Description: COMBATSYS: Gato successfully hits Zero with Zero Kiba. OR DOES HE?! Find out the shocking truth, right here!!
The streets of Southtown are just as full as you'd think they'd be, with people walking to and fro incessantly, while a man in a yellow silk shirt calmly eats some noodle soup. His eyes travel across the streets outside the cafe, and he seems to be appraising the people walking by.
The stern frown on his face, however indicates that none of the people traveling past are passing muster quite yet. It seems no one interesting is out and about. With a slight 'tch' he continues at his noodles, pausing every now and then to sip the broth.
Just another day in Southtown. Despite the irregularities that are obvious in the city, and the violence and fighting that seems to go on day after day, a majority of the metropolis' citizens are actually quite normal. The day to day hustle and bustle moves as it would in any normal city; people shuffling from or two work, stopping to grab a hotdog, or perhaps a coffee; anything to help them through the day. Southtown carries on like any normal day...
... But then, any normal day in Southtown has at least some abnormalities.
Some would say it's coincidence, the fact that Gato would happen to be at one of the particular cafes on this particular street, at this particular time. Some might call it convenient. But he is here, observing from afar as he works his way through his noodles... just as one man of particular note makes his way down the street. Gato might be able to recognize him, if he's been paying attention to sanctioned fights; a man with dark brown hair and a moustache, dressed in fine business clothes. A man who has made himself and his strength known within Saturday Night Fight for several weeks before simply, and inexplicably, dropping out from the public eye.
Whatever the case, whatever the reason, Zero makes himself known today out on the public eye -- specifically, the watchful eye of Gato, wearing this disguise in particular as he strolls down the street. In the end, if Gato should notice, it amounts to bait. But to anyone other than Zero, it's all just simple coincidence.
As Zero comes into view, Gato's eyebrow quirks up. Indeed that man has some familiarity to him. He stands to his feet, and leaves the little streetside shop, before walking through the crowd towards him. As he calmly weaves through the crowd, he keeps his eyes on Zero, until of course he catches up with him.
"Hm," he speaks behind the man, who may or may not have noticed his presence already, "I think I've seen you before. A man of extraordinary strength and talents. Your talents may prove interesting to see first-hand, and I may learn something from them."
"Though I hardly take things at face value," he says as he keeps step with the other man, "Perhaps I could test my skills against yours, and see which prove superior. Or am I mistaken?"
May have noticed the man's presence. In truth, the man's presence is the reason /why/ Zero is even here. Though of course -- this is not something that Gato needs to know. For all intents and purposes, Zero is simply a man walking down the street until the very moment that the younger man finally brings himself to speak up. Slowly, does Zero come to a stop. His head turns, dark eye looking down upon Gato. And he smiles.
"Oho?" He begins smoothly, his lips shifting from a smile to a good-natured grin as he turns to fully face the Japanese man, right hand sliding into his coat pocket. "Perhaps you have! I've dabbled a little bit in the martial arts..."
His sentence trails, eyes squinting in the wake of a broad smile. "So, you wish to give me a challenge? Excellent! Let's see if this old body of mine can keep up with a youngster like you." Yet, Zero doesn't move, staying at a respectable distance from Gato as his head dips in a nod of recognition. "Then feel free to come at me... Gato Futaba."
At the acceptance of the challenge, Gato slides like water into his easily recognizable fighting stance. Of course the people in southtown are quite used to this, and the crowd parts, several people standing around gawking at the beginnings of a new street fight, while those with other place to be continue shambling on.
Gato himself locks his eyes on Zero, and begins to formulate a gameplan, very carefully trying to gauge his opponent's strengths and weaknesses before running blindly into the fight. The 'wait and see' style. Truly exciting.
COMBATSYS: Gato has started a fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Zero has joined the fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zero
COMBATSYS: Gato focuses on his next action.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zero
Aah, so Gato will play the waiting game. Zero considers with that impeccable, if completely false, smile. His left hand slides behind him, nestling against the small of his back as his feet make a subtle shift outwards to shoulder-width. Gato says nothing, but the look in his eyes, the fighting stance, says everything he does not. "Hm hm hm... well then!" Zero begins, his right hand stretching forward.
"Let's begin, shall we?"
The moment that Zero finishes speaking, there is a sudden swelling of power from all around him. It mighty feel almost oppressive, coming off in a flare of violet that seeps out from all around him as if in an attempt to freeze Gato in his tracks at the sudden surge of energy. Regardless of Gato's response to this, however, soon after does Zero thrust his right hand /forward/, the flow of motion releasing a tremendous, invisible wall of chi that crashes straight for Gato, cracking cement and crushing a nearby mail deposit box beneath its tremendous might. "HMPH!"
COMBATSYS: Zero successfully hits Gato with Shikka Koujin.
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Gato 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Zero
[OOC] Gato says, "MY MEATS!"
[OOC] Zero says, "SHAZAM"
Gato's facial expression changes for the first time in a long while, as his eyes widen to the swell of power, before he tries to leap out of the way of the trail of destruction. Just a little too late, however as he's caught and knocked backward into the crowd.
Here some people thrust him back onto his feet, as he squares his eyes back at Zero, and decides that the wait and see approach might not be his entirely best bet. So he becomes airborne, somersaulting high and rolling in the sky before he comes down towards Zero with the blade of his foot aimed at the mustachioed man's shoulderblades.
It looks graceful enough, but is it effective?
COMBATSYS: Zero just-defends Gato's Kyuu-Ga!
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Gato 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Zero
It looks graceful, but effectiveness is the only thing that REALLY matters in a fight. And the answer to that particular question comes just as soon Gato's foot /should/ come into contact with the tall man's shoulders. Instead... about a few inches from actual flesh, Gato's foot comes into contact with an invisible field of force, preventing him from actually striking Zero himself with a slight crackle of power. Unharmed, the dark-haired man smiles. "... hm." He begins.
"Quite impressive!"
He does not allow time for words, or perhaps even /thoughts/. The moment immediately after he speaks, Zero lashes out with his right hand, thrusting it outward with piston-like force and intent to drive it into Gato's stomach. It's quick, and more testing than anything -- but still holds Zero's unmistakable strength.
COMBATSYS: Gato counters Jagai Kusetsu from Zero with Hou-zan Sai Heki-Ga.
- Power hit! -
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Gato 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Zero
Gato quickly pushes the hand aside, as he finds his feet, before twisting his body and slamming his back towards Zero. When it connects solidly, he hops backward away from the other fighter, and seems to smile, for a second. That smile is quickly replaced by his stern demeanor again as he crosses his arms and eyes Zero.
He returns to waiting, aiming to gauge just how much of an impact he had on his opponent, although he already seems displeased with the results.
The counter assault would be surprising, if Zero had not been well-adjusted -- and even a common practitioner -- of such maneuvers. Still, the actual move itself is unique enough to catch the man by surprise and send him reeling back a single step... but that is the bulk of the damage done. It seems that the might of the attack is largely absorbed by the tall, dark-haired man as he smiles and gives a deep chuckle.
"Interesting, interesting." Yet there is no pause in combat. Even as he speaks, Zero is spinning around, lifting his right leg high into the air. His intent is simple enough; to drive it straight into Gato's shoulderblades with swift and powerful force, bringing along with it enough strength to drive Gato to his knees, should it connect.
COMBATSYS: Gato blocks Zero's Light Kick.
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Gato 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Zero
The practicioner of kenpo is not so unimpressed by his own tactics to take his head out of the fight. Bringing his arms up, he catches Zero's right leg, where the foot continues and hooks downward into his shoulder, at some thankfully reduced speed, before pushing the leg aside, and trying to grab the other man around the waist. Should his grapple go unchecked...
He'll fling Zero away from him and try to keep his distance. He recognizes that he may be up against a superior fighter. And that does one thing, and one thing only. It makes him angry. If the stern face he had before was a scowl, his current expression has to be a mask of rage. So much for being cool and collected.
COMBATSYS: Zero blocks Gato's Quick Throw.
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Gato 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Zero
It's a grapple that might have, in fact, succeeded against other men. Zero is not, however, other men; the arms that snap forward to grasp find themselves intercepted by either of Zero's forearms, finding only a momentary sting for their troubles. The NESTS VP is swift to knock those hands away, thusly not thrown as Gato might have hoped. The rage is noticed, however, and Zero offers a simple, polite smile. "Oho... what frightening passion!"
And that's it. Zero makes no obvious actions at first, yet as he speaks, Gato might note the fact that the very shadows around Zero begin to expand... and then lash out across the ground, glowing a faint, otherworldly white and blue amidst the darkness as tiny hands seek to wrap around Gato's legs, burning and yet at the same time delivering an unnatural, icy chill throughout the Kenpo user's body. If they connect, they'll hold him down. And then...
... Zero will proceed to deliver a series of debilitating body blows to Gato, punches and kicks before ended with a single, powerful uppercut meant to launch the young man straight into the air.
COMBATSYS: Zero successfully hits Gato with Mabukousou.
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Gato 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Zero
And off into the air Gato goes. Sailing and twisting dazedly before getting his bearings back. Instead of waiting to land, He thrusts his hands down towards his opponent, as an invisible wall of chi travels through the air, before exploding as it hits the ground.
It's unfortunate luck that Gato has such passion, a smarter man would likely have backed down by now. Those hate-filled eyes on Gato's face show that he doesn't intend to stop. Another odd thing, is that even through this fury he remains somewhat eerily silent, save for the grunts of exertion as he forces his moves out.
COMBATSYS: Gato successfully hits Zero with Kou-Ga.
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Gato 1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0 Zero
An invisible burst of chi, somewhat similar to Zero's own... though likely not one that harms him nearly as much as his did Gato. Instead, as it impacts he is sent backwards by a single, simple step, a small flare of smoke lifting off his impeccably-dressed clothes as the explosive chi strikes. Too slow to move out of the way... but the ultimate effect seems less than inspirational.
Still, Zero does not press his own assault. Instead? He waits for Gato to come again, smiling mirthfully and lifting a hand to beckon him forward. "You have quite a powerful style, Mr. Futaba. Did you inherit it from your father?" The question is asks innocently enough, despite the implications of it; perhaps Zero doesn't know. Or perhaps he DOES... and is seeking a certain reaction from the kenpo-user.
COMBATSYS: Zero gains composure.
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Gato 1/--=====/=======|====---\-------\0 Zero
The question causes Gato no small amount of pause as he looks to Zero with a new odd expression on his face
"Hmph," is his answer, and while Zero stops his attacks to rest a bit, Gato feels no such obligation. He dashes towards the other man, and puts his entire weight into the brunt of a second backwards shoulder tackle....
COMBATSYS: Zero blocks Gato's Ten-Ryuu Retsu-Kiba.
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Gato 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Zero
A shoulder-tackle that, unfortunately, will not see any more light beyond that. Gato moves fast, but Zero -- Zero is far too concentrated at this moment to allow himself to fall prey to the other man's assault. As soon as Gato comes rushing in, Zero makes a simple, subtle shift, bringing his shoulder to bear against Gato's own. His legs brace himself against the attack, and as soon as it comes into contact... Zero does not budge. He can feel the power evident from the attack simply from that single attack, but his shoulder absorbs the brunt of the damage. And, before Gato can continue--
--The NESTS VP snaps out with a single hand, intent on grasping Gato by the face. And in one single, fluid motion, he will twist, and then SHOVE Gato into the ground harshly, dragging him across solid concrete for a few seconds before releasing and snapping back up.
COMBATSYS: Gato interrupts Quick Throw from Zero with Jab Punch.
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Gato 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Zero
[OOC] Zero says, "TIME TO COMPOSE AGAIN SO I'M IN THE GREEN"
[OOC] Gato says, "OHHHH NO, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING GIVE ME THAT!"
[OOC] Zero says, "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU'VE LOST THE RIGHT TO 'STACHE"
Gato doesn't seem to have any intention on eating concrete today, that much seems certain, as he thrusts his face out of the way of the incoming hand, and thrusts his right arm under it, pushing it into Zero's chest with a quick open-handed strike.
The throw deterred, Gato hops backwards again and looks towards Zero, with his body feeling drained and his balance looking a bit off-kilter. It seems that this test of will is almost at an end, but the kenpo-user is still standing, and it isn't a sanctioned brawl. Even if it were, it's doubtful Gato is quite ready just yet to throw in the towel. He simply waits, looking as if a strong wind could knock him down.
[OOC] Gato says, "I'D USE IT TO STRAIN SOUP!"
[OOC] Zero says, "DENIED FOREVER"
[OOC] Gato says, "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
Unexpected. But ultimately, Gato's swift strike doesn't seem to do very much to Zero at all. The blow strikes against his chest, and doesn't even send him staggering back; instead it offers a mere, dull throb. What it DOES do is offer Gato enough time in which to leap out of the way of another powerful attack of Zero's. Yet, there is one thing that the young kenpo user does not know about Zero. And it causes the brown-haired man to smile as he grasps onto the edge of his coat.
Gato doesn't know just how little things like 'range' mean to him.
The young man seems on his last legs, and yet Zero makes one, simple movement; a flick of his wrist, sending his dark business coat flying /outwards./ It looks absurd, in truth; it looks like Zero is trying to attack the other man with his coat, which is the effect he's going for. Yet even then, the distance between the two of them is too great for the range of that seemingly harmless coat. SHOULD be too great a distance. But...
... But it isn't. Somehow, the edges of that coat expand outward to unnatural lengths, crossing the distance between them. There is the slightest of shimmers as an invisible wave of energy washes over the hem of that coat... revealing sharp, serrated blades that seek to carve through Gato horizontally from hip-to-hip. Relentlessly, swiftly... and undeniably powerful.
COMBATSYS: Gato blocks Zero's Satsuma.
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Gato 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Zero
Gato hops into the air as quickly as possible as the ridiculousness of a bladed coat is enough to cause his flight reflex to take over his fight reflex. He doesn't get all the way out of the way, however as the left leg of his silk pants are cleaved easily, as well as the flesh beneath, sending a trickle of blood down the side as he somersaults.
It doesn't look like he's going to make an attack at all, for a long time as he travels a perfect parabola towards Zero, then at the last moment, he slides like a batter stealing home on his good leg towards the other man's ankles. It will really take a Miracle for Gato to turn this fight around.
COMBATSYS: Zero just-defends Gato's Katsu-Ga!
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Gato 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Zero
A miracle that doesn't seem to be afforded to Gato today. Instead, it seems that luck and skill are on the side of Zero; as Gato makes that rushing strike, he is quick to respond, /yanking/ his coat backwards. It reels in reverse just beside Gato, before flicking /upwards/ through the air. Zero's dark eyes narrow, and with a slight 'harumph!' of effort, he swings that not-so-normal coat /down./ The bladed edges cut and dig into the ground like butter, the teeth digging into the ground and, in the end, creates an unusual barrier of cloth between himself and Gato.
... Cloth that seems to be so strong that it can completely halt the incredible momentum that Gato has built up. The kenpo-user crashes, slams into a solid, impenetrable barrier between himself and Zero... and simple stops. "Hm," Zero muses thoughtfully, gripping securely onto his coat. "You are quite skillful. But you still need more power... don't you?"
And in one smooth motion, Zero leaps. A simple, somersaulting strike through the air, sending the edges of that coat outward, once more subtly revealing those sharp, tiny blades along the hem that seeks to tear from hip to shoulder with uncanny speed and force.
COMBATSYS: Zero successfully hits Gato with Ouga.
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Gato 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Zero
Gato's clothes are shredded quite smartly by the tiny blades, and more rivulets of blood start flowing from spots where flesh breaks under the edges of the knives.
And Gato himself falls backwards, the toll the fight has taken on his body being revealed. His right eye looking wildly about for a few moments before it rolls back up into his head along with the left and he displays all the signs of someone who has just been taken into unconciousness. With the kenpo-practicioner knocked out so smartly, the gathered crowd begins to ungather, getting back to whatever it was they were doing before the show started.
COMBATSYS: Gato takes no action.
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Zero 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Gato can no longer fight.
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Zero 1/------=/=======|
And that's the end of it. One smooth motion and a simple backwards snap of Zero's wrist, and the coat reels back to Zero just as he lands, those blades disappearing in another simple wash of power. All that it's left with is the tall, moustache-bearing man staring complacently at the spot that Gato landed, quirking a brow and allowing a thoughtful expression to cross over his lips.
"A formidable display of power, but you still have much room to grow." Zero's voice takes a decided shift here, losing much of his joyous nature and mirth as he walks over to the kenpo-user. "If you ever come to the realization that you seek TRUE power... perhaps we shall meet again." And, sweeping down, Zero will seek to take a single, simple hair from Gato Futaba's head as he lapses into unconsciousness, before standing back up tall and walking off.
Just another day in Southtown.
COMBATSYS: Zero takes no action.
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Zero 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Zero has ended the fight here.
[OOC] Gato says, "NOW THAT WAS SOME FIGHTIN'"
[OOC] Zero says, "INTENSE EPIC BATTLEZ"
[OOC] Gato says, "GO US!"
[OOC] Gato says, "HIGH FIVE!"
[OOC] Zero says, "COVERED WITH POWER HITS"
[OOC] Gato says, "TRUCK FULL OF MIDGETS!"
[OOC] Zero says, "OVERFLOWING WITH WHALES. WHALES WITH LASERS."
Log created on 16:59:27 05/19/2007 by Zero, and last modified on 19:59:24 05/20/2007.