Description: Fighting Kyo Kusanagi proves to be quite an uphill battle for Ken Masters, before Ryu steps in to reclaim victory from Kyo, Athena, and Shingo -- with Sakura remaining on the bench. (Winners: Rising Dragons)
The venue for today's King of Fighters 2005 match is majestic Tugela Falls in South Africa. Towering over all assembled here at over 900 meters high, the falls send thousands of tons of water crashing down every second. The air is heavy with moisture from all the spraying water, and there is a steady breeze that moves through the area. Spectators watch this fight from the rocky shoreline, and from specially-prepared boats. The fighters themselves are perched upon two dozen or so large artificial boulders that have been placed in the water a hundred feet or so from the falls. They vary in size, with the largest ones having ample room for two people to duke it out in close quarters.
The leader of Esaka Team, Kyo Kusanagi, stands on one of the smaller rocks, hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans. His attire for this fight should come as something of a surprise; his old modified Japanese boy's uniform is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a stylish white jacket/black shirt/blue jeans ensemble. The only thing remaining of his old outfit is the white headband.
Off to the side of the falls designated for his team, the World Warrior stands with his corded arms crossed easily over his chest. He seems relaxed, but intently focused, stress registering nowhere on his features... though his gaze remains steady across the falls, oblivious of the spraying mist that blows about on the warm winds that whip about the falls, driven up from the crashing waters. The rumble is a few steps away from overpowering at this kind of proximity, but it's invigorating to the warrior in the white gi. Ryu's chest rises and falls in rhythmic, deep breaths of the moist air, a slow nod offered to the opposing side. He knows each and every member of ESAKA team, and while they've earned varying measures of respect in the nomad's eyes... he knows better than to discount their ability. Every bit of concentrated awareness the nomadic master has is focused on the fight to come, though by his stance, and the fact that he stays off to the side for the moment... he won't be leading the dance for Rising Dragons today. For the moment, he watches, and he waits.
Standing on the sidelines of the unconventional arena that has been chose for this Round 2 match, Shingo (unlike Kyo) is wearing his own modified school uniform as his fighting outfit. And by modified, he means unbuttoned and untucked with the sleeves rolled up. In other words, what he normally wears almost every single day out in public. Cupping his gloved hands (blue gloves, not black if Kyo cared to notice), he shouts and cheers on his idol and team leader, "GO KUSANAGI-SAN!!!" Shingo grins and lowers his hands to look to his other teammates that are here as well. Namely, Athena and Benimaru. "Man, this is going to be such an awesome fight, huh guys?" Excited is he? Maybe just a tad.
"So, it's go time," Ken offers to himself with a smirk, not really feeling any differently than he did when he woke up. That mean he's relaxed? Heck no, it just means he's been pumped for this match since 4 AM. The rush of the fight to come makes him feel just like he did when he first got into the fighting ring. Adjusting his red gi, he merely makes his way toward the fighting area.
Surprisingly enough, his wife and young child are here, having flown in from the US just to watch his daddy, his friend, and his friend's special student go and beat the snot out of the other team. At least if Ken wants special loving from his wife anytime soon, that's what he BETTER do.
Just getting a kiss from his wife on the cheek with a "Good luck, hun" and little smile from the son held in her arms, Masters walks on to the river's edge to wait with the rest of his team to stand along side him. Of course, he's wearing his usual fighting clothes. Unlike SOME people, he actually can wear the same outfit for years and years. It doesn't make him uncool. It makes him classic. CLASSIC.
Athena sits atop a nearby riverside rock, tappping a foot as she waits for the opening. Like Kyo, she's gotten an image change. It's a thing young people do, after all! Especially when you're famous. And rich. And... okay, okay. "Show 'em what real fire is like, Kyo-kun!", she calls out, cupping her hands around her mouth. She beams, apparently in good spirits. After all, this is a fight against people she actually respects... and is bound to be more fun than last time. Right? Right.
Sakura must not be famous or rich, because she's still milking her Taiyo schoolgirl outfit for all it's worth -- the red, white, and blue ensemble this time. Her long white headband flits about in the rush of air tossed about by the waterfall as she stands next to Ryu with a sunny smile, fingertips laced behind her head as she watches ESAKA run through their own preparations. It could be said that her attention tends to linger upon a certain Shingo Yabuki -- the person who'd given her the lucky handguards with her own name on them that she's wearing now -- but she's really just assessing the opposite team, right? Even if she's knocked down 3/4 of them at one time or another before, it doesn't help to conduct a bit more reconnaissance, right?
Benimaru was still in disbelief that Ryu was actually on a team, who would -willingly- want to be caught dead standing next to that fashion disaster? Perhaps to no suprise, Nikaido wasn't impressed with Kyo's opponent, and while he wasn't the biggest fan of Kyo either, he had to support the lesser of two evils. In fact, it was a no brainer, "It's so hot," he murmurs to himself, waveing a paper fan in front of his absolutely gorgeous visage. He was wearing a red, silken, button up shirt, and uncomfortably short shorts along with very fashionable boots that he'd have to wash later since he got mud on them, ".. I'm going to die out here."
Kyo peers over at Ken, who apparently is Rising Dragons team's first fighter to up. "Hey, hey, you guys can't afford to screw around by not sending your strongest guy up against me!" he calls out to the opposing team, his gaze in particular directed towards Ryu. Seeing that the Dragons aren't budging Kyo smirks and shakes his head, as if pitying them, "You guys are making a big mistake." Now to Ken: "You did alright against me that last time we fought..." one gloved hand makes it's way up to his forehead and rips Kyo's white headband off. "-but this time it's going to be a lot different." *whoosh!* the headband errupts into flame in Kyo's palm and is soon nothing but cinders drifting down towards the water.
"Not sending your-"
Ken just grits his teeth at that. The nerve. To just treat him like a second class warrior like that. For that, Ken isn't going to hold back, not for one second, no matter what. Ken's ego is large, but when hit like that, can soon give bite to Ken's bark. Ken's own flames can be seen. While only few wisps here and there, the heat about his fists can be seen by both sides. He leaps into the air, leaping from a small rock to get on one of the larger ones. "Yeah, things are going to be a lot different. This time, I'm gunna kick your ass SO hard, you're gunna need to buy up NASA to pull it down from orbit." He gets into his fighting stance, rather sure of his footing despite the damp surrounds, his hair flowing gently in the breeze generated by the falls. His black brows go down, clearly not in his usual playful mood. This time, he's fighting for real. "Bring it, little man."
Ryu's arms remain folded, though there is the slightest bit of a smile at Kyo's words. Not concern, not intimidation... genuine amusement, as the nomadic master's dark eyes drift to his blonde brother from another mother, "Give him hell." the World Warrior encourages, though his deep voice is scarcely more than a whisper. Certainly not audible to Ken, or Kyo... especially with the crashing waterfall. It's the sentiment that matters, after all... and Masters is ready for this, as far as his friend and rival is concerned.
Kyo looks unimpressed by the gaijin. He's unhappy that Ryu choose not to fight him, and now somebody's going to pay. It might as well be Ken. His other hand drifts out of his jean pocket, both palms now resting loosely by his sides, "You guys call yourselves the 'rising dragons'..." he notes with a smirk, simutaneously calling forth a bloom of crimson flame in his left hand, "...so you should know, I come from a long line of dragon slayers!" The smack-talk session apparently over, he flings the flames in his hand across the water towards Ken's position.
Athena raises an eyebrow at the banter, and rests her chin on her palm, and her elbow on her knee as she crosses her leg s. She quietly takes this all in. She hasn't actually seen Ken fight - at least not in person - so this should be interesting. Especially with the brash quality of both fighters... which makes it much more of a wild card. But Athena knows that Kyo's more than he seems now... just how much more? Well...
Shingo is on the edge of his seat. Or would be if he were actually sitting down. He is antsy from all the build-up preceding the first attack and is leaning forward with anticipation. Any more forward and he would be tumbling into the water before he even gets to fight. Stay cool, Shingo, stay cool. Such a kid. You can tell that he's been really looking forward to this match-up. Not the exact pairings per se, but the whole ESAKA vs Rising Dragons. It has the makings of being something epic. He pays no attention or doesn't hear the verbal sparring between Kyo and Ken. Like it matters.
COMBATSYS: Ken dodges Kyo's Yami Barai.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
"All bark, no bite!" shouts Sakura, before flopping down to take a seat, pulling a small pastry out of the satchel at her side. Omelette bread, and it's still steaming a bit as she'd made it hot and fresh just before the match. Sticking her tongue out at Kyo, she leans back in her seat with a bit of a smirk, waiting for the delicacy to cool.
Ken smirks as he just ducks to one side, the powerful flames of Kyo's just going to where his chest once was. Slowly and easy for this. No big risks, no holding back. "Then show me!" is all Ken offers as a reply, just getting up and doing... Nothing? Well, maybe not, as he seems to narrows his gaze on Kyo even more. He's waiting... Or just taking the time to read Kyo's movements, his spiritual energies, his breathing. Nothing escapes Ken's notice. This fight is too important to not take the time to properly focus after all.
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo smirks, "Dodged it..." he murmurs to himself; Ken's certainly strong, but Kyo's pretty confident in his abilities. "Well, you won't be able to dodge these flames of mine every time..." he says, "It's a law of nature." The young fighter's eyes narrow at his oppoenent, who seems content to keep his distance for now, "...but since you seem to too afraid to face me directly-" Kyo becomes a blur of motion, rocketing towards Ken at incredible speeds; is he running on the water? Or simply moving from stone to stone too quick to recognize? In any case he is in Ken's face in an instant, planting off stone the red-clad fighter is standing on to deliver a couple of flying kicks to the torso, "I'LL BRING THE LAW OF NATURE TO YOU!"
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Kyo's Nana Juu Go Shiki Kai.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Ken just smiles as Kyo rushes toward him. Why? Because he isn't scared of speed. Speed's Ken's thing after all. While the footwork is as fast as expected, Ken's guard remains true as he raises his arms to block the blows. It stings a bit, but this fight is far from over. As soon as the second kick is over, Ken reaches out to try and grab Kyo by the shirt. If his hands get to that white jacket, he'll try and roll back a couple of times before using his foot to launch Kyo, hopefully sending him into the water. "You need to cool off, kid!" There isn't any fear in Ken's actions. Just tatics. And hopefully ones that will pay off.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ken's Jigoku-guruma.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo gets grabbed by the collar of his jacket, but manages to avoid being tossed in th water by his foe, simutaneously knocking Ken's hands away with one arm, while using the other one to attempt a nasty close-quarters uppercut to that soft, fleshy part right under Ken's chin.
COMBATSYS: Ken dodges Kyo's Strong Punch.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Benimaru groans, "Really, why does it have to be those two that start off?" continuing to fan himself, other hand brushing the hair plastered to his face, "If I see any more fire.." his mascera will run? Or something even more horrifying? And to make matters worse, Shingos yelling was exhausting the prima donna as well- Finally enough is enough and he reaches for Yabukis jacket, "You there, save some of that energy for the fight, will you? God." Will this be the last time he whines and complains? Stay tuned.
Ken barely gets out of the way of the uppercut, the breeze of the fist sending some of his hair into the hair as he takes a small step back. He gives the small hints of a smile in response, deciding to take advantage of the close quarters as he tries to give a nasty axe kick, hoping to nail Kyo in the chin on the way up before bring the heel crashing down on the top of Kyo's head. He would normally offer a witty comeback, but considering how foe, he knows the fight could turn around at any time.
"Hey Benimaru! What are you doing?! We gotta cheer on Kusanagi-san!" The boy has no fear about wearing himself out. If only he could snap his fingers and start a fire with all that pent-up energy he has inside. If you think he's excited now, wait until he actually starts fighting. Shingo doesn't really get what Benimaru's problem is. He is actually wondering why it is that the pretty-boy isn't more energetic about all of this.
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Kyo with Inazuma Kakato Wari.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo almost loses his footing on the stone as Ken's bare foot shoots into his chin, but fortunately a couple of deft steps, along with Ken sort of balancing him back by hitting him in the opposite direction, prevents Kyo from getting soaked this time. The scion of the flames counterattacks immediately, hoping to punish the amount of time it took for Ken to execute his two-part attack. Flame enshrouding his fist again, he aims to crack Masters right in the nose.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ken with Aragami.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo says, "YOUR BODY'S WIDE OPEN!"
Kyo immediately follows up with a downwards elbow, then shoots the arm right back upwards with a short arm uppercut, all with coresponding bursts of flame.
"WOOOOO!" Comes the cheer from Shingo. Loud enough to be even heard, if barely, by those closest to the falls. "Go Kusanagi-san!" Hey, give the kid a break. He has to cheer on his teacher and fellow practioner of Kusanagi-ryuu kobojutsu. If only because they're the only two users of the style on the ESAKA Team. And in Shingo's mind this match is all about showing mad Kusanagi-ryuu skillz. Well, not all about. It'd be nice to show his parents that fighting is actually a good thing for him too. The whole being teamed up with Kyo is an added benefit. Really.
Sometimes luck is with Ken. Sometimes it isn't. This would be one of the times it isn't. The combo hits true, the attack sending Ken to the ground. Ken rolls back, almost rolling off the rock completely before he handsprints off the rock to land on another rock. A bit smaller than the last, but with enough room and Ken can land on his hands and knees without fear of falling into the water. Ignoring the comment as well as the burns that he got from that, Ken just puts his hands together as he tries to channel some ki between his palms, hoping that as he cries out "Hadouken!" that his projectile attack will find its mark. "This fight's far from over!" he shouts out in response as his attack screams through the air.
Benimaru only /seemed/ to be bored, but in actuality he was excited, perhaps even as excited as Yabuki, but he has his own ways of showing it. Eyes narrow a bit, but then he smirks, "The last thing he needs is his head swollen any more, he's fine as is. Besides, aren't you embaressed? Sakura isn't even doing what you are," to the yell of hadoken, Benimaru just groans, lowering his head, "Oh this is a nightmare. A complete nightmare."
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ken's Hadouken.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Sakura's being smug enough for the Rising Dragons, just the same. Having started happily munching away on her omelette bread as she watches the fight, she can't help but smile at Shingo's antics -- not to mention the fight itself! But yes, she's keeping it cool -- more because she's distracted her favorite fighters in previous tournaments with her excited cheering, and she doesn't plan on screwing this one up!
Kyo's own aura, though definitely not chi, flares up around him as he puts up his defense against Ken's Hadouken. This one definitely doesn't sting as much as Ryu's variety of them, causing Kyo to just smirk at Ken as a bit of smoke rising from the palm he used to extinguish the energy blast. "Not as good as those as your pal, right?" he asks, before backflipping onto another stone six or so feet away.
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Shingo looks to Benimaru after making his raucous cheer and blinks at the man. He glances to Sakura over on the Rising Dragons side and sees that the shoot-fighter is telling the truth. The truth, in this case, doesn't matter. Shingo shrugs and replies with a wiiiiiiide grin, "Well duh. It's because she's being trained by Mister Ryu. And he isn't fighting right now. Mister Masters is. Her doing for Mister Masters what I'm doing now would make as much sense as me cheering for -you-." And he leaves it at that. His point being that he's cheering on his trainer. And he doesn't care who knows it.
Ken chuckles. "Oh, I am... You just haven't proven yourself gotten enough yet to see my BETTER moves this match," Ken replies as he leaps after Kyo, leaning his upper body back and balancing with his right arm in-line with a straight kick the side. Aimed for the gut, Ken slides forward a little as he kicks, mostly due to the slippery rocks about.
COMBATSYS: Kyo counters Ushiro Mawashi-geri from Ken with Nue Tsumi EX.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ken
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Kyo 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
*THWACK* Well, the sound of the impact sounds meaty enough, but there's Kyo giving Ken that shit-eating smirk still... isn't his expression supposed to be a wince of pain? Maybe, but instead of slamming into his ribs, Ken's kick has landed squarely in Kyo's grasp. "Is that a fact?" He asks sarcastically, right before yanking Ken's leg towards him while lowering his shoulder right into chest of the Ansatsuken fighter.
Athena watches the fight intently. After all, since all of the opposing team fights with the same style... they at least have similar weaknesses. Unfortunately, those weaknesses aren't much. But at Kyo lands his surprise blow, she jumps, pumping a hand in the air as she goes to one leg in excitement. "Great hit, Kyo!", she says, before looking a bit embarrassed. Blushing, she settles back down again.
Ken grunts as he finds that his move was countered so easily, not having time to pull his foot back before he gets his chest smashed into and falls into the water. Crap, crap, and triple crap. Ken manages to grab a close by rock though, this one a bit smaller than most of the ones he has been on. He narrows his eyes as he struggles to get back up on the rock, his smile that he once had turning into a frown as the water drips off it. While he was serious before, it is clear that he needs to raise the bar even higher. The question is has this been the top of his game, or can he do even better? Perhaps even Ken himself isn't too sure.
Meanwhile, Eliza just continues to watch, knowing that she shouldn't say anything that could distract her husband from this important fight. It doesn't look good though.
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ken
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Kyo 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
"... My point exactly," Benimaru finally murmurs, because obviously Shingo would be cheering for him. In fact, he could think of very few people who wouldn't, "Which is why I said S- Actually, just never mind. Knock yourself out, kiddo," suddenly things were getting more interesting, and he hated to admit it but he rather liked Kens style. In fact, completely overlooking the fact that he used the ansatsuken style, he was proving himself to be rather cool.
Which leaves the model to wonder what the hell happened to Ryu. Why couldn't he be as cool, as good looking, and as successfully marital as Ken? The question makes him chuckle as he mutters under his breath as he shakes his head again, ".. what a chump." Because uneccassary cheapshots are his strong point. A brief glance is given to Athena, and he raises a hand to his mouth to cover his smirk of amusement.
Kyo watches Ken hoist himself up out of the water and onto an adjacent boulder while one of Kyo's boots taps impatiently on it's own stone perch. "What happened? You started off so promising!" His foot's tapping becomes more rapid. "After all that talk about showing you something too, what a joke! Here..." Finally, the foot doing all the tapping suddenly comes up, then sharply down in a diagonal angle towards Ken, shatterring nearly half the boulder into rubble and small stones that fly at the US Champion.
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Kyo's Thrown Object.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Ken
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Kyo 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Knock himself out? And give the other team the benefit of a handicap match? Shingo doesn't think so! He does give another resounding cheer for Kyo's successful counter attack on Ken. Benimaru may not think so, but Shingo is all about the belief that the crowd/audience can either help or hinder someone's performance. Hence why he's putting so much energy into encouraging Kyo for the fight. He thinks about making a comment of how the Kusanagi (the sword) was used to slay a dragon. Though if he remembers his studies he doesn't think that was the case. More along the lines of the Kusanagi was found after the dragon got slain. But this information isn't going to benefit Kyo in anyway so it is never spoken of again.
Ken winces as Kyo's comment comes with painful rocks and stuff. "That's right, keep talking big. The higher, the rise..." Ken leaps foward, landing in a roll once he gets to the same rock that Kyo's on. At the end of the roll though, he leaps into the air with a powerful, finally showing his own red flames with his signature move. "Shoryuken!" is given with a loud cry, Ken pulling everything into the fists that made him into the man he is today.
His team didn't win the first round just for him to screw things up now. Ken's not sure how, or when, but he WILL beat Kyo tonight. This isn't what he thinks. This is what he knows.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ken's Shoryuken.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Ken
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Kyo 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo takes a step back, throwing up his arms in front of his face to mount a defense against Ken's flaming Shoryuken technique. "Nngh.." it stings quite a bit even though his block was near perfect, "The title of 'Rising Flaming Dragon' doesn't suit you at all! GIVE IT UP!" He waits 'till gravity takes effect on Masters, timing his winded-up hook punch for the precise moment his enemy's feet touch back down onto the boulder.
COMBATSYS: Ken fails to interrupt Aragami from Kyo with Shippuujinrai Kyaku.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Ken touches down, but as soon as he does, he leaps up, his leg extending in what he thinks will be what he needs to turn this match around. Sadly, it's the opposite, and Kyo's punch smashes into him. Ken's wife just winces at the blow as Ken's head smacks against stone on the way down. He rolls back onto his feet, merely looking back to Ryu and Sakura with a 'Sorry guys' before turning back to Kyo. Clearly winning seems almost out of the question. Even though Ken will try and hope that Lady Luck will smile on him right after she spat, he is facing facts... Kyo is better than him, and while he might have been able to pull a win, he's just made too many mistakes thus far.
Sakura throws up her fist in triumph for Ken! Though it's backed by a wide-eyed stare and a tilt of her chin, as if to indicate, 'The fight! Pay attention to the =fight!=' in her totally unsubtle schoolgirl fashion. But really, Ken's the pro here, he knows what he's doing, right? Sakura squeezes her half-eaten omelette bread, giving a quick look over to Ryu. Man, this is intense...
Kyo is right there in Ken's face as soon the older fighter's head turns back, "You should have listened to her!" He says, hoping to take advantage of Ken's break in focus to spin a quick kick into his opponent's upper legs.
Shingo's enthusiasm for Kyo doesn't seem to be dying down any time soon. Not when the Kusanagi heir is on such of a roll against the family man Ansatsuken fighter. "GO KUSANAGI-SAN! KEEP IT UP!" Another loud shout with cupped hands to enhance the sound and how well it's heard by others. You would think with Athena on the team she would be serving as cheerleader. But nope. Leave it all to the aspiring flame wielder.
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Kyo's Light Kick.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Ken
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Kyo 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu meets Ken's gaze steadily, and merely nods once to the man, and then back to Kyo, "This isn't over yet." He offers in the same murmur, though the blonde battler should know the World Warrior well enough to figure out the idea behind it, well enough. Ryu uncrosses his arms, and closes his eyes a moment, focusing his own energies. He's confident Ken isn't out of this yet... but he realizes that one way or another, it's going to fall to him and Sakura soon enough. The warm breeze blowing spray off the falls further musses Ryu's dark hair, the tails of his headband fluttering a bit more as he focuses, preparing himself... and wishing his friend luck, to go with Ken's skill.
Ken frowns as Kyo's not pulling out any of his big moves. This... This seems to insult Ken as he gives a Ryu sized frown. He knocks the leg out of the way, not even thinking about the bruise it leaves. He spins about as he tries a weaker verison of the move he tried earlier, spinning about with his leg extended, making himself like a sprinker as water from his earlier fall is shed from him. "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Ken's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
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Athena 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Ken
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo crouches swiftly, Ken's hurricane kick technique not managing to do much but shift the part in Kyo's hair as it whistles past him. Standing up, Kyo pivots and dashes after Ken, reaching for the back of the guy's neck.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ken with Koto Moon Positive.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ken
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo grabs Ken by the scruff of the neck, even before the U.S. Martial Arts champion's feet can touch the ground. Grip secured, Kyo hoists Ken as far up as he can, "IT'S OVER!!" *WHOOSH* A huge gout of flame, easily the size of an adult male, flashes out of Kyo's hand and over Ken, blasting him away.
Ken flies back, his back hitting against a rock as he gets into the water yet again. As he gets out of the water, one would notice a bit of red still in there after his head goes into the water. Looks like a head wound. Thankfully this is moving water, so no nasty fishes getting themselves a frenzy over him. Wait, those are only in South America. Never mind. Either way, he summons the last of his strength to pull himself out, most of his gi burned and tattered along with his pride.
But while Ken might be having a bad day, his fighting spirit refuses to yeild even now. Racing for Kyo, he says "You want it to be over?! Then here it is! Shinryuu Ken!" And with a mighty rush of flames, Ken's fist gives a much brighter flame than ever seen in the match, carrying him over five feet in the air. If he is gunna go out, he'll do it with a bang.
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Kyo with Shinryuu Ken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ken
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo thinks he has Ken on lockdown; his opponent's charge is slow, he sees it pretty clearly and seems prepared to neutralize the attack. Somehow though, Ken slips through, and the next thing Kyo knows, he's being positively lifted into the air by Ken's Shinryuken. It's as if Ken's spinning uppercut hits him a million times before finally sweet gravity takes hold of Kyo and carries him to a nice soft landing in the water. A few moments later Kyo surfaces, gasping for air, and a few more moments later he's scrambled onto a rock ten meters or so away from Ken. "I guess I took pity on and decided to let you get at least ONE good shot in on me." He shrugs, "Not that it changes anything!" Just like in the beginning of the fight, he begins a mad dash towards Ken, pitting his speed versus that of the U.S. Champions... though this time he's even faster! "BODY GA!"
This time instead of a cheer, Shingo winces. He figured that Kyo's luck would run thin at least once this fight with Ken. Lady Luck is a fickle mistress like that. It doesn't keep him down though. Kyo still has the advantage and there's still the chance of him totalling running through the entire Rising Dragons team like a raging inferno. Yes he has high hopes for his teammate. He'd better. Needing to keep hyped up for when it's finally his turn. "COME ON ESAKA! WE CAN DO THIS!" Now he's cheering for his entire team. When they move on to the 3rd round of competition, they're going to be doing it as ESAKA Team. No matter who brings the victory.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ken with Aragami EX.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ken
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 1/-----==/=======|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Kyo says, "-AMEZE!!!"
"Pity me, my ass. I'm not some two bit-" Ken's words are cut as he braces for Kyo's attack. He tries to dodge since he lacks the energy to put a decent defense. He can't though, and gets send flying. His head seesm to be heading straight for a somewhat small rock jutting out of the water, but mostly on instinct and a desire not to die from bashing his head on a rock, he handplants on it, pushing off to the shallows of the river. By sheer fate, it seems to be on his team's side.
To Ryu and Sakura, he offers a weak, "It's up to you guys" He pauses to cough up some water and blood, merely putting his hands together one final time. Summoning all that he has in him, he unleashes one semi-mighty blast. "Hadouken!" And with that, he falls face first into the waters. Looks like Ken might be sleeping on the couch for the next month or so.
COMBATSYS: Ken can no longer fight.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Kyo with Hadouken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kyo takes a breather.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kyo takes no action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Athena 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 1/---====/=======|
Benimaru continued to watch in interest himself, though at this point he would also kill for an air conditioner. And Ken is finally down after putting up, in his opinion, a pretty good fight. Speaking of pretty, a thought suddenly pops into his mind, which distracts him enough to, for the briefest of moments, draw his attention completely away from the fight to look to the yelling Yabuki, "Hey Shingo," he then asks in a serious tone, "I heard rumors that there's a princess in one of the tribes around here, who's beauty can be compared to the goddess Aphrodite. Do you think that's true?" He has priorities, very important ones, you see.
Kyo cuts Ken's comment short, smashing the gaijin in the face with his patented Aragami technique. "Hrmpf, don't you remember what I told you about the law of nature? There was no way those puny flames of yours could stop mine!" Kyo turns away from Ken to walk to the edge of his boulder to take a breather, "...you should remember that." Thus, he totally misses the Hadouken thrown at him. It blasts into the back of his leather jacket, "Gah! Whoa-" He maintains balance on the edge of the stepping stone with his tip-toes while frantically whirling his arms around like helicopters. He doesn't want to get dunked again! Finally he regains balance and turns towards Rising Dragons' side of the riverbank and, exhaling, he stares right into Ryu's eyes.
Ouch. If anything, Kyo's stronger than Ryu remembers. How one manages that by being nothing but slacking and condescending... well, that's a mystery to the World Warrior, but apparently Kusanagi has the talent to pull it off. All the training Ken put in seems to have been made light of, with the way things went... but hell if Ryu is going to let the scion of flame get away with that! The nomadic master watches that last Aragami crack home with a bit of a wince... he knows how badly those flame-imbued fists tend to hurt. But, that's little deterrent. Ryu knows what has to be done. He lifts his hands and tightens the knot in his headband, closing his eyes for one last moment and drawing a deep breath, before he focuses his attention on the last instants of the fight's conclusion... Ken's got enough energy for that last burst of chi, but the World Warrior's well aware even as his longtime friend collapses into the water... that this one's at its end.
A slow, deep breath follows, as he meets Kusanagi's gaze... and then Ryu is in motion. A nod to Sakura, and he springs from the rock at the side of the pool, landing with a splash at Ken's side and lifting the other Ansatsuken expert from his drowning-likely posture to lean Masters back against the nearest rock, "I'll take it from here." Ryu affirms with a singular, firm clasp of Ken's shoulder, and then he springs back to the side, landing gracefully on one of the smaller rocks off Kyo's flank, head turned to face the scion, "Kusanagi!" the nomadic master greets, his deep voice challenging, "You've still got a long way to go!" Talking about this fight? Or the warrior in general?
It's a question that will have to be answered later, as the World Warrior sweeps his arms forward, a brilliant plume of multifaceted red chi bursting to life from both palms. That surge only intensifies as the heels of Ryu's hands meet before him, his dark eyes locked on Kyo as he twists and launches a suddenly manifested, superheated blast of vengeful fire chi down on Kyo, its spherical mass flaring wildly, a flash of flame twisting about the napalmy projectile as it threatens to give Kusanagi a taste of his own medicine, echoed by a fervent cry of, "Hadoooouken!!!!" Let's see if his flames match up any better. Ryu's not holding anything back, here.
Huzzah! Kyo takes out Ken. If asked, Shingo would also agree that Ken put up a good fight. It wasn't good enough to defeat the pyro but it was still a very good fight. He has to give Masters something, even if he won't hear it, "GOOD FIGHT, MISTER MASTERS! WAY TO GO KUSANAGI-SAN!" That's what he gets for being everyone's friend. Speaking of being everyone's friend...
Shingo wasn't intially paying attention to Benimaru. He rarely does. But for a moment the fighting has halted. "Huh, what? IS what true?" He thinks back to see if his subconscious heard anything. Something about a princess and Aphrodite. "I dunno, Benimaru. Isn't Aphrodite a Greek goddess? And aren't we in Africa?"
Ken just manges the strength to give a thumbs up at Ryu, just smirking despite the blood that coems from the edge of his jaw. He knows if anyone can pull a win out of this, it's Ryu. After all, he's the man when it comes to pushing himself too hard.
Eliza just rushes up to Ken, the woman letting the woman next to her (likely a nanny or a maid of the Masters household) hold Mel as she rushes over to cuddle Ken before the KoF personnel shoo her off so that they can begin to treat Ken. Of course, she is POed about that, but doesn't make a fuzz about it considering the fight is still going on.
Athena beams cheerfully, and stands up, giving the 'V' for victory, "Way to go, Kyo!" She looks over to Shingo, smiling cheerfully, and then pauses to bow to the fallen Ken. "Good effort, Mr. Masters.", she adds more politely, and then settles back down again.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 1/--=====/=======|
Kyo stands there and braces for impact, his own fiery energy flaring up around his body and hands, immediately conflicting with Ryu's flaming projectile. The two forces battle each other for a second, then the fireball dissapates. Smoke rises from Kyo's fingers. "Tch, figures you'd finally speak up once you've let your gaijin teammate fight me for awhile." His eyes narrow in on Ryu, "...but trust me, I still got enough left for both of you!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 1/--=====/=======|
Sakura goes back to munching on her omelette bread, once her sensei jumps into the fray. She isn't terribly worried, here, considering how hard she and her master have been training, and... considering how much Kyo's boasting. At least when Sakura's running her mouth, it's from the sidelines. Cupping her hands over her mouth, she shouts, "Actions speak louder than words, Kyo!" Of course, this one =is= a distraction. And she does give a brief wink to her boyfriend Yabuki across the way, accompanied by an impish grin.
Gaijin teammate? 3/4 Japanese just isn't enough for some people! Namely... full blooded Japanese, "Insults to honour, Kusanagi?" He offers back simply, just shaking his head. His own ethnicity notwithstanding, the nomadic master isn't inclined to allow such a further slight to Masters.... Kyo said enough during the fight. Apparently successfully baited, the World Warrior launches himself off his slippery perch in a flash, sailing high into the air, apparently aiming to land in on Kyo, and mix it up a bit... but, he's no fool, and this particular veteran knows exactly what the scion of flame has waiting for him, and so mid-arc... Ryu's hands sweep forward once more, angled downwards at Kusanagi, a second trailing blast of his own honed fires surging forth from his hands as he focuses in on Kyo, and looses another swirling conflaguration of rampant, flaming chi, the swirling blast projecting its fearful heat towards Kusanagi, and sending hissing tendrils of steam upwards as it evaporates the mist, focused with a fervent, "Hadoooouken!!!!" ... Whatever the end result, Ryu's coming down /right/ behind it.
COMBATSYS: Kyo overcomes Shakunetsu Hadouken from Ryu with Orochinagi.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/-----==|
"Oh yeah," is Benimaru's response, though he seems to be zoneing out again. He's sort of tempted to get up and check it out for himself, but the least he could do is /witness/ ESAKAs win before going off on his own. Back in the real world, he realizes Sakura is winking at him, and he winks right back, pointing his hand like a gun to the girl and 'shooting'.
Ah, its now Kyo versus Ryu he notices and his eyes narrow in focus. Against Kyo, there was a good chance the ansatsuken fighters weakness would be exposed, and Benimaru would zone right on it like a pirahna to blood next time they fought.
Kyo growls, this strategy again. "You wanna sit back and toss that shit all day?!" he yells over the dull roar of the falls, even as the large Hadouken is rocketing towards him. "Fine! HAAAAAAAAH!" A redish glow surrounds Kyo's body for a second before exploding into a full-fledged aura of flame that turns the scion of the flames into a human torch! The Shakunetsu Hadouken doesn't stand a chance. It strikes the raging fires surrounding Kyo and immediately dies on contact, and with Ryu's attack taken care off, Kyo sweeps his arm in front of him, sending out a huge wave of flame that parts the water along it's path, "Reverse Style #108! SERPENT WAVE!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Ryu with Orochinagi.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/-----==|
So cool. Shingo thinks to himself. Almost swooning at how much Kusanagi's awesomeness is shining through. Swooning is a definite no-no. His eyes glaze over at the thought of the future. Imagine, one day he'll be able to do the same thing. In the meantime, "YEAH! THAT'S WHAT REAL FLAMES LOOK LIKE!" So into the match is Shingo that he misses the wink from his girlfriend. And the resulting response from Benimaru. How lucky for the latter.
Ouch. That... hurts. Coming through the Scorching Surge Fist with /that/ kind of force... Ryu's never seen anything like it. Not from any world-class fighter he's ever come up against, and while his arms cross before him to attempt to abate the blast, it's of little use, and the searing conflaguration engulfs him, tearing searing tatters in the top of his gi and blasting burning pain throughout his body as he descends, gritting his teeth, towards Kyo. The impact notwithstanding, he can't let off, planting his left foot on the rock as he lands and immediately stepping in on Kusanagi, his right fist lurching forward. The World Warrior steps with the strike, a punch thrown like a straight, but angled downward, aiming to give Kyo a potent crack to the solar plexus, focused with a pronounced, "Kyaaaah!"
Tch, =gag!= Sakura twitches slightly when she notices Benimaru intercept the wink intended for Shingo. And... in retaliation, she sifts her hair into spikes with one hand, pulling it up in a mockery of Benimaru. Then she feigns choking herself, tilting her head to one side and sticking out her tongue. Yeah, maturity in action, here. ... Though as she opens her eyes, she notices Shingo is ignoring her. And... once she sees those flames, she knows why. And frowns slightly at that. "Give 'im heck, sensei!" she answers, clenching both fists tightly. ... If only there weren't a squished, half-eaten omelette bread to show for it.
COMBATSYS: Kyo fails to interrupt Sakotsu Wari from Ryu with Aragami.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/---====|
Kyo tries to whip forwards a flaming punch, hoping to strike Ryu at the exact same time, but Ryu proves to be faster, his punch striking Kyo in the solar plexus and staggering him a step backwards towards the edge of the rock they're fighting on, "Nnngh..."
Pressing his advantage, as his fist connects with Kusanagi, and his right foot meets back up with the stone, Ryu follows through on his momentum and vaults in on the scion of flame, snapping his right leg out as his body makes a blurring, three-hundred sixty degree twist in the scant instants of his ascent, his course suddenly level and in blatant defiance of gravity as he hurtles forward. It's an attempt to capitalize on the initial impact while Kyo is off-balance, as spin after potent spin brings that rotorblade of a foot around at Kusanagi's head, a spray of water blasting in all directions as the potent technique generates a gusting wind beneath the nomadic master as he aims to blast Kusanagi right off his comfortable perch, "Tatsumaki Senpuuuu Kyaku!!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/--=====|
Kyo doesn't allow a second blow to strike him, and manages to regain his bearings quick enough to deflect Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku technique off his forearms. "If it didn't work for your wannabe friend, it won't work for you!" He vaults right back at Ryu with an assault consisting of two simple, straight flying kicks that aim to knock Ryu out of the air, "HAH! YAH!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Kyo's Nana Juu Go Shiki Kai.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/-======|
As Ryu comes around from the final, lightning-quick twist of his hurricane kick, he clenches his jaw and brings an arm in-line with the leaping kick, deflecting the first, and then the second with his other arm, in an impressive display of midair precision. It turns the potent kicks into stinging impacts on his hardened guard, barely slowing Ryu down as he lands right in front of Kusanagi... and hopefully a split-second quicker. Either way, he lurches forward, twisting to bring his left fist, with his weight behind it, up and under at the scion's ribcage, "Haaaah!" he intones, aiming to steal Kyo's breath with the forceful strike...
... But that's hardly where it ends. There's a tangible surge of inner chi as Ryu reverses his twist, bringing his right side around as he drops to a crouch, and launches himself upwards by sheer force of his right fist, which is nonetheless augmented by a spring of powerful legs, a blurring aura of bluish chi following the Ansatsuken master's form as he rockets skywards, aiming to slam a truck-stopping fist cleanly across Kusanagi's chest... and into the scion's jaw. /This/... even worked for his 'wannabe' friend, "Shooooryuuuuuuken!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kyo with Shin Shoryuken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\ <
Kyo 1/----===/=======|
Kyo gets owned. There's nothing else to really describe it. The first strike itself cracks a few ribs and causes him to double over, coughing up a little blood, then the two strikes that follow lift Kyo even higher than Ken's version of the amped-up Shoryuken. The hangtime is incredible, though Kusanagi doesn't get to really enjoy it since Ryu's attack has made hime effectively black out in mid-air.
Of course, that's not the end.
Kyo's eyes snap open as soon as he starts falling and look downwards, looking for one of those convienent stepping stones. Twisting his body, he lands in a crouch, breathing heavilly, one hand clutching his midsection. That hurt, but he's still got a little bit of fight left in him... at least enough for another go at his ultimate technique! The flame aura that covers his body is dimmer this time, but still dangerous-looking, "EAT THIS!" Again he sweeps his arm forwards, summoning forth his bloodline's crimson flames to their fullest extent!
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Kyo's Orochinagi.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/-------|
Similarly to Kyo, but a fair bit less /painfully/, Ryu lands out of the upwards and forward momentum of the big brother of the Rising Dragon Punch on deftly bent legs, his descent bringing him to a ready position on one of the smaller rocks lining the rippling water of the pool, his dark eyes locked on Kusanagi. Part of him hoped that strike would finish Kyo off, but he's not particularly shocked to find that wasn't the case, and the torrent of flames that crashes his way, sending that spray of evaporating water in their wake, is just as expected... if still /extremely/ dangerous. In a flash every bit as fast as the bloodline flames travel, Ryu suddenly vaults to the side. It's a rapid leap that carries him /just/ out of the path of that conflaguration, and brings the World Warrior to a flanking, larger stone. He lands mostly on the side of it, legs bending as his feet seek a foothold, palm pressing to the top of the stone...
He doesn't stay there, though. Kyo is still standing, and thus... still dangerous. With a quick reversal of motion, Ryu leaps from the side of the stone, flying in on the scion's flank. At the last minute as he closes, Ryu twists and shoots his left leg out in a sidelong slam aligned to add further pain to Kusanagi's ribs, and topple him from his perch... and the fight, "Hyaaaaaah!!"
Sakura's eyes glisten as she watches the battle see-saw back and forth: flames versus flames, punches versus punches -- and then when Ryu delivers a crushing Shin Shoryuken, the fighting fangirl breathes a much-needed sigh of relief. And no, it's not the end, yet... but it could be surprisingly close! Sitting on the edge of her seat, Kasugano tears off more of the now-cold omelette bread, eating it like popcorn for the best action movie she's seen in a long time.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Ryu's Light Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/-------|
Athena blinks, looking worried. But, then, she didn't expect even the champion of the first KoF to stand up to both Ryu /and/ Ken. Leaning forward, she tenses a little, getting ready. If Kyo does fall, it's her turn to finish the job. Not that she really minds; a real chance to take down he of the headband is one she's surprisingly ready to take... even if it's not under the fairest of circumstances.
In contrast to Sakura, from Shingo's point of view things aren't going exactly all that well for Kyo. Despite this, he is also concentrating whole-heartedly on the match at hand. It isn't over till it's over. It can still go either way. The roaring fires of Kusanagi-ryuu may be fanned and come back around for another firestorm! If anyone can do it, Shingo totally thinks that Kyo can. At least make it that much easier for Athena to finish off the World Warrior.
Kyo shoots one arm down to his side, stopping Ryu's kick, but just barely, "Tch, it'll take more than a weak technique like that! Don't forget who you're dealing with!" He taunts, even now when it looks as though his defeat is iminite. With Ryu having gotten close in to him, Kyo reaches for Ryu's neck in an attempt to do the exact same thing he did to Ken.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Kyo's Koto Moon Positive.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
[ \\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/------=|
Ryu's foot snaps back after meeting Kusanagi's resilient guard, bringing the leg back under him for the landing, his eyes narrowing as he notes Kyo's positioning.... acting on instinct and raw skill, the nomadic master follows through like it was all part of the plan, letting the scion's grabby hand pass above his head as he ducks and weaves, shifting to the side as he rises, powerful legs supporting the rigorous motion of the dodge-and-recovery with fluid grace. As he returns to a standing position, the World Warrior looks to exploit Kusanagi's overextended proximity, and slams a fist straight out and in at his opponent's chest, with a focusing, "Haaaah!!" Maybe it'll take something more powerful, maybe it won't... either way, Ryu is clearly satisfied to let his actions speak for him. After all, /he/ hasn't forgotten who he's fighting, here.
COMBATSYS: Kyo fails to counter Medium Punch from Ryu with Nue Tsumi.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Kyo can no longer fight.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu can see the attempt at shifting his posture, but his fist drives home nonetheless, and as Kyo sails off the rock and into the waiting water with a resounding *SPLOOSH*, Ryu shifts to face the ESAKA side of the falls, dark eyes intent as he lifts a hand to brush the sweat away from his face and brow, a process made easier by the refreshing mist. The falls are a good place to fight, in this instance... it takes a lot of sting out of the burning ache in the World Warrior's limbs, though there's still the charred tatters in his gi, the slight redness to his flesh, testafying to the power of that initial gout of flame. But, he won't have to deal with /those/ anymore, at least... the scion well and truly sprawled off to the side as the World Warrior refocused, centers his chi, and clears his mind... it's preparation, pure and simple. He knows what's coming.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes a breather.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ryu
Athena suddenly springs off her perch in a superhumanly high leap, tucking and flipping over in midair several times. She then slams into a rock, landing in a crouch. Raising her hand, she lowers her sunglasses over her eyes, and smiles. "Apologies for how I acted last time, Ryu-san. But!..." She stands up, gesturing across herself with index and middle finger up, a bright spark of psychic power flaring from the tips of her fingers. "I'm going to have to knock you off that rock!" And then she brings her other arm, and in a flicker of a motion, like something being loosed, she crosses arm over arm, her hands flaring with power. She then swings both arms out as she suddenly leans forward, flinging an orb of power across the rocks in a more wild motion than usual. And without her 'power words', too! As it travels towards Ryu, the light of the blast flares off the water, reflecting in thousands of shines and sparkles across the nearby mist.
COMBATSYS: Ryu overcomes Psycho Ball from Athena with Hadouken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
A nod is Ryu's only initial greeting to Athena. It's not curt, though the exuberant popstar might take it that way... there's respect in the gesture, but the World Warrior is 'in the zone', so to speak, and he's not leaving it to chat just now. Instead, he shifts slightly on his own rock, orienting himself to where Asamiya landed, his senses alerting him to the upsurge of Psycho Energy even as it's conjured forth and launched his way.... and he answers it. Sweeping his arms forward, a luminescent flare of blue-white chi meets and coalesces along with the heels of the nomadic master's hands, and with a cry of, "Hadooouken!!!" he sends a densely packed sphere of searing force swirling in-line with Athena's offering, and with a shockwave of conflicting energies, the psi-powered sphere is rended apart and blown outwards in a brilliant flash, leaving the weakened Hadouken hurtling through its wake, in at Asamiya...
Ken just continues to watch weakly from the sidelines, having been taken by now to drier ground and most of his wounds treated and bandaged. The blond warrior limps his way back toward Sakura, his wife helping him out. "Looks like Ryu is making up for lost ground... As predicted," the young man offers. He isn't sure if Ryu's clear win was because of his sheer skill, or because he was able to tired out Kyo so much for him. "Wonder if you are even gunna get a chance to fight if he manages to keep up at this rate," he ends with a chuckle.
Yay! Kyo may be out for the count but he was by no means the only hope for ESAKA. As mentioned before, they are a team. And now it's time for the second fighter in the lineup to make her entrance. What an entrance is too. Complete with sparkling power and everything. Shingo cheers her on as well. Though it may not be as enthusiastic as when he was cheering for Kyo, there is still a lot of energy behind it, "WOOOO! ATHENA!"
COMBATSYS: Athena dodges Ryu's Hadouken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Athena blinks behind her blue shades as her own attack is cancelled out by Ryu's attack, and she backs towards the edge of the rock. As it looks like there might be no place to run, she vanishes in a pink flash, her afterimage passing through it and winking out. And then, suddenly, she reappears in the air, rolling downward again... but this time covered in a shining aura of power as she swoops down on Ryu. As she touches down on the rock, she plants one hand down, kicking out with one leg. Her style is markedly different than it has been, as she seems a bit more serious about the whole thing. Maybe it's the fight with Vega, but rather than acting out her superhero dream, her expression is a bit more... intense.
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Phoenix Arrow from Athena with Joudan Sokutou Geri.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu doesn't give ground as Athena suddenly appears above him and joins him on the rock, aura of power notwithstanding. Her kick even makes contact... though it's not quite as solid as it could be, the popstar's first clue that something is very wrong, here. That's only confirmed as Ryu leans with the impact, flexing his arms at his sides as he executes a quick half-twist, bringing the right side of his body around in-line with Asamiya, his right leg bent up near his chest.... and then, the World Warrior simply slams it, straight outward, as soon as he brings the kick in-line with the Psycho-powered fighter. That potent strike sails squarely into Athena, and she just might find her fancy new outfit ruined by an early trip to the drink, "Haaaaaah!!!"
Athena gets knocked away, and it seems like she might hit the water... but with an unexpected blur, she impossibly reappears upon a nearby rock. She remains silent, giving him a dirty look as she remains in a crouch. Rather than press the attack further, she waits, seeing if he'll actually step off the rock and try the more dangerous approach across the water... or if he'll give her long enough to puzzle out a new strategy.
COMBATSYS: Athena focuses on her next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Ryu
Hey, right here works just fine, as long as Athena's not making any concerted effort to actually move him... and when she reappears, and chooses scowls over action.... the nomad answers it in familiar fashion, sweeping his arms around from his side with a brilliant flare of his own formidable chi as he focuses his energies and brings the heels of his hands together before him, letting out a fierce, "Hadooouken!!!" as the charge of chi swirls together and nigh-instantaneously forges into a swirlingly beautiful sphere of flaring blues. The searing fireball is projected with intensive force and speed straight for the popstar's perch, its gusting course drawing a mild wake in the pool beneath, water spraying off to both sides.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Athena with Hadouken.
- Power hit! -
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Ryu
... Hey, wow -- what a comeback! Sakura always knew she'd picked the right person as her idol-slash-teacher. Since... even with the marked disadvantage from the Kusanagi scion, this fight is starting to turn around quite nicely. Leaning on one knee, her other shaking anxiously, it'd be the understatement of the century to note that Sakura's a bit hyped up about the outcome of this fight! She doesn't even turn to glance at her boyfriend any more... poor Shingo'll have to subsist on Benimaru's attention for the next few minutes, it seems.
Athena seems to tense, moving to avoid the attack, but gets blasted off the edge of the waterfall... and then vanishes again, flickering out admist the hit sparks of the projectile. All is quiet, and then suddenly a hand grasps one of the rocks on the very edge, and Athena pulls herself up, wet but far from soaked. She breathes heavily. "The least you could do is greet me, you rude old geezer!", she says with a joking smile, as she stays hunched over with injury. Crossing one arm over herself, she focuses, and her hair and clothes flutter with a burst of rejuvenating energy as she keeps her gaze on Ryu.
Hah! Shingo has gotten this far without anyone's attention save for Benimaru popping his spikey-headed self in randomly. He's way too busy getting into the fight and anticipating his own entrance into this match. Also cheering on Athena that she can still do make this an ESAKA win. He believes in her! And if anime has taught him anything, it's that magical girls are fueled by belief! They're like faeries!
"I greeted you..." Ryu protests. As far as he's concerned... he greeted her, and properly, to boot! The warrior's recognition, and calm respect. Maybe she'd like it better if he talked a little trash, called her a wannabe, the way Kusanagi did to his own compatriot? Naaw, that's just not Ryu's style, "Did you come here to fight, or to whine?" Despite the harshness of the words, there's really no venom behind them. Athena's attitude is just... about the farthest thing from the realm of Ryu's understanding as personalities get. She's like, an alien or something. Still, he does bring the fight to her, so to speak, rather forcefully and suddenly. Powerful legs bend subtly, and the Ansatsuken master is propelled in a powerful high-jump that carries him across the pool, arcing up, up, and in at Asamiya's boulder. As he descends, the nomad swings his left fist out, bringing that side in-line with his descent and offering the pop idol a potent straight aligned squarely with her face, "Hyaaaah!!"
COMBATSYS: Athena successfully hits Athena with Healing Aura.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Athena with Medium Punch.
- Power hit! -
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Athena 1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Randomly? Benimaru always had a purpose. Always. And heck, at this point, he wasn't even paying attention to Shingo either, and for once a look of concern comes from the model. Were he paying attention, he would have actually found Sakuras earlier mockery rather charming, by the way.
It sure was hot out.
If that's so, then... well, sorry Athena, but Sakura's hoping her former team captain fails. Nothing personal, but it's been a dream of Kasugano's to get to the end of a KOF tournament with Ryu since... well... about five years ago! Or something like that. At any rate, she throws up a fist and starts cheering -- quietly. So as not to disturb the artisan at work.
Athena gets hit in the gut, slumping. She winces, "An attack is /not/ a greeting.", she says irritably, down on one knee. "It's a farewell!", she shouts as she rises, face-to-face with Ryu, and there's a sudden burst of force as if Athena just unlocked something, sending ripples in all directions. Then, there's practically an explosion of water and stone as she lets loose, two spheres swirling forth from her suddenly-bright aura to orbit her. While not a trap per se, it's a good opportunity. Even if she doesn't hit head-on, most of the stone about them will be destroyed... for better or worse. She's desperate already, that's for sure.
COMBATSYS: Athena successfully hits Ryu with Shining Crystal Bit.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ryu
"You attacked /me/." the World Warrior protests, even if arguing logic with an agitated pop princess is probably an exercise in futility. As he lands, though, Ryu is just too close to avoid the sudden spike of Psycho Power, in this case... sure, he can tell it's coming, but with Athena holding tenaciously to her position this time, there's just no time. He throws up his arms to try to shield himself, but it's to little avail, both of the blasts connecting squarely and sending him toppling back off the rock, the dual impact just too much painful contact to stand against. He splashes back up as quickly as he splooshed down, however, propelling himself right back up and in at Asamiya as he twists in midair, swinging his right leg around, a forceful, straightforward strike intended to give the pop idol a skull-jarring answer for her last potent strike. It may not be as flashy, but Ryu certainly knows how to through a kick, "Kyaaaaaaah!!!"
COMBATSYS: Athena dodges Ryu's Medium Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Athena's being at the 'eye of the storm', is left on a bit of crumbly rock. She says, "I greeted...", she says, leaning so far as to fall. She lands on her lands in the rushing water, and it's only a testament to the fact she's a world-class fighter in that she's not just swept off the edge. Handspringing backwards, she lands in a crouch again, and then bolts upright in a burst of energy, recovering somewhat from the pretty one-sided beating she's been taking. Touching her nose, she notices her new glasses are missing. From the pool below, the missing fashion statement a can be seen falling through the air dramatically before splashing down, lost forever. Finally, she finishes. "... /then/, I attacked."
Ryu just shakes his head... it's not worth arguing this. Whatever Asamiya's archaic ritual for propreity may be... it's lost on Ryu. She greeted him, he greeted her, then answered her assault... they're here to fight, right? Regardless, that's what the World Warrior refocuses on, even if Athena doesn't seem inclined to actually... /fight/ much of it. Her egress is greeted with a tracking alertness, the nomadic master's eyes following Asamiya's motion, and as she comes to rest, and channels her energies again? The World Warrior decides to give her a little more help, shoving his own hands forward as a bloom of blue-white chi surges forth from both, the mass growing in mere instants as his hands meet before him, and her projects the searing force in at Athena in a swirling sphere, the water-spraying path of the careening energy echoed by a forceful, "Hadooouken!!!" ... it may not be the answer she was looking for with her complaints, but it's apparently the one she's getting.
COMBATSYS: Athena successfully hits Athena with Healing Aura.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Athena with Hadouken.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
Athena is struck, stumbling back, and then her eyes tracking Ryu. It's hard to say what she's trying to do as she pauses, but... she eyes Ryu, and sighs. "I'm really tired of hearing that...", before another burst, as she tries to restore her body once more. Her body flares, and she winces as she straightens again. Could just she just be trying to outlast the older fighter? Or does she have something else in mind?
Alright... she's just going to stand there and channel more and more energy into herself. This fight's taken quite a bit out of Ryu already, but he's not slowing down, and he's got plenty of oomph left in him, yet. As such, he's not shy about taking the fight to her once more, launching himself off the rock in another jump, this one faster, and more direct, than the last... and in this, the nomad's intent is simple. As he descends from the quick arc, in at Asamiya, his right fist /slams/ out and down, aiming a crushing straight for the front of her face, with all of the strength of that corded arm behind the triphammer snap of gauntletted fist towards his opponent's face, "Haaaaaaaah!!!" he shouts, focusing the strike. It may not be the quickest he's thrown this fight, but the power behind it is undeniable... and just maybe it'll urge Athena to actually /fight/.
COMBATSYS: Athena successfully hits Athena with Healing Aura.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Athena with Fierce Punch.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Athena 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
Athena is blown away, a surprised look on her face. "I don't understand...", she manages. By all rights, she /should/ have been able to avoid that attack. It was about as obvious as a freight train. And yet... she's barely standing now. The plan in her head is indeed coming along. Though it's not much of one, it's the only hope she's got at the moment. As she raises her palms towards Ryu, there's suddenly a large sphere in her hands... and she fires it forth, hoping to catch him off guard after her defensive tactics. The recoil throws her back into the water with a large splash, and /now/ she's soaked.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Athena's Psycho Shoot.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Athena 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
The summoned sphere of power is tangible even in its formation, there's so much raw Psycho energy in that it's hard /not/ to miss... the resounding blast comes in at Ryu steadily, but he leaps off the boulder and over it, leaving the blast, for all its power, with nothing to harm but the air... but a larger problem than that, perhaps, is that the World Warrior is descending quickly on the position where Asamiya recovers herself, a snap-kick darting out to seek her chest. He's not fighting with the same flash she's used to, perhaps, but as established... it's been a long battle, and Kusanagi took a great deal to put down. Nonetheless, Athena is faced with a quick, forceful strike, the World Warrior looking to catch her off-guard as she rises, hopefully before she can find her footing (does she even /need/ footing to teeeelepoooortu?), letting out a fervent, "Haaaaaah!"
COMBATSYS: Athena dodges Ryu's Medium Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Athena 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
Athena leans back, her wet hair flowing behind her... as rather than take that foot to the face, she splashes down into the water. And, speaking of teleports, there's a sudden shine under the water, and Athena flickers back into existence behind Ryu. "If you're going to beat me... take me seriously!", she shouts, and then, she lights up again, this time floating up in midair as she focuses on the burst of her spinning 'crystals', hoping she can overwhelm Ryu with raw power. Did she spend too much power on her last battle? Whatever the difference this time, her performance today has been the night to the day she had in the first round.
COMBATSYS: Athena successfully hits Ryu with Shining Crystal Bit.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\ < > /////// ]
Athena 0/-------/------=|=======\======-\1 Ryu
"I've never taken your ability anything /but/ seriously." The nomad protests, though not with a great deal of concern... He's made it clear enough in the past, and in fact, her complaint /last/ time was that he took her /too seriously/! Ryu doesn't seem especially concerned with what Asamiya thinks regarding him... he's here to fight a professional, and extremely powerful fighter. An entire /team/ of talented contenders, really. Once again, the World Warrior attempts to time a guard against the incoming blasts, but it's just not timed quite right, and the sheer force behind the assault crashes painfully into him, sending him sprawling back once more, with a loud splash and spray of water. Ryu manages to stifle the instinct to gasp with the pain, and thus not fill his lungs with water as he shoves off and launches back out of the pool, charging Athena in several quick strides that seem unfettered by the water level, the last gap of distance closed with a quick shift of his body weight, and a snapping straight fist aligned for Asamiya's solar plexus, looking to bring this extended battle to a forceful close.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Athena with Medium Punch.
- Power hit! -
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ < > /////// ]
Athena 0/-------/---====|=======\======-\1 Ryu
Athena is struck, and winces, "You're holding back, you... big... jerk...", she says. She's psychic, after all. She winces, and then reaches out for Ryu, and focuses on trying to grab him telekinetically, a bright shimmer of sparkles flowing about him for a moment. And then, as the current sweeps her along, she tries to take him with her over the edge. While her power is weak, she gives it the best try she can manage, given her fading consciousness.
COMBATSYS: Athena can no longer fight.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> /////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Athena's Super Psychic Throw.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> /////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Ryu
Benimaru lets out a small sigh, rubbing his cheeks, once again his eyes narrow.. He of course knew that Ryu was strong, but this was rediculous, how could he survive Kyo's assault and then Athena's as well? It was anyone's match at this point, he figured, and the tension was getting to him, "Rrgh." he growls, eyes narrowing even further.
And Athena went down. Benimaru rubbed his temples then, his gaze fixing on Shingo and suddenly his features soften completely, giving a small nod of his head, "You still got all that energy from before, ne?" he murmurs with a small smile, "Go out there and surpass your sensei, Shingo."
Himself? He had to go and help out Athena, and for the first time in a while, started feeling butterflies in his stomach.
As the shimmering energy begins to coalesce around him, the World Warrior propells himself upwards, suddenly out of the momentarily weakened field as he flips away and lands in a slightly unsteady crouch on the nearest large boulder, eyes fixed on Asamiya as she falls away, a deep breath released from his lips as he shakes his head slightly, "Does it /look/ like I held back?" Evidently, psychic or no, she's only marginally accurate in her intuition... yes, he didn't hit her quite as hard as he could have, but... where's the need? He's nearly tapped, and has been since they began this little dance. It shows in the ragged pacing of his breathing, the sweat that once more dominates the visible portions of his skin, mingling with the water from being dumped in the drink a few time. He draws a steadier breath, and pushes to his feet, hand ruffling his gi for a moment in a futile attempt to dry it out a bit, as he turns to face Yabuki. The World Warrior's eyes close for just a moment, and then he nods a slow nod to the younger fighter, a beckoning gesture offered with his left hand. Maybe Shingo will see it for the greeting, and the quiet respect, that it is.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes a breather.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Ryu
And then there was one. One ESAKA member standing on a rock. Even after all his cheering, it wasn't enough to keep the momentum going for the legendary Team Esaka. Regardless, it has been a most excellent fight. Cupping one hand by his mouth and the other fist shooting up into the air, Shingo calls out, "NICE GOING ATHENA! YOU WERE GREAT! I'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE!" Is that a good enough answer for you, Benimaru? The boy has still got it. Guts he's got enough for three teams. He gives another ample example when he goes for a running long jump onto the rock that will serve for his spot for starting off against the Ansatsuken master. Energetic he may be, agile he is definitely not. He slips on landing and nearly goes skidding into the water! Fortunately he manages to reclaim his balance before this happens.
Giving a sigh of relief by wipping his brow, Shingo turns to face Ryu with a goofy grin and rubbing the back of his head, "Eheheheheh." Yes, he does think all this is quite entertaining. "It might be no more than warming up for you, but..." His pose changes into a normal wide grin and a thumbs-up, "I'm not going to let my team down!" One would notice that the blue gloves he were wearing before are now black. Yes folks, you read that correctly. Black. Shingo slides into his fighting stance, eyes ready.
COMBATSYS: Shingo focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Ryu
Guts indeed. One thing Ryu certainly knows about Shingo... is that the young fighter has /spirit/. There's a slight smile on Ryu's face despite Yabuki's pre-fight misadventure into the water, as the boy recovers. Shifting his weight back and forth lightly on the boulder, the nomad simply focuses his attention on Shingo, taking the moment to draw a few more deep breaths and gather his wits. He doesn't seem particularly hurried to join battle with Yabuki, but then... after the rigorous fight he's already gone through, can one really blame him? Still smiling, the World Warrior draws another steady, deep breath, finally seeming more at ease as he offers Shingo a second nod of affirmation, "I know you won't, Shingo. Let's do this." One way or another, this one's near the end.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes a breather.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////////////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Ryu
Taking a deep breath, Shingo grins and clenches his fists even tighter. It all rests on him now. It is up to him whether or not ESAKA advances to the next round. All the hopes and dreams of his entire team lays on his shoulders. On top of that, he has his girlfriend on the opposing team watching him. Basically, no pressure at all. "Stay cool, Shingo," he murmurs to himself. "Alright! SHINGO KIIIIIICKU!" The boy leaps into the air, moisture from previous fights glistening in the air as he lifts off from the rock at Ryu. The rainbow-like arc in the air his body forms angling in to the side of Ryu's head. The World Warrior is no female. Shingo won't be taking care to avoid the face/head. He's out to win.
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Ryu with Shingo Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////////// ]
|=======\=======\1 Ryu
Benimaru helps Athena to some more professional medical assistance just to make sure no major damage is done- And then for him it's back to spectating. There was some serious serious pressure on Shingo, he knew, and the blonde had no idea how well Shingo handled such things.
He'd find out now, wouldn't he? A hand tightening to a fist, Benimaru nods his head, "Lets do this, Shingo. Don't let that square intimidate you." he advises silently.
He certainly doesn't avoid Ryu's head... that flying kick connects /solidly/ with the World Warrior's skull as he lifts an arm to oppose its flight... a guard that Shingo more or less smashes aside, to painful result. Ryu is knocked back, sliding into the water and crashing to his knees, a brisk shake of his head serving as his attempt to regain his senses. As fatigue grows and the battle wears on, that's becoming harder to do.... Nonetheless, the nomad isn't done yet, and with a quick jump, he plants a foot on the slope of the boulder and rushes Yabuki, both hands seeking the front of the younger fighter's shirt. Should Ryu find the grip he seeks, about chest-level, his powerful arms flex, bringing Shingo up and around with a powerful twist of his upper body, the quick shoulder-throw threatening to bring Yabuki back-first back into contact with the boulder, and possibly skip him right off into the water.
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to counter Seoi Nage from Ryu with Tsuki Hiji.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> /////////// ]
|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ryu
Grunt. It's that legendary 'GO TIME!' and he's already starting to mess up. Come on Shingo. You can do this. He has to reaffirm himself this multiple times all through being gripped, swinging his elbow out to break the hold and failing, carried through the air over Ryu's shoulder, and being slammed onto the boulder. He is fresh out, so his recovery time is enough to prevent from spilling into the water flow for the time being. His shoes and edges of his pants, however, aren't so lucky. Shingo leaps back onto an adjacent rock to figure out 'The Plan'.
As Shingo is slammed free of his grasp, Ryu dances back slightly on his own boulder, in anticipation of a potential counterattack... seems that initial attempt at a hold-break took too much out of young Yabuki, for retailiation to come immediately. Unfortunately for Shingo, he's not so lucky when it comes to Ryu's own pacing... there's a vaguely apologetic look, though it passes... this is the big time, and Shingo wouldn't be here if he couldn't hold his own. Holding back what he has at this point would be insulting to the entire nature of the King of Fighters tournament. So, as Shingo rights himself and considers, Ryu brings his hands together at his side, and a brilliant flash centers on the space between his splayed fingers, "Shiiiiinkuuuuuuuu...."
The potent incantation is timed with a swirling mass of chi, blues mingling in light and darkness in a massive coalescence of raw power, the vortex drawing at the water beneath Ryu, at the mist around him, all of it consumed hungrily by the rapidly growing sphere. That densely packed orb of epic-powered energy is shoved forward at Yabuki's position, its coruscating form dragging a deep gash in the water as it consumes the current it passes over, much as it threatens to do to Shingo himself, "Hadooooouken!!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Shingo dodges Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> /////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Ryu
Ohhhhhhh shoot. What? Did you think that Shingo was actually gonna say a 'bad' word? Perish the thought. Everyone knows the young fighter would never stoop to that level. Or at least they should. Then again, the other version would be very much appropriate in this case. You find yourself staring down the path of a Ryu charging up his most potent energy attack that he can muster. The effect of which even drains away the water immediately around him. And you typically dodge like a safe full of lead. What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?! You suck it up and take it like a man, that's what.
UNLESS. You happen to be Shingo 'Hadouken Dodger' Yabuki and pull off one of the craziest ways of evading such a powerful blast of concussive chi energy. He sees it coming. Caught in the glow like a deer in headlights in the middle of the night. Shingo freezes for a split-second. Only his mantra that he has to win for ESAKA snapping him back to reality in the nick of time to...slip from water splashing up onto his rock because of the turbelance from the energy missile hurtling his way. The blast parts the waterfall and impacts against the cliff wall leaving a nice momento of 'Ryu Waz Here, Biznatches'. Where is Shingo? Good question. First he was there, and then not again.
SURPRISE! Shingo splashes out of the water from behind Ryu. Hoping to capitalize on the man's distraction from launching the Shinkuu Hadouken to pull off a successful ambush. "YOUR BODY IS WIDE OPEN!" The boy's fist shoots out even before his feet touch ground. Hope everyone is enjoying the show.
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Ryu with Aragami Mikansei.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Benimaru wasn't going to lie, he was definatly not expecting Shingo to be able to evade one of the strongest attacks on the planet, and to see Yabuki move like that, it made his heart pump a little faster. And then he manages to hit Ryu after that? Get out of here with that, "... Impossible."
He didn't mean it in a bad way, of course, but lets be honest, the odds were against the spunky fighter and he wasn't letting that effect him one bit. Yes, he underestimated the Kusanagi-style fighter despite realizing his potential, but never again. That schoolboy was the real deal, and he was the real deal right now.
Wide open, indeed. The impressive manner in which Shingo manages to get around the ultimate Hadouken leaves Ryu searching for the boy for just an instant... but it's too long, in this kind of situation, against this level of fighter. Even as the World Warrior realizes his mistake, Yabuki is bursting from the water behind him, and while the nomad twists halfway, and attempts to raise a guard... it's just not happening. Shingo is too strong, and too fast, in past those defenses, the powerful hook and its follow-up blasts knocking him backwards. At least it's not as formidable as Kyo's version, lacking that flaming accent to make it /really/ sting... but on the worn-out Ryu, it's certainly a smack he could've done without. Nonetheless, as the attack ebbs, Ryu seeks to use Shingo's forward momentum against him, before the young fighter can recover, a hand shooting out for the front of Yabuki's shirt. Should that ironclad purchase be found, this time, the nomad drops his weight backwards, rolling to the ground and dragging Shingo with him, to plant a foot to the young fighter's ribs and send him sailing across the rock-laden pool... angled for a painful reunion with stone and water. It was a nice hit, but there's hardly time for congratulations just this moment.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Shingo with Tomoe Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Ryu
Ack, another throw?! These things are annoying now. He isn't used to this type of combat from other fighters. Normally his fights have gone along the lines of you hit me, I hit you. We'll see who hits harder. Even in previous spars with Ryu. The change in pace is what could really affect this fight. He pulled off something short of miracle there. It's only karma that it comes back and bites him in the butt. He muses over the irony of evading a Shinkuu Hadouken only to be sent flying by a simple throw all throughout the flight. He's already soaked and sure wouldn't mind another appointment with the water. The rock that he instead lands on. Not so much. He's been only successfully struck twice, bot both of those times hurt like the dickens.
Shingo climbs to his feet without taking the time to rub his aching parts. He can't afford to. There's still an enemy that must be dealt with. Without further ado, with pain taking up residence in his body, he once again leaps in with a twisting downward arc, "SHINGO KIIIIIICKU!" He's had good luck with it so far. And good luck is something he needs a ton of at the moment.
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Shingo Kick from Shingo with Shin Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 1/-======/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //// ]
|===----\-------\0 Ryu
Good luck he has once more... Ryu sems ready to intercept that kick, willing to take a knock to his skull in order to deliver something vicious back to Yabuki... but it doesn't work out that way. Instead, as he stands his ground, and the kick connects with his head, the World Warrior's focus is completely broken, partly thanks to the flying kick landing /far/ more sturdily than he had intended for the follow-up. Instead of lashing out, Ryu is knocked backwards, sailing off his perch on the rock and into the water beneath. ... At the least, the cool liquid is a good way to refresh his senses, and it's pretty dang obvious that he needs that, at this point. He's a bit slower to rise, but he manages after a moment, standing on slightly unsteady feet as he raises his guard and turns his attention to Shingo. Trying to maintain some level of awareness to deal with what comes next.
What comes next should be no surprise to the spectators being given a stupendous display of athletic talent from both parties. Shingo would be more than happy to engage in idle banter. Except he knows that he shouldn't for two reasons. Reason one being that he needs to keep his focus in order to pull off a miracle. Reason two is the obvious that Ryu isn't particularly looking like one that would offer good conversation at the moment. If there is a conversating to be done, it shall be done with fists.
Shingo steadies himself after having Ryu block his signature kick with his face, watching the man get knock back. His breathing is heavy. Yours would be to from all this running about and fighting to balance on wet rocks. His tightened fists clench even tighter. Eyes dead set on Ryu. Suddenly he charges, "I MUST WIN THIS! YAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Moving from each boulder like a frog hopping across lilypads, Shingo closes the distance as quickly as possible towards the World Warrior. This is going to be it. Either he takes down Ryu now or it's all over and there's no chance whatsoever of round 3. Alighting on the same boulder as his opponent, the boy ducks down and gives a firm shoulder-charge with all his weight behind it. A feat given the slippery surface they're on. Though, that just might be his downfall.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Shingo's Ge Shiki - Kake Hourin.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> //// ]
|===----\-------\0 Ryu
To say that Ryu isn't exactly at his most conversational in this battle would definitely be fair... he's still focused, still intent, and that ringing in his head won't quite go away, now. Ideas above and beyond 'Buh? Yea. Let's fight!' are probably well over his head right this minute. Thankfully, that's really all he needs to compute, and as formidable as Shingo's charge is, Ryu's not out of this one yet... Just damn close to it! He's been worn ragged, and battered about a good bit over the course of this fight, but is he giving up? Doesn't look it. As Shingo barrels in, Ryu leans and sidesteps, swaaaaying to the point where he nearly topples off the side of the boulder. But he manages to hold his footing, as well as remove himself from the path of Yabuki's charge, and as he weaves around and leans back into the fray, he grabs at the shoulder of the talented youth's jacket, slamming a foot around at the back of Shingo's knee as he attempts to find a grip, and use it to reverse Yabuki's momentum and /heave/ the young warrior up and back, before letting him sort of fall back to the opposite side of the boulder, where he first jumped up, "Haaaaah!"
COMBATSYS: Shingo counters Medium Throw from Ryu with Tsuki Hiji.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> // ]
|===----\-------\0 Ryu
A disappointment to say the least to Shingo. For him to totally miss Ryu like he did. He has to give the man credit where credit is due. This is a damn close and awesome fight. Mister Ansatsuken is one tough mofo. But. So is Mister Wanna Shoot Flame. He feels the kick to the back of his knee. As well as the hand lifting his body back by the jacket. Shingo ain't going out like that, yo. Ryu was aiming to slam him down onto the rock. Guess he didn't get the memo with the script changes that says in the middle of the throw, Shingo uses the moment to flip himself onto his feet and escape impending pain. Escape right into a devious thrust kick to Ryu's gut, "GECCHU!" The boy hits the ground nonetheless from swinging his leg up so fast on a wet surface. But at least it wasn't all for naught.
Unf. The kick drives home against Ryu's ribs before he can make good on his intent to drive Yabuki down to the rock one more time... He's familiar with this facet of the young warrior's defenses, but at the moment, there's not a whole lot he's able to do to counteract that. He's just too worn out, fighting for his breath as much as he's battling to maintain consciousness, aches and pains overwhelming. Still, when he lands off the boulder once more, it's not in the sprawl of unconsciousness, but a somewhat involuntary, and painful crouch. One hand presses to the bottom of the pool, the Ansatsuken master drawing a deep breath before he launches back out of the water, aiming for an arcing high jump that will carry him right over Yabuki's head, a snap-kick offered with a quick midair twist as he passes beyond the would-be flamer, aligning a swift crack to Shingo's head intended to deliver the message that Ryu isn't out of this! Not quite yet, at least... "Hyaaaaah!!"
COMBATSYS: Shingo blocks Ryu's Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> /// ]
|====---\-------\0 Ryu
Yes, unfortunately, Ryu is not out of this. As much as Shingo would like the opposite to be true. Here he is, teenaged highschool student, aspiring fighter, all-around nice guy giving it his all and his competition just won't go down. He knows he can't give up yet. There is still one more person on the Rising Dragon's roster for tonight's fight that he has to take care of before his team can advance. It may be one heck of a longshot, but he's going for it.
Ryu's high kick is seen. Could it be that the man is slowing down in his exhaustion? Shingo really hopes so as an arm comes up to protect him. Tracking Ryu's movements, Shingo pivots into a hop kick of his own behind the veteran fighter, "Teya!" The kick isn't your typical jump kick. Using the pivot, he turns it into an spinning heel kick.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Shingo's Oboroguruma Mikansei.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> // ]
|====---\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu lands already turning to face Shingo, on the opposite edge of the boulder from where he began, bringing a vertically aligned forearm up to intercept that swinging kick, and stopping its momentum dead. A flexing of his arm is the major sign of exertion, the stinging added to those already in his muscles without so much as a flinch, the World Warrior stubbornly pressing onward. He may not /need/ to press on... as mentioned, Kasugano is still waiting in the wings... but, ESAKA mocked his best friend. Kyo made a fool of Ken. Really, it's only fair that the non-'gaijin' counterpart return the favor, right? That, and this particular Ansatsuken master is of the 'never say die' school of martial arts... pushing onward, well beyond where he should be physically /able/ to... is just an integral facet of his principles. As such, the kick is shoved aside, and as Shingo descends, Ryu snaps his left hand up and around, in a chop that aims to plant the side of his hand, his fingers curled, harshly into the side of Shingo's neck, "Haaaah!!" Nope, not done yet.
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to counter Medium Punch from Ryu with Tsuki Hiji.
[ \\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 1/---====/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> // ]
|====---\-------\0 Ryu
Seems that they are two of kind. Both refusing to give in to just rolling over and dying. So to speak. Exchanging punches as though they had all day to do so. When they're probably becoming another exciting episode of Dragon Ball Z with all the punching and darting about going on. That is until Shingo makes the miscalculation of jumping the gun to get Ryu out of the fight at last. As with before when he was thrown, an arm is thrown up to see if he can stop Ryu before any real damage can be done. Yet somehow, through some sort of skill on the wanderer's part or just Shingo's lack of judgement. The hit on the neck is easily felt. Another bruise to add to his list of many thus far. It's getting a bit crowded on this rock. Time to fall back and regroup. Shingo breathes heavily, thinking.
Ryu holds his ground as the strike lands true, and Shingo drops back. Rather than retreating, the Ansatsuken master seems willing to stay right where he is... and finish this, one way or the other. To that end, his hand snaps back from the quick chop, and he pursues the fleeing Yabuki... not physically, but by summoning up the last traces of energy he can muster. More than he should be able to muster, perhaps, but sheer determination drives him forward, sweeping his hands around from his side as a torrent of blue-white chi gathers at each palm, the mass swirling together in a lightning-quick surge of rampantly flaring energy, which is projected forth as the heels of his hands meet, sending a luminescent predator after the weakened Yabuki with a finalizing shout of, "Hadooouken!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Shingo with Hadouken.
Glancing Blow
[ \ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shingo 1/=======/=======|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> // ]
|======-\-------\0 Ryu
Darn it all to heck. He was doing so well. Then Ryu had to be so stubborn to last this long just to throw a Hadouken. What a cruel world. Shingo never really likes those things. This stemming from the fact that he has no effective defense to such a technique. At least, not in the current situation that he's in. Down to his last, backed into the corner, nowhere to run or hide. Diving into the water won't work this time. But he's got to do something. He can't just call it quits. In fact, he won't. In a last ditch effort powered only by hope and a prayer, Shingo moves to sidestep the projectile. Only to loose his footing on the rock. The blast knocking him not into the water but onto another boulder immediately behind the first. With what's left of his strength for the fight, he sets his body so that he lands on his feet but slides from the impact. If he's going down. He's gonna take Ryu with him. No way would he be able to live with himself if he just collapsed here and now. "Burn him..." He mutters quietly to himself before plowing forward from rock to rock. "Burning," Shingo rockets his fist forward, "SHINGOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The lunging Aragami-esque punch comes in for Ryu's head...
COMBATSYS: Shingo can no longer fight.
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> // ]
|======-\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Shingo's Burning Shingo.
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Sakura
> // ]
|======-\-------\0 Ryu
Shingo's final drive is something that the nomad intuitively anticipates... even if his rational mind isn't /quite/ keeping up with things, right this moment. He's going on experience and instinct, at this point, still focused as he can be and locked into the rhythm of the fight. The legendary nomad's eyes narrow as Yabuki is clipped by the Hadouken, and subsequently pushes off to rush him... timing has to be perfect here, and... it proves to be just that, the sailing fist catching nothing but air as Ryu jumps up and directly back, landing on a smaller boulder behind his position, seemingly without so much as glancing towards his landing zone. It's not his most graceful landing, the World Warrior still breathing heavily, and immediately dropping to one knee on the rock, hand on the side supporting his somewhat wobbly posture. This... took everything he's got, and it's all he can do not to keep over right now, "Of all your teammates..." He pants out quietly, eyes rising back to Yabuki, "Only you truly understand." Understand what? Hey, being esoteric is a martial arts master's right, and duty.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has left the fight here.
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Sakura
Whiff! The punch is nowhere even near Ryu's head as Shingo thought it would be. A crushing disappointment for the boy. Yeah he never really made it this far as a single-entry in the last tournament. But he was new to the fighting scene and had no one to support him. This time, the bitter taste of defeat sours his mouth for only one overwhelming reason. His teammates were leaving it up to him. He was the last chance at victory. And he blew it. Some would argue that even if he did defeat Ryu, Sakura would jump in and punk him. But that matter. He was going to cross that bridge when he got to it.
His strength fading, Shingo drops to his knees. Tears starting to form in his eyes. The boy takes a deep breath and his fists tense up. Without warning he raises a balled up hand and slams it into the boulder, "So close..." Droplets of water fall from his face. He hears Ryu's words, but what can he say? Nothing at the moment. "Sorry guys, I did my best," is all that's said to his unconscious teammates before he goes silent, staring at the ground. Unable to really move.
Benimaru was still here, he wasn't leaving until the very bitter end. Though it would have been nice if the overall results didn't leave such a bad taste in his mouth since all he could do is just watch his teamates do their thing.
But he was impressed, he was really impressed with Shingo, the model standing up, brushes off his shorts and by the time Shingo drops to his knees, the blonde is by his side, supporting his big-hearted teamate, "Hey, you don't have anything to apologize about, Shingo-kun," he murmurs in his usual soft voice, "You did fantastic, I didn't think he was gonna stop you for a good while."
A light chuckle passes his lips as he tries to help the boy up, "There's no use sulking about it, ne? It's all right."
And well, of course he heard Ryus words, the models expression darkening slightly, and he replies, "Don't even try to go and feed this one your garbage too, Ry-boring. We're out of here."
Aww. Ryu didn't want to make the kid cry, and there's a large degree of sympathy for Shingo's situation... albeit the young fighter is handling it a lot better than... certain white-gi clad fighters did. He sighs a deep breath, and slides off the rock, feet splashing into the water below. Part of him would like to try to offer some kind of reassurance to the boy, but... it seems unlikely to the World Warrior that Yabuki would really want that from him, just this moment. Instead, the nomad watches Shingo with a concerned gaze for a moment, before he simply offers, "You fought bravely, and well. There was no lack of talent, or skill here." The words are quiet, but sincere, and once they are spoken... the weary Ryu paces slowly back towards Ken and Sakura... it's time for rest. Heck, he'll even concede to one of Ken's luxuries... it's time for freakin' room service.
He doesn't even bother pausing to get into it with Benimaru. In his current condition, even Daisy Duke might be a threat. Plus, he's just not in the mood... better Shingo have the comfort.
There's no doubt Shingo will get over it. It's just that the intensity of the battle has gotten to him. To be able to get so close, yet so far. He acknowledges Ryu's words with a nod, fighting in the rest of the tears with another deep breath. There'll be time for some real congratulations after he gets some rest. Sweet glorious rest.
Log created by Sakura, and last modified on 08:44:47 06/08/2005.