Description: Duke's brutality versus Kyosuke Kagami's... mild manners!? A close fight in the SlamMaster's arena sees Kyosuke the winner against the terrifying Duke. (Winner: Kyosuke)
It's nearing the end of today's live SlamMasters show. The music of El Stingray slowly winds down as the stagelights dim, two bright spotlights illuminating nothing but the ring. The crowd hushes as long-retired former wrestler "Mighty" Franklin White, current announcer for the CWA, climbs into the ring, walking to the center and lifting the mic to his mouth. His voice, deep and clear, rolls out over the arena.
"The Capcom Wrestling Association, in cooperation with Saturday Night Fight, is pleased to announce a very special Maaaaaaaaaaain Eveeeeeeeeent!" A rolling opera theme starts to play as a still image of Duke appears on the monitor to the right. "Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, standing at 6'3", weighing 251 pounds... DUUUUUUUUUUUUUKE!"
There's something to be said for publicity. When used in just the right way, it can be a powerful tool. The more secretive of the world, the crime bosses and the assassins, they tend to stay out of the limelight. The less known about them, the better. But those amongst them who dare to stand into the gaze of public scrutiny and use it as a method of empowerment --
-- it makes for a marvelous way to prove one's superiority.
Despite this being his first public appearance in quite some time, the man known simply as 'Duke' has been dabbling in Metro City for some months now, unseen and -- largely -- unnoticed. Now that his own plans are nearly ready to launch, he's decided that -now- would be an appropriate time to make his grand entrance into the public eye -- at least, as a prize fighter. What better way to make yourself known than through an event millions upon millions watch every week?
He stands towards the westernmost entrance to the ringside -- the 'left' side of the ring -- as his name is announced, dark eyes shut in enjoyment of the music that plays above the roar of the crowds. There are mixed responses as he advances, his hands in pockets and dark eyes roaming around -- his intimidating appearance a turn off for some of the audience, but for others? This is just the kind of person they've grown used to in the SlamMasters arena.
Applause rise over the silence soon enough as Duke enters the ring, casually cracking at his neck with his left hand as his dark gaze falls to Franklin. He says nothing for now, instead adopting a calm, cold sort of smile as he waits for his opponent. Kyosuke Kagami. He's heard of him.
Now it's just time to see if he's anything worth being -impressed- about.
Franklin is completely professional as red lights and pyros just barely proceed Duke's entrance, waiting in the center of the ring until the big man has entered, not even glancing over to him. He is like an unshakeable iron, bald, pearshaped wall.
Slowly, Duke's image disappears from the right screen, and is replaced by a still of Kyosuke on the left. The Taiyo Anthem begins to roll out. Once again Franklin White lifts the mic to his mouth as light blue spotlights whirl around the other entry ramp, lighting the path for the other fighter. "And in the left corner... hailing from Southtown, Japan... standing at six feet even and wearing 146 pounds... representing Taiyo High, KYOOOOOOOOSUKEEEEEEEEE KAGAMIIIIIIIIIII!"
If one kind of the audiance felt intimidated by the older fighter, then they should feel more at ease with the other who'd make his appearance...And Duke less impressed. Kyosuke who was a familiar face in Southtown, particular with the schools had yet to really make his mark overseas. It wasn't about fame and fortune for him anyways, though even he felt all the same the surge of anticipation when the thousands of awaiting spectators raised their voices to cheer. Perhaps not for him, but for the vicious battle to come. That's why most were here, since neither were exactly as well known as Terry or Athena.
The teenager walked out smoothly, his stride confident yet carrying none of a braggarts overestimation of himself. A faint smile lingered on his face as he lifted his eyes to scan the forgettable faces through the hundreds of rows and he lightly touched the rim of his glasses, lowering his chin. It was his silent welcome to everyone before returning his gaze to the announcer.
Duke had him at a disadvantage, he barely knew anything of him till recently. Perhaps his brother had picked up on the other in his research, but if so it didn't help this fight any-- he was going into this blind. Though for an individual like Kyosuke, this mattered little. Prior knowledge only went so far.
Despite his unassuming frame, the audience cheers for Kyosuke all the same. They know this isn't just another CWA wrestling match, but real fighters here to have a real fight. "Mighty" Frankling White waits calmly for Kyosuke to enter, mic at his side. He's like a god of announcing, standing there without any emotion at all. Just a fat, steel brick with an amazing voice. A voice that finally comes out one more time. "This Main Event is a Knockdown Brawl, to no falls. The fighters will go until only one man, or none, is left standing! The only rule is, there are... no rules." Of course, the fighters have been instructed back stage to keep from destroying the ring (not that there's much risk of that), and /especially/ instructed not to endanger the audience. His job done, Franklin silently slips out of the ring, passes his microphone off, and sits behind the announcer desk without putting a headset on. The audience's pop for both fighters dies down, in anticipation. All is quiet and serene.
BELL.
Of course, there's not much to be known about Duke for a reason -- and anyone, from the most knowledgeable to the most ignorant, would be hard pressed to find any details about the man. The enigma that surrounds the man known in some circles as 'Hell's Executioner' helps him in many walks of life, both in the fighting circuit and those activities slightly -less- than legal. But, unknown or not, his very appearance alone is enough to suggest that he, at the -very- least, knows how to fight.
Dark brown eyes observe as Kyosuke pulls up to the ring. Initial appearances would be, of course, disappointing to the common eye; Kyosuke is nothing more than a scrawny little kid in glasses, so what possible harm could he pose? Duke, however, is far from an idiot. He knows from observing those fights with this boy in it -- he'll at least provide some measure of entertainment. So, as Kyosuke advances, the ambitious Syndicate lieutenant allows his lips to split into an unpleasant grin.
"Kyosuke Kagami."
The name is spoken as Duke lifts his right hand, pressing his fingertips along the deep, jagged scar that decorates his neck in a slow drag across its length. The bell rings, and for a moment, everything is quiet. Duke's lips part, his eyes narrowing.
"Don't disappoint me, hm?"
Not a second later, Duke races across the ground between them. About a foot from Kyosuke, his right leg lifts, heel intent to slam DOWN against his young opponent's right knee-cap. The intent is to stagger him from the brutal display, to set Duke up for the follow up -- a sudden, spinning kick straight to the young man's head. "GRAAAAARGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Duke has started a fight here.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke has joined the fight here.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyosuke
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke blocks Duke's Light Kick.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyosuke
The announcer had been paid attention too first, and then Duke second...atleast openly. He'd been watching from his place before walking onto the stage, measuring the other's entire attitude and movement. Only those were were falsely enamoured with themselves would believe that they had naught to worry about even from those who were unknown...or they were fighters of daunting experience like the infamous Vega. Either way he learnt what he could every chance he got, well aware that he cut no fearsome picture himself-- only a fool would think this already scored.
...And by the look of Duke's own calculating stare, there were none in the ring tonight. That ghost of a smile remained, though the sable eyes behind the glasses remained distant. Wordlessly he slipped into a ready stance, sliding his foot foward and lifting his arms even as the other called his name and his attentions to the words following shortly. It was a threatning guesture, no pretenses here of friendliness, it was business. It was a fight, yes, and one on a different level when sparring with his classmates.
"I'll be sure to try." Chill words flaunting an unbothered air, he barely finished his reply when Duke was literally upon him. Kyosuke moved foward placing his knee out of the crushing fall of Duke's heel, but that left him right in the path without any recourse for avoidance of the second. Kyosuke grunted as his arms braced against the impact, tremors running all the way up to his shoulders, he shoved the other's foot away as his hands swept wide...
And the air took on an icy blue-white glow as the crescent heads of chi spawned in close proximity. "CROSS CUTTER" Evidently Kyosuke was wasting no time.
COMBATSYS: Duke endures Kyosuke's Cross Cutter.
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Duke 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Kyosuke
Only a fool. So what is Kyosuke going to end up being? Clearly he doesn't underestimate Duke's capacities. But will he overestimate his own? Duke's curious to see -- just as much as he's curious to see how the other man fights, how hard he -hits-. His first leg swipe missing, there is a certain sense of satisfaction when the next strikes cleanly, slamming straight into Kyosuke's body without remorse or a second's hesitation. Satisfaction insomuch that Kyosuke can at least defend himself, but...
... how hard can he hit?
Duke gets the answer to this particular question the moment that those crescent waves of icy-blue chi rip into existance through the space between them, the air rippling around their sudden manifestation. Duke, leaping back, takes one look at those massive blades of energy that blaze towards him. His body tenses. He pushes off his legs in a sudden charge, rushing down the space between himself and Kyosuke not a moment later and CRASHING right into Kyosuke's little blazes of chi like a lunatic. They dig in, strike with explosive force...
... but Duke just runs right through it. Smoke is swept aside from his relentless charge as Duke surges -forward-. His right hand snakes out, seeking to grip onto Kyosuke's face...
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Kyosuke with Treadmill.
- Power hit! -
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Kyosuke
What happens next is bizarre, but distinctly painful. Gripped as he is, Kyosuke is lifted into the air; Duke's fingers apply a bruising amount of force to the sides of his face as he gives the young man an unpleasant glare. Muscle's flexing, Duke pivots on his left heel, bringing his body swinging around and -down-, his hand holding Kyosuke sweeping downward with titanic force and SLAMMING him into the thick, unforgiving floor of the SlamMasters ring. He lets go, but not even a second later, the Syndicate lieutenant lifts his right foot and CRASHES it straight into Kyosuke's chest. The force alone is crushing, but unrelentingly, brutally, Duke begins to literally -grind his heel- into Kyosuke's sternum. Only a few moments pass before -somehow-, Duke applies so much force... that Kyosuke is just blown upwards, straight into the air in a rather uncanny display or brutality, left to make a hazardous landing into the ground below.
The teenager had just enough time to widen his eyes in mute suprise when Duke literally barreled right on through the edged chi as if it were naught but smoke. He'd expected a rebuttal naturally, perhaps hoped pleasantly for a strike-- just not exactly paired in that manner. What was it with facing down with those who had it in them to charge without care? It went against every mein of Kyosuke's, and he'd have to be sure of the odds when it came to taking those risks...
But back to where time stopped and resumed.
Just enough time before his face was so rudely grabbed and latched onto like a vice and the ground beneath his feet was unceremoniously bid adieu. But not for long. Helpless to avoid it, the strain on his eyewear was the least of his worries, not like the strain on his ribcage...were it not his sternum, the more delicate bones would may have given into the force and snapped or cracked, as such he'd have to make do with a lack of air, and a bruise that was going to last...for more than a week.
...Exactly in the shape of Duke's size-what foot.
Atleast the dark innershirt would hide the scuff. Kyosuke's particular grace in the air escaped him as he obeyed the lays of gravity, being stunned mayhap part of the reason...the younger of the Imawano twins crashed into the ground, hard. He rolled onto his back as a delicate piece of metal fell onto the ring floor with a dainty tink...
That was his titanium alloy glasses arm, the left one in particular where the joint had crumbled beneath the pressure. The scratch proof lenses had survived, and as he sought to regain his footing after enjoying the feel of the smooth surface against he allowed a brief grimace in the middle of a harsh cough. He ignored the pain and narrowed his eyes at Duke, readjusting his glasses to accomodate. Kyosuke wasn't finished just yet, though his pause was more to gather himself than just to silently indicate he was ready to see more of what he had.
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke focuses on his next action.
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Kyosuke
So, Kyosuke is going to hesitate and wait for Duke to hit him again? That's fine for Duke. In the end, for him --
--It just means he's one more step closer to victory here.
Unlike most of the Syndicate's enforcers, there's really no sensation of joy in Duke's eyes as he watches Kyosuke rocket through the sky; just a cold, smoldering sort of rage contained in those dark browns. "Hmph," he grunts, closing his eyes and rolling his neck in an almost casual fashion as Kyosuke lands. He seems to be arrogantly waiting for Kyosuke to attack -- as if assured of his victory here. And perhaps, he is.
But Duke's waiting seems to continue on for longer than expected. Those dark eyes crack open to peer at Kyosuke as he waits towards the other edge of the arena. Thick brows furrow in a silent sort of contemplation, as Duke's hands slip into his pockets. "Really?" the crimeboss wonders aloud, quirking a brow. "You're just going to wait there for me to come at you? Fine then..."
Duke's right leg lifts once more. But from the distance between himself and Kyosuke, there can be no way that he would reach the young man with any sort of kick from this distance. That's not, however, what he is attempting here. His leg hovers only for an instant, before it comes -SLAMMING- back into the ground again with such tremendous force that the entire arena begins to shake, violently. Tremors ripple across the floor, intent on unsettling Kyosuke's footing, maybe even knocking him into the ground. And to accompany it--
"... I'll -oblige- you. GRAAGH!!"
--a sudden, massive wave of chi-infused fire blazes outward from Duke's foot in all directions, expanding in a circular wave of power meant to crash into Kyosuke with -explosive- results.
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Kyosuke with Seismic Impact.
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Duke 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Kyosuke
The audience pops pretty hard. I guess they love huge blasts of power.
It wasn't so much as hesitating as gaining his bearrings, that had been no laughable attack he'd weathered just then. In truth Duke's style rather befitted an offensive than laying around waiting, a fact that he'd make abundantly clear to Kyosuke from the onset. As for his own, the Imawano was coming to the conclusion that his chosen set of tactics needed to be revamped, as his decidedly defensive orientation was doing him no favours. It was a fact he'd rulefully observe.
Duke would find the ivory garbed teen standing on the other side from him, a mite more scuffed up than when he'd crossed into the ring-- but otherwise no worse for wear. He nodded, not trusting himself to speak right then, his chest twinged in protest with just breathing. Not for the first time would Duke suprise him in this fight, his hands dipped out to his sides as he sought to retain his balance as the ground shifted without much warning. Yes, he'd seen the foot slam, but--
There'd be no time to congratulate himself for not falling flat on his face, not when he'd be enveloped by the firey wall that slammed him up against the ropes. His clothing steamed and his skin felt like if he'd been out in the sun too long, ash smeared his cheeks and body with almost artistic fancy. Kyosuke hissed tightly from between his grit teeth, braced where he was. He pushed himself off of the ropes, staggering the first couple steps before finding his center.
"I can't say that was anything but my own fault." His tone wasn't flippant, but he was able to see the irony from his own position. And learn from it. "Perhaps I should be more foward." He emersed himself within that swell of energy that gathered deep within, shaping, directing, "What do you think?" walking foward, then sprinting...the last few yards from Duke, he lowered himself into a skid, then launched himself upwards into an uppercut. Except there'd be noway he could land one into the other's chin. That wasn't what his intent was.
Another rumble shook the ring beneath them, this time another explosion of heated electrical chi rocketed skyward not unlike some draconian given life-- right beneath where Duke should be standing.
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke successfully hits Duke with Super Lightning Uppercut.
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Duke 1/---====/=======|-------\-------\0 Kyosuke
Perhaps he should be more forward.
"It's not going to change the outcome of this fight. But..."
Duke's legs spread, his arms still slipped inside his pockets. Its obvious in the way he makes no motions against Kyosuke that he's not going to attempt to measure up any sort of real defense against what's to come next -- whatever it may be. Instead?
"... let's see just how -strong you are-."
The moment that Kyosuke skids underneath him, coming to a sudden halt, Duke prepares himself. His body tenses in a ready sort of stance, head tilting upwards. But he underestimates just how much force Kyosuke puts behind the blow, just by a fraction... and that fraction is more than enough. The uppercut comes, and Duke expects a physical blow. Instead, nothing physical connects. Duke blinks. "Huh--?"
What comes next, though, is more than enough to catch the man off guard. Suddenly engulfed by a sweeping electrical arch of chi, the force is enough to send Duke flying, straight vertical, through the air.It is painful, and the man is visibly smoking from the sudden explosive burst, but as he descends... his eyes just look all the more -livid- as he reorients himself in midair. Gravity sends him crashing into the ground feet-first just in front of Kyosuke with such an impact that the ground around them shudders once more. It's not nearly enough to unsettle poor Kyosuke off his feet, but that's not really what he should concern himself with.
He should be more concerned with the right hook coming in towards his face like a freight train.
"-PATHETIC-!"
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Kyosuke with Volcanic Bomb.
Glancing Blow
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Duke 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Kyosuke
A sharp stab of pain almost led him to believe that perhaps he /had/ cracked something afterall, he involuntarily winced as he over-extended himself in following through with his move. Not even given the satisfaction of admireing Duke's own freefall through the air, he was too busy catching his breath again noting with private dismay the other's close proximity again. The anger was just the icing.
Whatever the other'd have instore for him, with that proclaimation he was certain he didn't want to oblige the older man any more than he should. He sought to backpeddal and put some distance between them, but not fast enough to entirely avoid that blitzingly swift fist...that happened to hit if not like a freight train, then atleast a mini. Armoured.
His head snapped to the left, bone grating on bone as he tasted blood where his lip was split, the coppery taste a familiar one. But true to his earlier decision, he didn't back off to regroup...he launched himself right for his opponent, his own fist flashing up in a high feint, followed low for a strike to the chest with the other.
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke successfully hits Duke with Strong Punch.
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Duke 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Kyosuke
Fast, but not fast enough, Kyosuke is still clipped by what would have assuredly been a devestating maneuver -- if it was allowed to connect in full. As it is, Duke is left stumbling in the aftermath of his vicious haymaker swing. It leaves him particularly open to attack in the aftermath; particularly, that sudden blow from the young fighter that maneuvers just before him.
Duke attempts to establish a guard, but it seems the one time he actually attempts it, it doesn't work in his favor; instead, that fist strikes solidly into his chest, sending him stumbling back once step, and then another... but not nearly down, and not nearly out of the fight quite yet.
A massive hand grips his chest for a moment, almost puzzled. But the force of that blow doesn't even stagger Hell's Executioner in any profound manner, and soon enough, he is tearing -forward- in a single, blurring surge of motion, seeking to RAM his knee straight into Kyosuke's stomach with such force as to send the poor boy flying straight into the set of blue ropes just beyond them. "GRAAAAAAAGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke blocks Duke's Light Kick.
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Duke 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Kyosuke
It was a fact that Kyosuke would have to remain unaware of. Perhaps he'd have the badluck of finding out first hand what was supposed to follow that punch, but his mind is already onto other things. Like keeping the remainder of his glasses intact, and his face off of the floor. He did allow himself to feel some small amount of satisfaction when he landed his last, though with Duke it was more often than not, a fleeting thing. All about the war, each success was just a battle...and he wasn't the type who'd believe that this fight was a sure thing. He prepared for the worst cases, and there was still alot left in his opponent.
"Tch." The youth remained where he was standing, once more weaving his arms into a cross that would hault the other's knee from adding further damage to his person, the force was enough to push him back a couple feet. He could barely feel his fingers after that one, a tingling remaining after the shock all along the entirety of his arms. He spared one moment to shake it out with a snap, before launching himself yet again at Duke.
And into the air, he drew back a fist, ghostly spheres of chi summoned about the length trailing behind it. Kyosuke clove it down towards the other's head, fully intent on smashing it into his condescending face, his own voice a loud shout of challenge.
COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Kyosuke's Shadow Breaker.
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Duke 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kyosuke
Kyosuke is proving himself much more tenacious than Duke would have given the young man credit for. The fact that he's able to put up a guard against such a fierce attack is credit to the young man's talent. Sadly, though, that doesn't mean that Duke is going to give up; intsead, it's just a little annoyance that helps to make him much more accutely aware of his surroundings, and just -that- much more determined to beat the living tar out of Kyosuke.
Duke's knee snaps back only a moment after it is slammed forward, giving himself more than enough time to prepare for what comes next. Dark eyes snap towards Kyosuke as his arm tenses, noting the presence of chi there. And as Kyosuke drives it -down-, Duke is there to great the punch with a single, massive hand, the searing chi and physical power slamming -harmlessly- against his palm. He takes a step back, makes a grunt of effort, and then...
"Not good enough."
Duke leaps. His right knee extended outward again, Duke soars -straight- through the air, intent on catching Kyosuke soundly against the jaw with an explosive -CRACK- of force that will launch the boy into the air along with the ambitious mobster. If successful, Duke proceeds to twist his body, his leg swinging HIGH into the air before bearing -down-, seeking to slam the heal of his shoe into Kyosuke's chest with enough force to send him painfully -slamming- into the arena floor. "HRAAARGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke interrupts Dive Bomber from Duke with Shadow Wave.
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Duke 1/--=====/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyosuke
Duke wouldn't be the first he's proved himself an annoyance too, though looking at his most recent string of publicised events, the head of the Morals Committee hadn't been doing exactly spectacular. As his brother was want to point out-- there was room for vast improvement. Hyo had been quite clear in demonstrating this, and he'd been wearing those bandages for several days thereafter. Knowing the 'prince' of Justice High, Kyosuke had a very low chance of his sibling missing this on televison...curse Tivo. Someone would tape it.
Not good enough. The energy crackled and hissed, burning out as Kyosuke allowed it to fade, but not entirely. He kept it close, and a good thing too. Duke is far more agile than his build would let on, and Kyosuke is unable to anticipate that particular shift, though something had to be said for his reflexes. The knee strikes near true, and Kyosuke is knocked into the air-- but not so hard as to addle his senses.
Being close was his disadvantage in the past, but it could also be his boon...if he timed it right, and dared. So he did, reaching out he sissorced his hands before him, that tell-tale light suffusing the area directly before him. Directly where Duke'd move into as that single spearhead of chi sliced for him.
...As for that landing--
Unexpected and frustrating is the fact that, during the midst of his attack, Duke finds himself suddenly put to a halt by the man he seeks to punish. Instead, he finds himself assaulted by a barrage of painful, stinging chi. That spearhead of light slams into Duke with a small explosion of power, but airborne as he is, it gives enough propulsion to send the man flinging through the air -- and gives Kyosuke enough room to land without fear of any further punishment on the part of the Syndicate lieutenant.
For now, at least. As it stands, Duke is too busy free-falling through the air to really put up much of a response before Kyosuke lands, or even manage a swift counter attack. It hurts, to be certain; but normally such an attack would really only sting, whereas now which his own stamina beginning the slow decline to failure, it is a bit more impactful. He's going to have to end this shortly, he knows.
But for now? For now, Duke recovers in mid-air, slamming into the ground once more in a crouch. He frowns distinctly, lifting himself back up onto his feet as he turns to consider Kyosuke with those dark eyes. "... hmph." Fingers lift, touching against his scar. For now, Duke collects himself -- no reason to let his rage blind him quite yet. He still has something -big- planned for Kyosuke... once he's done catching his breath.
COMBATSYS: Duke gains composure.
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Duke 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyosuke
For the first time for their entire meeting, Duke decided to pause on his own accord. Before it was because Kyosuke had decided to reorient himself and reassess, this time, it was his turn. Any kind of satisfaction was resolutely denied, rather there was the open-ended expectation that the older man was preparing. And for whatever it was, the teenager would find nothing remotely gentle about it. Duke wasn't the type.
His landing had been harder than he would have cared for, but his body ached in many places, his clothing and glasses ruined, and he felt his own weariness like a heavy shroud slipping on over his shoulders to bogg him down. An end would come, sooner than the crowd would want, in either of their favours.
Kyosuke stepped towards Duke, taking his time and in no hurry to close the distance again. His muscles were taunt, prepared to spring into action or away if he could manage. "Are you almost finished?" A quiet question, he knew. His attentions were rivted on his opponent, for what good it would do him.
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke focuses on his next action.
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Duke 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyosuke
Again? Kyosuke is just going to stand back and wait -again-?
There is another long moment in which Duke waits, silently, watching as Kyosuke just stands there and stares at him as if in some sort of expectance. Duke's response is to just... stare blandly, eyes focused outward towards Kyosuke in a dull sort of shake of his head. Legs spread to either side of him, he snorts, and clenches his fists.
"So... you really want to wait for me to kill you, do you?"
The question is asked so -casually- it might have been easily passed under general conversation, if not for the content of it. But if Kyosuke is going to -wait there- for Duke to come at him, well... the Southsynd enforcer certainly isn't going to disappoint.
Red vapors begin to rise off of the massive crimeboss as Kyosuke lies in wait. As soon as the teenager poses his question... Duke's response is ultimately a simple one: fists lifting high into the air, Duke swings them DOWN... and starts to beat his fists upon the ground in a brutal, perhaps pointlessly absurd, display -- at least at first glance. Duke's fists strike the ground so hard that blood flies from between his knuckles in a light splatter across the arena ground, and the second he starts pounding with all that ferocity, with all that pent up -rage-... "GRAAAAAARGH!!!!"
The entire arena floor -EXPLODES-.
In a sudden, vicious slam of those fists across the ground, the arena ignites into a sudden, fiery hellstorm of chi-infused flames. The inferno blasts upwards, consuming everything and threatening to engulf Kyosuke in its might... while Duke continues to thrash at the ground, roaring out in a blood-curdling bellow.
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke dodges Duke's Ground Zero.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Kyosuke
Miraculously, Duke's huge explosion of chi doesn't destroy the ring. It's like it's made out of ratio 6s!
Patience could be rewarding sometimes, and he wouldn't be egged on to acting once he'd made up his mind to see just what it was Duke was preparing for. The jibe is taken instride, Kyosuke's feathers remaining unruffled. If the other wanted to get him worked up, it was entirely the wrong slant to take. There'd been only a few who'd learnt which buttons where the right ones to get a strong response out of the teenager, and threats to kill him wasn't one of them. "Sure." Was all he'd reply in passing, halting where he stood.
All that attention solely focused on Duke paid off, he sensed the pattern of change in the latent energy flow throughout, the same sources he'd seek to tap on his own for his own special attacks. Those who werent sensitive could see the crimson tendrils eminating from Duke's body. It would be massive--
And wasn't disappointed in the least. Kyosuke narrowed his eyes, and instead of waiting to be cooked goose, he reached out, not in a physical sense. He'd done it before and it was by no means a sure thing, if he failed, then Duke'd have his choice of sauces to apply. To approach would be maddness, backing off was in the cards, but not nearly fast enough to avoid the sudden surge of flames. He disappeared briefly, a faint flicker of his form glimpsed through the curling wreath of red-orange.
And then if and when there was a break in Duke's fist-pounding, he'd surged foward, right for the center. Virtually unaffected, but breathing heavily. He'd literally seek to swing around and hook his arm about Duke's neck or chest, whichever he'd be able to get first before attempting to body slam him into the ground. Diverting the other's chi and changing it into his before dissipating it had worked, this time-- but it left him drained not just physically, but mentally.
COMBATSYS: Duke endures Kyosuke's Strong Throw.
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Duke 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Kyosuke
Essentially, Kyosuke dodges an entire arena erupting into flames. Duke isn't paying attention to see how it happens, really; all he knows is that Kyosuke has not burned into a crisp by the time that the massive inferno has dissipated, and this does not go according to plan. He could have stood back and jabbered with Kyosuke like an idiot all day, but what would that prove? Instead, he attacks, and the results are less-than encouraging. Instead--
--When that firestorm is gone, all Duke sees is Kyosuke hurling himself at Duke, unharmed. In most situations, Duke would find this to be incredibly frustrating. Instead, he simply steals himself and waits. Kyosuke blurs forward, grasps Hell's Executioner by the neck, and then SLAMS him harshly into the ground in the aftermath of his attack. Yet Duke... doesn't move. Like every other time before this one, he takes the full brunt of the blow without flinching, and with only a cold sneer on his lips. Kyosuke wants to try and plan? That's fine with Duke.
His response is ultimately far more simple. As Kyosuke slams him downward, Duke swings his right arm back. In the very second that his back hits the ground, he swings that arm FORWARD in a blurring surge of red and black, seeking to slam it directly into Kyosuke's throat with vicious force. It should be enough to launch him -off- of Duke, and if it does, the crimeboss follows it up, pushing off his left hand and twisting to slam his left heel directly into Kyosuke's ribcage. "HRAAAAAAGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke interrupts Strong Punch from Duke with Lightning Uppercut.
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Duke 0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0 Kyosuke
It wasn't a tactic Kyosuke was unfamiliar with, he'd used it himself well enough. If the risks was worth it for possible gain, why not take an attack to aid the next? Still, knowing this is altogether different when in the literal heat of battle and an opponent who has shown no intentions of ever taking it easy...lays there for longer than a second or two without any riposte. He frowned as he gazed down at the man, bemused briefly at the sneer-- and then he's forced to defend against having his throat caved in.
It was an enough of a blow that Kyosuke coughed, harshly, the right side of his neck taking most of the impact. He was staggered back, far enough to see the follow up coming and answering with a flick of his arm skyward. "Hyrruaa--" Not quite the follow through from before, but the crackle of energy from beneath would be familiar enough. The lightning twisted in a haze, and his voice died before it could gather much more than that small cry.
Interrupted again, Duke gets uppercut on the ground -- the sudden spurt of chi erupts against his back instead of a traditional uppercut blow, and instead of sent staggering he is sent into the air for a brief span of time, ultimately landing, quite soundly, on his feet in a staggering step. He stays standing, immobile for a time; the blow didn't truly -hurt-, but it may have been just what was necessary to take him down. Slowly, those eyes refocus, gaining a moment of clarity. Duke looks upon Kyosuke, stares at him...
... and moves forward. One step, another, staggering towards the young man before he rears his hand back... and seeks to give a simple, quick uppercuting strike just underneath the boy's jaw. It's staggered, not quite as fast as it could be, but it still carries a distinct speed and undeniable power as it sails through the air -- aimed to just smack Kyosuke. No growls this time. No bellows. Duke may be out of the count with this one, simple blow...
COMBATSYS: Duke can no longer fight.
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Kyosuke 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke blocks Duke's Quick Punch.
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Kyosuke 0/-------/=======|
There is a decided wheeze to Kyosuke's heavier breathing, the strong urge to cough non-withdstanding. Leaning foward, a hand braced on waist, a foot placed ahead of him to keep his balance. The last of his chi sputtered and faded, and with a weathering look he eyed Duke's refusal to stay down. He had no snippity words, his voice likely would come out only as a croak after his larynx had been so rudely accosted. Too tired to attempt a fancy side-step out of the way or a pirouette to the side, whatever, he threw up an arm, stumbling back.
He was however still standing, and shoved the other off roughly. With this, he could atleast face his brother without averting his eyes should the topic arise, mustering up a somber smile for the crowd when he lifted his head again.
COMBATSYS: Kyosuke has ended the fight here.
"Mighty" Franklin White has his headset on just in time for when Duke officially loses. His voice, manly and powerful, rolls out over the crowd's cheering. "And the winner: KYOOOOOOOOOSUKEEEEEEEEE KAGAMIIIIIIIIIII!" The commentators are apopleptic with their frenzied words, the fans at home eating it up, but such nonsense is not for Franklin White. He sets his headset down, takes a deep drink from the cup of gravy on the announcer's table, and nods solemnly to himself. Good fight.
Log created on 21:42:07 06/29/2007 by Duke, and last modified on 18:02:20 07/01/2007.