Description: Kenji, the reigning junior division champ, is put up against Dr. Tran, who makes the main event for the second week in a row! What starts as a one-sided brawl goes back and forth, until the dramatic finale that will leave you in shock! (Winner: Tran)
"Are you seriously going to go out there like that?"
"Well, yeah."
"... Well, it'll make you more recognizable, I guess."
And with the seats packed and the crowds roaring for another great event in the name of public entertainment, the lights come up bright and the loud, edgy rock guitar music kicks up. The fans get the adrenaline surge from soda, beer, popcorn, and candy from the concession areas, and people are ready ... to watch someone -else- get their ass kicked.
So to a particularly hard tune, out walks a thin young man dressed in a black t-shirt with an odd red ring pattern set diagonally across his chest, a pair of well-worn jeans and black sneakers, a thick chain hooking from a beltloop to the wallet at rest in his back pocket. On his thumb is a silver ring, and perched on his head is ...
That same damn pirate hat.
With the Junior League Title belt slung over his shoulder and his excitement rising, the announcer makes the first call: "Innnntroducing first! From Osaka, the Junior League Champion... Kenjiiiiiii Ashiiiiiiimaaaaaaaa~!"
Lifting an arm and waving to the crowd as a whole, he jogs up the steps to the stone stage and holds the belt up overhead to display proudly to the audience. "YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"And next..." The announcer goes quiet for a moment, and the lights dim slightly. The crowd's cheering dies down somewhat in anticipation.
"He...is a man of honor."
"He...is a man of action."
"He...has a PhD in kicking your ass, the one, the only, Doctor! Richard! Traaaaaaaaaaan!"
And then, bursting from the depths of Howard Arena come Tran himself, smiling and waving for all he's worth. Best twenty bucks he ever spent, right there.
Hopping up onto the stage opposite Kenji, Tran gives one last wave and then finally considers his opponent. Taking a few steps closer so he can be better heard, he seems to be in a fairly good mood. "So, you're supposed to be the junior champ, huh? Congratulations on being the best of the worst, kid." Ouch. No wonder Tran's feeling happy - he must have been waiting to use that one all damn day long.
tSure, he doesn't look like all that much-- young, scrappy, and perhaps looking a little too excited for his own good. And as Tran comes onto the great stage of Howard Arena, the Gedo High student council secretary turns to face him with a scuff of his sneakers and a proud stance, chin raised and fist on his hip. But no-- instead of a friendly greeting, the world's most dashing secret agent has to go ahead and start talking smack.
"Are you MISTER Tran? I couldn't recognize you without your face beaten into a pulp and 'Geese Was Here' branded on your ass." Taking off his hat and unshouldering his belt, he walks to the edge of the stage to hand both accessories off to an attendant for safekeeping for the fight. The ring on his thumb is removed, a thin chain pulled up from under the collar of his t-shirt and unclipped long enough to slide it on there and tuck the whole mess back under the collar. And that-- that's pretty much the end of his pre-fight rituals.
Though his hands retreat into the pockets of his jeans and his shoulders slouch, the young brawler shows a measure of politeness by tilting forward to bow. "Let's pour everything we got into this!"
Man, all this prepwork. Dickhole though he may ofttimes be, at least Tran comes into a fight prepared to fight. None of this girly undressing crap. "Phhh." The doctor's disdain for Kenji's pathetic comeback is clear. "Like...your...your mother is a lonely dog!" And Dr. Tran's true trash-talking strength is revealed. Which is to say, none at all, really. It's only natural, then, that he should turn to random cursing to make up for it and show his frustration.
"Shit!" But that's really not enough. Dr. Tran's got to hit it, and hit it hard - there's only one thing left to do. Charge, head on! Coat billowing behind him as he rushes forward, Tran raises a fist and leaps, soaring dramatically through the air like a small, angry ballistic missile. Target: Kenji's stupid head!
COMBATSYS: Tran has started a fight here.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kenji has joined the fight here.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Tran's Strong Punch.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kenji
OH~! What was the problem? As the good doctor is found without a comeback, Kenji leans forward a little and sniffs the air. "Hm? What -is- that?" he asks no one in particular, tilting his head a bit. "It ... it smells... It smells like somebody got -burned-!"
%But boy howdy, does Tran not like that. The young brawler pulls his hands up from the pockets of his jeans, forearms set close together to soak the brunt of the strike-- but firm enough to jerk his arms upward and have him stumble a step. "I guess I hit a nerve."
Stepping back in almost as quick as he was knocked back, the Gedite's body jerks back into range and his fist holds steady-- and then suddenly blazes straight at Tran's face, looking to strike the doctor in the nose.
And for note, his fist is like hitting an anvil.
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Tran with Strong Punch.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Kenji
++++---Scientific Fact!---++++
After last week's SNF, Dr. Tran STILL has pain-killers and assorted miracles of modern medicine running through his veins. It's not that Kenji's punch doesn't hurt, or anything like that - in fact, it does a good deal of damage as it smashes directly into Tran's nose, sending him stumbling back a step or two. However, he doesn't seem at all fazed by the pain, taking a step forward again almost immediately.
"They haven't been able to get the smell to go away since last week!" It sounds like Tran's almost proud of being near-roasted to death by Kain. Almost. Whether this is true or not, the doctor is already sick of Kenji's sass, so he'll just do a quick twist. From there, he tilts his entire upper body, raising his leg, and then slams it back down, looking to impact Kenji's chest hard and drive the boy straight down into the stone.
COMBATSYS: Kenji dodges Tran's Heavy Kick.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Kenji
Wow, his face is-- but-- most people usually go stumbling, or that Aislinn chick's nose was like, totally freaking -squashed- and-- well.
-Damn-.
Watching the secret doctor carefully, it looks like a moment of insight has been bestowed upon him even from the hard follow-through of his swing. From that pose, his head jerks back and avoids the upward sweep of Tran's leg-- and even grants him the agile footing to step back from the axe down! But it looks like the brawler wants to play a game of 'punch for punch'... or in this case, perhaps, 'kick for kick'. Stepping back into range, Kenji's leg whips up for a hard and high roundhouse kick, looking to slam the top of his foot right across Tran's jaw and grant him the momentum to keep spinning on his heel and back to facing the man of honor as quickly as possible.
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Tran with Roundhouse Reel.
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Tran 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Kenji
Foot smashing down into the ground, Tran exhales slowly, pausing for a moment. He's well grounded, so when Kenji's roundhouse comes in, he'll just...get totally whacked in the face again, and go reeling backward. Huh. Is that why it's named that way?
Either way, Tran quickly turns it into a controlled retreat, putting some distance in between himself and Kenji. The doctor starts rubbing at his jaw, reassesing his whole position here. "Huh, so you're something, after all."
Before he's even finished speaking, Tran's hand starts to emit steam, wisps of it rising up and around his head. His other hand comes up to his nose, gently feeling the bridge, checking how deep the damage from Kenji's initial punch runs. It starts to steam, too. "Let's try this again, huh?"
His leg lifts! His foot plants with that joyful *thak*! And he continues to spin, whipping back around on his heel with his sneaker squeaking to resume his same, relaxed pose and only offering a grin as he pauses, hands falling to rest on his knees. "Haha, really? Thanks. Though I'm teamed up with stronger guys than me..."
So while the doctor starts examining himself and ... he's ... steaming ... the Gedo student moves in again to get the upper hand. Reaching out, his hands grab for Dr. Tran's shirt and his foot hooks around, trying to kick his ankles right out and drop him to the ground. "Hah!"
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Tran with Dr. Tran - Hot Lovin.
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Tran 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Tran with Quick Throw.
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Tran 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Kenji
With a satisfying snap, Tran's hands JERK his jaw to one side and his to the other in an instant, precipitating a satisfied-sounding sigh from the doctor. It's not a perfect job of things, but it'll do - at least, once Tran finishes getting reacquainted with the ground, courtesy of Kenji. His head bounces.
"Son of a..." Luckily, Tran's hands are already on his head, which gives him a good opportunity to hold it in a futile attempt to stave off a swiftly approaching headache. "Don't go thanking me just yet, kid!" Rolling up onto his upper back, Tran bunches himself up and then uncoils like a spring, his entire body unloading toward Kenji, feet first. Human Javelin Kick Technique, GO!
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Tran's Heavy Kick.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kenji
"Kuh!! Whoa!!" The almighty Dr. Tran is back on his feet faster than you could say 'hickory smoked', lunging through the air with a kick that could put a wire team to shame. The Osakan brawler's moment to gape is cut short as he's reminded that he needs to -block- ... and his hands swing up to catch his shoe and buffer the impact, the backs of his hands slamming to his chest and staggering him. "I'm not that easy to beat!" he exclaims, his tone caught somewhere between sheer stubborn and excited.
The Junior League Champion's hand rears back-- and he ... screams. "HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--" -- and his right hand suddenly blazes with extremely -bright- energy, something akin to looking at an arc welder or burning magnesium, adding a light blue tint to it. Lunging back in, his hand seeks to clamp around Tran's neck and -lift- ... then release that energy into Tran's neck, launching him into the air!
And if he's launched, well ... landing? That's Tran's problem.
COMBATSYS: Tran reflects Sky High Rocket from Kenji with Operation - Dr. Tran.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Kenji
The old 'grab and blow', eh? It's a little bit different today, but the basic principle is the same, and Dr. Tran's had plenty of time to figure out how to properly deal with it. The main problem, of course, is getting your opponent to think they've at least got you a little bit, so that they'll go ahead and let loose with their chi, falling neatly into your trap.
In this case, it sort of happens like this: Dr. Tran interposes the back of his hand between Kenji's and his neck, providing a sort of buffer for his throat. Not only will it make the grip tenuous, but then Tran lets loose, steam coalescing and forming a razor thin barrier just milliseconds before Kenji's chi flows forth. They collide, and then Tran sends that chi shooting back down along the brawler's arm, which helpfully should be enough to dislodge the two.
Taking a step or two back, Tran tilts his head. "Maybe not, but I don't think you're as hard as you'd like to think, either." Diagnosis: sassy!
It's hard to immediately see or react to what happened-- and it's hard for him to see much more than a hand blocking the grip to Tran's throat, but ... the effects? That, at least, he can understand. As the blaze of light and chi channel back to the source, the energy burns up in an audible burst, one strong enough to throw the Gedo student off his feet and sprawl about on the stage. "Ugh!!"
Rolling to his side and pushing back up to his feet, Kenji starts shaking out his offending hand like he just slugged something -really- hard. Stopping to just find his center again, the brawler hooks his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans and just grins a bit. "I guess you're right. But every fight is a stepping stone!"
In his mind, the sentence is much longer: '... Away from my perfect rose-colored student life with good grades and a girlfriend and a good jump into college in the future!'
COMBATSYS: Kenji gains composure.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Kenji
Atta boy. It's good to have dreams, especially non-conformist dreams that may eventually lead you into a life of quiet desperation, ripe for the picking by a sinister mercenary organization! Or not. We can hope, damn it.
"Heh heh heh. Is that right?" Tran shakes his head to one side, then the other, loosening it - considering how quick he jumped into the fight earlier, the doctor is certainly taking his time with warm-up exercises now. Oh, wait, now he's moving forward again - violence is surely imminent.
"I hate to tell you this, but so are you!" Breaking into a run, Tran draws back, reaches forward for Kenji's collar, and then attempts to bring their foreheads on a nuclear collision course. The only way it could be more badass is if there was an actual tiny explosion.
COMBATSYS: Kenji just-defends Tran's Strong Punch!
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Tran 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Kenji
In life, there are rare moments. Moments where time seems to slow down, when all life seems to reach serenity even in chaos. One of those moments is now-- when a speedy doctor who is also a dashing secret agent has cleared the distance between them in a matter of milliseconds. When not even dust can stay settled in his wake, when the wind rushes and tears toward the young man in the black t-shirt. The crashing of heads is epic in and of itself-- like waves slamming against the cliffs, jealous for their ability to stand tall and embrace the heavens, so their skulls have collided.
For a moment, it looks as though all life has left Kenji Ashima, standing steady against the force of Tran's hellacious headbutt and his body gone visibly loose-- though still standing. And then, when forehead is pressed to forehead, do his dark brown eyes open and his voice becomes serious-- serious... for the first time this entire match. "After Wellington, a hit like that is just child's play."
And from that point blank range, his arm whips up in a berserk lash, like so much the strength of a hammer against the hot steel laid on an anvil, looking to plant his right fist in Tran's left eye.
COMBATSYS: Tran blocks Kenji's Missile Fist.
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Tran 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
That...suffice to say, that didn't quite work out like Dr. Tran expected it to. He was more thinking it would go along the lines of 'WHACK' 'oh god my skull'. This, though...maybe this is even better. Despite himself, Tran's lips split into a grin, even as he prepares for Kenji's inevitable counterattack. He's not disappointed, raising a hand to catch the incoming punch, weighted with fury itself - so much so that it actually drives Tran's hand into his face with a meaty slapping sound.
Taking a step back, Tran rubs at his eye for a moment, laughing. "And just how old do you think you are, kid?" Moving another step back, Tran brings his hands up in front of himself, getting ready for another assault. "As far as I'm concerned, things are just starting to heat up - let's give the crowd a show to remember, eh?"
COMBATSYS: Tran gains composure.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
Well-- that didn't work out the way he wanted it to, but close enough! Left to his devices, Tran steps back to catch his breath while Kenji turns around and -gives- him that time. But more than anything, it does give him a moment to reply! Not doing so would just be rude. "I'm seventeen! But I've been at this since ... well. Nevermind! I've just been doing it a lot." And giving the fans a show? "Then I'll give it everything I've got!"
And drawing back his fist, Kenji's eyebrows knit and his face becomes utterly furious, swinging his fist down at the ground. "HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--" Breath. "URAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH--" That same explosively bright energy explodes out from under his knuckles and engulfs the entirety of his arm, his fist glowing bright blue-white and the color becoming more vivid as it rolls up his arm and wisps up off his shoulder in a column. His fist lifts from the ground, though his arm continues to be engulfed in that glow. "LET'S DO IT!!"
COMBATSYS: Kenji gathers his will.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Kenji
Now, let's be honest here. Dr. Tran is no stranger to people screaming in the middle of a fight. Hell, he's done it himself on occasion. However, at no point as he so much as seen someone scream so long doing nothing as to need to take a breath midway through just to be able to finish it. Damn. Boy's got a set of lungs on him.
"Alright, kid, here we go! Take another deep breath, because now we go to it full throttle, right up until the finish!" Punching his fists together, Tran takes a step forward, hops, and then blasts forward off his other foot, going from zero to a full on run in an instant. Leaping again, Tran goes into a foreward flip, leg extended, and then brings it crashing down toward Kenji's head. One could call it an 'inspired' attack, if by 'inspired' you mean 'totally ripped off from Alan because he's a jerk'.
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Tran's Heavy Kick.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Kenji
It's part of his special training! Drawing out his inner power takes a lot of focus, and he centers himself to that place by screaming. A lot. It's weird, but it works! It works enough that his body is ready to act and react as Tran brings forth his inspired kick, bringing up his arm to literally punch Tran's kick right in the sole of his shoe and stop it cold-- though his arm jerks back afterward with some mighty red-colored knuckles.
Not bothering to let the good doctor land, Kenji reaches out to sieze Tran's leg and pull hard-- then try to plant his feet and turn hard on the waist to literally chuck the man away and to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Tran dodges Kenji's Strong Throw.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Kenji
Ah ah ah! Hands off, Kenji! If Tran's going to do an Alan impression, he's going to do it right, by god, and that means he's going to be an agile little monkey, full of zip and zazz and aerial acrobatics. Instead of just letting his foot hover there, waiting to be grabbed, Tran throws his entire body forward, bringing his foot to rest, surprisingly lightly, on Kenji's shoulder. With a quick burst of energy, he actually flips up and over the Osakan brawler, landing lightly on his feet a short distance away.
"C'mon, kid, do it right!" Twisting around, Tran lashes out with a backhanded strike. His entire frame moves with the motion, trying to catch Kenji off-guard for just long enough to smack him but good.
COMBATSYS: Kenji endures Tran's Quick Punch.
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Tran 0/-------/=======|=======\======-\1 Kenji
He's fast! Faster than he had expected there, but there's a whole lot that Kenji has yet to see in this world. Tran's suddenly over his head and ... well, -way- better poised to strike. And Osakan brawler's face tightens up at the last moment, his head jerking to the side as he's cleanly backhanded-- and his body rocks backward, almost as if he were about to fall over from such a simple strike.
But life isn't that simple: "Okay."
His muscles tense, his arm almost seems to bulge out from the sudden strength surging up into his muscles. And once again, Kenji Ashima's arm reels back and locks into place like so much a crossbow ready to fire-- and then his fist vaults at Tran's face, looking to put an end to his day here in Howard Arena. Not just a punch, but a fast punch-- a fast punch that looks like it could cave someone's skull on a good day.
COMBATSYS: Tran blocks Kenji's Missile Fist Ashima.
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Tran 1/-----==/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kenji
It's all part of being a doctor, really - you have to be fast when LIVES HANG IN THE BALANCE. Finishing his spin after the satisfying feeling of driving his fist into Kenji's head, Tran seems ready to keep going, but then he pauses, noticing Kenji's slight movements. The fightin' physician raises his arms in a cross, using every bit of speed he can muster. It's still just barely enough when the blows smashes home, driving into the center of the X.
And yes, that was one hell of a punch. It sends Tran skidding backward on his feet, barely able to stay upright. And make no mistake, that hurt like a bitch. Despite having been hit in the forearms, the doctor can feel pain all the way up in his chest. No, that's definately a bullet dodged, so to speak.
Uncurling his arms slowly, Tran's eyes refocus on his opponent. "Nice try, but I don't think you're quite up to par, kid." Tran shrugs out of his coat and then tosses it carelessly to the side, indicating that he's getting ready to take things to the NEXT LEVEL. "Just like I said! No stops!"
Breaking into a run again, Tran quickly recloses the distance, angling just to the side of Kenji. Before they get too close, the doctor drops into a slide, essentially trying to kick one of Kenji's feet out from under him. With a little luck, it'll put him off balance, and then keep him there.
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Tran's Light Kick.
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Tran 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Kenji
"Damn it--" a stern claim of dismay and frustration as it becomes clear that this man is going to be a lot harder put down than he thought. Again, that punch has been stopped... first by that demented Seijyun girl, now by this guy. Is he slipping...? No, there had to be something more to it. Just a difference between them...? Battle experience? Tran's kick snags his leg, but Kenji's a stubborn mule-- staggering to the side, but not quite falling down. He continues to backpedal, though this time it's on his own steam.
Then... "I'll just get stronger! And even if I lose today, I won't lose next time!" His arm lifts to point. "It doesn't matter if I'm the best OR the worst-- I'll just keep getting up! ALWAYS, YOU HEAR?!"
COMBATSYS: Kenji focuses on his next action.
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Tran 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Kenji
"Keep talking." Shaking his head, Tran backs off, too. "I'm not interested in this shit, but I figure if you've got time to blab, you're already pretty much hosed." The doctor raises a finger and waggles it disapprovingly. "And besides, didn't I tell you? Full throttle to the end, kid."
Hocking a bloody loogie to the side, Tran brings one hand up to his chest, and one up to the back of his head. "I didn't want it to be like this, but...well, you play the cards you're dealt, anyway." Steam rises off his hands, as he succinctly finishes, "So much for an explosive, down to the wire finish."
He's going to complain about him talking? All right, fair enough... it's not like he can expect everyone to listen to him, let alone understand where he's standing at a moment like this... but he's not going to give it up all that easily-- not now, and not so long as he can still stand up straight. Kenji grinds his bare knuckles against the heel of his opposite hand, watching as Tran starts to use that same strange technique to mend his injuries-- and with a determined face, the Osakan brawler races in as fast as he can and sweeps up his arm, aiming to once again slug Tran square in the face. "HAA-!!"
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Tran with Dr. Tran - Hot Lovin.
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Tran 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Tran with Missile Fist.
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Tran 1/---====/=======|===----\-------\0 Kenji
Honestly? This has gone on long enough. One way or another, Tran's going to see this fight finished, and he's pretty confident in himself at this point. So confident that after he feels his chest loosened up, his bruises relieved, Tran decides that it's just time to acquire some new injuries. Kenji's punch comes barreling in, and the doctor just stands there and takes it, staggering backward a few steps from the impact.
"Come on...COME ON!" Whipping around, arm upraised only through the force of his rotation, Tran lets loose a long, thin blade of supercompressed steam, with the power to slice, dice, and quick steam your vegetables! Also Kenji.
COMBATSYS: Kenji dodges Tran's American Hero Cutter.
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Tran 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Kenji
In such close quarters, it's hard to do much against a punch that fires off that fast-- but Tran, as intrepid of a man he is, is already preparing the next step. The steam-based assault is on a collision course with Kenji's body, but the young man is quick and a little more agile than he likes to let on. Springing into the air, he hovers just barely over Tran's head with his arms and legs thrown out spread wide. Reaching for the man's neck while trying to more or less bellyflop onto his shoulder and lock arms around the neck, the young secretary rolls his weight -hard- to one side, all in all looking to pull Tran right off his feet and give him a hard, high-angle DDT right into the stone stage. "Go DOWN!"
COMBATSYS: Tran fails to interrupt Strong Throw from Kenji with Quick Punch.
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Tran 1/-======/=======|===----\-------\0 Kenji
Already rearing back for another punch, Dr. Tran takes the opportunity to smash straight ahead, launching his fist directly into Kenji's...Kenji's nothing, evidently, since Kenji has taken to the skies. It's a close call, at least, but still the doctor finds himself on the receiving end of an approximate buttload of pain as he gets slammed into the ground. The thud is meaty - that can't be good.
In fact, it's really not good, as Tran seems to be exceptionally slow to recover from this bruisin'. Groaning and clutching his head, he's up on his knees, but unless the world stops spinning like that he's just not going to make it the rest of the way up onto his feet.
Landing hard on his back, Kenji's grasp on Tran's neck releases as they crash into the ground. Rolling hard to one side, it seems as though now the student from Gedo is more than willing to oblidge the man on his earlier declaration-- to give the crowd a show, and to never let up with that intensity. An attempted punch? So what? Tran's only up to his knees? So what?
The momentum carries Kenji up to his feet, the Osakan deciding to take a quick step backward, then two more forward-- looking to flat-out dropkick Tran out of his kneel and back down to the deck!
COMBATSYS: Tran fails to interrupt Heavy Kick from Kenji with -Q- is for Dr. Tran.
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Tran 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kenji
Although down, Dr. Tran is far from defenseless - as he proves when steam begins to build up around him, even as Kenji starts to come at him. Tran raises his head, refocuses his vision, and prepares to let loose an ungodly blast of steam. Naturally, it doesn't quite work like that, and Kenji's feet nail Tran right in the nose with an audible 'crack', sending him tumbling backward in a heap. What steam that the doctor managed to build up wisps away into nothingness in an instant, as the doctor struggles to rise once again, blood running freely out one nostril.
More steam-- shit-- was this a bad idea?! No-- it's proven to be the right course of action as his feet collide with Dr. Tran's face, sending the kneeling man sprawling around on the stage. That steam energy is ... it's too dangerous. At this point, only an idiot wouldn't realize it-- he needs to keep that pressure up and try to take the victory!
Landing on his back, the young Gedo student tenses his stomach and kicks up his legs, snapping his body hard and kipping up to his feet. Within a few seconds, he's already back at it-- back at his unyielding assault. Stepping to his own left at point-blank range, Kenji's right arm swings up to grab Tran by the shoulder while his left arm hooks low to grab the man at the back. With a gutteral "HAAA-!!" he tries to get the man off his feet-- and then -slam- him to the ground as hard as possible.
COMBATSYS: Tran dodges Kenji's Dirt Nap.
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Tran 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kenji
Vision blurring, limbs taking longer to respond, not quite moving as smoothly - Dr. Tran's in bad condition, and he knows it. Sort of. For the moment, thought isn't coming too clearly. Too many blows to the head. He's woozy. Functioning mostly on instinct at this point. When Kenji comes at him, Tran barely sees it coming, but it's enough. The doctor jerks away, throwing himself into a roll and coming up unsteadily on his hands and knees.
Already shaking off the worst of the hits, Tran pushes himself back up to his feet and stares at Kenji for a moment. When he chuckles this time, it degenerates into a coughing fit. Going to work with his magical hands again, Tran manages to gasp, "Really determined, huh?"
Tech bonus?! Kenji's eyes shift to follow Tran as he breaks free of what was supposed to be an iron-clad grip, his palm striking the ground instead of bringing the Doctor to the ground. Rising from his kneel, the look on his face speaks volumes as a reply to Tran's words: Fierce. Determined. Unyielding!
And not willing to let Dr. Tran work those magic hands.
Charging the casually dressed doctor, Kenji reaches out to hook one of his arms around one of Tran's, thrusting out his hip to try to half-drag and quickly toss him to the ground and prevent him from catching his second wind!
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Tran with Dr. Tran - Hot Lovin.
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Tran 1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Tran with Quick Throw.
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Tran 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
Dr. Tran will admit it - this is really just getting annoying, now. He's patched himself up like nobody's business, but Kenji just keeps at him. The doctor can see it coming from a mile away, honestly, but he's just tired at this point. Maybe a little distracted by his very quick and succesful medical work on himself. The young lad's arm hooks succesfully, regardless, and down Tran goes again.
From there, Tran decides to stake it all on this final blow! With a mighty, truthfully muted battlecry, Tran exclaims in a whisper from his position on the floor, "Eat a dick." And then boom! A geyser erupts all around him, steam blasting forth like nobody's business.
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Tran's -Q- is for Dr. Tran.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Kenji
There's a moment of grim satisfaction as Tran is cast back to the ground-- but Kenji isn't going to let up, either. Rearing up his leg, he-- hears what sounds like one of those declarations before something -bad- happens. And it comes-- in the form of a burst of steam, a mighty geyser that takes the off-balance Ashima right off his feet and casts him off into the air. His arms hook in front of his face to shield him somewhat from the blow, but he still ends up sprawling out onto the stage with a 'gff!!' and a moment's hesitation.
Standing back up, Kenji breathes hard, perhaps at last starting to lose steam-- his head lowered, his shoulders shifting in a slow rhythm to catch his breath. ... That is ... until he starts to laugh. Hard. "That ... was awesome..."
COMBATSYS: Kenji gains composure.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Kenji
Panting, Tran laboriously pushes himself up to his feet, staring at Kenji. "I'm not...hoo boy...quite...sure this...is worth it. Hah...anymore." Bending over at the waist, keeping himself upright by leaning on his knees, Tran takes a minute, gulping air like it's water in the middle of the desert.
But honestly? This has gone on far too long. Tran wanted a quick, decisive win, one way or the other. Preferably ending with hugeass explosions. Well, so it goes - the doctor's beyond that, now, back to the heart of what matters. It's about the violence, man.
Pushing off himself, Tran runs forward again, leaping forward and looking to straight up tackle Kenji to the ground. From there, it shouldn't be too hard to scoot up, rear back, and punch the shit out of Kenji with a flurry of exploding punches and shit, take that!
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Tran's Man of Action.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Kenji
And here Kenji would've been satisfied with a draw bout-- at the start, at least, considering the bout is purely of exhibition purposes. But no-- now, -now- he's been driven into the desire to seek victory. Whether or not he can achieve it is still in the air-- made painful and obvious by the blows that suddenly rain on him from Dr. Tran, exploding strikes that move at high speed. He manages to catch the first few, but the speed and the explosive bursts make it a bit harder than he'd like to actually pull these feats off for too long!
As soon as he has the room and the ability, however, Kenji's counterattack comes swiftly, viciously, and quite ready to introduce Tran to a whole other point of pain in this match. Bringing his fist up hard and fast, the Gedo student council secretary seeks to coldcock the doctor right up the jaw with a painful uppercut. "Keh!!"
COMBATSYS: Tran blocks Kenji's Strong Punch.
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Tran 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Kenji
Tran pauses for a moment in his flurry of punchery. Just a moment, understand, because he's not done totally wailing on Kenji. He does have to deal with that incoming punch, though, and to that purpose he holds a hand up, which deflects the blow away from its target. It still brushes by the doctor's cheek, spinning him slightly, but by god he's not nearly deterred enough at this point.
Holding himself up with one hand, Dr. Tran raises the other high and summons forth another thin disc of steamy chi, barely holding together. The surface is roiling, and it's all the doctor can do to let his hand fall downward, essentially dropping the disc on Kenji's head.
COMBATSYS: Tran successfully hits Kenji with Operation - Dr. Tran.
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Tran 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Kenji
*BAM* His head drops, but ... somehow, miracilously, the Gedo student remains flat on his feet. Flat, steady, and bent forward with a sputter of red running free from his mouth. Somewhere in there, Kenji thinks to himself, 'I just bit my tongue. GAH.' But with it all on the line like this and the world gone dizzy, the Gedo student's right hand balls up into a fist.
"Hhhh--"
"Khhhh--"
"KHYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH--"
The blaze of bright blue energy again explodes at the tip of his knuckles, engulfing his arm as his back straightens, his shoulders slope back, and his right fist is cocked back. As his fist draws back, a lance of light blue energy lances through Tran to no visible or apparent damage-- though the purpose of this becomes grotesquely clear as his voice announces the punch to be thrown-- the punch that travels along that light as fast as can be, to project not only his fist, but the sum of the energy gathered into his arm, right into the middle of Tran's chest.
"RAIL GUN!!"
COMBATSYS: Kenji can no longer fight.
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Tran 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Tran reflects Rail Gun from Kenji with Random Weapon.
- Power hit! -
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|
Kenji's fist isn't the only thing blazing, here. For a brief, powerful moment, Dr. Tran shrugs off the intense fatigue he's feeling, standing tall and heroic, like a golden god of battle. Almost as if he were moving in slow motion, the doctor reaches down toward his belt, and in one swift motion, undoes it and whips it off. It snaps, just once, and then Tran brings it in again, somehow smacking Kenji's guiding blue beam to the side. It's almost nonsensical.
Then, with another crack, Tran dashes forward, blazingly fast, just as Kenji lunges forward.
For a glorious moment, the world is completely still, the crowd silent. Tran crouches a distance away, belt held out at arm's length, dangling loosely. He rises, leisurely threading his belt back into his pants. When he snaps the belt buckle into place with a click that echoes throughout the arena, well.
That's Kenji's cue.
The crowd roars.
The look in his eyes is one of absolute, pure astonishment-- he battered aside the guiding light?! But his fist is already committed to the swing, and the immense chi built up into that one focal point-- his fist-- has suddenly lost that which kept it on track and in the proper form. Before the stillness, a flash.
It all takes place in a tenth of a second.
The 'misfire' leads to the energy on his fist fracturing, splitting, and exploding-- pretty much in his own face. And when the stillness takes over, there stands Kenji, his t-shirt much more torn-up than it was just a few -seconds- before, the right sleeve and part of the shoulder literally shredded and burnt away. His face is locked in absolute shock. He can still stand, but his body ...
*clik*
The Gedite's body tips forward and sways to one side, crashing to the ground on his side and rolling to his back, staring at the ceiling high, high overhead. The crowd's roar is completely unheard to his ears; the pulse hammering in his ears is doing too much to mute that out. Truth be told, he does feel embarassed-- not that he was defeated, but that someone managed to completely derail one of his best attacks. His arm shuddering involuntarily and likely less conscious than the half-lidded appearance of his eyes betrays, he's going to have a whole lot to think about when he snaps out of it.
COMBATSYS: Tran has ended the fight here.
Log created on 23:26:09 06/30/2007 by Tran, and last modified on 19:17:48 07/05/2007.