Description: Yamazaki gets his title shot against Rock, with Raiden as Chaos Agent. The Chaos Agent goes largely unnoticed, though, as Yamazaki beats Rock to the point of a lawsuit. (Winner: Yamazaki)
ESPN.COM (Professional Fighting Coverage) -- No, it's not Geese Howard we're talking about. In series of high profile and controversial fights over the last 72 hours in the world's two highest rated professional fighting leagues, Ken Masters' maverick Neo League and Geese Howard's pioneering Saturday Night Fight, Rock Howard -- age 18 -- has managed to become, as he puts it, "The Undisputed Champion."
It all started with this week's Saturday Night Fight Main Event, which saw Rock Howard in a match with incumbent champion Kain R. Heinlein, with the notoriously volatile "Yamazaki" assigned free reign as a Chaos Agent. With the help of Yamazaki, who focused the vast majority of his actions on Heinlein for reasons unknown, Howard was able to narrowly walk of Howard Arena the new champion.
"After I got the title from Kain, I was pretty satisfied with my status. I mean, I'm not kidding anyone in saying there are better fighters in the world -- I was just at the right place at the right time," Howard said about his victory. But there is no rest for the weary, or in this case, highly ranked professional fighters.
As a stir rank through Southtown that Howard was celebrating his title reign at the trendy Eventide Restaurant and Lounge, a new upstart fighter identified only as 'Twelve' challenged Howard -- then the number two ranked fighter in the Neo League after his last second comeback over former champion Acacia Gillespie -- to a Neo League fight. Narrowly walking out with yet another victory, news broke almost immediately that Howard was dual champions.
But Howard has words of warning for his fans worldwide. "I don't want people to get the wrong idea. I fight for one reason and one reason alone -- to get better. It's not all about awards, belts, and medals. Yeah, it's nice to be regarded as successful by your peers, but I have to keep focused on what's really important to me... And that's defeating my father. This belt just shows him that the day is coming soon."
The question now on Professional Fighting fans worldwide is how long can the son of one of the sport's most famous figures maintain his title hold? Is this the start of a new legacy, or a fluke pitstop on the road to more renowned fighters taking back their highly sought after prizes? If you ask Rock, he grins and rolls a carefree shoulder. "Hey, the best part about fighting is you never know what's gonna happen tomorrow."
The crowd has piled into Howard Arena tonight on news of this week's main event; they all watched the show last week, the handing over of the title and the obvious bias on the part of the Chaos Agent. Of course, when said agent is Ryuji Yamazaki, it's about as easy to predict what's going through his head as chaos itself. When they heard that the title would be up for grabs, and that Yamazaki was the challenger, interest brought people in from all over the place. That, and the fact that the title was actually enjoying some active movement at the moment was bringing even more.
Off to one side of the arena, tonight's challenger stood off to one side, chatting with a masked man that's about as large as Yamazaki himself is tall. The official announcement of the change in Chaos Agent has yet to be announced, so Raiden's attendance isn't easily explainable. The announcers know, but Yamazaki himself doesn't even know yet, so the idle chatter between himself and the wrestler is just serving to pass the time for the moment as arena preparations are made.
It had been quite a change of plans from what the big wrestler understood. While a different agent was announced apparently there was some miscommunication and Terry didn't end up arriving. That is when he had gotten a call up from the boss and was told to report to the arena for tonight's match. He had a feeling he might be the replacement, but he isn't going to assume anything just yet. Geese could just want Yamazaki to have some backup in case Rock tried something silly such as bring a friend along or the like to help him keep that precious belt.
Of course Rock will be much in the position of Kain last week if what Raiden expects ends up being true. While Chaos Agents are supposed to be fair, you tend not to care about the rules when the man that signs your paychecks runs the whole blooming event anyways. For now Raiden remains off to the side talking strategy and possible events that may occur after the fight.
The SNF Champion always receives a pretty wicked entrance. Geese Howard likes his champions, and despite his son's present status with the belt, tradition must be maintained. Rock, himself, doesn't much care for the unnecessary hoopla. He prefers to just march out of the arena and beat up whoever his opponent is going to be. He doesn't like the distraction and the hype.
But ratings are ratings. The pyrotechnics go off, the announcer gives some verbose and surprisingly flattering account of Rock's achievements. Some theme music he didn't pick -- some AFI song -- blares through the speakers that line the arena. Swallowing in the locker room, he rolls his neck, adjusts his coat, and then heads for the drapes.
When he emerges he gets a surprisingly loud pop. Rock is a popular champion because of his relative celebrity. He has a strong following, most of it inherited from his usage of Terry and Geese's best techniques. People like to see second generation superstars, and one that combines two distinctly popular fighters, gets all of that amplified. His Neo League appearances help his following, too.
Unfortunately, Rock can't dally through his entrance. He can't shake hands or sign autographs. Marching straight forward, he reaches the stone arena floor and climbs into it. A skeptical look is shot, almost immediately, over at Raiden and Yamazaki. It lingers on Yamazaki. After their second meeting at Geese Tower, he expected this fight was coming. And after the beating he took from his father less than a week ago? He's got a lot of rage to release.
"It's cool that Terry isn't here," Rock calls, after a few paces along the edge of the stone. "Because I want to kick your ass myself, Yamazaki."
Yamazaki and Raiden continue their idle conversation as Rock lets himself into the arena, paying little attention to all the pomp and goings-on that prepare the crowd for the impending fight. And when Rock turns to just stare his way, that faux-fanged grin pulls at the ex-Yakuza gangster's lips. "Didn't want him to do all the work and make you look bad, huh, shitstain?" Ryuji tilts his head back, giving Rock a briefly distasteful glance before he smirks again. "Time me, Raiden. This'll be over too quick for it to matter."
After the champion's announcement is made, the speakers spark back to life. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! The organizers have just announced a change to the card!" One of Ryuji's eyebrows quirks briefly. "Due to issues beyond control, Terry Bogard will be unable to attend tonight's bout. Please allow me to announce the NEW main event... challenger Ryuji Yamazaki will be facing our new and reigning champion, Rock Hard... wiiiiiiith Chaos Agent... BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"
The announcement of him being the Chaos Agent just causes the Aussie to give a wide grin as well. "Well look at that. Looks like I was at the right place and the right time." he muses aloud and he slips off his leather jacket and tosses it off to one of the officals as he rolls his massive shoulders and stretches a few times this way and that to loosen up. He was mostly prepared to fight, but he is still a bit sore from dealing with Cody last night. "Let the kid have it."
With that being said to the other Syndicate member Big Bear strides out to raise his arms and play to the cheers of the crowd while laughing loudly. "Let's have a nice and fair fight you two!" he barks out loudly, but Rock can already tell things aren't looking so good by the minute. Is Big Bear trustworthy or is this once again going to be one sided? Only time will tell more than likely.
Rock's eyes widen when the chaos agent announcement goes off. He figured that with Terry not being available, he'd get a straight fight against Yamazaki. That, on it's own, would be enough for him to have problems keeping his title. But add in another of his father's beloved goons? As the shock fades, it's replaced by anger. Howard's eyes thin, squinting across and past Yamazaki, towards the huge wrestler.
"You know who I am, right?" he says to Raiden. "You know that I'm the son of the guy who owns you. With one nice word, I can get him to end you. So you'll do this /right/, you hear me, Big Bear? Or I'll make your life hell."
Red eyes snapping back to Yamazaki, Rock takes two intention-leveled marching steps forward. He swallows, steels himself, and then motions a gloved hand at the thug. "Let's do this, Yamazaki. Let's show the world you're not championship material."
COMBATSYS: Rock has started a fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/-------|
At that statement from Rock, Yamazaki actually /giggles/. A six foot plus tall Yakuza gangster giggles. "... Rocky, Rocky, Rocky... You're the most deluded little bastard I've damn well ever seen." Ryuji turns back and looks towards Raiden for a moment, exchanging a rather amused look before turning back to face Rock again. "Bear knows Geese ain't gonna do shit you tell him to. He's not stupid." He pops the knuckles of his left hand, then the right as he starts to walk into the center of the arena. Then, Rock goes and makes that final comment, and he starts to laugh again. "/I'm/ not championship material? I did more to Kain than you did, you little shit. If that flame had hit you that I took the shot for, you would have been buried six feet under. Ain't no one would have even put up for the pine box, just you 'n the fuckin' worms." As he walks into the arena proper, Howard beckons him on, and far be it from him to deny. "Let's go, wormfood!"
Yamazaki pushes hard off his back foot as he lurches forward, then his left foot comes off the ground, lifting quickly up, ascending high enough that his foot is actually over his head. And just as quickly, his foot descends, aiming to slam the back of his heel right into Rock's head.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
That statement was at least good for a laugh. Raiden doesn't look a bit bothered by the words that Rock shares with him. He knew Rock since he was a little thing and well, he still hasn't grown much over the years. Ahh youth, always so brash and rebelious. No wonder why Geese puts him in such situations. The kid will learn one day hopefully, or probably die in the process. "Being that the boss felt like you needed a lesson taught to ya I highly doubt he is going to do shit to me, mate." he finally responds while crossing his arms.
For now he does hang back though while deciding to see how good Rock has gotten as of late. He certainly acts like he is the next big thing so lets just see how he can handle Yamazaki. Now is a time to observe and see what the kid has up his sleeve and to also let Yamazaki have some fun in shitbeating the kid since he didn't get to beat up on Cody any last night.
COMBATSYS: Raiden has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Raiden focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rock counters Yakiire from Yamazaki with Gedan Crack Counter.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
Rock doesn't care if they believe him or not. He knows that his father hires some of the best fighters in the world for his inner circle. He's met with Billy Kane a number of times. Most of these guys, he's grown up around. It was hard to ignore their presence; hard to avoid them. Raiden's amongst that circle. But he offers one more word for the huge man, before things get crazy. "I'm blood. He'll take me back whenever I'm ready."
Lobbying done, Howard adopts his usual fighting stance. He can feel it coming from Yamazaki -- he knows from having fought with him last week that the guy relies on thunderous pain to get things done. He knows, also, that's he's pretty thick skulled and straight forward in his attacks. At least, he /thinks/ that. Could be a recipe for disaster.
Either way, Yamazaki is on him like a pit bull on a slab of meat. But Rock's ready. He was storing a little something special in the tank for the ex-Yakuza. That leg lifts, Rock's toes curl, and then it slams down for his head -- only both of Rock's hands are there to meet it. The force of the axe-kick slams into his palms, as Rock pins Yamazaki's leg at that awkward position for just long enough. Geese Howard grinning, he suddenly explodes forward -- his famously hard elbow slamming straight for Yamazaki's groin area. Maybe it will hit the jewels, maybe it'll just hurt a fucking lot.
He doesn't care. He'll fight as dirty as a Syndicate Goon if he needs to.
With his leg up like that, it's hard to form a proper defense. But with one foot still planted, he still has enough control to twist his body away from the elbow that's attempting to render him infertile. It slams hard into the inside of his leg, and the gangster drops down to one knee for a moment. "You see that, Bear? The little shit went for the balls." He chuckles for a moment to himself, then straightens back up again. "Look at him smirk." He shakes his head again, then tilts his head to one side, popping his neck. "Whatever. Come on, y'little shit. You can hit me harder than that."
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
Blood or not, Raiden could probably care less right now. What is more important is the fact that for once the Syndicate can have the title for their own and in the hands of one of Geese's more capable employees. Needless to say alot of fighters probably wouldn't look forward to dealing with the rather bloodthirsty Yamazaki for a title. Of course Yamazaki needs to win this fight first, but with some help from the Big Bear that shouldn't be too hard to do, right?
Perhaps it will be a bit tougher than expected given that Rock actually seems to show good reflexes in the fact that he manages to deal with Yamazaki's initial strike. So that means that he can even act in line now for the fact that Rock got the upper hand if only for a moment. Even as Yamazaki takes time to linger back Raiden steps in over to Rock. "Ya like to fight dirty, eh? Then go back in there and see what you can do." he grumps while attempting to grasp Rock by an arm and just sling him forward towards Yamazaki. "Batter up!"
COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Raiden's Quick Throw.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
Rock finds himself gobbled up by the huge hand of Raiden. The huge man hurls him towards Yamazaki, but just as Rock starts to feel his weight being tossed, he adds some strength to his legs and jumps into the toss. It sends him sailing a good distance through the air, but he's in control. His body contorts and he lands in a low crouch, fingertips pressed against the stone floor. He has to do his best to ignore Raiden for the moment. Yamazaki is his real opponent.
Rising, Howard paces back a pair of steps, until the edge of the arena is between him and the two Geese underlings. He wants to be able to keep his eyes on both of them, and while putting his back up against the wall isn't the best strategy, he can at least see what's coming at him. His best bet, now, is to just get these guys on tilt. "I've got the title," he says to Yamazaki. "I don't need to hit you at all, douchebag."
COMBATSYS: Rock focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
"You've got the title. Che. Who's gonna respect a champion that's too much of a pussy to fight? Stupid goddamn impulsive child." Yamazaki shakes his head for a moment, then smirks before he rocks back onto his feet again. "You think I'm stupid enough to walk in there and punch you, Howard? All you're gonna do is sit back there and try t'pull those counters you learned from your dad. So y'know what? I'm just gonna sit back here and watch Raiden throw you around like a fuckin' ragdoll." A brief barked laugh passes Yamazaki's lips before he lifts one hand up and, simply, gives Rock the finger.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki gains composure.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
It truely does seem like it will be a match where Rock will show if he is true championship material. Afterall even if Raiden is on the side of Yamazaki all Rock has to do is down his opponent and not the agent. Of course being able to deal with two men of Yamazaki and Big Bear's caliber might be a bit difficult. Of course if he can....maybe he really is shaping up to show that he is the son of Geese Howard and not an embarassment.
Even as the grasp misses it's mark Raiden decides not to press too much right now. As much as he wants to help Yamazaki he knows the other fighter well enough that he rather enjoys inflicting pain on people so far be it from Raiden to take all the fun from him. He did that last night as it is. Of course he is going to help still even if he isn't rushing in to do some punching. Taking a deep breath the big wrassler brings up a hand to his lips as he leans forward and with a sharp exhale he breathes out a stream of purplish gas right towards the young Howard. If the kid isn't fast enough he might have bad luck and just inhale a nice bit of that gas which would make his lungs not feel so well to say the least.
COMBATSYS: Rock dodges Raiden's Poison Breath.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
Rock's seen Raiden's rather unique poison breath technique before. He's been a fan of the fighting sphere for almost as long as he's been alive. That means that he's got at least a passing knowledge of what a fighter with as much experience as the Big Bear can do. Tensing as he see's Raiden preparing for it, Rock's fingers tighten.
The breath comes hissing at him. Holding his breath and breathing out any excess air in his lungs, Howard springs forward from the edge of the arena. He breaks into a run straight through the oncoming purple mist. It burns at his eyes, but the worst of it -- the part that might poison his body -- doesn't get into his lungs. Emerging through the funnel, booted heels skid to a halt. His eyes snap from the wrestler to the freak of nature.
He swallows air, hoping it's safe, and takes two throttling steps forward. His heels pound the stone with each fall before he plants one foot. His arm bends and curls to his side, his eyes widen, and then he slices his hand up through the air. A whiplash of chi swirls and shoots off it, familiar and often imitated, churning and burning down the stone towards Yamazaki. If the man wants the fire, he'll get the heat.
COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Yamazaki with Reppuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/----===|
Yamazaki just settles back into a comfortable position, right hand settled into his pocket while the left continues to tense and flex, fingers coiling into a fist and relaxing while he watches Raiden and Rock going back and forth. Then, when Rock turns back to him, a slight smirk tugs up the corners of his lips, then he just shakes his head. "Not enough, not enough, NOT ENOUGH!" Even when the incoming chi slams into him, he's still just laughing as he's sent staggering backwards by a few steps. "NOT FUCKING ENOUGH!" Then, the thug is moving forward again, charging right at Rock and laughing all the while. He aims to just slam shoulder-first into Rock, but only use that for a distraction. His right hand shoots up to try and tangle into his hair, and should he get a good grip, he'll yank Rock forward and drop his head down with a sharp, sudden headbutt. When head meets head, the point of contact will quite abruptly explode in a cloud of fiery chi that will engulf the younger Howard's entire head.
Kid has been doing his homework. It is enough for him to actually chuckle some. Yamazaki might be a bit more violent and uncaring, but Raiden does often give someone credit when it is do and Rock is a slippery bastard if nothing else. He wipes his mouth with an arm as he watches Rock resume is attack on Yamazaki and he watches him for a moment while looking ponderous. Of course that is also when Yamazaki goes for a good old favorite.
As he sees Yamazaki rushing in intent on using his head as a weapon Big Bear is left only to see things as a great moment of when heads may collide. "That's the way to do it!" he calls out and then he barrels forward himself, his shoulder lowered as he comes in at Rock's side to either snag him out of the air if he is hit by that explosive headbutt or to just grasp for him while he is distracted in trying to avoid it to use his momentup to heft Rock up and toss him right over his shoulder before twisting about on his foot and falling sideways to deliver an elbow drop to finish things off.
COMBATSYS: Rock dodges Raiden's Savage Grapple.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Rock fails to counter Bomb Headbutt from Yamazaki with Gedan Crack Counter.
-* CRITICAL FAIL! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 1/-------/=======|
Jesus christ. Does Yamazaki know how to /feel/ pain, Rock wonders. His eyes shoot to their widest diameter when the psycho meth-addict explodes through the explosive reaction of his Reppuken. The blue-white chi shoots outward, blanketing the arena briefly in it's light. But Rock can't admire the show; he's got a freight train barreling in on him. He recognizes what is coming from the way it nearly decapitated his uncle, Kain. The former champion!
Former champion. Rock doesn't want to be in that category. He knows that he was lucky as hell to get the belt. It came down to who did Yamazaki -- and by extension, Geese Howard -- hate more? Kain Heinlein or his own impudent son? Kain won that battle but lost the war. Now, Rock is in the same situation. But he's going to show his father and his father's men what he's really made of. He hoped his trip with Roy Bromwell to the top of Geese Tower was proof enough of that.
Rock prepares to do something about the train coming in. Fist forming, he shoots forward on a highway to hell, preparing to meet Yamazaki head-on. At the last moment, his eyes snap as he realizes Raiden is also barreling in. Weight shifting, balance stumbling, Rock's eyes realign forward just as Yamazaki slams into him.
The chi powered head hurts. A crack echoes through all of Howard Arena. Rock is shot back from the impact, sailing a good dozen feet through the air until he slams into the stone. He skids a few more feet on his back, coming to the edge of the arena floor, before he manages to slam a hand down to stop it. With a yell, he hefts himself back up, a sleeve running across his mouth to wipe away the blood.
Even while Rock is skidding back, Yamazaki is still on the move. He's running forward to chase after the flying Howard youth, and that loud, rackey hyena-like laughter is following him all the way to the other side of the granite floor. "DIE! Die, die, DIE, you lackwit son of a bitch!" The right hand, carefully hidden inside pocket, curls its fingers around the knife blade hidden inside, and in the blink of an eye, that hand snaps out and flips the knife's blade open. The laughter picks up even higher now, filling the arena and echoing off the rooftops as the knife-hand comes across in a brutal series of slashes, cutting forehand first, then backhand, forehand, then backhand again, all aiming for Rock's chest and stomach.
If anything perhaps Raiden's attempted grapple was enough of a distraction for Yamazaki to hit Rock finally and put the kid down at least for a moment. Rock is alot more resilient than he looks though. Maybe it has something to do with being blonde and a smartass. Cody was much the same in some ways. Seeing that Yamazaki seems to have things in hand for the moment Raiden just steps back again and lets him take control of the match again. "Good work, mate. Maul him good."
Either way Raiden is going to take a moment to reassess things and try to make notes on where he is messing up and what he can do to fix it. Rock is obviously much faster and dealing with someone that isn't attacking him directly actually makes things a bit harder to handle. Those blue eyes focus on the movements of the kid once again as he starts to devise a new strategy. Of course in the end it will probably end up being 'GIVE HIM A HUG' once again when all is said and done.
COMBATSYS: Raiden focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rock 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki successfully hits Rock with Sabaki no Aikuchi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Rock 1/----===/=======|
Rock is completely unprepared for what comes at him next. He knows that Yamazaki is a complete lunatic and a total creep. He knows that he has a meth-addict like ability to withstand punishment. What he doesn't know is that he cheats, too. That he brings a lethal instrument into the arena floor.
Before Rock Atreides can react to Yamazautha Harkonnen, the weapon slices across his chest. It tears straight through his beloved coat. It penetrates right into his skin, giving the fans what they want to see. Bloodspray. The second and third slashes bring more of that out. When the frenzy is over, Howard is a half a dozen feet back from where he started and buckling down to his knees in pain. His arms cover his bleeding chest, his eyes flushed red with the hurt.
There's a macabre quality about him. It's like he has some sort of unending deathwish. Through it all, his bloody mouth, his wounded chest, he keeps his sense of irony. "What... What the," he swallows, ignoring the pain. "What the hell is a lackwit?!"
Rhetorical question. Suddenly shooting out of his painful position on the arena floor, Howard goes right at Yamazaki like a berserking bear. He doesn't grab the man, but he sort of lurch jumps off his knees to land at the guy's feet and within arm's reach. With no further warning, his body explodes with power. Chi storms and shoots out from every direction -- a shockwave of light and strength -- that culminates when Rock slams his fists down towards the floor. The stone cracks from the force, but the only words anyone can hear are, "RAGGGGGIIINNNG STTOOOOOORRRMMM!"
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki endures Rock's Raging Storm'.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Raiden 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Yamazaki
[ \\\\\\\ <
Rock 0/-------/------=|
While meth or PCP may not be the primary cause, he certainly exhibits a lot of the side effects; psychotic behavior, acts like he's impervious to pain, completely insane. More of that insane cackling continues as Rock staggers backwards, and the knife is given a brief twirl between his fingers before he grins good and wide. But then, Rock somehow manages to get back up to his feet. Yamazaki simply tilts his head back, sneer crossing his lips as Rock starts to charge in. He's prepared himself for a frontal assault, but when the hands suddenly drop down to the ground, eyes widen for just a brief moment before... he just throws himself right into it. "NOT ENOUGH NOT ENOUGH NOT ENOUGH NOT FUCKING ENOUGH DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE FUCKING DIE!"
Believe it or not, Yamazaki is still on his feet when the horrible torrent of chi has faded off, just in time for Rock to look up and see a knife barreling right for his exposed stomach.
COMBATSYS: Rock fails to counter ...!! from Yamazaki with Joudan Crack Counter.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Yamazaki 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Raiden
COMBATSYS: Rock can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Yamazaki 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Raiden
.. and Yamazaki feels his knife sink into Rock's stomach. He yanks it right back out again... and it just clatters down to the floor. Then, Ryuji rears back, and both hands go up to his face. Careful onlookers might see that his eyes have gone completely white as his fingers claw down his face amidst high-pitched, shrieking laughter...
And then, all hell breaks loose.
The gangster snaps back to attention as his eyes lock onto Rock, then he leans down, parallel to the floor with his chest and head roughly six or eight inches above. He lifts both arms up behind him, and then the limbs start to flail in a coordinated assault of twin Snake Tamers, fists pummeling into every available inch of Rock's body, left-right-left-right-left-right, slamming into him with that same meth-addled speed a good twenty or so times, and Yamazaki just laughs the entire time, like an entire pack of crazed hyenas until the final strike. Then, he leans down and just latches his teeth into Rock's throat, biting down hard before he just throws his entire body backwards, straightening up and flinging Rock back over one shoulder. With his teeth.
COMBATSYS: Raiden has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Yamazaki 0/-------/------=|
Rock feels the knife go into his gut. He's going to have a scar. He's going to need a surgeon to keep him from bleeding to death. He's going to need at least two hours in the emergency room before he can come back and fight Yamazaki again! Completely flatlined by the fact that he was just STABBED IN THE STOMACHE, Howard can't do a god damn thing when Yamazaki doesn't stop there.
The fists slam into him. It's like a hardrock concert and he's the bass drum. Each blow pulverizes into him. It only by virtue of their speed and force that he's not flat on his back. They hit him so fast that he keeps getting knocked up and back. Finally, he's hurled overhead.
He slams into the center of the arena like a limp, dead, sack. He doesn't even skid. He just lands and stays there. A trail of blood follows his paths, a pool of it starting to form around his chest. The crowd has no idea what to make of it. It's like they just watched a live contract killing.
There is, indeed, a good few seconds of complete and utter silence. The announcer doesn't even know what to say. The speakers spark to life, but still, there's just silence. "... .. ladies and gentlemen..." Then, suddenly, they realize that the fight is over, and the cheering starts again. "Your winner.. and NEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SNF Champion.... Ryuuuuji... YaaamaaaZAKIIIIIII!"
There's another few moments in which Yamazaki just pants for breath, flecks of foam coming down his jawline before his pupils regain their color, then he straightens back up with a chuckle. "I told you, you little shitbag, not enough!" He reaches a hand out, accepting the belt as it's handed to him by one of the SNF officials, and the crowd continues to cheer as Ryuji lets himself out of the arena, and a team actually nicknamed "Yamazaki Response Team" moves in to tend to Rock.
COMBATSYS: Yamazaki has ended the fight here.
ESPN.com -- Rock Howard, former SNF Champion, has filed an official appeal to have his title returned to him after the brutal massacre at Howard Arena tonight. Rock, from his bed at Southtown Emergency Room, describes his opponent as a hired killer put into the ring to take his life by his father, and owner of the SNF franchise, Geese Howard.
"Look, the freak had an illegal weapon on him. He stabbed me like fifty times with a knife. How is that fair? I'll fight anyone and everything one on one, no problems, but you do something like that?" Howard claims that the knife wasn't a registered and legal weapon in the parameters of their fight.
This comes on the heels of the announcement that the selected Chaos Agent for the Title Match, the infamous Terry Bogard, was missing. Replaced in the fifth hour by Raiden, the Big Bear, Howard was systematically dismantled in much the same fashion as his Uncle, Kain R. Heinlein, one week before.
Official rules about foreign objects in professional fighting have always been a controversial subject. From world-renowned claw fighters to cybernetic warriors, the landscape of the Saturday Night Fight is a constantly evolving environment governed seemingly by the whim of it's proprieter. Whether Howard's claim of injustice is valid and will be upheld, or is simply sour grapes from a former champion, the young fighter remains optimistic. "I give it my all. That's all I do. I fight hard and I hope that the people I face do the same. But Yamazaki? He's a psychotic [[censored]] who should be [[censored]] before he kills someone."
---
ESPN.com -- Ryuji Yamazaki, current SNF champion, has sought us out in order to provide comments with regards to our story on the former champ, Rock Howard, and his lawsuit. We have done our best to make the transcript family-friendly, but please be advised; this is still not for children.
ESPN: Champ, you demanded this time to speak regarding your recent title win.
YAMAZAKI: Win? I just wanted to laugh at that stupid piece of [censored] Rock Howard and his [censored] damn lawsuit. Lawsuit!? Over a [censored] knife? Do your [censored] homework, you brain-dead little [censored] [censored]! It woulda taken you two [censored] minutes to find out I fight with a [censored] knife! This is old [censored] news! Even that group they sent to the Great Wall to fight your old man, all those [censored] little kids could tell you I'm [censored] crazy!
ESPN: Very abrupt words for the former champion. How do you feel about your win coming at the hands of a Chaos Agent?
YAMAZAKI: Go watch the [censored] tape, you greasy-headed [censored] [censored]! Bear was [censored] fair and unbiased. 'Sides, the little [censored] was doin' fairly good at gettin' out of Bear's way. It's like the big man barely made any [censored] difference. Bear didn't put 'im in the [censored] emergency room. /I did/. YOU HEAR THAT, ROCK!? I PUT YOU IN THE [censored] [censored] [censored] EMERGENCY ROOM! NOW YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO GETTIN' A [censored] [censored] HEAD! YOU [censored] GET PUT IN YOUR [censored] [censored] PLACE!
At that time, our correspondant declined to continue the interview, as he no longer felt safe in the general vicinity of the new SNF champion. Harsh words for the former champion, Rock Howard, but they do ring with a measure of truth. It's no new information that Yamazaki keeps a knife; is this a case of foul play and attempted murder, or just a lack of homework and a brutal championship win?
Log created on 21:00:50 06/02/2007 by Yamazaki, and last modified on 20:25:08 06/07/2007.