Description: Following Takuma-sensei's instructions, Hotaru seemingly randomly attacks Shingo! It turns into a schoolyard brawl quickly enough, but everything turns out for the best in the end.
Crouching in a tree along one of the sidewalks within the Taiyo High campus, Hotaru tries to control her breathing rate. Don't panic. Don't wimp out. Just focus. This is about to be one of the craziest things she ever remembers doing. Watching the students from her lofty perch, she studies each of them as they walk by, trying to pick out just... the... right... one...
As seconds pass, her mind begins to wander, trying to figure out how she even got into this mess. It started with lunch at the Kyokugen Dojo. Stopping in between classes, the young Kyokugen student and Kenpo artist had been talking with the Sakazaki's about things on her mind. She doesn't know what to make of Seijyun. The girls are too prissy, the atmosphere too stifling... it just doesn't seem like the right place for an aspiring great fighter like herself. But the question weighing heavily on her mind is how will she pick out the /right/ school?
The elder Sakazaki, drawing upon wisdom young Futaba usually has no hope of grasping, explained to her that the secret to selecting the right educational institution would require engaging in combat with the students. Only by testing them in combat would she be able to sense the spirit the school could instill in her were she to go there. The idea was brilliant and Hotaru agreed to go find some students to issue a challenge sometime this week.
"No. Now. Take Ryo."
The four words from Takuma left little in the way of argument. If Hotaru truly had the heart to find her answer, she needed to act NOW, without hesitation. Ryo had given her a bit more instruction on the way to Taiyo High: Hide in a tree. Pick out a worthy opponent. Ambush him. Don't hesitate.
Shaking her head, Hotaru clears her mind of the reverie, her blue eyes once again focusing on the students passing by...
Of all places within Taiyo High to receive a lot of traffic (as in, many students walking about for no particularly good reason), the sidewalks within the campus would be the focal point for such activity - regardless of whether or not classes are in session. Of course this isn't indicative of the level of students Taiyo produces - more a by-product of an incredibly large, and at times maze-like, campus. For Taiyo High student Shingo Yabuki, the 'maze' has been memorized, and is systematically travelled every day. Ironically enough, the sidewalk Shingo has decided to use to travel between classes this afternoon just happens to be the same as the one that folks who like to hide in trees and observe Taiyo High students use. Go fig.
Of course such a fact has never really occured to Shingo. Why have so many trees along the inner-campus sidewalks? For that matter, why not have classes closer together? Better yet, why even bother asking?
Looking skyward, Shingo stops mid-step, and with a big smile lets out an audible wistful sigh, as his gloved hands find themselves slipping right into his school pants pockets.
'Quite the lovely day, Shingo. Perfect day for training.' Shingo whispers softly to himself as his head slowly lowers from it's lofty angle, gloved hands leaving his pockets as one hand reaches into his jacket for his notebook. As if oblivious to the students around him, and any potential observers from the trees, he begins leafing through the aforementioned trusty notebook, reviewing notes, and whistling a catchy little ditty all at the same time. If only he had some gum to chew at the same time - then he could truly be a multi-tasking master!
Having sent operatives to all the other schools, it behooves Elle to do footwork for herself. That being the case, she takes two of the schools for herself: Taiyo and Seijyun. Therefore, for whatever naefarious purposes, Elle hangs out by the Taiyo campus. What is she doing here? Well, that's a good question, and one that probably won't get answered, at least not for anyone that she doesn't feel like divulging it to. It involves the usual plot, though.
Strongest fighters and all that. It would seem that you can't go fifteen minutes or fifty feet without running into someone that's working that angle, and really, Elle's no different in that respect. In her defense? It's not really her plot. Someone else is pulling the strings on this one, so she's not sweating the details.
But today, she's brought a little help in the form of one Dr. Tran. He's a dashing secret agent with a PhD in Kicking Your Ass... but not so much in dealing with kids and espionage. So really, it's a pal-about and training exercise for the both of them. And to seal the deal? She's made sure Tran has a beer. She plans for everything.
She's leaning against the gates of the school, watchign Shingo leave and proceed down the street, and she elbows Tran in the side. "There's one right there," she says in a conversational tone as she lights up a cigarette with her fingertip. "No real chi power to speak of, but he's got some skills. He's an SNF regular. Keep an eye on him."
Leaning right next to Elle, Tran's got his beer solidly in hand. Alcohol on school grounds? Truly, he is Out There. That's about the only thing he's got going for him though, because despite everything, he really doesn't enjoy hanging around high schools. Something about kids 5, 6 years younger than him being able to put up a solid fight, or more often than not beat his ass.
And speaking of, there's Shingo. Bad memories, there.
Taking a sip, Tran grimaces and nods. "Yeah, I know. I fought him once, it left a kind of lasting impression on me." Like a fist-shaped impression in his chest. Ow. Tran needs another sip of beer just thinking about it.
It's really a hard thing to pick out someone to randomly jump kick in the head. Well, it is for Hotaru anyway. What if she jumps someone who can't fight at all? That would be pretty ridiculous - the young Kyokugen student kicking the crap out of some school girl that's never thrown a punch in her life... Or what if she attacks someone with glasses, and their glasses shatter and cut into their eyes. And other people's eyes. And a whole tonna people go home blind all thanks to her unprovoked attack? Or what if she attacks someone who was in a car accident and has a neck brace, but only the neck brace is hidden beneath their long, frilly hair, and then she jump kicks them and their head gets knocked clean off their shoulders? Yeah, that would look great. Hotaru standing there with a headless body falling over on the sidewalk in front of her, bleeding out all over the place. She imagines showing back up at the Dojo covered in blood, explaining that the spirit of Taiyo High was found lacking. Or, at least that the strength of that poor slobs neck brace was lacking.
It's with an incredible amount of relief that her eyes come to rest on Shingo as he walks along. It isn't that she can sense he's a fighter. In fact, at the moment, her heart is pounding too much to sense much at all. But she actually recognizes the small time celebrity from his fight appearances. Shingo Yabuki. Hotaru's mouth curls into a bit of a smile. Yes, he will do nicely. He's a fighter. In fact, he probably gets attacked like this ALL the time! Being almost famous and all. In fact, it's probably not even the first ambush for him today! Shaking her head quickly, Hotaru regains her focus. No more over thinking it. All that matters now is action. Breathing in deeply, she convinces herself to take the plunge.
It's supposed to be a sneak attack, but she really can't keep her mouth closed once she's taken to the air, bearing in on Shingo's head, aiming to strike him with the strength of her foot, backed by the momentum of all 92 pounds of Hotaru. "KYAAAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru has started a fight here.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Shingo has joined the fight here.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shingo
COMBATSYS: Shingo dodges Hotaru's Heavy Kick.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shingo
Whistling just doesn't seem right to Shingo. No. Heavens no. A beautiful day like today deserves full blown singing!
"The flame of life...enchanted on my fist...memo--" Shingo begins to belt out in quite the unprofessional sing songy voice, and thankfully for the eardrums of those around him stops abruptly. Why would Shingo stop singing? What could possibly halt the world's worst singing sensation? Could it be the battle cry of a young girl launching leg first at him? In a word...no.
Stopping in his tracks, Shingo looks up to see the impending doom of a semi-unfamiliar leg coming at him, flips through his notebook a little more in a vain attempt to find the rest of the song lyrics, and failing that, side-steps the attack.
Tucking the notebook back into his jacket, he smiles at the attacker sweetly, and rests both of his gloved hands on his hips. "Okay, listen. I know I had a 'Kick Me' sign on my back earlier, and I know that not everyone got a fair chance to try, but as you can plainly see, I've removed the sign now. So. No need to kick me. Least that I know of." As if somewhat oblivious to the fact that he was just attacked, Shingo walks casually over to the smaller girl, and extends a friendly hand towards her in greeting, "I suppose I can ignore the kick attempt. No harm no foul. Name's Shingo Yabuki. Pleasure to meet you!"
Well, that's unexpected. The rocker pushes herself off of the gate with a stifled yawn, flicking ash off her cigarette. Normally, she'd not care a lick about this fight. But circumstances what they are? Strange alliances tend to be made. And while in any other time or place, she'd probably be joining Hotaru's side (!?), it looks like Shingo's the one that needs assistance today. But wait. There's some prep that needs to happen first.
Elle shrugs on the jacket she had tied around her waist. The windbreaker is zipped up to preserve modesty as well as cover up the obviously less than family freindly tat that covers her arm. Pulling a rubber band from her pocket, she pulls her hair back into a short ponytail and slides a cabbie cap over the riot of white hair. Sunglasses are slipped on. Gloves are removed and she winds a slim gold length of what looks like guitar wire around her neck, making it look like a necklace.
An impromptu disguise? Convincing enough to make her hard to remember for Shingo... although it probably won't foll Hotaru if she plays close attention.
She approaches the budding altercation, already limbering her joints. "C'mon. Let's go help out the Mean Teen Machine. I want to be on good terms with Taiyo high, and I smell an in." Nevertheless, she waits to see how thing splay out between Hotaru and Shingo, hanging back behind Shingo a good distance.
That really is unexpected. Although Tran watches with eyes half-lidded, not really terribly interested despite the ambush, he's a little suprised and more than a little relieved when Elle says they're on Shingo's side. Say what you will, the kid knows how to kick.
"Alright, I'll be right there. Just lemme finish this real quick." Referring, of course, to the beer held in Dr. Tran's hand. A man has to have priorities, after all. He quickly downs it and slams the can against his forehead, an act more born of an attempt to get himself psyched than any need to display manliness. Beer splatters all over, evidence that maybe the can wasn't as empty as he thought.
With a stoic expression, Tran pushes himself off the gate and starts tagging along behind Elle, while at the same time trying to wipe off some of the alcoholic joy that's all over him.
Oooph! Hotaru strikes the ground with her foot, missing her target completely. Rising up, she spins around to face Shingo as he puts away the notebook. Drat, having failed to hit him at first, she's now stuck in the awkward position of having to try and explain this. If she had just clocked him good on the back of the head, then maybe the formalities could have been avoided.
As he explains about the sign, Hotaru's eyes widen slightly, the expression making it clear that she really doesn't know what he's talking about. Pointing her finger at him, Hotaru offers a rough semblance of an explanation, "Shingo! My name is Hotaru Futaba. And I am here to test this school's fighting spirit!" she belts out, clenching the hand that was pointing into a fist that she pumps once for emphasis. It's already obvious that he isn't taking her seriously. So she'll have to rely on boisterous volume to get things moving. Volume is definitely one of the lessons taught at the Kyokugen Dojo.
It's possible that she interprets his offered hand as an incoming attack. Or maybe she just wants to seize the opportunity that presents itself. Driven by an obligation to follow the words of her instructors to the letter, Hotaru doesn't hesitate in the slightest either way.
Both of her hands reach for his and will take a hold if possible. It isn't a cordial gesture in the slightest though, as if she can get a tight hold, the young fighter will shift into a sequence of kicks aimed for his shins, knees, stomach, chest, as she runs up him like a set of stairs, only to leap from his shoulders in the end. If he didn't get the impression she was trying to fight him before, it would be hard to mistake now!
COMBATSYS: Shingo counters Shin-Jou Tai from Hotaru with Tsuki Hiji.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shingo
"I'm not sure I'd be the best to test fighting spirit on, Ms. Futaba, but if you're sure it's me you want to have as a basis of Taiyo High school spirit, so be it!" Shingo exclaims in response to the hasty semblance of an explanation given to him by Hotaru.
Of course, he doesn't go into any sort of fighting stance, or really go on the defensive, since Shingo is a friendly kid and quite frankly was genuinely greeting the girl with his open hand. Alas, people usually misinterpret that for Shingo preparing some evil dastardly attack, and thusly they respond in kind. Thankfully, Shingo isn't half-asleep like he was during the first ambush of the day, which as per routine, occured about five minutes into his first class.
As Hotaru clutches his extended gloved hand with both of hers, Shingo notes that it's not in the spirit of kindness, and before she can do more than begin to kick at him, he pulls the young girl towards him as she holds on, and breaking free from her grip hops into the air. As he gets a foot or two of air, he quickly raises the aforementioned gloved arm into the air, aiming elbow squarely at Hotaru's shoulder, and brings it down in a rapid arc - all in the name of making her aware that he's not just going to stand around and be beaten. Least not by anyone but Kyo.
Kids today! Such rotten attitudes! It's getting so you can't have a decent day without getting attacked, isn't it? Just by virtue of being a good fighter, all kinds of people pick on you! Isn't that right, Hotaru? Elle tips her hat, pulling it lower on her face as she starts to make a more affirmative approach. As she does so, she raises one hand, and causally motions forward with two fingers. Two fingers for a moderate attack, as they've practiced before.
Elle coughs into her hand, clearing her throat. She hasn't really done this in a while, which makes her a little rusty. Still, if her mild stint in school plays back in high school taught her anything, it's practically all in the attitude. "Sorry to interrupt," she says in a spot on Southern drawl, her boots trailing lazily across the concrete as she easily pulls into Shingo's view, "But my friend and I couldn't help but notice you were having a little problem here, so I thought we'd help out a spell." Her normally dour face cracks a white toothed grin as she charges up her chi energy, the electricity snapping across her legs and trailing up her body.
She doesn't even have to really look at Tran. The man has two modes: Not Fighting, and Fighting. Setting him loose is like unleashing a rabid mutt from hell.
COMBATSYS: Elle has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Elle
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Shingo 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Elle has left the fight here.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shingo
COMBATSYS: Elle has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Elle
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Shingo 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Elle gathers her will.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Elle
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Shingo 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Shingo has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shingo
> //////////////////////////////]
|====---\-------\0 Elle
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shingo
> //////////////////////////////]
|====---\-------\0 Elle
What can Tran say? He may not be quite so reckless as Elle makes him out to be, but then again, given his general behavior, how could you tell? Case in point. Not really paying attention to the conversation between the two teens, he just calmly walks forward. Is he really even going to do anything? It sure doesn't look like it.
Except oh, wait. There we go. Not even raising an eyebrow, Tran pivots, brings his foot up to the side, and then stomps downward at an angle into Hotaru's chest. Whether she's, y'know. Standing or not after being Shingo'd. Poor girl. Maybe Tran would be more sympathetic if she wasn't, y'know, one of his many mortal nemesises.
COMBATSYS: Tran has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shingo
> //////////////////////////////]
|====---\-------\0 Elle
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Tran
HMMMMMM!
This is clearly not how it should have been going! Hotaru's mission was to find a warrior of this school and challenge him or her in singular combat to know of it fighting spirit! Not starting a school-wide mass brawl!
Thus, as the fight becomes not a Kyokugen student against a spontanously chosen representative of this school, but two adults and a student against a Kyokugen trainee, he has to burst into action!
"HAAAAAAAAAAH!" Comes out thunderous battle scream as the sun obscures dramaticaly above the brawl, a shadow growing about the battle. "HOW DARE YOU INTERVENE IN THIS HONORABLE BATTLE!" Roars out the voice of Ryo Sakazaki as he litteraly falls from the sky, pummelting straight toward one of the two fighters that just joined in beating up Hotaru. He can't really be picky!
"DYNAMIC ENTRY! HIEN SHIPPU KYAKUUUU!"
There you have it. The Raging Tiger himself coming out of nowhere, dropping from the sky, delivering a maximal velocity flying kick at Elle. Why her? Because she was there.
COMBATSYS: Ryo has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Elle
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Tran
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Hotaru with Heavy Kick.
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Elle
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Tran
Using her own momentum to pull her into range for the elbow slam into her shoulder seems to work pretty effectively. Hotaru is caught off guard by how quickly the young man was able to transition from amiable to counter attacking her assault. The blow causes her to stumble forward and past Shingo as she winces, her opposite hand coming up to rub the point of impact. Ow!
Turning around to face Shingo again, she wasn't anticipating the fight being joined by another student... man... man student... who reeks of the beer he managed to spray all over himself a moment ago. Yesh, Taiyo High sure keeps some old students around... Or maybe he's staff? A proctor or somesuch. Rather, a proctor with a boot inbound for-! His foot strikes the girl in the chest and Hotaru just about collapses to the ground, catching herself with her hand on her knee to keep from falling over. Ow! Again!
Okay, maybe this wasn't the best idea ever. Maybe she should make a hasty exit. She's vaguely aware of a third also entering the fight, but it's impossible to miss Ryo's entrance, the Kyokugen instructor flying into the scene from above. With Ryo-sensei at her side, Hotaru's confidence increases, the girl shaking her head, dismissing the pain from the two attacks that struck her already. First, deal with the young man that just stomped her, she decides.
Leaping forward, Hotaru attempts to vault up into a handstand on Tran's shoulders. If she manages, she'll pause a split second to swap her hands, turning herself around. Before she swings down behind him, attempting to drive both of her legs into his back to send him flying. Of she can knock him away, then she'll be able to get back to Shingo!
And thusly the Shingo blinked, and so it was done, for Shingo was quite confused by the appearance of two vaguely familiar individuals offering assistance that he didn't ask for. Scratching the back of his head, Shingo merely watches what transpires with a meticulous gaze, attempting to take in exactly what's going on.
As far as Shingo can tell, he was having a fairly innocent (and as far as he could tell fair) battle with the young Hotaru, and then these two folks came in without really asking if he needed help (which he didn't), and began pummelling the poor girl. Really, that's hardly fair. Not Shingo's style to fight three on one, unless it's part of the rules of the match, and last he checked, this was unprovoked sparring and not a full blown league match.
The arrival of the Great Tiger himself, Ryo Sakazaki, changes the situation even further! Recognizing the accomplished fighter, Shingo pauses his contemplation to quickly flash the man a smile and a quick wave. "Hi there Mr. Sakazaki!" is about all Shingo bothers with in so far as greeting before he turns his attention back to the two other new comers who've decided to gang up on Hotaru. Sighing, he lifts his shoulders ever so slightly in a shrug before addressing the duo. "Hey there. I appreciate the concern and all, but I was doing just fine. Not really fair to Ms. Futaba to gang up on her...even less so when she was in the middle of fighting me." Pause. Gloved hand moves to Shingo's chin, scratching it as deep thought and a furrowed brow appear. "Hate to ask, but you both look vaguely familiar. Have we met?" Shingo queries of the odd duo, free hand moving to rest on his hip as he shifts his weight mildly from one leg to the other.
How is it he gets into confusing situations like this? Always starts out as a regular fight, and before Shingo knows it, something odd happens, and he's left attempting to figure it all out.
COMBATSYS: Shingo takes no action.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Elle
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Tran
COMBATSYS: Elle blocks Ryo's Strong Kick.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Elle
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Tran
Have they met? Well, Elle's never seen Shingo in person, ever. Just knows enough about the kid through reports, data, and enough pulled records to shake a stick at. Elle's mysterious like that. It's a little unusual for someone that nobody knows having so much information on everyone else. But that sort of thing falls a little on the wayside. "In case you haven't noticed," Elle says dryly as Ryo bursts out of nowhere, "things just got a lot more interesting." The man descends from the sky like a living meteor, and all Elle can do is brace herself for impact. The man's kick comes down like a ton of bricks, smashing against her raised defenses and driving her back slightly...
But she'll live. Having handled far worse, she can only mutter to herself. Great. Turns out Shingo's one of those kids of kids. This'll make things a lot harder.
She glances to see where Tran is. He just needs to keep it up as far as Elle is concerned. In the meantime, Ele is reaching into her jacket. "The way I figre it, bright eyes," she drawls to Shingo, "You can stand like a stump, help, or run the hell away. Whatever you choose, you better pick it fast because this is about to get ugly!" And with that, Elle's produced a rather ornate knife to strike out at Ryo with. No sense in walking away from this one empty handed.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Tran with Ten Ranku-Tou.
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Elle
> //////////////////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Tran
Honestly, Tran isn't perturbed at all by Ryo's appearance. He should be, but he's got his hands full with the people who are, y'know, attacking him. And talking at him, at least a little. "If you have time to talk, you have time to kick. Get to it, Yabuki!" If there's any more to say after that, it's lost forever when Hotaru grabs him and hucks him around. Tran makes for a fairly pliant throwing dummy, offering no resistance, even as he tries unsuccessfully to alter his course through the air. He lands in a heap.
Groaning, he pulls himself up, and carefully reasses. Elle's over there doing her thing, and considering Ryo's there...Tran may as well help out. Pulling a similar knife out of his jacket, he jumps over and tries to stab it, two-handed, into the Tiger's backside.
COMBATSYS: Ryo parries Elle's Medium Strike!
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Shingo
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryo 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Elle
> //////////////////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Tran
COMBATSYS: Ryo endures Tran's Random Weapon.
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Elle
> //////////////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Tran
Hmmph! Ryo impressive attack from ABOVE was blocked by this strange woman. That's arright. That's just arright! It would have been boring if he immediatedly threw her straight into a week in an cheap hospital room from just a single blow! Dissapointed, even!
"Hello, Shingo! Ahhh! Hotaru! That was a fine choice, that! None could have been better to test the strength of this school than him!" He thinks, anyway. He remember seeing the kid fight using a style oddly ressembling Kyo's, minus flames. How the heck that works is beyond him, buuuuut whatever.
The Invincible Dragon is soon drawn back into the fight, just in time to face Elle drawing out an strange knife and try to stab him with it. "Oooooha! I don't think so, little missy!" Sakazaki lets out, swiftly grabing the wrist of the woman and violently push her strike away. That is at about that time that Tran comes around and stab him in the back. "GRRNGGK!"
Ryo stopped moving then, his eyes wide, for a good two, three, four second. He then slowly, veeeeery slowly turned around to stare down at the good Doctor, his eyes narrowed with a mighty dissaproving frown on his face. "That was...that...What the heck was THAT?! I barely even FELT that! You have to try HARDER next time! Here, like THIS!" The blond haired man says, pulling out an tightly closed fist and charge like a train at Tran, aiming at his face!
So she succeeded in tossing Tran out of her way! Hotaru watches him fly through the air then dusts her hands off before pausing and doing a double take back toward him. Wait... Dr. Tran? What's /he/ up to? And why is he here hanging around the High School? "Look out, Ryo-sensei!" she calls as Tran pulls a knife, but she's too late. Wincing, she reflects on her teacher's words, however. Particularly his words of praise at who she challenged. That's right!
Clenching her fist, Hotaru points her other hand toward Shingo, "It doesn't matter what they're up to. This is between you and me!" she exclaims, giving the young man the benefit of a warning this time at least.
And with that, Hotaru sprints toward him, spinning around to launch a strong roundhouse his way. Though her foot isn't close enough to hit by far - the blue swath of energy that balloons out from her kick just might strike home.
COMBATSYS: Shingo blocks Hotaru's Kobi Kyaku.
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Hotaru 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
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Ryo 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Elle
> //////////////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Tran
Shingo merely watches in awe as Ryo far too easily begins handling not only one of the odd combatants who began attacking Hotaru to 'assist' Shingo, but the other as well, deftly taking the duo on with all the ease of a Kyokugen master. Of course, with Ryo occupied with those two, it brings it all back to the matter at hand - a certain Ms. Futaba and her attack on Shingo to get a display of Taiyo High fighting spirit. Or something along those lines. He didn't get a chance to write it down in all the hustle and bustle of the fight so far.
Spinning on his heel as Hotaru addresses him, the corners of his mouth curl into a smirk as he nods, and assumes his best Kusanagi-ryuu fighting stance. "Feel free to bring it, Ms. Futaba. Just be warned, I'll be giving it my all, so you should be too!" Shingo exclaims, and not a moment too late as the girl spins around to launch a leg his way, a leg bathed in a blue energy. Luckily for Shingo, he saw it a mile away, and brings his arms up in a simple block, allowing the brunt of the blow to disperse evenly across his forearms.
Figuring that one good kick deserves another, Shingo takes a good few steps back, creating a decent gap between himself and Hotaru, before placing his hands behind his back for a quick stretch. "Alright Ms. Futaba, it's time I showed you a little move I like to call--" Pause. Get ready for it. "--SHINGOOOOO--" Shingo begins sprinting back towards Hotaru, leaping in the air a few feet away. "--KICKKUUUUUU!!!" and extending one of his legs, positions it in such a way to bring it down in a sweeping arc downwards towards a point between Hotaru's solar plexus and the same shoulder he hit with his elbow earlier.
Tran's attack pretty much hammers the nail in the coffin for this mission. In a way, it's both a failure and a success at the same time. More success, when it boils down to it, although there'll be a few things Elle will have to do in order to package it right. As the man basically shoves the dagger to the hilt into Ryo's ass, Elle immediately starts to back up.
She doesn't have to talk anymore. Tran would already know what to do next. She makes a motion with her hand, raising, and then sweeping it to the side. A sign to break off. Whatever the man has to do to escape with the prize, he'd better do it, because facing down Ryo by themselves would be tantamount to suicide.
Pivoting totally on her heel, she makes a break for it, chugging away from the scene full speed. Money in the bank.
COMBATSYS: Elle takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Ryo 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Elle
> //////////////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Tran
COMBATSYS: Tran endures Ryo's Mouko Raijin Setsu EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Ryo 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Elle
> /////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Tran
Oh god. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea, after all. Ryo...Ryo seems pretty pumped, now. Pretty super-pumped. Well, hell, you know what? Tran's not going to back down, not an inch! At least...that was the plan, at first. Then Elle goes all 'PULL OUT! ABORT! EJECT!' at him. Frankly, there's no way in hell he's going to do this alone, and Shingo doesn't count because he's over distracted making out with Hotaru or whatever.
"What, is your ass made of ihurkle-" Whatever wiseass remark Tran had coming goes to waste, as Ryo punches Tran right in the mouth. Tran staggers back a single step, fist reflexively raised with knife in hand to strike back. Except, wait, wait, retreating. Right.
After a moment's pause, Tran shouts "Uraaaaaaaaagh!" and flings himself backward. He makes sure to bounce a couple of times, just so everyone knows he's unconcious. Except he's not, of course. He stays down for a second, perks his head up and looks around. Deciding that's enough of that, he scrambles to his feet and runs. He just runs. "Sorry, kid, you're on your own, have fun!"
COMBATSYS: Elle has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Ryo 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Tran
And so, the two mysterious fighters are running away so quickly. In a normal situation, this would be good. Right has been wronged, and the duel bettewn Shingo and Hotaru, altought now in the poor girl's disfavour, can continue.
But Ryo is not called the 'Raging Tiger' for nothing. For you see, there is a part of the name that says 'Rage' in it. It's partly because the young Sakazaki is kinda crazy in fight.
It also mean that Ryo can get pretty angry when holligans runs away like cowards in middle of a fight.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING!?" Roars out the blond haired man, pointing dramaticaly at the fleeing Elle and Tran. "YOU COME IN, INTERRUPT A PERFECTLY GOOD FIGHT, STAB ME IN THE BACK AND THEN...THEN...RUN AWAY!?" Eyebrows twitching furiously with anger, Ryo's entire form glows with power, suddenly bursting into speed against Tran. He seems to be the closest and slowest. "COME BACK HERE, YOU PUNKS! KO'OU KEN!"
And thus begins a chase for you, Tran, with some Kyokugen maniac throwing fireballs at you.
COMBATSYS: Tran fails to reflect Ko'Ou Ken from Ryo with -Q- is for Dr. Tran.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Ryo 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Tran
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Hotaru with Shingo Kick.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/=======/=======|====---\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Ryo 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Tran
Still running away, Tran takes a moment to look over his shoulder. Oh god, he's coming after him. Trying to crouch down while still moving, steam billows up...ineffectually. The fireball smacks Tran in the back of the head, sending him head over heels in a madcap tumble forward. "Oh gooOOooOOOoood!" Amazingly, however, he comes up to his feet afterward, still running like the dickens. "Oh god, oh god, oh god, see you later, partner, I'm not stopping till I hit Tijuana!" Damn but he's booking.
COMBATSYS: Ryo has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/=======/=======|====---\-------\0 Shingo
> ////////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Tran
COMBATSYS: Tran has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 1/=======/=======|====---\-------\0 Shingo
Blocked again! Hotaru retracts her leg from the lunging kick and hops back quickly, putting distance between her and Shingo as the young man builds himself up for his next attack. Everything she's thrown at him so far has been foiled, resulting in him either stepping out of the way, smashing her back, or simply weathering the attack without it seeming to hamper him much. The girl grits her teeth. She really picked a tough one out of the crowd here, that's for sure. It seems that Shingo's reputation isn't all hype.
As he gets ready to attack her back, Hotaru braces herself, remembering the things Marco spent so much time teaching her this morning about being stronger than steel. He was able to take her attacks, over and over, enduring them by strength, will power, and pure Kyokugen Might. She could try to avoid Shingo's attack. Or attempt to try and brace for it with her arms absorbing as much of the impact as possible. But instead, Hotaru just waits, nodding slowly as he gives her the warning then calls out his signiture attack.
Yikes, this is going to hurt! The thought flashes through the girl's mind as his feet strikes her right where he was aiming, sending her tumbling backwards, off the sidewalk, and onto the grass. Yeah, that hurt! Hotaru starts to push herself up off the ground though, hissing at the pain her shoulder as she moves her punished shoulder. Bringing her foot forward, she leans the rest of the way up and comes charging right back toward Shingo.
She slides into a crouch, as if coming in for a low kick. But rather than stopping short for a kick, Hotaru continues rolling with the momentum into a powerful backflipping kick strong enough to knock Shingo into the air with her if it hits. But he has not just the raw force of the girl to deal with, but also the blue swath of energy that propels the kick even stronger.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Shingo with Ten-shou Ranki EX.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1 Shingo
"Ten-shou...." The force of the kick alone is punishing, sending both Shingo and Hotaru into the air alongside each other. But it would appear the girl isn't finished with him yet. Flipping once to help adjust her trajectory, "...Ranki!" Hotaru intersects Shingo and drives the young man into the ground into a cloud of dust.
As the dust clears, Hotaru has pinned Shingo the ground on his back, straddling him at the waist, her hands pressed against his chest to hold him still, "You're tough! I'm afraid I'll have to go all out," she tells him as the air around the two begins to charge with energy, blue chi taking on the form of a swirling whirlwind around the two.
Holding to her promise of pushing herself to new limits, Hotaru sustains the buildup longer than she ever had before, straining to control it lest she become overwhelmed by the very power she tries to control. Just when she feels like she can push it no further, the girl pulls all of the built up energy back into her body, funneling it down her arms directly into Shingo's chest where her palms press into him. "KYAAAA!" An explosion of energy conceals the two for a moment, sending dirt and torn up grass outward from them. As the dust settles, Hotaru exhales slowly, slumping forward, her hands against the boy's chest all that keep her from collapsing over all together. Whatever she just did, it took just about everything out of her.
Naturally, something like that went far beyond a random schoolyard scuffle. The spectacle has more than turned heads and caused many a student to freeze mid-step to stare at the two students. A girl blushes. A young man drops his pencil. A teacher frowns darkly. Just /what/ were those students doing over there?
Hopping back after connecting with his patented Shingo Kick (tm), Shingo crouches slightly as one gloved hand rests upon the ground, all giving Shingo the appearance as if he were to charge his opponent yet again. Sweat begins to form on his brow, but goes nowhere as it quickly finds itself absorbed by his bandana. Calm yourself Shingo. You can do this. You can prove that Taiyo High's got plenty of fighting spirit left to spare! And if not, well, at least you'll make a good show of it. Hopefully.
Shingo's eyes focus, and watch intently as the smaller girl known as Hotaru, his 'dancing partner' for this match as it were, begins charging directly at him. Of all the things that Shingo isn't a stranger to, it's folks charging at him. Of course his usual reaction is what he thinks that Kyo would do - namely, charging right back. Alas in this case (much like many cases that Shingo makes this call), it's not the correct course of action and ends up costing him dearly. Being that Shingo has never fought Hotaru before, he doesn't anticipate her next move, and so when he gets close enough to her charge he attempts to roll past Hotaru - big mistake! She catches him for the most part off-guard, her backflip style kick launching him into the air with an eerie trail of blue energy that not only makes the now flying Shingo look cool, but ends up harming him even more than anticipated. Of course, that's just when things get interesting as Shingo isn't just taken up for a quick flight but is quickly brought back down to Earth by Hotaru, almost all in one fell swoop.
-THUD-
And then Shingo lands, the young Hotaru pinning him down by sheer straddle. Thoughts begin rushing through Kyo Kusanagi's greatest (and only) student's mind, and Shingo briefly begins to ponder what hurt more: the strike itself, being knocked to the ground, or for that matter the landing. Pause. Beat. The strike itself, by far. He's about to open his mouth to say something, and even somewhat dramatically raises a hand as if to make some sort of speech like gesture, but is interrupted by what appears to be an impending attack of much doom and pain.
Still QUITE winded from being knocked about as if he were a plastic bag in the wind, Shingo attempts to muster up enough strength to toss Hotaru off, or to avert her palms from his chest, or to do anything other than lie there, semi-motionless, blushing because a girl is sitting on him, and generally looking like a bit of an idiot. And then it hits him. Literally. An explosion of energy so strong, that if he were a normal high school student, he might need to go to the hospital immediately, assuming he survived. In this case, he's now double winded and in sufficient internal pain that he can't even cry out in pain. He's trying, but all he's getting is a bit of an open mouth and a high pitched squeak.
Oh yes, Hotaru has brought the pain, and Shingo is feeling the burn! And here he was hoping he would be the one doling out the burn. Ever the gentleman though, Shingo braces Hotaru slightly from fully collapsing on him. This might be a fight, but when an opponent puts forth THAT much effort, it's quite admirable to Shingo, and worthy of at least a moment of mercy and kindness.
Being that there's little else he can do to be honourable until Hotaru recovers from her expenditure of energy, Shingo closes his eyes and takes a breather as he lies still, hoping to regain a bit of resolve for whenever Hotaru does finally get up so that the fight can continue fairly.
Not that he hasn't been hit harder before, but Shingo's an upstanding kid, and isn't about to take advantage of the situation - a situation that still has many students and on-lookers that have been watching in utter awe of Hotaru's skills. They've seen Shingo fight before, so nobody's really all that impressed by the fact that he's lasted this long. It's all about the blue-haired girl that just managed to toss Shingo around like a yoyo.
COMBATSYS: Shingo gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Shingo
Himeko heads out into the village.
As Shingo braces Hotaru, the girl's blue eyes open, having closed for a moment as she felt like she might not be able to keep going. What's this? He's helping her stay up? Hotaru glances into the boy's face, cheeks blushing slightly red. Here she jumped out of no where to attack him without warning, and then proceeded to do her best to take him down, pouring everything she had into her last attack on him, and Shingo doesn't even take advantage of her momentary lapse in strength?
There's a glimmer of admiration in the way Hotaru looks at him for a moment, finally having gotten her breath back enough to push herself up to her feet, taking steps away from the young man. A lot of the vigor and determination from her expressions have faded, replaced with a thoughtful look. She came to test the students this school could produce, and nothing in Shingo Yabuki has been found lacking in the slightest. A slow smile crosses her face as she nods approvingly, waiting for him to get back to his feet.
"You're a good person," young Futaba finally declares. She's aware of the crowd they've attracted by now, students and adults alike starting to form a circular audience around the two.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Shingo
One moment Shingo is bracing Hotaru from falling over, and ends up closing his eyes for a moment to regain his composure, the next he finds himself opening them to start Hotaru right in the eyes to catch her quickly reddening cheeks. The fact that this is Shingo mind you means that he ends up with a blush all his own in response. Either way, Shingo begins to smile slightly, and silently just lies there, caught up in the moment that he can be proud of himself for being true to his own way of handling situations...and for being the requisite gentlement even during the thick of battle. Of course those thoughts don't linger too long, as he begins to notice Hotaru catching her breath, and thusly he eases up on holding her up and allows her to get back to her feet. Shingo watches carefully as she takes a few steps backward, and as soon as she's moved out of the way, Shingo lifts both of his legs into the air, and giving himself a bit of momentum hops onto his feet - dusting off his high school uniform as best as he can.
Of course, as soon as he's back on his feet, and dusted off, he looks over at Hotaru and being that he's still smiling, ends up smiling back at her and her nod. Of course being called a good person doesn't hurt. "I'm flattered Ms. Futaba that you think so. Though, I'd have to say you're a good person as well." Shingo responds back, enthusiastically and with quite the jovial air. The circular crowd becomes a tad confused at this point, since clearly neither fight has won, nor has either fight lost. If anything, due to some mutual deep respect, they seem to have stopped the fight altogether. The realization of this fact causes most of the crowd to disperse back to their regular everyday lives, many grumbling that while it was amazing while the fight lasted, it was far too short. Shingo, undeterred by the undertoned comments of others takes a few steps over to Hotaru, and much like at the beginning of the encounter, offers her a gloved open hand once more. "As I mentioned before things got a little hectic, Ms. Futaba. Pleasure to meet you."
...well...Shingo's nothing if but polite and in many cases, far too nice for his own good.
As Shingo extends his hand, Hotaru grabs hold and tries to slam him to the- Er, no, Hotaru places her small hand in his, grips firmly, and gives him a solid hand shake in return. "Perhaps we'll have to have a normal fight someday," she says with a grin. "Next time I might give you a fair warning," she winks, then takes a step back, wagging her finger, "Though it didn't seem to matter too much this time." she admits with a bit of a laugh.
Quietly, Hotaru glances around, taking stock in the situation. The crowd has dispersed... Ryo-sensei is off chasing Doctor Tran and that woman he was with... she's managed to meet a new friend - a fellow fighter whom she can respect to the utmost. It may have been terrifying to follow Master Takuma's instructions to the letter, but it seems to her that everything turned out for the better as a result. Shaking her head, Hotaru muses the strange wisdom of the Elder Sakazaki. "Well, I'll see you around, ne?"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru has left the fight here.
> ///////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Shingo
And in the distance, something just /happens/. A loud, thunderous roar of rage, with a certain familiar voice of a Raging Tiger growling:
"HAOH SHO KO KEN!"
Such a declaration is quickly followed by an explosion, the brunt lessened by distance, but still clearly audible.
Ryo havent given up yet, clearly.
Log created on 22:43:07 05/22/2007 by Hotaru, and last modified on 04:10:46 05/23/2007.