Description: Fight night in the Big City--can Shen and Cody's sheer brassery get them through the match, or do Takuma and Kasumi have what it takes? (Winners: Takuma and Kasumi)
America! Land of the free, of the bold and the brave! Land of the rampant consumerism and capitalism! What a great place. At least to visit, as Takuma is. It isn't that he hasn't been here before--he's gone on plenty of travels, done the 'On The Road' thing with his own bare feet, pulled a Ryu... but this is a special occasion and as such, it calls for a special place. While the Neo League offers up some spectacular fight arenas, Rugal's efforts are not to be brushed aside either; thus, the chosen location for the fight is... dead center in Times Square. It's been roped off, cordoned off, policed off, makeshift stands erected for the fight fans who come to watch (and oh do they come to watch), and a gigantic ring has been built for the event. It's just like a boxing ring, except one and a half times the size--the better to hopefully contain the sheer power and artistry these fighters represent... Well, that Takuma represents anyways. He's standing in his 'team' corner--designated the blue corner by the color of the padding--kneeling, apparently in the middle of meditating. That is, until, amidst all the noise--the announcer, shouting out a whole spiel about the Second Victory tournament and all that, cues a spotlight on Takuma--and instantly he rises, looking stern... but still waving to his 'fans'... (yeah right... fans... haha...)
"How come it's always gotta be Metro City?" demands Cody, as he squats in the red corner and busily tapes up his hands. "I mean, sure, we're great and all," he adds, quickly, "But, come on. How about some variety? I mean, I don't exactly get to travel in this profession if I'm always just goin' like... down the street."
He seems totally oblivious to the fact that he's getting lots of lots and stares, as he has yet to be reported alive after his comatose body went missing a few months ago. He is also oblivious to the fact that his teammate probably doesn't care about his complaints!
Takuma's designated teammate doesn't look very pleased herself, from where she stands at the edge of the Kyokugen master's corner, outside the ropes. And there's at least a few reasons for that. One, she's Anti-Kyokugen, two, English is her worst subject, which of course makes her hate having to come to a place like America where they use it, and confuse her even more by not using it the way the books say... You get the picture. To her, this really sucks, so just.. don't expect that frown to leave Kasumi's face. Even when and if Takuma tags her in.
Nope... Shenwoo really couldn't give less of a toss about Cody's complaints regarding locale. C'mon, it's a /fight/, and that's what matters! The thrills, the excitement! The chance to test your skills and strength against those of an opponent! What does it matter if it's in Times Square, or in your grandmother's living room, or on the back of a floating inflatable turtle in the Galapagos islands? It is, as they say, all good. At least, it is when you're the self-styled 'God of Battle'.
Speaking of whom, ol' Shen is standing not far away from Cody, tugging his leather gloves as tight as they go with an audible creak of the material, making sure his nice, big metal ring is properly in place. It's probably not nice to go punching people in the face with that, but... Shenwoo isn't really a /nice/ guy. "Man, everybody looks so grim," the berserker says, his own face alight with anticipation, his broad slash of a mouth pulled into a wolfish grin. Rolling one shoulder, he starts to step towards the middle of the 'ring', with a glance over his shoulder at Cody. "Maybe if you're lucky, there'll be some left for you, huh?" Shenwoo jokes, with a harsh laugh, before turning those dark eyes of his towards the opposing team, his feral grin not faltering a hair.
He might not be, uh, very balanced in the head, you know?
COMBATSYS: Takuma has started a fight here on the right meter side.
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|-------\-------\0 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo has joined the fight here.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Cody has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Takuma
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kasumi has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Takuma
It seems Takuma will be up first, being in the ring as he is; as the announcements continue to be made, left and right, the spotlight highlighting Takuma once again as he steps to the designated 'start' spot... he wonders which of his opponents will be first, the Kyokugen master's visage calm, stern, calculating, his body not yet set into stance... that can wait until the fight's started. He doesn't know these two well, this... 'Cody' and this 'Shenwoo'... so perhaps that will make the fight even more interesting. Takuma would like that. As for the matter of his 'partner'... he doesn't fully understand Kasumi's anti-Kyokugen bias, but as long as she does what she's supposed to, then he doesn't have to. He'll just have to hope her desire to win is greater than her desire to see Kyokugen beaten into the ground. Might be tough to work with, though.
Aaaah... and here's his opponent... 'Shenwoo', huh? The God of Battle... eff that. The only gods in battle are the winners.
Just as Shen reaches his starting point, suddenly, comes the shout from the announcer, clear as a bell: "FIGHT!"
And that's enough for Takuma to go go go! Which he does... from a standstill, it seems, suddenly he's flying at Shenwoo, perfectly horizontally, lashing out with a roundhouse kick from his leading leg--and twisting his hips to bring around a reverse roundhouse from the trailing leg; a modification of one of Takuma's oldest techniques, the Hien Shippu Kyaku!
Tran has arrived.
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Shenwoo with Hien Shippu Kyaku.
- Power hit! -
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Takuma
This is, of course, the best part of the day... When things get all punchy-kicky. Except right now it seems to be mainly kicky, whereby Takuma totally, totally kicks Shenwoo, blasting right through the tall, lean young man's attempt at getting his arms in the way of the attack! Oh, the pain, the humanity. Except Shenwoo, who hits the ground rolling over his shoulder and onto his feet, starts laughing again. "Good! I didn't want this to be boring!" he declares, lunging forward and rushing /right at Takuma/ for a kick of his own, trying to smash his heel right into Takuma's face! "ORA!!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Shenwoo's Fusen Kyaku.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Takuma
That heel is -targeted- for Takuma's face. However, what it -hits- is Takuma's upper arm and forearm--which don't seem to be too bothered by the hit. He smirks at Shen's laughing antics, and as he pushes the blocked kick away, he grunts, "Boring? That it will NOT be!" However, this close, Takuma simply powers his right arm up, around, and over, in an overhead elbow strike aimed to strike Shenwoo in the shoulder--or the chest.
"HYAAAH!" exhales the Kyokugenryuu karateka, as he attacks.
... no, it's _NOT_ Ryu's Sakotsu Wari.
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Shenwoo with Medium Punch.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Something has gone horribly wrong. Where is Shenwoo's groove? His mojo? Is he just that incapable of actually working as part of a team? He stands his ground on Takuma's elbow strike, but it seems he miscalculates, getting staggered when he'd hoped to be able to take advantage of an opening. Which is, needless to say, incredibly vexing for him. Frustration laces through his usual joy in the midst of combat, but tather than bringing Cody in, Shenwoo does what comes naturally! He tries to grab Takuma by the gi and headbutt him, as hard as he can. "GRAAAAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma endures Shenwoo's Strong Punch.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Takuma
Headbutts? On _Takuma_?!? Saishu's been headbutting Takuma and likewise for -years-! Decades, even!! Shenwoo's headbutt crunches into Takuma's head--but the older man does -not- reel away, grasping his head in pain... oh no, in fact his expression seems not considerably different than before. He cackles loudly, addressing his opponent.
"Not bad kid, but you gotta have more -authority- behind that headbutt!"
Takuma isn't going to try and headbutt Shenwoo back, though; instead his hands snap out for Shen's body. If he gets a grip, he'll twist, using his hips, his center of gravity, to fling Shen overhead--and slam him onto the ground, where Takuma will finish off with a punch right to Shen's midsection.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo fails to interrupt Oosotogari from Takuma with Zetsu Gekiken.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Takuma
Things totally aren't supposed to go like this, you know? Shenwoo was supposed to helluva punch Takuma! But his punching is forestalled by the grabbing, and throwing, and punching, and /now/ the berserker's expression has changed. He looks completely, abjectly bewildered as to /what the hell is wrong/. There's no panic, no anger or anything... Instead, he gets to his feet as quickly as he can, glancing briefly past Takuma at Cody. As soon as he gets the opportunity, it looks like he's going to have to be a team player whether he likes it or not.
Just -let- Shen get away? Oh, no, no no. If Shenwoo gets away, then he gets away--but he has to get away first. Kyokugenryuu pulls no punches, just as it needs no rising uppercuts (even if everyone who practices the art has one -except- Takuma), and Takuma has no sympathy for the weak. Is Shenwoo weak? Right now, apparently... YES. But that's all well and good... Before Shen can get away, first he has to deal with a storm of punches; fourteen straight punches, a massive flurry from both hands, those fists packing an extra punch with golden chi; the last punch is an uppercut, one that Takuma steps into, with his right hand, a punch that's split trees in half.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo blocks Takuma's Zanretsu Ken.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\===----\1 Takuma
There is, honestly, nothing in the world Shenwoo wants to do less than tag out. It's... It's anathema to him, to get really pompously verbose about it. But there's something he wants to do about as little as he wants to tag out, and that's lose like a total, total chump. Which is precisely what he'd be doing right now if he /didn't/ tag Cody in. The barrage of punches slam into the the brawler's hard, tattooed forearms, and the uppercut touches a whole lot of nothing as Shen steps back, flashing an almost sheepish look at Takuma. "Sorry, gramps. But since I don't seem to be putting up a better fight..." Quite suddenly - almost like he didn't bother with the intervening space - he's over by Cody, tagging his 'teammate' in. "Go show him who's boss." He hopes it's Cody, not Takuma, y'know?
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo drops his guard to recover.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\===----\1 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo takes no action.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\===----\1 Takuma
It takes Cody a few seconds after Shenwoo slaps his hand to actually conciously process that he's been tagged; he had been staring, alternately at the fight and into the distance. After he realizes that he has, in fact, been tagged, he springs up out of his crouching position with an almost child-like glee, vaulting himself over the ropes and charging without pause into combat, arm extended and stiffened, meaning to simply crash into Takuma's chest like a clothesline. "I'll save the girl for you!" he calls over his shoulder.
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Cody's Fierce Punch.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Takuma
... The girl? What? It's possible Cody is even MORE demented than Saishu, and that actually means a great deal, given how just totally insane Saishu -is-. But wow... what a line to come in on.
"Save the -girl-?" shouts Takuma, laughingly, "you should worry about -yourself-!" However--before anything major happens... Takuma pushes away from Cody, hopping backwards... and setting himself in a crouched, modified horse stance... breathing out, low and resonant, pushing his palms out and pulling up chi to replenish himself, excess energy expressing itself as a flowing column that envelops the Kyokugenryuu man.
COMBATSYS: Takuma gathers his will.
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Cody 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Takuma
"You act like you think I'm gonna lose," Cody grunts, backing away from Takuma as he begins to charge up his energy. "That'd be your first mistake. That showin' off..."
~snikt~ "was your second!" The blonde reaches behind him and withdraws, from the space between his pants and the small of his back, a large, fixed-blade knife. He adjusts his grip on it, so as to hold it like a dart, with a quick flip, and then leans back, takes a quick step forward, and chucks it at Takuma, like a tiny, tiny javelin.
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Cody's Knife Throw.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Takuma
A knife!! Well, that pretty much seals the deal for Takuma, as far as Cody is concerned. Obviously, the man must be compensating for -something- to have absolutely no compunctions about throwing a knife. Takuma's reaction is not slowed in the least by the knife throw; almost negligently he reaches out, snagging the knife out of the air--heedless of the cut that appears on his hand, as he has to catch the knife blade-first. The karate master tosses the knife aside, negligently.
"That is your response? A -knife-?" Takuma's grin grows fiercer, and somewhat less pleasant.
"Perhaps you should train with me! I can teach you how to fight, so that you don't need to resort to such tricks!" Takuma apparently finds Cody to be lacking, as he doesn't even attack... but settles his stance further, breathing out slowly, centering himself... his brown eyes narrowing as Cody becomes the sole target, in his mind.
COMBATSYS: Takuma focuses on his next action.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Takuma
"Should you really be out fighting?" Cody retorts, raising an eyebrow at the method with which the knife is caught. "They probably miss you, back at the nursing home." He doesn't sound too attached to the jab, however, and instead nervously shifts his stance, glancing over his shoulder at Shenwoo. "Well, whatever. You wanna spend so long gettin' ready to mix it up, I'll go ahead and let you start us off for real, eh?"
He falls into silence, then, and merely narrows his eyes, watching Takuma intently for some sign of what he's about to bust out.
COMBATSYS: Cody focuses on his next action.
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Cody 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Takuma
[OOC] E.Honda says, "And here comes Takuma's critical hit on Cody."
Takuma will be more than glad to do so... especially given a proper chance to prepare. That done, with Cody's permission, even, Takuma's grin merely grows... and suddenly he explodes off the starting blocks, as it were, a crouch and a push off his still strong-legs sending him flying high into the air... his descent bringing him short of Cody persay--but, in perfect range for a classic flying side kick. Once again, as Takuma attacks, he kiais, loud and sharp.
"HYAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Cody with Strong Kick.
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Cody 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Takuma
~WHAM!~ It's true, Cody had prepared to block the blow with his knee, even bracing up the muscles of his side in preparation. He was not anywhere near prepared, however, for that. He doesn't go flying so much as he does stagger to the side and backwards, screw up his face, and then slowly, comically fall over, clutching his side.
"Y-you wanna talk about... bad stuff," he gasps, "Get those b-bricks out of your feet." He rolls over, still clutching his middriff, and, in spite and anger, snaps a quick kick out at the back of Takuma's knee, hoping to at least make the martial arts master wince, and possibly utter obscenities.
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Cody's Light Kick.
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Cody 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Takuma
Well, a wince is all about Cody will get out of the effort; Takuma glances down, frowns, and twists to the side, taking the kick head on, bracing his knee to absorb the energy of the attack. Bricks, in his feet? What nonsense is this? Takuma is pure muscle, pure man, pure.. KYOKUGEN.
"BRICKS?!?" thunders Takuma, and he laughs!
"I have only pure power, kid, pure POWER!" And it's time for some of that power to come to light now--as suddenly, Takuma lunges for Cody, leading with a left straight punch...
COMBATSYS: Cody endures Takuma's Ryuuko Ranbu.
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Cody 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
... and as it so happens, Takuma's fist strikes. And from that straight punch flows a series of attacks, eight in all--right hook, left uppercut, right high side kick, right mid side kick, left body blow, left knee... and then the last of the attacks... Takuma actually hops back a short distance, brings his hands to his stomach, then flings them high and low, blasting Cody with a wall of chi energy to end the attack--sure, it's not as flashy as his son's version, or Robert's, but Takuma's Ryuuko Ranbu is still powerful.
Yep... the old man's still got it.
Cody goes A Splode. He's barely managed to crawl to his feet before Takuma freaks out on his upper body, but he, being both stupid and hateful, merely bares his chest to the blows, accepting them as they come, swaying and dipping but refusing to fall, like a meaty weeble.
As the last blow - or, well, 'blow,' being a wave of chi - washes over him, he finally takes one step backwards, but lunges forward as soon as he's able, erupting through the end of the wave that faces Takuma and springing upwards, scaling onto the man's shoulders, placing the bottom of his foot squarely on the man's face, and quite decidedly leaning his weight, attempting to force the Kyokugen-user onto his back, back-of-the-face first. Also like a meaty weeble.
But broken.
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Cody's Bad Stamp.
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Cody 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
That Cody manages to blow his body -through- the Haoh Sho Ko Ken that puncutates Takuma's version of the Ryuuko Ranbu -does- impress Takuma... as much as the fact that Cody's still standing after it. Maybe there's some hope... hmm, wonder why Kim hasn't offered to 'reform' Cody yet... then again, can you imagine Cody doing the teethping...? Anyways; Takuma pushes Cody's foot offof his face and onto his shoulder--but he does fall. However, he catches most of his weight on his shoulders and arms, so the impact doesn't hurt the way it would if Cody's foot had driven Takuma's head into the ground. However...
Takuma gets up and dusts himself off, then holds up a hand.
"Wait," he says, then *zip* somehow, like Shenwoo, is over by his corner, nodding to Kasumi.
"Go in there! Show me that your Todoh-style arts are as good as the Kyokugenryuu style of Karate!"
COMBATSYS: Mr. Karate drops his guard to recover.
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Cody 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Takuma takes no action.
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Cody 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
With a flat expression, Kasumi holds out her hand for Takuma to tag her in when it becomes apparent that he is heading her way. No really, she'll be happy to go in and finish up the fight for her father's old rival. She just can't help but feel the words he says to her sound a little patronizing.
"Hmph! I will! And you'd better pay attention too!" Just, don't wave fans like her father would. That so doesn't help. And it looks so stupid it's almost embarassing. But whatever, we'll have to see if she does any good without him here to do it!
The kendo girl climbs into the ring after huffing a bit and giving a firm nod to the old karate guy, stepping out toward her current opponent and taking herself a nice wide aikido stance. One hand goes high, and one low, as she deems it best to go with the catchall approach to start off as usual. And as she flexes and unflexes her fingers in anticipation, wisps of blue energy begin to swirl up around her. "Well?"
COMBATSYS: Kasumi gathers her will.
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Cody 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Cody, who had stumbled to the side and fallen again after Takuma deflected his attack, staggers slowly to his feet, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth and turning to glare at Takuma. "What, you afraid of me?!" bellows Cody, at the tagged-out Takuma. "Gonna put this girl in to take your beatings?!"
Frowning, he turns back to Kasumi and shrugs helplessly. "Sorry, sweetheart. I don't like to hit girls, but my hand's kinda forced. I'll go easy on you," he grins, derisively, and then takes a few steps forward, reverting to a boxing-esque style as he ducks and feints before finally snapping a quick jab out at Kasumi's chin.
COMBATSYS: Kasumi blocks Cody's Jab Punch.
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Cody 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Kasumi gives Cody that same flat expression she was giving Takuma moments earlier. So she's small, and a girl. She's got a breastplate on over her gi for chrissakes! Can't he tell she's a warrior!? And she's got on a hakama like Geese too. That should instill fear! Or at least.. get big dumb oafs like Cody to realize she's more formidable than just any cute girl her age.
Her hands are quick to catch Cody's fist, stopping it just short of tapping her chin, and it's probably a good thing because she'd hate to scold quite this much with a sore mandible. "That's not what I call going easy, that's just being lame. You're not even trying! I thought I heard you were from around here. It'll look pretty pathetic if you let me beat you out here in front of everyone you know just because you have a problem with hitting girls. But, if you're okay with that, then it's no skin off my back!"
At that point, she shoves back on the blonde man's hand, and raises both of hers high above her head before sweeping them down toward him, leaning herself forward and bringing down a trio of blue blades from the air above. "Yaaah!"
COMBATSYS: Kasumi successfully hits Cody with Kasane Ate.
- Power hit! -
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Cody 1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Cody, once again, has an attack pierce through his attempt at guarding, this one dropping him to one knee violently despite the interference of his forearms. He makes no move to get up, at first, instead sneering up at Kasumi. "Look, sweetie, here's the deal. You know that flashy energy stuff? Pretty annoying, like, on a scale of one to-" He interrupts himself, here, and spring upwards, launching into a corkscrew spin as he does and attempting to violently slam his fist into the bottom of Kasumi's jaw as he rises.
Connection or no, a split second after the fist passes or impacts the girl's head, a seven foot tall, conical whirlwind, laced with thin streaks of blue chi, erupts into being in front of the American.
"-ten," he continues, after he has retracted from the extension of the blow and scrambled quickly backwards, "It's hella super annoying. So, how about you suck it up and hit me instead of throwin' fancy lights at me? Or I'ma have to do that to you again."
COMBATSYS: Kasumi fails to counter Criminal Upper from Cody with Kuzu Otoshi.
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Cody 1/=======/=======|=======\-------\1 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Kasumi is all ready to take Cody's advice and stuff, the only difference is that she wants to do it way sooner than he's thinking. Like, in the middle of his attack. There wasn't gonna be any flashy chi stuff, honest. She was just gonna grab Cody's hand and turn the momentum of that uppercut around on him, and flip him to the ground, punch him as hard as she could, you know, aikido stuff. But she can't quite hold on because Capcom fists are bigger than hers, for serious. So she gets clipped in the jaw pretty hard, and then a tornado hits her and sends her spinning back toward the ropes for a moment. She still manages to keep her stance going, and makes sure not to end up with her back to the other fighter, and to her credit it doesn't look like she feels the need to rub her jaw.
"We got an agreement, then?" Cody smiles broadly. "I mean, this ain't exactly a 'street fight,' right now, you know? So either we can keep it nice and clean and friendly, or we can get stuff goin' up in here. Seein' as how you're a lady, I'd prefer the former, but, y'know... since you seem pretty tough, I'll let you decide."
Another grin, and he drops back into a fighting position, making no real attempt to focus or rest... just waiting. "Pick your poison, sweetheart."
COMBATSYS: Cody takes no action.
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Cody 1/=======/=======|=======\-------\1 Kasumi
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Kasumi just sort of makes a sour face at Cody, rather than respond verbally. One might assume it's because her jaw is hurting and she'd rather not, but then, if that were the case, using all of the muscles it takes to frown would probably hurt the same, if not more, than just moving her mouth. For a simple yes or no, anyway. Thing is though, Kasumi can be pretty mean. Especially to people she doesn't even know. Especially to people that think she's weak because she's a girl. Especially to people that just hit her in the face.
No Cody, it looks like you're gonna see more of that stuff you hate. The shiny chi stuff. It's not blue this time though, it's red. And it comes up out of the floor of the arena instead of dropping down from the sky. The kendo girl pushes her hands out, and then drops to a crouch all swift and fierce, and forces the massive, sharp spikes of red energy to go tearing toward Cody, just to call his bluff. "Chouuuu! ...Kasane Ate!"
COMBATSYS: Cody dodges Kasumi's Chou Kasane Ate.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Cody 1/=======/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Bearing a frown of disappointment, Cody crouches down and rockets into the air as the red waves of energy tear towards him, unexpectedly launching himself a good twenty feet upwards and landing a few feet ahead of the position he leapt from after the wave has cleared. Shaking his head, he slowly steps backwards until his back is, indeed, touching one of the rudimentary turnbuckles set up around the assembled ring, and... merely begins normalizing his breathing, making it deep and steady. "You wanna rumble, honey, we'll rumble," he informs Kasumi, no end to his chauvinism in sight despite the clear power she has exhibited.
"Come get some."
COMBATSYS: Cody focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Cody 1/=======/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Not only is Cody lucky he had enough ups to get all the way over that, but it doesn't seem that Kasumi is the type to throw that chi stuff around lightly. When she uses it, she uses a /lot/ of it. And this means she can't do it very often without powering up a little beforehand. So yes, Kasumi is all out right now, and she's going to have to do as the guy on the other team wants, fight more up-close and personal, and with her bare hands. But she's not gonna punch or slap at him, the latter being what Cody probably expects, she's going to try and grab his ear and twist it.
"Stop trying to act tough, jerk! You suck!"
COMBATSYS: Cody Toughs Out Kasumi's Fast Throw!
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Cody 1/=======/=======|-------\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Cody doesn't so much as flinch as Kasumi tweaks his hear. In fact, his ear REFUSES TO BE TWEAKED, remaining exactly as it sits neutrally on his head. His right eye twitches twice, and a fire erupts in Cody's visage, burning in his retina like suns equaling or greater than a thousand. "I warned you," he says, simply.
And, that spoken, he reaches behind him, grabs ahold of the turnbuckle, and -- erupts in blue light, time ceasing to flow for a brief moment. When it regains movement, the American man wrenches the pole downwards, actually forcing it through the pavement it is set up on top of, the arm applying the force trailing translucent blue afterimages. He twists it fiercly once, and then shifts his grip and pulls it up out of the ground, large chunk of concrete attached to the end. The ropes snap and fall limply to the ground.
"'sup," he speaks, to Kasumi, simply, leaning the concrete-laden club onto his shoulder as if it were light as a feather, limbs still trailing ghostly blue.
And then - wouldn't you know it - he swings it at her.
COMBATSYS: Kasumi blocks Cody's Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Kasumi's brow furrows quite a bit, as she stubbornly continues to try and twist that ear, trying to see if it's having any effect at all. There's supposed to be a lot of nerves in there! It may not be much help in trying to bring a fighter like Cody to his knees, but it should at least make him whine a little! Not even a squeak?
"H- ...hmph! I'm not afraid of-" ...what the hell?! What did they have this guy doing in jail? Actually breaking rocks like back in the olden days? And how is the ring supposed to stay steady enough to fight on now? Did he even think of that? Kasumi does look pretty concerned. Kind of frightened, even before Cody comes and swings that huge improvised mace at her. That's not something she's confident she can catch, or even get out of the way of. All she can do is put her arms up and hope the wristguards of her gloves are thick enough that she won't end up breaking any bones.
And so, her arms cross up, and the heavy ringpost slams down against them, throwing chunks of concrete everywhere as it makes contact and sends her staggering back all the way to her and Takuma's corner, where she quickly reaches to tag him back in without a single word. She's... got to see if she's bleeding under her sleeves now.
COMBATSYS: Kasumi drops her guard to recover.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Kasumi takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Cody 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
Wow. Cody's a freak--an -utter freak-. How does Takuma know? Because normal people, even fighters, don't use chunks of concrete like weapons, the way Cody just did! He even looks a little worried for his teammate, whether she hates him or not, and as the tag is made... Takuma decides that, yeah, he's gotta do something for her. She might hate Kyokugenryuu, but she definitely showed her worth out there, and Takuma appreciates it. Leaping into the ring, Takuma looks far more serious and less joking... and as he lands, he's pulling his right hand back... it's time to give Cody the Kyokugenryuu master's signature move. Throwing that hand forward, he unleashes a dense ball of golden chi, streaking out at the convict, hissing and trailing a wide tail of energy--normally, Takuma might vocalize the name of the move, the Ko'ou Ken, but now he's just business.
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Cody with Ko'ou Ken.
[ < > /////////////////// ]
Cody 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Takuma
Cody, unfortunately, cannot react fast enough to twist out of the way of the fireball, and it catches him squarely in the shoulder, spinning him about and dropping him to the ground, a massive burn mark now residing on the flesh under his shirt. Snarling, he pulls himself angrily to his feet, adjusting his grip on his hammer-mace and simply angrily throwing it at Takuma. Truth be told, he preferred fighting the girl. The effort behind throwing such a heavy object, however, does put him kind of off balance...
COMBATSYS: Cody can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ///////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Takuma
... and he sways and falls heavily out of the ring, landing with a resounding thud.
"Ow."
COMBATSYS: Takuma dodges Cody's Large Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ///////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Takuma
For Takuma, having pushed his opponent back with that blast, to crouch, leap and jump over the whirling concrete mace thing is... pure child's play. Well, it's easy in any case; and when he lands, he gestures at Shenwoo, beckoning the God of Battle forth, borrowing a taunt from that blond bum Terry.
"C'mon c'mon!" he cries... in accented Japanese... so it probably doesn't come across very well. But the gesture's meaning has got to be obvious.
COMBATSYS: Takuma drops his guard to recover.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> /////////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Takuma takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> /////////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Takuma
Aw, crapples. Cody certainly put up a better fight than Shenwoo did earlier though, so the berserker's not blaming the American any. Time to see if Shen can manage to pull his weight. Stepping back into the ring proper, he tugs his gloves a little, tilting his head as he watches Takuma. "Hmm, you're strong," he says, settling back into that relaxed boxing stance, leading with his right hand. "I fought somebody with a similar style before," Shen adds. Well, if you count the Ansatsuken types, he's fought a /couple/ of people with a similar style... But he definitely recognises the whole Kyokugen-ryuu similarity between Takuma and Ryo. "This time, though, I won't play so nice with the elderly," he adds, all bluster and feral grin, but he doesn't attack just yet...
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> /////////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Takuma
Takuma appreciates the blustering. After all, he used to do the same thing... in his younger days, too. But he never wore an awful fake silk shirt like that one the kid's got.
"Ha ha, that's good, kid. Bring your A game and I'll show you why Kyokugenryuu's to be feared! You're pretty spunky for a kid though. Tell you what, you can have some free lessons in Kyokugenryuu if you want!" Takuma grins widely, and settles into his stance again.. squaring it off a little, crossing his arms at the wrists... showing off, a little, how 'easy' it is for him to call upon life energies as he once again replenishes his chi energies... the circular column of golden light sparkling up around him again.
COMBATSYS: Takuma gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> //////////////////////////// ]
|=======\=====--\1 Takuma
The problem earlier was that Shenwoo totally didn't go with what he knows best. He goofed around, he didn't count on the other man's strong defenses, it was a bad scene all around. Also, his shirt is totally real silk. The only thing fake here is Takuma's hairpiece! His leading foot slides forward a few inches, the berseker's weight shifting... And then, wild-eyed, he suddenly explodes into forward momentum, rocketing directly at Takuma! Shenwoo's dirty blond hair, his silk shirt and his wallet chain all trail behind him as he rushes the Kyokugen-ryuu master, his beringed left fist thrown forward suddenly in a mighty rushing punch, aimed right at Takuma's face! "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Shenwoo's Gekiken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ////////////////////////// ]
|=======\=======\1 Takuma
Takuma's hair is no hairpiece! He has yet to lose a single hair to old age, pure Kyokugenryuu power keeps them all firmly in. He'd give them a tug to show, if Shen's Gekiken--that is, his big left fist--weren't coming in... although it's not really much of a concern, as it seems, for Takuma, his wrists snapping up to intercept the punch--he jumps, slightly, just after impact, letting the momentum transfer into movement for Takuma, the older man going back about ten yards before landing with a skid of feet on asphalt. And he chuckles.
"Pretty good punch, kid... let's see how you like the punch behind THIS!" And his right foot slides back, his center of gravity lowering... his hands draw in towards his stomach.
"Haoh..." he begins... power building between his hands... "SHO KO KEN!" finishes the Kyokugen man, flinging his arms high and low... loosing not just one tall, wide blast of golden chi, but three, hissing out at Shenwoo.
Truly worthy of that which some might call an ultimate secret technique.
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Shenwoo with Triple Haohshokoken.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 1/-======/=======|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ////////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Takuma
That technique is pretty ultimate there, hoss. Shenwoo gets good and blasted by those three blasts of golden chi, ending up in a crouch some distance away, his shoulders heaving with ragged breath. The berserker is /not a happy camper/. "Strong, but..." Exploding out of that crouch, he rushes over to grab Cody's earlier discarded weapon, running right past Takuma, before dashing at the man on unsteady legs, brandishing the impromptu hammer-mace in a wide, powerful swing aimed right at the Kyokugen-ryuu master. Is this all she wrote for Shenwoo? "DON'T THINK I'LL LIE DOWN FOR JUST THAT!!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma counters Random Weapon from Shenwoo with Mouko Burai Gan.
[ \\ < > /////////////////// ]
Shenwoo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ///////////////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Takuma
Ohyah? What's this? Shenwoo is not down yet? Interesting... Takuma turns, tracking the young man's burst of speed.
"'Don't think I'll lie down for that?'" he murmurs... then oh yeah, there's concrete coming at him. Takuma... shows off some Ultimate Badassness and stops the chunk of concrete with one strong Kyokugen forearm.
"Maybe you won't, kid... but you should lie down now. You might end up hurting yourself otherwise," he intones, turning away to walk away from the 'God of Battle', heedless of the sharp concrete that's crumbling under his feet as he heads towards his corner. Meanwhile, the crowd's gone wild... it's definitely been an entertaining fight to watch...
Okay, that's pretty much done it, yeah. But Shenwoo's not the sort of person to be entirely without spite, you know? He's not content with this really awful performance, and he's not about to let Takuma walk away without having been hit cleanly once by the self-styled 'God of Battle'. Shenwoo's chi flares around him, a violent red aura as the concrete beneath his feet cracks and impacts into a shallow crater, the sheer force of his rage and spirit unleashed on the defenseless ground. And then? Then he's on Takuma again like a bad habit, trying to catch him with a ferocious, almost mindless assault, Shen's entire body being used as a weapon against the older fighter. Losing, he can accept. Losing like /that/? No way. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo can no longer fight.
> /////////////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ///////////////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Takuma
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Shenwoo's Bakuma Assault.
> /////////////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Kasumi
> ////////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Takuma
A lot of fighters make the mistake of thinking that because Takuma's back is turned, he's vulnerable--or that a wild assault has any real chance against the karate master. That roar, and that explosion of chi, are all Takuma need to know before he turns, defending each and every one of Shenwoo's attacks during the wild assault, with precision and flair, intercepting each attack with forearms or an upraised leg.
After it's all over and done with, Takuma says, sternly, "I said, -stay down-. You've got guts, kid. Develop a real style and you'll be good someday." He has to admire Shenwoo's tenaciousness, his pugnacity. They are all earmarks of potential, and potential is always to be admired. Or maybe it's just the arrogance of a middle-aged man.
Honestly, Shenwoo didn't care which way Takuma was facing... He had to let his anger out, it seemed, or he'd be fit to bust. But his attacks are neatly defended against, and at the last the self-styled 'God of Battle' staggers back, with a rueful: "Dammit." And then, he sits right down on the street, before laying down; he's not exactly unconscious, or at least not quite, but... He's done. It's always good to fight someone with that much strength, he tells himself. It's something to aim for and surpass. Which probably explains why, despite losing and being half-unconscious, Shen is laughing quietly to himself. Though the being kinda crazy probably enters into it, too.
Yeah... Shen's crazy. But y'know, Takuma's been accused of it too, and... it's not entirely untrue. Takuma stops where he is, staring down at Shen... and then, he, too, begins to laugh, though sounding slightly less crazy than Shen does. It was, after all, a good match...
Log created by Takuma, and last modified on 15:31:26 03/06/2006.