Description: Takuma and Shenwoo rock the USS Iowa in their battle against Heidern and Clark. (Winners: Takuma and Shenwoo)
Ever been on a big warship before? It's an intimidating thing, to be sure. Here out in the middle of the ocean, the sun shines brightly; clouds loom on the horizon, threatening rain, and the winds have begun to steadily pick up in preparation for the event. But other than that, the skies are relatively clear, the seas are calm. Contrasted to the heat of the sun, the strong breeze that passes through is pleasant. It's nice weather, and the view of endless ocean is almost pristine. Which, of course...
... means that it's absolutely perfect weather for a beatdown.
The USS Iowa floats in the middle of the Pacific as the camera crew for Saturday Night Fight sets itself up. Clark Steel has been up on the deck for some time now, leaning his hands on the rail as he looks out to the sea beyond. It's been a while since he's been on a ship this big. And last time he was even on a ship, he was getting stabbed and blown up. So not having that happen is a nice change of pace. But -- fighting IS emanant, and so Clark has begun to ready himself for Extreme Battle. His sunglasses on securely, his hat tugged firmly over his head, Clark lifts his left, gloved hand, tugging that covering a bit more tightly over his fingers before nodding. All is well.
That was about five minutes ago. Now, the SNF fight is about ready to begin. The cameramen all circle around the ship as Clark approaches, hands in his pockets. He looks relatively amiable. And why shouldn't he be? There are big freaking guns on a big freaking warship. It's like heaven. And it's sturdy, too, so if Clark's lucky, he won't end up breaking anything tossing people around.
One could always hope, at least.
Yeah... Warships are pretty cool. Except for one thing: They're boats. And Shenwoo does not like boats. "Ugh," mutters the brawler, standing near where the fight is supposed to start and quite decidedly /not/ looking in any direction at the ocean. He doesn't mind water, per se, but... Being on a boat in the middle of it and there's no land in sight, and the boat is /moving/ with the water. It's awful. Awful, awful, awful. Truth be told, the self-styled 'God of Battle' looks a bit green.
With Clark approaching, though, Shen straightens up, folding his tattooed arms across his broad chest. As it happens, the brawler is ALSO wearing sunglasses - expensive designer ones, as usual - but that's more to help him not have to pay attention to his surroundings. Just focus on the fight, Shenwoo, and you'll be fine. Just focus on beating the living crap out of your opponents, and not on the rocking ocean underneath you. He really hopes they get started soon!
The USS Iowa. A grand, sturdy ship, it saw its share of combat during World War II and yet again in the Korean War. Now, it sees another form of combat, and although it might not be a fight to help save the free world from tyranny, it serves its purpose in an entirely different light. It is the stage set for another Saturday Night Fight.
Adrift in the endlessly blue waters of the Pacific, the ship's deck relatively empty, save for a few cameras, some ship crew, and, of course SNF crew. Clark and Shenwoo's approach are but the herald for; following their arrival, a tall, rather imposing man in olive-green fatigues emerges from below deck. With long arms folded neatly behind his back, the commander of the Ikari Warriors strolls with a stiff, militaristic gait toward the gathering of men already present. One eye - his only eye - zeroes in on both fighters, dry lips pulled into a thin line across weathered features.
Well-polished black boots suddenly cease to move from beneath him as he draws near. Holding his ground, the elder man draws both together, one arm falling stiff to his side, the other suddenly rising, saluting his comrade with a rigid - painfully so - salute. He holds it a beat; a moment later his arm drops, falling to his side. Never does he seem to relax.
"You," The Ikari Commander commands the attention of the sunglasses-clad Shenwoo, that single, hazel eye gazing with muted curiosity at the younger man. "I presume you are ‘Shenwoo?'" He knows the other fighters scheduled in this particular match, of course. Regardless, the man narrows that single eye, almost sizing the young man up. His dry lips dare to pull into a smirk; they refrain, however.
Looking aside, the soldier turns his good eye to Clark. "Let's show them the Ikari spirit, Steel," he states over the salty breeze that whips across the USS Iowa's deck.
"You young pups don't know a thing about combat! I don't know what you think these /cannons/ of yours will do, but you boys need to stop relying so much on these guns if you want to get some real damage done!" Takuma's voice is loud. Loud, and booming enough to be heard rather easily by practically anybody on the Iowa at the moment. It's such a distraction that the news anchor announcing the fight and its combatants' recent battle history is interrupted, several times, by Takuma's enthusiastic shouting. The transcript, for those of you at home, goes something like this:
"Today, on the U.S.S. Iowa, four combatants have gathered to test their mettle in tonight's Saturday Night Fight bout. Notable mercenaries Heidern and Clark stand to rep-"
"Punched a HOLE in it's side! You ever seen a warship cave in because of a man's -knuckles-, boys? I'll tell you right now, it's a majestic thing. Almost as awesome as-"
"while Shenwoo and Takuma Sakazak-"
"-threw a FISH right into one of those big-mouthed cannons, set the whole thing out of commission-"
"Surely, it seems like it will be an interesting battle! Will Sakazaki reclaim his pride after last week's unofficial beatdown? Will Heidern continue to domin-"
"Held my breath for -two- hours while the ship was going down right over my head! You boys need to learn some damn karate is what you need. Swing by the Kyokugen dojo after this fight if you want to learn from the master!"
"-starts now!"
The camera pans out a bit, if only to give the viewers an image of one Takuma Sakazaki being politely ushered towards the fighting area by some Iowa crewmen. He comes to a position standing next to Shenwoo, and regards the young man beside him curiously.
"Have I seen you around before, boy?" Heidern, as he's so polite as to salute Takuma, recieves a grim nod in return.
Well, at least the two combatants that Clark and his commander are fighting today LOOK interesting. This battle bodes well. Takuma Sakazaki is already a well known fighter, master of the Kyokugen arts. And Shenwoo, while not so well known, has already been making a name for himself as a crazyman as reckless as he is strong. So at the VERY least this means that the fight will be undeniably interesting. At the most, it probably means there's going to be a lot of property damage.
Poor ship.
As Heidern approaches, Clark's gaze focuses on the Ikari CO, offering a salute of respect to the older man with an easy going smile to accompany it. "Of course, sir." Is his only response to his superior's request, sunlglass-covered eyes roll over to observe the rather sickly looking Shenwoo, brows creasing. "... You okay there?" A little sea sickness shouldn't stop good ol' Shenwoo from fighting with all he's got, though.
And then Takuma tears Steel's attention away with his shouting and rambling, blinking once before slipping his hands out of his pockets, and stretching out either of his arms. He's ready. He looks ready. But he waits for Takuma's rant to stop overriding the announcer for now, standing towards his Commanding Officer and getting a good look at Shenwoo once more. Hopefully he's not going to puke on everyone. That'd just be gross.
COMBATSYS: Clark has started a fight here on the right meter side.
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|-------\-------\0 Clark
COMBATSYS: Heidern has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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|-------\-------\0 Clark
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|-------\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Takuma has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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|-------\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Clark takes no action.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
"Yeah, so what?" Shenwoo responds to Heidern, smiling broadly and toothily. "Nice Halloween costume, you supposed to be a commando pirate or something?" Seasickness does not leave Shen in a good mood! He's gonna keep his sunglasses on for this fight too, it'll keep him from focusing on anything else, like the rocking of the boat and the seemingly endless ocean beyond. "I'm fine," he adds to Clark, pushing his shades further up the bridge of his nose. "Better than you'll be in a few."
Takuma's arrival makes the lean blond fighter look over towards the old karate master, and snorts a bit at the question. "Once or twice," he says, a bit dismissively, before slipping into his casual boxing stance, fists raised, leading with his right. "Let's get this show on the road." Whenever they get the signal to, anyway!
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo takes no action.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
All was relatively calm. Then Takuma Sakazaki entered the scene.
Lifting his gaze as the eldest of the Sakazaki clan noisily arrives, Heidern regards the familiar old man with the faintest makings of a grin as he's ushered forth by crew members. His eye strays only briefly, regarding his fellow Ikari as he replies. "Good," he simply offers, nodding his head once, crisply. But oh, Shenwoo. He just had to go and open his mouth, didn't he?
Slowly but surely the elder soldier's solitary gaze eases its way back toward the Chinese brawler, hazel depths cold as the depths of the deepest sea. The man's jaw squares, set into place as he simply looks at the younger man, sizing him up without so much as a word. He doesn't need to say anything; he'll show him a what-for in due time.
Eventually, Heidern lifts his head up, his attention turning forward once more. He awaits the signal to begin, though he does prepare himself by easing into a strange stance; legs part, an arm folding over his chest as the other rests at his side.
COMBATSYS: Heidern takes no action.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
It's too late, Shenwoo will come to understand. Whatever he says to Takuma is lost for now, as the karate master has locked his eyes on Heidern's one, and his face has taken up an intense, stony sort of expresion. The expresion, one might conjecture, that Takuma reserves for those combatants he sees as equals rather than students(Another way of saying this is "old men"). Luckily, Takuma's settling into a fighting stance and nodding at nobody in particular(himself, really) just as Shenwoo announces he wants to get the show on the road. Nobody feels like they're being ignored!
"Heidern!" Takuma speaks in the same booming voice he'd used earlier, and lifts his chin at the Ikari commander as though it might confer some combat benefit to him. "I hope you're ready to be an example to all these young men! The glory of Kyokugenryuu and all of martial arts rests on our shoulders! We're the only thing that can bring modern combat back to its honest, humble roots - the fists of fighters!" Unlike the other fighters, who have assumed ready positions and focuses and all that... Takuma just -keeps on talking-. The rest of his ill-delivered speech is thankfully droned out by the blare of the siren annoucning the SNF match's beginning -- and by the time it's stopped shrieking, Sakazaki's sprung into action.
"Heidern! Make sure you're gritting your teeth, old man!" Takuma sprints across the ship's deck in a burst of speed lasting a little under two seconds. It stops, you see, because Takuma's run straight -into- Heidern, and grabbed the Ikari commander's jacket in an attempt to send the man crashing to the ground in a light, easily-conducted shoulder-tackle.
COMBATSYS: Heidern blocks Takuma's Quick Throw.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
There's a look coming from the elder Sakazaki that seems to earn the attention of Heidern. With a slow turn on his head, the Ikari Commander's solitary hazel eye seeks out and ultimately locks onto the other man's gaze, which seems utterly intent and painfully serious. Fortunately, the look is reflected on Heidern's weathered face. For now, the child-like berserker boy and his lieutenant commander are left to their own devices. Heidern is focused.
With booming authority the other man calls out Heidern's name, earning him a vaguely curious expression. His orders are simple, amusing enough to draw the faintest of chuckles from the other man. Rambling on, as usual, the taciturn Ikari CO just holds his ground, still maintaining that odd stance he's notorious for. Then, the siren. SNF has begun.
"Likewise," the man replies, keeping a close eye on Sakazaki as he lunges forward. His hands lash out, but Heidern meets them with little more than a sudden twist and thrust of his gloved palm, striking those hands off and ultimately deflecting them. A smirk haunts those dry lips of his. Thereafter the man crouches briefly and hops back, placing a few feet between himself and the eldest Sakazaki.
He does nothing. Instead, he plots his strategy, watching both Takuma, as well as Shenwoo. "Give this old man a second to warm up," he says, attempting humor, though the execution is dry at best.
COMBATSYS: Heidern focuses on his next action.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
The fight has started, and it seems both Takuma and Heidern have locked onto each other as targets. Stepping easily to the side as Takuma goes rushing at his CO so Heidern can more easily deal with his old friend and rival(?), Clark turns his attention from the Sakazaki elder and instead directs it at the 'God of Battle.' Noting the sea sickness, but also noting the fact that Shenwoo says he's fine, Steel nods once and turns his attentions fully on the Shanghai brawler. Since Takuma is preoccupied with Heidern, Clark might as well focus his attentions on the other opponent here today.
"... Huh." Smirking wryly at Shenwoo's bold proclamation, Clark settles into a fighting stance, rolling his neck easily before he responds, "Let's see how true that is." If Shenwoo wants to make claims like that, then certainly he can back them up, right?
Hopefully so, because Clark is rushing at the man a few scant seconds later, dashing across the ground to go for a quick, simple shoulder slam into the man's sternum. "HUP!" It's quick, but it should be enough to knock Shenwoo down, if successful.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo blocks Clark's Tackle.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
"Heh," mutters Shenwoo, shifting and bringing his arms in close to his body, tattooed forearms crossing and intercepting Clark's shoulder. It still knocks him back an inch or two, but he remains standing and undazed, grinning that wide, wild grin. "I guess the old men are gonna go play some Mahjong, huh?" he says, sunglasses staring into sunglasses...
And then, the brawler from Shanghai pushes Clark /back/, lunging after him with every intention of smashing his forehead into the hat-wearing commando's head as hard as he can. "SO LET'S HAVE SOME FUN, OKAY?!" he roars, finishing his earlier statement, clearly wanting to put some hurt to Mr. Steel!
It's clear Takuma wasn't expecting that one to work, if only for the relatively unconcerned look on the man's face as he's left stumbling a bit, twisting on his left foot and bringing his right around and behind him to properly face Heidern once again. Shenwoo's given a quick, curious-more-than-concerned glance as Clark's shoulder slams into the brawler's arms. Then he's looking back to Heidern, a smile on his face.
"Right, well, I'll take it easy on you if you need me to." Takuma brushes the front of his gi, a touch, and sets his jaw. Whorls of gentle yellow chi start emanating from the deck at his feet, and he maintains eye contact with the Ikari. "But you've only got these few seconds! I didn't spend the last ten minutes stretching for nothing!" Stretching his mouth, at least. But Takuma does not bother differentiating between muscle groups, and it's very likely that he's able to launch Ko'ou Kens from his jaw just as easily as his hands. He /is/, after all, a karate master.
COMBATSYS: Takuma gathers his will.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Heidern
Ah, this trick. Heidern knows it well; he can do the same, albeit with different results, mind. Still, as Takuma regards the other man, Heidern's expression remains vaguely amused, that singular hazel eye still intently focused on the other man. The humor shared, the Ikari CO shakes his head lightly, grinning as he simply observes his opponent. For now, at least.
"My apologies," the man replies. A glance is spared to the fight at his side. "I will give you some time to further prepare yourself, Sakazaki. For now," For now? The man's lips tug into the faintest of smirks. He doesn't elaborate; instead, Heidern leaps into action. Literally.
Crouching briefly, Heidern's body springs up into the air, a surprising display of flexibility and dexterity, despite his age. His ascent takes him high, but ultimately his target does not seem to be Takuma, but instead, Shenwoo. Long fingers lash out as he falls toward him, attempting to get a firm grasp on the man's throat...
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Clark with Strong Punch.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Heidern
It seems that Shenwoo's going to be having double-trouble soon enough. As it stands, it seems that Clark's intent to take Shenwoo's headbutt like a man doesn't go exactly as he expected it to. The headbutt hits brutally, and sends Clark staggering backwards, shaking his head and muttering something like 'ow' under his breath. That stung more than a little bit! Blood begins to seep from Clark's nose, but he's not deterred. Instead, he intends to put similar hurting on Shenwoo...
... and sees Heidern coming at him, as well. Attempting to use a bit of teamwork, Clark rushes /forward/ once more, not giving any verbal response to Shenwoo's obviously rhetorical question; just a small smile and little more. His intention is to grasp Shenwoo firmly by the shoulder, and if successful, toss him. The intent is to follow up with a strong gut punch, intending to launch Shenwoo /right/ into the oncoming Heidern and his assault. One could always hope, at least. "HUP!"
COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Shenwoo with Neck Rolling Slashes.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo parries Clark's Combo Throw!
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Heidern
Snared, like a rodent in the talons of a hawk. Long fingers bury themselves into the Chinaman's neck, holding fast and unrelenting. It doesn't stop THERE, however; somehow, Heidern defies gravity itself. His form, a blur, rotates repeatedly around the man's throat, leaving a nice mess of burn and hurt with those sharp fingertips and gloved hands before, when it seems as if it will never, ever end--
--the Ikari swings himself off, rotating midair before he lands in a brief crouch a distance away. Like clockwork, the elder Ikari eases back into his stance once more.
What in the great green crap is going on here? Shenwoo laughs aloud after headbutting Clark, but then suddenly... Suddenly... He feels a creeping sense of doom headed his way. Which would, as it happens, be Clark and not far behind him, Heidern. The first Ikari's attempt to hit Shenwoo around and then toss him up to his boss... Fails utterly, as the beserker just knocks the attack aside with a sweep of one hand. "STOP THAT!!" he yells, and then he suddenly /blurs/ forward at Clark, throwing his fist out in a rushing punch of mighty speed and force. "GRAAAH!!!"
Of course, succeed for fail, Shenwoo DOES get caught by Heidern, not even ATTEMPTING to avoid the other Ikari's grab, and he gets helicoptered into the air by what is probably the most ridiculous attack he's ever been subject to. It does, however, hurt like the BLAZES. When he finally gets released, Shen falls towards the deck, landing in a roll and ending up in a low crouch. Ow. "Tch," he mutters. "What the HELL was that supposed to be?!"
Takuma frowns at Heidern's response. He was expecting a punch or some kind of gut-slash, not a redirection of efforts! Now thoroughly riled, a little insulted, and feeling more than a little like he's being disregarded for the younger, more animated combatants, Takuma cuts off the chi flowing into his body rather abruptly before... well, before he simply turns, and SPRINTS at Heidern's retreating figure.
Takuma pauses as Heidern connects and gestalts with Shenwoo to form some kind of paincopter. He runs a hand through his hair, and the look on his face seems to be one that suggests he'd LIKE to help his teammate out, but is utterly mortified of what might happen to Shenwoo's head if he does something to Heidern during his combat-surgery. He gives Clark a speculative look, and even goes so far as to lift a hand to his chin...
But then Heidern's back on the ground, and Takuma's taken off again. "I WAS TELLING YOU, HEIDERN, THAT I WAS GIVING /YOU/ A SECOND TO GET READY! AND THEN YOU HAD TO GO AND TEAR THE KID'S THROAT OUT! PLAY FAIR!" Takuma surges into the air, not even ten seconds after Heidern's landed from his attack, and rights himself halfway through his leap to fire off a globule of yellow chi towards the Ikari Commander. "KO'OU KEN! NOW PLAY FAIR!"
COMBATSYS: Heidern slows Ko'ou Ken from Takuma with Cross Cutter.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
Upon landing, Heidern is treated to a peculiar sight. Leaving both Shenwoo and his solider to duke it out amongst themselves, and since Shenwoo didn't seem to get remotely distracted by the sudden and rather unexpected attack from Heidern, he turns his attention to the side upon rising fully. That solitary hazel eye lands on Takuma. And he's coming at him.
Thoroughly scolded, the elder soldier's expression is mildly puzzled at best before the man slides his feet back and drops his arms to his sides. They're stiff and rigid, like his posture, and with one smooth motion a blur of x-shaped blue chi slices through the air and through most of Takuma's attack. The remains whiz past the Ikari CO, singing his face and causing the man to wince faintly, but otherwise he seems in good order.
Fixing his posture once more, Heidern eases into stance, regarding Takuma with the tiniest of smirk. "Come now, Sakazaki. You're not jealous of some kid, are you?"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Clark with Gekiken EX.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
Clark Steel is, apparantly, not a man. Considering the fact that Shenwoo's fist quite solidly SLAMS into Clark's gut, the man letting out a solid OOF as he goes flying backwards into a nearby cannon. He hits metal roughly from the blow, but lands on his feet. Still disoriented, Clark takes a moment to shake out his head to push the dizziness aside. And then... he takes a good, long look at his opponent. Apparantly Heidern's attack was successful, but Steel's still in pretty bad shape. But does that keep him down? Most certainly not.
Instead, Clark just RUSHES in one more time, intending an attempt at tackling Shenwoo one more time. This time, however, if successful, Shenwoo is going to land on the ground with the entire mass of Clark landing on top of him, rolling across the ground once before he lifts Shenwoo's upperbody into the air... and then SLAMS it down, brutally. "HMPH!"
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo interrupts Rolling Cradle from Clark with Tenrenshou.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
Oh crap, here comes the Clark Train. Shenwoo pushes his sunglasses back up on his nose again as he watches the Ikari Warrior rush him down, staying in that low crouch the whole while... And he keeps right on grinning like a madman. Could he have... A plan?! No, don't be silly, this is Shen we're talking about. He doesn't plan things ahead. He just /does/ them. He is zen... Or something like it. Even when Clark is almost on top of him, he doesn't seem to move.
Instead, the berserker gets caught, and rolled, tumbling arse over teakettle with Clark over and over again, but when the other fighter /lifts/ him, then things start to go awry. Instead of just peacefully getting slammed into the deck, Shenwoo brings a leg up and then thrusts it out, powerfully, into Clark in order to knock the two fighters away from each other and spare him any further hurt. Instead, Shen lands on his feet, if a bit unsteadily, laughing again. "Hahahahahaha!!" Yeah, he's enjoying himself.
A broad grin shows itself on Takuma's face as his rival's attempt to batter through the Ko'ou Ken leaves him with a burst of chi to the face. Sakazaki lands on his feet on some kind of a repeating cannon emplacement, perhaps ten feet from Heidern's position, and fixes the Ikari with a deep frown after he's asked about jealousy. "W-well of course not, Heidern! But I'm not going to take you running off so lightly! Besides," he comments as an aside. "I'm doing you a favor! Running away makes you look like a sissy. I'm saving your honor!"
The ground, some five feet beneath the gun emplacement, is quickly met with Takuma's feet. Unfortunately, Sakazaki isn't as used to the rolling motions of the sea as he'd like to have his younger fans believe, and a particularly strong bucking of the ship(probably caused by Clark slamming into a gun emplacement on the other side of the deck) sends the Kyokugen warrior running headlong into Heidern's figure.
"Wh-hnnnnnnahhhhhh!!" Takuma's a fantastic actor, whatever the case, and quickly sets his impromptu jog into a more tightly controlled sprint, arms extended towards Heidern. If he grapples the man's shoulders properly, Heidern can expect a volley of knee-strikes to the face, followed by Takuma rather skillfully placing his foot on the Ikari's head, and kicking off from there to land behind Heidern.
COMBATSYS: Heidern blocks Takuma's Shouran Kyaku.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Heidern
"I didn't run off," he assures the man, lifting a gloved hand up to adjust the beret atop his head with the faintest lift and reposition. "I simply felt that since you exercised a certain generosity in letting me have a moment, I would give you the same." It's all a load, really. This is evident by the smirk that lightly tugs at the man's face. "But I thank you for at least trying to look out for my "honor," though such is entirely unnecessary."
With a thud Takuma lands, and upon impact the other man slides into stance. Watching close as he charges forth, Heidern simply squares his shoulders and thrusts his hands out, snagging his wrists out of the air before he CAN make purchase before he pushes the other man away and, hopping back, holds his ground.
From beneath him a burst of air erupts, a red haze around the man as he seems to pool his chi energy, that solitary hazel eye focused entirely on Takuma as he stands there, waiting.
COMBATSYS: Heidern gathers his will.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Heidern
It's not a good sign that Shenwoo opts to just accept the tackle downwards. Proven when Clark gets kicked with a rather hearty foot to the gut. It's not enough to send him flying, really, but it IS enough to send him staggering backwards, losing his breath from the sudden and rapid blow. Stumbling back, Clark steadies himself against that same cannon that he had slammed into before. This guy hits like a truck -- he's going to have to figure out a way to maneuver around this situation effectively.
For right now, though, Clark is going to catch his breath. He needs a second to prepare, and that means keeping his distance from Shenwoo and gathering his thoughts -- and hopefully stop aching so much. Damn. He's hurtin'.
COMBATSYS: Clark gains composure.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Heidern
With the old guys still tangling up and doing whatever it is old fighters do (probably try not to strain their backs) Shenwoo is, of course, left to square off with Clark... Who doesn't immediately come after him again? Man, what's up with that? "What's the matter, huh?!" the slightly taller blond asks, calling out over to the Ikari Warrior, standing casually while the other tries to catch his breath. "You scared or somethin'?" Oh, trash talk!
Of course, Clark choosing not to attack is a sign of weakness that the self-styled 'God of Battle' has every intention of seizing on immediately, which would be why he starts running /directly at/ his opponent, headlong, heedless of any possible threat or danger... Heedless of anything but his singular focus on /totally punching Clark until candy comes out/. As he gets closer, he actually speeds up, almost disappearing from view he moves so fast, rearing back with his left fist... And then throwing it forward in another rushing punch, this one orders of magnitude faster and more powerful, a shockwave of energy riding on his fist and enveloping Shen. If he misses, that's gonna be one dinged up cannon. "SHYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
"Uh-huh," says a skeptical Takuma as he's once again deflected from his cycloptic foe. Landing on the ground with a skillful show of balance-keeping and nimble feet, the Kyokugen warrior turns quickly to find his foe simply standing there, chi whirling up about him in a show of recovery. Takuma falls into a spread-legged position and takes up a similar tactic, though it's clear from his expression that he hopes for his title of 'Old Man' to allow for such pace to be taken!
"Playing a waiting game with me, Heidern?" Yellowish chi whirls up around Takuma's feet, and he makes a show of being winded, out of breath. "...I can follow that one just fine, you'll see. A little tired myself - how do these navy boys stand all of this /rocking/ and /ocean/? It's giving me a headache!" Regardless of his 'whiny' behavior, Takuma is certainly sure to keep an eye on his opponent for now, face grim and set, a clear sort of determination in his features. It's a definite change in tactics from his /earlier/ fight... which may be why Takuma's not doing quite so poorly this time!
Sakazaki raises both arms at Heidern, gesturing the slender mercenary forward. "Well, c'mon! You've played around with your chi long enough, let's see what you can do with it!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma gathers his will.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Clark
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
Skeptical as he may be, the elder Ikari offers the faintest of smirks, that solitary eye slowly drawing to a close. He seems thoughtful for a moment, considering Takuma's words before he merely chuckles. The waiting game? "Perhaps," he replies, his figure still embraced by that curious red haze. Eventually the man seems content; the haze fades, the man's wiry figure easing back into his odd fighting stance. He seems ready.
Takuma, on the other hand, does not.
"And it would seem you choose to humor me by playing it as well, Sakazaki." He grins a touch, that single eye hooding thoughtfully. In comparison to Clark and Shenwoo, these two are clearly biding their time, plotting. The other boys...well, they just seem to fight. At least the SNF is kept somewhat entertaining! Those old men.
"I'll show you in due time," he promises. Then? Turning around, the Ikari Warrior faces his subordinate, the man's posture as sturdy as the ship's steel. "STEEL!" the man bellows, offering him a sudden thrust of that gloved finger, pointing it straight at the man's face, seconds before Shenwoo tears off at him. "Show that upstart the power and strength of the Ikari! That is an ORDER, soldier!"
COMBATSYS: Heidern assists Clark.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Clark
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Clark blocks Shenwoo's Zetsu Gekiken.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Clark
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
Now, see. Shenwoo is confusing weakness with being tactfully sound. After he's been kicked and punched so many times, even Clark needs a moment to catch his breath and recover from the beating. But that doesn't mean he's weak or defenseless. And though Shenwoo comes at him quick, well -- it seems that time itself pauses for a brief second as the God of Battle blasts off like a Rocket of Punches. Clark blinks, turns to look at Heidern, and then?
He receives an order.
It's like slow motion. Clark turns to stare at Heidern, eyes wide and mouth agape. And then, infused with the authority of the Ikari, Clark's head dips in a most grateful nod. "Mission..." Slow motion. Totally. Clark's right hand comes up in a salute slowly, as Shenwoo barrels at him. And when that chi-infused fist comes at Clark --
--He'll find a gloved hand blocking palm-first.
"... ACCEPTED."
The sheer force of the maneuver causes Clark's feet to skid across the ground. But he does not topple, and that left hand does not move from Shenwoo's fist. Any pain from the blow is all but lost in Clark's pose of badassery, saluting Heidern while at the same time blocking the massive pain and a half that is Shenwoo's Zetsu Gekiken. Were it not for Heidern, perhaps he would have failed. Thank god for the CO's sorcery.
Clark's grip, however, does not let go after Shenwoo's burst is over. Instead, Clark intends to whip the other man around shortly afterwards, and then DRIVE him, face first, into the solid ground of the ship below.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo endures Clark's Medium Throw.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Clark
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
"THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!!" Shenwoo declares when his attack is intercepted. Shouldn't he be like, angry about it or something? Apparently not our boy Shen, no, he seems pleased if anything. He was worried this might be a little too easy, and where's the fun in that? He doesn't even show a hint of resistance as Clark uses his grip to whip him around and then smash him face-first into the deck. Which, it should be noted, /hurt a lot/. But the brawler hardly shows a sign of it.
Instead, he rolls over onto his back with a quickness, looking towards Clark, and lashes out. His intention is, of course, to hit the grappler before he can fully recover from tossing Shen around like a sack of potatoes... By smashing the heel of one foot into the Ikari Warrior's l'il Ikari, as hard as he can. "HORA!!"
Takuma sets his jaw as Heidern seems to be distracted once again. "Dammit, Heidern! Stop playing around with the kids and focus on the important things! We're acting like /OLD MEN/, we shouldn't be doing this!" His face, rather quickly, drains of color. His lips part, his eyes widen in a bit of fear, and he stammers a bit.
"I... I may be making karate look -BORING-!" Again, Takuma sets his jaw, and it may be in this moment that he determines the waiting game is not worth it. With a sudden hardening of his features, a sort of steely expression overtakes his form, and Takuma rushes towards the Ikari commander, arms outstretched.
He seems to be rushing at Heidern a lot, this fight. It goes to show you what attention he's been paid by his foe.
"HRRRRAAAAAGNNNNNNN!!!!!" If Heidern's unable to do anything about Takuma's attack, he'll find himself subject to a frightening series of punches and kicks - Takuma's enslaught starts with a few heavy right hooks towards Heidern's face, some knees to his stomach, a variety of other punches and kicks that would by all rights send any normal man to the ground in a coma, and then two high roundhouse kicks followed by one devastating uppercut punch. While Heidern would be sent flying through the air, Takuma hops back and lets loose a one-handed Haoh Sho Ko Ken to collide with the Ikari before he hits the ground, and then assumes a standing position, contentedly.
Otherwise something much less interesting happens, like a dodge or something. Who knows?
COMBATSYS: Heidern fails to counter Ryuuko Ranbu from Takuma with Killing Bringer.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1 Heidern
Is he being scolded...again? Turning his gaze back onto Takuma as he barks at him, Heidern seems mildly bemused by this before he simply grins. "I have to keep my men in line," he explains, lifting his gloved hand up to gently rub at the back of his neck. "But alright. I'll entertain you now, Sakazaki. Just don't disappoint me, alright?"
Opening his eye, the elder Ikari watches carefully as Takuma rushes at him. Shifting his foot, the man attempts to whip his hand out and intercept that opening strike; unfortunately, the man is too slow. Struck, he's caught in a volley of kicks and punches before he's sent flying up, only to be struck with a nice, painful Haoh Sho Ko Ken to add insult to injury.
Somehow, the Ikari CO manages to land in a three point stance, hitting the hard deck with a thump of polished boots and the faintest smirk. "That's the spirit, Sakazaki," the man replies, again easing into his typical stance. That didn't disappoint one bit. It actually smarted.
COMBATSYS: Clark interrupts Heavy Kick from Shenwoo with Running Three.
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Shenwoo 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1 Heidern
Now, see. When Heidern gives Clark an order, he usually intends to see it through to the bitter end. Not only that, but Steel doesn't appreciate other people trying to land a massive assault on his Bad Balls. So, it's probably a GOOD thing that he opted NOT to let go of Shenwoo's arm. A fact that Shenwoo might realize right about when his foot snaps out... and he finds himself soaring through the air.
That kick lands on one of Clark's mighty pectorals instead of his face as Shenwoo gets flipped UP... and then /right/ onto Clark's shoulder. "HO!" The Ikari Lt. Commander hardly even waits a moment before he blazes off like a Train of Pain, keeping Shenwoo quite solidly affixed to his shoulder. With an almost deafening CLAND, Clark RUSHES Shenwoo, headfirst, into the side of one of those cannons, denting the metal with Shenwoo's thick skull. And then? He spins AROUND, blasting off across the ship grounds before slamming the God of Battle headfirst into yet ANOTHER cannon, similarly making a sizeable depression in it. Clark turns, offering a thumbs up to the camera... and then he runs once more, CRASHING Shenwoo one more time into the side of that first cannon, skull first, before tossing Shenwoo into the ground... and flexing.
"BOOYA!"
It's really just because he likes posing. Honest.
D... Damn. Okay, see, now that? That hurt. That was a 'gonna feel that in the morning' hurt. Shenwoo just about gets massacred by Clark and his big attack of smashing him repeatedly into other things, and when he ends up on the ground, he stares up at the sky - his sunglasses have since broken and fallen by the wayside - and for a moment, he considers things. Life, philosphy. Deep things. Which probably means he just got brain damage courtesy of Clark Steel.
"Mgghh," grunts the brawler as he sits up, rubbing his achin' head. That was not a fun time, thanks! He stands up, and... Staggers back, suddenly very acutely aware of the sea and the fact that they're on a rocking boat. Which just feels even /worse/, thanks to his head. He's looking pretty green all of a sudden, and puts a hand to his mouth, brow furrowed in worry. Oh man, he really hopes he's not gonna puke. He'll get back to kicking Clark's ass in a minute.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo gains composure.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1 Heidern
Takuma, given a moment to feel accomplished and such, takes some time to observe the rest of the fight. He watches Shenwoo attack Clark with a great deal of... worry... etched onto his face at the sheer -force- the boy seems to be using. Granted, given Clark's current state, Takuma can't do much but nod approval at Shenwoo's tactic, or lack thereof. Which is really kind of a tactic in itself, if you think about it. Way to be, Shen! Way to p-
Takuma's face falls at Clark's quick turnaround, and elects to turn away from the punishment for a moment to regard Heidern. He smiles. "All this fighting's taking the wind outta me, but I guess I can still churn it out when I have to, huh?" He smiles, and settles into a neutral stance. "C'mon, now, old buddy. Stop worrying about the kids and take the punches to your equal, here. We volunteered to put on a show, didn't we?" Immediately after he speaks, and perhaps a little hypocritically, he turns to Shenwoo and lifts a fist triumphantly.
"C'MON, BOY, KEEP ON, UH, PUNCHING HIM HARD! YOU CAN BREAK HIS SUNGLASSES JUST LIKE HE BROKE YOURS!" Takuma turns back to Heidern after this, and narrows his eyes. "Just us now, Ikari."
COMBATSYS: Takuma focuses on his next action.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1 Heidern
Clark's enthusiasm is noted, the Ikari Warrior Commander - who still attempts to recover from that particularly painful miscalculation - offering the faintest of smirks. Bowing his head faintly, a leather gloved hand reaches up, pulling the olive-green beret from his head, the other hand smoothing over black locks. "Never underestimate the strength of the Ikari," he states aloud, to to whom he speaks is uncertain; Heidern just talks.
Looking back up, he regards Takuma with a grin. "Yes, I suppose you can, Sakazaki. I'm impressed." Which is the truth. He didn't expect to take that fierce a blow from his mighty Kyokugen fists. He knows now not to underestimate the other, older man. Even as he speaks, the man just stands there, regulating his breaths and making the most out of his moment of downtime.
"Heh," That single eye opens, looking toward Takuma. "So it seems." The look he offers, however, seems doubtful. He won't write off Clark yet.
COMBATSYS: Heidern gains composure.
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Shenwoo 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
Well, that was successful. And it seems that it's taken a bit of an edge off of Shenwoo, who is now rolling across the ground and apparantly seasick. And brain damaged. Clark takes a moment to lift off his cap, and wipe his brow. Whew. That was pretty close. And it still IS close, considering it seems Shenwoo isn't down for the count quite YET. So, taking this into consideration, Clark looks at the man, blinks, and considers. All the while his messy, blonde hat hair swaying in the breeze very unimpressively.
And it is there that Clark makes his decision. He tugs his cap on securely over his head, resolved. Slapping hands against his biceps briefly as if warming up, Clark crouches to the ground... and then makes a dead run at Shenwoo. From here he has every intention of grasping the God of Battle securely by the shoulder and, if successful, he'll LAUNCH the other man high into the air... before dropping down to his knee, intent on intercepting Shenwoo's (hopefully) falling body on his knee back first with a sickening CRACK. If successful, he'll just flip Shenwoo off of him at that point, face stoic as all... Bad Dudeish.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo Toughs Out Clark's Arabian Burglary Backbreaker!
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Shenwoo 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
Man, Clark. You're such a dick, attacking a guy who's trying not to throw up! Shenwoo once agains ees Clark running his way, and once again he... Doesn't even try to get out of the way, standing his ground against the grappler's next assault. He's caught by the shoulder, and he's launched into the air... And then getting backbreakered LIKE CRAZY, except when he gets flipped off of that knee, Shenwoo lands on his feet, and stands up, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hahahahahaha... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...!!!" Shenwoo laughs aloud, shaking from head to toe with barely repressed energy. He actually /punches himself in the face/, once with each fist, and then throws his head back to roar like some kind of crazy damn wild animal, his tall, lean form briefly enveloped by a violent red aura, energy erupting off of him. "NOW WE'RE TALKING!!" he shouts, reaching to grab Clark by the front of his top and then HEADBUTT HIM LIKE CRAZY. If that lands, then what follows is more of Shen's characteristic brutal violencing, an ongoing barrage of punches and kicks that never seem to stop, forcing Clark back up against that cannon again... Before he finishes it with a Gekiken, a rushing punch, aiming to drive the Ikari Warrior /into/ the ship's gun! "GO TO HELL!!"
Takuma shakes his head once or twice, and looks up to Heidern. He's about to say something(very likely something disparaging), but Shenwoo's started shrieking off to the left, which naturally draws Takuma's attention. The Kyokugen fighter gives his teammate a concerned, almost horrified expression, but this quickly fades into a headshake... and Takuma's back to glaring at Heidern.
"Alright, things've gone on long enough!" Takuma leans back, a hand on his forward knee, the other curled into a fist behind him, and /lunges/ forward, a classic flying kick that seems to have so much more force than your standard jump-kick behind it. In fact, the karate master seems to -hover-. "HIEN SHIPPU KYAKU!" The goal here is naturally to plant his foot squarely on Heidern's chest -- following that hit, if it's successful, Takuma will whip his body around to slap Heidern with his second foot, and send him streaking into the air.
COMBATSYS: Heidern blocks Takuma's Hien Shippu Kyaku.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Heidern
Indeed; the guttural howl of Shenwoo draws the elder Ikari's attentions away briefly, the man's dry lips pulling into a thin line across his face before he simply exhales, broad shoulders dipping ever so slightly. He looks thoughtful then, that singular eye drawing to a close as he slowly turns his attention back toward Takuma. Only when he faces forward once more does the old soldier open that eye. He grins.
"You're right. It's time to take things a little more seriously." Has he been taking them seriously before? Probably. However, goading Takuma a little never hurts. Watching, however, as Takuma barrels forward, Heidern centers his weight and braces himself, accepting the blow full-on, though it's his arms that accept it, not his face. "Hah!" Amused, Heidern lashes out in a swift counterattack; whipping hand out, he attempts to snag the elder Sakazaki out of midair and hurl him the opposite direction.
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo successfully hits Clark with Bakuma Assault.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Clark
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Heidern
Augh. Ever get hit by a truck? It hurts. That's about the feeling Clark gets when Shenwoo hits him. Except instead of a truck, it's a tank moving as fast as a truck at full speed. And it hurts. Did he mention that? Because it hurts a lot. Each blow pounds in as intended, except Clark apparantly doesn't even TRY to make a defense. Apparantly he was going to take all the hits like a damn man, but Shenwoo hits too hard, and too fast. However -- for whatever reason, Clark's sunglasses? Don't break through the storm of headbutts. Whether it be sheer freak luck or the theory that Clark's sunglasses may or may not be legendary mystical artifacts from the WORLD OF TOMORROW, who knows. But they remain steadfast through the beating.
And then comes the final assault. But as that Gekiken comes crashing into Clark's chest, as he spits up a splurt of blood, his foot slips up. Almost entirely by accident, perhaps, or a clever, ingenious ploy, Clark's foot is making a getaway path to just... trip Shenwoo. Just trip him mid-Gekiken so he goes crashing into the ground below as Clark falls with a bloody thump. Ow.
COMBATSYS: Clark can no longer fight.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/-------|=======\===----\1 Heidern
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Takuma 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Clark successfully hits Shenwoo with Fast Throw.
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Shenwoo 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Heidern
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|
That's satisfying at least. Totally worth what happens next, as Shenwoo gets tripped, hitting the ground a bit painfully. He's had worse you know... Especially from Clark himself. "Keh," the sound is somewhere between a laugh and a cough, as he rolls over onto his back again. He's just about out, he knows it... It's clear... There's not a whole lot more he can do. Except, maybe - just maybe - pay Heidern back a little for that shot earlier. So, darkness creeping into the edge of his vision, Shen forces himself up, scrambling along the deck in a low run, using his hands to keep himself from falling over.
And when he does get close enough? Shenwoo throws himself forward, and over, into a baseball slide, skidding along the deck, coming to a halt pretty much right under Heidern. And, of course, he throws a foot out to... Try and kick HIM in the Bad Balls. "HEADS UP!!" he announces. Of course, whatever happens? He's out of the match!
COMBATSYS: Shenwoo can no longer fight.
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Heidern's Quick Throw.
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Takuma 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Heidern
"Just like last time, huh?! I di-HOOOOGH!" Takuma is sent flying over Heidern's shoulders as his hands find purchase on the Kyokugen's gi, and is sent sailing through the air rolling end-over-end several times before he finally does hit the ground, landing in a proper three-point position, a little dinged up but overall in decent shape. Takuma gets to his feet, still tired from the attacks he's been throwing around the whole match.
"You," he says to Heidern, matter-of-factly, "Are good at taking hits. You'll need to teach me how you soak up the damage so well sometime!" He doesn't want to admit the truth - he's been playing a very defensive game tonight, which may be why this fight's gone on for as long as it has! To make matters worse, Sakazaki falls into that defensive state yet again - more yellowish chi swirls up from the ground, rejuvenating the man, making his breath come a little easier than it had been earlier. "Sorry, sorry... I know it's a boring thing to do, but I need to catch my breath!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma gathers his will.
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Heidern dodges Shenwoo's Fusen Kyaku.
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Heidern
That single eye flickers aside as there is movement spotted, the Ikari Commander's jaw squaring a bit as he gazes toward the scene at his side. Clark took a hit, and one that seems considerably painful, to boot. Frowning a touch, the soldier exhales a bit, drawing that single eye to a pensive close, even after Takuma corrects himself midair and lands, keeping in good shape. He wouldn't expect any less of the head of the Sakazaki family, after all.
He would have left things at that, had Shenwoo decided not to make one last-ditch effort at him. Catching sound of motion nearby, the elder man tilts his head, even as the Brawler comes barreling in from his blindspot. Is he...sliding? Smirking lightly, the man's legs tense up before he hops up and back into the air, letting Shenwoo slide beneath him. The moment he lands, Shenwoo's leg snaps up--
And so does Heidern's hand. "Excuse me," he replies coolly, that solitary eye flickering down towards the clearly-winded youth. Twisting his body, the man suddenly pivots on his heel, peeling the Chinaman off the deck and into the air as he spins. One full rotation made, the Ikari CO spins once more before he lets Shenwoo loose, sending him soaring right at Takuma.
"Your teammate tried to kick me in the sack, Sakazaki," he says, his expression flat.
COMBATSYS: Takuma overcomes Large Thrown Object from Heidern with Haoh Sho Ko Ken.
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Takuma 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
Takuma's face is just as flat as Heidern's throughout Shenwoo's entire escapade. Half of the old man is brimming with pride for the boy(The audacity! The sheer audacity!) while the other half is more or less exactly where Heidern is. As Shenwoo's attack fails and Heidern is able to inform Takuma of the grave, grave injustice that has just occured, all Takuma can really do is nod right back at the Ikari. "He did." Heidern tosses Shenwoo at Takuma.
"You did a good job on that quiet guy, boy, but there's a line you DO NOT CROSS!" If Ryo or himself had done it, it would be an entirely different matter, but that's not being called into question for now. What's important, realy, is that Takuma's got that chi coursing up and down his arms again -- and he's bringing them forward, out towards Heidern and the rapidly approaching Shenwoo. "Maybe this will help teach you a lesson! I'd slap you on the ass a few times but I think you're a little old for it! HAOH SHO KO KEN!"
The enormous yellow chiball rips through Shenwoo's prone form, sends him careening to the side, and continues on to streak straight towards Heidern.
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Heidern with Haoh Sho Ko Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Takuma 0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1 Heidern
Sent sailing, the Chinaman, unconscious or not, is suddenly finding himself as a weapon to be used AGAINST the elder Sakazaki. Still, there seems to be little humor on the Ikari CO's face; after all. He tried to kick him in the nuts. And that was just cold-hearted of Shenwoo. Looking up, the man's gaze meets Takuma's. At least HE understands.
And it shows. Suddenly, there is a burst of chi that erupts from Takuma's meaty arms, energy that consumes poor Shenwoo before it continues ON to bite into Heidern. Frowning a bit, the man lifts his arms, attempting to stand against the attack, but it proves far greater; pushed back, Heidern is bitten by the chi, sent rolling before he stops. A momentary pause and silence consumes the CO before he suddenly moves leaping back up onto his feet.
"Those again," he murmurs, though he seems thoughtful. For the interim, however, Heidern seems to bide his time. How will he pull a victory out of this?
COMBATSYS: Heidern gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Takuma 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Heidern
Takuma is tired. It shows in almost everything he does, now... and given an opponent who seems to be in a similar state, Takuma's not entirely bothered by this situation. Still... things could be better. Takuma regards Heidern with an understanding that only a few opponents seem to be able to share before a mutual beatdown... and with one lengthy, bracing breath, Takuma moves forward.
"Mmph..." It's clear Takuma would like nothing more than to lean back and simply /recover/, but his impatience, as well as the BURNING DESIRE to show the audience the power of Kyokugen, has him rushing forward yet again, one arm raised high. "Let's finish this, Heidern! No more biding! It's too late for it!" Takuma rushes towards his fellow, quickly turns to the right at the last moment, and sends a semi-uppercut hook towards Heidern's side, a bit below his armpit. Is it particularly inspired? No. But hopefully it gets the job done.
COMBATSYS: Heidern endures Takuma's Medium Punch!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Takuma 0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1 Heidern
He's tired, and so is Heidern. Heidern, however, fails to express as much; his features remain stern and solid, his jaw squared and eye narrowed. The man is biding his time now. He is waiting for an opening, patiently holding up his defense until he sees an opportune time for an offense. And it comes.
"Let's!" the other man cries over the roar of the sea, bracing himself once more as Takuma charges him. Shifting his feet, he seems to accept the blow full-on. It strikes, and the man jars a little, a slight grunt escaping past sealed lips. Then? A smile.
A blur. That's all Heidern is as he leaps up and overhead, arms lashing out as he attempts to snare Takuma by the throat and get a grasp on him...
COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Takuma with Final Bringer.
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Takuma 0/-------/-======|=------\-------\0 Heidern
Takuma Sakazaki knows this one.
Hands make purchase, snaring the elder Sakazaki by his throat. But it is little more than a forceful grab; using his momentum, the man lands in front of Takuma, face to face. Where once before he smirked, the man does not; instead, he stares without any emotion. A hand draws back and, quite brutally, he thrusts it forward, a spray of red erupting from the point of impact. His hand buried deeply, the elder man seems to just...bleed him out as a haze of red surrounds him, his arm rippling with even more chi energy. "Sorry," he says.
With one smooth motion the man's other hand thrusts forward, slamming a palm against Takuma's shoulder to send him flying back and away.
Takuma /does/ know this one. Later, when asked about 'what went wrong during the fight?' he'll say, 'Warlocks. That damn warlock magic.' For now, however...
"!!!-hglaghalghalghaglhgalhagh!!!-" is the only sounds that leaves Takuma's throat while he's throat-grabbed. This is followed by a rather sickly gagging sound as the entire crew of the U.S.S. Iowa stares at Heidern as though he were some sort of monster - the rest are staring at Takuma and wondering what they'll be writing on his 'Get Well!' cards. For now, however, Sakazaki is forced to simply take a few steps back, entirely winded, and breathe heavily in an attempt to not outright die. For perhaps the seventieth time this fight, yellow chi erupts from the ground beneath his feet, empowering him, taking a little of the edge away. He's like a coke addict. All Takuma knows is that when he's charging, Heidern isn't cutting him open like some kind of fish.
And that's the important thing.
COMBATSYS: Takuma gathers his will.
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Takuma 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Heidern
Thoroughly bled, the Ikari Commander leaves his mark on the poor man before he's sent flying back with a fierce thrust of his palm's heel to the man's shoulder. Turning his back, the man whips his hand out to his side, a spray of red coating the USS Iowa's decks. It's a delightfully morbid mess that some poor sap has to clean up later. This concerns Heidern not. His fight isn't over yet.
Slowly but sure, the soldier about faces, turning to face Takuma as he again pools that chi energy he is notorious for. Smirking faintly, the man's single eye narrows, studying the other. His move has been decided.
Bursting forward, Heidern attempts to snag Takuma and trip his feet out from beneath him...
COMBATSYS: Takuma counters Lead Belcher from Heidern with Mouko Burai Gan.
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Takuma 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
Takuma's face is a caricature of what it normally is. Smile lines, weathered into the tanned, worn flesh of his face, have all but disappeared due to the intense concentration that's meandered onto Sakazaki's visage. It's in these moments that he best relives the old days, where fighting wasn't so much a pasttime as it was both the meaning of and the only defense for his life. Here, Takuma is doing what he loves.
The Kyokugen master smoothly brings forth his left forearm, steeling his entire body against physical impacts. Whatever it is Heidern attempts to do on contact is rather entirely nullified by Takuma's steel form, and actually goes so far as to stop all movement on both sides entirely cold. There's a split second where nothing happens -- and then Takuma steps forward /into/ Heidern. His right foot comes down with a SLAM hard enough to set the boat's deck rocking, and his fist impacts the Ikari commander with an equivalent measure of force - likely enough to send Heidern flying through the air. When all's said and done, Takuma relaxes again, far, far too tired to gloat. "Heidern..." He manages, breathily. "We need to make these damn things shorter from now on, agreed?"
Crashing against the other man's offered forearm, Heidern expresses a vague and particularly brief look of surprise. That solitary hazel eye widens as it's otherwise stopped, his mouth pulling into the faintest of frowns. That's not supposed to happen. This does not bode well.
And it sure doesn't. A second thereafter Heidern is smacked in the face, but he does not fly back; instead black boots skid across the deck a few feet, the man's eye locked on Sakazaki with mild disbelief. Then? Then he smirks.
"You're right, Takuma. We should. But I ask: are you getting tired?" The smile grows a touch as the man's eye narrows. "Because I'm just getting warmed up." That said, Heidern dashes forward and dips low, attempting to slash a hand out at the man's gut with one smooth motion. He needs no weaponry - those gloved hands are deadlier than a blade's edge.
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Heidern's Medium Punch.
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Takuma 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
Takuma returns Heidern's smile in a wry sense, and is already defiantly shaking his head before the Ikari's hand lashes out at his stomach with surprising, speed. Luckily, Takuma's able to drop his guard a touch and cross his arms beneath his stomach, though it does net him a long, superficial slashing wound along one forearm - something he'll need to tend to later.
"Mmf! Tired? No... of course not! Just putting on a show, you understand." He smiles at Heidern, and introduces the fight to its next stage - The Tired Punching Stage. "Unfortunately for both of us, I'm not sure it's a show so much as it is two tired old men lying and trying to look good!" Takuma snaps one foot forward, attempting to catch Heidern on the shin while simultaneously pushing forward, forcing the other combatant back a step or two. "Any time now, Heidern, one of us has to fall!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Heidern with Light Kick.
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Takuma 1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0 Heidern
At this point, Heidern decides it's best to try and end this, if not for himself, then for both of them. He's tired, Takuma's tired, his teammate is taking a nap in the sunlight on the deck and Shenwoo is now deep-friend. Thus does he lash out; his fingers attempt to slash through that gi, but is met with a forearm. Clever.
"Good," the other man replies, grinning as he leaps back and eases into stance once again. Watching as Takuma charges in, the man attempts to provide a suitable defense; the other man, however, proves faster. Struck first in the shin, Heidern is kicked and sent stumbling back a few steps, rubbing his midsection. Then, with a glance up, Heidern rushes in again, leg lifting high as he attempts to sock the other man once atop the head before kicking him in the shoulder with the top of his descending boot. "I won't give up that easily, Sakazaki!" he warns.
COMBATSYS: Takuma endures Heidern's Shooter Narnagel.
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Takuma 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Heidern
Takuma is by now tired of things as well - an end has to come, one way or another! In fact, those who aren't busy rushing in for their attack(and possibly Heidern as well) might notice the telltale crackles of chi energy coursing along his arms once again, even as he does nothing to keep Heidern from beating him on the head and shoulder. The attack sends Takuma stumbling back a bit, even enough to fall to a knee tiredly, but the important thing here is that it doesn't disturb the accumulation of chi along his arms -- or what's beginning to form at his palms.
"Heidern, I'm not blaming you of giving up a thing! And it was a good match, friend, as long as it was hard!" Takuma brings his hands forward, mouthing the words 'haoh sho ko ken' as the eruption of energy is far too loud to allow for anything but its condemning "BRRRRUHMMMMMMMMMMM" to be heard for the next few moments. As it streaks towards Heidern, Takuma takes a moment to reflect on his last words before shooting the thing.
He seems a little conflicted - part of him is ashamed he even said that, while another part is too tired to care. Still another part is proud of seeing that giant ball of energy fly Heidern's way.
COMBATSYS: Heidern endures Takuma's Haoh Sho Ko Ken.
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Takuma 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Heidern
"Good. I wouldn't want you to," the elder soldier replies, his lips daring to tug into a smirk as result. This has been thoroughly entertaining, to say the least. Heidern can't deny that whatsoever. Shenwoo and Clark fought well, and so has the head of the Sakazaki clan. A good fight all around. There's no doubt about it.
Bowing his head as he listens, the Ikari makes no move to...well, move. Instead he shifts his weight, letting those broad shoulders square as he readies himself for come what may. Was it hard? "A little, Sakazaki," he replies with a tiny smirk. "Just a little."
Then it comes. Smacked by the burst of golden chi energy, Heidern skids across the deck, arms out before him as he tries to push through. And he does; pushing PAST the blast, the man briefly crouches before he leaps up, again, arms extended as he gives it his all. Takuma, if his footing is not swift or careful, might just find himself snared by those vicious talons once more...
COMBATSYS: Heidern can no longer fight.
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Takuma 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Takuma fails to counter Final Bringer from Heidern with Mouko Burai Gan.
[ \\\\ <
Takuma 0/-------/-======|
Despite his best attempts to, yet again, stave off Heidern, those hands bury against the man's through, albeit with far less strength and oomph. Landing before him, the man offers another smirk haunting those weathered features as he regards the other, older man. "You know, the funny thing about all of this is..." Lifting a hand from his side, he thrusts it forward again, burying it yet again into poor Takuma's gut, that same haze of red around his body.
"We outlasted the boys."
Another push of his palm against Takuma's shoulder sends him stumbling back. Heidern? Well, the Ikari CO staggers a bit before he drops to knee, clearly winded. Takuma wins this round.
Takuma, grunting and clearly not having a Good Time at all, has his tired old defenses baffled by Heidern's tired but desperate old offenses. He nods at the man just before he's sent stumbling back, and eventually winds up leaning against a gun emplacement breathing heavily, blood liberally staining the front of his gi. "You think that's funny...? Gnh." He closes his eyes, shakes his head, and stumbles to a standing position. The moment he does so, sirens go off, winners are announced, and the rigamorale of a battle's end takes place.
Takuma is unexcited. He shakes his head at Heidern even as one of his arms is lifted, and tilts his chin upward. "I think it's funnier that that punk with the broken sunglasses didn't puke all over your subordinate. I /knew/ we'd outlast the boys, though... I'll tell you what those youngsters think a serious training session is sometime!" He attempts a laugh, coughs a bit noisily instead, and falls against the gun emplacement once more. The fight's over... but did Takuma really win if he's going to be out of commission for the better part of next week?
Log created by Heidern, and last modified on 22:00:23 03/19/2007.