Description:
[OOC] Ken says, "Right. I knew that. *shifty-eyes*"
[OOC] Sakura says, "Log's open, Ryu"
For the last several weeks, the erupting civil conflict in Thai has been the stuff of evening new headlines, the mess that remained far enough from home for most countries that people occasionally brought it up by the watercooler, shaking their head in brief acknoledgement of the tragedy before moving along with their lives. Yet some had decided not to remain so idle and take a more active role in bringing stability to the nation, or more specifically to thwart the efforts of the terroristic organization that lay at the source of all this trouble.
Truthfully, Ryu was not among their number.
The matters of rescuing Thailand could be left to individuals better suited and far more capable in the task than he, the former World Warrior had concluded some time before. It was one factor alone that had brought him into the chaotic country, to one of Vega's many doorsteps. They hadn't been content to just take a country, they'd taken Sakura as well. Having seen firsthand the work of Vega's infamous mindwashing techniques on his only pupil, what else could Ryu do but come? He swore then and there he'd do whatever it took to bring her back, both to her home and who she was.
The relative chaos and larger pressing issues of the time have allowed him to make his way through without much notice, following clues both whispered and felt towards what he believe was his errant student's current location. A Shadaloo base, no doubt. And waiting within..most like more than just her and Kurow. The Lord of Shadaloo himself had a direct hand in this, of that there could be no doubt. Having steeled his mind and body in anticipation, he was prepared to engage even Vega in order to bring this madness to an end.
Without hesitation he treads therein, a leaving a trail of unconscious guards in his wake.
"This is Theta Team, we are trying to move in but there seems to be some heavy interference here. It's taken out half the team and we don't even know what the hell it is, it's like a damn ghost or something! Wait, I am getting something... Take him down, take him down! It's just-OOOOOOF-One... Man..."
The squad leader takes a fall, landing at Ken Masters' feet. Like Ryu, taking out these people doesn't even require effort. Like ants, rats, or other smaller pests, they can only annoy and distract at best. Ken's location is secure, but it seems like the rest of the operation is going to hell in a handbasket. The 'true' Ken knew that this was coming. Vega moved too quickly, too far… Burned bridges where he needed them, attacked people that should have been allies. Still, the true Ken knows that Ryu is coming and it agrees with the side that has been beaten, stripped of pride, and forced to think like Vega. Ryu needs to be taught a lesson.
How can the nature of Ken and Vega ever align on something? Well, it seems like the answer of this will be given in the usual medium for Ken and Ryu's communication. With their fists.
Making his way toward Ryu, Ken steps out from the shadows. Dressed in a black gi and having a Shadoloo headset on his head (both to give him last minute updates on the battle as well as 'orders'), the American Warrior frowns. "You brought this on yourself, you do know that."
Ryu had anticipated many obstacles in the path he'd chosen to bring Sakura back to the fold, but the one who steps out now to oppose him when he feels the raging chi of the battle already begun just beyond..he stops cold.
"Ken..?" Comes a whisper of disbelief...no, not disbelief, not quite. On some level, this is what he'd feared when he hadn't been able to locate his fellow Ansatsuke practitioner and brother in arms. He hadn't wanted to believe it, but his friend stood there as he was nonetheless. It was one thing for Sakura, still young and impetuous to be forecfully molded so...but for even the willfull American fighter to succumb, just how powerful had Vega grown? What chances did he even have?
Enough, says the voice in the back of his mind. All this means is that he now has two to bring back with him instead one.
"Ken...i'd been hoping to see you again." He admits, not bring up his fists, not even falling into a fighting stance, "There's so much that's happened..so much we can talk about..but not like this." He stands resolute, the determination in his face clear, "Not here! This isn't you, I know it isn't. Right now, Sakura needs me..needs both of us. I don't want to have go through you. So I ask you as a fellow warrior...but even more so as a friend. Either stand aside, or come along with me." Vega's will was strong, he knew that..but just as with Sakura, Ryu had to try.
A small and faintly twisted smirk appears on Ken's face as he takes a step forward toward Ryu. While the brother in everything but blood won't see Ken put up his dukes, Ken's aura is aggressive, his power dark and twisted, like a weed that gets life from choking the plant it coils about.
"If I went with you… You really think that you'd learn anything? It's always been about power with you. You might deny it, but you know it to be true. The only way you learn is through loss... So I'm here to give you a lesson you'll never forget. In the end, you'll thank me. My place is here. And while I have my orders on what to do with YOU-" Ken grits his teeth at that. Clearly that is where there is a bit of 'disagreement' from the Old and the New. "I presume that you are going to want to save me. Like Guile tried to. But you won't win. I choose my destiny, no matter who tells me-" Ken grits his teeth.
Contradiction again... Maybe the Shadoloo Ken and the true Ken aren't as in line as once thought. Either way, he get into his fighting position. "Whatever the case, you aren't getting past here, Ryu, so let's get this fight over with so I can decide what the hell to do with your body." He gets into a fighting position, figuring that Ryu will make the first move once it's clear talking will fail.
COMBATSYS: Ken has started a fight here.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
He -did- try..but Ryu had an inkling of where this was going to turn up. Ken's natural competetiveness was an asset in many situations, but unfortunately it was something Vega had likely used to his own advantage. "I don't deny that I have felt the allure of power.." The fighter concedes, distant memories of an unjustly conquered Sagat splayed out before him rising up like a sparse smoke, "But so too have I felt it's sting. I reject such power and continue to train and fight in the hope that I may conquer it instead of it conquering me...and becoming like the man who killed our Master." Surely, that must reach Ken somewhere.
"You haven't chosen your destiny, Ken. It's been chosen for you, and you refuse to see you." In response to that negative chi, so unlike the man he knows, Ryu flares his own purer aura, "I know you'll see that, and if I have to help you do so..I will." Ken wasn't Sakura. There was no reason to hold even the slightest bit back. Surely, he'd never let Ryu hear the end of it if he did once this was all over.
"HADOU....!" The fighter cries out, cupping his hands and thrusting them forther in that trademark attack of their mutual fighting style...but nothing comes. Hadoupsyke?!
Correct! For as soon as the feint registers the wanderer is already dashing toward his old friend, leaping up in the air in a powerful flying kick aimed right at his chest, "These colors ill suit you, my friend!"
COMBATSYS: Ken interrupts Strong Kick from Ryu with P Shoryuken.
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Ken 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Ryu
[OOC] Sakura says, "Oh =man=."
[OOC] Ryu says, "oww"
[OOC] Ryu says, "Well, I kinda asked for that"
[OOC] Ryu says, "I jumped in the withing a ten foot radius around him."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Er, in the air.,"
[OOC] Sakura says, "Yeah kinda D:"
Rugal has arrived.
[OOC] Sakura salutes to Rugal
[OOC] Rugal nods Sakura-ways.
Ken doesn't speak when Ryu offers his side of things. Even when he isn't sure if he wants to kill Ryu or not, he's still respectful. After all, this fight is important to Ken and was promised to him in the brainwashing. He better milk it for all its worth. A fight like this won't happen for awhile.
Like Ryu, Ken doesn't hold back, so when the foot comes flying for him, he waits before he explodes with power and gives a powerful uppercut. The fake out doesn't seem to have don't a thing to Ken, as he knows what the stance feels like. He doesn't see that Ryu wants to do the attack. Or better yet, he doesn't feel it. Either way, this lets him have the perfect opening when Ryu tries to make his way toward him. Ken doesn't give the attack name as a dark purple power explodes from his fist and makes his way into the air toward Ryu, just giving a loud rage filled cry. Oddly, he doesn't go for Ryu's chest. Instead, he goes right for that knee. As Ryu's foot hits his head, Ken's fist hits Ryu's knee. A move like that could cripple a strong person for the rest of their life... a normal person might not have a leg anymore. But the point of this fight is that both Ken AND Ryu are more than men... They are legends. Wiping the blood from his face, Ken gives a grin after he lands. If facial expressions show what Ken is feeling, Ryu's words must be hitting a brick wall.
"So you don't kill anyone... You still punch them, kick them, challenge them. Your desire is still to be a stronger person. Your desire is still yourself. That's what you and Vega have at your core... A desire for power. You just hide it behind your morality, while he makes no pretense of hiding his true wishes." 'Pretense?' Yeah, you know Ken's gone when he's using words like pretense.
[OOC] Sakura snickers!
He sees right through Ryu's strategy and strikes where it counts, the sheer force of the blow enough elicit a howl of pain from Ryu as the fighter is knocked away, spinning in the air to land in a kneel not far away. That was...similar to the different form of a hadouken Sakura has been using, but much more focused...much stronger. It was only through the slimmest luck that the blow hadn't shattered Ryu's knee and there -still- might be some fractures. He'd have to keep most of his weight on his other leg to be safe. Suffering an injury like that so soon...not good at all.
"We fight to enrich and better our spirits, not to conquer others and certainly not to kill! You know this as well as I do, Ken!" He shouts in refutation of the words he hears from his oldest friend, "Vega is powerful indeed, but he ever looks outward, not even caring to turn a single glance within. That is why he can only destroy..that is why he will ultimately fail. I don't have to tell you what my wishes are Ken, you know them well...just as I know yours. And right now..." Not one to be down for long, the herald of hadou springs back into action, flying into a whirlwind of devastating kick toward the American martial artist, "They are being twisted! TATSUMAKI SENPUU KYAKU!"
COMBATSYS: Ken just-defends Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!
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Ken 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
[OOC] Ryu says, "Oh man, karma is coming back hard today"
[OOC] Ryu says, "My folks just commissioned me to go pick up food, so I need to afk..shouldn't be gone more than 15 minutes hopefully."
Kurow has arrived.
[OOC] Kurow says, "hlo laydeez may i watches or is that verboten"
Clark has arrived.
[OOC] Clark settles in to watch violence?! DB
[OOC] Sakura says, "Ryu just went idle to get food, but I think Ken's posing"
An arm is raised like the lifting of a drawbridge. The leg beats against it, but the energy seems to be absorbed into Ken rather than against him. A perfect defense lets a person like Mr. Masters take in the strength of the attack rather than deflect, the strong attack only giving Ken almost all that he lost in his first eventful gamble. "You don't kill, but the point is the same, isn't it? You could care less if the world died around you. The only reason why you give a damn about Thailand is because your precious Sakura was taken. For all your morality, you don't do nearly enough!"
At this point, Ryu's attack is over, giving Ken is window. With that said, Ken lowers his arm guard to take Ryu by his shirt. Should he get it, the blond will take Ryu to throw his back against a wall before racing in to give a powerful kick to send him back into it again. "You live in your box, Ryu pushing weights... Strength doesn't excuse apathy, doesn't excuse isolation. You think it gives you power, but I'll show you that you're wrong by CRUSHING YOU INTO THE DIRT!"
Shoma has arrived.
[OOC] Ryu returns to get the rest of his ass kicked!
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Ken's Tsukami Nage.
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Ken 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Ryu
[OOC] Sakura would cheer, but bad things happened the last time she did D:
[OOC] Kurow says, "I'll cheer."
[OOC] Sakura says, "You're too busy playing possum when this fight takes place!"
[OOC] Kurow says, "Well hey, it was that or get my face screwed out by Yami Sugi x 500."
[OOC] Clark says, "i like the latter option"
Ryu has fought Ken dozens of times, but never like this. As all the fury his attack is seemingly perfectly defended, he wonders just how much of this is strength developed by Ken himself and how much was granted by Vega. Regardless, Masters' defense does not leave the vagabond in awe so much that he can't shore up a defense of his own against the inevitable counter. Banging his head something fierce when slammed against the wall, Ryu is nonethreless prepared for the kick that comes his way, catching it in a solid grip with both hands.
The moral accusation Ken levies before Ryu is not one knew to him..whether with strength and power comes the obligation to use it to help and better those around you when needed, or if it is more responsible to remain above the fray, owing to how that same strength sets on apart from much of the world. The situation they were in right now was the result of one man with great power using that as an impetus to interfer with the affairs and politics of the world, and it did strengthen his resolve in a way. "I did not act because I knew there would be others who would, others more fitted to the task than I. Just because we have strength doesn't entitle us to interfer in the affairs of the world so! And that is precisely what Vega is doing!" With a grunt, the fighter shifts his weight and turns in an attempt to slam Ken into the same wall, then once more before tossing him outwards.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Ken with Seoi Nage.
- Power hit! -
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Ken 1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0 Ryu
There is a sound of a loud crack as Ken's skull meets with the wall. Ken is thrown to the ground, bleeding rather badly from the back of his head. He doesn't even grimace in pain though. The needles, the drugs, the lack of sleep, the voices... There is too much pain and other stimulus already to process something like injury.
Standing up like he merely tripped on something, Ken dusts his shoulder off as he gets up. "Leaving other people to do the work... Isn't THAT righteous? Few people can stand up to Vega or gangs of powerful fighters, but because there are more people around, you just pawn it off on them? Come on, Ryu... We all know the reason you let this happen. Because you. Didn't. Care." As Ken speaks, he tries to put a hand to that wet feeling at the back of his head. Huh, that's a lot of blood. That sucks.
Taking the hand coated with his own blood, Ken attempts to give Ryu a swift backhand. "And guess what? Now, neither do I."
COMBATSYS: Ryu endures Ken's Jab Punch.
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Ken 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Maybe Ken is right. Maybe none of this would've happened if he'd chosen to get involved sooner, or if he'd taken care of Vega once and for all in one of their previous battles. Then this country would be in turmoil, Sakura and Ken wouldn't be suffering..all of it could've been avoided if he'd chosen to act sooner and more decisively.
It's what the small voice deep in the pit of his soul whispers into his ear, telling him to use his strength to decide fate, to take action..to take action befitting a warrior. It was the alluring but poisonous voice of the Satsui no Hadou, the dark power within he'd learned to recognize long ago. It wants him to use it, to end this right now with it's power..but he won't, he can't. He's seen all too well where that path leads.
"Perhaps...perhaps my actions were not right, Ken." He stands, accepting that hit, that rebuke, "But to hear it coming from you...standing where you are, in league with that man.." A counter blow comes, aimed much more fiercely for the blonde's jaw, "That is hypocrisy I won't tolerate! And neither do you."
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Ryu's Fierce Punch.
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
"I am where I am because fate put me here..." The blond replies as he puts up his arm for defense, using the one that didn't block the Hurricane Kick earlier. The punch leaves a bruise, but it's unseen under the armguard Ken's wearing. The force of the attack causes him to slide back an inch, but Ken is still speaking strong "...And my actions aren't what we are here about, now are we? We are about Vega's actions. Which are tied to your actions. So, with the lesson I've given you..."
Ken pauses to try and grab Ryu's gi top. Should Ken get it, he'll roll back to try and launch Ryu back the way he came. "...I have something ELSE to give you as well!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Ken's Jigoku-guruma.
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Ken 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Ryu
[OOC] Sakura says, "Good luck you two... I am idling out D:"
[OOC] Clark DB
[OOC] Kurow D:@
[OOC] Rugal says, "'Night Sakura."
[OOC] Sakura says, "Kurow's an Elite Beat Agent?"
[OOC] Kurow says, "I don't know if I'm going to keep that even though the idea of a swirly-hair face makes me lolz."
[OOC] Kurow is Commander Kahn.
[OOC] Kurow says, "The DSC is really just Elite Beat Divas."
"An artificial fate." Ryu corrects, acknowledging the dull pain in his knuckles from the block with a brief cracking of fingers, "Arbitrated and forged by a megamaniacal tyrant." He's not quick enough to evade Ken's next manuever and instead makes the best of it, going with the direction and falling into a protective role on contact with the ground to put some decent distance between the two.
He gets to his feet, regarding the blonde fighter carefully. Ryu doesn't speak, doesn't move, barely even breathes. He instead observes everything about Ken, the way he's been fighting so far, how he moves, even the flow of his chi. It's all different in part thanks to Vega's meddling, but the vagabond thinks he was beginning to see the method..or least he hoped so.
He was no longer interested in talk. Likely, the part of Ken that was the true him could tell when his old friend got really serious...right now was one of those times.
COMBATSYS: Ryu focuses on his next action.
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Ken 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Ryu
Ken just gives a silent frown in response to Ryu's words. Ken is annoyed himself, but as Ryu prepares himself and studies his form, the temporary Shadoloo warrior merely gives Ryu a glare before he narrows his eyes and looks toward Ryu. While the effect is likely the same, Ken doesn't focus on Ryu, but rather himself, the psycho power able to flow with much more ease, though it seems that his bleeding increases a bit from the increased heart rate that accompanies it. After all, Psycho Powering someone up is not an easy experience, more so when you are as difficult a person as Ken Masters.
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
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Ken 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Ryu
There's only one way to really do this, right?
Ryu's chi flares, his hands are cupped out behind him, glowing with a bright blue light. Growing in both intensity and and size, he thrusts the amalgamation of chi forwards, letting there be no illusion as to whether this one's a fake or not. No, it's all too real and speeding for Ken as only the trademark attack of ansatsuken can do, along with the familiar old cry of, "HADOOOOUUUUUKEN!"
[OOC] Ryu says, "Sorry for that, things are starting to pile up on my end, may have to book it soon D:"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Ken with Hadouken.
Glancing Blow
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
[OOC] Ken says, "No prob, I'll do what I can here. :)"
Ken knows the Hadouken is coming, but it seems to be more powerful than he planned. Going from trying to block to trying to dodge, Ken tries to roll out of the way, but gets nailed in the arm before he gets a shot before he can move into the evasive action. It almost dislocates his shoulder, but Ken isn't exactly a weak man. Ken races for Ryu, trying to give him a simple axe kick right for the chin before bringing the leg down to smack against his shoulder. Looks like Ken can do the whole non-verbal thing too.
COMBATSYS: Ryu parries Ken's Inazuma Kakato Wari!
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
[OOC] Ryu says, "Haha, I knew i'd be rewarded for turning down the interrupt bonus!"
Shoma heads OOC.
Words were meaningless now. From here on in there was no philosophical debating, no arguing over who was right and who was wrong. Just two fighters displaying all their skills...it'd perhaps be a thing of beauty were it not tainted with the corrupting hand of Vega. Nonetheless, Ryu tries to push that out of his mind and focus only on doing what he can the bring Ken to his senses..even if he had to knock them into him.
He'll see the coming attack for what it is, leaning back just enough to create a bare miss by Ken's rising foot, then deflecting the second hit with a well-place swipe of his hand, rendering the strike completely harmless. From there thing hopefully go into his corner as the wanderer reaches out for the blonde's unfitting black gi. Should he grab it, he'll yank back and fall, tossing his old friend clear behind him with the backward momentum and a little help from his uninjured leg, "Haaaa!"
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Ryu's Seoi Nage EX.
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Ken 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
The speed of the parry is unexpected as it seems like Ryu is able to show what he's made of as he moves in for the throw. Ken is pulled down and forward, though when he lands, he breaks into a roll before he stands. He hit his shoulder rather hard in the move, but could be worse, that's for sure. Seeing as Ryu now has some distance on him, Ken merely races up a couple of steps before trying to give a powerful side kick toward Ryu's chest, though with the speed he was coming in with, he slides a few inches on the ground with the foot that's planted on the ground, give a bit more 'umph' behind the kicking techinque. While Ryu seems to have mad up for lost ground, the fight is far from over.
[OOC] Ryu says, "Mn, we're gonna have to leave the turn-out for this for the next exciting episode of Motm Z cause I gotta book D:"
[OOC] Ryu says, "I hope you'll be around tomorrow or thursday night, Ken? Cause I leave for a week on Friday D:"
[OOC] Ken says, "Tomorrow night, not until midnight, but can do Thursday."
[OOC] Ryu says, "cool"
[OOC] Ryu says, "I'll save state it"
[OOC] Ryu says, "..if I could remember how!"
[OOC] Kurow says, "state/save"
COMBATSYS: Ryu has saved the state of this fight.
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
[OOC] Ryu says, "Excellent, okay. Thanks for everyone coming out to watch us, come again when we pick it up and I promise to wow you with crazy decision! C_C_"
Ryu has disconnected.
Kurow heads OOC.
Rugal goes home.
Sakura has disconnected.
Ken has disconnected.
Clark heads OOC.
Ryu has connected.
Ryu has disconnected.
Sakura has connected.
Sakura heads OOC.
Ryu has connected.
Ryu has disconnected.
Ryu has connected.
Ken has connected.
[OOC] Ryu says, "Yo.,"
[OOC] Ken says, "What's up?"
[OOC] Ryu says, "Not much, just hanging out!"
[OOC] Ryu says, "How about yourself?"
[OOC] Ken says, "Nothing much, just playing some games I borrowed from a friend. Nothing like five year old games to be utterly cheap. ;)"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "OH GOD THE FIGHT CONTINUES?!?!"
[OOC] Ryu reutrns, "MAYBE?!"
[OOC] Ken says, "MAYBE NOT?!?"
[OOC] Ken says, "I dunno. I'm game for finishing if you are, Ryu."
[OOC] Ryu certainly is!
[OOC] Ryu says, "Re-start the log and the fight and i'm golden."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Log has been going."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Fight has been going."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "You two fail at life."
[OOC] Ryu :(
[OOC] Ryu says, "THE PRIDE AND JOY OF ANSATSUKEN"
[OOC] Ryu says, "Ken, would you mind putting up your last pose?"
[OOC] Ken says, "...I would, but I don't have it."
[OOC] Ken says, "My computer crashed a few hours after the scene ended. :("
[OOC] Ryu says, "It should be in the log, though. I think you can pull it out while it's still running?"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Yes you do Ken."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Log/stop for a minute."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Then log/edit and lookit the temp log."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Then .abort"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Then log/start"
[OOC] Ken says, "There we go. Pose paged. :)"
[OOC] Ryu says, "Coo"
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Ushiro Mawashi-geri from Ken with Joudan Sokutou Geri.
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Ken 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
As the fight continues go on, Ryu either thinks or hopes he's getting closer to the true Ken...the real Ken. The way he moves and strikes, reacts to his moves..all are poignant reminders of the fighting methods of his tried and true friend rather than the foreign, psycho powered tehcniques forced upon him by Vega's insidious mindwashing. How far must he take it to unearth that true power, though? In his heart, the vagabond knows he can do nothing; It is from Ken Masters himself that the impetus must come..all he can do is provide him with a window of opportunity.
As soon as the blonde martial artist broadcasts his move, Ryu will move to intercept, aiming for at the very least a simultaneous strick via a powerful kick from himself as well. Speed however was one of the areas in which Ken had always come out ahead of him, and it shows quite well as the other ansatsuken fighter's kick collides powerfully and painfully in the center of Ryu's chest before his counterstrike could make contact.
Flying back, there can be be no doubt that plenty of fight remains in his old friend, but the same holds true for the King of Fighters. Throught a fateful combination of grace and luck he'll manage keep his footing and not fall over, holding in a defensive stance and trying to irgnore the aching pain in his ribcage from the powerful blow. "When will it be enough, Ken?!" He speaks again through gritted teeth, "When will you snap out of it?! I know you're stronger than this! Vega never could have exerted his will over someone like you so completely! I refuse to believe otherwise, because I -know- you are stronger than that!"
There is no verbal response from Ken as Ryu tries to convince Ken of the error of his ways, the only sign that he even was listening is the narrowing of his eyes when Ryu finishes. From the narrow slits, Ken's gaze is still intensive, yet devoid of any emotion. Like a snake ready to bite, or a wolf ready to strike. In the world there are predators and prey, and Ken is proving that he is the first rather than the second.
As Ryu recovers from his efforts, Ken just waits, merely letting the psycho power and the drugs laced with it flow through his body. Does he know that this is only damaging his body in the end, like the smoker that goes through a pack a day or the depressed child that cuts himself? Or does Ken somehow think that this is the next stage of strength, that this power is truly his to command? Considering he remains mute, it's hard to tell. One thing is for certain though, he's letting the power move through him and that can only mean that he's preparing for something, and it's likely not going to be pretty.
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
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Ken 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Ryu can only hope his pleas don't fall on deaf ears, that somewhere withing the soul of his friend hears his cries and rages against its confinement. Even though there is no change in Ken's outer expression, he knows there must still be something in him that listens. There has to be. For now though, he still stands in his way..and Sakura still needs his help. More than anything else, that is what will push him to the most extreme of heights. He knows Ken would understand..because he would want him to do the same if the roles were reversed. "Very well, old friend.." The former world warrior shall state solmenly, tightening his trademark red headband that had been loosened in the battle, the symbol of their friendship, "If you wish to take this to next level, I will oblige.."
In a single instant, the relatively consistent output of Ryu's aura spikes in an incredible height to the point where it visibly manifests around him in the same blue glow inherent to the hadouken. His stance is solid, his eyes closed and focused as he lets all he has within him erupt to the surface like an all-consuming flame, taking as well all the ambient energy around him and adding it to his strength. In this moment, he seems not to simple be a man, but something beyond. A living legend, from whose battles entire mythologies are constructed from. The air is charged with power, his eyes open, they behold the opponent in front of them and nothing else.
Now, there was no turning back.
COMBATSYS: Ryu gathers his will.
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Ken 1/-======/=======|=======\====---\1 Ryu
Ken gives a weak smile. Looks like Ryu is trying to get some power to match Ken's current level of fighting energy. This should be good. There is no quip from the blond fighter, no promises of victory or taunts. Ken's all out in this fight and that means he's at his peak. Ken's lack of focus has been one of his greatest downfalls, but between the pain, the brainwashing, and the situation, he's in a rare state of mind that would put him almost at the level of a machine. If he breaks out of it, it's going to be quite a fall to go back to where he once was.
As Ryu's energy starts to form, Ken lets him gather for a second, making sure he is in the mindset of 'fueling' himself. Once Ryu opens his eyes, Ken will almost appear like a blur, even to living legend like Ryu. Within half a second, Ken goes from being a few feet from Ryu to a couple of inches. With a wicked grin, Ken's fist explodes with psycho energy, burning off the arm guard that he was wearing like it was made of dried leaves. Ken goes into a mutlitude of smaller uppercuts, trying to drive them into his old friend one after the other. After trying to burn three small uppercuts into him, Ken will go for the final blow, a powerful uppercut that will take him ten feet into the air, the purple trail of energy detailing his powerful flight. There is no attack name... Just one powerful and swift assualt. For Ryu's sake, he better do something to avoid getting caught in its way.
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Ryu with Shouryuu Reppa.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ken 0/-------/-----==|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ryu
[OOC] Ryu says, "Haha, first time i've gone into TOP"
[OOC] Ken snickers. "Well, glad to have helped with that. ;)"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "I only hit it once on Ryu, too. But ouch. That move ALWAYS power hits, doesn't it Ken? >_>"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "I know you power hit Geese with it as a last action, through like a 90 Raging Storm poke."
[OOC] Ken says, "Not really, Daedalus. I tgets blocked a lot. When I really want to make it hit though... An uninterrupted focus usually gives it the POWER boost. ;)"
[OOC] Daedalus :D
[OOC] Daedalus says, "We fucked up your moves though, Ken."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Way back when we were figuring 'em all out."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Shouryuu Reppa is the repeating Shoryukens, flaming on the Fierce version."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Shinryuu Ken is the straight up massive Shoryuken, flaming on the fierce."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Shinryuu Ken should really be your MAX."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "It is uber."
[OOC] Ken says, "I know both of them... Shinryuu Ken is awesome. More so if we do the cheezy MvC version. Which I firmly believe we should get just be freaks. Ryu needs his Hadouken Beam."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "The MvC version is awesome, I agree. And not as over the top as half those supers."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Remind me to swap it after this fight if you want. Sorry to interrupt, just remembered we were talking about it over SF3 the other weekend. :D"
[OOC] Ken thumbs up. Righto.
Speed and power have been the two defining characteristics of martial art style ever since the first styles were developed in time immemorial. Likewise, the argument for which was superior has raged just as long. Some decided to dedicate their fighting methods solely to one or the other while others tried to strike a balance. Which was best? No one could say..perhaps there was no true answer save that he who had mastered his style best would be the one to triumph. And yet none could perhaps think of better exemplars of the opposing methods of thought than Ryu and Ken, taking separate but harmonizing paths of the same school. Ryu had chosen the path of hadou, honing and developing his own spirit into an immense strength, whereas Ken has elected to follow the principles of Shoryu, training his mind and body to be as quick and precise as the dance of a flickering flame. To that end, both had reached a different conclusion in the form of a great and powerful technique of their own design...if pitted against one another, who would triumph? Power, or speed?
Thus far, it seems the victory would go to speed.
KEn is too fast for him to have any tangible hope of evading, Ryu knows that. His best shot will be to to power all that ambient chi to his arms in hope of staving off the assault...and it -almost- works, if it weren't for the fact that the blonde fighter was just that damn fast. The truth is, they -both- struck a great balance between speed and strength already, but still leaned towards one in the other decisively. Ken wasn't just fast, he hit hard too, the very first strike smashing through Ryu's defense in the most painful of ways before he could funnel the adequate chi. From there, his world turns upside down with blows and pain, struggling not to black out under the strain. Was this truly Ken? He wanted to believe it was, this his comrade and brother had progressed so well...but even this incredible feat was tainted by the touch of the Shadaloo Master. He does not relegates himself to the role of victim under this, instead gathering his power in spite of the pain, taking the hits as defensively he can and waiting for the right moment.
It comes at the end of the final blow, nearly shattering Ryu's jaw and sending him clear into the air. He aches everywhere...he can tell he's near his own limits..but he's not down just yet. He has seen Ken's best and remains standing (figuratively)...now was time to return the favor.
"I...won't...give..up!" The wanderer cries out resolutely, thrusting his hands to the air, giving birth to what burns like a miniature sun between, filling it with almost all the power he has restrained for just this moment. Hadouken..not -just- hadouken, but someting on a whole other plane. "WAKE UP, KEN! SHINKUU..." With what seems like great strain, he labors to pour all the force downwards in a sphere of chi thrice as large as usual, aiming to crash right into Ken at the apex of his attack, where Ryu will then fall to the ground, "HADOUUUUUUUKEN!!"
Hopefully, he'll land on his feet.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Ken with Shinkuu Hadouken.
Glancing Blow
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Ken 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Ryu
[OOC] Daedalus says, "That was a painful glance, hah. :D"
[OOC] Ryu lol
[OOC] Ryu says, "I think I just need to save that move for phys people who probably don't have a lot of aura XD;"
[OOC] Ken says, "+evade helped with the pain."
[OOC] Ryu ahh
[OOC] Ken says, "If it had hit full on, well, likely would have like two bars left or something. ;)"
The blast comes right for Ken and he knows he needs to act quickly. Time seems to go in slow motion for Ken. His reflexes are top-notch, perhaps the best in the world. Sadly, his body sometimes doesn't comply in the way he wants it to. He tries to push off in a desperate roll, but gets his lower legs caught up in the powerful Hadouken, sending his body to the ground. Ken's legs aren't broken, but that's his luck working for him. Still they are battered and bruised all over, making it hard for him to get up.
This is all familiar to Ken. It is supposed to be. This fight is pushing him to the limit, but not because he is outnumbered, but merely because someone is on the same level as him... Someone that has the same moves. Though despite this and Ryu's efforts, Ken's expression doesn't change for a second. It looks like this fight needs to end before there can be consideration. Closure before there can be time for second thoughts. Despite this, there is one word that comes from Ken's bleeding mouth.
"...Ryu..." While there is a sincerity to it, for some reason Ken's fists clench again as Ken seems to be saddling up for the final round of fighting. Brainwashed or not, Ken's stubbornness still manages to show through. That said, Ken charges for Ryu, trying to give him a couple of punches for his face, trying to give the classic 'one-two' combo.
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Ryu with Medium Punch.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Ken 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Ryu
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Ken wtf."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Oh man, that was a decent roll too."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "That's two 7's in a row."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Lucky frickin' 7's"
[OOC] Ken says, "...Wha?"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Both those power hits, the numerical result was a 7. :D"
[OOC] Ken says, "I'm more whaing about the second power hit. Why can't I do this good when I don't mind if I lose? :D"
[OOC] Ken says, "Err, when I do mind even."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Haha"
[OOC] Ryu says, "I think it's a trend that I wind up losing all the fights i'm 'supposed' to win or something XD;"
[OOC] Ryu says, "Like in WW"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "You haven't had your enlightening flashback yet."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Gouken: Remember Ryu, destiny is nothing without will."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Yeah. Suddenly, I have second wind! >_>"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "We're gonna need a montage."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Also, I think this is the second? time in MotM history Ken has beaten Ryu?"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Or did you beat H's Ryu too, Ken?"
[OOC] Ken says, "...I know I won the FIRST time I fought Ryu before it officially opened. Then I bet another Ryu about 3-6 monts ago... And now is the third. :)"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "This is the same Ryu that was here 3 months ago dude. :D"
[OOC] Ken says, "I said 3 to 6. You know how my memory is! :D"
[OOC] Ken says, "I still don't know how to spell my attack names."
"Focus, Ken.." Ryu struggles stand, but he knows he's begun to get through to him, he just needs to give him one more push. "Think...is this really how you want to win..like this?" Tugging at the old red headband, he'll pull it off, "Do you remember when you gave this to me Ken, why you did it? Do you remember what you said back then?" He'll throw it as gently towards the ground as he can, unsure now as to what will come next, "When this is all done..if you remember...pick it up, and return it to me, my friend."
Once more, his chi will flare, and at the same this blows rain upon his beaten and bloodied face will the vagabond shove his hands toward his old friend, projecting ever last bit of chi into physical force, enough for one more jolt to the body and noggin. A bit less powerful than the last, but just as potent.
He'll collapse to the ground then, his head ringing in all directions. He manages by the barest thread to keep his consciousness, but his body will no longer move. "Sakura.." He'll murmur, searching out for her signature chi...the battle beyond them seem to have finished as well, that much he could tell..but was she alright in spite of his failure..?
COMBATSYS: Ryu can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/--=====|
Hakuya has arrived.
OSUCC::Hakuya heads to sub-stage 5.
COMBATSYS: Ken endures Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
[ \\\\\ <
Ken 1/-----==/=======|
[OOC] Daedalus says, "OH GOD VIOLENT KEN WILL DESTROY ALL."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "First Terry, now Ryu."
[OOC] Ryu heh
[OOC] Ken says, "I don't understand how I creamed Terry and Ryu, yet got SCHOOLED to Guile and Soma. The crazy monkey logic hurts my brain meat."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Csys works in mysterious ways."
[OOC] Ken says, "YOU READY FOR SOME FLASHBACK SPAM!?"
[OOC] Ryu says, "YOU KNOW IT!!!"
Perhaps if this fight had happened a week or so ago, it would have been a simple matter of black and white. Ken would have been distracted by flashbacks and defeated by Ryu. A clean end for all parties considered. There would have been no mixing of Vega's will and Ken's. He would have bucked the system and that would be that. But it isn't that easy.
The powerful attack comes, Ken giving a loud cry. He could dodge it, but he needs to end this fight as soon as he can. He charges through the chi blast, ripping his shirt to shred as he prepares to smash in Ryu's face to find something else coming toward him. Catching the headband, there is a long silence. Ken stares at the thing, explosions and sounds of battle filling his ears now. While the fight distracted him from the world around him, now the stimulus of struggle is as loud outside as it is inside. The Psycho energy is still about him, though it isn't being nurtured. Hopefully, it will die in time, encouraged by the loss of Vega and Ken no longer being subject to the 'reenforcements sessions' which almost stole his sanity once and for all. Right now though, Ken can't think about tomorrow. All he can think of is right now... And the past.
Wrapping the red bandanna around his bloodied hand, Ken reaches down to take Ryu by his neck. The fingers that formed the fierce uppercut now threaten to steal all life from Ryu. "She... didn't understand..." Ken offers quietly, as if trying to find hate but being able to do so. "You don't understand. You are just like Vega. You are always... always..."
A flood of memories come, surging out of Ken's mind like a swarm of bats. All are in a first person perspective... But that's how one lives life. First is an image of a man that looks like Ken, but older... He has a mustache and he doesn't look happy as he looks down at whoever has gotten his rage. Another scene, this time in a calm forest in the middle of nowhere. There is an old man there. A couple of punches are thrown at the man before the world is filled with sky. The view changes as the person struggles to get up, only to get met with sky once more. A younger Ryu is shown, as there seems to be some heated sparring... Then oddly enough a man in a club brandishing some brass knuckles. The only context to the scene is a highly attractive woman who seems to be in her late teens to early twenties. She doesn't seem happy with what's going on. Geese is next, standing in the Red Arena of the Master Stadium, confident and staring down toward the fallen person. Vega comes next, grinning and laughing as attempts to get free from metal bonds fail. Then... there is blackness.
"So, you did something wrong, son... You understand why this has to happen?"
"You are impatient and headstrong. You have much to learn and your pride is stumbling block... but there is something within your spirit. A strength that cannot be denied."
"Come on, Ken, you gotta keep up with the training or you won't be allowed to fight in the tournament!"
"She's with me... You want to make something of it, pretty boy?"
"Pitiful. Just pitiful."
"You will be servant. Our wills be one... You won't understand now, but you WILL understand in time. Hehehe."
Ryu is dropped back down to the ground, Ken holding his head as he struggles to stay standing. "Damn it... Damn it..." he offers weakly.
[OOC] Daedalus says, "So..."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "What if Akuma just walked out, slapped Ken down, and wandered off?"
[OOC] Ryu says, ":laughs, "Would that really be Akuma's style, though?""
[OOC] Daedalus :D "Naw, probably not. At this point he'd more likely conclude Ryu and Ken are further from his level and wander the other way. Though he might be angry enough to slap Ken around first."
[OOC] Ken says, "He could be like the Ring. He could come up to Ken and be like 'THREE DAYS'. Ken could go wtf and then get beaten up (yet again)."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Well, it's fine with me if you want to do it!"
[OOC] Ken is cool with whatever.
[OOC] Ken says, "But if he's coming over..."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Hmm. The time seems not right. But both of you know Akuma's aura, anyway. So coming near is as good, for now. o_o/"
[OOC] Ken says, "Yeah, I think it would be better for a 'pee your pants' moment."
[OOC] Ryu says, "So are you going to pose that or anything? I'll wait, if it's the case."
[OOC] Daedalus says, "It would just be liek someone walked over your grave, I'd imagine. :D Ken felt Akuma when he actually killed Gouken, Ryu when they fought on the island, so."
[OOC] Daedalus spel gud
[OOC] Daedalus says, "I get tired too early now. :("
[OOC] Ryu lol
Seishirou has arrived.
[OOC] Seishirou says, "FUG HIM UP"
OSUCC::Seishirou heads to sub-stage 5.
Now that he wasn't focused on fighting (By virtue of having the stuffing knocked out of him) Ryu could focus more on his surroundings...that fight beyond had been tremendous indeed. Vega's power was nowhere to be felt...perhaps gone for good? No doubt that might have something to do with Ken's state..but Ryu is sure his friend did just as well even with Vega's presence.
Sakura however remains his primary concern. He searches frantically for the signature of her chi and is relieved to find it in the presence of several others...none of whom he can say he knows, but he feels the benevolent intent in them. She is in good hands, he sighs in great relief indeed.
"You can do it Ken..." He encourages, his attention now fully upon his ailing friend, "Fight it..I know you can. We were both trained by Gouken, we are both his pupils! He believes in you as well, I am sure of it! He...he..." Wait...something isn't right.
It creeps upon them like a murky shadow from the abyss, that presence. That darkness, the overwhelming sensation of power..of killing intent. It becomes so intense, so suffcating that in the state he is in Ryu finds it quite nearly difficult to breather. It feels almost as if a blade were constantly pressed against his throat...there was only one man..no, one demon that could have such chi.
"It's...him..." The vagabond clenches his fists, struggling to rise against the will of his body, "He's here! Why is he here?! Why?!" He turns to the blonde fighter, his eyes possessed now of urgency even greater than before...no, it seems more like desperation, "Ken, do you feel this? You must regain yourself! He's here, he's -coming-! We have to..." Breathing so fast, he finds it unable to gasp air, collapsing under his own weight, struggling to drink the sparsest breaths, "It's...Akuma..."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Sorry about that, things got a bit hectice here for a second."
Ken doesn't say anything to Ryu at first. The chi feeling hits him like a sucker punch, but he still manages to stay standing. He doesn't know why, but he feels like he is gunna make it out despite the killing aura that he feels. Maybe Ken is feeling some of that 'immortal American pride' that rich youth like himself have, but it is the only thing that keeps him from crumping over or getting lost in 'gunna die now' mentalities.
Oddly enough, Ken might owe Akuma something. It's that aura and that good old fear reflex that refreshes Ken's mind a bit with the idea that Ken might actually be in danger of dying, able to put away his lingering demons for the time being. "If he's here, we'll deal with it. If he's coming for us, he's gunna regret it." Not sure HOW but he will. "Either way, hopefully he's here for Vega and not us. After all, Vega seems to have pissed off everyone." Ken moves slowly to try and pull Ryu by his shirt collar, but considering Ken's strength, it isn't exactly able to do much save give a few tugs here and there.
[OOC] Daedalus says, "There's nothing better than cinnamon graham crackers and watching Ryu and Ken beat the piss out of each other."
[OOC] Ken says, "What about waiting Shermie and Mai beat the heck out of each other?"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "No they're waiting in the shower. :|a"
The fact that Ken seems back to himself does a bit to alleviate Ryu's concerns for the moment. If Akuma was coming, they were in no shape to face him...but knowing what he does of the demon, he would have no interest in fighting them as they were now. "Heh..you had me worried there for a bit, old friend." He'll struggle at first, but with Ken's help will be able to stand to his feet, "But I should know better than to do that. Lets get to shelter while we can..it seems Thailand has been saved today..i'm not sure if Akuma had anything to do with it inadvertently, but his presence is no mere coincidence.."
[OOC] Ken says, "Err, watching even. Sorry, starting to get a little tired here too."
[OOC] Ryu says, "IT's cool, the next pose can be the last one."
"Yeah, I know where Vega kept a few jeeps. While you like watching around all the damn time, I'd prefer to get to a nice hotel as quick as I can. Feel like I've been in an anti-spa for the last month or so," Ken offers as he helps Ryu onward, just deciding to ignore the topic of Akuma for right now. After all, he might be like Beetlejuice and come after you call his name two more times. He doesn't say thanks to Ryu verbally, though he gives give him a smile as he puts the bandana back into his hand. "Here... I'm not an indian giver when it comes to my gifts."
[OOC] Ryu says, "Akuma Akuma Ak-"
[OOC] Ryu says, "And they drive off into the sunset! Excellent."
[OOC] Ken thumbs up and closes the log.
[OOC] Ryu says, "Hey Dae, how do I write a bbpost?"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "I use the editor, which you do... +bbpost/editor first I think"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "T hen just +bbpost #"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "And it'll prompt for a subject"
[OOC] Daedalus says, "Then for the post"
Log created on 18:36:35 07/17/2007 by Ken, and last modified on 22:11:42 07/19/2007.