Description: Yagami starts with a commanding lead in this Grand Canyon battle, thinly veiled as a Neo League fight, but a nail-biting finish sees Kusanagi as the victor. (Winner: Kyo)
Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the see the million-year old Colorado river gradually etching its way through the toughest rock in the world. Most people call it the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is generally the area most saturated with visitors. Today, two special guests of honor are among those visitors, accompanied by a wide complement of cameras, fight officials, and emergency personnel. Those two guests: Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, here to play out the next chapter of their millenia-long family feud under the guise of an official Neo League fight. The Orochi halfblood doesn't need any excuse to fight his rival... but the official nature ought to be enough reason for Kusanagi to put up a serious fight.
Not far along the South Kaibab trail, near its upper terminus, is the scene for this fight. It's a fairly steep hiking trail, with a beautiful vista of the Canyon captured in the cameras. And right in the center is Mr. Yagami himself, having reverted to his standard wear -- red pants, bound at the knee with a strap, and a black jacket with a crescent moon. Another destined battle, as far as he's concerned -- though he's crossed his arms, waiting in the cordoned-off section for his opponent.
Despite the fact that he is a (somewhat) of a world-famous fighter who has travelled all over the globe to put his martial-arts skills against others, Kyo Kusanagi has never really been to many of the traditional tourist-traps around the world, and that includes the Grand Canyon. Something about street fighting lends itself more towards a more intimate battle on a street corner or alleyway, rather than in front of iconic monuments.
If not here, though, this would have happened somewhere else soon, perhaps in a less-organized environment where they could be civilians injured as well as massive property damage. The Kusanagi and Yagami can never stop the tides of time that push them towards fighting with each other, no matter what the current generations' heirs may think of the rivalry, 1500 years of conflict, and that feeling in your blood you get, are not something you can just brush off.
With that in mind, Kyo Kusanagi steps into the cordoned-off area as well and comes to a halt a few paces away from his rival, staring evenly into the Yagami heir's eyes. "It's been awhile, Yagami. I'd say something about finishing this once and for all... but you always just pop up again like a cockroach."
Kyo makes an especially apt metaphor for the descendent of the Yasakani... but naturally the red-haired man doesn't agree with him. Scowling viciously, he demurrs, "Don't muddle me together with your ilk. It cheapens us both." Glancing aside to the referee who comes out of hiding, he turns back to face Kyo. "The course of history is charted by the victors, Kusanagi... in time you'll thank the author for treating you with such respect." Drawing in a deep breath as he lurches his shoulders forward, he shakes his head. "I doubt it will be the end. But it won't be from lack of trying." A low chuckle, as his hands clasp loosely -- not fully open, but not clenched into fists. He's ready to fight, waiting only for the cue from the officials, shutting the sight of the onlookers out of his mind.
COMBATSYS: Iori has started a fight here.
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Iori 0/-------/-------|
Kyo's head dips a little, bangs falling in front of his face as he hides a small chuckle. "You never change, Yagami." His gloved hands fall out of his jean pockets and his head tilts back up towards Iori, revealing that trademark cocky smirk, "That's why you'll never win." Kyo puts up his dukes, and starts to shift his weight from leg to leg, bobbing back and forth, "Ikuze!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here.
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Kyo 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Iori
COMBATSYS: Kyo has left the fight here.
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Iori 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here.
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Iori
Iori chuckles at that. "Say what you will, Kusanagi..." His hands alternately clench and release, a quiet buildup of anticipation as he stares upon his archrival. "Fools see nothing from a darkened forest, but wise men realize the dangers within." Shallow prophecy, perhaps... but Iori's more a man of action than words. He doesn't waste any time waiting for the fight to 'officially' begin -- he knows damn well that =he= can set the pace of this fight, referees be damned. As the tall Orochi halfbreed lurches forard, his hair sweeps back out of the way -- one might think it would obscure his vision, but he doesn't need to =see= his opponent in order to sense the jaw cracking against his fists. And he's hoping that will be the reward as he rams a dashing punch at Kyo's grill, hoping to open this fight with a solid hit. "GURAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo endures Iori's Quick Punch.
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Iori
Kyo bursts into motion as soon as he sees his arch-rival twitch, lunging forward siumutaneously with the Yasakani descendent. It is perhaps this added momentum that makes Yagami's punch even more effective, landing with a distinct cracking noise and making Kusanagi's head whip to side as he absorbs the blow... but it fails to stop him. Kyo's head snaps back to glare right at Yagami, a bit of blood trickling down from his lip. "KUURRAAEE!" He spins, lashing out with a kitchen-sink haymaker punch punctuated by a burst of the hated crimson bloodline flame.
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Kyo's Dokugami.
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Iori
The crunch, as expected, was most satisfying to the Orochi halfblood. Seeing Kyo's head ratchet backwards from the blow was even moreso. And while Iori's first instinct may have been to follow that punch up with another, more visceral strike, the red-haired man is fully cognizant of the fact that he'll have to keep those instincts in check for this fight. Kyo's no pushover.
Accordingly, he steps backwards, giving Kyo the windup room he needs. And, more importantly, gives Iori the space -he- needs to mount an effective defense, shouldering the blow and the subsequent flames without much more than a pained wince.
"Hmph." notes Iori as the crimson flames dissipate across his jacket. "As expected..." is his condescending reply -- though it's followed up shortly thereafter with a raised knee -- which he'd gladly extend into a full kick if it'd only connect with Kyo's midsection. "KURAAAAOH!"
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Kyo with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|=------\-------\0 Iori
Skidding backwards across the dirt and brush from the kick, Kyo clutches at his stomach, almost having the wind knocked out of him by that last attack of Yagami's. His next attempt at movement causes a sharp pain to radiate from his midsection. "Nngh..." He's in trouble if he can't put something together, and quickly. He charges again, drawing back his right arm for another hook punch, but this time it's a feint: He crouches down right in front of Yagami, hopefully ducking under any pre-emptive counterattack, then uncoils his legs, shooting straight up into the air. He holds his arms up and twirls in the air, coils of flame swirling around his form like twin serpents. "ORIIIIYA!"
COMBATSYS: Iori interrupts Oniyaki from Kyo with Yumebiki.
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Kyo 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Iori
The bad part about this particular venue is the slope. It's slight, but just enough to pose a logistical challenge. Nothing the top-grade fighters can't handle, of course, but in this particular instance, Iori finds himself on the downward slope. It matters mostly because Kyo's trying to get under his guard and send him flying off into the audience.
But Iori's fought the man enough times to recognize some of the tell-tale signs of a counterattack. Most notably: that rush of power that precedes an Oniyaki. Drawing back, he lets Kyo wind up -- but when that punch comes in, Iori's rushing forward to take the fist upon the jaw. Lest that be counter productive though, he's also rushing forward, driving the heel of his right palm into Kyo's sternum with an aim to knock him back -- and then following through with the -back- of his hand to smack him around some more. Sure, Iori gets a faceful of the crimson Kusanagi flames... but when all's said and done, the man seems to -enjoy- it. "Hmph... has someone been slacking off on their practice, Kyo?!" Chuckling darkly to himself, he twists his jaw with the crook of his hand, keeping his crimson eyes focused upon his blood rival.
Staggered again by Iori's counterattacks, Kyo doesn't have any pithy comebacks for Iori's taunting, at least for the moment. After sliding a foot backwards to steady himself, he comes right back at Iori with a simple, put deceptively powerful uppercut that shoots nearly straight upwards.
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Kyo's Strong Punch.
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Kyo 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Iori
Shaking his head as he sidesteps towards higher ground, Iori nonetheless refuses to be caught unawares. Dropping slightly upon his knees, he throws both arms out towards Kyo, taking the blow on his hardened forearms rather than the chin. Only so much of that he can stand, after all. "I can see it now..." he offers with a sardonic expression, "... All day, you lounge about in your palatial estate, sipping mai tais with your girlfriend..." His smirk grows as he takes a few steps backwards, hands swept before him in defense, "... and meanwhile... I've been crafting a strategy to unmake you." His red eyes narrow upon the Kusanagi scion... though he doesn't follow with another attack. Yet.
COMBATSYS: Iori focuses on his next action.
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Kyo 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Iori
It's usually Kyo's proclivity to prattle on and on like Iori is doing right now, but he's trying to do everything in his power to turn the tide of the fight in his favor at this point, so he doesn't have time to talk trash. Kusanagi obliges Iori, who seems to be content to sit back for now, and attacks directly, but this time from a different angle. Bending at the knees again, Kyo soars into the air, his body pivoting around in mid-air while he hold out one leg. The curving nature of his leap, and the arcing move of his kick attack, gives this attack it's rather unusual monicker: The Rainbow Energy Dynamite Kick(uu).
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Kyo's RED Kick.
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Iori
Rainbows are so happy and colorful, and Iori Yagami is so... not. Faintly familiar with the curiously-named moves his rival has cooked up, Iori knows full well their potential for damage. And even despite the fruity name, the power behind it is unquestionable.
And that'd be why Iori takes a step back, tossing his forearms up to take the kick, before sloughing it off with a quick backpedal. It was almost a miss, though, and while Iori can defend with the best of 'em, he's a bit shaky from this series of blows.
But that's not to say that he can't attack on his own. Rushing forward to cover the lost distance, the Yagami scion twists sharply to his right, before coiling right back and launching a right palm towards his rival's face. And if that happens to connect, his Kusanagi counterpart would find himself ground zero for a fiery burst of the accursed purple flames of Iori's bloodline. And just for atmosphere, a roar: "GUROOOOOOAH!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Iori's Koto Moon Negative.
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Iori
Finally, Kyo manages a defense. He sidesteps Iori's attempt to grab him by the face, the clawed open palm swiping just past his head. Since Kyo's having a difficult time getting past Iori's defense with striking attacks, he switches tactics: using his close proximity to Yagami, he quickly hooks one leg behind one of Iori's legs, then tries to use it to trip the red-haired fighter to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Iori with Quick Throw.
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Kyo 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Iori
As much as Iori had -thought- his grab would work on the Kusanagi scion, it sadly did -not-. And he was a bit overcommitted as a result -- just enough of an opening for Kyo to slide in and trip him. Whoops. Iori stumbles forward, tumbling twice down the slope before snapping back to his feet. When he whirls around, it's plain to see his black jacket has been marred by the reddish Canyon dirt ... but Iori's not the type to stress about his looks in the middle of a fight. That's a job best left to Kyo's teammates.
Instead, though... Iori advances at Kyo again, this time opting to slam his forehead into the Kusanagi scion, bowling him right back down into the reddish dirt. "GURAAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Iori's Light Kick.
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Kyo 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Iori
A forearm is brought up to contest Iori's headbutt, causing a forehead-sized welt on the arm, but not a whole lot else. It seems Kyo's warmed up a little, pun not intended. Backpedalling gracefully up the slope, Kyo starts smirking at Iori again, "You started off really vicious, what happened Yagami?! Don't tell me it's nap time already!!" He takes a step forwards, but instead of dashing down towards Iori, he halts his feet and starts sliding down towards his enemy, kicking up a load of clay pebbles in wake. At the last second he hops up from his slide into a series of two straight flying kicks, one with each leg.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Iori with Nana Juu Go Shiki Kai.
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Iori
Oh, =there's= the trash-talking Kusanagi scion Iori knows! Unfortunately, it's the same trash-talking Kusanagi scion that regularly beats his ass in fights. Iori charges right back into Kyo, hoping to catch him unawares, but it's an uphill battle -- literally -- as the sliding double-kick breaks right past his defenses, the impacts dulling his charge and slamming him backward.
"Kuh..." laments Iori, stepping back to rub his bleeding jaw. Perhaps Kyo's right... perhaps he =hasn't= been kicking enough ass. Perhaps there's something Iori can do about that. It'll start with a bright purple flame from his right hand, swirling about as he skids to a halt... but then Iori rushes that hand forward, sweeping it across his body with a roar: "GUUUUUOH!" The blast of violet flame churns up a dustcloud behind it as rolls uphill towards Kyo... but should the fiery bloom actually hit him, it'd be accompanied by a trio of lightning bolts, crashing down from the heavens!
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Kyo with Ya Sakazuki.
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Kyo 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Iori
Well, it was going better there, for a minute. A few of the bolts strike Kyo in a big explosion of purple flame, clay, and rocks, the attack creating a new dimple in the rocky crag of the canyon-side. Thrown off his feet, the scion of the flames lands roughly on his back atop a pile of rocks, causing him to cry out in pain, no doubt Iori relishes in it. There's a lot of fight left in Kyo Kusanagi though, as evidenced by the fact that he still stands up, if not a bit wobbly at first. "Tch... that's a lame hidden technique..." he spits.
Charging again, Kyo cocks back a fist, then throws it in a hook punch once he's within range of Iori's mug. The fist explodes with crimson flame right before impact, and if it lands he'll follow it up with two more quick punches.
COMBATSYS: Iori fails to interrupt Aragami from Kyo with Yumebiki.
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Kyo 1/--=====/=======|====---\-------\0 Iori
Kyo says, "BODY GA... AMEZE!!"
Iori may have been cocky the beginning, but the battle's clearly taking its toll on him now. Whereas he'd had every intention of stepping forward and slashing his arm overhead to knock Kyo's crimson flames off to the side, he's a bit tardy in that attempt, and Kyo's burst of flame crashes right into him. His face seared, Iori isn't able to mount a defense against the two punches that follow -- driven back downhill, stones and pebbles fly as he skids further down the canyon trail. "Nnngh..." comes his subconscious reply as he clenches his fists, crimson burning deep within his eyes as he glares back at Kyo.
Kyo doesn't miss a beat, as soon as he sends Iori skidding down the hill, he holds up the hand he just used to sock Iori a couple of times, the flames around his knuckles still alive, and in fact growing in size. "...and I'll end it with this!! YAGAMI!!" He sweeps that hand down across his body, sending forth a gigantic, swirling wave of fire, that within the confines of the rocky trail, looks like a backdraft coming down a hallway, taking up the whole area.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Iori with Orochinagi'.
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Iori
Oh, this again. Iori's quiiiite familiar with the Orochinagi, having been hit with it more than enough times... but that doesn't exactly mean he =wants= to be hit by it. Just the same, he =is= able to thrust his shoulder into the blow, shielding his eyes from the raging conflagration of flame that utterly engulfs his form, churning up a blast crater around his feet and pressing his boots down further into the gravel. The rock beneath him splits from the increased stress, though, and he suddenly falls backward as a small boulder cracks away.
It =could= have been a lot worse -- he =could= have been knocked clear down the side of the canyon.
But, all told, Iori's still in one piece, even if his jacket's scorched all to heck and basically tattered again. And there's that rather large rock, which Iori plucks out of the ground and lobs at Kyo without further ado. "GURRRRAAAAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Iori's Large Thrown Object.
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Iori
Even in his fatigued state, it doesn't take much for Kyo to simply dive out of the way of the boulder, which crashes into the ground where Kyo once stood, then promptly rolls off into the canyon. Kyo stands and stares at Iori, knowing full well that this fight is drawing to a close, and that the next few attacks will decide the outcome.
"Come on, then."
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Iori
"Bah." Iori's response isn't much more than a grunt, really... but that's partly because he has a pretty damn good idea of what Kyo's up to here. As much as Iori might otherwise be able to capitalize on the close proximity, he's a bit leery of charging right up to Kyo at this stage of the fight, especially in his weary condition.
But that doesn't stop him from doing it anyway, does it? The red-haired man snarls, breaking into a run for Kyo -- but he stops short, slamming his foot into the rocky crag the boulder had left behind, his steel-toed boot soccer-balling a sizable hunk of rock towards Kyo. "KURAAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo overcomes Thrown Object from Iori with Thrown Object.
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Iori
Kyo spin kicks the rock back at Iori!
[OOC] Kyo says, "best pose ever."
[OOC] Iori says, "..."
COMBATSYS: Iori endures Kyo's Thrown Object.
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Iori
Somehow, Iori is not impressed. He runs straight up into the rock, and... out of some fit of craziness, headbutts the damn thing, shattering it into a zillion pieces.
But that's not all -- for a limited time, Iori will also continue running forward at Kyo, dragging his hand overhead in a diagonal slash across his chest, before slamming it right back the opposite direction, hoping to wipe that smug grin right off the Kusanagi scion's face. "GURRRRRRAAAAAAAAOH!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo fails to counter Yumebiki from Iori with Nue Tsumi.
- Power hit! -
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Kyo 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Iori
Kyo watches Iori plow straight through the deflected rock with his head, looks like he's starting to really lose it. Kyo thinks he's prepared for that wild beast, ready to counter whatever is coming his way, but apparently he underestimate's Iori's ferocity, and ends up getting struck twice. This time the blows make his vision get a red tint to it, and he can feel his knees weakening slight, "Nngh..." he growls, trying to steady himself.
A gruff "Hmph!" escapes Iori's lips as he backhands Kyo to the side. Howling, "Is that all?!" he watches as his rival wobbles before him. Scowling, he takes a step back, wary of the possibility that Kyo -could- be feinting.
"... Kusanagi..." he starts, extending his hands to either side, twin blossoms of orchid flame erupting from his palms.
"... this ends NOW!" Ferocious, Iori steps forward, slamming his right hand downward, slapping the flame onto the ground before Kyo. His left hand follows suit as he takes another step forward, the second flame crashing into the blaze started by the first. While a small explosion ensues there, Iori brings both hands over his head, only to then leap forward, crashing both fists down into the trail, a thunderous rumble of energy following. A fissure erupts, spewing out a gigantic column of purple flame out to add to the explosion, utterly swallowing him whole in a fiery counterpart to the earlier Orochinagi.
Of course... Iori'd probably have trouble -standing- after that...
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Iori's Yami Sugi.
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Kyo 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Iori
Kyo growls to himself, he can't believe he blew his opportunity a second ago, he had a chance to end this fight, and now Iori intends to do the same, but with the opposite result! That doesn't mean Kyo has to just sit there and take it, however; to the untrained eye, the wounded scion of the flames might look like a cooked goose, but as Iori starts his motion for the Yami Sugi, Kusanagi moves in sync with his rival, neatly sidestepping right, then left, evading the first two burst of flames, then backflipping to avoid the final column of flame. He wastes not a moment: as soon as he lands he springs forwards, through the last dying embers of violet flame toward Iori, leading with a fist wreathed in crimson flame!
"YAGAMI!!"
COMBATSYS: Iori fails to interrupt Aragami from Kyo with Sakahagi.
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Iori can no longer fight.
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Kyo 0/-------/-======|
"KUSANAGIIIII!"
The Orochi halfblood charges right back at his rival, clearly intending to make this a fight to the finish! While Kyo is rushing around one way, Iori is racing around the other -- overhead, it might resemble a giant yin-yang sign in the making. The problem here is, though... that Kyo's wreath of flame is a bit bigger than the raking talons Iori plans to bring to bear against Kyo's sides. And Iori gets =nailed= by the punch, falling backward and bouncing once, twice down the hill, before his rolling ceases. He slides for another few feet before skidding to a halt... at which point, it's plain to see the tall redhead is practically done for.
The referee runs up to give a ten-count, but it's largely unnecessary -- he ain't gettin' up.
Kyo skids to a halt and immediately takes a knee. He actually comes to rest in the small craters created by Iori's Ya Sakazuki blasts, and can't see his nemesis once he bounces down the hill. "Nnhh..." he forces himself to his feet and takes off after Yagami. The referee starts counting, but Kyo doesn't really pay attention, and not just because of the ringing in his ears. As with anything involving Iori, he has to see it for himself.
And so he ends up standing a few feet from Iori, breathing heavy, one arm resting on his stomach from the particularly nasty kick he got hit with there. "Tch..." he says, straightening a little as he turns away from his opponent. Kyo quickly removes his jacket, slinging it over his shoulder with a flourish, "Are you satisfied, Yagami?"
If you can interpret a twitch of the right hand as an answer, Kyo, so be it. But otherwise... Iori's got nothin'.
COMBATSYS: Kyo has ended the fight here.
Log created by Iori, and last modified on 05:20:54 12/22/2005.