Description: In this fight at the airport, Duolon's morals, goals, and methods are questioned by Rose, and to a lesser extent Dhalsim. Count Dracula meets Mr. and Mrs. Rogers! MAXes get thrown around like whoa! (Winners: Duolon and Dhalsim)
Despite the slight chill that the heart of autumn brings, this week's ninth match is set outside in a wide, open area. One of the long, wide runways has been closed off to any and all traffic, all of the usually lively lights that line each side dimmed, and bright orange-colored walls stand in the middle of any intersections leading into the football field-sized stretch of concrete. People are lined all around the barriers, while cameras situated on top of high poles are guaranteed a clear view of the makeshift arena. Occasionally, these shift in the winds caused by passing aircraft, and many, smarter people have brought earplugs with them.
Immediately upon being informed of the location of his fight today, Dhalsim made his way here. He had arrived long before most of these people, even before those setting up barriers and broadcasting equipment. Like a statue he stood, his rough feet never moving from one another, and his posture stays straight for the entire time. Wrapped about his lower arms are fresh white strips of cloth, tied off behind the wrist, slightly discolored from dirt particles whipping about in the wind. A similar knot of fabric rests upon his head, though the folds are more clearly-defined and uniform. A turban is quite an uncommon sight around here, let alone one on an airport. However, this is Japan, now America, so it draws only slightly less suspicion. The squealing of tires touching the runway can be heard in the distance and the cutting of engines as the last flight for the next hour safely makes its arrival...at least, on this side of the airport.
Once again, Rose finds herself signed up for Saturday Night Fights. Last time she had a good excuse with the Metro benefit... this week, no such luck. As she crosses the tarmac, a neutral expression on her face, the tall psychic contemplates her reasons for fighting... not to mention her opponents. Dhalsim is a partially known quantity -- his reputation precedes him -- but Duo Lon she knows only through rumor. "They must be tested," she murmurs to herself, approaching the fight area (and totally heedless of a 747 that practically brushes right by her). "I can sense it in the air. He won't be in hiding for long."
Seeing Dhalsim already in place, she casually makes her way over, giving a bored nod to the camera crews and their interminable questions before getting some appropriate distance and simply setting her eyes on the Indian fighter, giving him a more respectful look. "Perhaps I had hoped to meet you first under better circumstances," Rose comments, as they wait for the third challenger to arrive. "Still, it's a pleasure, sir."
He wasn't aware that there was a second part to his job. After "killing" Dhalsim the night before, Duo Lon made his way back to his contract to get his winnings. Not so. He'd have to succeed in this week's SNF, and, as a matter of fact, had already been registered for the match. Was he angry? Yes. Would he do it? Of course. His reputation depended on it. A small, black car pulls up on another runway, and by the time it leaves to return to wherever it came from, Duo has exited, a small line of black on the horizon at this point. Slowly, inexporably, he makes his way to the area populated by one Dhalsim and several television cameras, Duo's presence likely certified not by his appearance(he's still too far away), rather, the way he walks. A sway of the hips, too many feminine overtones to be entirely masculine. At the very least, people could assume Dynamite Vogue! had a member in the competition. Hopefully nobody sees the way an airplane flying by overhead practically knocks him off of his feet. Not only is it not ninja, it's not very good for publicity! He can't help it if he's seen maybe three in his whole life, can he?
Of course, halfway through the trip, Duo realizes that the gaunt man wearing the cloth, in the odd position, would be none other than Dhalsim. Of course, it's speculation at this point, but the coincidence would be astounding if it was anybody else. That being the case, his boggling and disbelief were shelved quite far into the back of his head by the time he's within earshot. Never wearing anything different from his casual attire, the chill of whatever season or time never seeming to affect him. He comes to a decisive halt next to the frail yogi, and offers the other man a nod. Which, if you think of the previous night's events, may be a little odd.
"I was told I'd have a partner." He doesn't wave to the cameras, or acknowledge the other spectators. Instead, his eyes fall on Rose. Who was likely the oddest woman he had met before. Smoothly, he adopts a casual 'ready' stance, hands simply folding into planes, fingers going entirely rigid. He looks kind of like a waiting mantis. Rose is not given anything in the way of greeting. After all, he's got no business aside from the SNF with her.
Dhalsim's reaction to the greeting is, as with everything else, slow. His head lifts a little, and his distinct, pupil-less eyes look upon rose with a somewhat detatched, neutral expression. For whatever is known of him, he himself really doesn't know much of his opponent outside of rumors, and those, of course, only a fool would take to heart. The description of her abilities ranges from the interesting to the obscene; a graceful angel in some stories, while a destructive beast in others...and these, from only one official fight. Aside from momentary flashes of these memories, his mind is clear. Even as Duo Lon makes his arrival, no anger or malice can be felt from the emaciated yogi. His head bows slightly in a simple, polite nod toward Rose, and his parched lips finally part to answer.
"I hope we may finish this quickly, before anyone finds themselves injured too badly." His hands finally lower, though still, they're pressed together at the palms with his fingers extended and resting against one another. His head turns just enough to actually /see/ Duo Lon now, though it's difficult to discern exactly where he's looking. The only real reaction is a much deeper breath at the other man's willingness to rush into battle, and even Dhalsim himself can't help but sigh sympathetically. If that's how things are going to be, well.. His hands part and arms pulls to his sides, slightly forward, with his fingers starting to splay outward and away from one another. His left foot moves just enough to give him proper balance, and the movements cause only slight sounds from the skulls hanging from his neck that, considering the bustle in the area and the moderately heavy winds, may not even be heard.
"Whenever you are ready," he intones, lifting his right hand just long enough to pull the turban from his head and release it to be carried far behind him by the wind.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rose has joined the fight here.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Duolon has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/-------|
Dhalsim is given another slight look, tilted brown eyes focusing on him for the slightest moment as Duo attempts to verify whether or not the other man is, indeed, /ready/ to fight. You can't tell with Slow Old People. The only people he'd really worked with were Ash and Shenwoo, and, well, they were /easy/ to get along with. Ash would snap his fingers or some crazy flamboyant thing, and Shenwoo would start screaming. Dhalsim, refreshingly enough, seemed to adhere to Duo's own methods. Silent stoicism.
It's an interesting force that he feels in Rose, though not nearly to the extent Dhalsim may. Simply an oddity in that her body doesn't roil with gained power, rather something that emanates from within. Most would be wary of it, but, to Duo, it's simply another factor to be taken into account. Besides that, he was a little more focused on her hair, which may have been the weirdest thing he'd ever seen up until today. That fighting stance from earlier evolves further into a leg-spread, entirely-ready position, and Duo's eyes narrow once more. Focusing on the enemy, it seems. It's always good to be ready, right? Even if you're allowing them the first attack.
"Whenever you're ready." A repetition of Dhalsim's earlier words. Duo's already got a fairly good idea of what Rose's body moves like, the subtle movements of her limbs, the way she breathes... it's all making sense. He's got a bead on what she might be up to.
However, another freaking airplane flies by just as he's feeling confident. The result? Duo hissing, covering his ears, and trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Such a modern environment isn't going to be good for him. Not at all.
COMBATSYS: Duolon takes no action.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/-------|
There are long moments of silence as Rose evaluates her opponents. Duo is right; she doesn't emanate power, nor does she really even appear to be a fighter... though one might be able to say the same of Dhalsim, and he is quite capable. The Indian's mind is closed to her, something Rose finds quite interesting, but not disturbing; Dhalsim's reputation as a moral man is likely well deserved. As for Duo... darkness clings to him like a shroud, and thus it is to the Hizoku that Rose's attention is drawn.
"I don't tend to stand on ceremony," she says simply, taking a small step toward Duo. "But thank you for the gentlemanly gesture nonetheless. Let us begin!" And then she just... walks at the ninja, calmly, stopping just short of him and almost lazily throwing her hand out. Curiously enough, the golden-hued shawl around her neck suddenly springs to life, imbued with Soul Power and looking to give the nega-ninja a nice whapping right upside the head.
So, this is how the fight opens. Gentlemanly conduct, few words, and relaxed movements. As Rose moves, Dhalsim stays faced towards her. Given last night's assault, one would think that he would keep a closer eye on Duo Lon, lest he decide to finish what he started. However, he doesn't yet feel any ill intent toward his own person, or if there is, that toward Rose is, at the moment, greater.
...Or, was. The passing airplane doesn't seem to bother the yogi in the slightest, It's loud, and suddenly more windy, but he holds his ground, never taking his eyes off of the extravagantly-decorated woman before them. "Remained focused," is his only word of advice for his temporary partner, attempting to simply help where he can. Ever the preacher, still. He doesn't bat an eye as the scarf comes to life; he's intrigued, surely, by the display. It's fascinating to see mental energies manifest themselves, after all.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim focuses on his next action.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Duolon blocks Rose's Aura Scarf.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/------=|
Immediately, and perhaps it's the sudden mental alarms going off, Duo snaps one of those hands forward to intercept the scarf, however, the simple fact that it's crackling with /Soul Power/ and simple lack of training in Scarf Deflection leaves Duo Lon with little in the way of defense. His hand is snapped back by the inertia of that scarf, and the resultant "flick" of psychic energy slamming into his body sends Duo skidding back perhaps three feet. It could have been worse, but at the moment, damn does his arm hurt.
He's not without hope, though. Duo takes a moment to clear his head, shaking it once or twice, and stands. He doesn't say anything, but in a maneuver Dhalsim may recognize from their last fight, surges forward, speed causing his body to simply become a blur that may or may not be Duo Lon. It slows, barely, as it begins to approach Rose, however, and a variety of quickly executed, weak punches and kicks leave that odd amalgam of purple and black. Of course, it culminates in one well executed snap-kick that would impact Rose's stomach if she was hit by the rest, but there's always the chance that she'd block it.
COMBATSYS: Rose dodges Duolon's Light Kick.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/------=|
Whoa there, sad panda. Perhaps it's because she's psychic, or perhaps it's because she is, despite appearances, a trained fighter. Whatever the reason, Rose simply glides out of the way of the kick in an effortless-looking maneuver that lets Duo Lon run right on by her. "Your partner provided some good advice," she offers conversationally as he sails past. "Find the calm amidst the storm."
Apparently she's not done with Duo yet, though... or perhaps Dhalsim's careful decision not to get involved just yet means she has little reason to point herself at him. "There is a chaos within you," she murmurs, moving in close, and then swiping her right hand diagonally upward across Duo's back (or chest if he turns around), a sparkling purple trail of Soul Power making a 'knife' in the strike's arc as she does so. "Your cool exterior masks great inner turmoil."
This entire time, Dhalsim has stood idly by, while the other two see fit to deal with one another. While it's true that this is wise for him, as the other fighters wear themselves down, it would simply be horrible karma to win in such a fashion. It's simply not honest. His arms drop to his sides as they bend at the elbows, and both of his hands curl up into fists. Making sure to keep his forearms parallel to the ground, the rest of his upper body leans back as he inhales deeply. Again, his ribcage extends as it's filled, and with a powerful rush of expended breath, he leans forward. A spark ignites just beyond his pursed lips and puffed cheeks, and a long stream of mystical flame rushes out toward Rose, growing thicker the further it gets. The intent, more than harming the woman, is to distract her during her attack and give Duo Lon some room.
COMBATSYS: Duolon interrupts Medium Punch from Rose with Fuuka Tenshi Combo.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
He turned around. It was all part of his plan, see. At this point, he's thoroughly tuned Rose out, and is intent on simply making her fall down. People shouldn't criticize others for their ways of life. It's not the cool thing to do. Reacting smoothly as Rose attacks him, Duo Lon raises one forearm and deflects her incoming punch entirely, all the meanwhile falling into a crouch and sending one spindly leg out to sweep across Rose's ankles. The hit is successful; however, at the same time, he's hit square in the back of the head with that sparkling slash of Soul Power. It staggers him, but he's got the presence of mind to continue.
Rose is ideally sent tumbling to the ground from this first kick, but Duo is able to recover fast enough so that he actually spins once more, sending that same foot's heel to collide with Rose's forehead, likely sending her a far distance away. Momentarily disoriented, and clearly stunned, Duo stands, staggering, and steps back to collect himself. He doesn't have anything to say, at the moment.
COMBATSYS: Rose dodges Dhalsim's Yoga Flame.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
It's time for Good News, Bad News. The bad news is that Rose's strike didn't land quite as intended, and she gets kicked and away for good measure. The *good* news is that Dhalsim's rather impressive incoming flame blast roars harmlessly overhead as the psychic rolls to her feet. Whatever it was Duo just did, it certainly left a mark... but she's not down yet. "How curious. You have such tight control, and yet..." Rose narrows her eyes at Duo, perplexed. He is an enigma!
Dhalsim, on the other hand... turning to the Indian, Rose gives him a faint smile. "My apologies. I've only luck to thank for not feeling the force of that attack. Punishment, perhaps, for ignoring you." But ignoring him she no longer does; closing the distance with deceptive speed, the psychic throws out one hand, and the shawl again springs to life, coiling around her fist like a spring. The spiral itself is the true force of the blow, delivering a healthy dose of Soul Power which, if it connects, bursts into that familiar bluish flame that is the hallmark of those with a certain ability.
COMBATSYS: Rose successfully hits Dhalsim with Soul Spiral.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
Sakura has arrived.
The effort of such a large blast of flame really takes its toll on the Indian man. As the last licks of flame die down, he's still hunched over. By the time Rose commends him and comes in with the corkscrew of energy, he's still standing up. Quick, he is not. His hands do inded rise up, his left extending palm-out to try and catch the attack, to dull the effect of power. It's impressive, it really is, and for a moment, the yogi is unnerved. He trult did not expect to stand against a force this large, and his concentration is broken just long enough. Psycho power travels effortlessly up his arm, wracking his mind more harmfully than the scarf bores shallowly into his large hand, jutting out between the bones and out the back of it. His mouth opens in a low, short-lived cry, then is cut off altogether.
Finally, he's able to separate his consciousness enough to dull the pain, to ignore it. He should be coddling his hand, keeping it safe. Instead, the hand that failed him reaches out for the woman's neck. Actually, it's the back of her neck, as his arm goes past her and the wrist bends at a sickeningly acute angle to try and grip the medium.
Chen has arrived.
Sakura boards the flight for Southtown.
Duo's taken the time he needed to regain his equilibrium, and, even as Rose causes Dhalsim to blow up in blue flames. A subtle twist of his lips, though whether or not he's frowning because he genuinely feels bad for Dhalsim, or frowning because he's got even less of a chance of victory now, well. That's up for grabs. In any case, in a manipulation of his own odd brand of chi, Duo's lower right leg erupts in a spectral fire. Like, St. Elmo stuff. Both Dhalsim and Rose would be able to feel the howls and negative connotation of exactly /which/ latent energy that energy hails from... Duo Lon has /stolen/ the spirit-chi of the earth and made it manifest. The screams are those of the people chained to the earthly plane.
"Hmph." He was getting genuinely sick of this. A quick spin, the slender man's foot coming up and around in a flashing roundhouse kick that trails in white-blue, and Duo literally kicks the ground. With a tulmultuous wail, the collective energies around his leg suddenly just... disappear. Within seconds, however, and likely just as Dhalsim is attempting to noogie Rose, that energy from earlier bursts out of the ground directly behind her, with a sharp scream. It's angled to hit her in the back of the knees, and to one so spiritually attuned, the damage could be severe. Draining, crippling... wraithlike.
COMBATSYS: Rose dodges Dhalsim's Yoga Smash.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Rose negates Genmu Kyaku Uchikiba from Duolon with Soul Spark.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
Sadly, Rose is not inclined to get noogied today, though even she seems surprised at the amount of damage that strike did. Taking a step to the side, Rose pivots away from the grab attempt... and then something gets her hackles up. Suddenly, she produces... a tarot card? It quickly flares to life with purple-blue Soul Power, and she then hurls it into the ground, Gambit style, just at the point where Duo's dark attack would have emerged, stopping it dead. However, it looks like all this work is taking a lot out of her; clearly, not someone used to fighting multiple opponents at the same time.
"Please excuse me, Master Dhalsim..." she says patiently, facing off with Duo... and now her expression is grim as she eyes the ninja up and down. She waits, watching, shawl resting loosely around her neck as she simply stands there, devoid of a real fighting 'stance'. "That dark power will only corrupt," she warns, didactic to the last. "You may think you control it, but it will consume you eventually."
Such a slippery one, Rose is. It astounds Dhalsim that she's so easily able to avoid punishment, and in this instance, from two sides at once. And then, such an expert nullification of the vile energies that Duo Lon commands, well.. The woman is indeed something special, to have tapped into the powers of the mind so fully. She doesn't look old, and even Dhalsim himself is considered young among his peers. Ah, but now his thoughts are drifting again.
As before, he clears his mind of thoughts, clapping his hands together in prayer fashion in front of him. The streams of blood flow slowly, staining the cloth wrapped about his left wrist and forearm, never quite collecting thickly enough to drip from his elbow. His right foot plants down as his body tilts slightly to that side. Duo Lon might remember this from last night. The yogi's left leg lifts and snaps out, but he's far too far away for it to be useful, isn't he? The limb, as it straightens, actually extends, joints and bones seemingly meaningless as his foot acts as a heavy weight, and his leg, no more than a strip of rubber. A dirty, calloused foot flies toward Rose's head, the side of it specifically, as she has by now turned to face the ninja.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim successfully hits Rose with Medium Kick.
- Power hit! -
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Dhalsim 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
Duo doesn't say anything to Rose, for a long while. Rather, he seems content to just sit there and crackle with his metaphysical voodoo. A soft smile pulls at his lips, and even as Dhalsim is assaulting her with his feet, Duo decides that just then would be the time to speak. His voice, soft, yet undeniably male. "It's a tool. People try to affiliate good and evil with everything that they have trouble understanding. It's so easy to categorize something, instead of endeavor to understand." Likewise, Dhalsim may recognize his next movement. Duo's flesh deteriorates, leaving behind streaks of bloody muscle, and they too fall to the ground, followed by a spindly skeletal structure. Where once stood the Hizoku, only viscera remains. And that too, within the same 3 second span... fades to nothing.
From the dust behind Rose, in a move his unknown father would be proud of himself, Duo's entire body reassembles itself, yellowed bones resembling a skeleton, muscle, flesh, and clothing and hair quickly covering them. Duo's already lancing a foot out towards Rose's ankle, and if it connects, he'll slide a hand past her head, grab some of her hair, and use it to physically toss her onto the ground behind him.
COMBATSYS: Rose dodges Duolon's Quick Throw.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
Despite knowing a bit about Dhalsim's mysterious powers, Rose is entirely unprepared for the incoming kick from... god only knows where. The blow strikes her as intended with surprisingly crushing force, sending her spinning away, but also having the rather unintended bonus of getting her out of the way of Duo's teleporting strike as well. "Oof," she oofs. Because, you know, that hurt.
Stepping back, Rose doesn't press the attack... perhaps a foolish thing to do, but she needs time to collect herself regardless, and can hopefully turn things around once she's recovered a bit. However, Duo is still the focus of her attention. "I understand more than you think," she says calmly, an aura of power -- palpable, this time -- surrounding her. No special effects, simply a feeling of... spirit. Perhaps she's 'serious' now. "I would argue that people claim good and evil are only concepts in order to forgo dealing with the consequences."
COMBATSYS: Rose gathers her will.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
As soon as Dhalsim's foot connects with Rose's head, it pulls back, thickening (as much as it can, anyway) and returning to his normal shape. The foot touches the ground, and again, his posture is statuesque. The man doesn't move more than necessary; his head turns to follow Rose's path, as well as that of Duo Lon. It seems that, unwittingly, he had aided his opponent. In all of his fights, he'd only ever fought alone, and the consideration toward a partner's attacks aren't always something he's aware of. He might have to work on that, if he plans on continuing this path of his. Thankfully, nobody's gotten seriously hurt yet, save him, and that's something he can live with.
He does, of course, notice the increased flow of power within Rose. His eyes narrow only slightly, and his lips pull down. If the forces that she unleashed upon him earlier was an example of her going easy, things could easily go bad, very quickly. And so, with his hands still together, his throat rumbles in a low hum, a string of syllables uttered as his head bows, his lips constantly moving to repeat his mantra over and over again. His own spiritual presence swells, though there's nothing visual to accompany it, much like Rose's preparations.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim gathers his will.
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Dhalsim 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/---====|
Likewise, Duo isn't the type to allow his opponent any sort of advantage once the battle begins. Rather, he goes all-out, in a controlled manner, any ninja entirely aware that their strength lies in an insurmountable offense. For this reason, Duo doesn't step back, he doesn't gather his energies, rather, he steps /forward/, into the aura broiling in the air about Rose, his own energies manifesting about him. Howling, wrist-thick tendrils of stolen spiritual force whip about for a good two feet in either direction. If any were to hit Rose, they'd certainly affect her equilibrium.
Through this enslaught, and in a controlled enough voice, Duo replies quite succinctly, "Try and speak of the two objectively, and I might think you're worth listening to."
COMBATSYS: Rose blocks Duolon's Shiryou Hatsu Seikin.
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Dhalsim 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/----===|
Duo's attack certainly is strong in its own way, but while Rose may not be a user of chi, she certainly understands it... and is more than capable of dealing with it. The incoming power is almost totally absorbed by the gathering soul energy, only small splashes of it licking against her arm she she whips the shawl out to block. "You say 'objective', but what you mean is for me to agree with you," she offers coolly.
And since Duo was nice enough to get in close, Rose decides to strike back at him, lashing out with a quick wave of the charged scarf. Nothing fancy, just a light tap, but enough to let him know she's still in the game, as it were. "Good and evil both have a place in the world," she continues to lecture. "You cannot understand light without shadow. But to use a thing without understanding its nature is foolhardy."
Lecturing from himself last night, then hearing everything anew from Rose, today. Duo Lon really is at a bit of a disadvantage in this fight, isn't he? Thankfully, the man is spared from Dhalsim adding to it. He feels compelled to, don't get him wrong. However, he doesn't feel that he has the RIGHT to. Simply taking part of this is against his teachings, and he could not go on about the necromancer's choices with a clear conscience. However, he can't completely agree with that Rose is saying, either. Perhaps he's simply too optimistic, or idealistic. Humans are, before the corruption of outside forces, inherently good.
But right now, Dhalsim has a bit of a dilemma. His partner and his opponent are close, but away from him. It would be a perfect opportunity to inundate the area with fire. However, Duo Lon is not his enemy this time. While it's true that the ninja tried to kill him last night, he doesn't necessarily feel inclined to incinerate him as well. ...However, he's in this fight for a reason; there are others depending on him. While the two battle, he mulls the options over and over in his mind. In the end, he chooses poorly, something he'll regret later. It's true that Duo Lon needs direction in his life, and that he has to beat Rose to help those less fortunate here and abroad. Again, he inhales deeply, chest expanding. His hands separate and balls up into fists, elbows jutting backwards as he leans forward and exhales.
Again, Agni's flames spring to life. Unlike last time, however, the blast is large from the start, like a flamethrowing cranked up a bit too high. The entire area in front of him is bathed in fire, and the air around it wavers with the heat. Concrete discolors under it, and the thick wall is heading for both Rose AND Duo Lon.
COMBATSYS: Rose successfully hits Duolon with Jab Punch.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim successfully hits Duolon with Yoga Inferno EX.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1 Rose
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Duolon 1/-------/=======|
He did have one huge advantage, though, in that the shroud he had put around himself and his conscience had successfully diverted both Dhalsim and Rose's probings. Fact of the matter is, neither of them were correct, and he knew it. He was Zen, in his own mind. And as long as he kept that belief to himself, he couldn't be bothered by their labellings. They were allowed to criticize and categorize as much as they'd like, otherwise.
Back to the fight, however, Duo is quite soundly hit in the face with a psycho-powered punch, and further immolated by his own companion's Yoga fires. The result is a ninja who seems relatively unharmed, save a bruise on his cheek, blood trickling from his nose, and eyes that are, at this point, half closed, half opened. His clothes are fine, however. A quick, accusing look to Dhalsim, and Duo simply shakes his head, extending a hand towards Rose. "I don't care about your opinions. Fact of the matter is that you have no idea what my motivations are. Your lack of insight into my drive proves it."
Another explosion of stolen spiritual energy, one that would hurt Dhalsim as well as Rose, though the former in a less direct way than the later. Dozens of tendrils, blue-white, ghostly cold things, jet straight towards Rose, seeking to penetrate her defenses and suck whatever energy she has within her directly out. If the attack is successful, Rose would be /lifted into the air/ by those tendrils, and literally beaten around repeatedly before being thrown back to the ground... the assault is enough to turn any normal person to dust.
Dhalsim, on the other hand, would be subjected to forces of such a malevolent nature that they may well give him an enormous headache. At the very least, the nature of the attack would spurn his moral compass so much that the pain would be a mild physical ache.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim successfully hits Rose with Yoga Inferno EX.
Glancing Blow
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Dhalsim 0/-------/------=|=======\=====--\1 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Duolon successfully hits Rose with Hiden Genmu Onryouheki.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/------=|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/------=|
Rose has proven very adept at dodging attacks this fight, but unfortunately she now has to deal with too much over too huge an area in too short a time. Dhalsim's flame is only barely avoided, the mystical fire blazing at the edges of her defense, doing some damage... but the true terror of this situation is that her dodge puts her RIGHT into Duo's explosion of negative chi. Buffeted by the spiritual energy, she does indeed take a nice ride through the sky, landing unceremoniously a few feet away, looking... pretty worn. However, her 'power' is certainly at its peak.
"Rather than consider the opinions of others, you stubbornly insist that I am trying to change you," she says quietly, adjusting the shawl sitting around her shoulders as she eyes both Duo Lon and Dhalsim. "But I have said my peace, and have no interest in pressing further. Rather..." And then she closes her eyes, just for a moment, before making a full, dramatic turn and sweeping the shawl out in front of her, golden sparks of power glittering along the edge as she does so. "Allow me to demonstrate the power of the soul, unleashed!" And then comes the shockwave... at first, it simply seems like a small, almost cute wave of purple sparks heading to both of Rose's opponents. The true danger lies in the psychic shockwave that accompanies it, invisible to everyone but striking with absurdly tangible force, an assault intended to jackhammer past any defense and settle the matter in a single shot. "Soul Spark!"
COMBATSYS: Rose successfully hits Dhalsim with Aura Soul Spark.
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Dhalsim 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Rose
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Duolon 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Duolon fails to slow Aura Soul Spark from Rose with Genmu Kyaku Uchikiba.
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Dhalsim 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Duolon can no longer fight.
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Dhalsim 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Rose
Holy crap. Duo frowns hugely as the "power of the soul, unleashed!" rips through him in a pretty fatal way, sending the Hizoku assassin straight backwards, face contorted into an amalgam of pain, shock, and more pain. As a matter of fact, Duo is /so/ overwhelmed by the attack, he falls straight backwards, unable to roll to better defend himself, unable to block, unable to move out of the way. He hits the ground once, twice, and skids backwards for a few feet. He'd look up to see how his partner fared in the outcome of the match, but as things stood, Duo wouldn't be waking up for a very long time. Defeated, he falls unconscious, and in what might be a more telling sign of how soundly he was done in, neglects to leave the scene.
Try as he might, Dhalsim simply can't reach his target. At least, his primary target. His head turns as Rose skips away, but his chest finally empties itself of air. With his breath fully expended, the massive gout of flame stalls, then recedes from his mouth to the end, leaving soft concrete and wisps of flame sticking to the ground before dying out completely. His chest almost looks like it's been squashed, but a sharp intake of breath returns it to its former, if still unhealthily thin state. Even still, he feels bad about subjecting Duo Lon to the fire. After the fight, he'll be sure to talk to him at length. As for this moment in time..he simply can't deal with emotions like that. The sensation of the stolen souls is still fresh in his psyche from last night, and the feeling is, thankfully, easier to deal with, since the attack isn't directed at HIM.
Empty his mind, as much as he can; rid himself of distractions and focus. His arms extend in front of him slightly, hands open as if to ward off the awful sounds, and then? Then, the impact. No, it's the swell of mental energies he feels. It's all he can do to prepare himself for the onslaught, mindful of the damage her previous attack caused. His frail body is pushed back at first with a force that, by all rights, should shred his thin skin and send him flying in a mess of limbs. Instead, his feet seem to stick to the ground, and his white eyes become outlined with a pale blue light, indicative of his attempt to lessen the blow against his mind. When he feels he's able to devote enough mental energy to breathing in again despite the pain wracking his body and mind. Another spark can be seen at the tail end of Rose's psychic assault, and then another jet of flame springs from his mouth. This time, it's not simply directed at Rose. It's pointed downward, and once the fire hits the ground, THEN it streaks forward, spreading in a cone, reheating the runway anew.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim successfully hits Rose with Yoga Stream EX.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Rose
Let's face it, the psychic is tired. It's obvious that her last attack took a lot out of her... and like Dhalsim, she is not wholly unaffected by the very nature of Duo's attacks on a spiritual scale either. Thus when Dhalsim's rather cleverly designed attack comes in she doesn't have the energy to really deflect it; the fire singes her but good, and it's clear that there's not much left in her for this fight. "Would that we had met to do this under better circumstances," she mutters faintly at Dhalsim, noting that Duo is down for the count. Sweeping forward, the psychic makes one last, desperate attempt to end the fight before she falls, looking to simply get a hand near Dhalsim's chest. If she can, then she uses her Soul-charged palm to swing Dhalsim a full 180 degrees, flinging him away with pseudo-telekinetic force.
COMBATSYS: Dhalsim blocks Rose's Soul Fade.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Rose
"Indeed," is the only response Rose gets from the man as he catches his breath. The fire quickly dies upon the ground, and the yogi turns briefly toward Duo Lon, genuinely concerned. It just takes a moment to guage him; there are still signs of life, and he can sense that he's not dead. That much, at least, brings immeasurable relief to the elder man. Fighting may be a necessary evil, but killing someone? That is most DEFINITELY right out of the picture.
Now that Rose has brought the fight to him, Dhalsim can't do too much. All of his movements are slow, but now..there are only the two of them. With one fighter out of the picture, he can better concentrate. Though he tries to pull away, Rose is simply too quick. As light as he is, it's easy to throw him around, but, because he IS so light, his flight isn't as harsh as other, more sturdy fighters. In fact..his flight is stopped halfway through. The impact that sent him flying is there, sure, but the painful landing is nullified. It's the strangest thing to look at, too. His body simply..it seems to stretch, then shrink in an instant, disappearing in a pinpoint of light. A mere second later, the effect is repeated, reversed and to Rose's side, and his lungs are already filling once more. This time, it's a quick, short breath, and the puff of air becomes nothing more than a literal, but fast ball of fire.
COMBATSYS: Rose fails to reflect Yoga Fire from Dhalsim with Soul Reflect.
- Power hit! -
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Dhalsim 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Rose can no longer fight.
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Dhalsim 0/-------/---====|
The psychic just doesn't have it in her. Or perhaps she foresaw the end of the fight. Either way, when Dhalsim's ball of fire comes in Rose makes a token attempt to reflect it with one of her signature moves, but is simply too slow. Doubled over in pain, Rose sinks to her knees, and then shuts her eyes tight, mentally fighting off the pain. But it's clear she can't go on, and she indicates such to the ref, who awards Dhalsim and Duo Lon the match. After a few long moments, she gives Dhalsim a long-suffering faint smile, of approval, and perhaps... of apology. However, before anyone can respond or pester her further, the psychic blinks out in a flash of Soul Power, gone to lick her wounds. Good fight, good night.
The last fireball is followed by a cough, of all things. It's fortunate that Rose's attempt to turn his own flame back at him failed, as the stress of summoning Agni's gift so often was, well, just that. Stressful, a strain on the mind. It's evident in how he tries to straighten his posture again: his shoulders are slightly drooping, and fatigue is clearly starting to set in. However..Rose concedes, and just like that, it's over. He doesn't even get the chance to speak to the woman before she disappears, much like he did earlier. Peculiar. Now he can relax, at least.
As his guard falls, the pain in his left hand is finally allowed to reach his mind. His face contorts in a heavy grimace, and now that the match is called, medics come out to both of the men that are left. The yogi's hand is disinfected and bandaged; it's a painful process, honestly, as he lacks the ability to separate his sense of pain at the moment. Duo Lon is checked for any serious injuries, but the worse would be..what? Burns? Psychic trauma? Nothing serious, surely. As soon as his hand is wrapped and the bandages on his arms changed, the emaciated man makes his way to his 'partner'. He doesn't speak to him, though. In fact, he has a seat just out of arm's reach from the downed guy, folding his legs in his usual yoga stance, with the backs of his hands lying on his knees. It's time to meditate upon the fight's events.
Log created by Duolon, and last modified on 10:09:39 10/31/2005.