Description: Kain lets Hinata dance around for a bit, but he just doesn't seem to trust the Taiyo student against Rock and Shingo. Besides, he had to get a few verbal digs in on his nephew. (Winners: Kain and Hinata)
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! We're here live from in front of the magnificent Buckingham Palace in wonderful London, England! And have we got a match lined up for you!" "That's right, Tom. The second round of Second Victory tournament matches have already gone underway and we have the pleasure to broadcast one of them straight to you, our lucky viewers at home. Interestingly enough none of the fighters actually come from England." "Except that blond guy in the white coat." "He's from Germany, Tom." "Same difference." "Sigh. Moving on, we have Rock Howard and Shingo Yabuki from Japan. Both of whom are students of the well-known Taiyo Highschool in Southtown. A school that one of their opponents, Hinata Wakaba, also attends." "A little schoolmate rivalry, eh Diana?" Blink. "Joining Miss Wakaba is none other than Kain R. Heinlein." "This promises to be an excellent match, Diana." "It sure does Tom..."
On the ground level before the palace gates, seeing that tournament officials weren't able to get the necessary paperwork and procedures done to approve for the fight on the actual compound. Instead a compromise was made where the match would be held directly in front the gates. The Queen alledgedly watching from an advantageous window. Of course because of the location, security is much tighter than at their last match and this among other things has Shingo grinning widely. Though, when isn't he grinning like a fool? The boy finishes up his pre-fight preparations and gives one or two more little stretches with his attention on Rock. "Hey Rock? How about I go first this time?" Another wide grin before he casts a look over to his opponents and gives them an energetic wave. Well, mostly Hinata. Kain gets a nod of some sort. Or something.
Rock has his jacket unzipped, standing with his hands in his pockets as he looks up at the castle. "I wonder of the Queen can see me," he says, running a hand through his hair. He goes ahead and waves, before turning his red eyes towards the sight of his opponents and stepping forward to stand just to Shingo's right, a sort of manly, cool-looking variety of the huddle. "Sure thing," he says. "I've got some thinking to do before I get this started anyways," he ways, gaze tilting towards Kain. "If that guy comes in, Shingo... get out," he adds, seriously, but he doesn't explain why. Maybe Rock wants to fight him. Maybe he doesn't want Shingo to fight him. One of the two.
Rock takes a couple of steps back and away. "Break a leg, chief. Just not yours."
England! Land of the Royal Family, the BBC, tea, and bad dentistry! "This is so awesome!" Hinata beams, skipping back and forth and flashing her camera around like any good Japanese tourist. "Ooh! The guys in the fuzzy hats!" A famous landmark, no doubt. Hinata snaps a few more pictures of Buckingham Palace, and a few of the guys in the tall fuzzy hats who aren't supposed to move. Funny how there's more of them than usual. And a bunch of regular police officers as well. What are they expecting to happen, exactly?
"Hiiiii Shingo!" The Wakaba girl waves energetically. Hyperactively, really. The girl turns to her stoic partner, Kain, and offers him a smile despite himself. "We're gonna do great again, aren't we? I know last time had a few... hiccups, but I swear I'm giving it 110%!" Bonus points for enthusiasm, if not mathematical ability.
This isn't Kain's first visit to England, but it's not a country he has a lot of business with. Still, international conglomerates operate all over the place, so he was able to get at least a little work done while in town and waiting for his match to start. He's far more interested in the country from a historical perspective, however. The British Empire serves as an example of what can be accomplished by strength... and also a reminder that there are always new powers waiting to tear you down when you show weakness. Something that Geese Howard should keep in mind. And a lesson that Kain also reflects on for himself, as he glances at Rock.
For the most part, Kain has little use for his nephew. He's heard some at least moderately promising reports about him, but from what he's learned he also doesn't think that Rock's personality is likely to mesh well with his ideals. A pity, though perhaps it's something that can be fixed in time. There is also, however, the issue of the family resemblance. Anything that brings to mind Geese and Marie is... unpleasant, to say the least.
And so, Kain largely seems to ignore the other fighters gathered here, including his own teammate. He's got no issues with letting her go first- He doesn't have much interest in fighting Shingo, anyway, after the boy's failure in his training. Rock, on the other hand, might just be a worthwhile match. We'll have to see. When Hinata actually addresses him, Kain gives her a cool look for a moment, then slowly nods. "Yes. You were showing some improvement towards the end. I suggest you continue that trend." Not /quite/ a threat, but certainly not friendly.
Shingo beams a smile at Hinata as he does some last minute leg stretches and gives her a thumbs-up. "Hey! We're all going to do our best! I
COMBATSYS: Shingo has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kain has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Hinata has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
Shingo beams a smile at Hinata as he does some last minute leg stretches and gives her a thumbs-up. "Hey! We're all going to do our best!" As if there were any doubt that they weren't but it's in his personality to say something along those lines. "Let's go!" And so it comes down to waiting on the signal from the officials on to getting this party started. "FIGHTERS, READYYYYYYYY?! FIGHT!" Sure there is also a loud sound of some kind to accompany the announcer's voice but it all falls on the deaf ears of Shingo who is already focused on his opponent. From having fought Hinata before after school he thinks he knows her strategy. But it could all fall apart on him anytime. So he's got to do what he's best at. Hitting fast and hard. What better way to accomplish this than with his best and undoubtedly favourite attack of all time? But first, he has to get into a better position. That way it is less likely for the agile schoolgirl to do something silly like getting out of the way. He shifts forward looking for an opening.
COMBATSYS: Shingo focuses on his next action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
Hinata wilts just a tad under Kain's... uh... encouragment. She offers him back a nervous smile and a thumbs up. "Eh-heh... you got it!" Aww man. At least she's not fighting somebody completely unknown, right off the bat. That didn't work out so well last time. At least it's Shingo, for better or worse.
"Alright! Here we go!" Hinata punches her fists together and tightens the straps on her bright orange armwarmers. Ready? She was born ready! Well, she woke up this morning ready. At least, she was definitely ready after a good breakfast. But ready now? You bet!
"Here I come!" The girl drops into her bouncy, almost frantic fighting stance, raising her fists and favoring Shingo with a broad smile. Always start off with a winner! And here it comes, Hinata hooking her thumbs into the straps of her bookbag and crouching down low. She got game alright, pushing off hard with both legs and leaping way way up in the air, much higher than a schoolgirl has any right to. Swinging her right foot around, she kicks at Shingo from up in the air, and a white blur rockets from her foot at a sharp downwards angle. "Hiyaaaah!" It's... a shoe?
COMBATSYS: Hinata successfully hits Shingo with Renkyakudan.
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Shingo 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
It sure is a shoe. How does Shingo know when it blurrs through the air faster than he can react? It would have to be when it hits him right in the head. Definitely feels like he just got hit right on the skull with a sneaker. Could be worse. Could've been a boot. A steel-toed boot. Lucky for him it wasn't. But it still leaves him a little dazed and confused. "Wha...?!" *CONK* "Ow..." He rubs his head where he got hit and glances upward at the airborne Hinata. No he isn't looking up her skirt either. Not his fault there is blatant panty-flashing fanservice involved whenever he fights Japanese schoolgirls. What is his fault though is picking up the shoe that just struck him and giving one good hurl with it right back at Hinata, "Um, Hinata? I think you dropped this!" Wouldn't want her to say anything about him not letting her put her shoe back on.
COMBATSYS: Hinata blocks Shingo's Thrown Object.
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Shingo 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
"Hey, my shoe! Thanks!" Hinata, just coming down from her jump due to the force of gravity which decided to pay attention, throws out her right arm to intercept the shoe with a loud slap against her open palm. It stings a bit, so she can't accuse Shingo of throwing like a girl. Then again, knowing someone like Natsu, throwing like a girl isn't exactly an insult. It's downright deadly.
The girl lands and slips her sneaker back on in one smooth motion. No harm, no foul, right? She can't help but give a little snicker at the tread pattern embossed on Shingo's forehead. "Okay, for real now. Here I come!" Hinata grinds her foot on the concrete walkway and charges straight toward Shingo, right shoulder first, intent on giving him a rough shoulder check, then quickly grab him by the collar and introduce him to the ground with a hip toss.
COMBATSYS: Shingo counters Quick Throw from Hinata with Tsuki Hiji.
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Shingo 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
Now this attack Shingo is more prepared for as compared to being pelted with sneakers from ten feet up in the air. This may have to do with him exceling when it comes to close-ranged combat as opposed to medium to long-range combat. Ok, it may not so much be exceling at it but he's pretty certain he's slightly better at fists than Hinata is. Allow him to present exhibit A. "GECCHU!" Hinata's little shoulder tackle nudged out of the way with a sharp elbow to her shoulder muscles, stopping her movement. It might seem simultaneous to her bit it is actually an extremely fast follow-up when his right leg comes and shoots straight out to the side right into her gut as if it were a spring-loaded trap. The reason he is in the Counter Club. The thrusting moon technique potentially having enough power behind it to floor Hinata.
"Hey! What the-" Hinata's entire rhythm is thrown off by Shingo's sudden elbow. Seriously, dude! What the hell! She has little time left to complain before Shingo's leg suddenly finds its way into her midsection and drives the breath from her lungs. Hinata doubles over in place, both hands clutching her stomach. That was unexpected. And it hurt!
She grits her teeth. So much for getting off to a good start, but give up? That's not even in Hinata's dictionary! Really, she ripped that page out and made her mom kinda angry. But the symbolic act was there, and it still applies! "Nice one... how about this?" Hinata spins in place, still doubled over, and tries to grab a handful of Shingo's t-shirt with her left hand. And her right hand? It's kinda... glowing bright orange for some reason. That can't be good.
"Shouyouken!" One hand firmly holding onto Shingo, Hinata cocks her right fist back before trying to jam it painfully into Shingo's chin, complete with the whole spiralling jump up and everything. Can't keep a Taiyo student down. He should know that.
COMBATSYS: Shingo dodges Hinata's Shouyouken.
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Shingo 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
Should he feel bad for just causing a girl almost half his size to double over from a kick aimed directly at her gut? He probably should and would. If this where an ordinary schoolgirl. But it's not. Oh no, friends. What Shingo is fighting here is a bonafide Sunshine Girl of Taiyo High. He knows that she can take whatever he dishes out and then some. Even return some of it back herself. This is in part what makes the students of Taiyo such a force to contend with in street fighting. He really does know that it is near impossible to keep a Taiyo student down. Being one himself and all.
This is why he dare not attempt his counter technique a second time in a row. No need to push his luck just yet. Hinata's hand reaches out to grab his white tee but she ends up grasping nothing but the air and her own palm. Shingo doing some fancy footwork and backstepping out of the short girl's reach, "Watch out!" More to warn himself than anything he says this. "That was nice too, Hinata! But it looks rather painful so I think I'll pass this time!" Then while she's still in the air he seizes the opportunity to shout out, "SHINGO KIIIIIICKU!" And hopefully use the arc of his body and leg to knock her back to the street.
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Hinata with Shingo Kick.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Hinata
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rock has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Aw man! He did it again! Hinata makes a swipe to hold Shingo in place for one good smack, and it fails! What's the deal here? She was personally trained (alright, by video correspondence course) by Dan Hibiki! His school is Saikyo, the Strongest! Hinata has to be doing something wrong here. And short reach? She's not short! She's... petite. Compact, even.
She has a little time to reflect on the current state of things as she collides with the ground again from the force of the Shingo Kick (patent pending). Hinata has to question that patent application, since it seemed like a pretty normal kick, except for the eponymous shout. Or maybe she just has a beef with the patent office since they turned down her own patent for a sunflower fireball. Bureaucratic jerks.
Huh.. wait.. sunflower fireball? Yeah, that's right! She has one of those, doesn't she? And if Shingo wants to be all countery and kicky, she'll just put a little distance between them. Hinata does a backwards somersault to rest on her knees in a crouch, drawing her hands together. "The sun never sets..." A twinkle of bright yellow light springs to life between her palms. "On the British Empire!" The girl thrusts both hands forward, palm out, giving the quickly growing sunflower-shaped ball of chi a gentle push on its maiden voyage.
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to interrupt Kikou Shoutei from Hinata with Dokugami Mikansei.
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Shingo 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
The thing is that the sun did kind of set on the British Empire. Since they're not really an empire anymore. They're more like comfortable retirees now. Spending their time amusing themselves watching the youngins run around doing their own thing. Of course Shingo isn't about to tell Hinata that in the middle fight. She probably knows anyways and was just looking for something cool to say when she tossed off her flower-like projectile. A projectile that Shingo was more than ready to punch right through in order to get to Hinata and show her just how good he is at hitting soft objects. He encountered a slight problem there though. Maybe he should've come in with a quicker punch than attempting some fancy pivoting into the hook punch and shouting out 'Kurae!'. A cry, by the way, that is cut short when he instead gets staggered by the chi sunflower.
She knows a thing or two about strategy, too! Not a lot, admittedly, but at least a thing or two. One of which is to sieze momentum when it's gained! Immediately after her decidedly UN-patented sunflower fireball launches off, Hinata breaks into a run straight after it, hot on the heels of her own traveling attack.
"Incoming!" As soon as the last wisps of the bright yellow energy clear the blast zone (Shingo), Hinata is in the air with a flying jumpkick. Looking like her right foot is trying to make another imprint on his face with the cross-trainer's treads. Oh, Hibiki-sensei would be so proud if he were alive today. Wait... isn't he? Ah, no matter.
COMBATSYS: Shingo blocks Hinata's Light Kick.
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Shingo 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
When one weighs as little as Hinata does (compared to himself) a flying jump kick of that variety tends to not have the solid 'umph' behind it as it would from someone with a little more mass on their bones. Please pay no mind to Shingo almost shrugging off the attack as it connects with his held up forearm to absorb the impact. Instead, pay attention to his other hand coming around in short hook in at Hinata's side to take advantage of her 'blockstun'. The extremely small window of time in between him blocking her attack and retaliating with an attack of his own where he is more likely to strike true. "Teya!" Somehow it seems that Shingo is going to make a habit of smacking Hinata out of the air. If he can help it.
COMBATSYS: Hinata blocks Shingo's Medium Punch.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Hinata's flying kick goes a bit awry, and Shingo's counter attack is expected, if not particularly welcome. In a messy tangle of mid-air strikes and blocks, Hinata isn't even exactly sure how she pulled it off, but Shingo's swinging right impacts against the muscles of her upper arm rather than her soft midsection again. All skill, and you know it!
The Sunshine Girl springs backwards to put some space between the two fighters again. She might move like a butterfly... but admittedly she's a bit fragile like one, at least comparitively. Taiyo students are built like brick houses. Which is unfortunate because both Hinata and Shingo go to Taiyo.
Her shoes skid on the gritty concrete as Hinata slides backwards from her landing, drawing herself up to her fully and impressive five-foot-one stature! She offers Shingo a little smile, then a wink with her tongue sticking out. No hard feelings! Now, time for some real strategy. The Wakaba girl draws several deep breaths in a row, keeping her fists raised at Shingo, but any decent fighter would realize that her guard is a little down. Lucky for her, she's fighting Shingo!
COMBATSYS: Hinata drops her guard to recover.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
She is indeed fighting Shingo. Whether this makes it lucky or not for her is still up to debate. The girl already knows first-hand how skilled the boy is with physical strikes. So why would she let her guard down to give him the opportunity to close in and unleash some of his stronger attacks? Obviously it must be some sort of ploy. Almost similar to the one Heidern set up for him in the previous round of the tournament. Shingo knew it was probably a trap back then and he suspects a probable trap now. So everyone who's watching know what that means. He's going to walk right into it. Like a doofus.
Shingo chuckles at Hinata's antics and grins at her. It's good that they can have fun in an official fight. Even if they are both taking it seriously. They're still able to enjoy it. He wouldn't have it any other way. "Hey Hinata! Let me give that jump kick of yours a shot, huh?" WIthout waiting for an answer he charges at the girl and leaps with a dangerous looking right leg held forward. Most definitely a flying jump kick aimed at the petite body of the girl. He just hopes this doesn't sting her too hard.
COMBATSYS: Hinata blocks Shingo's Strong Kick.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
"Haaa!" Hinata... ironically charges straight back at Shingo for his flying jump kick, throwing herself into a backwards flip and letting her own foot collide with his and send both attacks wildly off mark. She lands, wipes her forehead with the back of one hand, then waggles a forefinger at Shingo. "Well, that was fun, Shingo!" The Sunshine Girl gives a hopskip backwards and away, raising an open palm toward Kain to tag out.
C'mon, she's not stupid, y'know. Even she can admit she's not doing so hot, and it's a tag-team match for a reason. If she just get plugging away until she fell over.. well, that's not very smart, is it?
COMBATSYS: Hinata drops her guard to recover.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Hinata takes no action.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
"It was! But we're not done yet!" Shingo grins to Hinata. So she's making her tag out. Supposes that means he should do the same. Rock did say that if Kain entered the ring to get out of there as soon as possible. He knows that Kain is a strong fighter, having fought him before on multiple occasions. But thinks he would be able to wear the man down some. However this is a tag-team tournament and as a team they would do best working together. "Well, Rock! Looks like you're up. Good luck!" Shingo leaps backward out of the ring making way for Rock to enter.
COMBATSYS: Shingo drops his guard to recover.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Shingo takes no action.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Now, what was that warning that Rock gave to Shingo? Let's see if Yabuki decides to follow his advice on that. Kain looks somewhat dubiously at Hinata's raised hand, but with a shake of his head he goes through the motions of actually 'tagging in'. A few violet sparks actually flare up as his hand strikes Hinata's, although nothing that'll cause any actual harm to the Sunshine Girl.
Kain takes a moment to adjust the fit of his gloves, slips his left hand into his pocket and then... he's suddenly moving toward Shingo at a rather impressive speed. A thin wall of flame springs up in front of his body, being propelled toward Shingo as he runs. Kain's right hand curls up into a fist, but he's got no intention of actually striking Shingo. He simply sweeps out with his arm as he draws close, sending the flame out in a short range blast meant to send Shingo sailing back. An action which might even make it easier for him to tag out afterwards.
COMBATSYS: Shingo blocks Kain's Schwarz Cutter.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kain
"It was! But we're not done yet!" Shingo grins to Hinata. So she's making her tag out. Supposes that means he should do the same. Rock did say that if Kain entered the ring to get out of there as soon as possible. He knows that Kain is a strong fighter, having fought him before on multiple occasions. But thinks he would be able to wear the man down some. However this is a tag-team tournament and as a team they would do best working together. "Well, Rock! Looks like you're up. Good luck!" Shingo leaps backward out of the ring making way for Rock to enter.
Ten seconds before that happens though, Kain bursts into the 'ring area' after Hinata tags out with his flame zoom attack that doesn't even really look all that cool. Pfft. It looks even less cool when the boy brings both his arms up in an 'X' pattern to shield against the flames. One aspect is true though, it does help him hop out the ring faster.
"My turn," Rock says. Shingo is launched out of the ring just as Rock passes right by him; there's a moment when the two fighters stand next to each other in two different phases of movement. "Take five, bud," he says, sweeping across the fighting floor, his feet speeding him along, one step and then another... and then Rock really picks up the pace, his body blurring as he makes one lightning-fast lunge in to Kain's reach. The faster he can move in, the less time Kain has to show off his chi.
"Long time no see, Kain--" he says, with a grunt. "Not a second too soon!" Rock's chaotic movements have a purpose, though. As he sweeps in and around, Rock's erratic, graceful twisting leads his hands to Kain's ankles, looking to pick him up off of his feet and toss him through the air.
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Rock's Shinkuu Nage.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kain
Kain's not going to be fooled that easily, however. "Indeed it has been, nephew." Kain's eyes follow Rock as the young Howard sweeps around, and when he reaches for Kain's legs, the older man braces himself against the ground, pushing himself toward Rock so that he controls his own momentum, and the leverage the Rock is able to get.
It's not a perfect defense, because it does allow Rock to throw him a little off balance, but Kain doesn't really need that in order to pull off his next attack. "Let's see how you've grown!" And then, with Kain still in quite close proximity to Rock, purple flames suddenly explode outward from the older man's body, engulfing everything immediately around him. He's trying to twist away from Rock and get his footing back, but that will still leave Rock in the middle of an inferno if he doesn't act quickly...
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rock with Schwarze Kreuz.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kain
This fight isn't going to last long. Kain hits Rock and essentially destroys him with a single hit -- the Schwarze Kreuz's energy is far greater than anything Rock could even /hope/ to muster. He gets hit and all but sails backwards, hitting the ground, slightly on fire, and gurgling a little bit as he recovers from a hit that seems to have scorched his entire person. Slowly, Rock claws his way to his feet, trying to get himself steadied and on his feet. It doesn't quite work; that was, in short, a hit to end all hits. And Kain's not even trying.
"Great..." Rock rasps, trying to catch his breath. "I know why you're here, Kain--" he says, lurching forward and trying to close distance with his opponent with one quick lunging movement straight ahead. "--Maybe, anyways. But I
This fight isn't going to last long. Kain hits Rock and essentially destroys him with a single hit -- the Schwarze Kreuz's energy is far greater than anything Rock could even /hope/ to muster. He gets hit and all but sails backwards, hitting the ground, slightly on fire, and gurgling a little bit as he recovers from a hit that seems to have scorched his entire person. Slowly, Rock claws his way to his feet, trying to get himself steadied and on his feet. It doesn't quite work; that was, in short, a hit to end all hits. And Kain's not even trying.
"Great..." Rock rasps, trying to catch his breath. "I know why you're here, Kain--" he says, lurching forward and trying to close distance with his opponent with one quick lunging movement straight ahead. "--Maybe, anyways. But I want my shot at him too!" Rock's focusing on fast movement. He doesn't want to get hit by Kain, not like that, not again -- so he hits the floor, whirling his weight forward and launching himself straight up. "Rising--TACKLE!" He's going to need to hit fast and hard if he wants to even pretend to stand a chance.
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Rock's Rising Tackle.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kain
Kain does bring his left hand out of his pocket now; his fighting stance may be casual, but he's not foolish. Both arms are brought up as he leans away from Rock, letting the youth's feet slam into them rather than getting to his chest or face. The impact and Kain's own shift of balance still cause him to get knocked back a short distance, but it's far better than being launched off his feet.
"An astute guess. Although even if that fails, there are still a number of skilled fighters in this tournament, so it won't be a total loss. If you want your /own/ revenge, though, you're going to need to earn it!" As Kain speaks, more purple fire springs to life in his hands. He draws both arms back for a moment, then thrusts them out toward Rock to send a pair of fireballs spiralling around one another toward the youth.
COMBATSYS: Rock negates Schwarze Flame from Kain with Double Reppuken.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
"I'm used to earning things--" Rock says this even as his own hands begin to burn with purple flame. Not just purple flame... it's the exact same flame that Kain himself is swinging around. Rock's hands blaze with the indigo energy, and he thrusts his own attack forward. Both strikes contact each other in the area between the two fighters... and they all but evaporate into nothingness, equal in strength and simply consuming one another before vanishing in a singular, terrifying gout of fire and might.
"--And even if I can't beat you, 'Uncle,' I'm damn sure you're gonna remember the fight," Rock says, through a window of scattering flame. He stands ready, once again, to deal with the onset of another attack.
Kain raises an eyebrow for a moment when the two blasts of flame meet one another and are destroyed, but whether or not he's impressed is difficult to discern. "That's good. I would be quite disappointed if there wasn't something worthwhile about this fight. You've got some powerful stock to you, Rock. I'd hope that you intend to use that to your best advantage." Kain may despise Geese, but even he has to admit that the man is powerful. And, of course, Rock gets some good genes from his mother's side of the family, as well...
With words over with for the moment, Kain advances on Rock. He doesn't charge at full speed, but neither is his pace casual. Enough to keep Rock on his toes, at least. As he draws close, Kain starts to pull his right arm back, a blue glow enveloping his fist a moment before he lashes out with a vicious hook aimed at Rock's face.
COMBATSYS: Rock fails to counter Fierce Punch from Kain with Gedan Crack Counter.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kain
Rock guh! That doesn't work out well. Rock takes another hit. This one's absolutely brutal; the sheer sound of fist on face, like tenderizer against a side of beef, fills the entire fighting arena. More than a little bit of blood is released from Rock's face as he falls to the ground, staggering backwards and towards the edge of the ring. "Dammit--" he hisses, looking back at Kain. "--You finally did it, didn't you?" he says, blankly. "You're as good as he is. Maybe even better." Rock begins to move towards the back of the ring. His family matters can't be allowed to hurt their chances in the tournament. "Question is -- are you as bad as he is, too? Is that really what she would have wanted?" That said, Rock slumps back, angling to tag Shingo back in before he gets himself demolished by his foe. "Just hold him off a little..." he says, heaving for breath. "... just a few seconds..." And then he damn near passes out.
Kain shakes his head for a moment with a sigh. "Do you think I haven't heard such an argument before? And do you think it really matters? I will take revenge for Marie, but I can admit that there are more important things in the world. Greater things. And even if I do nothing, sooner or later it will become clear to everyone. Geese does what he does for his own personal glory. And while the accumulation of power is not, in and of itself, a bad thing, there are much more useful purposes to which it can be turned..."
It seems that Kain doesn't care to go into a great deal of detail on the subject at the moment, however, as he begins walking toward Rock, who is still in the process of tagging out. "A strategic retreat is often a good idea, but... Sometimes your opponent won't let you." Granted, the rules of the match do allow Rock to tag out, but he has to actually accomplish it first. Kain doesn't see a need to /crush/ him, but a bit of humiliation? Well, that might do wonders for Rock's drive to improve himself. Which, hard as it may be to believe, is actually something that Kain would look forward to. That in mind, he almost lazily lashes out at Rock with one foot, trying to catch him in the side of the ribs and send him staggering off toward possible temporary safety.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rock with Light Kick.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
Kain lashes out lazily with one foot.... and crushes one of Rock's ribs. Maybe he didn't mean to, but he does. The cracking sound is loud, like some sort of small firecracker growing off. A second groan of pain is illicited from the younger blond. That's probably the rib being pressed against his lung. But Rock doesn't quite /give up/. He's not done yet. Not down, anyways, even though he's 'down' in every sense of the word. "You don't remember, do you?" he hisses, hacking up a lungful of blood as he reaches out and seizes Kain's ankle with both hands, not letting his foot get pulled off. "You don't remember how kind Mom was. You can't. You're just like him, Kain. Maybe you're even worse." Pushing Kain off of him, the battered blond claws away, exchanging places with Shingo as he escapes the combat.
COMBATSYS: Rock drops his guard to recover.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rock takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
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Rock 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
There isn't much Shingo could do to help out his teammate given of how the rules for the tournament operate. One fighter in, one fighter out from each team. Meaning that until Rock actually tags him in he has to stand around with grit teeth unable to assist. So the second Rock tags him in? Shingo doesn't even hesitate as he launches into his first attack at the man. It is probably not a good idea to do as such, but right now the Kusanagi-ryuu fighter intends on putting his best foot forward. Just because he's not a natural at summoning forth flames like the German is doesn't mean anything. It just means that victory will be that much sweeter when he pulls it off. For now, he settles for charging right into Kain with an extended elbow strike to his sternum. When it hits his hand extends out to grab the man by the collar to heft him up slight off the ground so that Shingo can then slam him down with a double-fisted axehammer-like punch. If Kyo ever performed his Kototsuki Positive in his fight against Kain, this looks somewhat similar. If unpolished. "Doriyaaaaa!"
COMBATSYS: Kain fails to interrupt Random Weapon from Shingo with Schwarze Lanze.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
How does that quote go? A brave heart can turn zero into 100%? Something like that? Anyway, here's Shingo. Kain starts drawing his foot back slightly as Shingo comes charging in, intending to slam a kick into the Taiyo student's jaw and send him sailing back the way he came. Shingo is moving faster than he thought, though, and he takes the elbow to the stomach cleanly, before he has a chance to reorient himself.
This, of course, leaves him open for Shingo to yank him up into the air, and from there there isn't much he can do as Shingo's fists slam down onto him and send him crashing back to the ground in a decidedly painful looking manner. It's true, Shingo may not be able to throw flame, but his fists are nothing to be laughed at. Even if there is a grin on Kain's face as he starts dragging himself back to his feet. That just means he's enjoying this round of the tournament.
Now that Kain is finally enjoying this second round of tournaments it means that everyone is enjoying themselves now, right? Wrong. It sort of stopped being enjoyable for Shingo when Kain decided that he had to be the odd man out and be the jerk of the match. Guess it was too much to think that the rest of the fight could go as pleasantly as it did when he was fighting Hinata before. Ah well. These things happen. And Shingo isn't about to let the opportunity to press forward on Kain slip by him.
"SHINGO KIIIIIIIICKU!" At almost point blank range too. But not quite since Shingo still needs space to actually get up into the air and then arc back down with the kick. Essentially it's a minimum distance that he can peform his signature move without it losing much of its power and speed. He's done his part. Now it all rests on Kain's shoulders to get up even slower than he is and take the Shingo Kick to the head like he knows he wants to.
COMBATSYS: Kain just-defends Shingo's Shingo Kick!
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
"Angry, are we? You shouldn't expect mercy in a fight for you or your teammate. Especially when you choose to insult your opponents." Did Rock hit a nerve with Kain? No, not really. But that won't stop Kain from making a token attempt to cast Rock in a bad light. And Kain's not even fully up yet, so it looks like Shingo's strategy is going to work... Right up until Kain's hand shoots up, grabbing Shingo by the leg and stopping him dead in mid-air.
"You've got skills, but..." Kain continues standing up, trying to yank Shingo up by the leg. He then spins around, aiming to slam Shingo down against the ground with the maximum amount of leverage possible. And then, on top of that, an explosion of flame bursts out from his hand to scorch Shingo's legs. "...You saw your limits when training with Grant, yes?"
COMBATSYS: Shingo blocks Kain's Medium Throw.
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Shingo 1/-----==/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|======-\-------\0 Kain
Angry? Who's angry? "It's not that I'm angry. I just think what you did just now wasn't cool, Mister Heinlein," Shingo manages to get out after accomplishing a rather successful guard against getting exploded in flame against the concrete of the London street. Basically he braced for impact, exhaling when his body hit the ground and slipping out from Kain's grip a split-second after he unleases the fire from his hand. The end result is some bruishes and a lightly singed pants leg.
Back on his feet Shingo then continues, "All I saw were my limits of training with him. Not my own. My only limit is myself so I can go as far as I want to." He gives grin. "And I intend on going as far as Kusanagi-san! Even further!" He runs up to Kain and unleashes a punch combination that starts off with a deep jumping in hard punch into a standing uppercut and a wide swinging hook punch.
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Shingo's Fierce Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 1/----===/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|======-\-------\0 Kain
Kain grins for a moment as he crouches down, bracing his arm to deflect Shingo's first punch, getting him into a defensive position from which he can easily guard against the rest of the combination. As soon as there is an opening in Shingo's attack he hops away, gaining several feet between himself and his opponent. He pauses for a moment to smooth out his coat, still grinning. "Well, in one respect you already have. Kusanagi was not so fortunate as to make it to this round of the tournament. Perhaps he even learned something about the value of actually working to hone your skills."
It's almost like Kain is having a nice conversation with Shingo. Well, except for the part where he then thrusts both hands out toward the boy, sending a gout of purple flame racing out toward him. As it leaves Kain's hands, the blond fighter settles back into his normal fighting stance, complete with hand resting almost lazily in his pocket.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Shingo with Schwarze Flame.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1 Kain
Oh yeah. Kyo didn't make it to the second round. Of course Shingo already knew that fact. It's why he wanted to take it upon himself to go all the way for gold behind the name of Kusanagi-ryuu kobojutsu. He probably still could too. If he plays this out right he can turn the tables around on Kain. In order to do so he would need to be able to do something relatively simple and trivial. Like...NOT getting hit by the big fiery burst of flame chi he just got hit with. Yeah. That puts a slight damper on his plans but as long as he's still standing there's still a chance he can make the dramatic comeback for the team. As soon as he fully extinguishes the embers on him and his clothing and gets off the ground.
This is it. The moment he has been waiting for. If there was ever a time to use a Super Desperation Move then this would be the time. "Let's go Shingo. CHAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!" He scrams out at the top of his lungs as a warshout in hopes of maybe startling Kain into making a mistake. It wouldn't even have to be a big mistake either. Something small and insignificant. Say, like if he were accidentally to accept the advancing shoulder tackle from the brown-haired male Taiyo student as he attempts to drive it straight into the German and even possibly knock him down.
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Shingo's Ge Shiki - Kake Hourin.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=------\1 Kain
Kain has made mistakes in past fights, and sometimes it has cost him dearly. At this particular moment, however, he avoids such an outcome. Planting his feet firmly on the ground, Kain meets Shingo's incoming shoulder with his own. Kain's not that much larger than Shingo, but he does have some advantage in that regard. He also has considerably more fighting experience, which lends itself well toward deflecting the force of Shingo's charge.
He doesn't want Shingo to just go sailing past him, though. Oh no. As soon as the initial impact is over Kain straightens up, reaching out for Shingo's shoulder with his left hand. That's just to hold him in place, though, while Kain uses his right hand to deliver three quick blows right into Shingo's face.
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to counter Medium Punch from Kain with Tsuki Hiji.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 1/----===/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=------\1 Kain
So to ensure that he didn't end up with a smashed in face, Shingo is thinking that Kain is going to grapple him and thusly makes a move to swat away the hand with an elbow in order to set up for the inevitable Thrusting Moon part. Except not. Since that Kain's real intentions were to punching Shingo repeatedly in the face and send him sprawling back. This also has the side effect of a nosebleed on Shingo's part. In addition to some bruises and a possible swollen brow.
Well, Kain's certainly not going to leave a staggering enemy alone. That might give him a chance to recover! There's also no need to use really fancy techniques in a situation like this. Kain advances on Shingo and goes for something simple and direct; an open palmed strike to the face. Well, maybe not so simple when you consider the blue glow of chi around Kain's hand. But certainly direct.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Shingo with Jab Punch.
[ \\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Shingo 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=------\1 Kain
Kain's tactic works well for him. With his vision a little blurred from multiple strikes to the face, Shingo is at a loss on where exactly the punch is coming in from. His guard being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the glowing fist easily by-passing his defenses to strike home. "It's not over yet!" Shingo says loudly and he channels all his energies into this one last attack. "Burning..." He swings a punch at Kain. His head if possible. "SHINGOOOOOOOOO!" If successfuly, the man should know where it will lead to. A series of devastating punches that should leave behind some nice marks and pain.
COMBATSYS: Shingo can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ///////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Kain
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Shingo's Burning Shingo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Kain
It's not /over/ yet, no, but as far as Kain is concerned it might as well be. He's quite aware of just how much damage Shingo has taken, and he doesn't expect the boy to be on his feet much longer. Although being able to summon up the energy for a last hurrah is admirable. Especially one where, even though Kain blocks the punches that Shingo throws, taking them on his arms, he's still hit with bone-jarring force. In the end, though, it's not enough to break through his defenses.
COMBATSYS: Kain drops his guard to recover.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Kain
COMBATSYS: Kain takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ///////////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Kain
Right, then.
Rock's awake by the time Shingo goes down, red eyes flaring up as he spots the insurmountable Kain. He might not be stoppable, but -- that doesn't mean Rock isn't going to try. Climbing into the ring, Rock runs a hand through his hair. The blood's gone from his chin, and all of his attention is strictly, utterly, entirely on Kain. "Yeah," he says, plainly. "You've gotten better. Maybe if you fight him... you'll actually do it. But it won't matter." Rock touches one hand to the ground, like a sprinter preparing to take off -- and then he does, charging Kain as fast as he can. "Here I come!"
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Rock's Deadly Rave Neo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 0/-------/-----==|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ////////////////////// ]
|=======\====---\1 Kain
Rock's big showing? A kick to Kain's ribcage. It isn't much, but he forces as much power into as he can. Maybe there's more intended -- but Kain's defense is too firm, and after that initial heavy blow he's left standing, waiting to face his fate.
Kain grunts as the kick slams into his ribs, but he's already leaning away from the attack, keeping it from being a dead on hit and reducing the damage it can deal. And, of course, the matter of keeping Rock from being able to effectively follow up on it. "I don't need to justify myself to you, Rock. Either you will understand someday, or you won't. It just remains to be seen if you will realize the truth about the world."
There's something other than philosophy for Rock to dwell on right now, however, as Kain extends a hand toward the youth, and a sphere of blue flame begins gathering in his palm. It quickly expands outward until it's nearly the size of Rock himself, before launching out from Kain and trying to engulf the boy.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rock with Himmlische Seele.
[ \ < > ////////////////// ]
Rock 1/------=/=======|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rock takes no action.
> ////////////////// ]
|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rock can no longer fight.
> ////////////////// ]
|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
> ////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Kain
"I know the truth," Rock hisses. "She taught me how. He tried to make me forget. ... He succeeded with you, Uncle," he says, before being nearly vaporized. Rock is launched backwards through the ring, where he hits the wall of Buckingham Palace and simply slides to the ground, utterly defeated before a superior opponent.
COMBATSYS: Kain has left the fight here.
> ////////////////// ]
|=======\=====--\1 Hinata
COMBATSYS: Hinata has ended the fight here.
Log created by Rock, and last modified on 11:16:09 04/28/2007.