Description: In the streets of London, Dudley must attempt to defend his hometown against the wandering Herald of Hadou... and finds that he's not quite up to the task, yet. (Winner: Ryu)
England was a country steeped in history, likewise as its capital city, London. Surely, perhaps thankfully, it is a far cry from the place it once was owed much to modern roadworkd, masonry and sewage systems. Nonetheless there is the occasionaly landmark or preserved construct to remind both tourist and citizen alike of the long and winding path the city has walked upon to be where it is today.
The world warrior himself walked a rather long, twisty road to get here himself, in fact! Although Ryu's visited the city before, it's not been nearly long enough to gain any sort of familiarity with the countless roads, alleyways and shortcuts that permeate England's national capital. Some could live here their entire lives and understand only a fraction of the sum total! Nonetheless he's able to find the spot where the fight was decreed to take place still with his usual punctuality. For this particular occasion a stretch of city street had been chosen, blocked off from traffic with cones, barriers and a few street officers not to mention plenty of on-lookers on the sidewalks. A true street fight!
Being well-known enough in this circle the ansatsuken fighter is ushered past the crowd easily, taking in a deep breath, 'feeling' the area in the way a martial artist would. While he may be considered the reigning champion by some, Ryu would hardly count himself among them. His victory in the last World Warrior tournament was tained by his use of the satsui no hadou on Sagat..only by struggling to the top again as he had the first time could the vagabond ever allow himself to consider it a legitimate victory. He intends to take no advantage of his undeserved status.
World Warrior--Round Two. The first round was the prelims... now things are going to get serious. And 'things', for a fighter, generally don't get any more serious than Ryu. Ansatsuken master, world-wide legend, inspiration of many. Dudley had heard about him even before entering the world stage, of course--very few fighters of Dudley's caliber wouldn't've heard of the other greats. And Ryu is greater than most. He's been to this show before and won it all... and Dudley is, while a blazing star of the boxing world, still somewhat unproven in the wider world. This should be, if anything... an excellent test of Dudley's skills. If he's destroyed here, utterly? Then he'll need to train more. Of course... even if he wins... then he'll have to train more. Either way he's ready--as ready as he can be.
Dudley eschews the Jaguar today; either he's feeling more serious or it just wasn't feasible to bring the car. In any case, Dudley soon arrives.. or perhaps was already in the crowd. Only moments after Ryu's arrival, Dudley makes his presence known; the spectators begin to recognize him as he moves through them and they part naturally. Of course, some are cheering on Ryu, the vagabond warrior--but just as many are cheering on Dudley, the hometown hero, and he acknowledges the cheers with a wave, turning to doff his sport jacket and toss it to the butler at the edge of the arena.
Dudley's grin is anticipatory and he points a gloved hand at Ryu, giving his traditional 'opening speech':
"Let's fight... like gentlemen!"
And then his arms are up in his boxer's stance, his stance switching back and forth with a lightness that belies his size.
COMBATSYS: Dudley has started a fight here.
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Dudley 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Dudley
Unfortunately, Ryu can't say that he's heard of or seen Dudley before...but the fact that he doesn't know him means that the world warrior will be directing all the attention he can spare on the clean-bred pugilist, which is just about all of it. And while Ryu in his less than immaculately clean gi and borderline vagrant style of living may not exactly look the part of what is commonly meant by the word 'gentlemen' he understand what Dudley means, or thinks he does. A clean, proper fight between fellow practitioners of the art? This, he can give.
Tossing his familiar duffel bag to the side, Ryu will tighten his headband as per usual and settle into the common battle stance of his style with both eyes trained fully on his towering opponent. He wasn't as big as Sagat, but he was still larger than the Japanese fighter himself..and he knew better than to assume someone was slow just because they were large. He'll size the boxer up then, looking at his stance, the way he carries himself to predict how he'll move, strike and react.
COMBATSYS: Ryu focuses on his next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Dudley
Dudley's fame is more... concentrated, be like to say. Only boxing fans would know him--or boxers, if they keep up on their boxing knowledge. Dudley feels that perhaps... Ryu -does- understand. Sure, the vagabond could use some cleaning up, but Dudley's comment about 'gentlemen' refers to the heart and soul of a warrior. Their skill. And most importantly their -honor-. Dudley's cool blue gaze meets Ryu's and he knows that the Ansatsuken master knows.
Though Dudley is in fact larger than Ryu, he knows, himself, that size is not everything--not even 10% of a thing. Massive mountains of men can be taken down by 90-pound women. It's about skill. Dudley starts to move forward, but slowly--his dancing stance calming as he moves forward, his pace steady, unrushed.
"Ansatsuken master Ryu," says Dudley, as the match begins, "I've wanted to see your power first-hand. This is an honor." Yet... he too chooses to watch and wait. There is a time to rush forward, and a time to watch...
COMBATSYS: Dudley focuses on his next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Dudley
Some people have said that there was no way a boxer could defeat a martial artist, that it was ridiculous to think a person who used only the upper half of their body could best someone who used all of it. Ryu however new the falsehood behind these words, and he'd taken the lumps from Mike Bison in the past to prove it. Boxers were trained to take hits and the extended to feet as well as fist, not to mention legendary feats of endurance. It was in no way that simple.
"Master...?" He contemplates the word almost curiously, as if he'd never heard it before, "I am yet still a student searching for ever greater heights to reach. Much like yourself, much like all of us." Not one to often mince words in a match, he'll let his skills do the talking soon enough, "You honor me with your words nonetheless, and I shall return the favor. I shall show you ansatsuken...at least, what of it that I comperehend."
As soon as his word finish, a powerful leap propels Ryu through the air toward the distinguished boxer, electing for first strike. This -was- a fight, after all! With both gravity and his own momentum on his side the world warrior's fist shall descend towards the pugilist's brown in a heavy blow, an appropriate start to the first of many fights to come.
COMBATSYS: Dudley endures Ryu's Fierce Punch.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Dudley
It's true--Dudley is no master. And Ryu claiming he is no master of Ansatsuken is in keeping with what Dudley's heard of the man. Still... in all practical purposes Ryu -is-, along with Ken, the master of Ansatsuken. Akuma aside, of course. But there's little time for woolgathering now--Ryu is upon him. Dudley's eyes track the man's leap and he sees that hammerlike fist coming in... and elects to drop his defenses.
The flying punch hammers in--hurts dearly--but Dudley's feint defense was intended to set up Ryu for a fierce rising uppercut--a boxing analogue of Ryu's own Shoryuken. Dudley's attack starts up only a moment after Ryu's punch lands, a powerful twisting momentum shift starting at his feet and spiraling up through his body, exploding out into his fist.
COMBATSYS: Ryu endures Dudley's Jet Uppercut.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Dudley
First strike indeed goes to Ryu, his mark as true as he intended it to be. In the process however he's made himself open to Dudley's move, deceptively quick in its execution. Going back up almost as soon as he came down the world warrior finds himself reeling a bit from that blow. He hit well, almost as well as Bison, if not as much! A brief smile flickers, this ought to be interesting.
The recover is a quick one, done still in the air with next attack already in mind. At least Dudley had the courtesy to knock Ryu straight up rather than away, allowing him to bare down upon the pugilist once again. This time he reaches for him not with a fast, but an open palm..two of them, in fact! Two hands reaching for those impeccable threads where he'll then attempt to use his momentum from the fall and his own strength to seize the larger man up and toss him over his shoulder, "Hyaaa!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Dudley with Tomoe Nage.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Dudley
Dudley -didn't- make a mistake there. He knows that Ryu will be a tough fight. And Ryu proves it in an instant; his grasp is true and the rolling throw lands Dudley solidly on his back, in a cloud of dust. To say it was painful is an understatement; Dudley is going to be a bit slow getting up, that's for sure, as he rolls to his side then gets to one knee... it's as if he hears an imaginary ten-count in his head.
Not that he's over and done with, not by a long shot; he simply pushes up to his feet again, rolling his shoulders to pop them back into proper alignment, and twists at the waist, popping his spine back into place.
"As good as advertised," he murmurs, with one final roll of the neck...
COMBATSYS: Dudley gains composure.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Dudley
With another successful strike, Ryu leaps back in anticipation of a counter or perhaps just giving his opponent some space, in either case a comfortable distance is put between the two men as Dudley recovers. The wandering one takes the brief lapse to straighten his own muscles as well; Lifting that man had been no easy task, but seeing him get up from it there was no doubt in the fighter's mind that his adversary could take as good as he could give.
Perhaps then, the distance was not -quite- as benevolent as initally led to believe.
"Be proud. Some larger fighters didn't get up after that." He'll acknoledge the feat quickly before cupping his hands behind him, gathering his chi and will. Dudley had stood up to some of his strongest regular blows...now the ansatsuken wanted to see how the boxer could fare against the more spiritual side of fighter. Could those fist overcome his chi? It had happened before, it would likely happen again, it was time to find out.
"HADOUUUUKEN!" The crowd support Ryu erupts with a bit of a furor as the vagabond's signature move streaks toward the pugilist, a bright blue-shining sphere of chi aimed at his chest.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Dudley with Hadouken.
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Dudley
The fight is going badly--and pretty fast at that. Then again... up against Ryu, -most- fighters wouldn't have a chance at doing all that well. Dudley frowns--he doesn't really want to be tagged by that, even with defenses up, and so he makes an attempt to duck around the attack... but too late, as it crashes into him, sending the man stumbling back. Nnh.
It would be a treat just to do a little better, Dudley thinks; recovering his footing he lunges forward all the same, intent on somehow closing the distance created with a swift series of steps; as he lunges, his left fist is cocked back and as he arrives, he fires off a series of swift jabs for Ryu's head and chest--the blurring fist surrounded by edges of wind chi, as is Dudley's right fist as it comes around just thereafter in a short uppercut.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Dudley's Machinegun Blow.
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Dudley
A recovery that quick from a hadouken is impressive, but it's not quick enought that Ryu can't see it coming, especially with that chi flaring up. So, he did understand more than just the power of his own fists. Unfortunately, those blows shall find only air to strike as the wanderer ducks and weaves between each potential hit, some coming closer than others but none manage to land a decisive hit.
It's right when that final blows tries to make it all up that he'll counter with his own move. He spins away at first, just out of the uppercut's range, then as soon as it's missed the Japanese fighter spins back in, bringing up his right leg to slam into the boxer's abdomen, left almost entirely wide open for the assault.
COMBATSYS: Dudley blocks Ryu's Medium Kick.
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Ryu 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Dudley
Dudley's immediate emotional reaction is disappointment; Machinegun Blow is one of his best attacks, at least in some respects. Still, the overextending created by Ryu's dodging doesn't prove to be a disadvantage as Dudley snaps his forearms down to take that right kick--rather than taking it in the abdomen. Sure he's trained and he's tough but that kick would surely have come at the cost of much pain. And Dudley's had plenty already.
Perhaps it is time, he thinks--or perhaps he just won't get another chance at this... as Dudley parries the limb away he suddenly begins weaving his upper body in a figure-eight motion, pressing forward as he begins weaving--much faster than almost anyone could imagine save for the highest level of boxer. And as he weaves and moves forward suddenly he's punching--slamming in a series of hard hooks--left, right, left, right, eight punches in all before he stops himself and plants his feet, twisting to finish the attack--the Rolling Thunder--with a hard right uppercut, of a longer-arcing variety than the one that ended Machinegun Blow.
COMBATSYS: Dudley successfully hits Ryu with Rolling Thunder.
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Ryu 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Dudley
Although Ryu manages to land the kick, it's a bit of a hollow victory seeing as how it feels only a little less effective then hitting a brick wall. As said earlier, boxers are trained to take blows. Dudley clearly wastes no time in his reaction either and suddenly it's Ryu on the defensive from that unexpected burst of speed, trying to block but caught too off-guard to shore up his defenses, his stance broken with the first punch.
It's a slight mid-fight upset then, with the pugilist getting off the most powerful show of force yet to make this fight on the world warrior, the final hit sending him flying through the air to make headway with the callous asphalt of the street.
Of course, Ryu has no intention of letting things end to that. He doesn't hit the ground head on, managing to roll at the last momen before righting himself on his feet. Still feeling a bit off-balance from that assault, he admonishes himself briefly..he underestimated his opponent and got in too close, that range is natural territory for any boxer.
Instead of immediately jumping back into the fray the herald of hadou will gather himself, forming a solid stance as the air around him begins to heat and crackle with visible wisps of chi, the manifestation of his fighting spirit. Those close enough might feel just a bit suffocated.
COMBATSYS: Ryu gathers his will.
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Ryu 1/=======/=======|=------\-------\0 Dudley
Calling it an 'upset' is probably a bit much--the playing field has evened a little bit, but Ryu's still got the upper hand. Dudley sees Ryu reeling and smiles with a little satisfaction. There's nothing quite like seeing a man take the Rolling Thunder. But there's no time to stand around and look pretty... there's still a fight going on. Ryu is charging--the energy is unmistakable for anything else--and Dudley wants to capitalize on that.
So it's once more unto the breach, as it were, Dudley once again lunging forward, his body compacted, elbows in, his upper body dropping low as he completes his lunge... then stamps his feet down, suddenly altering his trajectory and his momentum, remaining low to fire a fist nearly vertically for Ryu's chin.
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Uppercut Punch from Dudley with Shin Shoryuken.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Dudley
Perhaps upset was a bit much of a term..but it was definitely a comeback after the relative beating Ryu had been putting on Dudley thus far. He's sure his opponent will try to take advantage of the vulnerable state he's put himself in, who wouldn't? So he expects an attack, anticipates the moment it will hit judging from Dudley's distance and the speed he's demonstrated thus far. His eyes snap open the moment before the pugilist's attack would've found their mark, missing just barely as the ansatsuken fighter steps back.
Well, not -quite- a miss. Dudley may not get Ryu's chin, but does manage to catch his nose on the way up, bloodying it pretty well. Ryu remains unphased by the pain however, now having his opponent precisely where he wants him. Gathering his chi within both his legs and fists, the wander settles down in a crouch before flying skyward, twisting his foot at just the right moment to give him that legenday spin.
"SHIN!"
His leading fist makes a solid impact with Dudley's abdomen, catching him within the spin and taking both for a ride that likely won't soon be forgotten.
"SHO!"
Not content to stop there, his fist continues to rise in yet another impact with his opponent chest, somehow gaining even -more- speed than the first as his chi and momentum begin to take care of the rest."
"RYUUUUKEN!" A powerful surge of wind and chi propels Ryu far higher than a normal shoryuken, landing the final blow squarely on Dudley's chin, putting one final spin into it before making second, final hit in the same place, knocking he wealthy fighter even higher than he.
Only then will his descend, with an eye turned upwards as his feet find the ground. Was that enough? He remains ready to strike again, whatever the outcome.
Good Christ! Dudley feels rather uh... exploded by that last attack. Perhaps going for the chin was a mistake--no, it was a legal target and a good strike would have done wonders for this match, at least on Dudley's behalf. Dudley actually blacks out for a moment--while he's flying through the air--and lands with a thud again... he's spent a great deal of time on his back, this fight. Not something that the champion boxer is used to. Dudley lays there for a moment, then sits up, all prior to rising to his feet--he doesn't practice the quick-rising kippup that is a feature of Eastern martial arts.
Was it good enough? Not yet... though it is very close in Dudley's estimation. He isn't resting, persay... but he is shaking some cobwebs out of his head. Man, that hurt like crazy--it's only Dudley's dedicated training that kept his body from completely coming apart at the seams. He's got to get back into the match...
COMBATSYS: Dudley focuses on his next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Dudley
A bit of a smirk surfaces when Dudley gets up, though it quickly falls to Ryu's usual solemn expression as he gives the fight some space to regain composure. He's never been quite the type to keep constant pressure on during a fight, after all. And he could benefit from it as well, considering a move like that leaves you a bit worn out for a moment afterwards. Likely though that he's feeling a helluva lot better than Dudley is right now.
Those eyes remain on him nonetheless, looking for sluggishness, poorer stance, anything that might suggest the boxer was beginning to tire. A decisive move would likely be made soon, just a matter of who made it first.
COMBATSYS: Ryu focuses on his next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Dudley
Indeed. A move for a move. Those who see Dudley often think, particularly before they see him boxing, that he's stupid--that he's been beaten in the head too many times. Boxing is not the sport of the intellectual, they think. But Dudley puts the lie to this. His blue eyes watch Ryu, noting his condition with a practiced ease that perhaps most boxers wouldn't have... and yet he decides to attack again, knowing that to delay would cause more problems.
He'll just have to rely on his own skills--as he would any day of the year. Once again his body assumes that compact form, lunging forward, although Dudley's torso doesn't dip as low as before; he feints with his right, as if to throw a high overhand punch, but shifts his momentum once more to attempt to swing a crushing hook punch with his left--right into Ryu's side.
COMBATSYS: Ryu parries Dudley's Hook Punch!
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Dudley
Fighting, no matter what brand it may be, is a -thinking- sport, and don't let it be said otherwise. Some simply thinks faster than others, fewer are able to do it so fast that it becomes what people call instinct. There was always much more to winning than just hitting as hard as you could. Ryu understood this..as did Dudley, he would expect.
Still, the progress of the fight seems to have taken a toll on the boxer. Ryu sees the feint for what it is before Dudley can make his true move, prepared to react for it before he even makes it. A deft flow hands intercept what would've been a nasty kidney punch and harmlessly deflects it away. He'd had his shot, but the ball was now in the ansatsuken fighter's court and he would take full advantage.
Twisting back, he'll put all his strength in a high kick aimed squarely at the larger fighter's breastbone, a move known to take some men completely off their feet should it connect.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Dudley with Joudan Sokutou Geri EX.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Dudley
This time, Ryu's foot finds its home--the kick landing hard and sending Dudley to the ground. Right about now, yes... he's about done. Not completely, of course, but... the hometown favorite clearly is no longer so. Fighting -is- about skill, of course. And Dudley doesn't feel as though his skills are -inadequate-. Simply put--Ryu's better. But he knew that, in a way. And Dudley still won't give up. Once again he rises, though his legs are shaky, his body bruised, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth--he's taken some powerful hits and there's going to be -some- internal damage.
No words now; he wants to move his jaw as little as possible. His body, too--but that can't be helped. Once again, Dudley lunges for Ryu--his body low to the ground, as before, he closes in then plants his feet, beginning his rotational transference. As the rotational energy explodes upwards, it is channeled into Dudley's right fist--which comes sailing up for Ryu's jaw, as edged wind chi bursts into being around the boxer. Once, twice, three times he'll throw a powerful, rising, spinning uppercut; the first, if it hits, will take Ryu into the air for the second and third. This may be Dudley's last hurrah...
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Dudley's Rocket Upper.
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Dudley
All that and the man -still- has more. That kind of endurance was nothing to laugh at, especially when Ryu was feeling a lot of the effects himself. He knew the man had enough strength for one more big assault, he could feel it. The question was, did he have enough let in him to withstand it?
When it comes, he's ready. A series of uppercuts, but Ryu has more speed than the boxer and is able to anticipate and block the first blow, setting him up to do the same with the rest. His arms definitely take a beating but he doesn't allow the pugilist to get the best of him. Just one successful uppercut from him this fight was enough, he had no desire to experience more.
Ever quick on the uptake, Ryu reacts as soon as he spots an opening in Dudley's frenzy; As soon as he come down from the final attempt he'll find a powerful roundhouse kick to the head waiting for him.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Dudley with Strong Kick.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Dudley
And that, as they say... is that. Dudley is struck in the head and just goes down. Clearly he'll have training to do, once he can think again; but for now he's just laid out on the street, out cold. Dudley's supporters begin to drift away, murmuring disappointedly; but he fought the good fight and simply found that Ryu was too much for him. Not a surprise--Ryu didn't win the World Warrior tournament previously by being a weakling. All Dudley can hope is that he put on a show and didn't embarrass himself--but that determination is left to others...
COMBATSYS: Dudley takes no action.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Dudley can no longer fight.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
In one final blow the outcome of the fight is decided, with Dudley going down for the count and Ryu remaining standing. He'll wait for all the official things to take place as people shift about and leave once they realize the fight's over. He'd offer a hand to help his opponent up of course but..well, it looked like he was taking a well-earned 'nap'.
Instead, he'll bow respectfully to the fallen fighter. "You fought well, be proud." Can he even hear him? "There's still so much for both of us to learn..continue to fight, become stronger and face me again one day. I will look forward to it." He'll walk away then as the boxer is surely attended to by his personal crew, though there is slight limp in his gait, and it's diffcult not to keep at least one hand on his aching ribs. That...he may have been able to maintain control for most of the fight, but it was not what he would call 'easy' by any stretch of the imagination. And thing were only going get harder from here on out. He too had to train, had to prepare before the next fight.
As he fades into the crowd, the vagabond's thoughts turn to Sagat and the same struggle he must be enduring somewhere else. Will he face him again as well? Or rather, would he be able to? No, he'll leave those questions for another day. For now he would rest...but only for a little while.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has ended the fight here.
Log created by Dudley, and last modified on 20:30:23 03/13/2007.