SNF 2005.04 - Iori vs Ryu

Description: Ryu's fought Yagami in the past -- but he faces a bit of a surprise this week in Howard Arena. (Winner: Iori)


Saturday nights in Southtown are loud -- even though the streets are generally
empty, save for the occasional pockets of activity centered around individual
Saturday Night Fight matches.  That's because everyone is either nestled at
home, away from the stress -- or they're the ones at the locales.  The stadium
tonight is packed, as usual -- the announcers doing their part to keep the
enthusiasm level high.

Iori, though, doesn't really pay attention to anything that's going on.  Sure,
they announce his name, but this is a fight he's devoting his full attention to.
Cracking his knuckles, he strides out to the ring, staring across the expanse to
await his opponent's arrival.  He extends a palm, fingers twitching lightly as
they urge a small bloom of orchid flame into existence.  "We meet again," comes
the low rumble with a hint of a chuckle, Iori's face cracked into a light smile.
Ryu's given him good fights before -- he's glad to at least take it public this
time.
COMBATSYS: Iori has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <|
Iori             0/-------/-------|
The announcer, along with most of the throngs of people, are paid little more
attention by the other fighter in the arena tonight.. Ryu isn't here for them,
not interested in the bright lights or the television image.  In this situation,
well, the World Warrior's singular focus on the fight is redoubled... This is
Yagami we're talking about, after all.  Ryu knows Iori's power quite  well, and
the Ansatsuken master is equally aware of the unpredictable tendencies in the
tainted fighter's nature, and energies.  Ryu may not know where to place what
he's seen, but it's enough to make him consider Yagami in something of a new
light.
    It's not an attitude of bitterness or hostility, however.  The attention is
steady, calm... Respectful, but analytically intense.  A slow, singular nod is
paid towards the fire-wielding Iori, the nomad's dark eyes never leaving his
opponent, "Let's keep the bar set high."  Ryu encourages, tugging the knot in
his headband tight, and shifting into his fighting stance as the announcer winds
down... Or rather, winds up.  The World Warrior faces Yagami steadily, calmly
assessing and holding to his defenses, tight fists bobbing on coiled arms before
him.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Iori             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Ryu
Yagami nods in reply to Ryu -- but doesn't really do much else.  He agrees, of
course.  With other fighters, he wouldn't hesitate to tear into them --
obstacles in his path.  Ryu's at the level that he has to meter his response,
keep it at a controlled level, and ultimately fight at his -best-.  Any less
than the optimal response means, quite simply, failure.

And really, he's not in the mood to mess around anyway.  As the announcer shouts
for the fight to begin, Yagami just starts off by closing his hand, sweeping it
across the ground and slinging the acidic, napalm-like mass of flame careening
across the stone floor towards Ryu's feet.  Just an opening... just a simple
action, forcing a reaction.  He lets loose a small grunt of effort, but nothing
at the time.  He's got to save his breath, after all.
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Iori's Yami Barai!

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Iori             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Ryu
A formidable match-up, indeed.  Iori's nearly on par, in Ryu's experiences, with
the champion's he's faced, and there's no less respect for that power for the
public rematch.  The World Warrior weaves forward with a measured stride, eyes
locked forward on Iori after the announcer signals the beginning of the match...
It's a clarity that pays off, as the incoming plume of fiery chi is regarded
calmly, and in the instants it takes to travel the arena towards Ryu, he seems
inclined to do, well... Nothing about it.  Nothing but take those half-seconds
to focus his own energy... Not into an immediate reprisal, but his intent
becomes clear enough as he drops down /into/ the Yami Barai at the last moment,
a sweeping forearm focusing his own energies in opposition and all but sweeping
the fearsome purple blast aside, the passing of energy seeming to invigorate
Ryu, if anything...
    Energy he uses as he continues his forward momentum, pushing back to his
feet and sweeping both arms forward from his sides, a tumult of blue-white chi
following the motion of his palms as he pushes the swirling energy forward,
bringing the heels of his hands together and launching the bluish blast in an
energy-trailing sphere, the hurtling bloom twisting forcefully in at Iori,
echoed by a cry of, "Hadooouken!!"
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Ryu's Hadouken.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Iori             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Ryu
Oh great.  So the accursed power of the Orochi god of destruction =helps= Ryu
instead of =harming= him?  What a revolting development this has turned out to
be.  Even still, Iori enjoys this kind of fight on a level that most of his
prior opponents may find alarming -- considering the light smile on his face.
He doesn't have to act tough, he doesn't have to pretend -- he just -knows- his
expenditure of effort will pay off with this fight.

Despite the fact that he'd started walking towards Ryu after his Darkness Sweep,
he'd really like to not be hit by that Hadouken sent his way.  And as quick as
it is, Iori's long legs prove to be just a bit quicker, drawing him sharply to
the side to allow the projectile to pass harmlessly beside his arm.  "Now that
the pleasantries are over..."  Yagami then suddenly surges forward towards Ryu.
Leaping into the air, he spins a tight circle, arm crashing down towards the
World Warrior's upper torso with a tumultuous cry of, "GUROOOOOOOOAH!"  Oh, and
a blazing arc of purple chi as well.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Ryu with Tsumagushi.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Iori             0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0              Ryu
Unf.  As Iori pulls out all the stops around and in unharmed by the potent
chi-blast, Ryu finds himself caught just that far off his guard... And it costs
him.  A sidestep only brings him into Yagami's strike, mis-timed as it is, the
World Warrior caught squarely by Iori's swift assault, staggering to the side,
teeth gritted as the nomad tries to focus past the pain.  The searing chi
doesn't help, after all, but on the other hand... Ryu is not new to these kind
of hits, and he answers back by surging forward himself, rushing the landing
Yagami and dropping low, Ryu's strength focused as his right fist clenches and
his arm coils down to his side, flexing as the Ansatsuken master gracefully
descends, sliding in at Iori, the last spans closed in a flash as Ryu launches
upwards, all the force of his legs and rising form behind that right fist as it
flies in at Yagami's chest and face, intended to get the powerful fighter to
back off... The hard way, "Shoooryuuuuuken!!!"
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Ryu's Shoryuken.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Iori             0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0              Ryu
Rule number one of fighting -- hit the other person.  Rule number two -- don't
get hit.  So far Iori's been able to play this fight by the book, and the trend
seems to continue -- for even though he's ridiculously close to getting hit by
the Ansatsuken disciple, he knows the tables could turn in a heartbeat.  So
after his attack, his boots tap lightly as he steps back away from the fighter
in the white gi.  When he starts coiling up -- indeed, =before= that point, the
Orochi halfbreed can already detect the signs of the impending attack -- and
leaps backwards out of the way, his red trenchcoat rustling with the sudden
motion.  "True to form," he comments with a light smirk -- but with the World
Warrior still rising before him, why waste such a prime opportunity to attack?
Iori surges forward sharply once more -- though this time he's managing to get
behind Ryu, ramming his four talons right into the nomad's back.  And, if he has
his way, his bloody talons would carve four parallel grooves into Ryu's flesh,
jerking him out of his flight and slinging him across the ring. "GURAAAAAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Ryu with Saka Sakahagi.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Iori             0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0              Ryu
That... Was /not/ according to plan, or by the book, from Ryu's perspective.  It
just leaves him in a very bad spot, descending into the fierce slash and getting
a bloody, rather painful reward, before enjoying the far more painful landing,
crashing down to the rather unforgiving arena floor as he's hurled clear,
sliding into a tumble and taking a moment to push back to his feet, a bit of a
grimace crossing his features as he regards Iori.  A nod is paid to Yagami, but
no words.  The cursed warrior is on his game tonight... Must have some pent up
aggression.  After their last meeting, Ryu wouldn't be surprised.  Either way,
he doesn't immediately press the assault, apparently inclined to take the moment
to recenter himself and reconsider Yagami's approach.  Ryu holds to a defensive
guard and slowly circles Iori, without attacking directly.
COMBATSYS: Ryu focuses on his next action.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Iori             0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0              Ryu
Pent-up aggression would be one way of putting it.  Years of mental torment
would be another.  Perhaps Ryu knows what it's like to have two personalities
struggling for control -- a calm and rational one that tends to shepherd the
animalistic, violent urges into submission.  Of course he knows, because he's in
control now -- and he -wasn't- during at least tournament match in his past.
And perhaps it's that same recognition that keeps him away -- for while the
superego may be enough to control, it's the id that does the most damage.  And,
as many have noticed, Iori's personality often tends to -merge- the two into a
particular potent combination.

Refraining from attack just gives Iori food for thought... shouldn't he be
taking the time to stack the odds against his opponent?  Shouldn't he be
attempting to do the same, to assess his opponent and consider a strategy?

Nah.  Iori already has his strategy -- keep the pressure on until the fight's
done with.  And that means keeping Ryu on his toes, hammering down attacks like
no tomorrow.  Which would be why Iori dashes forward yet again, starting off
with a right cross to shake him up.  "GURAAH!"  And followed by stepping forward
into a left uppercut.  "GURAAH!" And then leaping forward to deal an overhead
blow to the World Warrior with both clenched fists. "KURAAAAAOH!"  
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Iori's Aoi Hana.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Iori             0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0              Ryu
Ryu does indeed know the feeling... Though the suspected similarities between
the warriors certainly don't lend themselves to good conversation, as far as Ryu
is concerned.  Neither does his alter-ego impact this fight - His is a control
that's carefully honed over the years, but then, his burden is also closer to
man than Yagami's Orochi-given taint.  Ryu certainly isn't giving Iori room to
breathe for anything but selfish benefit, however, quick on his feet as he
dances back and away from Iori's cross, weaving into a leaning twist to carry
him away from the uppercut, and finally, a quick sidestep left as Iori leaps in,
clenched fists catching nothing but air...
    Air and a similar reprisal... Sort of.  Rather than the singular motion of
before, Ryu's sudden reversal comes in the form of a powerful slam of an
underhand punch aimed for Yagami's ribcage as he descends from this attack, the
World Warrior's entire frame lurching forward with the force, force which is
only a prelude... As Ryu again slides forward into a crouch, form traced with
bluish chi as he launches that right fist up and in at Iori with more force and
speed than the first time, launching in an energy-trailed rocket straight up,
the strike meant to send Yagami far higher, and for far farther,
"Shooooooryuuuuuuuuuken!!!!!!!"  To the nth degree.
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Ryu's Shin Shoryuken.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Iori             0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0              Ryu
Unf.  Still a bit off-balance from that series of blows, Iori's left his ribcage
a wee bit open for that first underhanded punch.  It serves as a nifty wake-up
call for the Orochi halfbreed, though, as he staggers back sharply.  Perhaps it
doesn't work -quite- according to the World Warrior's plan, though, as it had
knocked Iori back just far enough for him to get his hand up.  It might seem
like a poor attempt at blocking, at least until the orchid blaze flares up in
his palm, exploding in a harmless torrent of air, which happens to be just
enough to knock Iori back without further complications -- or without the
effects of that blisteringly powerful punch.  Gritting his teeth, he shakes his
head.  Apparently Ryu had devised a similar strategy to his own -- which would
necessitate a slight change on Iori's part.

To wit -- his boots flex with the sudden reversal of movement as he leaps back
at Ryu, aiming to tackle him with an aerial throw, and slam him right back to
the ring.  No flames, no premeditation -- just sheer instinctive fury.
"RAAAAOH!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Iori's Quick Throw.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Iori             0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0              Ryu
There's less surprise, and more focused response to Iori's defense for this new
and improved Rising Dragon... As Ryu descends this time, he focuses in on the
powerful halfbreed, a sudden twist and shove dropping him back and to the side
of the attempted tackle, an impressive midair correction that gives Ryu a
half-second to correct his center of gravity as he lands, before he steps in at
Yagami, planting his left foot as a pivot and twisting sharply to bring his
right in in a forceful axe-kick intended to plant his heel squarely in Iori's
jaw, and slam the agile fighter once more as his foot arcs back downwards,
"Hyaaaaah!!!"  Ryu intoned, focusing his strength for the intended impact...
He's putting everything he has into turning this one around.  Or at least
gaining himself a handhold.
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Ryu's Strong Kick.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Iori             0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0              Ryu
As he'd focused so intently upon nailing Ryu in mid-air, Iori really didn't
expect Ryu to get the heck out of the way. He'd figured it was a given that he'd
hit, even if this -is- the vaulted World Warrior!  Shows what he knows.  He's
quick to recover, landing in a quick roll and springing back to his feet none
the worse for wear.  But still, Ryu has the advantage of forethought and
precision, which he just so happens to bring to bear with that axe-kick -- a
kick that Iori's got little choice but to fling up an arm and defend against.
He's successful in that, barely -- his arm still reverberating from the blow.
But he wastes no further time, already rocketing out with his other hand --
first rocking into a diagonal slash across the front of Ryu's gi, before
reversing sharply into a backhanded elbow smash into his chin. "HHHRRRRR!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Iori's Yumebiki.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Iori             0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0              Ryu
Ryu's stern features grow sterner still, eyes burning more brightly as he
batters relentlessly at Yagami's defenses... It seems like a slow, slow process,
but Ryu isn't intimidated... He can see several spots where Iori may soon be
vulnerable, and it's to that end that Ryu reacts in a flash, stepping back and
lifting an arm to intercept Iori's slashing blow with his forearm, the reverse
elbow caught with an equally forceful backhand, intercepted on the back of a
sparring glove and nullified into a stinging reminder of Yagami's strength...
But nothing that's going to slow Ryu down.  He twists and leaps forward,
crossing what there is of the nearly point-blank range in a flash, twisting in
the instants of ascent to swing his right leg out straight before him, his
entire body twirling through the air, gusts of wind thrown up beneath him as he
sails in at the mighty halfbreed, sweeping roundhouse after roundhouse in at
Yagami's head, "Tatsumaki Senpuuuuu Kyaku!!!!" Maybe he can use some of Iori's
ample momentum to his advantage /this/ way.....
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Iori with Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Iori             0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0              Ryu
Ah, so much for this match being 'by the book' -- Iori -had- left an opening
there, and it was certainly capitalized upon by Ryu's spinning foot.  Rather
than get knocked out of the way by the first blow, he finds himself trapped in
its path, each stumble backwards doing nothing to dissuade Ryu from his straight
and narrow path.  Each kick sends a shudder through the tall man's frame,
jarring him backwards with loosed howls of pain -- though really, that's just
because the maneuver caught him so much by surprise, he has little else to say.
Even with the pain wracking his body, it's no time to relent on the fight -- and
as such, after the last of the Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku, Iori makes a wild grab
for Ryu's extended foot, hoping his chances of slinging him down to the stone
floor are better this time.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Ryu with Quick Throw.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Iori             0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0              Ryu
The gratifying feel of Iori being thwacked by the spinning kicks is shortlived
as Ryu is grabbed out of the move, the quick slam sending him back-first into
the arena floor, the harsh impact sending a new jolt of pain through his body...
But the Ansatsuken master isn't ready to just lay down yet.  He's up again in a
hurry... Not the overextending rising rush that he had tried before, but in a
forceful uppercut nonetheless, Ryu plants his feet beneath him after rolling
into a crouch, and pushes back to reverse his momentum and bring his gloves
right fist up squarely under Yagami's chin with skull-jarring force.  The
wanderer remains intent on his opponent... Iori sets a hard pace, but Ryu isn't
going to give up that race just yet.
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Ryu's Fierce Punch.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Iori             0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0              Ryu
Tsk!  Uppercut this, uppercut that, uppercut again -- and yet Iori's managed to
avoid every single true =uppercut= Ryu's thrown at him by swinging his torso
back and out of the way.  He sure didn't expect a third in the series, but maybe
it's a sign that Iori actually -does- have the wandering martial artist on the
defensive.  "You're scared..." he says, deftly stepping backwards after the less
committed uppercut, a faint smirk crossing his lips.  It's not a thought that
lingers upon Iori's mind, though, as he leaps forward -- though it's a bit odd.
In flight, the Orochi halfbreed's legs precede him.  The reasoning might become
clear as the rest of him follows -- for Iori's shroud of red hair is summarily
blown out of the way from the sheer force of his forehead rocketing forth, aimed
to plow into Ryu's forehead for a dizzying headbutt.  "UUUUUUUURRRGH!"
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Ryu with Medium Punch.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Iori             0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0              Ryu
Scared?  Not quite.  Though it's quite accurate to say that Ryu is overwhelmed,
his defense finding little option when it comes to coping with the unpredictable
aggression Iori brings to the fight... Caught mid-weave, Ryu is slammed
backwards by the lunging headbutt, staggering back with a grunt as he blinks
through suddenly blurry eyes, nose leaking a steady stream of blood.  He's
definitely taken some hits, but Ryu isn't going to give up... Just the opposite,
really.  Fixing his gaze back on Yagami, he rights his stance, "I'm not done
yet."  He answers back, steadily, bringing his arms sweeping forward, palms
surging with plumes of red chi, the multifaceted fires cascading together in a
searing conflaguration as the nomad's hands sweep forward, launching the napalmy
blast straight in on Iori, who hopefully won't have a lot of room to react to
the literal fireball, "Hadooooouken!!!"  Ryu incants, eyes following the course
of the potent blast, ready to move...
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Iori             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1              Ryu
Somewhat pleased, Iori reels back from his own headbutt, eyes widening from the
sudden bloodrush.  Loosing a light chuckle as the added adrenaline kicks in, he
takes a few steps backwards -- and is somewhat pleased to see Ryu conjuring up
his own crimson chi.  He knows it's not the same as Kusanagi's -- but he also
knows its sheer destructive potential.  Gritting his teeth, he raises both hands
in a cross pattern, absorbing the fiery impact with a light grin.  It seems the
benefit of his relentless assault is diminishing slightly.  So, rather than
continue to press the assault, he takes this moment to reconsider his options,
lowering his hands to a more ready defense as his crimson eyes focus on Ryu.
"I'd be disappointed if you were..." he notes quietly.  Yagami knows better than
anyone that this match could turn around in a heartbeat.
COMBATSYS: Iori focuses on his next action.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Iori             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1              Ryu
One might expect Ryu to welcome the breather at this point in the fight... To
take the moment to reassess and consider.  But no, the World Warrior sees his
opening, and he seizes it.  This isn't an amateur fight, and he's certainly the
one cornered in this particular instance.  It's a situation he seeks to right by
launching himself in at Iori behind the flaming Hadouken, bringing his right
around, and under, once more in at Iori's ribs.  Ryu lets his actions speak for
his readyness to fight, dropping in low as a tracing of bluish chi trails forth
from his form, testament to the sheer power of the attack that follows.  An
uppercut, yes... The big one, brought out and looking for a bit of redemption,
perhaps.  Whatever the case, it's a whole lot of force aimed at Iori's face by
way of fist, the nomad launching himself up and in, plenty of force behind the
sudden charging double-strike, "Shooooooryuuuuuuuuken!!!"
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Ryu's Shin Shoryuken.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Iori             1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0              Ryu
Uppercut, uppercut, uppercut, =uppercut=.  Iori senses a pattern here, and as he
leaps backwards to avoid this particular blow, watching Ryu rocket upwards once
again, he really can't help but shake his head and laugh.  "Honestly, I expected
more than =this= from you, Ryu!"  Even as the nomad glows blue, soaring high
into the air, Iori's hands flare purple. Both of them in this case, though only
one gets slapped towards the ground beneath Ryu, like his Yami Barai earlier.
Unlike that, though, it explodes on contact with the ground, a crack
spiderwebbing the often-repaired arena floor.  Howling with laughter, he lashes
a followup orchid from his left hand towards the same spot, intensifying the
explosion into an even larger one.  And then he clasps both hands over his head,
hammering them both downwards with a riotous howl: "GURAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Apparently, it stopped being funny at that point, because just as his fists
crash into the ground, the explosion becomes a raging, tilted column of energy,
its torrential upforce swirling to envelop Ryu within its radius.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Ryu with Yami Sugi.
- Power hit! -

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///                           ]
Iori             0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0              Ryu
Enveloped indeed.  Ryu attempts to steel himself and weather the storm levelled
on him, but to little avail.  Whatever his skill, the nomad is completely
overwhelmed tonight, the Orochi-tainted fighter's resilient tenacity more than
Ryu's defense could handle... Of course, it would've helped if he could keep up
with Yagami offensively, either.  It's been a series of hard lessons lately, and
Ryu's certainly trying to figure out the solutions... But not right this moment.
Just now, he's being washed over by a tidal wave of raw, searing energy, enough
to leave him in an unsteady kneel as he's swept back by the blast, barely
upright.  He can't answer the taunts, even if he had air... He's certainly been
bested handily.  He only rebuttal is a sweeping motion of his arms, conjuring
forth a potent charge of bluish energy of his own, the blast concentrated into a
swirling sphere in an instant as the heels of his hands meet, and a shove sends
the coruscating fireball in on Iori, "Hadooouken!"  Ryu calls, a bit less
forcefully, as he topples forward as the blast leaves his hands, catching
himself on one palm, but bested nonetheless.
COMBATSYS: Ryu can no longer fight.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <|
Iori             0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Iori parries Ryu's Hadouken!

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <|
Iori             0/-------/-------|
Really... Iori had been holding back on -some- of his power. Never knew when
he'd need it, since that 'last mile' tended to be the roughest period of the
fight.  Yagami has had problems with it -- which was partly the reason his
attack strategy tended to become a bit more headstrong over the past few months.
But really... the same strategy doesn't work on everyone.  Blocking attacks
outright proved to be his downfall -- since even a blocked attack bruises like
any other.  It's only the =manner= of his systematic responses to Ryu's attacks
that have changed -- which was why a more evasive technique seems to have paid
off for the Orochi halfblood.

And really, it's that same evolved evasion that's paid off now -- for as the
blue Hadouken rockets towards him, Iori smirks with the knowledge that he has a
counter to it.  Maybe not a projectile of his own -- but the flames he couldn't
use before.  Sound with the knowledge that Ryu's at his limit, Iori clenches his
fists, exploding his right into a blaze of purple flame.  Dropping low for a
moment, he comes up suddenly, sharply backhanding the meter-wide mushroom-cloud
of energy and dissipating it with his own bloom of orchid flame.  Chuckling
darkly as his amethyst flame burns on, even as Ryu's last-ditch fireball is
little more than scattered motes of light, he strides purposefully towards Ryu,
hands still hovering by his side as he watches for any sign of response.  He
knows Ryu -could- jump back up -- he's done it before after all, and he could
easily leave the scar of defeat on him as he did to Sagat.  So... Yagami
tactfully keeps his distance.  "Kept me on my toes this time." he notes levelly,
his violet flames flickering on.
COMBATSYS: Iori takes no action.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <|
Iori             0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Iori has ended the fight here.

Log created by Kobun, and last modified on 07:20:33 05/06/2005.