Description: Rock versus Kain with Chaos Agent Yamazaki! Confident that Yamazaki is batcrazy, Rock gets Kain to put the SNF Title on the line... (Winner: Rock)
Say what you will about Geese Howard, but nobody can deny he has a sense of humor. A dark, violent one, but a sense of humor nonetheless. But at least for Kain's part, he doesn't particularly mind being matched up against his nephew. Rock can consider this to be a training exercise. And in theory, Yamazaki's presence should help to keep things even, since he's supposed to be attacking whoever appears to have the upper hand. Relying on Yamazaki to be reliable and predictable is a good way to wind up broken and bleeding in an alley somewhere, however, so it doesn't pay to count on anything from him aside from a good deal of violence.
Stepping out into the arena, Kain goes through the usual motions of just barely acknowledging the presence of the crowd as he makes his way up to the fighting floor. It's a fine line between 'cool and aloof' and 'arrogant bastard', but Kain can usually walk it fairly well when he chooses to. Slipping his left hand into his pocket, Kain leans back slightly on his heels for a moment as he gazes up to the ceiling. This could be interesting, really... And it'll give him another chance to observe Rock for specific weaknesses that could use fixing.
Rock regretted submitting himself for the fight card the minute he heard the matchups. The Main Event. /Again/. Against a wildly more experienced fighter. /Again/. Against a close relative. /Again/. Against someone he has a lot to prove. /Again/. In Howard Arena; the biggest stage. /Again/. After the card was announced, he spent the rest of the week preparing for what he's anticipating will be another very embarassing display on international television.
Kain is introduced first. He's the champion of the Saturday Night Fight circuit. A week ago, Rock watched him annihilate his idol, Terry Bogard, in this exact same place. He hopes he can learn from the mistakes he saw Terry make. He wants to show Kain that he's a legitimate fighter. He wants to /win/.
When his name is called, admist the usual SNF-obligatory mention of his relationship to Geese Howard -- proprieter of the wonderful event -- and his current ranking of 2nd in the rival Neo League Federation, Rock emerges from the locker room. He's got his usual red leather coat , black pants, black boots, and fingerless gloves on. What's different is his face -- it's stoic and focused. He doesn't even glance at the cheering crowds as he marches down the entranceway and into the arena.
Avoiding Kain's gaze, he takes his coat off and hands it to the ring girl. He adjusts his gloves, tightening them and stretching the fingers, and then with one long exhalation... He turns around. He levels his red eyes on his Uncle. "I want the title," he says. "Put it on the line."
Kain raises an eyebrow for a moment at Rock's bold request, then a smile crosses his face. It's not like he actually cares at all about the title... and giving Rock an additional reason to win should just make the fight all the more interesting. "Feeling confident, are we? Good, good! Geese," Kain raises his voice, calling out above the background noise from the crowd. "Did you hear that? I've got no complaints, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to pass up the chance for a little more spectacle!"
Kain waits for a moment, giving Geese a token chance to call someone on staff. Of course, it's unlikely that he would turn the premise down, but Kain doesn't actually care. He's just playing along with the show. "Well then, Rock. The title is yours, if you can take it. Don't disappoint me, now." Heinlein flashes a brief grin at his nephew as a ball of purple flame appears in his hand. He glances around for Yamazaki, but apparently the enforcer is planning on making a stylishly late entrance. When the call to fight comes out over the loudspeakers it seems this is confirmed...
COMBATSYS: Kain has started a fight here.
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Kain 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rock has joined the fight here.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Yamazaki? Oh, he's here somewhere. Not quite in the arena proper, but the Syndicate lieutenant could certainly be seen if someone had good eyes... and was looking straight up. In the catwalks twenty or so feet above the granite floor of Howard Arena, it's there that Yamazaki paces, biding time as all the pleasantries go on down below. "Goddamn announcers, just say it and get over with." He takes a moment to pop the knuckles of either hand, then the call of 'fight!' echoes across the arena, and that's the cue.
"Hold still, you tiny-dicked chump." Yamazaki leans over the railing of the catwalk, shuffle-stepping from side to side as he tries to line up a good shot.. careful, careful.. then, once he's sure he's in the right spot, he hops up onto the handrails and simply vaults off the catwalk. And so does the Yamacomet fall from above, and the only announcement made of the blonde, spike-headed thug's arrival comes in the form of loud, cackling laughter as his foot descends at high velocity, straight for Kain's skull.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki has joined the fight here.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/-------|
With the title on the line, Rock has that much more pressure to put on a good performance. After Geese humiliated him, he never wants to go through something like that again. He just has to pray that Yamazaki is on his side if he wants an actual chance to win. After watching how Kain dispatched Terry, Rock doesn't kid himself in thinking he's got the skills to take Heinlein down yet.
Forming into his Hakyokusaken stance, he prepares to start the fight. His eyes align onto his opponent, studying Kain's demeanor, trying to get an indication for how he should open his assault. Several long seconds pass, Howard just staring at Kain, trying to read him, trying to read an opening. Geese told him every fighter has a weakness, you just have to be able to see it. Finally, Rock seems satisfied. He pivots his heel, preparing to charge and--
A Yamazaki missile explodes down to the floor from above. Rock is momentarily startled, his eyes widening, before he opts to seize the advantage. Rather than dive into the mayhem, his fingers curl and he cuts his arm up, unleashing a reppuken of glowing blue chi. Insult to injury, hopefully.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki successfully hits Kain with Heavy Kick.
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Rock 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Rock's Reppuken.
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Rock 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/----===|
Kain wasn't quite expecting /that/ entrance for Yamazaki. He does notice the falling Orochi, but not quite in time. A quick step forward isn't enough to get him completely out of the way and Yamazaki's foot slams into his upper back with gravity assisted force, sending Kain stumbling toward Rock.
It doesn't take long for Heinlein to recover, though, and by the time the reppuken reaches him he's composed enough to sweep out with one leg, kicking right through the incoming energy blast. There's a flare of light from Kain's foot as his chi clashes with his nephew's, and in the end Kain just keeps on coming for Rock. He sweeps out at the younger Howard with his right arm, a wave of purple fire traveling in its wake and threatening to engulf Rock.
The once-descending Orochi takes a few moments to recover from that drop, letting the rest of his fall to the ground be done by way of a few tumbles until he's off to one side, comfortably removed from the explosion of chi that resulted shortly after his collision. Once he's regained his bearings, Yamazaki hops back up to his feet, then turns back around to face the fight itself.
Now, technically, SNF Chaos Agent rules state that he should be attacking Rock. After all, he's yet to actually take an attack. But one thing that most people have failed to notice (due to his own scratchy handwriting) is that a 'Yamazaki Clause' has been added to the rules for Saturday Night Fights: essentially, lol rules. The Enforcer comes charging out of his proverbial corner now, heading straight for Kain. With Heinlein more directly facing Rock at the moment, it gives Ryuji an opening in which one leather glove-clad hand will come up, balled into a fist, in an attempt to smash his knuckles into one of Kain's kidneys.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rock with Schwarz Cutter.
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Rock 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/--=====|
Rock has watched Kain fight several times, but when you're standing on the sidelines you can't properly appreciate what it's like to be staring down one of those blades of purple flame. There hasn't been an opponent Rock's fought who could replicate anything comparable to the Schwarz Cutter. Without any other ideas of how to handle it, Rock simply braces his body. He brings his forearms up and crosses them across his body, hoping it'll let him endure the wash of pain.
The wall of fire slams into him, swallowing him and driving him back. His heels grind against the stone arena floor, Howard's body being throttled back a solid half-dozen yards. The pain comes a moment later, shooting through his body like a surge of electricity. It forces him down to a knee, eyes squinting as he winces from the pain.
Rock bangs a fist into the stone floor, frustrated, that he wasn't able to react better. Rising back up, he ignores the burning in his body and the tingle of his skin. He takes a calming breath in and out, moving along the perimeter of the fighting area, letting Yamazaki hopefully distract Kain for a moment so Rock can reevaluate.
COMBATSYS: Rock focuses on his next action.
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Rock 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Yamazaki's Strong Punch.
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Rock 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/-======|
A moment after he finishes the motion of sweeping his arm toward Rock, Kain suddenly pivots on one foot and brings his arm out again, this time to slam into Yamazaki's incoming blow, stopping the fist from connecting cleanly. "Should be careful, sneaking up on somebody like that. They might react out of reflex, and forget that you're just the chaos agent." Kain hops back from Yamazaki, then takes an impressive leap into the air.
The arc of Kain's jump takes him up and over Rock's head, shifting the battle so that Kain doesn't have to deal with attacks coming in from both sides. As he begins his descent Kain thrusts both hands out toward Rock, launching a pair of fireballs toward the young fighter. They spiral around one another in a tight pattern, zooming in toward Rock as Kain touches back down to the floor.
He knows he's running a bit late, but it's hard to get everywhere on time when your sole mode of transportation is a beaten-up pair of Converse sneakers. But arrive he does, moving in a bit of a rush to get through the front doors; even at Howard Arena, the doormen know Terry well enough to get out of his way, letting him in without so much as either a second look or a ticket. After that, it's a bit of a battle to simply push as many people out of his way as politely as he can before he finally manages to make it into the arena's viewing area. "Hmm." A moment is taken to rub the back of his head, upon which one of the spectators stops near him. "Oh my god, Terry Bogard!? Here, you can have my seat if you just autograph my ticket stub!" There's a bit of an awkward, confused smile on Terry's face for a moment, but when the man procures a pen, the stub is signed, and the new seat is pointed out; front row center. With a grin and a shrug, the elder Bogard walks down the steps and sits himself down.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki fails to reflect Schwarze Flame from Kain with Bai Gaeshi.
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Rock 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 1/-------/=======|
When Kain takes a moment to lecture Yamazaki on the proper techniques of being a Chaos Agent, the non-verbal acknowledgement comes in the form of his other hand, lifted, with the middle finger clearly extended. Kain's already hopping away, however, which gives Yamazaki a moment to just stand back and observe the goings-on. Rock's off in nowheresville, and Kain goes airborne. Once again, Yamazaki starts to move, but then Kain's hands both thrust out. Suddenly, a wide grin pulls at Yamazaki's lips, and in mid-charge, he lowers one shoulder down and simply bull-charges Rock right out of the way. Whether the kid jumps out of the way or gets knocked over, doesn't matter.
He'll suddenly slams on the brakes right then and there, and his left hand snaps up with the fire just an arm's-reach away. The Ankoku fire slams right into a sudden angry purple glow that's lit up in Yamazaki's hand, and it looks like the gangster is physically struggling with it, furrowing his brow as fire meets Orochi energy before the fire wins out, and his entire left arm goes alight. "Fuck!" A few moments are taken to shake it off, though, before Ryuji grins right over at Heinlein. "Shit, is that all you've got? And they gave you the title? What a joke."
Jesus christ, Rock thinks. This man is fighting two people simultaneously and barely even breaking a sweat. He's blocking Yamazaki -- a fighter Rock knows is very talented -- and still having the strength to turn around and hurl gigantic balls of fire at him. This fight isn't going to go into any record books. It's brutal, fast, furious, and Rock is hoping to just walk out of here alive.
Rock tracks Kain's leap. He turns with the arc of the man over his head, so that when Kain twists and lets the Schwarze Flame go, he's at least facing the right direction. He knew about this attack from when Kain used it on Terry and was, on some level, prepared for it. He knows of only one thing he can do to answer it.
Breaking into a dash forward, Rock's black heels dig into the stone floor to gain speed. He comes screaming right towards Kain's landing point even as the fireballs streak in on him -- burning and swirling with their terrible promise. Rock starts screaming, preparing to meet them head-on, when suddenly--
Yamazaki barrels past him. Rock stumbles and staggers back, dropping down to a knee, as the other fighter intercepts the attack. "Jesus," he says, verbalizing his earlier thought, as the light washes out across the arena from the impact of the flames into the Syndicate Thug.
Determined to seize the moment, Rock stands back up. Immediately, he rushes past Yamazaki -- his feet pounding the stone. He comes right at Kain, all his earlier rage and power boiling back up and into his fists. Reaching the man, he swings wildly, crazily, there is seemingly no method to the maddening flurry of fists. Each strike adds more and more chi behind it, a building wall of energy, until finally Rock plants his feet and shunts both of his hands together to extend them straight towards Kain's core -- all that power crackling down and forward into that one concentrated blow. Kain will recognize the technique. It's Geese Howard's ultimate attack. It's Deadly Rave Neo.
COMBATSYS: Kain fails to counter Deadly Rave Neo from Rock with Schwarzer Mond.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/----===|
Kain slides one foot backward as Rock comes charging in, tensing up his legs as he waits for just the right moment... and doesn't find it. Rock gets his first blow in before Kain can react, and after that there's little Heinlein can do aside from attempting to weather the storm. He's driven backwards by blow after blow before finally being launched by one final blast of energy to the torso.
The force sends Kain sailing back, and he hits the ground rolling. A few quick twists and Heinlein finally slides to a halt in a crouch, one hand held over his stomach. But despite all of that, he still doesn't quite seem to be out of the fight just yet, letting his hand fall back to his side as he stands up once more.
When Rock goes rushing past him, Yamazaki turns and looks over his shoulder to see what, exactly, is about to happen. Recognition identifies the opening strikes of the combination unleashed after Kain fails to stop the proverbial freight train headed for him. This one will have to be timed just right; a good opportunity will be coming in just a tic. And right as that final blast impacts, Ryuji drops his left shoulder down, and that arm starts to dangle lifelessly in front of him, waving with even the slightest breeze that passes through the arena. Once Kain finishes rolling, that arm snaps to life. Rock will see a blur of flesh-tone and black breeze right over his left shoulder as that limb extends in a quick, brutal strike aimed to slam his knuckles right into that aching spot in Kain's stomach.
The satisfaction that Kain isn't invulernable gives Rock the confidence he needs to keep fighting. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches a familiar blond, hatted, figure. But he doesn't turn to give Terry a thumbs up, the chi smoke curling off his hands from the remnants of the Deadly Rave, because he wants to do this himself. He wants to prove that he can stand toe to toe with Kain Heinlein, one of the best fighters in the world, and live to tell about it.
Yamazaki is helping him quite a bit in doing this. He seems entirely consumed with hurting Heinlein. Rock is content to let this continue. Backing up a few steps, he stays to the perimeter, pacing a line along the edge of the stone arena. He waits for his opening; for his chance to capitalize on another opening in Kain's defenses.
Finding it when Yamazaki follows through after the Neo, Rock breaks forward. He hopes to catch Kain a split second after Yamazaki's strike, planting and hand to the floor and sending his leg sweeping to try and take Kain's legs out.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki successfully hits Kain with Snake Tamer.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Rock's Light Kick.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/-======|
Once again Kain isn't quite fast enough to sidestep Yamazaki's attack, grunting in pain as the gangster's fist plows into his stomach. His legs remain steady, however, and Rock's kick bounces off rather than managing to knock Kain off his feet. Heinlein doesn't retreat, though, even with both Yamazaki and Rock right on top of him. Instead he simply stands back up straight as blue chi begins to surround him in a glowing aura. He doesn't say anything, and doesn't even bother to /look/ at Yamazaki... Simply looking straight at Rock and nodding. No poor sport here; a win for Rock is a win, whether or not he takes advantage of someone else's assistance. But Kain isn't /quite/ finished yet...
COMBATSYS: Kain gains composure.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/---====|
Oh, this just gets more and more entertaining as time goes on. Yamazaki straightens up again, taking a moment to pump his fist once it retracts back to normal lengths, and the grin is wide enough on his face that it almost looks as if the Orochi-blood has fangs. But no, it's not over yet. And the timing is more than adequate as Kain just stares straight ahead at Rock. The gangster pushes hard off his back feet, closing the distance between himself and Kain within a short moment, and his right hand snaps up in a sharp uppercut, aimed to drive right up underneath Kain's chin.
COMBATSYS: Kain just-defends Yamazaki's Yondan Drill!
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/---====|
Rock backs up when Kain locks his eyes on him. He doesn't like the connotation behind them. The man is looking like he's about to destroy the young Howard. Well, if that's the way he wants this to go, Rock will be ready for him. He'll fight Kain to the very end; with every last breath in his body. He doesn't know how to quite. It's his strength and his fatal flaw. Rock Howard never surrenders.
Rock slams one foot into the stone floor and then the next. He moves his hands accordingly, readopting a defensive Hakyokusaken stance. His fingers tense, forming half-clawed fists, as his red eyes stare in on Kain. He lets his Uncle handle Yamazaki's attack; preparing himself mentally for what he knows is going to come at him next. Kain is too smart to give int to Yamazaki's desire for a fight. He'll keep coming at Rock, and Howard is going to be prepared.
COMBATSYS: Rock focuses on his next action.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/---====|
Yamazaki has been a major thorn in Kain's side throughout this fight. He can't just be ignored, however, or he'll go and do something like stab Kain in the kidneys while he isn't paying attention. Fighting back against him would also be pointless... for now. But that doesn't mean Kain is going to just let Yamazaki walk all over him. As Yamazaki's fist swings up for the uppercut, Kain's left hand darts out and snares Yamazaki by the wrist, stopping his attack dead in its tracks. Flame engulfs both men's hands for a moment as Kain briefly maintains his grip, then yanks sharply to the side and lets go.
Hopefully it will take Yamazaki at least a moment to recover his balance, giving Kain a chance to focus once more on Rock. Heinlein dashes toward his nephew, with fire starting to spill out from across his body, forming a raging inferno about him. Kain is transformed into a wall of burning pain bearing down on Rock, intending to blast him with the full force of Ankoku power.
Regardless of the fact that his wrist gets ensnared for that moment, Yamazaki leans in reeeeal close and just smiles at Kain a moment before the other blonde yanks him off to the side. His feet slide across the floor as he spins around to right himself and face towards the fight again, and he's moving once more. He slows just enough for Kain to attempt to blast Rock, but no time is given after that; once the flames are unleashed, one of Yamazaki's hands snaps out to grab for the back of Kain's jacket's collar. Should he manage a grip, he'll slide a foot forward and slam a shoulder into the other man's back, tripping Heinlein up on the way to a quick trip face-down on the arena floor.
COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Kain's Schwarze Kreuz.
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Rock 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/--=====|
Rock braces his body as the world around him melts away. He can only see and feel Kain Heinlein as the man barrels in towards him. The flames are blindingly bright, buoyed with the promise of pain, and Rock Howard only has one option open to him. Surprised by Kain's speed, Rock shifts his weight and lifts his forearms. His own chi power swirls down his forearms, shielding his body as Kain slams into him.
Again, Rock is driven back by the strength of his opponent. His heels clip the edge of the stone arena floor, as the flames burn across his body, his shirt long since disintegrated. But Rock doesn't cringe or fall down. He doesn't let Kain, so intimately close, see the pain as it registers through his body. He keeps his eyes locked on the man, barreling with intensity into his core.
With a yell, Rock fights back against Kain. He slams a foot into the ground and then leaps forward into the air, his right arm coiling back. Chi bristles across the knuckles, a blue bayonet, and as Rock's feet hit the floor again he sends it screaming forward for Kain's jaw -- a swirling flow of energy rising off his back on the full extension.
COMBATSYS: Kain dodges Yamazaki's Quick Throw.
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Rock 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Kain just-defends Rock's Rage Run Dunk!
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Rock 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/--=====|
This time Kain /does/ manage to evade Yamazaki, stepping forward as the gangster reaches out in an attempt to grab him by the collar. Missing that attempt won't slow Yamazaki down for long, but for now it's enough that Kain is still able to move freely. Being free to move about makes it much easier to deal with Rock's attack. Kain's left arm snaps up to knock the incoming blow from Rock aside, while purple flame engulfs his right arm, forshadowing what's about to come.
The flame leaps out from Kain's arm, expanding into a fiery explosion which engulfs several feet in front of Kain. And a moment later Kain takes a step forward and another explosion bursts out from his other arm, blasting through the fading remnants of the first.
Hmph. This was exactly what he didn't particularly feel like dealing with. Yamazaki's patience is very quickly fading right now, and the last thing he felt like handling was Kain going on another one of his retarded little blocking sprees. While the Ankoku flames from the second portion of the strike are going off, the Syndicate gangster simply reaches one hand forward in an attempt to snag up Kain's coat again. However, this time, he doesn't push forward. If he gets a good grip, he yanks Kain backwards with a sharp tug, then his head descends in a swift, brutal slam of forehead against skull as he headbutts Kain damn well near as hard as he can. Upon impact, a sudden explosion will ingite from the point of impact, with enough energy behind it to engulf Kain's head in Orochi blood-fueled flames.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rock with Schwarz Cutter.
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Rock 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 0/-------/=======|
Rock falls back, his balance shot, when Kain intercepts his version of the Power Dunk. Everyone is always telling him he really sucks at basketball. It hasn't sunk in yet. This leaves him wide open for Heinlein's follow-up assault. The first blast of flames rips into Rock; the impact behind them hurting more than the intense heat. One, two, and three steps back from his Uncle taken, the second attack comes.
Rock's eyes widen. He doesn't know how Kain willed that much energy in so short of a time. The first attack was enough, but the next wave, it slams into Rock. He yells in pain as the fire swallows him whole, disappearing into the purple roar. When it fades, Howard is on his back, his skin sizzling and smoke rising from his body. He doesn't move for several long seconds.
Rock's head tilts, blond hair grinding against the scorched stone of the arena floor. His eyes dance and search the stands. He's looking for one specific person. He needs to find that focal point, that strength to carry on. He can't find Terry; the crowd is too dense, too intense. He's on his own.
"Okay, Howard," he says under his breath, talking to himself. He slaps his hands, palm first, into the arena. He pushes himself up, getting shaky feet under him. He rolls his neck, runs a gloved hand through his hair, and he takes a slow breath in. Ready, he locks his eyes back onto Kain. "Everything Grant has told me is true," Rock says. "You're really strong. But I'm sorry, Kain, I'm not done yet!"
Power explodes off Rock's body as he accelerates straight back on the path he just traveled. His legs pump, pulse pounding, burning every ounce of energy he's got in his body. He doesn't mix or match or twist his technique; he goes with the one thing he knows better than anything else. He uses the one technique he's practiced since the first day he watched Terry Bogard fight. Reaching Kain, Rock's right elbow explodes forward. His waist twists and then his left hand follows it up, knuckles burning with bright, blinding, power.
"I WILL SHOW YOU MY POWER!" he yells through the storm of chi.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki successfully hits Kain with Bomb Headbutt.
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Rock 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Rock's Hard Edge.
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Rock 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 1/----===/=======|
Kain's not quick enough on his feet this time. He's yanked backward, opening him up perfectly for a collision of skulls which leaves his head engulfed in flame for several moments. Not quite long enough for Rock to break through, though. Rock's elbow is met by Kain's, and Rock's fist only just barely grazes the side of Heinlein's face. With the beating Kain has taken this far, how is it that he's still standing, let alone still able to deflect Rock's blows?
"Don't be sorry! Only a fool isn't willing to use his power to the fullest! All you need is more control, and you could be unstoppable. You're just a few steps away from taking the SNF title. But there are much bigger things in your future, Rock." Will Yamazaki be intruding on this touching moment between uncle and nephew? Almost undoubtably. But the fact that he's probably about to get shivved is a price Kain is willing to pay.
COMBATSYS: Kain takes no action.
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Rock 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 1/----===/=======|
[OOC] Kain was sad to discover that he couldn't focus when below 0% health. :(
Will Yamazaki be intruding? On this Hallmark moment? On this most touching of scenes? On this, which could make even the most hardened viewer of Lifetime cry?
... maybe.
That question is answered quite simply as one hand is lifted thus, fingers balled into a fist before he throws it forward in a simple, straight right hand aimed for the base of Kain's neck, right where head meets spine.
Rock has always assumed he got his ability to just keep getting back up from his father, Geese. On further reflection, however, Geese never gets /knocked down/ to need to keep getting up. Seeing how Kain fights; how the man endures the punishment and keeps coming back for more, it makes Rock wonder if he didn't get his spirit from his mother.
Much bigger things in his future? Rock, a born and bred fighter, can't think of anything bigger than being the SNF Champion and leading the Neo League! There is nothing more he could do to show his father how far he's come since their last fight. He'll prove to Geese that he's stronger than him and then he'll make him pay for what he did to his mother.
"I'll give you my best," Rock says, and he draws on his father's techniques. Normally, he relies on his flipkick to counter an opponents attack. But here? He thinks he see's an opening; Kain just swallowed a headbutt. A kick to the head might be just enough to knock the man down. Running forward, Rock stops just outside of Kain's arm-span and leaps into an arcing flip. Spinning through the air, Rock comes over Kain's head and sends one of his booted foots screaming towards the back of Kain's skull.
COMBATSYS: Kain endures Rock's Joudan Crack Counter.
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Rock 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Yamazaki
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Kain 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kain interrupts Quick Punch from Yamazaki with Himmlischer Atem.
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Rock 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Yamazaki
COMBATSYS: Kain can no longer fight.
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Rock 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Yamazaki
Kain watches calmly as Rock comes flipping through the air toward him. He's already resigned himself to losing this fight... Even if he takes Rock down, Yamazaki will simply finish things. What possible incentive could the gangster possibly have to stop? Besides, it's not like Kain has any real interest in hanging on to the championship title.
Even as he watches Rock coming down from above, Kain can hear Yamazaki coming up from behind him. Rock's foot slams into Kain's head, but Heinlein is already turning around to face Yamazaki. "I've had about enough of you." He thrusts out one hand into Yamazaki's face, heedless of the man's fist slamming into him, unleashing a torrent of black fire which explodes with enough force that some people in the audience may be unlucky enough to provide cushioning for an angry gangster.
Sadly, it'll take a bit more than that to finish Yamazaki off, and Kain is rather worn down at this point. He falls to one knee, wisps of smoke trailing from his gloved hand. "And there you go, Rock. 'The winner and new champion'." Heinlein pauses for a moment, giving a quiet grunt of pain. "But you still have a long way to go before you can beat your father by yourself."
Rock lands the flipkick in a crouch. He let's a breath snake out of his clenched jaw before he stands. He can hear the tremendous expulsion of power behind him -- he can even feel some of the heat of the ensuing explosion. He's afraid to turn around and see the source; to see the result of something so devestating.
Steeled, he rises back up and slowly turns. His eyes widen when he realizes it was Kain who performed that attack. As Rock raises his fists, preparing to continue to fight, he gets his second shock. Kain finally stumbles. The announcer calls the fight, but Rock can barely hear him. The crowd is too intense.
Bending down a the knee, Rock holds a gloved hand out towards his Uncle in an offer to help him back to his feet. "I know," he says, with a resigned voice.
Log created on 15:25:26 05/27/2007 by Rock, and last modified on 21:49:08 05/31/2007.