Description: The Rising Dragons face off against the mysterious and extremely powerful host of the 2005 King of Fighters tournament. (Winners: Rising Dragons)
Piazzo San Pietro, the large public square outside Saint Peter's Basilica, is the location of the final awards ceremony for the King of Fighters 2005 tournament. Lucky ticketholders line both sides of the square, seated just in front of the two large colonnades demarcating the perimeter of the square. A large rectangular dais, positioned directly in front of Saint Peter's Basilica - for which the square is named - seems to be where the majority of attention is focused. A podium in the center of the dais remains unmanned, but bears the official KOF logo. The champions, the Rising Dragons team of Ryu, Ken, and Sakura, stands at the foot of the steps, facing the audience members, who in turn line either side of a large rectangular clearing in the center, extending from the dais to the Egyptian obelisk centerpiece of the square.
The crowd is abuzz with conversation. The honored guests are in place, but none of the KOF officials are on "stage" yet. Who will present themselves? What's the big surprise? Why all the secrecy?
What's with all the secrecy, indeed. It took that circumstance, along with a nod towards the feelings of Ken and Sakura, for Ryu to show up here at all. He's not comfortable, however. His bare feet shift a bit now and then, and at the moment, one gloved hand rubs at the back of his head, scratching a bit rather than standing all stoic and dignified. This is different than being on center stage for a fight... awards ceremonies just aren't his thing. It feels extraneous, and overblown to the World Warrior, but then... that's sort of the point of these events. A point Ryu doesn't exactly agree to recognize. Sighing deeply, the nomad's hand drops to his side, and he does his best to stand still, eyes drifting over the gathered crowd, and then off to the side of the stage.
Yes, he's curious... he may not have particularly cared who the sponsor of this tournament was when it came to participation, but right now it's an imminently pressing issue. After all, the hosts of King of Fighters aren't exactly renowned for their benevolence, and with the throngs of people around... either someone nefarious would think twice before trying something, or it could be very, very ugly. Either way, Ryu stays a bit on-edge, on his guard, hardly relaxing under the noise coming from the crowd. Of course, while he's edgy about the possibilities, and the setting, part of the Ansatsuken master is actually /hoping/ this turns into a fight...
Sakura's more than a little embarassed at all the attention. Sure, she was smug enough in Southtown... but there's all these... important people staring up at her now. What's she s'posed to do, anyway, just stand there and look pretty? Apparently, since that's all the KOF staff told her to do. Arms folded behind her back, she swings her shoulders lightly from one side to the other, looking out among the crowd -- many of which who seem at least equally anxious for something to happen. Then she turns back to Ken, who's cool as a cucumber. And then to Ryu, her sensei who... doesn't seem fazed at all. If only things were that easy for the nervous schoolgirl! What's with all the surprise? At least she's in her usual school uniform, and not something upscale and fancy... that'd be even more nerve-wracking! ... Though... Ryu does seem a bit nervous, and she -is- a bit curious to know why. It's just an awards ceremony, right? What could happen?
Ken is here just like Ryu and Sakura, merely dressed in his usual clothes. After all, there are going to be photos and stuff like that. While he doesn't really show it like Ryu, Ken maintains some level of alertness... Though most of it is geared on the crowd, where he knows that his wife Eliza is with his son Mel. He just has his hands behind his head, merely sighing as he looks about. He doesn't say anything, due mostly do to the fact that everyone's watching, but he's tempted to ask when the hell is the interesting stuff gunna happen. After all, either they get the award or they don't. Well, ninjas could pop out of the woodwork and attack them, but while Ryu might be thinking that may be possible, Ken himself doesn't. After all, who would try something with all these freaking people around? Either way, tension or not, he has a proud smile on his face. No matter what happens, they earned their right to be up here... And proved that they truly are bad mother (@*#ers. And in the end, that's enough for Ken.
Promptly at the designated time, a hush falls over the crowd. The reason: a woman in a black suit, possibly Austrian in descent, strides confidently out to the podium. The fairly voluptuous blonde wears a thin smile, but bears no resemblance at all to the lady who delivered all the previous announcements -- in fact, that lady, Kelly Lucenti, can probably be found if you look hard enough in the church.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Kolin, and on behalf of the King of Fighters Two-Thousand-Five Committee, I would like to welcome you all here tonight for a very special ceremony." Her voice crisp and clear, the lady in black exudes confidence and poise. "We have here three exceptional fighters who have triumphed through several grueling battles against the best fighters in the world. We have Sakura Kasugano, a teenage high school student from Southtown Japan. We have Ken Masters, a successful businessman from Seattle in the United States. And we have Ryu, the reigning champion of the World Warrior tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, before we proceed, let's give them a warm round of applause!"
And the crowd erupts in a rather impressive standing ovation.
As significant as the assembled fighters are, though... there's someone else everyone's waiting to see. Kolin steps aside from the podium, sweeping her arm towards the church itself, and announces into the mic, "And now... to present the champions of the King of Fighters 2005 with their awards is our one and only ... Lord Gill!" She replaces the microphone, and stands back to join in the resounding applause.
At Kolin's words, the sound of a mighty church bell rings out over the plaza, steady and booming. The doors of the church swing wide, and from within appears two long lines of robed, hooded people stepping out into the plaza. Not far from the doors, the lines turn outward, moving to the covered walkways which surround the plaza. Nothing else moves but for these figures silently, reverently encircling the plaza where the spectators stand.
At last, the mysterious figures finish taking their places, the church doors remaining open. And there appears a lone figure, dressed only in a simple robe. He steps forward, walking down to the middle of the dais in his bare blue and red feet. When he is close enough to see and been seen by everyone in the plaza, he stops, sweeping a gaze over the crowd as though he were a king. His eyes touch upon the three winners of the tournament for a brief second before he smiles, throwing his arms open wide.
"Welcome, my people!" Gill's voice booms out across the plaza. "Welcome to the new world!"
Theatrics upon theatrics, it seems. Ryu's not particularly /surprised/ by the dramatic flare with which the KoF staff approach this, and the arrival of their glorious leader, however, and it does give him something to focus on rather than just considering all the angles and wishing he were up here for a real /reason/. Well, aside from winning the tournament, but as established, Ryu finds this scenario seems a bit superfluous for a simple award. But Gill's appearance, well... that's something to pay attention to. As soon as the robed figure begins making his way down the square, the World Warrior's eyes center on the strange-skinned fellow. It's not the duality of skintone that draws Ryu's eyes, however, it's the wellspring of chi that the nomad senses in the stranger.
That sense of immense energy brings the Ansatsuken master's face to a somewhat sterner tone, not upset or angry, but extremely intent. Considering this year's 'host' carefully. Welcome to the new world? Well, Colombus has already been. Ryu holds his thoughts, and simply stands silent, continuing to watch Gill.
-Finally-, something's about to start. A new face, a new announcement, both of which pass bring a smile to Sakura's face as she turns towards Kolin. Should she be looking towards Kolin, or the audience around? Aah ... such formality! The schoolgirl's totally confused. But at least when people start clapping, she smiles and nods appreciatively to them. ... The new arrival, though? Whoa. Red and blue. He looks like a fan of American football or something, except for that whole robe thing. Sakura turns to face him, starting to clap in applause... confused. Should she be clapping? And even more so, should she be clapping for some guy who comes to an awards ceremony with his face and feet painted such bright primary colors? Weird! As for the 'Welcome to the new world' proclamation? Sakura, thinking that's nothing more than the usual puffery coming from pompous fight officials, has got nothing. Though, after a second look at Ryu, she sees her sensei tensing up slightly... and then she, too, starts to get a bit anxious towards what's about to happen.
Ken arches a brow as he sees this little display and the man responsible for all of this.
What.
The.
Hell?
He hasn't heard of this Gill guy OR the woman that introduces him. And on top of that? He's a freak. Wearing a robe while having some freakish body paint on? Leaning over toward Ryu as sutbly as he can, he whispers, "So... We are getting an award from the number one cubs fan in the world or something... If I have to look like THAT to get it, count me out. I have my pride here." Of course, Ken senses the power all too clear, but just because you are super powerful doesn't mean that you have the free liscense to parade about in public places looking like a moron in front of the masses. Ken's Final Impression?
Not Impressed.
Exactly one year ago Benimaru Nikaido was up there on stage.. It wasn't in this exact location, no, and come to think of it it probably wasn't even on a stage, he was too busy looking pretty to take note of all the important details. Now he was here, as a spectator, and to perhaps no one's suprise he didn't really like it. His mind was wandering for a good long while until Kolin speaks, perking his interest. And then his eyes widen not in recognition to Gill, since he didn't, but rather in suprise to a much more important category.
That was the most fashionable man he had ever seen.
Gill lowers his arms after a moment. He keeps them spread, but now they're pointed toward the Rising Dragons. "I am Gill," he intones. "I have held this tournament...I have brought you all here for one reason. One reason only.
"This world is corrupt!" Gill's voice cracks like a whip as he stares at the spectators. "I know that there are few who still do not think so. My friends, the world is ending. I have seen this, and I know it to be true." His deadly serious tone is broken suddenly by a beatific smile. "But never fear. For I have also foreseen the coming of a new dawn, a new era for mankind! I am here to lead you to Paradise, my friends."
Gill lowers his head, nodding to Ken, Ryu, and Sakura as he continues. "And at my side will be you three. By your performance in the King of Fighters, you have earned the privilege to be my disciples. You will help me guide the human race into its ascension!"
No, no. He's not the number one cubs fan. Apparently, Gill's a cultist who forgot that the punch is supposed to go on the /inside/. Ken's words don't lighten Ryu's mood much, however... he can tell that this one is strong enough to make the antics dangerous, rather than simply amusing. The nomad's head tilts slightly at the large host's further words, as if in disbelief. For his part, the World Warrior simply shakes his head.
"There has always been corruption in the world." The nomad answers evenly, calling out in projected tones to the powerful host, "Strong men who think they could lead better are hardly rarities." It's a demeaning comment, perhaps, but hell... it's not like Ryu hasn't been exposed to guys with similar aims rather often, lately. He gets tired of the speech, "We didn't come here to join a cult." He finalizes simply, quite unimpressed by the prophecy, and the attitude. But really, it'd be hard to expect differently of him.
... Well. That was... different. The scruffy-haired fangirl from Southtown follows along with Gill's words attentively, but her eyes widen once she realizes what he's getting at. She's... a disciple? What the heck? Does this mean Ryu gets a new sensei? Does this mean she'll have to throw holy water instead of Hadoukens? Worst of all, does it mean she has to paint herself colors before going to school in the morning? Oh, the humanity! Glancing back at Ken, then Ryu, she shakes her head slowly. Whispering to Ken, just as the team captain makes his announcement, she hisses, "... I dunno, I didn't sign up for any of -this- now... I gotta go to college or my parents'll kill me!" Granted, that whole 'helping out humanity' gig might be nice... but she's got to default to Ryu's judgment here, especially as he's her trusted guardian so far from home...
"Freak with a God Complex. Can't say that I'm really surprised here. I mean, you go out in body paint like to a world wide event like this, you might as well just open up a Neverland 2 while saying you love Scientology as the one true faith at the same time."
Ken, usually the first with a quip or a barb out of the trio. He looks to Ryu, merely fighting the urge to facepalm at the DIRECT insult Ryu gave toward Gill. Charming. Ryu really needs to learn about this talking behind people's back thing before being team captain. After listening to Sakura with a soft "No worries, me and Ryu have this covered", he whispers toward Ryu, "Ryu... Um, first we need to tell him thank you for the award, take the award and the prize stuff, then about two weeks later, THEN we tell him he's full of it and we aren't interested. Now he's gunna be an ass about it since you got him pissed, I just know it. And you say /I'm/ the hot headed one.... Here, let me try and pan things out."
Looking over toward Gill, he calls out with a good old American smile and pitch, "Um, what my friend Ryu MEANT to say, is that we are agreeing to disagree. We are MORE than willing to talk about this later... when we aren't in front of two billion people and you give us our prize stuff for kicking everyone's ass. I mean, really now. It's not nice to tell everyone the world's screwed right when we are supposed to be having a good time. So, um, no dice for right now, have your people talk to my people... We'll do lunch." He makes a cell phone sign with a 'shoving food in face' sign at the end of his words to prove his point. He gives Gill a good natured smile, clearly waiting to see if the freakshow buys it.
Gill chuckles, as might a father whose son has said one of the darnedest things. "A cult? No, a cult places their beliefs in the non-existent. You are innocent children who know nothing of the world, but you will witness the truth soon, I assure you." He cocks his head as Ken pipes up, turning his gaze on the blond man. "I have already told you your prize. You will be instrumental in helping me fulfill the prophecies. That is more than any human can ask for. However..." He shakes his head.
"There was to be a final battle that would determine your true worthiness. Had you fought the Ikaris, there would be no need for this last formality, but you must prove yourselves to be the chosen ones." He smiles genially, holding his arms out to either side. In his right hand, a fireball bursts into being, the flames looking as real as any. In his left hand, the air solidifies, forming a ball of ice. The air frosts around his hand in waves, mimicking the fire.
Gill's voice rises, filling the plaza and perhaps the entire city with its intensity. "You will fight me! And in doing so, you will learn that I am God!" At the last word, his robe bursts into flames, the ashes flickering away on the wind. Free of his cumbersome garments, Gill steps forward, swinging his arms out in front of him. The ball of fire shoots forward, rushing toward Ken, while the ball of ice flies toward Ryu.
COMBATSYS: Gill has started a fight here on the right meter side.
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Gill
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gill
COMBATSYS: Sakura has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gill
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ken has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Gill
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Ken 0/-------/-------|
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Gill successfully hits Ryu with Antipode Blast.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Gill
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Ken 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
Apparently, Gill isn't particularly interested in Ken's niceties... or arranging the rest of this over a nice lunch meeting. That's not particularly surprising to Ryu, though the sudden display of chi doesn't give him long to consider Gill's motives further. The surprising dual-blast, and the sheer power of that energy, doesn't give Ryu time to get out of the way, his chest impacted by the hurtling blast of ice, blasting frightful cold across his body as he's slammed back across the stage, landing on his back and sliding for a moment, gi serving as a rather ineffectual cushion as he slides, gritting his teeth. This guy isn't God, just a deluded man, and Ryu's fought enough of those to know how to react! It'll take more than one strong hit to knock him out of this, and with the backwards momentum, Ryu kicks up towards the air and backflips out of the slide, landing in a ready position and drawing his gaze right back to Gill... about the same time that his hands sweep forward, forging a brilliant flash of blue-white chi that swirls together as his hands meet before him, sending the flaring mass in a beeline towards the large host, the wildly luminescent sphere of chi echoed by a forceful, "Hadooouken!!!" His retort for now, it seems. Hits like that... mean /business/.
... Okay, normally Sakura's the one with the big mouth, but with both her teacher and his best friend shooting the breeze, Sakura feels she can take a back seat right now. She can sense the immense battle aura wafting from Gill -- not to mention the searing heat and the icy cold. Kasugano's starting to feel like she's turning red and blue just by being in the middle of it all! But even as suddenly as this battle is beginning, Ryu's oft-repeated words echo in her mind -- the need to dispel her emotions and focus clearly on the intended outcome. And that's why, instead of charging in foolishly, even with Ryu and Ken taking fire, she concentrates on providing the best backup she can -- and that means powering up the Hadouken cannon! Clenching her fists by her sides, the schoolgirl tenses as a breeze suddenly kicks up, a torrent of blue-tinged wind swirling around her. Sure, her skirt's flipped up in the process, but that's nothing new! "Haaaaaaa...."
COMBATSYS: Sakura gathers her will.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Gill
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Ken 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Gill successfully hits Ken with Antipode Blast.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
Ken tries to roll out of way of Gill's attack, but he finds that he is... Too slow? This doesn't happen. Not often anyway. Either way, Ken finds his gi on fire as he is sent to the ground, rolling backwards before getting to his feet once more. Freaking dangit that man hits hard. Either way, he lets Ryu take the lead for right now, merely waiting for his opening to strike and strike hard. This is gunna be one hella fight, that's for sure. But with him AND Ryu they should be able to handle it, more so with Sakura helping, right?
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Gill
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Ken 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Ryu's Hadouken.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/---====|
Gill holds up his arms, crossing them to let the return energy blast slam into them. He skids back a couple of feet, but barely looks unharmed. "I feel your strength. It may not be enough. When you join me, that will change." With a sudden crouch, he bounds into the air, his long legs carrying him far above the fighters' heads. He flips backward, and as he completes the turn he falls, stopping with his knees pointed straight down for Ryu's head.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Gill's Moonsault Knee Drop.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/---====|
"We'll see." Ryu intones calmly, watching Gill's sudden assault almost patiently, his stance shifting lightly from side to side. Then the large fighter shows his hand, drops down with his knees braced for impact, and suddenly, the World Warrior isn't at the landing site. Darting to the side in the blink of an eye, the World Warrior plants one foot and pivots, facing Gill as the massive, multihued blonde descends, aiming to give him a rather brutal welcome to the ground, the nomad's arms sweeping forward, a sudden tumult of wildly flaming chi cascading together into a searing conflaguration in the blink of an eye, that superheated, flame-orbitted mass propelled across the scant distance between the Ansatsuken master and the King of Fighters host with a fervent cry, "Hadoooouken!!!!!" Ryu still owes Gill a return of that initial force, after all.
What the heck is this 'Gill' person going on about? Scratch that, let Sakura say it. "So... wait. You just claimed you were God! So what's that mean if we beat you?" Doesn't seem Kasugano's going to be waiting around for the answer, though... for she's already shifting her stance, hands curling by the side. Her palms flare blue with energy, and as soon as Ryu unleashes his fireball, Sakura has a bloom about the same size and shape to go along with it! Red fireball and blue fireball -- Gill ought to appreciate the sensibility that went into that. "HADOOOOOUKEN!"
Ken frowns as Gill offers his words to Ryu. "You are so sure that we'll join you? After all, all you are right now is a mad man... AND A CHALLENGE!" Ken replies with a proud strength behind him. He thinks he sees his opening as Ryu and Sakura put their palms together, and he in turn does the same. Like an odd sort of volley, Ken offers his own Hadouken after Sakura's, hopefully the other two fireballs catching Gill off guard enough to not only hit him, but sneak a way past his defense. While his Hadouken isn't quite as big as Ryu's, it still has power as well. "Hadouken!"
Looks like the trio is going 'all balls' out on this attack.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Gill with Shakunetsu Hadouken.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Gill parries Sakura's Medium Hadouken!
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Gill parries Ken's Hadouken!
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Gill lands on the ground hard, breaking the stonework underneath his feet. Ryu's quick footwork gives him the edge, though, and the fireball is waiting for Gill as he straightens. It impacts him solidly on his chest, and his mouth twists in pain as the fire engulfs him...
...but just as quickly, it evaporates, especially on his blue side, and the pain leaves Gill's face. Before he can respond to Ryu, however, the other two fighters' shouts gets his attention. He swivels in place, spreading his arms wide, both hands erupting in their respective elements. As the Hadoukens race toward him simultaneously, he brings his hands together in a powerful slap, catching both Hadoukens and slamming them into each other, as one might knock two heads together. The remaining energy is quickly converted, frozen into a solid ball of ice. "Mad? My friend, I am enjoying this!" With a grin that bares teeth, Gill thrusts his arms forward, sending the ball straight back at Ken. "Cryokinesis!"
Well, Gill's having fun? Ryu can relate to that, and he looks to give the strange fighter a bit more of the stuff, darting in as the King of Fighters host's arm goes out to shoot that blast of ice for Ken. Ryu's goal is simple - dart in on Gill's flank, his right hand shooting out for his larger opponent's chest, looking to grasp his fingers quite strongly into Gill's muscles, and drag the blonde backwards. Should he find that purchase, however, Ryu's drop doesn't end there, his right leg snapping out for Gill's ribcage, intent on adding force to the leverage, and sending their gracious host sailing back, towards Ken, and a painful reunion with the floor. Catch!
Wincing as Gill makes a Three Stooges gag out of her lovingly-crafted Hadouken, Sakura keeps her distance. She steals a brief glance at her surroundings, but realizes that whatever strategy she -might- have been attempting to formulate just got blown to smithereens. "Foo." she mumbles. Her chestnut-hued eyes narrowed at Gill, Kasugano draws in her breath, her hands curled lightly before her as she bobs lightly on her toes, steeling herself for what might come next.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/--=====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Gill's Cryokinesis EX.
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Ken would normally just roll out of harm's way, but this guy is far too good for that right now. Despite being outmatched, Ken just puts his right arm up to weather the cold, just wincing in pain as the ice forms over his defense. Hey, beats it getting it to the head or chest. As Ryu tries to throw Gill, Ken tries to catch him and throw him again, merely grabbing Gill by the HAIR before rolling backwards twice and tossing him off. If Ryu's attempt fails, he'll just try and do it regardless. Hopefully the more Gill is up and tossed around, the greater chance he'll get dizzy or something... Something just to slow him down would make Ken a happy camper, that's for sure.
COMBATSYS: Gill dodges Ryu's Tomoe Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Gill dodges Ken's Jigoku-guruma.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Despite being a tall, highly visible man, Gill...simply isn't there when Ryu and Ken come for him. Having no shirt, the delay in Ryu trying to grab him makes it easy for Gill to slide away, twisting around him to evade Ken as well. His destination? Sakura.
Gill comes to a halt in front of Sakura, looking down at her with his hawk's eyes. "Perhaps you have the greatest potential of all three, yes?" He smiles benevolently down at her. "My training will see to that." And with that, he slaps a hand forward, aiming to palmstrike her light but fast in her chest to drive her backward.
Ryu doesn't waste a moment of out that failed grab, and as Gill deftly slips between he and Ken, the World Warrior corrects his footing, sliding a bit into a quick twist. He's not fast enough to stop the larger, and apparently quicker, opponent from charging his student, but he can certainly make his position known. Ryu nods once to Ken, "All out." He intones simply, and in a flash, he's chasing right after Gill, coming in at the host's rear flank, and planting his left foot as he closes, swinging his right up and around as his form twists a sudden three-hundred and sixty degrees, aiming to plant his right heel viciously upside Gill's skull in a powerful roundhouse, the strike focused with a nigh-echoing, "Haaaaaaah!!!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Gill's Jab Punch.
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Sakura 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Wonderful! Gill's seen through Sakura's brilliant plan to cheerlead Ken and Ryu from the sidelines, but that's not to say she can't mount an impressive defense! Crossing both arms before her to absorb the palm strike, the schoolgirl finds herself backpedaling from the blow just the same. Wasn't a lovetap, no matter what poetic language may have preceded it. "Hey, pal, I'm getting all the training I need!" And lest Gill need a reminder of just what kind of results she's been getting, she takes one more step back, planting her feet firmly and chambering a shell in the cannon -- "HADOOOOUKEN!" she shouts as it fires out, a 2-meter-wide orb of blue flame poised to strike Gill while he's still reasonably close.
. o O (I thought we were going all out....) is the first thought in Ken's mind, but as Ryu merely states that things need to pick up, Ken just nods in agreement. He goes to the opposite side of Gil that Ryu does, trying to raise his leg straight up to kick the back of Gill's head before bring the foot down to try and crash it down on his shoulder. "Take this!" he cries out, hoping that the power of the Twin Dragons (and Dragon Jr.) shall overcome Gill. It's gunna be close either way.
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Ryu's Strong Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Gill with Inazuma Kakato Wari.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Gill endures Sakura's Large Hadouken EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|=======\=======\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
The two dragons come flying in on either side of Gill, Ryu sending a roundhouse at his head...but the would-be deity throws an arm up, letting the kick smack hard against his forearm. But in a slight display of fallibility, Gill throws up his other arm to block Ken...but Ken's not mimicking Ryu. The downward axe kick completely bypasses Gill's guard, catching him hard on the shoulder. He grunts in pain, his stance buckling somewhat.
With his guard up this way, there's little for him to do to evade Sakura. And thus he merely tightens his chest, squaring himself for the blast of energy that impacts him directly on the chest. Ryu and Ken on either side of Gill keep him from slipping back too far.
"I see you still do not recognize my power," he pants, pushing the two men's legs away. "Very well." Gill looks up to the sky, beginning to rise...no jump necessary, he merely lifts himself up, floating above all three fighters. He hovers there, closing his eyes and spreading his arms wide.
Six white luminescent angel wings sprout from Gill's back, flapping once. "BOW DOWN!" he roars, and a massive sphere of pure white chi explodes, with him at the center. Wave after wave rush out, causing the ground underneath him to buckle and melt with the force. Woe betide anyone caught in this maelstrom.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Gill's Seraphic Wing.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
That upspike in chi is certainly impressive, but it's also imminently noticeable. As the surge of luminescent force sweeps outwards and subsequently explodes with that potent sweep of angelic wings, Ryu takes the instant to suddenly leap backwards, turning one full inversion in the air in the graceful reverse arc, landing lightly on his feet a short distance from Gill, "I see power." Ryu corrects calmly, "But no trace of godhood!" Apparently, the World Warrior hasn't been convinced to bow down to Gill just yet, and his answer back in action is just as quick in coming. As he lands, Ryu's feet shift wider apart, and his arms tense as he shoves a second bluish charge of raw chi to the fore, heels of his hands meeting, palms outstretched towards Gill as he summons forth a densely packed blast of flaring blue energy, the coalescent burst sweeping a gusting path with impressive speed right back in for Gill's flank.
COMBATSYS: Gill successfully hits Sakura with Seraphic Wing.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Ooh, crush the insurgents! Luckily, there's a large span of open space between Gill and the audience members -- innocent bystanders that actually start to regret their front-row seats once the crushing blow comes down! Mind, Sakura doesn't have that benefit, being front and center to the self-proclaimed god's attack. She -does-, however, expect that Gill's not of a mind to crush his potential followers -- and it's with that in mind that the schoolgirl collapses to one knee, one split-second before vaulting backwards, up, up, and away from the strike!
Nice thought, anyway. It doesn't actually -happen-, though, as the sheer concussive impact of the blast slams into her full force, flattening the girl in mid-air, and effectively swatting her... not only to the -ground-, mind you, but clear back to the tall obelisk on the other side of the square
WHAM! The schoolgirl collapses to her knees shortly afterwards, but by this point... oh, she's stoked. Gritting her teeth, even coughing up blood from the hardest single impact she's ever taken, she still finds the strength to keep from teetering over. "Shinkuuuuuu..." That strength happens to be colored blue, as she's positively -infused- with energy -- energy that all gets pumped into her hands with a loud crackle of electricity, right before she looses the whole kit-and-kaboodle at Gill. "HADOOOOOOOUKEN!" she shouts, though it'd probably difficult to hear over the firecracker screaming Gill's way.
COMBATSYS: Ken dodges Gill's Seraphic Wing.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Ken leaps back, merely breaking into a backroll as the ground buckles where he once was. Landing back on his feet, he frowns as he notices the power shown and how it seemed to really slam into Sakura something fierce. He just takes the time to regain himself, hoping that while Ryu and Sakura do their ranged attacks, they cover Ken as he figures out how exactly he is gunna get in a good hit and help win this fight. Gill's a fast bugger, that's for sure.
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Gill with Hadouken.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Gill with Shinkuu Hadouken.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Gill takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Gill has reached umpteenth wind!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/=======|
The heavenly assault fades, and Gill lowers himself back to the ground. Sakura went down, but where are Ryu and Ken...? He glances one way, then the other, mouth twisting into a faint smile. "Yes. Perfect to stand by my side."
And then he looks back at Ryu, forming another Hadouken. He shakes his head and begins to move, but the young girl's voice cuts through his concentration. "You...!" But the distraction has done its job. Ryu's Hadouken slams into Gill's side, drilling deep and making Gill pay for his lapse in focus. It doesn't help when Sakura now has a clear shot, catching Gill from the other side. The twin blasts of chi knock him backward, sending him flying to crash against the steps of the dais. And he doesn't move.
Yes, it would be over were it anyone else. But hasn't Gill been saying repeatedly that he is a god? Gods do not die. After a moment, Gill once more stirs, his body lifted into the air by some unknown force, curling him into a ball and sheltered by a holy sphere of light.
Swiftly, Gill uncurls, arms and feet splayed out as he becomes reborn anew. The light fades, lowering Gill to the ground. He rolls his shoulders, then directs a small smile to Ryu. "Do you doubt my divinity now?"
A brief nod is Ryu's initial response to Gill. He could sense the resounding chi that refueled the other man, could see the brilliant firework that accompanied it. Narrow-minded of him, perhaps, but the World Warrior is quite certain he's not facing any divine being here, "Power does not make you Almighty." The nomad retorts calmly, eyes narrowing on Gill. Despite the rejuvenated flesh, and the aura of confidence the fighter seems determined to project, he doesn't seem quite as revitalized as he'd have them believe, not to Ryu, "He's weakened. Don't let him trick you. We can beat him!" the legendary nomad calls to his teammates, suddenly rushing Gill. At the last moment, the World Warrior springs skyward, snapping his right leg around, outstretched parallel with the floor as he hurtles in for the large host, the three-hundred sixty degree spins of his rotorblade roundhouses levelled on the would-be god's skull, "Tatsumaki Senpuuuuu Kyaku!!!"
And Sakura proves that the mosquito's sting, while not all that painful, can still be really annoying at times! Mind, Sakura's still just trying to work through the basics here. Like... standing, for instance. Not dying, for another. Her ribcage wracks with another cough, her hand snapping to her mouth as she stumbles slightly. She catches herself before gravity has a chance to cause an embarassing fall, but she realizes... well, folks, she has a lot of jogging to do before she can rejoin the fight taking place so far away. One hand still covering her mouth, she jogs back to the scene -- no need for quips, just widened eyes fixated upon the resurrected demi-god she appears to be staring at.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
Ken merely wonders if he won't even get a chance to do anything as the student-master team SMACKDOWN Gill into next week. Oddly enough, the attack doesn't cause him to yield, but rather pull out his own special regeneration trick. MAN, he has got to learn that, that's for sure. As Ryu takes the high road, Ken merely takes the low road, rolling a couple of times underneth his partner as Ryu's attack is going on. As soon as it stops, Ken is right there, hoping to connect a powerful flaming uppercut with Gill's jaw. As goes into the air for a short time, he gives a loud and powerful cry that causes his young son to cheer somewhere in the masses and his wife to gasp, knowing exactly what move he's trying to pull. "SHORYUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Gill dodges Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Gill dodges Ken's Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
Weakened? Perhaps, Gill might be feeling the strain of a prolonged battle against multiple opponents. But the Resurrection has left him feeling like a new man, alive and vigorous. And as Ryu's roundhouse comes at him from one side and Ken rolls at him from the other side, Gill merely leaps over Ken, leaving only air for the flaming fist to find.
Without hesitation, the moment Gill lands on the ground, he pivots, sending his leg around in his own roundhouse, aiming to catch Ken in the back during his Shoryuken with a flaming heel.
Still got some fight in him, that's for sure... Ryu lands a short distance past Gill and lands, legs bending subtly as he spins back to face the conflict, brow furrowing somewhat as he notes the evasion carry the large host in striking distance of Ken. Renewed training and impressive skills or not, Ryu isn't inclined to leave his blonde brother by another mother facing off against this powerhouse alone, and with two quick sprinting strides, the nomad springs into the air, arcing a fluid high-jump across the dais to drop down near Gill's side, aiming to land just past both combatants, his left leg snapping out in a simple strike for the side of the would-be god's skull as he passes, the striking foot accompanied by a focusing, "Kyaaaah!!"
The closer gets, the faster Sakura seems to be dashing. Most people would have been -killed- absorbing a shockwave like the one Sakura just absorbed -- but adrenaline can do amazing things towards convincing one's body, 'Nah, not really hurt. Go on, fight s'more!'
Such is the young Taiyo High student's case as she dashes in. As she watches her master take the high route, and Ken still reeling from his high-angle Shoryuken, she figures Gill's knees could use some lovins' too. Hands snap to her side, and then her sneakers screech as the schoolgirl suddenly puts on the brakes. The reason for that would be to impart just that much more momentum to the blue ball of flame that's then slung from her fingertips: "HADOOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Gill's Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
Ken is able to bring up his arm to his side as he spins in the right direction to block the blow, but the pain is still rather bad as he gets kicked off balance and lands with a grunt on the ground. He merely waits until Ryu does his attack and Sakura's Hadouken flies over head before he takes to the skies and begins to spin around, merely giving a cry out "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!" as he extends his leg out to try and kick Gill over and over again.
Meanwhile....
"Mommy, why can't daddy hit the bad man?"
"That's because your daddy is too slow."
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Ryu's Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Sakura's Medium Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Ken's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
Gill's hand meets Ryu's snap kick with a hearty slap. That had to sting. Pushing Ryu aside, Gill twists toward Sakura, lifting a leg up to let the fireball crash into his shin. And Ken's multiple kicks are met with successive arm guards, keeping him from hitting anything vital.
Gill leaps backward, putting himself out of the midst of all three. Though he looks barely affected by the attacks, he does appear to be breathing a little heavier. Fire flickers down his right side, while frosted air floats around his left. "This battle has gone on too long," he pronounces as solemnly as he can. With a kick off from the ground, Gill leaps forward again, his right arm outstretched as he runs past Ryu, attempting to clothesline him around the neck with a fiery arm and knock him to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Cyber Lariat from Gill with Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/------=|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|
As Gill comes springs back in at Ryu, the World Warrior drops his right side back, lifting his left arm horizontally, in-line with Gill's massive clothesline. It stings, and for a moment, Ryu is pushed back, but he doesn't yield to the power behind it, suddenly swinging his right side back around, dropping under the clothesline, but not long enough for Gill to run past... no, just long enough for Ryu to propell himself right back in at the large host, the nomad's right fist snapping upwards, a formidable roundhouse levelled across Gill's flank and right into the bigger fighter's skull, the force behind the strike sending Ryu hurtling skywards, though with any luck... it's going to send Gill sailing a fair bit farther, a good bit more painfully, "Shoooryuken!!!" Ryu shouts out, deep voice sounding over the square as he rockets into the famous Rising Dragon Punch.
Staring in disbelief as Gill annuls yet another of her infamous Hadoukens, Sakura slows to a halt. She can't help but be a -little- ticked off at that, but hey -- if at first you don't succeed, pull out the bigger gun! Though, in this case, a bigger gun might interfere with her sensei's powerful uppercut. So instead of dashing right back into the thick, Kasugano plants her feet into position, clenched fists at her side as she shouts, "HAAAAAAAAA...." amidst another rushing upsurge of wind. Maybe the self-proclaimed god can be swayed by inadvertent fanservice, who knows?
COMBATSYS: Sakura gathers her will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|
Gill is caught flatfooted by Ryu's counterattack. It does indeed send him flying backward, a last-minute flip allowing him to land on his feet, but just barely. Gill rubs his chin, grimacing at the pain. The fire along his right side burns brighter now, the air on his left side crystallizing in the cold.
"I see the tide is beginning to turn," he muses, studying Ryu. "I think it will be best if we stop any teamed attacks from happening in the near future." He straightens, curling one hand up into a flaming fist. "Meteor Storm!"
A sudden hissing turns one's attention to the sky above, where multiple ice and fire balls begin to form. As they reach full size, they begin to fall at a great speed, the deadly shower slamming into the ground around Ken. Into him as well, if he cannot get away in time.
As Ken is enveloped by that brutal storm of fireballs, Ryu grits his teeth, steadying himself and planting his feet in a horse stance. Two can play at the massive gathering of chi game, and Ryu starts by splaying his fingers in opposing directions, focusing a tremendous blast of bluish chi between his hands, as a brilliant flash lights up the stage, drawing energy from all around Ryu in an instant, "Shiiiinkuuuuuu...."
The deeply intoned word comes in time with a rampant surge of raw power, the cerulean-touched vortex drawing fiercely at the air around the World Warrior, his headband fluttering, fighting violently to reach the orb that grows to epic proportions in mere instants between his palms, dark eyes focused forward on Gill as Ryu tenses, and shoves the blast outwards, bits of the stage scattered from Gill's onslaught earlier drawn in and devoured, the gash in the dais enhanced by the all-consuming densely packed coruscating ball of chi that seeks to envelope Gill in the same manner, "Hadooooouken!!!!!"
Wincing a bit as Gill unleashes a storm of meteors onto her team partner, Sakura nevertheless reminds herself that this -is-, after all, a battle. Ken will be alright sooner or later, if he doesn't just outright ninja out of the way to start with. The battle's one that she feels she -has- to win, at all costs. She isn't sure if it'll make any difference, but being on the winning side definitely increases the possibilities of coming out ahead, right? So that's why Sakura nods with her sensei, channeling energy into her palms, and swirling it around into a sphere -- before launching it off at Gill in the wake of her master's insanely fast Shinkuu Hadouken with a cry of her own: "HADOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Gill with Large Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-------|
Gill smiles in satisfaction. One is gone. Only two left. The girl is not much, even when working in concert with her teammates. This should be simpler. He turns to Ryu, still the bigger threat to handle, only to find a massive fireball streaking his way. Despite his acts of agility earlier, there's no time to run from this one; Gill throws up his arms, the massive fireball plowing into his forearms and scorching them badly. He begins to put his arms down, ready to retaliate...
...But without delay, as the light from Ryu's Hadouken fades, another comes flying in on its heels. It strikes the unprepared Gill in the face, jerking his head back and sending him to the ground with a heavy thud. It doesn't take long for him to recover, though, and he levers himself back onto his feet. To the trained eye, though, he is looking shaky, and the fire and ice around his body continue to rise.
"I will not be defeated!" he roars. The smile is certainly gone from his face now. He points his arm forward, as if it were a gun. A ball of ice forms quickly at his fist, and with a shout of "Cryokinesis!" he lets it fly straight at Ryu, the blue projectile leaving vapor trails in its wake like a comet.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Gill's Cryokinesis EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/------=|
Ryu throws up a fist in front of that icy sphere, his own energy centering as he slams the back of his glove into the incoming blast, the icy chi bursting all over, dispersing outwards with a sting across the World Warrior's arm, but not a sting that looks to have done a whole lot but delay him a moment. Focusing in on Gill, the World Warrior charges right in past that blast, "I still might have something to say about that!" Ryu retorts, and as he closes the last bit of distance with the would-be god, the nomad's right fist snaps around, with an all-out, powerful jaw-snapping cross. The punch is thrown with not only the full force of Ryu's corded arm, but with a quick twist of his torso as well, adding body weight behind the potent strike. Of course, it might also serve to keep Gill off his balance... Sakura's good at finding those holes, and Ryu is well aware that the god is about to fall.
So, apparently that 'sleeper' fireball was a good idea after all! Even if it wouldn't have done so much by itself, the fact that it landed is enough to bring a smile to Sakura's weary countenance. She knows she hasn't been dealing -quite- as much damage to the freaky Cubs fan, but she's been far from an idle bystander. As Gill continues protesting the inevitable, Sakura decides it's probably about time for her to jump in and do -her- thing. While Ryu's going for the punch to the jaw, Sakura decides to take an even higher route -- running, jumping, and somersaulting into the air at Gill. She unfurls herself just before impact, both legs splaying out to either side as she brings the full brunt of a dual-hand chop to bear upon the blonde's head. Of course, the overcommitted action brings with it a view that's probably going to have the quasi-religious man question his faith, but that's another story entirely! "HERE WE GOOOO!"
COMBATSYS: Gill parries Ryu's Fierce Punch!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Gill dodges Sakura's Sakura Otoshi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/------=|
Gill simply isn't waiting for them to come to him this time. He tears off toward Ryu, running at him with full speed. When he gets close, he leaps forward, shoving Ryu's punch aside with a hand. He rears his head back, bringing it down for a smashing headbutt across Ryu's face. Due to his sprint, he simply isn't where Sakura expected to find him. It's unfortunate to waste such fanservice, but such is life.
COMBATSYS: Ryu endures Gill's Psycho Headbutt EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/---====|
As his fist is caught, and Gill's skull comes crashing down, Ryu does the only thing he /can/ do with his forward momentum being what it is... he takes it like a man, the headbutt crashing square into his face, the nomad's nose crushed under the impact, a spray of blood announcing it as a square, and extremely painful hit. Nonetheless, Ryu has a fair bit of fight left in him, and he doesn't back down, planting one foot behind him to steady himself and shaking his head brisky once before he launches himself in at Gill, point-blank as his right leg snaps out, seeking the side of the would-be god's skull as the World Warrior's entire form spins about, turning full twists in the air as he hurtles forward in defiance of gravity, looking to batter Gill back again, and again, and again. A gusting wind is thrown up beneath the nomad, each swinging kick carrying a large dose of raw force behind it, "Tatsumaki Senpuuuuu Kyaku!!!!"
One thing Sakura learned from a recent battle against Ryu and Ken is that it's very easy for the 'big guys' to discount the schoolgirl. The guys can do more damage to one another, so it's only prudent that they pay more attention to the bigger threats. At first, this troubled Sakura, as she'd wanted to be treated as an equal. There's a silver lining to every cloud, though. For one, Gill's now sandwiched between the two headbanded Ansatsuken fighters. For another, Gill's not even -trying- to hit her. So why shouldn't she just take another break to replenish her energy stores? That's the plan of action she's decided on; her sneakers squeal on the dais as she once more slams on the brakes, turning around to face Gill. Once more the wind kicks her headband and the hem of her skirt into a frenzy as a deluge of blue energy floods into her clenched fists. If Gill has a problem with it, he's welcome to palm-punch the girl again -- if he's ready for a suitable defense, that is. "HAAAAAA...."
COMBATSYS: Sakura gathers her will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Gill with Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Normally the Psycho Headbutt is far more painful than that. Curious. Ryu shouldn't be able to rebound like that. Nevertheless, he does, and it's Gill's loss that it's so. Before he can react, Ryu's roundhouse kick catches him in the side of the head, sending him spinning around, faster and faster as each kick lands. He lands on the now-broken plaza ground hard, his large frame bouncing once before he comes to a halt.
"Rrrgh..." His hair dirtied and matted, his body bruised and battered, Gill nevertheless burns brighter than ever, one side flickering with heat and the other sparkling with cold. "I cannot let you stop me! What I do is for the good of mankind!" Heaving himself up into a crouch, Gill forces himself to rise up in an icy uppercut to strike Ryu on the chin and lift him into the air. In the same motion, Gill spins around, throwing a fiery backhand to strike at the potentially-airborne fighter.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Gill's Antipode.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|=======\=------\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/=======|
Ryu lands out of his hurricane kick in a ready defensive stance, "Destiny's not something you just /decide/." The words Gill speaks are... a bit of a touchy subject for the nomad... he's just seen too much of the same lately. Maybe the would-be god is a good man, maybe he's not, but either way... "Power gives you no right to enforce your will!" The incoming uppercut is met with crossed forearms, the icy splash again stinging to minor detriment, and Ryu stays on his feet well enough to catch the fiery backhand on a vertically-aligned forearm, shoving the strike back with an 'nngh' of exertion, gritting his teeth and planting his stance, refusing to back down before the powerful tournament host's onslaught. With a quick, straight snap, the Ansatsuken master sends his gauntletted fist striking in for Gill's face, seeking to simply pop the larger fighter in the face, with a fair bit less force than that headbutt carried, but it's still a potent, efficiently executed strike, "Hyaaah!"
And for every perfectly-executed strike from her master, there should be a coordinated effort from his support team. In this case... well, Sakura's putting her accumulated energy to good use yet again. Her eyes sparkle as she sees Ryu setting Gill up for an attack, her hands still a-tingle with the warmth of the incoming energy. Reflexively, her hands snap to her right, her fingertips crackling with electricity as the chi she'd been gathering swirls around a white-hot core. Sakura keeps her gaze locked on Gill, waiting for the precise signs to strike -- and when she sees Ryu start that move, so she begins flicking her wrists forward. She'd held off on announcing the move for the advantage of surprise, but once the crackling nucleus of energy is sent onward towards Gill, there's no stopping it -- he'd be sandwiched right between it and her master! "SHINKUU HADOOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Gill blocks Ryu's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Sakura 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Gill
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Gill with Shinkuu Hadouken.
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Sakura 0/-------/-----==|=======\===----\1 Gill
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|
"Pah. No man decides his own fate. You think I chose to take this burden?" Gill raises a hand to block the punch as he talks. "When there is no ambiguity in the prophecy, it would be a sin to deny it." He raises his own fist, the fire burning so hot it forms a ball several inches larger than his hand. But before he can attack, the by-now familiar cry from the young girl catches his ears. He turns his head, but there is no time to move or block. The Shinkuu Hadouken slams into Gill, sending him flying facefirst into the rubble beyond Ryu.
Once again, it looks like it's down for the count. And once again, his body begins to rise of its own accord the sphere of divinity encircling him.
But there is something different now.
The once-benevolent, gentle healing energy does not look nearly so benevolent now. Sections of the sphere begin to fade, and there is a darker tinge that begins to stain the bright chi. In his curled-up position, Gill's eyes snap open, and he looks around wildly. "No...no!" But the sphere doesn't heed him, and very soon it begins to waver, shriveling into nothingness and dropping him unceremoniously on the ground.
Gill's wild-eyed look says that the worst is not yet over. The fire and ice burn hotter and colder than ever; his right side looks like a burning effigy, while his left moves stiffly and looks brittle. "NOOOO!" Gill's face is contorted with the unimaginable pain as his fire and ice spin out of control, enveloping him, devouring his body. While his right side begins to melt away, his left side freezes up completely, sparkling with ice. But even that becomes engulfed by the flames, leaving a screaming Gill to burn.
After a minute of this spectacle, all that is left is ash on the wind.
COMBATSYS: Gill takes no action.
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Sakura 0/-------/-----==|
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Gill can no longer fight.
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Sakura 0/-------/-----==|
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|
Ryu holds his ground as Gill is blasted away, watching the second chi-imbued spectacle with a calm eye. He's really in no condition to fight Gill /again/... particularly without Ken, but he's clearly preparing to do just that, fists raised before him. But after a moment, the World Warrior too senses the wrongness in the energy. Its conduit doesn't seem to be quite so well-off this time, and as Gill collapses, Ryu rushes forward. Not to harm the man, it seems, but in an attempt to help him, a hand outstretched.
Despite his best efforts, however, he can't reach the would-be god soon enough, the out-of-control energy and the utterly blinding heat and cold, drives Ryu back, flinching reflexively away from the intense flames that blast off of Gill's body. Arms held up in front of him, as the fires burn higher and the freeze deepens, the World Warrior backs away from the self-consumed man, a rather deep sorrow reaching his eyes, as he lets out a long sigh. Maybe it's for the best, maybe it's not, but either way, Ryu isn't pleased that the man died, "Consumed by his own power." The Ansatsuken master murmurs in the barest of whispers, as if as a warning to himself. A confirmation, "Apparently there was some ambiguity." He amends in the same quiet tone, the murmured eulogy not the most reverant, but it's offered anyway.
Well, that looked painful. Sakura gasps, a hand going over her mouth at the thought that their final attack was what did the two-toned man in. Rushing up after her master, she stands by his side, clasping her hands together as she watches the man just... up and blow away. Frowning faintly, she looks to her master for support -- and once she sees that look, she knows it's just one of those things. Not her fault, entirely... but still partially, perhaps. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, she forces a little smile out of herself. No sense in crying in front of all these people, right?
... Then Sakura realizes Ken's still down, and rushes over to his side. Mind, Eliza and Mel had jumped the line as soon as the ending was definitive, and were there to look after his more serious injuries, but Sakura lends what moral support she can.
COMBATSYS: Sakura has left the fight here.
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|
On the plus side, no one has to foot the bill for Gill's cremation =or= his funeral. On the bad side, there's an ear-splitting SHRIEK from Kolin to contend with, causing 1d6+3 damage to anyone with unprotected ears. And there are a LOT of those, considering the crowd is in a state of utter shock. They'd just watched a man completely and utterly self-destruct, after all... But the black-suited woman who rushes up to the ashes that remain isn't concerned with those. Foolishly hoping to preserve what she can of the ashes, she attempts to scoop them into her arms. It's, quite clearly, less successful than she'd hoped.
Log created by Ryu, and last modified on 19:37:51 07/08/2005.