Description: Benimaru is flamboyant! Ryu isn't! But it's still a good fight just the same. (Winner: Ryu)
The Masters Arena is undoubtedly bustling today, after having caught word of what match-up is coming up today. Benimaru versus Ryu, both fighters with their respected fans, though with a half-american in the mix, perhaps there's a slight bias toward who's getting the bigger reaction.
Frankly, Nikaido doesn't get it, he's always seen Ryu as someone who's as uncharismatic as it gets. But today wasn't really about 'getting it' about Ryu is it was 'getting' Ryus points, the model was pretty sure he was getting an idea of how the system works, and for one reason or another believes he'd be able to beat the World Warrior if he focused harder than he'd focused before.
On this chilly, american day, the model is dressed a little less flamboyantly, with a simple pair of jeans and a button-up black dress-shirt, waiting patiently at the beachscape for the match to start. Arms crossed, he has a suprisingly smug grin on his gorgeous face. Any moment now, the match would begin.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru has started a fight here.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|
The fans aren't what it's about, for Ryu... sure, the Ansatsuken master has built up his share of them, thanks in part to the more boisterous nature of this stadium's owner, and Ryu's lifetime rival and best friend. They fight a lot alike, if you hadn't noticed.
Ryu certainly isn't holding his breath on Nikaido understanding him... the kind of charisma and will the nomad has is about as far removed from Benimaru's mentality as it gets. Though Ryu's own opinion of Nikaido has softened some over the months... even if it's not a whole lot easier for the World Warrior to 'get' the model-turned-fighter.
But this isn't about getting it for Ryu either... he's not even here for the points. A challenge is a challenge, and Benimaru is certainly capable enough to back it up. Even if the Ansatsuken master /is/ pretty sure he knows why Benimaru is here. Stepping out onto the faux beach, Ryu's feet step easily on the sand, as he slips into a ready position. Screw the announcer, he's about done anyway. Ryu gives the smug Benimaru a sincere-looking grin, and raises his fists, "You're going to have to work for it, Nikaido."
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Benimaru's mentality is fairly predictable in many cases; though he never really considered that a weakness, though maybe it'd oftentimes steer a little away from him actually meaning business- It takes a bit these days for his expression to grow cold in a fight; it seems it wasn't that long ago that he'd lose his temper at the drop of a hat. The grin Ryu gives is responded with a light snort and a dismissive wave of his hand, "Oh please, Ryu.. I was going to be generous and offer you a chance to back off. I'm sure one of your calibur can tell that I've gotten stronger since we've last met. And to have strength with someone of my speed, will make this,"
Benimaru dashes forward, his right hand crackling with electrical energy, that then explodes with a more powerful wave as he leaps at his opponent, "Rather quick, really! Raijin Ken!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu overcomes Raijin Ken from Benimaru with Hadouken.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
From the World Warrior's easy expression, it doesn't look like he's overly intimidated by Benimaru's pre-fight declaration. Though his grin does fade, eyes intense with his own focus on the battle as his expression hardens. That upsurge of chi that Nikaido slams out towards him is met in kind by the Ansatsuken master, both hands sweeping forward from his sides, palms open. In those palms surges a brilliant rush of blue-white energy, the nomad's chi swirling together into a flaring sphere as the heels of his hands meet, slamming the glimmering blue fireball into the crackling electric blast Nikaido brought forth. With a luminescent shockwave, the Hadouken blasts through the electrified burst, sending crackling energy outwards in all directions, lost to the air as Ryu's blast bears down on the charging Nikaido, "Hadooouken!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Benimaru with Hadouken.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Ryu
The hadouken- Not something Benimaru wasn't expecting per se, but he didn't think that it would tear through his own chi for some reason or another. His instincts are extremely quick, his opposite hand raising to try to 'catch' the fireball.
But it's too overwhelming, and with a grunt he's knocked backward a bit, his shoes digging deep into the sand from the impact, ".. All right then," he mumbles, re-tightening his gloves, and he breaks into a sprint; almost becoming a blur, kicking up a sand cloud as he proceeds to circle the ansatsuken fighter, baby-blue eyes narrowed and clearly trying to confuse.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru focuses on his next action.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu's own stance remains unchanged for a moment, the only sign of his following Benimaru's motion a darting of his eyes to the periphery of his vision, as the nomad's inner chi rises at a steady, impressive crescendo. In a flash of his own, the Ansatsuken master twists to face Nikaido's present location as the surge of energy reaches its peak, sand blasting outwards in all directions in a sudden hurricane blast, centered around Ryu... who stands, barely mussed by the gale-force blast, in the eye of the momentary storm. Waiting for Benimaru, of course.
COMBATSYS: Ryu gathers his will.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Benimaru frowns slightly; it would seem instead of getting confused and leaving his guard open, Ryus only just getting more defensive and difficult to read, "... I should have known better anyway," he mumbles, suddenly making a ninty degree turn and dashes at Ryu with his hand drawn back again, though this time there's an orb of energy in his hand rather than an explosion. He reaches to grab the fighter by the shoulder, and if he's so lucky, that orb is slammed into Ryus gut and gives off a good hard shock, "Hah!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Benimaru's Benimaru Collider.
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Benimaru 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Ryu
Twisting into the orb of chi Benimaru slams forward, Ryu snaps an elbow down to intercept it, the electrified burst crackling over his flexed arm instead of into his gut, as the World Warrior completes the sharp twist to wrench his shoulder free of Nikaido's grasp. True to his word on making the model-turned-fighter work for it, it seems. As quickly as he defends, the Ansatsuken master swaps back to offense, stepping in at Benimaru on his right foot, right fist cocked up overhead, hammering down for Nikaido's solar plexus. The efficient strike carries Ryu's weight behind it, his force focused on the follow-through to the point of contact, a fierce, "Hyaaaaah!!" sounding as the strike sails in.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru fails to interrupt Sakotsu Wari from Ryu with Super Inazuma Kick.
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Benimaru 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Perhaps the model should have tried for something faster, but it was too late to do anything about it now, Benimaru tch'ing lightly at Ryus currently superior defense. His lips purse lightly, and he can practically read Ryus next attack, it's an extremely simple one, a violet, slender bolt of electricity circling his features as he snaps his legs upward moments before the blow strikes.
And the large huff of air that's suddenly pushed from his gut wasn't the sound the model was quite expecting, crashing back onto the sand flat on his back, but kicks his legs up again to force himself to roll away from Ryu, wheezing as he holds his stomach, head lowered. It would seem his guard was open again, but everyone knows better than that.. Right?
The patient, measured approach seems to be suiting Ryu well enough just now... or maybe he just doesn't want to press the attack on the staggered Benimaru while he's doubled over like that. Even if it is just a wily ambush. For the moment, the Ansatsuken master holds his ground, his guard held ready as his dark eyes focus in on Nikaido. A central, singular focus, the World Warrior's attention singling out his opponent, the veteran's instincts and attention firmly on this fight. But at least Benimaru gets that moment to breathe.
COMBATSYS: Ryu focuses on his next action.
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Benimaru 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Wonderful.. Looks like Beni'd have to do things the old fashioned way; though he didn't really find it a particularly effective method against someone like Ryu, who just seemed to have too much stamina to wear down. He seems a bit suprised that he isn't immedietly pressed on again, but takes it as a blessing in disguise and gets to his feet with another sprint-
This time he intends to strike Ryu right at his side as he rushes past, rather than at, the world warrior.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ryu with Jab Punch.
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Benimaru 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Ryu
The feint catches Ryu in the ribs, the nomad trying to sidestep the strike, but instead spurred along by it, the sharp hit to his midsection stinging, but not seeming to slow him for more than that moment...
Going with the hit, Ryu drops into a crouch, a wave of sand spraying outwards in an arc as he snaps his right leg out and around, aiming to slam his heel sharply just below the passing Benimaru's knee, and sweep him rather harshly to the sand, "Kyaaaaah!!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Ryu's Medium Kick.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Benimaru comes to a screeching halt, and though he doesn't show it, he's pretty excited about that blow. As far as he was concerned, he was definatly still faster when it came down to it, but pressing it to his advantage this far into the fight was going to be tricky. The wave of sand doesn't have much effect on his guard, the hit making contact but while he was already making a jumping motion- In the end it doesn't look like it did more than assist his backflip.
He smirks to Ryu, brushing off his shoulders, ".. Got a little something on my shirt," fists raised, he dances lightly on his feet, hopping in and snapping at Ryus calf with a ligth kick before hopping back again.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ryu with Light Kick.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Ryu
Just this minute, Benimaru definitely maintains the edge in speed... slipping inside Ryu's guard before the World Warrior can analyze and avoid the angle of attack, his leg taking the second stinging hit, inspiring the nomad to stagger sidelong a moment, the painful strike nearly taking him right off his feet. But speed isn't all there is to strength, and he manages to maintain his footing, all but bolting in against Nikaido's forward momentum and twisting to face the model sidelong, his right fist snapping up, aligned with Benimaru's jaw, "Haaaaaaaaah!!" comes the fierce kiai, the Ansatsuken master looking to add a bit of his own brand of blurring force to the match.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru dodges Ryu's Fierce Punch.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Ryu
What could he say? Benimaru was starting to get on a roll, but even the model wasn't sure at what point the momentum was going to really start to shift. Luckily for Benimaru though, patience was his strong suit. Ryus powerful blow misses by mere inches, though that's just the model showing off as he leans backward at the last moment, fists lowered to avoid contact alltogeather, "You could hurt someone with that," he murmurs, still dancing lightly on his toes, this time snapping a quick one-two jab at Ryus gut.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ryu with Jab Punch.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
Benimaru's fast footwork does a good job at keeping Ryu off-kilter, his ribs catching the repurcussions of the error as Nikaido snaps in under his guard, driving him backwards under the quick flurry. It's still more painful than debhilitating, though, and this time the Ansatsuken master tries something simpler, snapping a sharp left in for the model-turned-fighter's face, aiming a square straight straight for Benimaru's nose, "Haaah!!" Hurt someone... isn't that the idea when you're punching and kicking for a living?
COMBATSYS: Benimaru dodges Ryu's Medium Punch.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
And simpler isn't helping much in this case either; Benimaru has to fight back another smirk, he's fairly certain that he's for the moment dragged the World Warrior to his game, with such simple attacks, it wasn't more than a shootfighting match. This time Benimaru swerves a little to the side to avoid Ryus blow, again tch'ing to his opponent, ".. Just for the record," he notes, "I don't really appreciate strikes toward the face. Come on it's the holidays, 'tis the season and all that, ne?"
Benimaru skips a little to the side, keeping the distance between the two a minimum, and goes for a simple front kick toward Ryus gut. He's not going for his groin, honest!
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ryu with Light Kick.
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Benimaru 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
Wham! Another hit to the ribs as Ryu backpedals away from another of Benimaru's weaving strikes. This is.. really starting to hurt, now. After all, a guy can only take so many gutshots. At least he saved dinner for after the match! The World Warrior staggers away from the strike a moment, lifting his eyes to meet Benimaru's. No hits to the face, huh? Well, Ryu sends a Christmas present Nikaido's way, sweeping his arms forward and pushing a voluminous surge of fiery red chi forward with them. His hands come together before him, summoning a swirling conflaguration of rampant flame in an instant, the napalmy sphere projected outwards, at the fleet-footed Benimaru, "Hadoooouken!!!" echoes the flame-orbitted fireball, the searing blast burning in to consume the model-turned-fighter.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
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Benimaru 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
In normal circumstances, Benimaru'd make an attempt to overcome the blast with his own electrical energy again, but he seems to be under the impression that at this point, it wouldn't do him much good. Besides, it would just be a step to push him away from his 'game', which he didn't want to do just yet. Anyway, the fireball doesn't consume Benimaru, not even close, and when the chi slams into a raised forearm, sparks jump and fly from the contact as he's edged back a bit.
Instead of seeing the small seperation as a disadvantage though, he tries to make the best of it and goad Ryu forward by slumping a bit, breathing getting heavier, ".. Whew.."
COMBATSYS: Benimaru focuses on his next action.
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Benimaru 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
This one all but screams 'ploy', and one solution to a trap, is springing that trap. Ryu comes in straight behind the fireball, weaving to the right at the last moment, the sidestep accompanied by a sharp motion of his left fist, the gloved fist snapping out triphammer-quick, aligned squarely with Nikaido's solar plexus. Turning it into a match much like Benimaru is used to, perhaps... but that seems somewhat intentional, and apparently, the nomad is inclined to follow through on it. Practice makes perfect, right?
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Benimaru with Medium Punch.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Benimaru 1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
Er, yes, something.. Went wrong there. Benimarus feint maybe worked a little too well, it's got Ryu on his back again, but this time around a simple swerve isn't going to cut it, the nomads blow nails the model. Hard.
He doubles over from the impact, eyes buldging a bit, and then staggers back, collapsing to a knee and visably trembling from the attack. Even he has no idea what the hell happened there, and it's shaken him up but good. "... d.. damn," he growls, holding his gut, a bit frustrating that things turned around so quickly, but the match wasn't over until it was over. The model slides forward, legs kicking outward, and he proceeds to spin around franticly, showing an amazing display of balance on a single hand, hoping to strike Ryu multiple times with his trademark maneuver, "Shinkuu! Katategoma!!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ryu with Shinkuu Katategoma.
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\=====--\1 Ryu
Well, the strike itself was certainly plenty forceful... but even with Benimaru falling away like that, his remarkable recovery and unexpected angle of attack leaves Ryu well within the range of the inverted rotor-kicks, repeated slams from Benimaru's feet launching the World Warrior away, into a hearty tumble through the sand. He rolls to a crouch at the edge of the wading pool, attention snapping back to Nikaido as he regains his bearings. A tremendous surge of chi is focused, gathered between splayed hands as the Ansatsuken master rises, a fiercely swirling vortex of dark blues rushing together and tugging at the water, the nomad's gi, his headband... all drawn by that potent inward gale that devours sand as more and more energy is pushed into it, "Shiiiinkuuuuuuu..."
Ryu incants, muscles tensing as the epic blast of energy reaches its height, the densely packed blast flaring wildly as its coruscating mass is swept forward at Benimaru, digging a deep trench in the beach between the two warriors, "Hadooooouken!!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Benimaru dodges Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
And that was the moment Benimaru had been waiting for the entirety of the match.. So he could test himself against it? Not exactly; screeching to a halt once there's no more contact with his sweeps, he can feel the power surging to Ryus hands. It takes a considerable amount of effort, and precise timing, but he leaps up and over the giant blast, flipping gracefully in the air and, "YAH!" showing disrespect to the laws of gravity, backflips during his decent with both toes hopefully crashing at Ryus chin, a slender bolt of electricity snapping up from under the warrior after should he get a clean hit.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Ryu with Super Inazuma Kick.
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Benimaru 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Ryu
Incoming... Benimaru's leaping backflipping dodge of a kick catches Ryu squarely while he's still recovering from focusing /that/ much chi at the place where Nikaido /was/ standing. He's rising to the challenge well, tonight, despite the World Warrior's ability to adapt to the set of rules Benimaru decided to play by. It's right up into do-or-die time now, though, that much is sure... and as the nomad sails away from the fearsome impact, he backflips a bit himself, landing hard in a crouch, not as far from Benimaru as the model might have liked...
And just as quickly, Ryu propells himself out of that crouch, spinning a blurring, singular turn in his ascent.... all to bring his right foot out and around, a roundhousing strike coming in heel-first, in line with Benimaru's skull. It's not over yet, that's for sure.
COMBATSYS: Benimaru interrupts Senpuu Kyaku from Ryu with Electrigger.
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Ryu 1/----===/=======|
COMBATSYS: Benimaru can no longer fight.
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Ryu 1/----===/=======|
Do-or-die couldn't be more correct.. Benimaru has been on the end of his rope for some time, just whittling away at the warrior for a couple of key opportunities. Benimaru didn't want Ryu to be far from him though, it was getting to that point where he was seeing slight fatigue and through hell or high water was going to take advantage of it. Blood dripping from his mouth, baby-blue eyes almost dangerously narrow, he moves toward instead of away from the ansatsuken fighter, and moments before the super headache-inducing kick connects, "NOW!!" it lands solid, but he doesn't move with the impact, instead electrical chi crackling and dancing around his arms, the blue from his eyes briefly vanishing, "UaaaaaaaaaAAAH!!" he lounges forward and grasps at the World warriors throat, and releases a tremendous amount of electrical energy into the beefier man, the bolts dancing around both fighters now and encasing them in blue. It seems like his choke lasts forever; but it doesn't, hell that was his last ditch effort, but a gamble that, in his mind, paid off tremendously, as the power dies off, and his grip on Ryu loosens, "H.. Heh.. But you didn't see that coming," he sputters, knees giving out under him and he collapses onto the sand, favoring his gut again, "D... Damn.."
Ryu definitely wasn't expecting that, and the tremendous outrush of energy, well... the World Warrior knew Benimaru had it in him, but he wasn't anticipating eating it then and there. The crackling bolts of electric chi are enough to sap the last of the nomad's strength as well, and as Benimaru falls away, Ryu isn't far from following, teetering a couple moments before dropping to his knees, and then forward to a hand, gasping a heavy breath and lifting his own hand to his ribcage, "Not... bad... Nikaido." He manages to state in somewhat hoarse tones, though he doesn't look inclined to get back up just this instant.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Ryu can no longer fight.
Panting lightly, Benimaru props himself up on one arm, brushing a few strands of hair from his face, "Yeah.. I know," he replies, though at this point, any fight he can walk away from without getting his face broken is a good one. He was far from satisfied, of course, but he'd have to make do with what he has for now, "I suppose you were right after all, but.. Nothing a little more training can't fix, I'm sure. Better keep an eye on me after all, eh Ryu? Heh h-- Ooogh.."
Log created by Ryu, and last modified on 17:08:06 02/12/2007.