Description: Gato climbs a mountain in the north outskirts of southtown, searching for the legendary Martyr of Might. He then asks for training to defeat his father. Unfortunately there is a test involved. The result? Grant beats Gato quite soundly.
Travelling through the northern outskirts of southtown, the solitary fighter Gato stares up towards the mountains. His hands rest at his sides, clenched in fists of determination, before he begins up the mountain-path.
As he heads up the path, his eyes move back and forth casually, scanning the landscape. It looks as though the strong young man is in search of something. As he comes to a rocky outcropping, ending the path, he looks upwards. He might have to climb.
There's despairingly little information to go on, other then the supposed 'demon' is somewhere to the north of Southtown. Initially such information seems straightforward, until one took into account the vastness of the terrain in question, and whether such were the numerous forests or mountains, and to what depth, are all completely unknown. But Gato might indeed find that he feels something in the distance above. Some manner of presence, that was assuredly unique to his position; Faint, but telling. The cliff outcropping, however, is sheer; It would require raw strength and tenacity to scale, forcing one's own handholds, the sleek exterior hardly handy for such an endeavor. Whether this might conquer him or not is the immediate question...
The man in the yellow outfit brings a hand up to his chin, and rubs it in thought as he stares up the daunting mountainside, before backing away from it a bit, and examining the sheer surface. After a few moments, he spots his first sign of purchase and moves to it, pressing his foot flat against the base of the mountain side, and reaching up, grasping at the smallest flaw in the rock, and pulling himself up.
It's then that Gato begins the treacherous climb, moving slowly and carefully towards every tiny flaw he sees. Even the smallest crack becomes an opportunity for the clear-minded martial artist.
It's rather tall. Two hundred feet. No inconsiderable amount of endurance for such a risky climb with no gear; And it might grow more wearisome as time went on, as opposed to easier. But were Gato to manage, there's apparently another path at the very top. A natural twist through the precarious mountains, that leads downwards at a sharp and unsteady angle, twisting towards some not immediately seen venue. And as it would be traveled, that incredible presence would be felt growing stronger, steadily, as Gato were to continue. After a couple miles, and a few leaps over treacherous chasms, one that would require gripping an opposing outcropping once again to scale up, there would be seen an open area. Upon it are simple training equipment; Solid rocks and practice dummies, a circle within the middle, and items to work on endurance and strength. It's scattered over a roughly thirty yard area. Although it would seem that nobody is here; There's merely tall and shadow-etched mountain landscape all around, ergo it would feel like someone with an incredible aura or chi was standing nearby...
Gato's strength and endurance aren't in question. The man having been trained from birth to be as strong as can be, through a harsh-life of training. As he navigates the treacherous mountain, leaping over crevasses and coming to the training area, he seems a bit confused.
Finally, he speaks, directed to the rocks and what lurks within their shadows, "...So. You do exist." He steps into the circle, before sitting down cross-legged, and undoing the lacing of his shirt. A single hand wipes the sweat gathered on his brow off, before his eyes close and he begins to gather his thoughts. Waiting for the master, as it were.
"...You must have great confidence to come here so brazenly, warrior." echoes through the surroundings, the tone deep but still somewhat ambiguous as to position. "...Or great arrogance." There's a shuffle, a whoosh of air, and a heavy thud as Grant lands, standing opposite Gato. His stance spreads, although the majority of his obviously impressive physique is hidden by the deep blue cloak clasped at a shoulder. The crimson mask, prongs jutting from back and cheek, show no hint of his face beyond green eyes that hold a disturbing luminescence. He's old, and quite so, but still has an incredible power irrefutable by most. "...You are Gato Futaba..." is finally stated, losing some of the iron edge for genuine curiosity. "Ah. I know your father, Yunfei. I remember him well. One of the few who realized the true heart of fighting in our time... And even recently has not lost it..." An allusion that Grant has met him? Certainly he's already revealed that he knew him -- and may have actually met him at some point in his recent past...
Gato's concentration is broken by that statement. His eyes, which even remained closed as Grant made his impressive entrance, slide open and regard the Martyr of Might cooly. "Hmph." He stands slowly and crosses his arms in front of his chest, "I came here seeking you out not because of my father, but because of what you did to the god of Muay Thai. But, you have information about that man as well? I don't find it hard to believe. You're an impressive and hard to find man. Your strength is legendary. If the legends are true, then you know my reason for being here."
Grants allusion stick in Gato's head as he looks around the outdoors training arena, "To defeat my father, I must do everything to overcome his strength. That is why I've sought you out."
"Sagat is a man at the bottom of his game. Defeating him was nothing extraordinary." Grant brushes this off, and with a disturbing humbleness. There is not the impression that such was easy, merely that given Sagat's current state of mind and style, he was not considered an equal. The real surprise might be that the Martyr of Might considers himself at such a league to casually dismiss even someone of that dilluted caliber. "Yet many years ago, when I was mastering my Karate, your father was one of the men I challenged. I can count the number of fighters in that era who pressed me on one hand. Still, he seemed to take the loss poorly..." Such time might of been around when Gato was almost psychotically forced into his regiment of training, actually. But whether that had any connection, or if Grant is speaking the truth, are still questionmarks. Spreading his stance, he sweeps open the blue cape, exposing his muscled torso and crimson lower gi, thoroughly tattered. "Hmph. So if he taught you his Kenpo... Then I shall see it...! Show me if you are worth his legacy, Gato!!" And then he takes a fighting stance, crossing his forearms before his chest and shifting to face the other man sideways. Allowing him the first move...
COMBATSYS: Grant has started a fight here.
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Grant 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Grant takes no action.
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Grant 0/-------/-------|
Gato actually smiles at this turn of events. A rare sight on his face to be sure. He shrugs at the challenge and slides into his own stance, "If you defeated him, I may stand no chance to defeat you. But, as I said, your strength is legendary. And legends often times disguise the truth. I have come to seek your training, but just as you ask if I'm worthy of my father's legacy. It is time to see if you are worthy of the title master."
As his center of gravity lowers and his breath slows, his eyes travel along the other fighter, and look for flaws in the other man's stance. His first action is apparently to do nothing. He stands there waiting, that smile not lilting in the least.
COMBATSYS: Gato has joined the fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Grant
COMBATSYS: Gato focuses on his next action.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Grant
"...Training?" Grant muses, observing Gato now in a new light. He knows of the form of Kenpo he uses. Raw physical force. There might be no better tutor on the planet to advance such techniques. The mere act of scaling and getting to this secluded training sight alone speaks of his determination and conditioning. "...We shall see." is all he concludes. Before suddenly stepping forward, and bringing back his right hand with the palm open. The air seems to boil, swirling as a mote of deep purple fire is summoned within it. And then he sweeps it upwards, summoning a literal geyser of energy; Maybe eight feet high, and five feet wide. It roars out, the purple fire blackening the stone beneath, attempting to impact Gato and send him flying backwards. "Funka kase!" is snarled out, the chi dissipating as he once more assumes an aggressive stance, waiting for the reciprocation...
COMBATSYS: Gato blocks Grant's Kokuen-Ryuu.
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Gato 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Grant
Gato brings both of his hands up to cross in front of his chest, as he leans his body backwards, pulling most of himself away from the geyser. As his body moves out of harms way it shifts slightly twisting and waiting for the energy to dissipate.
When that momvent happens he is airborne at a great speed, leaping towards Grant, with what seems like no attack. The attack comes, however, after he lands. The kenpo student sliding towards Grant's ankles with his toe outstretched and a look of determination on his face.
COMBATSYS: Grant full-parries Gato's Katsu-Ga!
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Gato 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Grant
There's no true look of surprise or concern upon Grant's face as the other man lunges into the air. A mixup technique. To many it might be bothersome, but the assault has to be forthcoming at some point. Reading it smoothly, once Gato lands upon the ground and slides, his own response is to maneuver in an impossibly able flicker of cape, obscuring the other man's vision and causing him to lose track of the Martyr of Might. How can one misplace a being of such size? By him being behind, of course. And as Gato would struggle to his feet, Grant is rushing forward. His right leg seethes with purple energy, as he lets out an ungodly bellow and swings it out, aiming to burrow it into the other man's stomach, and double him over with rib-shattering force. Yet such would not be the conclusion; As the Ankoku fire dissipates, a snap downwards of a shoulder aims to impact his face, and a final open-palm thrust seeks to hit the exact same location his initial kick did, and hopefully send Gato spiraling away like a mis-tossed football. Likely many meters, if it fully connects... "Haaaaaa!!" No mercy. That much he likely has in common with Gato's father.
COMBATSYS: Grant successfully hits Gato with Majin Gan-En EX.
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Gato 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Grant
Gato felt that, for sure, the assault bowling him over and knocking him into one of the arranged training dummies. That smile from before, or that look of determination that replaced it so quickly has just as quickly been replaced by a scowl.
"Hmph," is all the man can manage, before he pulls himself back to his feet and looks towards Grant, wiping a trickle of blood from the side of his mouth. Once again, he vaults into the air, not ready to give up. This time, his next strike comes out almost immediately as he thrusts his hands forward, sending shockwaves through the air. Somewhere near Grant's feet a cloud of grass and dirt rips upward, followed by another and another, each shockwave getting closer to the masked man.
COMBATSYS: Grant slows Kou-Ga from Gato with Thrown Object.
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Gato 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Grant
Not many people can get up after that particular assault. Even Sagat, as has been demonstrated, was struck a crippling blow. And although his emotions appear to be getting the better of him, Gato is not relenting on his onslaught, or faltering in will. An interesting man indeed. This time the blast of nigh-kinetic chi catches Grant off-guard, and he strikes the ground at almost the same instant, shattering it and creating a fair-sized crater. This greatly diffuses the onslaught, although he had no intent of actually overcoming it. "You have yet to impress me..." Grant chides, rising back to a full stand and appearing entirely unharmed from the only partial nick that Gato has yet to manage.
Gato's frown remains as he looks at Grant. Even with his injuries he begins to run forward, thrusting the pain out of his mind, just as he did years ago. His hands hang behind him as his sandals propel him swiftly across the ground until he gets near to Grant.
It's then that he begins rising into the air, letting out exhalations with each of his strikes, a series of bicycle kicks that pull him into the air, intended to pummel Grant soundly. That is of course if the Martyr of Might doesn't find some way to elude him again.
COMBATSYS: Grant fails to interrupt Rai-Ga from Gato with Kyou Chou-Jin.
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Gato 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Grant
Observing as Gato draws near, Grant tenses his body before shooting forward, opening his palm and swinging it upwards in an attempt to catch the other man. But he ascended quicker then anticipated, the Martyr of Might struck dead in the face for his troubles. Knocked out of his attempted assault, he staggers backwards, hopping away to regain some slight amount of composure. That was a fairly resounding hit, but truly underlines the limitations that Gato has. It would of felt like kicking the mountain itself, with almost no give or overt show of injury. "...Hrrmph." Arms cross again, and Gato retains the offensive. What he might do with it is the question at hand...
Gato lands softly from the assault, with one palm touching the ground before he quickly gets back into motion. This close to Grant, he unleashes his attack, swinging his arm back behind him before rotating the shoulder and aiming an open palm strike right for the other fighter's prominent chest. His foot moves forward with his palm, stomping on the ground as another gutteral sound escapes his lips.
"Kyah!"
Will he have the opportunity to turn this demonstration around and show himself worthy? That is more up to Grant than Gato, although he's doing his damnedest.
COMBATSYS: Grant dodges Gato's Shin-Ga.
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Gato 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Grant
"You have worn yourself out too quickly. Hrrmph." Grant mulls, shooting backwards as the palm manages to strike nothing but air, missing by a considerable margin. He then assumes a combative stance, entire body slowly beginning to shimmer. The mountain itself seems to resonate as the cascade of raw Ankoku power summons up, billowing his blue cape around and magnifying his already considerable presence many times over. "Do you wish to see the true potential of Ankoku...?" is snarled out, both hands bursting into purple flame, cracks spreading beneath his spread stance. "Prepare yourself..." is his only warning, shifting his position in apparent preparation. Were Kain here, he'd be able to predict what comes next: The end of the fight.
COMBATSYS: Grant gathers his will.
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Gato 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Grant
Gato hmms as the other fighter gives him what might be considered a tip, and then a warning. His attack out maneuvered easily as he finds nothing beneath his fist. An eyebrow raises. Before the young man stands and collects his thoughts, looking at the other fighter preparing to deliver what could be the final blow.
Gato once again is appraising the other fighter, waiting to see what the man does next, trying to learn what he can from this encounter.
COMBATSYS: Gato focuses on his next action.
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Gato 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Grant
"Here is your true test...!" Grant suddenly snarls, before shifting forward as his heel ignites with purple fire. It seethes, boiling. The move he used to strike down the Muay Thai god. One foot stomps forward, taking him to within range of Gato. "Majin..." And then he shoots out a vorpal lance of energy, erupting forward with incredible force that cleaves the very stone beneath a good foot, parting towards the figure opposite in an attempt to cleave him from hip to shoulder, in an upwards crescent flash. "ENGETSU-RIN!!" If it connects fully... Well, the fight is most certainly over.
COMBATSYS: Gato interrupts Majin Engetsu-Rin from Grant with Tatsu Kiba.
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Grant 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Gato can no longer fight.
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Grant 0/-------/-----==|
It doesn't connect quite fully, as Gato's face becomes a mask of calm stone. He pushes through the attack, wracking his body with pain before ducking low to the ground and crying out.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" His body moves straight up into the air, his foot being enveloped in a huge yellow flame as he travels up Grant's body and high into the air. After the violent attack is finished, he lands, not quite as gracefully as he did from his other chi infused technique. As he stumbles forward, falling to his knees, clutching his ribs, while his silk shirt lies across the training arena in tatters. "Huff."
That caught Grant completely off-guard. Nobody has ever reacted with such suicidal defiance in the face of that killing maneuver. Unlike Jiro, it was not anger or futility; It was that desire to get one solid, full strike upon the other man, which was achieved. Although a single cleave of that assault is still enough to kill a normal person many times over, foot smacking upon the ground to balance himself before the dark fire flickers away. Pressing a hand against the line of reddened skin where Gato's powerful geyser of fire landed true, there's finally a snort. Before Grant shoots forward, and strikes out his leg in a powerful sweeping kick utilizing every ounce of his titanic strength, attempting to send Gato -- who is doubtfully able to defend himself -- into the nearby sheer wall of mountain. Shooting forward, he'd then impact the man just after connecting, utilizing another of his powerful techniques to ravage the already weakened fighter. "Tsuranuke!" And then Grant draws back his right hand, and unleashes a final earth-shattering open palm blow, right towards the other man's sternum. "HAAAAAA!!" The very mountain would quake beneath it. None of this would be quite enough to kill his opponent, but whether he retains consciousness is another matter; It might be the nearest Gato has ever been to death. "...If you wish to learn this power. Prove to me your will. Survive. Make your way to the Heinlein estate; You have one day. If you fail..." Grant twists away, yanking his blue cape back over his shoulder and clasping it. "...Then revel in your weakness!!" And then Grant seems to vanish, in another burst of air. Leaving, a likely quite battered and broken Gato, to the final task for a potential disciple of the Demon of Might. Nobody had ever said he was gentle...
Gato remains against the rock wall as Grant leaves, looking dazed and quite thoroughly beaten. His vision clouded by the sparkling demons that threaten to drag him under and pull him to sleep. He grits his teeth and lies there motionless for fifteen minutes, fighting them and thinking about this decision. Eyes lidding open and shut with each minute.
Finally his broken body moves, and he begins to propel himself. Not standing on his feet quite yet, but crawling towards the path he came from, wincing with every inch. It will be a long day ahead of him if he plans to get to Kain's estate. But through the pained look on his face it seems he's determined to make it. Two question remains for Gato, though. He got all the way up this mountain in top physical condition. How long and how easy will it be for him to make it down? No doubt about it. Grant truly is a Demon.
Log created by Gato, and last modified on 22:16:31 05/04/2007.