Description: The Southtown crimelord gets saddled with not one, not two, but -three- opponents in this week's Saturday Night Fight. (Winners: Ryo, Rock, and Horatio)
Business District
Undoubtedly the most critical district in Southtown, the business
district is where fortunes are made and lost. Wealth permeates just about
everything here. The skyline of the city is located almost exclusively in
this area, the highest of which is Geese Tower, the private bastion of the
richest and most powerful man in the city. The second most distinct building
is Howard Arena, the heart of the martial arts competition in the area. The
King of Fighters tournament is held here, as are many smaller tournaments.
Towards the southeast, a residential area is located, where the city's
richest live in penthouse apartments, and the slightly-less-rich occupy the
space below them. Highways run through this part of town, leading north and
west to the outer edges of Southtown.
Saturday Night Fight! The exhibition matches had been dropped for a while, but
were now in full swing again. So many signups this time around, in fact, that
one of the matches had been moved to the street. Scores of people dot the
sidewalks, the street temporarily closed off to traffic for this fight.
One of the participants is already on the scene. Hanging out by the near wall of
Geese Tower, Mr. Big paces along the sidewalk, a scowl decorating his face
despite the two ladies leaning against the wall. "That -bitch-," he mutters. "I
can't believe I got stuck with -him-. She's gotta be laughin' her ass off, I
know it..."
Riding up in a cool, hip, new, shiney, badass Ferrari with all the
options, fully loaded, brains blown out on 22s, Horatio, the shinning star of
Justice High, it's top student, it's greatest warrior comes onto the scene,
hopping out with thousand dollar clothes on! -- Or at least that's what happened
in that nifty dream he had one night. Unfortunately that's not how it happened.
And on top of that, he was late by about fifteen minutes. Don't that figure. --
Horatio actually comes up on a bicycle, peddling his legs off and painting for
air.
As far as his attire, he wore simple white jeans, black and white skater
shoes with tangerine shoelaces much, much too long and tied in large, fat loops.
An orange long-sleeve shirt with a black short sleeve over the top of it. On the
front of the shirt a large sandwich with the 'Marshmallow Fluff: Fluffernutter'
logo atop it. -- No comments. Silence, all of you.
As disappointed as Mr. Big might be in his partner, it's a sure bet Ryo Sakazaki
mirrors the sentiment. Still, what's he going to do? Drop out at the last
minute? That wouldn't look good, and the last thing Ryo wants to do is
disappoint his father, or bring a bad rep to his style. So, he turns up, on
time for the fight, and loiters as far away from his partner as he can, while
still sticking to their 'side' of the street. His face is set in a stern,
businesslike expression, and the time spent waiting for the others to show?
Well, that's spent needlessly adjusting his gi, and pointedly avoiding even
looking at Mr. Big. Maybe the fight arranger is laughing her ass off. But
Ryo.... isn't.
Fresh out of the hospital. Literally -- and Rock Howard is already out of the
hospital. If anything, the boy has his father's remarkable regenerative
abilities. Despite the horrible beating that he received at his father's hands,
Rock is here, sure enough -- albeit covered in bandages. With white gauze
wrapped around his head, shoulders, ribs, and right forearm, the blonde hardly
seems to be in any condition for a fight. But here he is, all the same... albeit
late, arriving /just/ as the referees are about to call the match... and then
Horatio /and/ Rock arrive, almost simultaneously. His gait quick as he walks
into the combat area, Rock (clad only in black t-shirt, mysteriously lacking his
trademark jacket) is occupied with undoing his bandages as he moves. It's as
though he /literally/ just stepped out of a hospital. Trailing bandages behind
him as he drops them onto the floor, Rock is in the process of unwrapping his
right forearm as he passes Horatio, barely giving him a passing glance. "Name's
Rock. You ready?"
Mr.Big, in the middle of his pacing, looks up the street briefly. His mouth
twists as he sees Ryo. With a single deep breath to keep himself composed, he
calls out, "Yo, Blondie. Let's get this shit over with." He turns back to his
ladies, running a finger along their chins briefly before he steps out into the
street. "Less time I gotta be fighting alongside your ass, the better." He
reaches into his pockets, lazily pulling out his batons as he sizes up the
competition. "A coupla kids? Damn, this won't take no time at all..."
More concerned with chaining his bike to someone's parked motorcycle
(Hey, it was stationary!), Horatio turns around in time to catch Rock's greeting
and blinks, "Hey, I saw your f-- right, Rock," well, that was hurried, "Horatio;
people call me Horas and I hate it, but feel free." Well weren't they an
unlikely team; the son of the city's 'greatest' Businessman and a former
clergyman, altarboy and priest turned professional fighter. Well not so much
professional as small-time, but he had his fair share of victories in the
underground. Southtown was just another stop along the way.
"I'm always ready," Horatio says, rotating his left arm, then his right,
pouncing up and down on tennis shoes that squeak with newness. A few squat
thrusts and leg stretches later, he's hopping up again, moving up beside Rock,
"While it's a safe bet that it ain't gonna much matter once we get at it- I'll
take Cap'm Pimp over there; you can take Mr. Sakazaki," Horatio says, waving to
Ryo in the process, "Hi, Ryo. Who'd have seen this coming, huh? Shame we're
gonna have to kick your ass!" Horatio says with a joking smile. "No pun
intended, but lets rock."
COMBATSYS: Horatio has started a fight here.
COMBATSYS: Horatio focuses on his next action.
Well, it looks like Rock has something in common with Ryo in this fight. That
being, looking a bit too beat-up to be doing it. He's not as thoroughly
bandaged as the younger Howard, but his face is accented with a number of
adhesive strips holding nasty abrasions away from the air, and one that pins a
healing split lip together. Like his opponent, Ryo probably shouldn't be here,
fighting. But also like his opponent, he's here all the same. Both young men
have something to prove, apparently, to themselves if no one else. As the
referee starts calling out the beginning of the fight, Ryo paces forward. Mr.
Big's words draw a nasty sidelong glance, and a simple, "On that, we agree."
It's about all that his 'partner' is likely to get out of the Kyokugen Tiger,
but it's enough to see the fight through, hopefully. He doesn't share the
overconfidence regarding their opponents, though. He knows what Rock is capable
of, and Horatio? Well, Horatio's an unknown. But Ryo knows better than to
disregard unknowns. Far from the cold detachment shown to his teammate, Ryo
returns Horatio's friendly wave, and graces both his opponents with a formal
bow, not quite as deep as he might normally attempt, "Who'd have seen it coming,
indeed." He mumbles quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
COMBATSYS: Ryo has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
COMBATSYS: Rock has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryo
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Horatio 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ryo focuses on his next action.
Rock looks first at Mr. Big... and then to Ryo. And then back to Mr. Big, red
eyes focusing and refocusing on each one before he clenches his fists. "Fine.
Leave some for me. That guy in the coat and I? I've got some business with him,
so don't screw up." Discarding the last of his bandages and throwing it to the
sidewalk, Rock simply begins to stalk into the combat arena towards his apparent
opponent. "Ryo Sakazaki. I've heard of you. You're not a bad guy. This isn't
personal." Fixing red eyes upon the other blonde, Rock allows a moment to pass
before attacking; apparently, this fight is starting with one big stare-fest
before the actual punching begins.
COMBATSYS: Rock focuses on his next action.
Mr.Big smirks, looking at the two kids. Rock's tough--he'd be even more of an
embarrassment to the boss if he wasn't--and Horatio? Eh, easy enough. Big's been
around long enough for that kind of confidence. This is good, really. Should be
a nice, easy fight.
Mr.Big lingers for a little while as the fights walk out into the 'arena',
scratching the back of his head with one of the batons. Ignoring Rock, he sizes
up Horatio - although behind those pitch-black shades, who can tell? "Man, they
didn't make this any kind of a challenge." He yawns, looking bored, and doesn't
seem to even want to make the first move.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big focuses on his next action.
Focusing all of his attention on Mr. Big now, Horatio wasn't about to be
lead into a position where this obviously bigger, tougher, no doubt stronger- at
least from what he can see anyway- man could get ahold of him. At least not if
he could help it. A lot of variables went into the start of a fight. He had to
be careful, had to guage things right, open with the right maneuver... but then
Mr. Big goes and shoots his mouth off. "-- H.. HEY! Hey, that guy's already
shooting off at the mouth! -- I wouldn't be too cocky, Pimp Daddy Welfare. You
don't know anything about me."
Rushing in then, arms pumping, legs moving in unison, Horatio closes the
distance between he and the larger man, teeth gritting, but mind solely focused
on his attack and not any kind of anger- temperance would be his guide.
Temperance. "God give me the strength not to lose my head," Horatio says,
shifting his weight to slide to a reluctant stop, only to drop back and lean in,
one hand against the ground as his right leg fires in and upward, attempting to
land a hard foot on the man in a lunging upward kick.
The only personal aspect that could come from this fight is on behalf of Ryo's
partner. Rock, on the other hand, receives only respect in the staredown
preceeding the match, "Likewise." He replies, his voice as friendly as he can
manage under the circumstances, the young Sakazaki even cracking a bit of a
smile. Looks like they've both been through a lot, but it'd be insulting to
assume Rock isn't here to fight just as much as he is, "Let's make this a good
one." He suggests to Rock, glad enough for a challenging fight, and looking
forward to seeing first-hand just what kind of warrior Rock is. Whatever his
opinion of Geese, it doesn't seem to carry over to the Syndicate boss' son.
Rock just seems a different sort, to him... And the result of the first round in
the Masters Tournament might help secure that opinion. The pleasantries
exchanged, the banter part of this fight has to end. And as Horatio launches
his attack on Mr. Big, Ryo drops back in his ready stance, legs propelling him
up and forward in a quick arc at Rock. Time to see just how fast the young
Howard is, "Raijin Setsu!" Ryo calls out as his arm draws back, leading his
descent in an overhead chop at his designated opponent, "Hyaaaah!"
COMBATSYS: Rock counters Mouko Raijin Setsu from Ryo with Joudan Crack Counter.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Horatio 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Mr.Big
"Not like that!" Reacting in a blur of movement, Rock's hands fly upwards to
catch Ryo's arm between his forearms at precisely the right moment. "Not good
enough. You're nowhere near his level." Like lightning, Rock's entire body
pivots forward, using the grip on Ryo's forearm as a fulcrum to drove his entire
mass forward -- particularly, his right leg, which comes down on Ryo's shoulder
like an axe. Falling away, Rock stands upright on his feet, looking straight
across at Ryo. "Sorry. No offense, but you're not the sort of opponent I'm
looking for. Even if you're stronger than me... I can tell already, that you're
not like /him/."
COMBATSYS: Horatio successfully hits Mr.Big with High Driver.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Mr.Big
Mr.Big doesn't even really...move, as Horatio rushes him. Underneath that big
coat, his body does tense up, and he shifts his weight appropriately, but it
might be too hard to tell. As Horatio launches his attack, Mr. Big...leans in.
He takes the kick right on his chin. His jaw clacks and his head snaps back
satisfactorily, but he doesn't otherwise seem dazed. "Huh...better than I
thought, but nowhere near good enough. OUTTA MY WAY!" He shoves Horatio aside
and hauls ass toward the other two fighters.
Gripping his batons, Big starts striking at his target, each baton lashing out
once as Big closes the distance, and when he's close enough, he ducks low and
brings both batons straight up, aiming to crack his target across the face.
Aside from ignoring Horatio, the most notable thing about this?
Mr.Big's target is Ryo. And his attack starts right after Rock counters Ryo's
initial opener.
It had been a while since his last fight and so he was, without doubt, a
little rusty, but thankfully his ritual of stretching before every match and
regularly training rendered it just another day. As he bent sideways double,
that hand touching the ground for support, he felt the heel of his foot contact
Mr. Big and frowned. That wasn't nearly solid enough. "I can do better than
that," he assures Mr. Big when he says 'better than I thought. -- But then, upon
standing up straight, he's pushed nearly completely out of the way. "What the
--! HEY! Come back here!" Horatio shouts, turning clear about and rushing after
Mr. Big. "Come on, man! This is NOT HOW THIS IS DONE!" Whining? Well, yeah, man!
This guy just ignored him! "Get back here!" Rushing up along side Mr. Big,
Horatio slides again to a stop, bringing his hands from his sides and directly
in front of him, wrists pressing together, palms out, fingers splayed as golden
orange energy bursts to life.
It crackles, backbuilds and pops on itself like a storm of fireflies and
leaves, all rotating about one another in a beautiful stream of light that turns
into a ball twice the size of Horatio's open hands, he launching it at the big
pimp.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Ryo with California Romance.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Mr.Big
Ouch! Well, Rock's speed certainly doesn't let Ryo down, especially given the
quickness of his initial strike. The powerful kick drops the Kyokugen Tiger
back into a roll, absorbing as much of the painful impact as he can, his roll
bringing him to a crouch several yards from his opponent, eyes dropping back to
the young Howard as he regains his stance. It doesn't take a huge stretch of
the imagination to figure out who /him/ is, but Ryo doesn't seem shaken by the
knowledge that he's not at Geese's level. It's something he'd already figured
out, after all, "I'll just have to do." He replies coolly, just in time to
catch Mr. Big's rushing approach out of the corner of his eye. What the...? He
should have expected it, really, but as it is, he has just enough time to twist
towards his new challenger and get his arms halfway up as the batons crack into
his skull, and he sails backwards once more, less gracefully this time, skidding
on his back across the pavement. He shouldn't really be surprised, but the
young Sakazaki's sense of honour lets the ambush come off without a hitch
nonetheless, though he doesn't waste any time as he regains his bearings. In a
motion so fluid it might as well be one move, Ryo flips back to his feet in a
crouch, and launches himself forward, his left foot leading in a straight-kick
at Mr. Big's chin, "Hien Shippu Kyaku!" He calls out, his grim demeanor
unshaken despite the unexpected change of teams, and as he reaches striking
distance, his right foot follows through in a vicious double-roundhouse at Mr.
Big's head.
"... hmph. None of those bastards can be trusted. I should have guessed."
Looking at Mr. Big as he attacks Ryo his own teammate, Rock does what everyone
else does -- move towards Mr. Big, of course. "Looks like our fight'll have to
wait, Ryo. In the meantime... I'm going to enjoy pummeling the likes of this
guy." As Mr. Big is put under assault from just about every front, Rock sprints
into the fold, leaping straight up into the air and bringing his fist downwards
at the Southsynd third-in-command.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big dodges Horatio's Kinetic Low.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big parries Ryo's Flying Gale Kick!
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big dodges Rock's Rage Run Dunk.
"HAW! Eat it, chump!" Mr. Big lands heavily, laughing his head off at Ryo. "Oh,
MAN, did that feel good!" He looks over his shoulder, idly noticing Horatio
rushing up behind him, and with another laugh he leaps backward, the energy
blast meeting only air. As Ryo spinkicks, Big brings his batons up to slap the
kicks aside, looking bored as he does so. He ducks out of the way of Rock's
hammer fist, then stabs forward, aiming to ram a baton into each of Ryo's and
Rock's guts. "Man, this -is- pathetic! You boys better beat the shit outta me,
or I'll put you punks right back in the hospital! Come on! If you can't beat me
three on one, YOU GOT ISSUES!"
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Mr.Big
Absolutely disgusted at Mr. Big's behavior, Horatio was hoping to make
him pay for it. Unfortunately for him, he was either not fast enough or not
skilled enough to smack the bastard. Either that or Lady Luck just wasn't on his
side, because he slipped right out of all _three_ attacks. "How's that even
possi-- oh, crap!" H grumbles, concentrating quickly on the attack he'd launched
previous, intentionally leaping up, high and over the other three combatants,
landing before his own attack, channeling that same eerie energy back into his
palms and seeking to redirect it _back_ at Mr. Big. "Don't just stand there and
ignore me you backstabber!"
COMBATSYS: Ryo blocks Mr.Big's Medium Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Mr.Big
What the.... Ryo is rather shocked as Mr. Big manages to bat aside his kicks
like they were nothing, but not nearly as surprised as he is by the fact that
he's one step ahead of /all three/ fighters! Since when was he this fast? It's
enough to throw the young Sakazaki momentarily off his rhythm, but only
momentarily. As he comes down from the gravity-defying flying kick, he's
already working out his next move, and he twists away from the big man's baton,
the blow glancing off his gut without much effect, though it does in fact hurt..
Mostly on account of Ryo's ribs, that really need more time to heal. Despite
the surge of pain, he continues with his twisting momentum, dropping to a crouch
and coming forward at the (hopefully) overextended crimeboss with a sliding
uppercut that's carried as much by his right fist as his feet, "Raijin GOU!" He
calls out, not letting the impressive initial show slow him down... If Robert
can do tubby in, so can Ryo.
COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Mr.Big's Medium Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Mr.Big
"... this is better." As Mr. Big slips away from all three of their assaults,
Rock doesn't seem intimidated -- he only seems even /more/ interested than he
was before. "He's closer to where I need to be. Good -- You'll be good
practice!" While everyone /else/ moves in for the kill, Rock stays on the
sidelines, holding his combat stance as he locks his eyes on the stick-wielding
gangster. Let the others hold him off while he prepares to nail him with
something a little bit... bigger.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big parries Horatio's Kinetic Low!
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big dodges Ryo's Mouko Raijin Gou.
"C'mon, blondie, try harder!" Big dodges back and to the side, letting Ryo
attack nothing but air. His arm whips out and around, the baton catching
Horatio's blast of energy. The air crackles as the stick meets the odd stuff,
but Big's badassitude wins out and the energy gets knocked aside. "Fine, kid.
You don't wanna be ignored, then you won't be ignored. EAT IT!" His other arm
sweeps low, the baton tip barely brushing the blacktop. The air around the baton
crackles, and as he brings his hand up to point the baton toward Horatio, a
blast of fiery chi explodes from the ground, rushing toward the kid. As for
Rock...for now, Big ignores him, though his disappearance is definitely noted.
When you're used to gang fights, you learn to count just who's around you and
who isn't.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Horatio with Ground Blaster.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Mr.Big
He'd only done that a few times, redirecting his own attacks. Every time
it hurt too, but for some strange reason, he derived a bit of a self-esteem
boost from doing it. It was hard, and an obstacle to overcome and he'd done it,
again, instead of being whacked full on with his own attack. Standing up
straight again and hefting a fist up in front of himself in
self-congratulations, he's then brought to the simple conclusion: No matter how
hard he'd worked to get it through again, it failed. "Damnit.."
On top of that, Mr. Big whipped around and launched an attack at him with
such quickness that he had literally NO chance of getting out of the way of it.
All he could do was stand there, wide-eyed, waiting for the pain. It slams into
him, drives him up and then back and the young man is grounded, back aching,
body aching.. he didn't even want to move, instead falling back onto his
training, eyes clenching shut as he proceeded to delve into his own mind.
COMBATSYS: Horatio gathers his will.
Two more attacks brushed aside like so many houseflies. Ryo is more than aware
of the implications of that, and the risks that accompany it. He'd rather like
to do as Rock, and now Horatio are doing, and gather some focus for the rest of
this fight... But doing that just leaves everyone else vulnerable, and Ryo would
rather give them a chance to try whatever they're trying to do. As such, he
presses the attack, not letting the as-of-yet futile nature of the bout get to
him, too much. Evidently, Mr. Big has been practicing since their last meeting
years ago, but then, so has Ryo! He spins in the air as his uppercut catches
nothing but air, and as he's landing, just out of the way of Mr. Big's vicious
energy assault on Horatio, Ryo shoots a hand out to grab at the crimeboss' vest
as his own weight drops back, his right leg snapping up at Biggy's midsection.
His hope is simple... To see if Mr. Big still flies as... gracefully... as he
used to.
"Fast... this guy is fast. Maybe even faster than... tch." Rock's face... breaks
out in a grin. "Good. Looks like I lucked out." As Ryo and Horatio get batted
around the arena, Rock's been quietly preparing something off in the background.
As Mr. Big parts the sea of Ryo and Horatio as though he were Moses himself, one
thing rockets straight through like a comet towards the opponent -- Rock Howard,
flying inches over the ground as if propelled by sheer chi. One foot trailing
over the asphalt -- fast enough to leave sparks on the ground -- Rock drives one
elbow towards Big's face as quickly as he possibly can, roaring: "Eat thiiis!"
Should it hit, Rock has an extra surprise: a quick extension of the elbow will
deliver a burst of chi, prompting a huge 'wing' to bloom from his right
shoulder, formed from raw energy.
COMBATSYS: Ryo successfully hits Mr.Big with Tomoe Nage.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big fails to interrupt Hard Edge from Rock with MAX Blaster Wave.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Horatio 1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0 Mr.Big
Mr.Big shakes his head at Horatio in mock sadness. "Poor little turd gettin' in
over his head...HEY!" Due to Big's confidence getting too high, Ryo manages to
grab his vest. Big goes flying just as Sakazaki desires, rolling along the
street for a bit. "Woo! Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Blondie! Good to see
you don't suck -that- much." Big gets to his feet, totally in control, working
the cracks out of his neck.
At the sound of Rock gearing up for his attack, Big tilts his head, giving it
another shake. "No, no, no, twerp." As he talks, he knocks the tips of his
batons together, charging up what looks to be a very large electrical shock.
"Siddown and shadd-UPH!" He tries to shove the batons into Rock's face, but
Rock's preparation pays off, slamming his elbow and subsequent chi blast into
Big's face. Big goes flying backward, rolling along the ground -again-. Getting
back to his feet takes a bit longer now, his coat scuffed up. "Okay. I guess you
punks're ready t'fight, huh?"
It was sad, true, after all of that, Horatio was only _just now_ getting
up off the ground. Woozy and about ready to puke at that point, he struggle back
against the sensation as it wasn't entirely derived from Mr. Big's assault. He
was having issues all his own. Channeling that energy to fire back multiple
times at Mr. Big had taken enough out of him, but that wasn't entirely it. He
had a raging headache now, one that threatened to completely shatter his
concentration. It wasn't intolerable however.
Shelving the feeling in lieu of a mantra played over and over in his
head, Horatio watches Mr. Big attempt stopping Rock's attack and smiles, seeing
him roll back and away from everyone. Just what he needed, that bastard out in
the open. "Stay away from him!" Horatio calls out, that golden orange energy of
his spooling out once more, surrounding his arms in wavering, crackling synaptic
power. Leaping into the air with a short pirouette and an even quicker
followthrough, the young man comes down, seemingly just to touch down but the
impact that struck then was beyond measure. It was as if some large, round ball
had struck the ground beneath him, crushing the concrete in and leaving a
cracking bowl in his wake.
But that wasn't the half of it. Energy seemed to birth itself in the air
around Mr. Big and then explode in a hurricane of golden orange, as if several
hundred fireworks had gone off in a concentrated area.
"Element of surprise is wearing off. It's the only place he shines." Ryo
offers sidelong to Rock as the Kyokugen Tiger rolls back to his feet, coming to
a ready stance and focusing past the lingering pain of his pre-existing
injuries... The main reason he's hurting in this fight, as far as he can figure.
With he and Geese's black sheep of a son beat up nicely to begin with, this is
actually interesting. It looks like his conclusions about Howard and his son
are right-on, too... If Mr. Big's here to, apparently, beat the snot out of both
of them. Of course, Ryo's not inclined to let that happen. He's been battered
enough lately, thanks! The dual knock-down renews the young Sakazaki's
confidence, and it's his turn to try to pull off something big. With his feet
shoulder-width apart, his hands flow through a slow kata and come to rest at his
waist, palms open and forward as his muscles tense and his energy spikes, a
torrent of swirling chi charging around him, the flaring blue-red aura firing
from the ground up, the chi-signature flowing out over his head, the pillar of
visible power refreshing Ryo and readying him for what's next.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Mr.Big
"You..." Rock still hasn't attacked -- When dealing with someone who is
obviously faster than you, don't attack unless you attack faster, or smater.
After sending Mr. Big flying, Rock stops and remains in place, eyes watching the
opponent rise slowly to his feet. "... you're a good stepping stone. Start with
the third-in-command... then there's Kane... if I can beat the both of you, I'll
be that much closer to him. And if not... then I'll still get the beat you into
a pulp, whether you're outnumbered or not!" Rock issues forth what might sound
like a downright /growl/. Apparently, Mr. Big is not very high on Rock's list of
My Favorite People. "Hey, Ryo." Changing his tone of voice, Rock declares:
"Don't get too beat up dealing with this piece of crap. When he's done, you and
I have business to finish."
COMBATSYS: Rock focuses on his next action.
COMBATSYS: Horatio successfully hits Mr.Big with Fat Buddha.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Mr.Big
Mr.Big regards Horatio with a lazy stare - he's not smiling, but he hardly looks
like he cares. "Just give it up already, p...unk..." Big's jaw slacks a bit as
Horatio goes through the flashy move, and starts to back up so the kid doesn't
land on him. That...doesn't help, though. Big stumbles, cursing, as the ground
falls out from under him, and he only barely has time to register the sparklies
before they go BOOM.
When the fire fades, Big is still standing, facing away from the three. Only the
slight shakiness of a leg as he steps out onto unbroken ground is all that gives
his status away. Well..that and the burn marks all along his outfit. Still
facing away from them, he tucks his batons away and takes his shades off.
Flipping a cloth out of his vest pocket, he proceeds to wipe the scuffed
sunglasses off. "Rock? Shut the fuck up. I don't give a flyin' flip about your
delusions of grandeur, but if you keep spoutin' off like that, I'mma have to
shut you up. Man, your pop's right, what a damn whiner." He slides his shades
back on, tucking the cloth away.
Mr.Big slides the batons from his pockets as he turns around, launching into a
full run towards the Howard kid. He kicks off midway, throwing himself into a
flying spiral at Rock, his batons held out in front of him. "Just take it like a
man!"
As far as the way this battle was going, it was quickly getting out of
hand. Mr. Big not only turned on his own teammate, but the most frightening part
was he was fast enough and tough enough to keep pace with all _three_ of them.
This certainly opened his eyes to a few revelations about the man. Apparently he
had something to do with Geese the way the conversation had been going, and with
good reason; he was tough as nails! "This guy... - Rock! Look out!" Not that he
would need much warning when a guy that size was breathing down his neck.
He didn't have much choice in the matter but to launch some attack to try
and stall him. Channeling that same strange energy into both of his palms, the
golden orange crackling power backbuilds on itself, growing in size before
Horatio pitches one hand forward like throwing a baseball, the blast rocketing
on an erradic path towards Mr. Big, the other sweeps low, sending the blast
along the ground like a gopher tunneling just a foot below, trying to hit the
man both high and low with the strike.
Nice. There's plenty of appreciation in Ryo's eyes for Horatio's deadly
technique, and the results it leaves behind. It looks like Mr. Big bit off more
than he could chew, but then that's nothing new in Ryo's experiences with the
overdressed Syndicate lieutenant. All the bravado in the world can't hide how
bad the big man is hurting, and the taunts bring a rather dark smile to Ryo's
face. It reaffirms some of his conclusions about Rock and Geese's
'relationship', and confirms that dropping good ol' Biggie here and now is
something that's bound to be cathartic for all of them. Rock's words draw a
simple nod from the Kyokugen Tiger. After this, a bout with an opponent like
Rock suits him just fine. For the moment, though, the fighting is directed at
the other young fighter, and he and Horatio rather complicate the target. So,
Ryo takes the advice, and steps back from the fight, focusing his gathered
energy, catching his breath, and waiting for the right opening. Unlike Horatio,
Ryo's not convinced Rock is unprepared to deal with the attack. As far as he
can see, it's the big guy who's in trouble now. It just took them all a minute
to readjust and find their pacing, right? That's what he's hoping at least.
COMBATSYS: Ryo takes a breather.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Mr.Big
COMBATSYS: Rock counters Cross Diving from Mr.Big with Gedan Crack Counter.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
/Fast/. There's something new in Rock's step this week -- something that wasn't
there before. Every blow he delivers, even the look in his eye... it's all
completely different. It's as though there's something newer, or at least
stronger, driving him onwards. His arms twist outwards within the blink of an
eye, as though there was simply no motion between when he started moving and
when he catches Mr. Big by the baton-arm. "'Take it like a man'? Good advice.
Starting from today, I'm taking off the kid gloves -- it's adult swim, now. You
can tell that to your boss -- that, and thanks for the wake-up call." In one
blur of movement, Rock leaps forward once again, the arc of his leg mimicking
the 'Crack Shoot' of another famous style of martial arts... before he /nails/
Mr. Big in the jaw with huge force; indeed, he may have hit him hard enough to
make good on his threat and break the gangster's jaw. "Unless your jaw is wired.
Then, I guess you'll have to write him a letter."
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Mr.Big
Well, shit. This is what happens when you don't give someone enough credit. Not
that Big will admit anything of the sort. The kick catches him square in the
face, stopping his forward drive totally short. He lands on the ground on hands
and knees, putting a hand to his face where Rock had attacked twice in a row. He
brings his hand away - blood. His nose is probably broken. Well, -shit-.
"Pretty good, kid. Maybe you are your old man's kid." Big pulls himself to his
feet, staring at Rock through cracked shades. Suddenly...he smiles. "You put up
a tough fight...but my beef's not with -you-." And with that he takes off
running like a shot at Ryo. It's a fair distance, and Ryo has more than enough
time to see Big coming, but he moves -fast- for a big guy. Once again he
launches himself into the air, this time legs forward, aiming both feet directly
at Ryo.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big dodges Horatio's Ten O'Clock Sunset.
As Big was getting to his feet, he blithely stepped aside to let the projectiles
pass by.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Mr.Big
Watching from the sidelines, it almost felt like being a bench warmer for
some overpaidd football team in a league more violent than a Downtown Riot. As
much as he hated to admit it, no matter how fast he may have been, this big
oafish bastard was still faster. It was like pitching darts at a speeding
bullet. He had to make some sacrifices it would seem, had to watch longer before
striking. Thus Horatio lags back still, waiting for a better vantage point to
strike from, or at least try and find a way through Mr. Big's attack strategy.
He had to give the Big Pimp credit where credit was due. At least he
wasn't stupid enough to fall for the obvious.
COMBATSYS: Horatio focuses on his next action.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Ryo with Deep Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=======\=======\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Mr.Big
Ryo's confidence in Rock is paid off, and how! Now that's one hell of a kick,
and it brings a smile to the Kyokugen Tiger's face. He starts to take a step
forward, and hesitates, dropping back to a ready stance. He's already settled
his business with Mr. Big, and it seems like Rock has some scores left to even
out. As such, stepping in with the crimeboss already pummelled to hell and back
seems somewhat disrespectful. As it turns out, though, Ryo isn't the only one
who remembers he's settled the score with the big guy. In fact, it looks like
Mr. Big is ready and raring to up the ante. Normally, the charge and leaping
kick is nothing Ryo couldn't avoid with ease. Normally, it would be the perfect
set-up to put Mr. Big down for good. Today? It looks like the pain in his gut
is slowing Ryo down more than is normal, and it's compounded as Mr. Big careens
both his feet squarely into his chest. The attempted twist is just... Futile.
The strike crunches audibly into Ryo's already tortured frame, and he looks like
he's about to fold backwards over himself, somehow managing to skid back into a
low, forced crouch instead of completely losing his footing, and his grip of
consciousness. He gasps for breath, and coughs a renewed spray of blood, but
he's not going to give Mr. Big the satisfaction of dropping him... Not if he can
help it. It's a blurry glimpse he gets as he stops himself just shy of the
ground with one arm, but instinct and speed carry him back nonetheless, and he
breathlessly intones, "Ichigeki... Hissatsu!" As his fist clenches at his
waist, and his knee comes back up underneath him, his footing stabilizing as he
drives that fist forward, his entire form seeming to blur with the motion in a
reddish image, "FUO!!!" he yells with renewed strength as he puts his remaining
strength behind that singuler, train-wrecking punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Mr.Big
Rock seems content to let Ryo finish it with that big punch of his -- but just
in case, he's not letting his guard down just yet. As the Kyokugen warrior lets
loose with one big punch, the younger blonde stands his ground not far off from
Mr. Big, as though just waiting for an opportunity to dive in and finish off the
fight should Ryo's gambit fail. To this extent, he yells out, returning the
confidence that Ryo had for him: "Kick his ass, Sakazaki! He came for you --
give it to him!"
COMBATSYS: Rock focuses on his next action.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big parries Ryo's Tenchi Haoh Ken!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Mr.Big
Mr.Big has pretty much completely ignored Horatio and Rock for the time being.
That was his mistake - after jumping Ryo initially, he should've kept the
beatdown ON Ryo. He let himself get distracted. Not now, though. Big's feeling
the pressure of the three on one, and that's just gotta change. And it's gonna
start with Blondie here.
"Dude, you gotta learn some new tricks." Big glances down at Ryo's Fist of
Death, then casually takes one step to the side away from the punch. As the fist
shoots forward, Big brings his batons up and applies just enough force to send
the attack sailing right by him. "You know I'm gonna have to punish you for
that." He smiles briefly at Ryo, then hauls back with his batons...and just
starts WAILING on Ryo, slamming the sticks down at Sakazaki with blinding speed.
Whether or not Ryo can get away from being turned into a drum, Big is ready and
willing to just -shitbeat- him.
Watching the rhythm of the fight closely, mouth moving through quietly
mumbled words as he counts every step, every word, watches closely the movements
of not just Mr. Big but of Ryo and his partner Rock, Horatio had to find a way
to get back in this fight, had to find a way to strike at this seeminly unmoving
rock of both speed and stamina to stop this nonsense right here and now before
it just got stupid. -- And then it hit him. He knew just the thing. "I've been
attacking from too far out," he comments to himself before a mischevious grin
finds itself pulling at the corners of his mouth.
He knew how to remedy that. Rushing outwards, not inwards, back around
Ryo, allowing the man to press his attack on Mr. Big, Horatio heads on, stopping
beside Rock, but only for a brief moment; he needed a better vantage point and
got it, stepping in quickly, closing the distance but not entirely. He stopped
but four or five strides from the tall pimp, pushing his hands into his pockets
then, "Hey," the young man says, lifting his left leg and bending it at the
knee, holding it there, balancing on his right foot as his left lower leg begins
to glow with that eerie orange energy, bending and slowly undulating waves of
power lifting out from the limb accompanied by crackling and sizzling pops. --
The leg then comes down, slamming his foot down upon the ground and
sending a webbing system of cracks out away from him, that power permiating the
ground before firing up in an enormous pillar, trying to rip the man off of his
feet and send him up, only to bring him back down onto a waiting uppercut.
COMBATSYS: Ryo blocks Mr.Big's Crazy Drum Dram.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Horatio 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Mr.Big
Alright. What the heck is wrong with the Tenchi Haoh Ken lately? He's going to
have to get it in to the shop. And no time like the present. Ryo is more than
expecting the resulting beating that comes as his powerful finisher strikes
nothing but air, but there's not much he can do to avoid it at such close
proximity, and with Big's fearsome speed. Still, Ryo matches the drum-beat
strike for strike, slamming back at the batons with his forearms, the cracking
blows drawing grunts of pain from the Kyokugen Tiger, his teeth gritting. His
quick blocks hurt like hell, raising a stinging series of bruises across his
forearms, but it saves him from further head trauma, and he wasn't really doing
very well at staying on his feet to begin with, "Like.. you've got room to talk.
You're nothing but a backstabbing, over-dressed punk!" Ryo retorts, losing his
cool to an extent as his consciousness hangs on that teetering edge, and he does
his best to prove it, and retrieve the impact of one of his most famous
techniques, "Ichigeki Hissatsu!" He calls out again, the balled fist slamming
out as Mr. Big's brutal combination reaches its climax, "Fuo!" And in comes
that singular blow... It's the one thing that might carry Ryo out of this one on
top, and besides... Mr. Big needs to remember what it feels like.
Rock's not interested in biding his time any further -- when Ryo's punch is
batted away, Rock spots something in Mr. Big's movements. "Dammit! He's going to
chain that block right into his next attack..." After parrying Ryo's big punch
so easily, Mr. Big might be about to nail Ryo -- or someone else -- with even
MORE speed than he already has, and Rock, apparently, isn't ready to let that
happen. Taking a step forward, Rock's right hand begins to glow with violet chi
as he sweeps it across the ground. That chi is sent flying straight ahead,
beating a path right for Mr. Big's proverbial 'door' in the form of one big
wave. "You're not getting another chance, Sakazaki! Reppuken!"
COMBATSYS: Ryo successfully hits Mr.Big with Tenchi Haoh Ken.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big parries Rock's Reppuken!
COMBATSYS: Horatio successfully hits Mr.Big with Rebellious Raven.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=------\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Horatio 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Mr.Big
"AGAIN, Blondie? You too stupid to know when to change tactics." Big raises his
batons, ready to do exactly what he did before...
..but the crackling of energy behind him catches his ear. He glances back, and
a familiar blue chi wave stares him in the face. "SHIT!" In a hasty manuever,
Big swings both batons from a crossed arm position out - the same method as
before when he launched his Ground Blaster, only double the fun. One rushes
haphazardly at Ryo, while the other baton manages to knock the Reppuken aside
before launching his own power wave at Rock.
In the split second he does that, however, Ryo gets all the time he needs. The
fist lashes out and PLOWS into Big's back regardless of how the Ground Blaster
hits, sending him rocketing forward...right into the explosion Horation created.
It lifts the gangster's body into the air, soaring in a perfect arc to land
right into Horatio's uppercut. A satisfyingly pained grunt escapes Big, and he
drops to the broken ground...and doesn't get up.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big can no longer fight.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big has left the fight here.
Pivoting on his leading foot, the one that had slammed into the earth but
seconds before, Horatio turns completely around, bringing his fist down from the
air, dotted in Mr. Big's blood and curls a lip up at it. "Ew, man.." Wiping it
off on his black overshirt so it doesn't stain, Horatio looks back at Ryo, then
to Rock and shrugs, "I think we can call it at this point. I'm not fighting a
man who just had his partner turn on him. This is over.. unless _you_ wanna go,"
Horatio says, smirking at Rock. "I think I could make time for that, but I'm
certainly not gonna just jump you like Cap'm Pimp here."
COMBATSYS: Horatio takes a breather.
COMBATSYS: Ryo dodges Mr.Big's Ground Blaster.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Big successfully hits Rock with Ground Blaster.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Rock 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Ryo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Horatio 0/-------/--=====|
.. Smack. Rock isn't as quick to dodge as Ryo; perhaps he'd thought that Mr.
Big had been put down for the count. APparently not so. Rock gets /nailed/ by
the Ground Blaster, and flies rather abruptly back onto the sidewalk, looking a
little bit dazed, but not overly harmed by the attack. Climbing up to his feet,
the blonde shakes the cobwebs out before dusting his palms. "... damn." He
mutters, dejected. "Even with three of us, it was tough. And he's not even as
strong as Kane..."
Well, you know what they say about blondes. In this case, though, Ryo's
persistence seems to hold to effective rather than foolish, this time. Besides,
he had to demonstrate the true power of the Tenchi Haoh Ken, and launching Mr.
Big into the air by his spine seems like a good show. He's not finished yet,
though, and despite his slow start, Ryo finishes with a flourish, leaping on
already bent legs straight skyware, Big's projectile slamming harmlessly
underneath him. With a midair spin, the Kyokugen Tiger descends to the street,
landing lightly on lithe limbs and touching his palm down to steady him.
Despite the agile demonstration of what his normal speed should be, it cost him,
and he pants heavily as he lands, lifting his left hand to his ribs and holding
it there. He wobbles a moment, but doesn't fall, though it looks like he's
about to with the wave of agony that passes over him. Mr. Big might be
satisfied if he could see the young Sakazaki's pain, that is unless he realized
how much of it was courtesy of another fighter. It takes him a moment, but Ryo
forces himself to stand, and he faces to other team, cracking his neck slowly
and swallowing, "Not quite the... fight I was expecting." He manages to
breathe, and smiles a hint of a blood-tinted smile.
Mr.Big's two lady friends, who had been standing on the sidewalk with the rest
of the crowd watching the fight avidly, come running over. Both kneel down
beside him, taking one arm over each shoulder. ...Buffer than they look, really,
as they manage to pick him up. They start to pull him away, though after a bit
he starts to limp along between them. Big may have been beaten hard, but he got
to screw with Ryo and walk away with two gorgeous girls under his arms.
And in the end, isn't that what really matters?
COMBATSYS: Ryo takes a breather.
"Well..." Horatio says as Rock more or less blows him off and walks away
with his victory.. "I guess that's it... Cowabunga says it all?" Horatio grins,
quoting an old kids movie at Ryo with a heavy shouldered shrug before turning
and walking backwards away from him, "Anyway, I'm just gonna call this even.. I
mean, unless you really want me to punch you in the forehead and end it all.
Let's be honest, you're kinda hurt there, Mr. Sakazaki. I mean, if you really
want to go we can but... I don't really want to, cowboy."
COMBATSYS: Horatio takes a breather.
By his stance, Ryo was ready to follow through on this if so decided. Under the
circumstances, though? Well, it was one hell of a fight already, and he took
the worst of it. Maybe he'd get lucky, and maybe he'd make one of his lingering
injuries permanent. Neither of those solutions seem worth pushing his luck,
though.. Not under the circumstances. Rock's quick departure doesn't sit quite
right with the Kyokugen Tiger, either, "Another time, then." Ryo offers
Horatio's way, tossing a nod and a half-bow after the other fighter, "You put on
a good show, I couldn't do it justice right now." He's slow, and bleeding, and
feeling just a couple steps behind his game... None of the things he'd choose as
traits in a fight with Horatio, or any seasoned fighter. Wonder if he gets paid
for taking down his own teammate... Probably not. Takuma's going to be upset.
Again. As Horatio walks off, Ryo starts to do the same, not sparing Big a
second glance. He doesn't envy the life, and never will, no matter how many
yes-girls the tubby crimeboss surrounds himself with.
Moving back over to the bicycle he'd chained to someone's motorcycle,
Horatio goes at the combination, only to find out that the owner of said bike
had been in the sparse crowd who stopped to watch. Apologizing profusely for the
second time today, he unclips his bike, gingerly seperates it from the man's
motorcycle and hops on, peddling away, "I've gotta get back to school anyway,"
Justice High was like that with the curfew and everything.
Log created by Kobun, and last modified on 17:53:53 04/28/2005.