Description: Kurow heads back into Thailand on an information-gathering mission, and ends up running into the Lord of Strolheim. To his credit, Kurow puts up a good fight.
While Vega's empire in Thailand has fallen, some Shadaloo installations still lie unattended, holding untold amounts of intelligence, research, and tactical data on fighters from all over the world. This makes them a uniquely attractive target for looters, both informed and uninformed, who happen across them or have the connections necessary to know where they are -- and realizing the potential value in one such installation is what's brought Kurow Kirishima away from the Darkside Student Congress's little 'training trip' for a day.
What the youth wants, more than anything, is the data on certain remnants of Shadaloo and of the resistance forces -- he garnered quite a few personal vendettas of his own in Thailand, and knows that others may have scores to settle with him in time. And it'd be remiss to go into such things less than completely prepared, when the youth knows how outclassed he is in direct physical combat with some of those he seeks, in time, to wipe from the earth.
He could wait, of course. Kurow could simply talk to his new associates about his experiences with Japan's Three Treasures, with that mysterious woman called "Rose," with the Rising Dragons -- but then, adolescence is a time of immense impatience, and so, he takes one of the vehicles that had once belonged to Shadaloo's forces toward that defunct installation. Not believing there'll be much in the way of issues, now that hostilities have ended, Kurow makes little effort to cover his tracks. After all -- once he gets what he came for, any other looters can take what they want; it's certainly not his problem.
It was true that the empire had fallen, and perhaps the Lord of Strolheim had been slow in acting before, but there was something in particular now that had caught his eye. His ninja-based intelligence network had done a fair amount of research for him, both informing him of the vast storehold of knowledge left to be picked up within the remnants of the Shadaloo strongholds, as well as someone who had been likely to go back and retrieve them. This intelligence, as well, had revealed that the person that would be going for these strongholds had been active amongst those on Shadaloo's side during the attempted takeover of the country.
With this information at hand. Wolfgang Krauser has decided that he should, indeed, pay a personal visit to the war-torn region. In particular, Eiji had dropped hints about where one Kurow Kirishima was travelling to, and the ninja was brought along with the German as they travelled to Thailand.
"You're sure that Kirishima will be here, Eiji?" The full suit of armor was on, and they were approaching quickly via helicopter to the site. "I do not doubt your intelligence-gathering skills, but the boy seems to be a wily one. Surprise must be on our side."
The spys that Strolheim keeps are well traveled indeed and there is at least one in any region at least sometime or the other. With the battle that was raging on Thailand that just meant a few more were dispatched to observe and see if anything of note to Strolheim was happening. Eiji himself had spent a small amount of time in the region, though he made no attempt to help one side or the other. Obviously working for Vega is not an option. Not after almost killing the dictator in one of his own bases a few months ago.
"Reports had him still hanging around Thailand. If we keep checking the outposts I am sure we will come across the little rat." he says, his tone quiet and sounding rather uncaring. This is just another stop before they move on to bigger quarry. His eyes do narrow though as the copter passes over the current emptied out installation. He holds up a hand to get the pilot to hover over and he glances at Krauser. "I think we have found what you wanted."
Kirishima continues approaching, unaware of the man who has decided to surprise him; his own information network is usually surprising for a man of his age and experience, but with Shadaloo a wreck, a large portion of it has vanished into the air. There are blind spots, and lots of them -- and Strolheim has never been something Kurow kept particularly close tabs on. He speeds toward his destination, completely blind -- for now, at least.
His keen senses spot the helicopter off in the distance, but he thinks nothing of it -- until it starts to hover over his destination, rather than simply pass it by. That's a red flag, but only a small one -- it's probably just some thugs with modest resources, he thinks. Perhaps the Ikaris, at the absolute worst -- and he's fairly sure that unless several of them deployed, he could handle an attack by the Ikari Warriors. His approach slows, but he drives dangerously close to the installation, undeterred.
When Eiji has the helicopter pilot start to hover, Krauser leans towards the nearest window before peering out and down towards the speeding vehicle. "I believe that you are right." A slow grin pulls at the German's lips before he nods hs head. "Please back away, Eiji. I will put a halt to this errant vehicle." He motions for the helicopter pilot to bring the chopper a little closer to the ground, then he grabs the side door that'll allow him an open view to Kurow. "Likely, our target expects someone else. Won't he be surprised."
Once the helicopter is roughly 20 or so feet above the ground, Krauser moves to a far side of the door to allow himself some room to move his arms. His right hand flares a brief red before a sphere forms in his palm, roughly the size of a basketball. He brings that hand back, only to fling the projectile out the door with the precise aim of smashing through Kurow's car's hood. "Blitz Ball!"
The ninja starts to ready himself to go take care of the young Kurow himself only to find himself being stopped. With a light tch Eiji steps back while nodding his head. "Very well." he says without arguing. If Krauser is in the mood to fight then it is best to stay out of the German's way. For now Eiji will hang back and watch from the helicopter for the time being. Of course if Kurow doesn't run right the hell away after his vehicle gets blown up then perhaps at least it will be a fun show of trying to see someone deal with Krauser when he is on the warpath. "Do have fun."
That was a perfectly good Jeep; indeed, it was probably one of the better ones that Shadaloo had used, which is /probably/ why Kurow decided to keep it for any excursions into continental Asia. This is also probably why it was, in the end, doomed to a horrible fate of getting exploded by Blitz Balls. When Kurow sees the large orange sphere coming down, he bails out of his vehicle; probably for the best, as a few seconds later it does what all vehicles do when sufficiently bombed with spheres of chi: explode.
There's only one man in the world who uses that technique, and Kurow is almost obsessive about following televised fighting; he knows that -- for whatever reason -- Wolfgang Krauser has taken an interest in the same facility he has -- or perhaps... no, he'll think about that when he comes to it. Kirishima's claws are out and ready in an instant, and he looks up toward the helicopter. Even for someone like Kurow, high school is the time in life when the worst choices are made... and today is no exception, as he makes the universally-accepted gesture for 'come on!' at the large man at the helicopter's door.
Another amused smirk pulls at Krauser's lips as he watches the sudden ceased movement of the Jeep, then the subsequent explosion. "I believe he's seen us, Eiji." He chuckles dryly to himself as he watches the Darkside ninja abandoning ship, and the quick unholstering of the claws. Then... he actually beckons him on. ".. my, he's feisty. I do believe I should go down and say hello. Watch the helicopter while I'm gone, Eiji."
Slowly, he moves closer down towards the edge of the helicopter's door, then he braces his arms against the edge, right before vaulting right out of the still-airborne chopper. From the twenty foot height does the Strolheim lord descend, throwing himself through the air right at Kurow. He leads with both feet forward, dropping down in an attempt to bury both his feet right into the ninja's chest.
COMBATSYS: Krauser has started a fight here.
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Krauser 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kurow has joined the fight here.
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Krauser 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
COMBATSYS: Kurow dodges Krauser's Strong Kick.
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Krauser 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
The youth knows he isn't as strong as Krauser, nor is he as adept at intercepting attacks -- he has exactly one advantage over the enormous man and that's the fact that he's several times faster. Needless to say, that's an advantage he puts to its full use here, whipping his body to one side as Krauser comes down toward him and narrowly pulling himself out of the way of Krauser's forceful descent. "... I was under the impression most of the world had decided to ignore Thailand now that the hostilities are over," he says, taking a few breaths.
Where Krauser's strengths lie are obvious to anyone who takes one good look at him -- he's a mountain of a man, and probably tougher than steel. Kurow has no intent to spend the fight just slamming his claws against that armor, let alone the skin beneath it that's no doubt just as durable -- he needs to figure out different ways to rattle the man, and the best one he can think of at this juncture is to make a quick grab for his arm and try to simply flip him straight into the ground.
COMBATSYS: Krauser fails to interrupt Medium Throw from Kurow with Leg Tomahawk.
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Krauser 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Kurow
"Then your impressions were false, boy, and it will be a grave mistake to make." As he stands up from the impact of the double-footed kick, Krauser takes a moment to brush some of the dirt from his armor as he shakes his head. "I already know well who you are, Kurow Kirishima, and you will not leave this area with what you seek." As the German starts to step closer, one of Kurow's hands reaches out. An attempt is made to spin his body away, but before he can get enough distance, his arm is latched onto, and he's thrown down to the ground.
He hits with a loud rattling of that heavy golden armor, but it only takes him a moment to hop back to his feet once again. Slowly, Krauser rolls his neck, popping it rather loudly before he throws his arms out wide. "HRAAAAH!" The entire upper half of the Strolheim lord's body seems to flex in sync, and all that fancy golden armor almost seems to explode off his body all at once.
It's no surprise to Kurow that Krauser already knows him -- he's taken a lot of risks outside Southtown lately, and while he doesn't know -too- much about Strolheim, he knows that the armored man's intelligence network is quite vast. "I appreciate the challenge," he says, giving Krauser a quick bow and a smile as the large man gets back to his feet and gives that very... remarkable demonstration of his strength and prowess.
The treacherous young man watches Wolfgang's armor explode off of his body, moving around him as he does it -- there are so few weak points in his defense, but that show of power gives him an idea. Lunging in toward Krauser's suddenly-unarmored stomach, Kurow tries to capitalize on the sudden lack of armor and move in for a strike that the fighter might not be prepared for, sinking his claws in and kicking off the ground. If he can get a solid hold, he'll spin twice around Krauser's body with those claws dug deep in before pushing off with both hands and both feet, trying to again send him tumbling.
COMBATSYS: Krauser blocks Kurow's Circle Slash.
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Krauser 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Kurow
A comment is almost made regarding the appreciation of his sudden arrival, but then Kurow is moving forward once again. When those sharp weapon-clad hands come forward, he reaches an arm down to intercept the claws, and a broad sweep of one muscled arm pushes the claws away from his stomach, allowing them to rake their way up his forearm instead.
"While your appreciation is noted, so is your association with Shadaloo. None who associate with 'Lord' Vega would have noble intentions in approaching this place again." The other arm, unmarred by claws thus far, reaches up and swiftly strikes forward, aiming to slam a set of knuckles right into Kurow's midsection.
COMBATSYS: Krauser successfully hits Kurow with Medium Punch.
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Krauser 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Kurow
This time, Krauser's punch catches Kurow dead-on, and sends the youth flying back; while he has a great deal of speed, a steeled physique is not among the list of assets Kurow Kirishima lays claim to. "Lord Vega is of little consequence to me any longer," he spits, once he's got his bearings again; even from that one strike he almost feels like he's going to throw up. "I'm simply here to claim some things I left behind."
Rather than aggress, Kurow decides to take a turn at a more defensive tactic; he begins to circle around Krauser, studying every inch of his musculature, looking for just how much force every muscle could put out, how fast it could move, how likely it is to move. Strolheim's techniques are among the best in the world, and he wouldn't mind incorporating them into his own growing repertoire of skills... and getting a better handle on them will help him /now/, too.
COMBATSYS: Kurow focuses on his next action.
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Krauser 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Kurow
"And I am not about to allow you the opportunity to claim these things. Shadaloo is a detriment to society and life itself, Kirishima. I will not allow it to hinder those who mean well." As Kurow starts to circle around, Krauser shuffles in turn, clenching and unclenching his hands into fists while he watches the movements of the Kirishima ninja. After studying the tactics of his opponent via video before their arrival, he lowers himself into a slight crouch, tensing his legs and bracing himself before he beckons to Kurow with the same 'bring it' gesture that was given to him previously.
COMBATSYS: Krauser focuses on his next action.
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Krauser 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kurow
Kirishima knows what Krauser's doing here -- he's trying to bait Kurow into advancing with something vicious, calling his mission into question. It's not hard to tell -- but that doesn't mean that on some level it succeeds anyway. Fortunately, though, Kurow knows how to control that, turn it into something valuable... and most importantly, not overextend himself.
When Wolfgang gestures for him to come in and strike, Kurow is there and ready. With a low, flat leap, Kurow launches his body toward Krauser, propelling forward with a series of quick kicks perhaps best described as a sort of 'controlled flail.' It's a technique that Krauser may recognize from a more experienced fighter than Kurow -- namely, Kyo Kusanagi.
COMBATSYS: Kurow successfully hits Krauser with Light Kick.
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Krauser 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kurow
While Krauser does recognize the technique, it's rather lacking something with Kurow's execution. When the Strolheim lord is expecting the kick to descend in a particular direction, Kurow's not-quite-perfect imitation of the strikes finds its way past his guard. His legs brace themselves, however, and he's only sent sliding backwards a few feet instead of being brought down to the ground. "Hmph. Your imitation pales in comparison."
The ninja can most likely feel what comes next; an inhuman amount of chi is focusing itself, energy being pulled in from nowhere as the German's hands start to glow a faint blue. "It almost reminds of Bernstein." A smirk tugs at the lips of Krauser as he stands up straight, then both arms launch forward as that accumulated energy is expended in the form of a fireball easily as tall as Krauser himself. Rushing with all the speed of an angry mack truck, the blue-flaring fiery projectile barrels straight for Kurow's face with the intent of destroying him in one fell swoop.
"KAISER WAVE!"
COMBATSYS: Krauser successfully hits Kurow with Kaiser Wave'.
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Krauser 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Kurow
The comparison to Bernstein is a favorable one, in Kurow's mind -- the two mimics hit it off quite well in the jungles of Thailand, and Krauser is right, they do have a lot in common. He doesn't get a lot of time to reflect as Krauser summons forth the limitless well of power at his disposal, though -- he has to act fast.
Needless to say, there are some things that are just out of the realm of possibility, even for a man like Kurow -- the Kaiser Wave catches him squarely in the chest, knocking him bad, sending him tumbling into the wreckage of his discarded vehicle. Most men would simply be vaporized by a strike like that... but Kurow Kirishima is tenacious like a cockroach, and pulls himself back up. "So that's the legendary Kaiser Wave..." he says, half to himself and half to his opponent. That hurt -- but Krauser can't have more than one of those in him. He won't have to deal with that again.
The best way to recapture a battle that's slipping slowly from your fingers is to go for bigger risks, Kurow reminds himself, as he rushes at Krauser full-bore yet again; calculated risks are something he can take. "... If you want something that'll remind you of Rugal Bernstein..." he intones, cracking a smile, "then /here/!" The youth aims a clawed hand for the center of Krauser's chest, and tries nothing more complex than to push him toward one of Thailand's numerous trees with all the speed he can muster in a fairly adept facsimile of the God Press.
COMBATSYS: Krauser counters Strong Throw from Kurow with Atemi Nage.
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Krauser 0/-------/----===|=======\======-\1 Kurow
Hmm. Well, he'll have to give the youth credit; he got up after the direct impact of a Kaiser Wave sent him flying like so much skinny-limbed wreckage. Krauser goes so far as to offer a brief, quiet applause when Kurow gets back up to his feet. "And you survived it. Well done." But then the words of the Kirishima ninja start to sound suspiciously like foreboding, and Krauser prepares himself once more. The clawed hand darts in towards his chest, and the German slides off to one side, allowing that limb to pass by him.. but then, he clasps one meaty hand around Kurow's wrist. "You're right, it does remind me of Bernstein."
The second hand presses flat against his opponent's chest, and he'll literally just push straight upwards, using the grasped arm to keep Kurow precariously balanced on his palm for a moment as he lifts the body overhead, spins around a full 180 degrees before throwing downward with both hands, slamming the ninja right down into the ground. "An improper mockery, at best."
Even though Kirishima is good at rolling with falls like the one Krauser's just forced him into, the fact remains that Krauser is more forceful than almost any opponent Kurow's ever faced. He's got experience, strength, and a lot of time to plan on his side -- and putting all of them to use puts Kurow right on the ropes. He knows he can't take another hit like that -- he has to be twice as careful from here on out, but that also means he can try even the riskiest maneuvers.
On the other hand, it also locks him out of experimenting, somewhat; experimenting in a fight with a man like Krauser is, well, what got him here. It's not going to get him /out/ of this mess. He has to focus on the skills he has well in hand, because Krauser certainly appears to lack that experimental nature -- he doesn't leave any openings that he hasn't already planned for, and that's a large part of his advantage. So, too, must Kurow stay focused on playing to his own strengths... and the small edge he has that was Mugen Imawano's last gift.
The youth's claws flare out, and he rears a hand back as he pulls himself back up to his feet. "Forgive me a little imperfection on a first attempt," he replies, giving Krauser a little smirk -- and that's all he says before he comes in with those claws. He aims not to simply shred Krauser, though, instead trying to sink his blades deep into a nerve just under the breastbone, possibly momentarily paralyzing Krauser and leaving him at the mercy of the technique's full form.
COMBATSYS: Kurow successfully hits Krauser with Kinki Chikarasui.
- Power hit! -
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Krauser 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Kurow
And risk shows reward as Kurow sinks those claws squarely into that nerve center, and Kurow accomplishes what may be a considerable feat considering just who he's caught with that forceful strike. Specifically, he actually /lifts/ Wolfgang Krauser, master of Strolheim and one of the most adept fighters ever to walk the earth, into the air. It's a labor, but one that Kurow is happy to undertake.
The youth's arm begins to take on a faint red glow, a glow intensified as Krauser finds his chi slowly siphoned out of his body, vented into the air as a thick red mist around Kirishima. "You're quite the adept fighter, Wolfgang -- but I don't feel you deserve that power of yours," he hisses, waiting until he feels the man has been adequately weakened... and then throwing him full-speed away, yelling, "So I've /taken it/!" He takes a few quick steps away, getting himself as much back on the defensive as possible -- he knows that Krauser is going to come in with something painful, now that he's landed a solid strike.
There's a briefly upset sound as Krauser is lifted from the ground, and both hands clasp tight onto Kurow's wrist.. but then he feels that draining feeling, and his grip tightens around the wrist, digging his fingers in as best he can while that red mist is pulling his vitality right out of him. He's sent tumbling, then, as he's thrown away, and it takes the Strolheim lord a moment to get back up to his feet. When he stands again, though, his legs are stable, and a frown is pulling at his lips.
"Your views and perceptions are called into question, Kurow, simply through your association with Shadaloo." He's bleeding from the midsection right now, but still stable, and above all, the Earl of Strolheim looks downright pissed. "Your opinions are empty, your view skewed, and the end result will be much the same as your failed takeover of this country." The distance is crossed quickly as Krauser rushes forward again, and those strong legs crouch for just a moment before he launches himself into the air, flying at Kurow foot-first in an attempt to plant the sole of his foot square into the boy's face.
COMBATSYS: Kurow fails to counter Light Kick from Krauser with Double Slash.
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Krauser 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kurow can no longer fight.
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Krauser 0/-------/=======|
Kirishima narrows his eyes at Krauser, rage becoming apparent in his eyes even if it isn't quite in his manner yet -- having his perception called into question always does that, especially now that things seem like they're crumbling left and right. The youth takes a step forward, trying to meet Krauser's oncoming leg with his claws --
-- and never getting the chance to put them to use, as that snap-kick plows through his extended arm and catches him in the face, sending him down to the ground. He reaches up to his face, clutching it and wrenching his nose back into place; no small amount of blood flows due to its realignment. Looking up toward Krauser with a hateful stare, he starts to wordlessly drag his half-dead body slowly away with the hand that didn't just catch a kick from Wolfgang Krauser. The youth could say something, to be certain... but what would be the point? He's beaten -- he barely scratched Krauser, in his mind.
Both feet skid across the ground after Kurow recoils from the kick, regaining his footing while the other person is getting back up. One hand raises briefly, waving Kurow off while he watches the boy performing a bit of field doctor work by realigning the broken-looking nose. "Withdraw, Kurow. The fight is mine, and the knowledge held within this installation as well." He watches while the ninja starts to drag himself away for a few moments, then once he's sure that he's staying down, one hand lifts to wave the chopper towards the building. It hovers within ten or so feet of the ex-Shadaloo building before two ziplines drop down, and two Strolheim agents descend and move into the building to start scavenging any remaining information from within its walls.
At the moment, Kurow is happy to withdraw -- or at least, prefers that significantly to the alternative. What he'd gain by staying is nowhere near worth the pain that his already broken body would be put through by the brutal master of Strolheim. Even avoiding ramming his fists into that thick hide, even trying to capitalize on his adeptness with joint locks, tosses, and energy manipulation... he didn't have enough. "... I suppose this..." he forces out, "... could be termed a learning experience..." His pace doesn't exceed a crawl at any point during his retreat; Krauser tore him apart, pure and simple.
Log created on 13:52:49 07/12/2007 by Krauser, and last modified on 17:06:48 07/12/2007.