Description: Just remember, folks, Kula asked to fight Ryu. OH EM GEE, FOLKS. (Winner: Ryu)
The league's options for fights never ceased to puzzle Kula Diamond. The girl had never been in a 'league' before, and the fact it was different from the medal fight was still sinking in. Scribbled messages and thrown notes didn't cut it, instead league representatives had to be contacted, areas had to be cleared, and fights had to be prearranged and approved. And Kula had to pick from a list to see who she could challenge. And while the list wasn't full of names she knew, there was one who stood out, and that's who Kula requested. If you're going to aim high, you may as well shoot for the stars, right?
The girl was at the Taiyo Dome as the League requested, hoping that giving her a 'home court advantage' for the fight might make for a longer battle and better viewing. She was in her best fighting gear, of her natural leathers, and even had her hair done for the fight. Maybe it was a bit much for just a league fight, but after being defeated so frequently, she wanted to make herself feel like a winner. Light curls bounce off her shoulders as she adjusts her gloves, waiting for her opponent to show. And yes, she's nervous. And yes, it certainly shows.
Fresh! Exciting! Diverse!
... That's what Ken's taglines promise, at least, and while Ryu has yet to find the true challenges he's always seeking, he's certainly run up against a number of talented fighters, and the fights keep him on his toes, on top of his game, and such. As much training as he does, there's nothing like hands-on experience with a wide spread of talents and styles. He barely knows Kula, but from their meeting in the Medals Tournament, he knows better than to discount the seemingly waifish girl. In fact, he's rather curious to see what she can do once more... there are plenty of surprises from fighters with that kind of potential, he's found. Sakura demonstrates it on a regular basis, after all.
In stark contrast to the nervous ice princess, the World Warrior is placid as an iced-over lake as he arrives in the Taiyo dome, stepping out onto the central field cleared for just this occasion. His dark eyes scan once over the surrounding crowds and camera crews, before settling on Kula herself, Ryu offering a simple, respectful nod in greeting, "Good to see you again." He offers in unaffected but sincere tones, "I'm honoured by your challenge. Don't hold anything back." It's probably a given, but a little bit of encouragement can't hurt... she doesn't look all that self-assured, here, and the nomad knows that doesn't help anyone fight at their best. The announcer is more or less tuned out, the Ansatsuken master simply raising his guard as the countdown winds down, his invitations already spoken, after a fashion.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has started a fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-------|
A smile is given to Ryu, and Kula has the momentary thought 'He's even bigger in person.' And then she remembers that she's already met him in person. "Good to see you again, sir." Kula bows to him, and then takes a few deep breaths to calm herself. The curls of hair crystalize over as Kula's chi control flares, dropping the temperature around her and getting fully prepared. Some might call it an unfair advantage, that she's allowed to do it before the fight begins. But in this case, people probably think she needs every edge she can get.
Kula seems to have calmed herself some, and her small smile reappears on her face as she bends backward slightly to stretch her back before her feet shift and her arms move out slightly, taking a figure skater's pose before a show. The announcer yells for the fight to begin, and immediately Kula pushes forward gracefully. Skating across the grassy ground as though it were a rink, she shifts first left, then right to keep Ryu slightly off-balance, and then jumps to spin into an axel leap, kicking a leg out to hit Ryu's shoulder, and then land and continue skating backwards on one foot.
COMBATSYS: Kula has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Ryu with Medium Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ryu
It's a reminder of Kula's rather unique chi-fighting techniques... and a painful one, as the ice-laced foot slams into Ryu's shoulder mid-sidestep, turning his weaving dodge into a half-spun stagger, the stinging chill dissipating quickly, but not before combining with the impact to make it an experience the nomad would just as soon avoid in the future. Anchoring one foot behind him to hold his balance, Ryu suddenly reverses his momentum, launching himself up into the air in a quick forward arc that carries up, and then in on Kula, easily pacing her skating speed and looking to meet her forcefully as the retreat ends, a singular, lightning-fast three hundred sixty degree spin accompanying his sudden descent. That spin culminates in the World Warrior's right foot snapping out, rotorblade style, and swinging in heel-first for the ice princess' jaw, "Kyaaaah!!!" One good turn deserves another, right? .... no pun intended.
COMBATSYS: Kula endures Ryu's Senpuu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Ryu
The girl remembers Senpuu Kyaku from their last fight, and of the moves he had available to him, considering her moving away, it was likely going to be this, to compensate for her speed, or perhaps a fireball to make her have to come back to him afterward. The girl is ready, and fully spins with the kick, turning her head so the foot connects with the side of her jaw instead of catching it full-on. As she spins from it, she crouches slightly to keep her speed up, and lets two large sets of 'claws' form over her hands. At least, if they were pointy, they'd be claws. As it is, it's like she's wearing giant gloves since this isn't a fight she wants to bring bloodshed into. Kula then stands up and extends out her arms, slashing at Ryu's chest to drive him back with a hand once, twice, three times before pushing with a foot to slide backwards again.
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Ryu with Claw Bites.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu's just coming down too hard, too fast, for the guard he raises to do much against that outrushing of ice chi. The chill slashes drive him backwards, landing far harder in the tumult of energy than he intended, before being slamed away cleanly by the powerful claws. Kula's escape is made good, as Ryu tumbles into a roll, coming up in a crouch, his eyes already locked on the talented girl. A nod, this one rather congratulatory follows, but Ryu doesn't waste any time, pushing back to his feet, as if a burst of energy came from nowhere. In truth, it comes from within him, the sudden turn for the worse pushing him forward, rather than driving him down...
And in he comes, launching himself skyward at the last moment, the unconventional attack launched as he rises in at Kula, the split-second of ascent bringing him around once more, a full rotation... and again his right leg shoots out, though this time, it doesn't stop nearly so soon. Defying gravity, Ryu hurtles forward, his roundhousing leg snapping around again, and again, and again, in-line with Kula's skull, a chaotic gusting of chill wind thrown up and out beneath him, "Tatsumaki Senpuuuuu Kyaku!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kula with Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Kula 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Ryu
Kula's understanding of gravity is as follows. An object is constantly pulled towards Earth at a constant rate of 9.8 meters per second. The forces that compose this constant pull are pushing on Ryu on all sides, and without an additional force to hold him up, he shouldn't be able to get very far and she'll easily be able to dodge out of the way just be sidestepping over to here and-oh, why, hello there foot.
The impact catches Kula and manages to lift her up and throw her back, spinning her again as she lands on the ground. Kula weakly gets up, and smiles again at Ryu, having not expected this to go very easily, and somewhat proud to know she wasn't disappointed. The girl stays crouched, and then holds up a hand, a swirl of chi, ice, and snow spinning in it like a small galaxy before Kula slams her hand down onto the ground. Almost immediately, column after column of ice erupts from the ground; wide, blunt tips pointed jaggedly in every direction as the stream continues right towards Ryu. There's no shout, no battle cry, just Kula focusing as best she can on doing her best.
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Ryu with Diamond Edge.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Wham! The gathering chi should really be warning enough, and this isn't a new attack to Ryu... but it's still cagey, and quick enough, that instead of throwing himself out of the way of the erupting ice blasts, one of them catches him mid-leap and launches him a bit higher than the World Warrior intended to fly, not to mention that his intention wasn't really to skid across the athletic field on his face as he landed. Kula's definitely on her game, tonight... maybe it was a bit /too/ much encouragement! Even so, the nomad's far from out of this one just yet, and he kicks his legs around and rolls back to a crouch, breathing heavily a moment as he eyes the ice princess evenly. Analytically. Rather than hesitating, he's merely being patient... waiting for the right opening, a way to turn the momentum of this fight back to his advantage. And taking just a moment to catch his breath, as he pushes back to his feet and raises his guard.
COMBATSYS: Ryu focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Kula was actually waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is, of course, regardless of the fact that Ryu doesn't seem to /wear/ shoes, which made it all the more fearsome. She would never see it coming. Kula watched Ryu stand slowly, and took a few deep breaths, standing as well. The girl's stance shifts a bit, going from less of that of a waifish schoolgirl to someone who's had genuine training, and it's with a sudden flurry of activity that Kula pushes off, gathering up some speed as she charges right towards him a short distance, and then skids to a stop, the improvised skates on her feet sending a heavy shower of ice particles into the air to block Kula from view for a second.
What's she doing on the other side? Why, raising her hand to her mouth, and blowing what would look like a kiss to most people. However, with Kula, it's never that simple, and the swirl of wind that's already heavy in ice and snow sweeps through the spray she created, picking up more debris as it continues along it's path right towards Ryu.
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Ryu with Diamond Breath.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1 Ryu
Score one more frostbitten moment for Ryu.... the icy shrapnel slashing painfully into the side of his face and torso as he twists away from it, doing little (if anything!) to take the sting out of the impact, which looks primed to drop the nomad right back to the ground....
Score one for sheer stubborn determination, right? Twisting right back into his rightly-oriented stance, Ryu sprints in to meet Kula where she stopped, all but launching his left fist up and under, an underhand slam aligned squarely with the ice princess' ribcage. It's a no-holds-barred moment, here, and with a tremendous upsurge of inner chi, the World Warrior snaps around with his right fist, aligning it to smash the same location, and careen powerfully upwards, with enough force to carry Ryu's entire form skyward. The Dragon rises with that ferocious, legendary uppercut, his crimson-gloved fist carrying his rocketing ascent with the clear intent to blast Kula up, up, and away, in a much less graceful fashion, "Shooooryuuuuken!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Kula fails to interrupt Shin Shoryuken from Ryu with Behind Slash.
[ \\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Kula 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Kula doesn't sense any large amounts of chi coming from Ryu. And, considering his past and what she's seen on the television, she's very used to there being surges of chi as he eliminates people. Kula quickly spins around to grab hold of Ryu's arm as the uppercut comes, but the simple fact it's coming /that fast/ and is hitting /that hard/ almost not only pulls her arm out of it's socket, but smacks into her side, lifting her up, and sending her flying a good distance away from the bare-footed wanderer. Kula spins like a pinwheel in the air before smacking into the chain link fence that surrounds home base of the baseball diamond. She limply falls like a rag doll, the rattling of the barrier echoing for a minute before there's pure silence. It looks like the match might be over...but Kula slowly pushes herself up, blood visible on her face where she hit the fence, and looking like her legs are made out of bendable straws. But she's still standing. ...and holding her side, but she's still standing! That's the important part!
Turning a single, graceful rotation at the apex of his bigger, better Shoryuken, the World Warrior gains a lovely panorama of the battlefield... one he could enjoy more if not for the beating he's taken to this point, but still! Kula's struggling to right herself, and from where Ryu's standing (sailing through the air...), there's plenty of energy within the girl still. This one's not over. A hunch that's confirmed as he lands, and she struggles to her feet. Pushing off, the nomad charges in without hesitation, looking to hold the rhythm he's regained, keep on the offensive, keep Kula outpaced until she /does/ fall away.
To that end, he darts left, then suddenly weaves right, feinting not unlike her initial strike to launch a lightning bolt of a straight punch evenly for the front of the ice princess' face, an efficient blow looking to impact squarely, and send her right back into the dubious embrace of the homeplate fence, "Haaaaah!!!"
COMBATSYS: Kula dodges Ryu's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Kula 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Kula manages to pull off the most weak dodge ever, in her eye. The girl simply drops to her knees, letting the punch whiff over her head. She didn't even bother trying to watch his weaves, she just knew that he /always/ aims for her face. Ryu seems to have a real issue when it comes to female fighters. He always goes for the face, and seems to show little mercy. But, Kula doesn't waste any time, and Ryu can feel that surge of chi as Kula once again gathers a swirl of energy and frozen liquid in her hand. However, instead of thrusting it so the columns just forward in a line, instead she slams her hand right down between Ryu's feet and then scoots back. What's this going to do? Well, if he dodges, likely nothing. But if he doesn't, the most fascinating ice sculpture is going to erupt underneath him. A large ice column will spring up from underneath to knock him into the air, just to be split in twain by another column rising. And then another, until at the end, there's a large ice 'flower' at home plate, broken columns spread like petals in every direction, and with Ryu hopefully bounced to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Kula's Diamond Edge.
[ \\\\ < > ////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Ryu
As intended, Ryu's blasted upwards, but as he was already dropping into a crouch to follow Kula's dodge, and follow up on his last attack... he's in a good position to roll right off the column of ice as the second erupts from within it, landing in a singular somersault that carries him smoothly back to his feet, the nomad's alacrity holding out despite the drain of the fight. The icy blast is one more sting, but he's not out of this yet. An issue with women? Naw... Ryu's just a bit of a zealot when it comes to fighting, and the efficient, precise onslaught is part of that whole equation. He's in this to hit her hard, and repeatedly, right? It certainly seems to be what she's doing to him! Only her version is far colder.
The World Warrior pushes out of his crouch into an upwards leap, sailing quickly towards the younger fighter, and seemingly, intending to just leap right over her shoulder. As he passes, however, a sharp rotation brings his right heel around and down, in a sort of aerial reversed axe kick aligned with the base of Kula's skull, "Kyaaaaah!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Kula with Light Kick.
[ \ < > /////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Ryu
Kula looks almost heartbroken that the ice column didn't land, and her attempt to dodge is just a weak roll to the side that wouldn't be able to dodge a feather falling from the sky. She weakly 'umfs' as the kick lands, and lands on her side, but manages to get up the strength to extend out her arm, the last bit of chi she can muster going in to coating her hand with ice as she weakly swipes at his ankles. After that, her arm lands limply on her side, and Kula just closes her eyes and tries to ignore the pain from that contact with the fence.
COMBATSYS: Kula can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Kula's Behind Slash.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/----===|
As the kick connects, and Kula's chi spikes, Ryu lands lightly, using his own remaining energy to quickly push off into a backstep that's half leap, and half the result of the World Warrior bodily hurling himself away as he lands. Nonetheless, he dances back on his heels as his feet touch down once more, just out of the path of that swiping chi-chop. Drawing a deep breath, Ryu relaxes his fighting stance as he exhales, pretty confident that Kula's out of the fight, this time. And not a moment too soon, either. Stinging all over with icy chi-burns (yes, severe cold feels like that!), the nomad cracks his neck to the side and then approaches the fallen ice princess.
"Impressive." He states simply, voice still carying the same calm confidence he began with, as he stoops and offers the girl his hand, and a slight smile.
Log created by Ryu, and last modified on 17:06:11 02/12/2007.