Description: *Season one, Episode 20* Next time on the Irresponsible Witch Naerose, a spell gone terribly wrong causes jets of smoke to color the sky brown! Can Naerose and her crew save the day and clean up the air before it's too late? And will Xiangfei be able to eat THAT many cream puffs or will everyone in the creampuff factory be out of work? And around the next corner arch villain Rugal faces down team Strongest!. You can't miss this next thrilling installment!
The time is Five BILLION YEARS into the future. 2006.
... Or something.
The masses didn't know that there was going to be an event of epic proportions to take pace, and that an amazing saga is about to draw to a close.
One girl tried to be nice about it.. She even tried to be straight up about it. But now? Now it's SO PERSONAL. Somehow, -someway- Rugal was going to be beaten, even if the entirety of Strongest! Team had to get involved!
And that brings us to now, FIVE BILLION YEARS into the future, in the Howard Arena, where the seats are packed yet again, and the masses can't believe what they're seeing on the card. 'Strongest! Team against Rugal Bernstein'?? This was going to be an apocolypse!! In the left corner, stands Li Xiangfei, the Heavenly Hip-Hop Honey of Southown, dressed in her usual garb and bells, and her teamates:
Resident witch and Commentator extroidinaire, Naerose Delphine.
Sugar consuming, oftimes mind-boggling powerhouse Shinobu Ootsuka.
And Yuri Sakazaki, kyokugen badass with waaay more flair than Dan Hibiki!
This truely must be an OH SNAPS(tm) moment for Rugal, who should be on the right. He'd better be! "Ok, girls!" xiangfei cries, totally pumped up, hands tightened into fists, "We're gonna make this one short, quick and simple. I can't promise you all you won't get hurt, but I -can- promise victory! This win is going to pull us some -major- fighters cred, yo, so lets do this! Who's with me??"
Never mind that it's too late to back out now. So.. Trick question, kids. :o
"Laaaaadies and gentlemen," Naerose bellows on a mega phone she herself brought, "Tonight we are proud to present, Team Strongest! beats down Rugal Burnadid.. a stien.. a stein.. Whatever, This will be a standard all on one annihiliation match where Strongest! is the favorite for the win!" Aside she says to Xiangfei, "This had best score us our promotional deal!"
"Anyway, Ready fight and all that jazz." She shoves the loudspeaker in her hat, next to her bunny.
"Well fearless leader, umm, lead."
".. Are you sure this is fair? I mean, four of us against one person?"
Yuri hops back and forth as she enters the ring, rolling her shoulders and generally trying to loosen up. This is a bigger arena than the one she was just in, and she's certainly trying to keep herself excited about it, but it's hard! Nervous, probably. Nerves. Yeah, that's it.
"Okay! I'm ready, let's get this show on the road!" It's a bright smile, and a confident front that greets her other teammates, and a slight hopefulness that she isn't the one that's going to get hurt. Like, y'know.. A lot.
COMBATSYS: Yuri has left the fight here.
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Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Yuri has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Naerose 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
Rocking her head back and forth with her arms folded, Shinobu looks... discontent. "Man.", she starts, letting out a deep breath. "I'd rather just fight him myself... this isn't fair at all..." It's not a matter of common sense, it's a matter of fighter's honor! Oh, the things she sacrifices for the team!
Shingo rolls her head around fully, stretching her neck as she rubs, it, and then brings her hands up in a rough approximation of a defense. She narrows her eyes, and then snorts quietly, looking over to Rugal. "Like we're gonna lose a dinosaur like that.", she says with a wide, toothy grin. Unfortunately, the term 'dinosaur' is all too appropriate, if not terribly complimentary.
COMBATSYS: Shinobu has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Shinobu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
What Yuri doesn't know is that she has a friend in the audience. Recently returned from an Italian business outing, Robert Garcia arrived in town just in time to find out about Yuri heading off to the arena. Tickets were a bit expensive to procure at the last minute, but that's certainly not anything he of all people would have to worry about.
Of course, once Robert actually arrives, he discovers that he wasn't the only one returning from a business trip to Japan. Yuri is facing *Rugal*? Garcia manages to nearly get thrown out of the arena when he tries to barge into the womens' locker room to warn her of just what she's facing, unknown to Strongest!. Left with no real alternative, Robert takes his seat in the stadium with a little 'Sakizaki' flag. Here's hoping that they manage to overpower that brute, but that doesn't stop him from being worried. He *likes* to watch Yuri's fights, but this is a little too morbid for his tastes.
FIVE BILLION YEARS into the future...
... Rugal is still waiting for some decent entertainment.
He took Xiangfei's yen coin as a means to continue this entertainment, for a reasonable amount of time. It's yet to end. He had informed Xiangfei, next time she wanted to fight, it should be here; there would be no interference here. Bring her friends... after all. She would need all the help she can get. And it seems she has. Three friends, this time. So...
My, my. Wouldn't /this/ be amusing.
A small smile crosses over Rugal's lips as he looks over his opponents for today. Dressed in crimson, taking the most casual stance there can be, R's leader slips a single hand into his pocket and considers each with his dual gaze. "I see you've brought your friends, Ms. Xiangfei! Excellent! Please... don't hold anything back, hm? I want this to be entertaining. And of course... do not expect me to hold back, either." And, with a stiff bow, he waits.
"Whenever you all are ready, of course."
... Ah, Shinobu.. That crazy girl, Xiangfei can only just shake her head to the schoolgirl, and more or less just laughs it off with a nervous chuckle, "Yeah I know, I know, Shino.. But look at it more as a team activity rather than a personal bout. I'm sure you'll get your chance.." cough.. Cough. She's not even going to finish that sentance, because there's no way she's going to lead her teamate into suicide like that. To Yuri she grins, "Yeah, well you haven't been playing close attention to Mr. Bernstein, have you? He's one of the toughest dudes out there, believe me, we're all going to get a run for out money." then a shrug, "I mean, yeah, he's gonna lose, but don't get wreckless or he'll take you out. He's quite a strategist and will -not- hesitate to smash any weak spots. It's important we're on guard at all times,"
And to the witch, blinks, wonders how the loudspeaker even fit into that hat, and then shakes her head, "Uh.. Yes. So 'Rose, tell Shinobu and Yuri their lucky numbers, and you two keep that in mind in this fight. If the going gets tough, we'll need those numbers.."
And so, the fighters are called to the center of the ring, in which the short leader looks up to Rugal with eyes alit with determination, and a broad grin on her face, "Hah! Yeah, you've bit off more than you can chew this time, Mister Bernstein! You're about to find out how Strongest! rolls!"
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!!! goes the bell. This far into the future, bells are so advanced, they honk! And Xiangfei? She wastes no time attacking, bursting forward and leaping into the air, to try and punch the big man right in the eye! "WATAAAAAAAH!"
Naerose meanwhile just hangs back and starts to munch on some pocky. She leans back on her broom. "Mmm mmm, this is good, Go get him Li X." She glances at Shinobu,
"Umm, okay, I'll lety ou have him first then." She smiles and continues to munch on pocky,
"Wow, this is tasty stuff, we need to be the official team of Pocky!" she smiles brightly and watches Xiangfei a moment, then pulls her megaphone out from under her hat,
"Xiangfei starts off the round with a sneaky surprise attack, but will the Dinosaur be able to avoid it.."
COMBATSYS: Naerose focuses on her next action.
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Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
".. As ready as I'll ever be!"
Yuri's probably pretty happy that she knows nothing about the yen coin, or else she'd look at Xiangfei like she was a crazy, crazy person. But then again, making her team go up against the blonde man who has this deadly dangerous demeanor is just shaking her up a bit. Huh! The formality throws her for a loop - she's not very used to seeing graciousness inside a ring, and the smooth talking is going to be a definite difference from the usual shouts and screams that normally take place!
"Here we go!" Yuri's leaping towards Rugal as soon as Xiangfei moves, rushing past the Pocky'd Naerose. She's trying to get past him as her left leg swings around - once, twice, three times! Hopefully, each one will catch him in the back of the head as she arcs over him! As she does, the gang can _probably_ hear her voice, chanting as she moves with her eyes closed. ".. Lucky number.. Lucky number!" Too bad she doesn't know what it is, yet! Oh noes!
"Rolls?", Shinobu echoes, looking over to Xiangfei with a confused expression. But with no further ado, she dashes forward, looking to just charge her foe. But... she suddenly leaps to the side, forming a blue bubble in her palm as she darts away from Rugal. Flinging it in midair, it zigs and zags a bit as it heads for the old man, wobbling in an a rather unthreatening way. Of course, that belies the aqua explosion within, ready to detonate like a geyser against the wall that is Rugal - or at least the ground nearby.
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Xiangfei's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Yuri's Chou Mawashi Geri.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Shinobu's Petite Pop.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
Dinosaur? Old man? Well...
We'll see just how well pointless insults go over for them. And it doesn't seem like they've yet learned /quite/ the predicament they're in. So...
Bernstein will teach them.
Xiangfei comes first, charging in a bull-headed rush. A single hand darts up before she can even come close to striking him, nearly all the damage simply being /absorbed/ into his fist with the biggest of smiles. "You'll have to hit a lot harder than /that/, Ms. Xiangfei..." And then come Yuri and Shinobu. His hand lets go of Xiangfei as the crimson-clad man closes his eyes... and /leaps./
When Shinobu's projectile flies at him, and when Yuri's kicks come flying, Rugal is simply no longer there. Instead, he is flying through the air, to land directly behind Shinobu. A single hand, the one not in his pocket, has clenched. "Let's have a small test of strength." And then, he swings, arching the fist to smash it RIGHT into the back of the girl's head.
Well crap..
Not to say that it wasn't to be expected, Rugal was likely going to be quite acrobatic for a while; but time would take it's toll.
Xiangfei herself has two duties however; she can let her teamates do their own thing for the most part, but she's got to have eyes in the back of her head to see who's in trouble and who isn't, "In this kind of match," Xiang says with a grin, "Strength isn't the highest priority." a bit of a subtle hint toward her teamates there, and well... It probably won't even come across that well! As Rugal presses on toward Shinobu, Xiangfei darts right after, leaping at the mans back with a flying kick, and should that connect, drops to the ground and adds two quick chops to the combination, "Hup! hah, HYAH!"
"Oh give me a break, how powerful could he possibly be? He's like a big grandpah man!" Naerose says and then makes a lazy gesture and flings some air darts at him,
"Check this!" the witch winks,
"Sagita minor!" He can't possibly keep up with this ppppooowa!
Another stick of pocky,
"Woah, I can't keep up with these snacks.. I wonder if those food people in the stands will give me more pocky.." She starts checking her pockets,
"Hey anyone have like.. a dollar?"
"Wuh-whoa!"
Yuri lands on the other side of the large blonde man, Converse sneakers hitting the mat with a soft thwump. She's amazed by Rugal's speed, and suddenly a lot less worried about the whole concept of 'four on one' - if this first attack is any indication, they may need more backup! .. A lot more! She's nervous for a minute.. and then, well, Fei-Fei's words sink in!
She nods towards LiX, and from the backside of Rugal, she leaps up and spins, bringing her arm back and trying to smack him in the back of the neck at the same time those air darts from Naerose come in! Fast is the name of the game, and there's noone faster than Yuri Sakazaki! .. Well, actually, there are probably quite a few people faster than Yuri. Really.
COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Shinobu with Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/--=====|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
Shinobu spins around to defend... and then the fist hits her smack in the face. Her knees buckle as she slides back on them, trying to stand her ground, but then falls on her butt. Blood trickles from her nose, but she rises up again, wiping it away with her thumb. "Test?", she says, giving a confused look to Rugal, one that quickly turns to anger. "Test?!"
Raising her fist in a challenging motion, she says, "You better fight us seriously... or I'll..." Suddenly, the confused look returns as she raises a finger to tap her cheek. "... well, I guess I was gonna hit you anyway..."
COMBATSYS: Shinobu gathers her will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Yuri's Jab Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Rugal with Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal overcomes Sagita Minor from Naerose with Reppuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 0/-------/-------|
Big grandpa man.. Laffo.
Xiangfei sweatdrops a little though, as it seems 'Rose is as confident as she always is, and she mumbles under her breath,
Well then... time to deal with the next wave. Even as Rugal's fist impacts against Shinobu's back, he can tell there are others rushing towards him. And it makes the man /smile/ all the more, lifting a single hand into the air. "Please, hit me as hard as you can. Otherwise... this isn't going to be fun at /all/." Yuri's attack is dealt with first, and even as the chop comes in, he simply lifts that free hand to intercept it. Just as easy as that, the hand impacts harmlessly on the palm of his hand, once more doing scant damage to the man.
But even as he's backpedaling, Xiangfei comes in with a back kick that he just /happens/ to fall into. The kick striks his back, and combined with the chop... they make him take a single step forward. But that is about all. "Hmm. Harder. You'll never get anywhere like that. Here..." Chi glows around his arm, bluish white. "Allow me to demonstrate."
With a quick flick of his arm, Rugal unleashes a veritable tidal wave of chi that rushes across the ground, smashing right through those darts Naerose musters -- dissolving them, as they continue on the path towards the girl.
Big grandpa man.. Laffo.
Xiangfei sweatdrops a little though, as it seems 'Rose is as confident as she always is, and she mumbles under her breath, "You know what happens in the cartoons when they say that, right?" and dangit, as if ON CUE, it happens. Laffo for all.
Perhaps Xiangfei should have organized a slightly better plan, BUT, no sense messing around with what works, though she considers herself able to take more risks. She grumbles to the reppuken, but unable to do much about it, she presses on, and takes a chance, of her own, "If you insist!" though she doesn't bust out with the strongest! move in her arsenal, she does decide to take a chance, twirling around and snapping another sweet jumpkick at Rugal, however she crosses him up whether it hits or not, and then its followed by a strong elbow into the mans side, that should take him down another notch, m i rite? "Hup! HAH!"
COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Naerose with Reppuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
Woah.. Just woah. That was enough to totally knock Naerose Flat. And so she was. . Flattened in a single attack, staring at the sky and blinking a few times.
"Okay.. So th the old man can hit.. buy can he.. " She ends there, apparently not having any idea where she was going with that sentence at all. Instead she decides to get up and shakily make her way toward Rugal to try and jab him with her broom. You know, like the dough boy.
Blocked? Blocked?! Aw, GEEZ!
Yuri takes a breath as she pulls her hand back, wincing a bit as she sees the blazing light moving towards Naerose, hoping that the witch girl can defend herself from it, or something..! When LiX pulls back to prepare, she shouts an encouragement towards the girl, pumping her fist into the air. "That's it, Fei-Fei! Give him heck!" She'd say 'hell', but really, it'd just be kinda silly and rude. And while she may be horrified that Naerose gets flattened, she cheers the witch-girl on whilst she fights on, ever so bravely. "That's it, yeah, yeah!"
Yuri, however - isn't sure she's got what it takes to take this guy on just yet - so instead of attacking, she just takes a half-step back, and gathers her energy into her body in a swirl of red-gold light, just like she saw Shinobu do. After all, the Kyokugen style-stealer plays copycat well enough, and really - she doesn't have much choice but to pull moves from her stronger teammates. "...HaaaaaaaAAAAAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Yuri gathers her will.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
"CHOU UPPER!!"
It's extremely well timed, given Yuri's unadvertised lack of confidence. Somehow, above the murmer of the crowd, a single voice manages to stand out alone. "GIVE HIM THE CHOU UPPER!!" It would seem that the Kyokugen fighter has a fan in the audience, one whose voice has a familiar ring at that! A few annoyed people turn in their seats to look in the direction of the cheer, all of them glancing in the general direction of a guy who seems too busy studying his newspaper held aloft to have made the call. Yeah, it's Robert. He's quite unashamed of any cheering when it comes to Yuri really, but Garcia wouldn't be doing her any favors if her opponent realized just who was rooting for her. So, the newspaper. As flimsy as a disguise it makes, it serves its purpose rather well. HE IS INVISIBLE.
Shinobu rubs her nose, and cries out a little. "Atatata... ah, I can't just stand here.", she mumbles in pain, and then she rushes Rugal - this time, for real. As she approaches him, she leaps forward, and there's a sudden cry of "Yayayayaya!", as she throws out a flurry of midair punches so fast they're a random blur of attacks! It's her reckless but spirited signature!
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Xiangfei's Shinsaiha.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Naerose's Weapon Jab.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Shinobu successfully hits Rugal with Rumble Punch.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
So here they come again. And, as before, Rugal is prepared. Good eye narrowed, a small smile on his face, the man sees Xiangfei's jumpkick coming from a good distance away. A casual side-step takes him out of the way of harm, and not even looking -- the man juts out that single hand to intercept Naerose's attack, the jab of her broom impacting rather harmlessly against his palm. "..." His eyes glance to Yuri for a moment, curiously, as she charges. "Hm."
And that allows Shinobu exactly the time she needs to get her punches across. They all strike home, but unfortunately, they only send the man staggering back a single step or two, numbing his body where they strike. A feeling that soon fades, as he flips away from the trio of attackers, and lets his gaze wander... back to Yuri.
"You all are not LISTENING to me. I said... hit /harder/." And then? Rugal... begins to lift off his feet, actually /levitating/ for a brief moment as chi begins to swell around him, orbitting around his body in blue-white tendrils of power. "I've always wondered what this felt like..."
COMBATSYS: Rugal gathers his will.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/------=/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
Xiangfei is going to have to play the patience game for a little while longer, until the groupd gets a little more organized. Not that they're completely unorganized or anything, but she's confident that a full successful barrage will have Rugal second-guessing about begging to be hit harder. Easier said than done, of course, she yelping as she goes flying by then screeches to a halt once she hits the ground again.
Rugals next trick is something she'd never seen him do before but it makes her eyes widen quickly, "Heads up, girls!" she calls, very helpfully stating the obvious there, again passing a sweep over her teamates, and then rushes at him once more, clapping her hands togeather. And what follows? "Careful what you ask for!" she cries ,and releases a large blast of chi at the equally large opponent!
Raaar rar rar rraaaaaaar! Roars Naerose, he totally deflected her tiny jab like it was nothing! She's so mad.. She plants the end of her stick into the ground, vaults and tries to put her foot in Rugal's groin.
"Take THIS! I'm sure you arn't rock everywhere, I mean, you have to be soft somewhere RIGHT?!" She really tries to shove that foot up there too. There is a certain nasty look going on too.
"Is he supposed to be floating?!"
Yuri's pretty sure this is way more than she bargained for, but she's not going to let anything bad happen to her team while she's around. Rugal's exhorations aside, she's planning on giving him exactly what he's asking for. A nice, strong attack. At least, hopefully strong!
"Right on, Fei-fei, Nae! You two go!" Yuri's not about to let her friends deal with the monster alone, so she moves past Xiangfei and follows in behind that blazing ball of chi, just behind it. If she's lucky, Rugal won't see the grab coming in through the ball of energy, and she'll be able to give his lapel a squeeze, and smack him about thirty times with the back of her right hand!
As Shinobu skids past Rugal, she looks over her shoulder and takes pause. "Ah, what is that...?" Then, a quick shake of her head. "... eh, if it's not an attack..." Crouching, she then springs high into the air. "... it doesn't matter!", she finishes in a near-shout as she reaches the apex of her jump. As she comes in, she turns, and then tries to just /yank/ him as he hits the ground, trying to use sheer momentum to try and take him off his feet... or at least throw him off-balance!
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Yuri's Hyakuretsu Binta.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Rugal with Nanpa.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal endures Naerose's Deep Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/----===|=======\====---\1 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Shinobu's Strong Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Naerose 1/-----==/=======|
Hmm. So many attacks, all at once! What shall Rugal do...? Well, the answer is relatively simple. As Yuri rushes for him, the man simply lifts a hand, and blocks all those slaps, one after the other, with simplistic ease. A small smile on his face, he cants his head to the side. "You call that STRONGER? That was disgustingly weak--" But then that energy blast smacks into the man with a crackle of power, sending him staggering a step backwards. "... Hm. A little bit better. But not by much..." And there comes Shinobu, crashing down at him. A single hand raises, to blow her assault, shaking his head. "Not nearly good enough..."
And there comes Naerose. With a kick aimed right for his twig-n-berries. And what does he do? He stands, perfectly still, simply TAKING the hit. He does not even /budge/, not even show a sign of pain. "I guess not. But..." And then... both arms begin to glow blue-white, as he bends back.
"... You still lack the proper PUNCH."
And that's when he unleashes and absolutely MASSIVE wave of blue-white chi, crashing into existance to envelope Yuri, Shinobu and Naerose in it's wrath... without the slightest hesitation.
Xiangfei grits her teeth, she just can't figure out if Rugal is just trying to bait her teamates into being wreckless or he really does want to know what makes Strogest! so... Strong! Either way, she has confidence in her teamates judgement, given the situation an error or two may hurt, and shouldn't be devestating in the long run. The Heavenly Hip-Hop Honey is shocked by what Rugal busts out with then, "Crap!!" and she immedietly enters the fray once more! Building up chi's going to have to wait for now, she bursting toward Rugal yet again and this time with a small assault of kicks and chops toward the mans side, "Dragon Flies and Phoenix Dances!"
COMBATSYS: Naerose endures Rugal's Kaiser Wave.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
[ <
Naerose 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
Naerose doesn't try to get out of the way, she throws her arms out and tries to take as much as she can. Oooh Kaiser wave goodness.
"Crap.. I thought it was kaiser bread.. I wanted a tasty snack.. You bastard.. Tricked me.." Naerose whines..
"Eaat This!"
"En Criento EN!"
"It's a big torrent of pain, well big torrent by her terms, sent Rugal's way.
COMBATSYS: Naerose can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Yuri fails to reflect Kaiser Wave from Rugal with Saiha.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Yuri 1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 1/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
".. Low blow! Go get him, Naerose! C'mon, Shinobu, we can take him!"
Yuri cheers on the hits, and only sees at the last second that it isn't doing more than just cheesing the man off. She's so close to him that she can see that evil, evil look in his eye, and the sudden blaze of blue-white chi swelling up in a wave that seems to loom over her and her friends like the wave of a tsunami come to bury them in a sea of searing blue. She watches Naerose be swarmed over, looking up to see LiX making a valiant effort to attack as the wave swarms over the other girls. It gives her hope, and she takes a deep breath - only one thing to do when the storm comes - and that's to try and brace it off. Her hands are held in front of her - and she yells out, as a shield of red and gold forms in front of her for a split second. "SAIII HA!" Even as she does it, she looks away, squinting!
SADLY, IT DOES NOT WORK! The blue-white wave is a teensy bit faster than she was expecting, and behind the wave that washes over and around her, that shield of gold flickers into life. Thump, thump, thump onto the ground. ".. Daddy? Daddy? I want to go home, daddy.." she says, dizzily.
COMBATSYS: Shinobu endures Rugal's Kaiser Wave.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Yuri 1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
The enormous blast of energy nails Shinobu, who seems to just plant her feet... and take it! Though she recoils with the blow, sliding back and leaving nice sneaker marks on the surface of the ring... she remains standing. "You wanna see punches?", she says through the pain and burns that wrack her body. And then, she steps up with a wide grin.
"Yayayayaya!", she shouts, repeating her swarm of fists from earlier with her left hand... before then switching to her right hand, keeping the flurry going! "Yayayayayaya!" Finally, she then goes to both arms, releasing an enormous blossom of blows, hoping she's taken the 'old man' off guard with her risky endeavor! Though there's no accuracy to the assault, the sheer quantity of the punches is immense, at least...
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Xiangfei's Strong Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Yuri 1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Naerose successfully hits Rugal with End Creation End.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Yuri 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Shinobu's Dragon Entry.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Yuri 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/------=|
One down... three more to go. It shouldn't be much of a problem, really. The Kaiser Wave did it's part to lessen the damage. So, as those attacks fly at him, Rugal is quick to respond. He darts to the side just as Xiangfei's assault of kicks and chops come flying in, but unfortunately... it puts him right in the way of Naerose's 'torrent of pain.' He's smashed by it, sent staggering back about three steps... before he /LEAPS/ into the air, away from the flurry of impressive blows Shinobu launches.
"I will see punches, when you can hit me with them."
And as soon as he lands... Rugal charges straight for Yuri, leaping into the air and extending a single knee to SLAM it into her sternum. With no /small/ amount of force.
COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Xiangfei with Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Yuri 1/-======/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/=======|
D.F.a.P.D. FTL. Needless to say, Xiangfei is pretty annoyed by that, but what's even worse is that now Naerose has been blasted out of the picture; granted one of her best attacks manages to nail him, and Xiang would give her a big thumbs up were the tension suddenly not building tenfold.. She sympathizes with Shinobus and Yuris luck and shakes her head a bit in frustration. But.. That did mean one thing, "His guard is weakening!" she yells, "But don't get wreckless girls, Yuri, take the side!" are pretty much her only instructions, and she's keeping her pace with Rugal, and is certainly going to attempt to try to give her teamates a moment to regroup before they're overwhelmed by Mr Bernsteins might!
Xiangfei shows you all what NOT to do. And it's totally sweet! She leaps in front of the man, her arms crossed but the momentums a bit too quick, that knee slams right into the girl, sending her flying backward and tumbling along the ground a bit. And that is Xiangfei's Donny Don'ts!
".. Holy crap that hurt," she hisses, holding her gut with a wince. But she's on the assault once more, it takes her a moment to get close enough, but when she does, likely after her teamates assault, she attempts to slap her palm onto Rugals tummy. Her foot sweeps behind his and an unseen force would slam into the tagged spot. Have a nice trip?
Yuri can hear the crowd cheering her name, cheering for her! It's a beautiful thing, a great and wonderful thing. Oh, wait! That's just the impending concussion she's suffering from. She wobbles a bit more, trying to get her feet under her and prepare for the next attack. She's not near ready when Rugal charges her, and she gets a half-hearted block up. It's not enough, it's not going to be enough, and she's going to get pasted and go flying and .. and.. !
"Fei!" The other girl's intception makes her
Yuri can hear the crowd cheering her name, cheering for her! It's a beautiful thing, a great and wonderful thing. Oh, wait! That's just the impending concussion she's suffering from. She wobbles a bit more, trying to get her feet under her and prepare for the next attack. She's not near ready when Rugal charges her, and she gets a half-hearted block up. It's not enough, it's not going to be enough, and she's going to get pasted and go flying and .. and.. !
"Fei!" The other girl's intception makes her hope again, and she's eager to repay the favor. "Got him!" she yells confidently, and rushes right at Rugal, ducking in and trying to get under his guard. She pulls her arm back - and decides to give the crowd that Kyokugen style action that they've been waiting for. Over the crowd, oer the sounds of the fight, her attack is called out. "SHIN... YURI.. CHOU.. UPPAAA!" She's going for an uppercut. And if she hits, she's pushing up and following up with a second, and even a third giant punch with the lead-weighted gloves!
/Running/ after Rugal, Shinobu does not let her epic whiffing slow her down. Instead, she charges after the direction of the leap, saying, "I already hit you - what are you... stupid?" She then launches yet /another/ flurry. Perhaps it's a bit of a rut, but she does have a plan in mind, and that's keeping Rugal busy with her attacks for the sake of the team. Unfortunately, planning isn't much good when you're dealing with this level of speed, but she does what she can. "Yayayayaya!"
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Yuri's Shin Yuri Chou Upper.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Xiangfei's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal fails to counter Rumble Punch from Shinobu with Scorpion Blow.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/=======|
But wait, the crowd is! That one persistent voice in the background, cheering her on no matter how bad things get! "YU-RI~ YU-RI~...yeah, that's it, SHOW HIM THE CHOU UPPER!!" Clutching his Lucky Coin, Robert continues to heap on his support while Rugal's back is turned to him. Such is the raw power of this enthusiasm, multiplied by the power of the Lucky Coin, that it's actually forced the people around him to begin vacating their seats! ...Of course, the Chou Upper gets blocked, but it still sets up ol' carpetsuit Bernstein for some more pain from another angle. That's all Yuri right there. "GOOOOO YURI~." <3
... Aah. The joys of sacrifice. Rugal narrows his eyes faintly, even as Xiangfei gets in the way of his attack. Now... it works just as well, of course, considering that the woman goes down from the blow. Even despite the power behind it, she's quick to get up. Marvelous reflexes, that. But first -- he has to deal with an overly hyper girl charging straight for him. "It would /behoove/ you..." He murmurs, quietly. And when Yuri swings at him? There is a solid hand blocking her attempt. "... not to shout out so blatantly while attacking." And then the second, and the third uppercut are blocked similarly, Rugal hardly looking any worse for wear --
Of course, there are other attacks to deal with. Namely, Shinobu's and Xiangfei's. With a slight hop, Rugal moves out of the way of Xiangfei's attack. But then? He has to deal with Shinobu's. A hand juts forward, to catch the girl by the face, but she's a /bit/ too fast. The attacks pummel into him, sending him staggering backwards. Not much, but enough to throw off his footing. For now, at least.
Wow! Not.. Not bad at all! In fact it's almost enough for Xiangfei to want to take another big gamble after what she just witnessed! But no, now isn't the time to throw all the chips on the table just yet, frowning once more to Rugals flexability, she can't help but chuckle just lightly to Rugals comment to Shinobu. Not to say that she agrees, because holy crap is the Rumble Punch the bane of her existance.
"Great, girls! Keep on him!" she shouts, as she tries to tumble under Rugal so she can get him from behind- A bit of a nasty tactic yes but, she'll take any advantage she can at this point, Rugal's just going to get more dangerous from this point, but she's confident Strongest! can keep the upper hand just a little while longer! A strung shoulder-rush is slammed into his back, unless she totally whiffs, "HAH!"
"I can't do that! It's for focusing!"
Yuri steps back as Shinbou steps in, giving the other girl a thumbs up as she scores that strike that draws him back a step.. And gives her a bit more opening. Now.. now.. how to get around his guard - how to get him kicked around, and how to get a strike in that shows just how good she can be, too! And with that, an idea forms. She gives a nod to Xiangfei, then charges in towards Rugal again, ducking her shoulder down, telegraphing herself as she shouts out the name of her attack. "SHIN.. YURI.. CHOU.. UPPAAA!"
But something's different - something sneaky from the Kyokugen student! She's planning on getting Rugal to grab her hand again - and if he does, she's going to do her best to slap him silly with her sneakiness and subterfuge! RAAAR!
"There's some more, you ol' Allosaur!" Shinobu retracts her fist. That was close, but Sakura was right - her punches are her strong suit! But she can't keep that kind of pace going indefinitely, and so, instead of throwing out another flurry, she just steps in after Rugal, turning her side to him as she tries to shoulder-ram him... and immediately follow it up with a straight power punch after that. Fancy, no, but she might get lucky.
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Yuri's Hyakuretsu Binta.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Shinobu's Strong Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Xiangfei's Ekisupo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/-------/=======|
Of course -- all these weaker attacks /are/ starting to wear down Rugal, considerably. but it will take much, much more before he falls. The attacks all come at him, and the man narrows his eyes. First, Yuri. If she thinks she'll actually manage to /deceive/ him, well... she'd be wrong. He simply moves to the side of her rush. Slower than the last attack, it is not too terribly difficult. "You are quite obvious in what you do." And then... Shinobu. He cants his head to the side and stares at her a moment, before smirking faintly... and LEAPING over her.
...Which lands him right in the path of Xiangfei's assault. One arm /shoves/ outward to counter the force the woman exudes, stinging his arm momentarily but little more. And then, he turns his attentions to someone else. Xiangfei has gotten to feel his physical power, as has Shinobu -- so why not Yuri? And, that though in mind, the man slings out a singularly powerful arm to simply SLAM into the girl's chest and send her flying. Nothing fancy... simply /efficient/.
"Pocky... please.. must have.." manages a weak, shaky voice with a weak, shaky hand, crawling across the flow, smeared there like taking a ketchup packet and stepping on it. Naerose probably would be a lot cleaner if she hadn't raided the employee lounge of the stadium on the way out and tried to smuggle in so much food.
"P.. pp .. pock...y" she reaches out for the box and her hand falls on it, just barely but. . .
. . . . It's empty.
Not good.. At least one bit of contact is good, but the bigger moves are going to need to start to count now. She hates to do it, but Xiangfei is going to have to make an attempt to draw Rugals attention from her teamates again. How? Using awesome sauce! "Mister Beeernsteeeeein!" she calls, flailing her arms, and then hooks her fingers into her mouth, pulling her cheeks and waggles her tongue as she goes google-eyed, "Biiiiiiiiiiiih!" of course, this is after he breaks Rugal down a bit, looks like she's counting on her teamates to make up for her lack of assitance.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei takes a breather.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Yuri blocks Rugal's Fierce Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/-------/=======|
Yuri's not talking back anymore. She's got nothing more to say to Rugal as of yet, instead taking her time to focus and prepare. There's nothing but time, nothing but the moment in which the attack comes in - she can see it moving, as if it were in slow-motion. It's one of those moments in which a person's eyes are opened into a world where everything seems to .. take.. forever. Each inch of motion is almost impossible to do, but she's determined, and brings her hands up towards Rugal's elbow. And _CATCHES_ it.
She skids to the side, trying to hold on, and her ankle rolls awkwardly, causing her to yelp in pain and almost stumble - but she holds on. "Nuh.. I'll show you I can fight..!" she shouts, and then steps back in, trying to simply follow the path of his arm with the heel of her hand, aiming for that smile she just wants to knock off his face!
Continuing in her energetic assault, Shinobu dashes away after Rugal, trying to keep on him like white on mashed potatoes. Or something like that...
So, when in doubt, be loud. "WaiiiitAH!", she kiais as she jumps towards Bernstein, going into a flying kick, a la kung fu. It's not her fists, but it is fast. The trick is, of course, hoping that it'll actually dent the big guy!
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Shinobu's Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Yuri's Jab Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Yuri 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/-------/=======|
Show him she can fight?
"Your fighting skills are comparable to a small child's." And that, as they say, is that.
Yuri's hand comes swinging at him, and that grin is still there -- even as he intercepts her attack with his bulky forearm, hardly moving back a step. "As you can clearly see... nothing." And as Shinobu flies for him... the man simply ducks /down/ to let her attack /sail/ right over him. There was one person who didn't attack him, though. And seeing as how Yuri is so close... why doesn't he let her help out? He reaches, to grab her by the wrist. Xiangfei wants his attention? She has it.
With one swing, Rugal seeks to slam Yuri quite forcibly into Xiangfei. Very, very hard. He'll let go immediately afterwards, of course... but it's the thought that counts.
COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Xiangfei with Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
Well Xiangfei can't say she didn't get what she asked for! Her eyes widen when Yuri comes -zooming- her way, "W.. Woah!!" she yells, obviously there's concern that she's not going to go and dive out of her way! And so she crouches just a little, concentrating to catch her friend and she just completely flubs it up, the pair slamming into one another and the chinese girl is just completely out of it, she doesn't even fall properly!
But, she is back on her feet, patting her friend on the shoulder, ".. Sorry about that," she sputters, "Keep up the good work," and she zooms toward Rugal again with a bit of a stagger, feeling a bit bad, but first thing's first. Soumersaulting forward, she quickly closes in the distance and then literally dives at Rugal, throwing her weight into the attack, "HYAAAAAH!!"
Yuri, weaponized! Not good, not good! As she peels herself up off of Fei-Fei after the impact, she offers a hushed apology to Xiangfei and Shinobu. It's frustrating - she's not quite used to being so utterly _useless_ like she is today! She slams her hand on the mat, and then gets herself back up to her knees, then her feet as LiX runs forwards.
With Xiangfei trying to hit him at the midground, Yuri goes high. She steps in, then leaps upwards, her hands chambered at her side. Again, she yells out her attack name, not caring that Bernstein says it's a bad idea, that she shouldn't do things like that - because, darnit, she's going to take him on! And she won't let the other two down! Her hands blast forwards when she's about head height, and a redgold burst of chi blazes from between her hands.
"..RAIOU KEN!"
Having been crawling across the ground of the arena for quite some time, Naerose finally ends up at the edge of it, is search of something. What she finds? One of the arena medic bags. She opens it, finds chewable asprin, cherry flavored.
"Food.. " she murmurs in approval and eats the whole container full, chewing the flinstone shaped pills. One might wonder why such childish medicines were kept, until one considers the age most of the super powered fighters are. But Naerose' hunger will not satisfy.
"P p pocky.. someone.. please."
Tran leaves the arena through the large main entrance.
Tran exits Howard Arena.
Coming to a halt, Shinobu springs backwards, turning as she does so to face Rugal once more. "Man - don't talk like you know everything!" Her goal? Try and use her weight to /force/ him into Xiangfei's attack. Teamwork might not really be her thing, but she's at least smart enough to try and turn this all to her advantage, at the very least!
Also, spouting an entire sentence in mid-attack? That's a skill you can only learn by reading enough comics, folks!
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Shinobu's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Xiangfei's Shinsaiha.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Yuri 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal counters Raiou Ken from Yuri with Medium Punch.
[ \\\ < > ////////// ]
Yuri 1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
Don't talk like he knows everything? "Duly noted! But I might believe you more, if you fought better!" Once again, Rugal moves to the side, away from Shinobu... and directly into Xiangfei's path. Once more, he thrusts forward a hand and simply /stops/ Xiangfei before she can continue. And once more... he grins. "Not quite fast enough, I'm afraid... Allow me to demonstrate."
And before Yuri can even finish her assault, Rugal thrusts a hand forward, catching her by a wrist. "What did I tell you? Tsk, tsk. Learn a lesson from someone greater than you." And then he /pulls/ Yuri towards him... right into a vicious uppercut, to send the girl flying far. "Telegraphing your attacks is never the way to victory."
It slowly becomes apparent that pills even when flavored cherry are not to be eaten like that. Actually it quickly becomes apparent. At first Naerose feels funny, then she feels virtually nothing and sees pink frogs jumping in the air. A moment later she passes out and foams at the mouth... and that is the story of her. Duh duh duh.
Xiangfei grits her teeth, she's more than sure that her team is starting to get frustrated, and heck at this point she is as well; the fight is getting -so- close much like.. Well, last time! But maybe fate can still twist in their favor! "Shinobu, I'll cover you, you gotta speed yourself up!" she yells, and winces to Rugals rather impressive counter. Man, that did not look fun at ALL. The chinese fighter again attempts to poke at Rugal, sliding in low and attempts to chop across his knee to set him a little off-balance, "HYAH!"
Seriously. That did _not_ go the way Yuri was expecting. Her hand's grabbed like it was nothing, and the uppercut that she receives makes a rather hard crunching noise as it catches her under the chin, and she goes up into the air over Shinobu and Xiangfei, back down several feet later, completely limp. There might even be a moment where she doesn't get up - it's certainly taking her a while to get the focus back in her eyes, blinking up at the stadium lights - so very pretty. They're like tiny, tiny stars, blinking and winking at her. Wasn't there something she was forgetting? A.. fight, maybe? A mocking voice, and a bright glowing eye..
Yuri rolls over onto her stomach, and pushes herself to her knees.. turning to look at Rugal and that taunting face, that smarmy speech just filling her with anger and annoyance. "I.. fight how I want to..!" she yells, and then takes a staggering step forwrds, another, a third - and then she bursts into all the speed she has. She leaps directly at Rugal then, both feet outstretched, aimed at his stomach!
"HIEN HOU'OU.. KYAKU!" (more if)
COMBATSYS: Yuri can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
Unfortunately, Rugal plays Shinobu's game even better than she does. Her flexibility is her strength, but he's even seemingly /more/ adaptable... and speed herself up? She's been trying to go as fast as she can already!
Of course, maybe that's the problem, she's not stopping to think. As she lands, she springs away, trying to circle around on Rugal's back. If Yuri or Xiangfei can land an attack, maybe she can use that opening for her own retaliation. As it is, it's very hard for her to connect...
COMBATSYS: Shinobu focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Yuri's Hien Hou'ou Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Xiangfei's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Shinobu 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
And then there were two.
Except that Yuri seems to be exceedingly persistant. Again, she struggles back up onto her feet, and again Rugal simply shakes his head at her. "You cannot fight. Give up, go home. Team Strongest! indeed..." Except that she still comes at him. Still. And Xiangfei, too, both with what they believe to be /fast/ techniques. "Hm." One sidestep takes the man away from Xiangfei, and then all it is, is a matter of ducking /low/ beneath Yuri's techniques so that she simply sails over him. Well now, who next. Rugal looks towards Xiangfei... before his gaze focuses back on Shinobu. Her, then.
He leaps towards the girl, intent on doing one, simple thing. Lifting his leg into the air, he has every intention of thrusting it /down/ and slamming it into the side of the girl's head, to send her straight towards the ground.
Xiangfei was rather patient about it for the time being, but as Rugal starts to talk more smack about her teamates, it's making her -quite- upset, "Rugal!!" she shouts in annoyance, "I'd -appreciate- if you didn't make fun of my team! They may not be Kyo Kusanagi, but!" Xiangfei is so mad, that she isn't even concerned that she whiffed her attack, but she'd be darned if she didn't hit him this time! "But that tune's gonna change when people are talking how YOU fell to US! You'd best believe that!" chasing after the bigger man, she bursts forward and delivers a series of backhands about 5 or 6 total, "Ha-ta-ta-ta-ta CHOU!" which is completed with a clumsy drop-kick.
COMBATSYS: Shinobu blocks Rugal's Medium Kick.
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Shinobu 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/----===/=======|
Raising her arms to catch the attack, Shinobu buckles... but does not fall. "Cannot fight?", she exhales as she backs away, stumbling a little as her bangs fall forward. And then, she grins toothily. "It doesn't even matter how much stronger you are..." She raises her chin, her pupils now tiny. "... because I'm gonna show you what losing's like!"
With that, she rushes forward, leaning into her first punch as she sways forward so far she's only on one foot... then swings both hands outward in a punch... before finally unleashing the attack Rugal is no doubt familiar with by now. "Yayayaya!", she cries, but this time, the punches aren't quite so random. Instead, she's aiming purely for his shoulders and face.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Rugal with Esaka.
Glancing Blow
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Shinobu 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Shinobu successfully hits Rugal with Rumble Punch.
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Shinobu 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/---====/=======|
"I suppose I could commend you on your teamwork skills, Ms. Xiangfei." But that's about it. She comes at him again, delivering a vicious backhand. Well... five or six backhands. Only the first connects, though, thrusting Rugal's head to the side before he simply leaps out of the way of the rest of her assault... straight into Shinobu's attack. Again, with those punches. He staggers back, but these repeated blows have begun to get to him.
"Can all you do is punch like a fool?" He questions with a snarl, before he snaps his leg forward again, to lance right into the woman's midsection /viciously/.
Xiangfei has to supress a snicker, oh the fabled Rumble Punch, she had to admit, her teamates style was highly unorthodex, but effective. She supposes though, that that's the best she's going to get from Rugal, and well.. She'll let her actions speak for her at this point, this is most certainly going to be a heck of a last few moments!
And so, what's Xiangfei to do from here? Her speed was starting to look less and less reliable, and time was running short, "WATAAAH!" as the big man kicks at Shinobu, -she- kicks at him, a short version of a bicycle kick, twisting sideways as she kicks not once, not twice, but thrice at him!
COMBATSYS: Shinobu blocks Rugal's Light Kick.
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Shinobu 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/---====/=======|
Turning her shoulder and arm against the attack, Shinobu reduces the impact. "If you don't understand the strength in my fist...", says Shinobu as she clenches her other hand close to her chest. "... then I've gotta show you again!" With that, she leans forward, falling onto her hands as she does a handstand... and then suddenly twists both wrists, kicking outward with a spinning kick as she pushes off from the ground. She does so, though, she brings back a fist, and then throws an inverted haymaker right after the flurry of kicks. A desperate move, but certainly an unusual one. "This is it!", she shouts, confident that Rugal's gotta be worn down enough by /now/.
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Shinobu's The 37th Chamber.
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Shinobu 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Xiangfei's Light Kick.
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Shinobu 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Rugal
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Xiangfei 1/---====/=======|
"Strength? ... You call desperate flailing /strength/?" And there she flings herself again at him. Each and every one of those kicks? Blocked, by his powerful hands, the physical strength behind the blows all so easily absorbed by the man before the haymaker comes... and he simply STOPS it with his right arm, eyes narrowing. "No, it is not. It... is far from it." Taking in a deep breath, Rugal simply /leaps/ into the air as Xiangfei strikes out with her kicks. And then? He lashes out with a lightning-fast strike to the back of the girl's head, carring with it no small amount of power.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei blocks Rugal's Medium Punch.
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Shinobu 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/-======/=======|
Xiangfei curses quietly, trying her best to back up her partner, starting to get fired up again even after Rugal manages to evade her attack. She punches her fists togeather, keeping her cool, "Ok.." and when Rugal strikes? Well all she really can do is cross her arms up, because she -barely- turns in time, spinning around a little faster than she might normally; and gets that much needed defense. She flops back, rolling backward, "Don't listen to him, Shino, we've got him on the ropes!" she cries in an attempt to keep her friends spirits up, and she's back on Rugal like white on rice! Well, not that she has to go far to do it, she extending her shoulder as she bursts upward once more, "WACHOOO!!"
"If you have time to talk... fight harder!", Shinobu jabs back simply. Sliding her foot out into a horse stance, she waits for Xiangfei to fire off her attack... before moving in to try and tag-combo him! She then takes a quick, heavy step before lashing out with a swift backhand towards his chest, quickly following it up with a straight punch as she shifts up to a high stance, leaning on her tiptoes as she tries to 'knock' him in the head monkey-style. "Idiot!" Unfortunately, the battle wears on her, and the attacks are clumsy - but then, when has that ever stopped her?
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Shinobu's Quick Punch.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 1/-======/=======|
COMBATSYS: Rugal counters Tenpou Zan from Xiangfei with Light Kick.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
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Xiangfei 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
Even having been worn down like this, Bernstein's reflexes are still well enough that he can respond in time to both Shinobu and Xiangfei's attacks. First, Shinobu; the man is swift to simply slap her assaults to the side, his damage minimal. "Idiot? My, the epitome of wit, aren't we..." He's getting closer, but... he can't simply be brought down by such /menial/ attacks as these. Which is why, even when Xiangfei charges at him... a single foot /snaps/ upward to strike her solidly in the jaw before her shoulder can connect to him, carrying that impressive strength of his behind it. They're still going... but he will not stop. Not now.
And that's where Rugal and his opponents have their similarities; they just -won't- stop. Xiangfei grunts weakly when Rugal solidly lands that kick, she really back with a groan, but flips in the air to land on her feet again, "Rrgh!! Come on, come onnnnn," she hisses, her entire body trembling and she bursts forward, for what could be the final time, a large cloud of dust bursting behind her that -again- sends her storming shoulder-first toward Rugal, "aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei can no longer fight.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Rugal
Indeed, how somebody Shinobu's age is standing after being Kaisered is anybody's guess, but her will to win is hardly been dampened. She's been working on overcoming her own physical limitations... but not for long enough. All she can do is try to keep her body from falling.
She's well aware of the fact that her body isn't going to stay up too much longer. Maybe being the last to fall before Rugal would be enough for some, but not her. Reaching out, she tries to grab ahold of his arm. From there, she can try and deal out some more unexpected pain. Her punches are strong, but surprise is her best hope.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Rugal with Dai Tetsujin.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Rugal
COMBATSYS: Rugal fails to counter Quick Throw from Shinobu with Scorpion Blow.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal can no longer fight.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal can no longer fight.
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
As she gets ahold of the arm, she /pulls/ Rugal towards Xiangfei's impact, practically falling back to try and shift the superpowerful warrior. Thanks to physics, she's aiming to make it more than a blow. She's looking to create a collision!
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Shinobu 0/-------/-------|
He has every intention of ending this now, you know. He can see Xiangfei coming, from a mile away, and he is prepared to get out of the way... except that it doesn't happen like that. Instead, Shinobu grabs him, tosses him, and both attacks strike him solidly enough so that the man goes tumbling to the ground. Neither assault did much to him... but they were both just enough to knock the fight out of him. There's silence, for a time. And then...
Bernstein slowly stands up. He reaches into his pocket, allowing himself a smirk, before he produces...
A single yen coin, that shines with the glory of victory.
"Thank you, for the entertaining match." It certainly provided a small measure of amusement, that much is certain. And with a single flick, Rugal sends that yen coin flipping towards Xiangfei... before turning and walking away.
It was a long fight, it's was a struggling battle.. It had it's up and downs, but by some miracle, and the power of GUTS! Strongest! manages to pull through! Though really, who would have expected -Shinobu- to be the last one standing! (No offense!). Xiang didn't, heck, she's even a little jealous, but downed to one knee after her final blow, no longer able to fight, she raises a hand to give a thumbs up to her teamate, panting heavily, "... Man.. Shino, you rock." she manages to sputter. Heck if she were feeling better, she'd take her team out for dinner RIGHT NOW. Sweets and meat for all! So uh, yeah that'll be postponed for a while. The thumbs up becomes an open-palm, and she falls onto her butt after catching the coin, "... A.. B... C ya," she sputters, her eyes crossing.
Slumping over as Shinobu rests her hands on her knees, she grins widely up to Rugal. "It was a good fight! Just watch what you say next time, okay? Or I'll punch you after the fight..." Of course, her threat is in a matter-of-fact tone, more made of innocence than bluster. She looks over to Xiangfei. "Eh? Well, I'm going to be the King of Fighters, you know." She blicks as Xiangfei goes loopy, and then looks out across the cheering crowd. "Man, whatever.", she adds, wrinkling her nose in faint distaste.
Log created on 21:05:03 01/21/2006 by Naerose, and last modified on 08:39:45 08/19/2007.