg and thrusts forward...more of a shove than something meant to really /injure/ like the Roundhouse.
Kyo growls as Ryu throws another projectile at him. "They say you're the best but all you do is sit back and throw that shit?" Angered by Ryu's conservative approach to the fight, Kyo once again dashes right at the world warrior; some fighters may like to keep distance between themselves and their foes, but Kyo likes do his business up-close and personal. The flames in both his hands make trails of fire behind him as he pumps his arms, reaching top speed. He plows right through the Hadouken, the impact of which causes him to take a few extra steps to regain his speed, but he's not stopping now! Cocking back one fist behind his head, he aims to sock any thoughts Ryu has of just laying back throwing balls of energy at Kyo right out of the guy's head!
COMBATSYS: Tony successfully hits Shermie with Medium Kick.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Kyo
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Tony 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Shermie
On the other end of things, Shermie hasn't had very much experience putting all of this to use. She's a fashion designer and a keyboardist first, and a fighter second. That's the whole reason she joined this tournament, for that matter, to get more experience. Nothing more than that. Getting paired with Kyo... probably wasn't what she needed. He didn't help her at all, and it's kind of starting to show. She isn't exactly pulling her weight here. Shermie's scissorlock is broken by Tony's violent struggling, and she ends up trying to complete her roll alone, with her hip slamming down into the ground with the loud smack of leather and flesh, and then before she can quite get away, Tony's foot comes down and kicks her right in her other hip and sends her skidding off and away from him a few feet. With a sigh, and one not without at least the slightest lewd suggestive tone to it, Shermie pushes herself to her feet and starts to do what look like warmups. Although.. they could also be seen as something else. She hops a few times and twists at the waist, which of course causes her overripe breasts to bounce, and then she starts to rub her hands against either of her hips vigorously, probably just to soothe the soreness in them, but again, it causes her chest to practically jiggle like jello. "So rude of you."
COMBATSYS: Shermie focuses on her next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Kyo
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Tony 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Shermie
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ryu with Aragami.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Tony 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Shermie
Kyo connects! "Your body is..." He chains right into a upwards elbow attack directed at Ryu's chin, flames following his fists, then spins around to deliver a quick roundhouse kick to the ribs, "-WIDE OPEN!"
"You mock my abilities, and then whine about them being used?" Ryu inquires, not offended by Kyo's words, but rather, amused, "And here I thought nothing could match your flames...." The World Warrior is a bit taken aback by the young Kusanagi's attitude, but not really surprised. Nor bothered. In truth, he doesn't seem to be taking Kyo's words seriously at all, and while his focus on the fight is complete, the potential respect he could hold for the Kusanagi heir has been thoroughly eroded by Kyo's own actions and words during the pair's rare moments of interaction. Nonetheless, Kyo's fighting skills are nothing to be taken lightly, and Ryu's preconceptions based on the youth's character cost him once more, as the fire-wielder manages to barrel through the powerful variant Hadouken and nail him right in the face, the mixture of hard impact and searing chi snapping Ryu's head back, twice, though his feet hold him upright and he manages to slide with the final roundhouse, blunting some of the bone-crushing force with his own resilient muscle. His stance shifting to move with the momentum of the blow, Ryu drops low, into a quick crouch. A crouch that's quickly reversed at the oncoming Kusanagi, in an attempt to send him right back the way he came, with far less grace.... A sudden spring carries Ryu skyward, his right fist leading the dramatic ascent, aimed for Kyo's chest and jaw with train-stopping power, "Shoryuuuuuken!!!" Ryu calls to the night air as he launches the potent rising uppercut, the grace of his perfectly fluid motion standing in stark contrast to the raw force exercised.
A good show does a lot to soothe the ego, as quite a few women in Strolheim showed. Shermie didn't appear to be running contrary to the common 'Strolheim Hospitality'...but this wasn't really the time, nor the place. "I don't get you," Tony offers flatly during the warmups. "But that's real nice. Meanwhile, I got a fight to win. Why don't you just lie down, submit, tapout, forfeit, and call it a night?" Focused as he is on the Student versus Student fight, the Ryu/Kyo affair is only playing at the edge of his conscious...just enough to make sure they don't spill over to catch him unawares.
Not waiting long enough for Shermie to accept or decline his offer, Tony launches into action--Revolving once, and lashing out with a backfist roughly halfway through. Just something to help put a little more...emphasis and encouragement on the offer.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kyo with Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Tony 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Shermie
Kyo is too close from the series of flaming punch attacks to really do anything but get lifted by the Shoryuken. He catches it right under the chin and gets launched into the air. Okay, THAT's has to be one of the hardest times he's ever gotten hit, but it's not exactly like he has time to figure out where Ryu's Shoryuken ranks in his top ten. There's a copper taste in his mouth, his jaw could very possibly be broken, but one thing makes him regain his senses in mid-air: Ryu's utterly ridiculous excuse for a comeback. "...the hell did you say? Mock your abilities? Whatever..." Kyo says, incredulously, and to punctuate that statement his body suddenly errupts into flame in mid-air, like a blazing sun. He lands on his feet, shaking the cobwebs out, "Let me clue you into something, just keep your mouth shut during your fights, otherwise you might win by making the opponent laugh to death!" He yells out. Then, in one fluid motion he raises one hand above his head then uses it make a cutting motion across the air, a huge wave of fire following the path of his arm, threatening to engulf Ryu within it's hellish blaze, "EAT THIS!!"
COMBATSYS: Tony successfully hits Shermie with Spinning Knuckle.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Tony 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Shermie
When Tony basically just ignores Shermie's little distraction and so politely asks her to take a knee, sit the rest of the fight out, submit, she stops what she's doing and bring an index finger up to tap her lip. "Hmm... While that is tempting, and I know Kyo over there doesn't really care one way or the other? No thanks." And then of course, she's caught by that harsh little backfist, which causes her head to turn along with her upper body to a rather painful looking angle. The woman pauses for a second, and then starts to turn herself back to face him. "Tony Tony Tony... " She crosses her arms and starts to walk forward then, rather briskly, and then when she's within a few feet, she slides around to his side and tries to catch him with something like a low clothesline, using any hold she gains there to help slow her and bring her around behind him. Her other arm comes down from over his shoulder then, to drape over him as she asks, "So tell me, are you some kind of pimp? Is that what the strangling and the backhanding is about? That's real cute. You look like a pimp to me. That must be it. But anyway, I've got something for you, Pimpin' Tony! Here!" Her hands lock together, fingers lacing so tight you can hear them pop together, and then she goes for not one, not two, but three suplexes all in succession.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ryu with Orochinagi.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Tony 1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0 Shermie
A comeback? No, Ryu could care less about battling words with Kyo Kusanagi. He was simply musing aloud, genuinely entertained, for that moment, by the inanity tossed his way. But that's an issue for another time. Or, hopefully, for never. Discussion isn't on the World Warrior's agenda, tonight.... He wants to see this fight through to its conclusion, and one way or another, it can only end in fire. And quite the fire it is. Ryu gets halfway into a backflipping leap clear before the sweeping flames catch up with him, and engulf him, the searing blast darkening flesh and singing the edges of his gi, and leaving Ryu flying backwards as intended, just.. not under his own power. He lands on his back, with a crashing impact that jolts his head off the pavement, and can't stifle a low groan. That one hurt, more than he's used to being hurt, there's no question of that. An arm pushes off to his side, and he rolls first to his knees, and then to his feet, tearing the smoldering shirt of his gi free and tossing it to the side with a nod to Kyo. There's nothing derogatory about the gesture, it's actually a simple measure of respect. And with the ringing in his head, Ryu goes for something simple... Well, simple for /him/, his feet slipping into a wide stance as a bright torrent of blue-white chi pours from his palms and fingers into an almost instantaneously forged ball of pure chi, the swirling charge launched forward with a cry of, "Hadooouken!!!" Looks like Kyo gets to see the 'normal' one... Which flies with bulletlike precision and speed at the dangerous, and previously underestimated, Kusanagi.
COMBATSYS: Tony counters Shermie Carnival from Shermie with Panther Ambush.
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Tony 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kyo with Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ryu 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Tony 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
"Pimpin' Tony?" For the first time during the fight, Tony cracks into a smile. If this was any kind of indication, she was well out of her league. That, however, didn't make her a really interesting person to talk to. Unfortunately, there isn't really much time for a retort. Shermie wants to fight, and Tony can't really fault her for that. He's thrown himself at bigger dogs with all the ferocity he could muster before too, only to be slapped down. There's only the briefest of contact between clothesline and Tony before he goes /flying/ backwards, into the air. If it were a harder attack meant to hit him upwards, it would look like he oversold. Instead, it appears to be exactly what it is--Tony leaping backwards.
"Pantherr..."
One moment, he's up in the sky...the next, homing in on Shermie, foot extended and body streamlined like some sort of human air-to-land missile. Foot crashing into the crown of Shermie's head, Tony rebounds at almost the same time as the rest of the move naming is complete.
"/Ammmmbuussh!/"
Kyo is struck, again, by Ryu's damned Hadouken technique, "This again huh..." he says, irritation dripping off his voice. He has to take a few steps back now, really starting to feel the effects of all the blasts that are hitting him. In particular the majority of his white t-shirt is tattered from too many energy balls, though Kyo doesn't put on a show for the crowd by tearing it off. "Well, at least you're predictable!" He pants.
COMBATSYS: Kyo takes a breather.
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Tony 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Shermie
And once more, when Shermie gets really hurt, this time caught very unawares, she just starts giggling. But hers is not a manical laughter, it's more of a tittering, as if she really finds pain amusing. She's of course knocked down quite a ways, to where she has to catch herself with her hands before she totally eats dirt, and she stays there on all fours for a good while, just laughing her ass off, busted as it may already be. She sits up then, and has to hold her sides by the end of it, but she does get to her feet eventually, looking rather dizzy, with her hands going from holding her sides directly to holding her head as she staggers a few steps. "Mm... well it was fun, anyway. I guess I'm not really ready for this level of tournament. Not without my real teammates. But... before I succumb to this pounding in my head you've given me. There's one more move I want to try... Just try." She tries to hold her index finger up then to illustrate the number, but y'know what? That's not the right finger. She takes her other hand off of her head just after that, and once more moves to tag onto Tony's shoulder, this time trying to catch him on her way as she flips over him instead of handstanding there like some circus acrobat, going for a headlock that would pull him down into what most would recognize as a Stunner. "Diamond Bust!" Whether she succeeds or not, it's as everyone should expect. That's it for her. She's not getting up after her fall, even if she takes Tony down a notch or two at all.
COMBATSYS: Shermie can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/------=|
Well, Kyo has fire. Ryu has fireballs. It all evens out in the wash! Predictable, though? Sure, a lot of the World Warrior's success tonight has come at range, but that doesn't mean he's a slouch up close and personal. Something that the young champion is inclined to deliver a very clear message about. One might expect, when Kyo holds his position, that Ryu would follow up with another fireball, probably a bigass one. But instead, in the blink of an eye, Ryu is in motion, charging forward with several quick, long strides that bring him in at the panting Kyo in mere heartbeats, the last span of distance closed only by Ryu's right fist, which flexes at his side and snaps up underhand in a triphammer strike for Kusanagi's ribs, a powerful blow meant to rob him of wind and double him over.... For the followup. Without missing a beat, the World Warrior's right cocks back once more, muscles tensing, a blurring trail of bluish chi following his motions as he drops low, sliding in to literally point-blank range and launching himself upwards, that surge of energy illuminating his form as he rockets upwards into the big brother of his Rising Dragon Punch, that right fist aiming once more for Kyo's chest and face, carrying even more force and speed behind it. It almost makes the first Shoryuken look dismissable. But not quite, "Shoooooryuuuuuuken!!!!!" Ryu shouts as he ascends, aiming to give Kusanagi's predictions a kick in the pants. Or a punch to the skull, as the case may be.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kyo with Shin Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\ < > //// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\====---\1 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Kyo has reached second wind!
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/------=|
Kyo is indeed doubled over by the power of the Shin Shoryuken's first strike, which sets him up perfectly for the followup blow. Needless to say Kyo's head snaps back and he gets absolutely LAUNCHED into the air, going up at least 15 feet or more until gravity takes affect and he begins a descent back down to the ground that ends with a sickening, wet *thwup*. Everything is black for the young heir of the Kusanagis, and he thought he couldn't be hit any harder after the first Shoryuken. Guess he thought wrong.
In the liminal space one finds himself or herself in after being half-knocked out, time seems slow considerably; images flash past Kyo's eyes, accompanyied by echoed sounds. Saishu telling him about Ryu as a young boy: "He's pretty strong, but you have to surpass him, otherwise I'll lose!" What Saishu would lose he never told Kyo. Sakura beating Kyo, barely, and knocking him into a fruit stand, the mere pupil of Ansatsuken beating up on the Kusanagi legacy.
This will just not do. Kyo stirrs slightly, head tilting up from the small puddle of blood that was formed from his nearly-broken jaw. Gloved hands slam down on the arena floor, and he slowly, labourously, starts to stand.
"It doesn't matter how many times you knock me down..." he spits out yet more blood, now rising to his knees whilst looking up at Ryu, defiant of the world warrior, "...it doesn't matter how many stupid fireballs you throw at me..." he stands, and very slowly, crimson flame flickers to life in his right hand.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A HUNDRED TIMES STRONGER THAN ME, I'LL PROVE KUSANAGI-RYU IS THE STRONGEST STYLE THERE IS! YAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Kyo's Orochinagi.
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/------=|
It's a rare opponent indeed who can stand up from the Shin Shoryuken, delivered at such an opportune moment, but Ryu has discovered over the course of this fight that Kyo is not your typical fighter. Brash, sure. Arrogant, yes... Unlike Ryu in those ways, but like unto him in the sheer /reason/ for that attitude. Both youths were marked, from birth or nearly so, for great things. And like Kyo, Ryu is aware that he is to best the Kusanagi heir. For what purpose? For what great, other-worldly reward? Who knows! It's just one more opponent that the World Warrior has to topple, and that Gouken told him to do it, specifically, well... That just makes it all the more essential. That, and the fact that he's well aware of Sakura's near-victory, and it would be just... embarassing to explain to his pupil that he lost to Kyo after that. All of this, and Ryu's own warrior instincts, mean that even if Kusanagi's uncanny resurgence is surprising, he can't be taken off guard. This time, the wave of flame catches nothing but the air where Ryu had stood an instant before, the young champion moving with speed and grace that belies his powerful frame in a quick, circling motion, darting aside from the attack and in towards Kyo at an angle. It's at that point-blank moment that the World Warrior strikes, his hands cupping at his sides, the heat from the Orochinagi still felt on his face as he draws forth his own inferno once more, the swirling waves of fire gathering quickly between his cradling hands, and as the conflaguration reaches the heights of its superheated fury, Ryu launches it, point-blank, in at Kyo, giving the King of Fighters his own wave of fire to play with, "Hadooooouken!!!" Ryu shouts, resolute in his ferocious focus, determined to put another punctuation mark on this battle.
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
[ \\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Shermie successfully hits Tony with Combo Throw.
[ \\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/----===|
"One more? Okay. Just make sure Pimpin' Tony ain't gotta choke a bitch." Tony, in a playful mood now...brought on by victory on his behalf, and likely figuring Ryu more than capable of handling his opposite number in equally devastating fashion. After all, wasn't he the World Warrior? If only he were paying full attention to the goings on. There's more than enough time for shock and astoundment in a few moments, anyways.
When he finds himself on the receiving end of a Stunner, though? It's his turn to laugh. "Ow," He offers, lightly. "That...kinda sucked. Nice, though. I'ma catch up to you when we're done here..." Turning his attention to the Teachers' fight, Tony's eyes go wide. Kyo was...doing well for himself. "..."
COMBATSYS: Tony focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/----===|
Kyo doesn't fall victim to Ryu's favorite technique this time: He pivots on the ball of his right foot, spinning to the side as the Hadouken blasts pasts him, managing to burn a corner of his uniform jacket, but nothing else. Still in close-quarters with Ryu, and in quite an advantageous position right beside the world warrior at that, he winds up for a MASSIVE flaming punch aimed right at Ryu's temple.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ryu with Aragami.
[ \ < > //////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/----===|
And in comes Kusanagi again! After repaying the favor of getting out of the way of the wave of fire. Ryu hasn't really been paying attention to Tony and Shermie's fight, per se, but as he was teaching Sakura just the other day... A warrior is wise to keep an eye on the battlefield, and keep at least a passing knowledge of both terrain and present warriors, so he's not completely oblivious to the fact that Styles took down the unusual woman with about as much skilled precision as can be accomplished. So one way or another, they're still in this. And Ryu is never one to say die. Once, twice, thrice, he is smacked again, head snapping to the side under the crosses as sprays of blood are loosed from his thoroughly battered face, his ribs absorbing most of the impact of the kick this time, and while he's falling, and exhausted, he's not going to fall down without bringing Kyo with him, damnit! And to that end, in the hair's breadth before the kick ends and the World Warrior falls away, his hands shoot out, ironclad grip looking to find purchase on the front of Kyo's jacket or shirt, and bring him with him... Only Ryu gets to stay on his back, however, as his right leg shoots out for Kusanagi's ribs, meaning to send him flying free, and far beyond, to a painfully angled reunion with the castle floor.
And just in time for the Flaming Punch of Doom, too. Tony's eyes grow to the size of saucers as the hotheaded Kyo goes to town on his teammate. "Aw, Shit..." He mutters, sucking in a preparatory breath. He was going to have to do something, think of a means to pull this out and ensure advancement.
But then, thinking always lead him astray in a real fight. No thinking, just do. Reflex. Instinct. "Pantherr..."
Pulling his leg back, Tony whips it around in the Roundhouse motion...and missing by no fewer than five yards thanks to the distance between semi-fights. What's worth paying attention to is the arc of whitish energy following the path of the foot, darkening as it leaves him and chases in a straight line for Kyo. "Shot!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Tomoe Nage.
[ < > ////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Tony's Panther Shot.
[ < > ///// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/---====|
Kyo is attacked from all sides, but he just won't be denied, his sights are set firmly on Ryu. Though Ryu manages to grab and throw him, Kusanagi adjusts his body in mid-air, righting himself in time to put up his arms and focus his inner strength to guard against Tony trying to blindside him with yes, you guessed, a projectile. He lands on his feet, immediately launching a barrage of quick strikes on Ryu, each jab and quick shin-kick may not do that much damage on it's own, but he just needs a few to land...
COMBATSYS: Ryu parries Kyo's Quick Punch!
[ < > ///// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/---====|
Tony's stepping in already? Well jeez. Ryu isn't down, not yet. A hand is held out for only a moment, open palm towards Tony, in the universal gesture for /STOP/. If and when the World Warrior falls, Styles can pick up the slack, but it's clear that since this battle had been an even face-off between the two teams until this point, Ryu doesn't want to tip the scales just yet. It's just... not the way he likes to fight. Had it been mayhem from the beginning? Sure. But there are codes of honour, and /8 friggin' bucks/ riding on it, too. Too late for that, though. Nonetheless, Ryu is a hard man to finish off, and with Kyo's rejoining of the fray, the young champion veritably dances away from his adversary, perfectly placed palms catching each of the quick, but relatively weak strikes and stopping them dead, the light thwump of knuckle meeting flesh the only sound, Ryu's lithe feet dropping back out of range of the kicks with timing that seems nearly precognitive. With the final weave, the Ansatsuken wanderer seeks to end this fight much as it began, launching himself in a quick hop up and in at the close-range Kyo, his upper body twisting, right leg snapping out parallel with the ground as his lower half spins around, rotor-blade style, gusts of wind rushing about beneath him as the blurring roundhouses whirl in quick succession, the World Warrior intent on driving Kusanagi back, back, and back down to the ground, "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!!!" He shouts, pouring what may very well be the last energy he has into the dangerous technique.
Herein Tony had to hope the gambit worked...at least a little. Kyo was a hothead, that much Tony could figure out. Draw some ire on himself, and he could buy Ryu the time he needed to...well, who knows what. Rest, bust out the crazy Japanese moves, something. But no, Kyo remained focused. He needed cleavage on his side. Cleavage is awesome distraction.
Time to roll with the punches, and create off of the opportunity. If Kyo didn't want to pay the student of the pairing any heed, he'd /make/ him do it. Moving along from the backside, Tony attempts to maneuver himself behind Kyo...and stops. "/Th'hell?/" Tony shouts...evidently, all he managed to do was distract Ryu. Still, if he wanted to battle Kyo solitaire, there was little left for him to do but prepare himself for the potential after-shocks. Hands going to his knees, Tony takes a few seconds to suck in some air and right himself.
COMBATSYS: Tony takes a breather.
[ < > ///// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku EX.
[ < > /// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/---====|
Kyo doesn't duck this one, he likely doesn't have the speed remaining in his limbs to pull off such a quick manuever. Instead he just throws up his arms to shield the side of his head, and while Ryu's spinning kicks rock his defenses, almost actually toppling him over, Kyo endures through it all. After what seems like an eternity, the gusting winds whipped up by the Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku start to die down, and Kyo sees his opportunity: before Ryu's kicking leg completely hits the ground, he attempts to snatch it out of the air and use it to spin the World Warrior to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ryu with Quick Throw.
[ < > /// ]
Ryu 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kyo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tony 0/-------/---====|
Under normal circumstances, Ryu's spinning technique is rather difficult to grab him out of, simply for the sheer force imbued in the deadly art. But these are not normal circumstances... Ryu is nearly drained, beaten badly, and fighting past the point of exhaustion. His ankle is snagged, and the World Warrior's descent back to the battlefield is suddenly accelerated. He only has an instant to think, and he knows he has no strength to get up from this one, so rather haphazardly, but undeniably forcefully, Ryu's right fist shoots for Kyo's face in a simple straight punch meant to send Kusanagi tumbling away. That done, Ryu is crunched to the stones rather more harshly than he had intended, thwumping end over end on the hard surface and leaving small smears of blood here and there. It's not the ideal surface for landing on, but then... Fights mean a man gets hurt. Groaning lightly, it definitely doesn't look like Ryu's rushing back into battle after this one.
COMBATSYS: Ryu can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Tony 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Tony 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Kyo
Tony's expression pulls down into a deep frown once Ryu eats the ground, sinking further and further into a grimace. "No Tony, let's not go two-on-one in a team tournament, that'd be /wrong/..." Drawing himself back up to full height, Tony starts for Kyo almost the same second as Ryu crashes...not waiting to see if Ryu was getting back up or not. Charging at full speed, Tony attempts to almost run /up/ Kyo in order to deliver a knee to the face. "_Shining Wizard!_"
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Tony's Shining Wizard.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Tony 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Kyo
Kyo looks as if a great weight has been taken off his shoulders when Ryu finally goes down. His half-hearted attempt to shunt Ryu's punch away did little, the extremely hard knuckles landing on Kyo's shoulder anyways. "Nnngh..." a gloved hand moves to the location of that last blow. It appears all that fiery determination Kyo mustered up a few minutes ago has been all but exhausted. "Tch... you're pretty strong, I see why my father told me abou-HEY!" Somehow his reflexes force his neck to jerk to the side as he sees the shadow of Tony in the corner of his eye, the flying knee attack sailing over his shoulder! "Geez! You're really overreager!" Kyo says, retaliating with a downwards elbow aimed at Tony's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Tony fails to interrupt Strong Punch from Kyo with Panther Assault.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Tony 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
Er. So. Right. Here comes the fist. With the jitters of facing that guy who just downed the guy who downed the guy who downed him(crazy chains, there, isn't it?) People are prone to making mistakes. Huge ones. The kind that cost you fights. Zig when you're supposed to Zag, and so on and so forth. "Panth.." Tony begins, bringing his knee up at the same time that shot just crashes dead into his midsection...knocking the air out of him and likely reorganizing some organs. "..Phurf." Stumbling off to the side, Tony just sort of...stands there, looking dazed.
Kyo can't believe he's still on his feet, every fiber in his body feels like it wants to collapse in on itself, but yet the urge to fight is still surprisingly strong, "Oh... you're that other guy, I almost forgot this was team fighting!" he says. It could be that Kyo is just playing around for the moment, expecting to be KOed at any second, but regardless he sweeps one hand upwards, sending forth a wave of crimson bloodline flame to serious singe Tony.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Tony with Yami Barai.
Alas, too slow. Tony begins to shift away from the flame, but it ultimately comes as being too much, much too soon. Engulfed in the wave, his hands rise to his face briefly before producing a quick counterattack...almost given as an afterthought more than anything else, as his attention has shifted to the fact that he's sort of on fire.
"Panther..." Tony's midsection twists around as he produces a roundhouse kick, again giving off that energy arc...then quickly following through with a second that creates a much thicker stream. "/Supreme!/"
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Tony's Supreme Panther Shot.
[ \\ < > / ]
Tony 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Kyo
Kyo backflips, the first disc of energy brushing up against his shoes, then must backflip again as a second, even larger array is thrown at him! This one's even closer, he can positively smell the air getting ionized (or something) by the arc of energy. He lands on his feet, almost falling on his butt before regaining his balance. "Like I said, too overeager! Here..." Kyo's body twists around until his back is almost facing Tony; he's coiling up, like a serpent about to strike. Suddenly, a ring of fire, mirroring the sun-crest of the Kusanagi clan, flickers into life around Kyo's feet, while his clothes and hair start blowing around in every which direction, propelled by some invisible force. "Kore de..." Kyo spins around, throwing all his weight into the ougi of the Dokugami flame punch, a massive hook punch with all of what's left of Kyo's inner strength put into it. The explosion of flame, easily the size of a tiny bomb, punctuates the one-shot attack. This aims to put Tony through the wall.
Kyo says, "KIMERU ZE!"
Kyo was talking. That much, Tony was aware of. Something about...overeagerness? It was something to consider. He had this in the bag, or at least so the Kickboxer-aspirant felt. He knew exactly where he messed up, and only had himself to blame on it. Vision blurring, it's still functioning well enough to allow him to see that Kyo was standing, even past his best energy offering. "I can't go out like this," Tony intones, willing his vision straight. Everything came down to these fractions of a second--literally, everything. His training, his goals, the journey he made to get to this very point in time...everything came down to this. One of these men wanted to win more--not even necessarily advance in the tournament, but simply win, and be proven the superior team...the superior fighter.
COMBATSYS: Tony fails to counter 182 Shiki from Kyo with Panther Ambush.
[ <
Kyo 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Tony can no longer fight.
[ <
Kyo 0/-------/------=|
"Panther..."
As the burning punch came in for him, Tony began to maneuver backwards, go airborne for the execution of the Ambush. He was so used to pulling it off as part of a lure, overselling a maneuver and coming back with his own. Not here, though. The singe of the flame reaches him a little too early, the impact of the fist behind it throwing Tony well off of his intended trajectory....and likely into a wall somewhere. There's no more fight left in the Kickboxer, no more movement. Just...calm.
From his seated position, Ryu's eyes close as Tony goes flying back into the wall, a low sigh leaving his lips. It's certainly a surprising turn of events, but now that he's seen it through to its conclusion, he's willing to relinquish some of his grip on consciousness, allowing the blackness to swirl about somewhere between there, and not. He's exhausted, that's for sure, and beaten quite bloody.... He'll be up, and moving away from the fight under his own power soon enough, but for the moment.... He's going to lay right where he is.
Kyo over-rotates the punch, again he nearly falls over, having to take a halting step forwards to steady himself as he looks out across towards Tony, viewing his handiwork. "Hunnh... hunnhh..." he breathes heavilly, taking deep breathes to recover his stamina even as the last embers of flame die out from his gloved hands. "That's... for interefering earlier.." he mumbles. It's a few minutes before Kyo can really stand up straight, meanwhile the announcer tells everyone in Strolheim the winner of this Team Tournament battle, and Kyo limps over to Ryu, looking down at the world warrior for a second, "Your Hadouken is a pretty good technique... but if you show it to me four times I'll surely think of a few ways to counter it." The tone of his voice lacks the arrogance Kyo's known for, it's offered more as a piece of advice, even stranger, Kyo offers his hand down to Ryu, not that the world warrior his help or anything.
Kyo's voice stirs Ryu from his half-asleep, half-awake drifting reverie, and his dark eyes open to look up at the Kusanagi heir. A slight half-smile ghosts across his face, and he nods, accepting the hand and using it along with his own legs to pull himself back to his feet. A bit worse for the wear, but nothing that won't heal, "Needed some way to keep you off of me." He comments simply, his tone rather lighthearted considering what just transpired. A deep nods is paid to Kyo, and Ryu turns to walk over towards Tony with a final comment over his shoulder, "Next time, I won't make the mistake of underestimating you." It's a promise, for the future. Ryu's learned a valuable lesson, even if it had to be smacked into his skull a lot of times to make it clear. However much he may disagree with Kusanagi's outlook and attitude, well... He can't help but respect the warrior behind it. His job for the moment? Make sure Tony's alright, or at least... that the guy will be.
One side of Kyo's mouth quirks upwards in a sort of lopside smile, "Heh. I get that a lot..."
COMBATSYS: Kyo has ended the fight here.
Kyo spies Ryu looking for Tony and suddenly remembers! "Oh, yeah... didn't I have a teammate too?" He says, scratching the back of his head as if this is the first time he's heard about this stipulation. With that he peers around the arena floor, making a half-hearted attempt to find Shermie. When he does spy her lying down, out cold, the Kusanagi scion trudges over to and nudges at her ribs with the toe of his shoe, "Hey, hey! Is it naptime already?"
You would think being knocked through the archetecture would cause some kind of permanent damage. That maybe, just maybe he'd need hospitalization or something. But then, of course, if someone gets put through enough walls, they start getting used to it. Calloused. After enough iterations, people just sort of spring up like nothing ever happened. Tony might be somewhere on that path, but isn't at the finish line by a longshot. Laid out in a pile of debris, Tony's eyes are unfocused, glassy. "....Ow...." he burbles, but not much more.
"That was almost exciting."
Standing.. darn near /inside/ Kyo's shadow with a sudden presence, a perhaps too-sugary grin and settling dust about his shoes, Chris has apparently arrived. From thin air. "I guess those guys didn't stand a chance against you two, huh?"
It's really not apparent where he came from. It's not an effect of weird sneaky training or anything. It just never occured to Chris to slow down enough to announce his presence in advance. Supposedly. Even now, he's kind of looking up at Kyo.
"She doesn't get up that easily," he comments offhand. He knows!
Kyo gets somewhat unnerved by Chris' prescense, especially when he recognizes that it's that same creepy kid Yuki was fawning when they were shopping! Chris made him uneasy back then, and makes him uneasy right now, "What th-" he peers at Shermie, then at Chris, "Yeah.. I noticed-Hey wait! You mean you -know- this girl?"
"Who? Shermie?"
He puts his hands in his pockets in an attempt to look laid back and cool like some of those guys on SNF usually do, this attempt fails miserably when Chris blinks curiously a few times at Kyo's line of inquiry. In truth, his perplexed expression is telling that ... he simply never considered that to be in question.
Oh well.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" In this case, truthfulness is the pick of the week here. He tilts around Kyo at this point, balancing perfectly on one foot, hands in pockets, as he looks at Shermie from around the Kusanagi scion. ".. I guess she could use some help. And her phone probably needs charging again, too!"
The funny thing about trying to bring Shermie back to wakefulness by nudging her or poking her or anything like that, is that you're often setting yourself to be creeped out if she actually *does* come around. Without seeing her eyes, she could open them and you wouldn't have any way of knowing until she moved something more visible. And so, when she bolts upright upon hearing Chris's voice and looks around, yeah, that's pretty freaky. She's got the energy yet, apparently, it's just that... her body thinks she's pushing it a little, and she has to hold her head again and hiss a bit. "Ahh... " She waves to Chris just the same though, with little half-smile, and then she looks up at Kyo. "You say something..?"
Kyo stares at Shermie with an incredulous look on his face before waving her off, "Tch, nevermind..."
Now, being somewhat abrupt himself, Chris doesn't seem to blink much when Shermie sits bolt upright. Save when he kind of tilts back on that balancing shoe. Still, in fact, miraculously not toppling over. However, when his center of gravity shifts back forward, the boy takes a moment to hop into a more triangular point in the grouping. That's briefly before he assumes a true idle.
"Aah, Shermie!" Meet the high beams.
It's almost like his face is stuck that way.
"Sorta looked like you guys had a great fight! Are you alright?" Then he looks off over in Kyo's direction. Now, while his expression doesn't actually much change, his demeanor seems to take a slight dive, though he doesn't have an awful lot to say for that guy.
Shermie fluffs and primps her hair a bit once the throbbing in her head subsides, and then she shrugs a bit at both Kyo and Chris before moving to push herself up. Upon standing, she makes sure to adjust her lapels and brush some dust off of her shoulders and the back of her outfit. "Thanks for showing, Chris. I... did have a lot of fun, but- well, let's not talk about it right now. I think I need to go lie down." She turns to look back over her shoulder at Kyo, and then almost seems to slump at realizing she's going to have to put up with him even longer since he ended up pulling through in the end like he did. "Another round of that... " And then after a moment more of staring, she gets a little shudder than runs through her, making her want to turn away and look at Chris. "Um, yes... I /really/ need to lie down. Let's go, Chris!" she starts to whine.
Log created by Shermie, and last modified on 20:51:50 05/07/2005.