Description: Rock learns how to deal with ninjas, and Seishirou learns... how Rock deals with ninjas. (Winner: Rock)
The Park
Southtown boasts a fairly typical park--only a great deal more expansive.
The only instance of forest area in the urban jungle of Southtown, the park,
which occupies enough acres of space to make for a beautifully spacious chunk
of forests, fields, and gardens, is a favorite for most of the city. Popular
even in the winter, the park is likewise home to festivals throughout the
year, with the coming and going of the four seasons. Tranquil most of the
time, the peace and quiet of the park is rarely broken, except by the
occasional group of students going through the park to Seijyun High, which is
tucked into the western edge of the park.
It's no secret that there's to be a fight here -- Enough notices have been
circulated, after all. All the same, there's not much of a crowd gathered
here; exact times aren't given, after all... even if a few fight-hungry fans
might be prowling around more frequently, their eyes open. Centered on a
long, wide concrete pathway framed by trees, the spot, away from the more
frequented areas of the park, has become infamous as a makeshift ring. It's
far enough away from the regular park, while easily accessible and suitable
to the task at hand. And, save for one young man, the spot is mostly devoid
of any human presence. That solitary young man is Rock Howard, who stands
silently at one end of the walkway, hands shoved in his pockets, looking
forward into nothing at all... Perhaps waiting for his opponent to arrive.
There was a lot of people in Southtown. Seishirou had to recognize at least
that much when he first entered the city. To a degree, he had expected as
such and compensated for it, but in the end, it seems to be one of those
things that you largely have to get used to on your own. Small facts like
that tended to annoy him. And it made the journey here somewhat uneasy.
To tell all truth, Seishirou has been in the park. Waiting. For about a good
hour now. It's a good idea to be early to a gathering for purposes like
these, he finds. But while he's been here, he's not entirely visible. Right
now, he's limned in the upper branches of a tree, staying perfectly still,
aside from a small and largely cheap digital watch sitting in his hand,
which gets the occaisional glance, before it's back to the agreed-upon area.
When it hits about a minute to the time he's supposed to arrive, the young
man simply hops down from the tree, immediately to the left of the area and
sets to walking.
It takes him at most 20 paces to get onto the concrete path.
Rock doesn't seem to skip a beat when Seishirou reveals him -- Even if he
didn't see him. Rock wasn't here to hide in trees, after all; he was here to
kick someone's butt. As impressive a skill as it was, Rock doesn't seem to
think it's particularly relevant. Perhaps Seishirou will teach him
otherwise, the hard way. Once the ninja does show himself, however, Rock
finally moves for what must be the first time in the last ten minutes, save
for scratching his nose or shifting his weight. Taking a few confident
strides in Seishirou's direction, Rock looks up, taking stock of his
opponent for the first time. "Hey. Thought for a second you might not show.
Most people are early." With an unintimidated but not overly confident grin,
he looks at the tree which Seishirou had just hidden, completely under
Rock's proverbial radar. "Silly me, huh? You must be the guy, anyways. You
ready, or what?"
To the beginning of Rock's statement, Seishirou's response is simple. "I'm
never late." There's something ... you could call it a kind of intuition,
that most martial artists gain. A kind of sense one has. And when that
blonde-haired person first stepped up, Seishirou knew that he was the man he
was to fight, even though neither fighter arrived with much fanfare. Despite
nearby camera crew. He takes a few steps forward, as well.
That backpack slung over his shoulder shifted to the side. Despite Rock's
cheerful attitude about the situation, Seishirou is still relatively dour,
though his demeanor remains entirely calm. Instead of verifying the fact
that he is indeed the person Rock is supposed to face--it would be
disrespectful to Rock if he assumed he didn't know--Seishirou wordlessly
slips his other arm into the other loop of his backpack. Then, leaving his
other arm free, he reaches back for a moment, as if to straighten something,
though Rock may hear a distinct 'zip' sound.
"I hope you're good. I'm ready."
"Well, that makes two of us. Don't you worry -- I'm good." Still friendly,
though clearly confident and competitive, Rock waits to slide into a combat
just after formality, in this case. "The pleasure'll be all yours, I'm sure.
Now, whenever you're ready... Bring it on, pal." With a handful of smooth
movements, Rock tights his gloves, grabbing them and pulling them down over
his palms one at a time, before turning slightly sideways and slipping into
an obviously well-practiced combat stance. Rock doesn't seem that interested
in whatever toys Seishirou's brought... not with his face, anyways. His
eyes, quite visibly, fix on his opponent's hands, intent on catching a
glimpse of whatever he's got before it's too late.
"...." Seishirou doesn't immediately respond to Rock. He's got the spirit,
it becomes apparent to him. But at the same time, it's not something that
Seishirou appears to greatly share. Simply enough; Seishirou knows his own
abilities are formidable. And he intends to show it.
His own gaze is working to take in Rock's entire body, as opposed to any
actual part of Rock. And that might become apparent to Rock, as it appears
Seishirou has noticed where his gaze is directed. As if affording his
opponent at least this, Seishirou's hands slowly turn over and open. Nothing
in them. Yet.
"Then.. let's begin."
He takes a step forward. Just one step. There isn't a second because
Seishirou is very suddenly and very quickly airborne. While it's a very
quick movement--at just above the average speed that might be expected for
someone of the ninja's size, the simple fact is, approaching a fresh and
ready opponent isn't the easiest thing in the world, so Seishirou's
resulting mid-air kick towards Rock's head may be able to be predicted.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Seishirou
COMBATSYS: Rock dodges Seishirou's Medium Kick.
Rock intended to make a smart comment at this point, as Seishirou approached
him. He did not, however, expect that his opponent would be airborne so
quickly and suddenly. With a sharp backstep, Rock glides away from the
attack, lifting one foot up into the air to try and catch his opponent in
the chest using his own momentum. Regardless, Rock seems to be eager to back
up a little bit after the exchange, his steps careful but quick as he keeps
his guard up. "Not too shabby, pal. But you're gonna have to do better than
that if you ever plan on planting a hit on me." Straightening out with a
smirk, Rock rolls his shoulders, shifting his jacket across his back in the
process. "But get ready -- Now it's my turn!" Breaking into a dash, Rock
charges quickly and recklessly, but he doesn't attack yet; he's content, it
seems, with his attempt from mere moments ago.
COMBATSYS: Seishirou dodges Rock's Light Kick.
Sailing down, Seishirou's senses are totally trained on Rock. He knew it
would be difficult to 'open the fight,' as it were. And, striking foot
outstretched, Seishirou sees the kick aimed towards his midsection prepare
simply because of the change in Rock's stance as he stepped back. And in
that instant, he snaps his other leg--curled underneath him--straight out,
in a second burst. As if seized by a wind, with that movement, Seishirou's
attack suddenly diverts, leaving the young man to go skidding across
concrete on his shoes.
He sets down, with his one hand upon the ground, breathing normally. He eyes
Rock. Not bad at all.
But as Rock charges towards him, Seishirou does not stand, instead, he
braces one foot beneath him and snaps low, in a moving foot sweep towards
Rock's legs, looknig to knock him off balance before whatever he's going to
do can happen.
COMBATSYS: Rock dodges Seishirou's Light Kick.
"Too slow!" Easily jumping up over Seishirou's sweep, Rock finds himself in
the air above his foe, drifting just a few feet off the ground. Maintaining
as much of his forward momentum as he can, Rock comes straight down at
Seishirou, one fist extended and on a collision course with Seishirou's jaw.
Once again, however, with that attack completed, Rock will do his best to
put some distance between he and his opponent. Backing up a few paces, Rock,
closer than he was last time, signals his oppoent with one arm outstretched.
"C'mon, do it right this time! I'm getting bored here. You can do better
than this, or I might as well go home right now."
COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Seishirou with Fierce Punch. - Power hit! -
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Seishirou
The young ninja looks up as Rock leaps over sets up to attack. He squints
briefly at the incoming attack, before his remaining hand changes position
to attempt to block the punch. He can see it coming.
Unfortunately, he spotted it coming a second too late.
Slammed solidly into his jaw, the attack moves faster than Seishirou
expected--because of the momentum gained, it knocks him back and off of his
feet. Truly suprised at this juncture, Seishirou regardless seems to arc his
back in mid-air and flip over, landing on his feet, arm back and behind him.
Blood draining down his chin now from what was likely to be a very big
bruise in the morning, It's probably safe to say Seishirou is unhappy. As
the other man talks, he frowns slowly, reaching his other arm behind him for
a second.
Before his free hand snaps down and forward and aroun, sending what is ...
only is only seen as brief reflections of light in the air streaking towards
Rock.
COMBATSYS: Rock overcomes Kunai Flight from Seishirou with Reppuken. - Power hit! -
"Huh?" Rock really ought to know more about ninjas -- He didn't particularly
anticipate a kunai. Maybe a shuriken, like in the movies. Fortunately, it's
that assumption that saves him... even if indirectly. "That won't hurt me!"
Assuming that the glimmer of steel is a shuriken, hardly a fatal sort of
weapon, Rock simply rushes forward and towards the attack; it can be dodged
reliably, so why not just tackle it head on? Sweeping his hand gracefully
along the ground, Rock stops short as a burst of energy escapes his hand and
slides along the ground. "REPPUKEN!" The blast is so well-timed and aimed
that it hits the kunai head on, swallowing it up and knocking it asunder as
it clatters to the ground, uselessly. Meanwhile, that chi attack is still a
factor, and it's running headlong into Seishirou.
COMBATSYS: Seishirou fails to slow Reppuken from Rock with Katon Goukakyuu Half Burst.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Seishirou
Eyes narrowed, Seishirou takes a moment to remove something from his
backpack--a small spindle, if Rock is paying attention--as the kunai fly.
Then he notes that as they fly, Rock makes no attempt to dodge, as he
expected. Instead, the man charges straight into them. And then unleashes a
chi attack.
Seishirou was familiar with chi attacks. And he knew what they were capable
of. This one, as a matter of fact, seemed to be capable of melting his
kunai. As the projectile sails towards him, Seishirou frowns. And he seeks,
by making a quick hand position beside his mouth, to quell the incoming
attack with a chi attack of his own--a burst of flame that appears to be
blown from his mouth as easily as breath. Unfortunately, it is not well
placed, and Seishirou is struck by the attack. Hard. He's knocked aside
roughly, off the path. And this time, he appears to have trouble getting up,
as it takes a moment.
Crouching like a crushed warrior, Seishirou spits blood, moving slightly,
hands beneath him. His only response? "....hmph."
Before he simply appears, right in front of Rock.
What happened was, Seishirou decided to quit playing around, it would seem,
and his next attack is moving at his full speed. Which is significant. It is
composed entirely of a pair of spinning kicks to the man's face. And-- for
the most part of it, it doesn't appear that Seishirou ever actually touched
the ground.
Rock might be overconfident, but he's not totally stupid -- He doesn't seem
to be counting any chicks just yet. But he doesn't pass up the opportunity
for a follow-up, and starts moving quickly towards Seishirou, eyes watchful
for a counter-attack on the part of the battered ninja. And, lo and behold,
it comes. Kicks... And lots of kicks. Once more showing far more aggression
than caution, Rock's left hand reaches up to grab for Seishirou's foot,
tucking it into the right elbow for extra support. If the hold can make
contact, Rock should have his next move planned out -- A forward flip, using
Seishirou's own body as a vaunting point, to bring his foot down on his
opponent's shoulder; the dominant side, as well... Or at least, as well as
Rock's been able to judge, from the kunai throw alone.
COMBATSYS: Rock counters Improvised Tactics from Seishirou with Gedan Crack Counter.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Rock 0/-------/----===|=======\====---\1 Seishirou
So far, things have not been going well for Seishirou. At all. As he speeds
right into Rock's face, he's caught. Roughly. Mid-kick. Someone faster?
Better in every way? Seishirou is largely refusing to accept that, but he
may be forced to, at this point. At this point, Seishirou's arms cross in
front of him as he realizes his mid-air attack is being subverted by a
higher attack. Caught, he is largely unable to dodge or do much but shift
very -slightly- to the side as Rock's foot slams down into his right
shoulder, causing the ninja to go.. straight down. And slam into the
pavement. Hard. Gasping hard as he even bounces, the spindle goes skittering
to the side, out of his immediate reach.
But while he's down, his eyes are wide open. He's .. fast. Fast enough to
see his attack coming. He's strong, too...
Seishirou doesn't even have to think to know that his right arm is largely
dislocated and that he's likely broken a few ribs on his impact with the
ground. Bracing a leg, he rolls to the side and -away- from the blonde,
perhaps a little faster than is really healthy. Pain wracks his entire body.
"......you're good," he finally concedes, in a wet voice. The rest is simply
implied. He's still got some fight left in him. Rock will have all of a
second's worth of time to prepare for an incoming attack--another weapon,
this time taking all of a second to appear in his hands, as if it had simply
fallen there, before the dagger is taken up and fired off at him, as
Seishirou continues to retreat. Getting some space?
Hardly.
COMBATSYS: Rock dodges Seishirou's Thrown Object.
"You're right. I'm good. You're not half-bad, yourself... Today's just not
your lucky day." For a moment, Rock shoves his hands into his pockets,
staring at Seishirou for the few fleeting moments that the two pause, one
wounded and the other not willing to take full advantage of that injury. "At
least I won't have to use any of /his/ power... My blood's not even boiling.
You're lucky, man." Pulling his hands out of his pockets, Rock begins to
walk slowly forward just as Seishirou readies his dagger, upon which his
entire body moves into rapid locomotion. Dropping low and getting under the
path of the blade, Rock bursts forward with newfound speed, sprinting
straight for Seishirou. "Thanks for playing -- Maybe next time you'll get it
right, kid!" Charging his opponent, Rock leaps up into the air once more,
but this time, it's different. Reaching out one arm, Rock's shoulder burns
with chi... Enough that it becomes visible, a fine purple flame erupting
from his back and launching him downwards like a rocket, with his fist
leading the way. Funny... His chi -- It almost looks like a /wing/.
To that end, Seishirou scoffs. "I doubt it." That seems more to annoy him
than anything else; Seishirou is not willing to admit that Rock is -that-
strong. But at the same time, Seishirou is not willing to admit that what's
gone on here is something that can be explained off as easily as 'luck.'
It's not that simple. Seishirou doesn't believe in things like that.
But when Rock bolts for him, ready to seal the fight, Seishirou doesn't
move. Instead, he stomps something in the grass... and the spindle hops up,
This time, into his left hand. As Rock charges him and launches upwards,
Seishirou launches himself into the air .. right into the line of Rock's own
attack, his movement blurring again. ... But at the last second, he seeks to
spin to the side, hanging on that spindle.
And if it should reach this point (and this point only), Rock may notice a
thin--very thin wire in the air, leading all the way to Seishirou's last
landing place, before he moved. It's aimed clearly for Rock's neck. Though
it should snap long before it begins to lacerate, it will still be enough to
cause significant damage, as if palmstruck in the throat.
COMBATSYS: Seishirou counters Rage Run Dunk from Rock with Calculated Trap.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Rock 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Seishirou
Rock doesn't even have a chance to see the counter, much less dodge it. It's
simply... There's no Seishirou where there was a Seishirou before. Instead,
there is pain. A pain that Rock can't quite identify -- Where the Hell did
it come from? Regardless, the previously dominant Rock finds himself flat on
his back, gasping for air. "... There... there it is. That's better..."
Staggering to his feet, Rock sucks in a few breaths of air, opting not to
rub his throat until after the match is over. Hopefully sooner, rather than
later. "... Clever. That's a cool technique." But there's something else in
Rock's eyes -- Now he's looking at Seishirou in a totally different light.
He's looking much more serious. "Don't blink. You might miss it... Keep your
eyes peeled, it'll come in handy next time -- And there WILL be a next
time!" And then, Rock's moving towards Seishirou again. But this is
different. It's fast -- A bit more telegraphed, but it's fast, and Rock's
legs aren't moving. Surging forward with raw chi and his initial momentum,
Rock thrusts an elbow out, aiming it at Seishirou's face as he slides into
him at lightning speed.
COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Seishirou with Hard Edge.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Rock 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Seishirou
Panting quietly, it's of note that when Seishirou lands, he does not drop
the spindle, moreover bite off the excess and tuck what's left of the wire
into the side of his sack. Even as Rock speaks to him on the ground, it's
notable that Seishirou doesn't try and press his advantage, instead taking
the time to clean up after himself. See.. where he landed, he took great
care to anchor a kunai, secured to the spindle's wire.
But he doesn't seem to care much to explain this. "....." There's still a
long way to go. Unfortunately, Seishirou doesn't know it yet, but he's not
going to have the chance to finish what he started. As he turns and settles
into a readied position, Seishirou understood almost instantly what Rock was
attempting to do when he blurred in for the attack.
Unfortunately--understanding and being fast enough to stop it is another
matter entirely.
When Seishirou is struck by the attack, he catches it-- full on, in the
chest and for a flashing moment, he understands what it's like to be beaten.
It takes all of his effort and willpower to stay standing under the assault.
While he has been doing pretty well to avoid looking too shaken up until
this point, even Rock would be able to see it now... the shuddering in his
legs... it's debatable whether he's able to stand up any longer.
At this point, Seishirou looks at Rock, with narrowed eyes. Holding his
dislocated shoulder with his free hand, he sputters. ".....I won't lose.
Not.. not yet." NOT YET.
And it's at that point that Seishirou moves again. This time he totally
throws caution to the wind, first taking a few weak steps towards Rock and
then simply blurring forward and retaliating. It's not entirely clear what
happens from this point, but if Seishirou lands a kick, it will be made
suddenly very clear that he's not willing to go down without giving Rock
some significant bruises. First, a hard, all-out kick to Rock's chin. Then
at that point Seishirou would simply -appear- behind him and attempt to
strike him with rotating attacks at least 4 seperate times during two
seperate time periods to knock him back to the ground, once and twice with
kicks at the beginning, and then twice again with a kick, moments before
Rock would hit the ground.
COMBATSYS: Seishirou can no longer fight.
COMBATSYS: Seishirou successfully hits Rock with Shishi Rendan.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 1/------=/=======|
Here, at least, something very strange happens. Standing opposite his
defeated opponent, Rock stares right back into Seishirou's narrowed eyes...
and pauses, momentarily. "Those eyes... I've seen those eyes before." As
time passes, Howard glares back into his opponent's eyes, lip curled up.
"Who are you after, anyways?!" And then... that's it. Rock doesn't so much
as make an effort to evade the last attack. Seishirou bats him around like a
rag doll, leaving Rock laying flat on the ground. And there he stays, for a
few moments... Before he starts to get up, noticeably limping as he climbs
up to his feet, taking a few slow steps towards Seishirou. "You... You're
alot like me, aren't you? Tch... Come on, get up, we're getting you to a
hospital... Whoever you are." Granted, it must be kind of difficult to get a
response out of an unconscious ninja. All the same, Rock hefts Seishirou up
and over one shoulder, and begins to leave the park.
Log created by Kobun, and last modified on 17:24:26 12/06/2005.