Description: Clark and Hayato do battle on the slopes of Mount Fuji while strapped down with heavy weights slowing their movements. Brutal blows are exchanged back and forth, and in the end Hayato's Burning Spirit manages to carry him through. (Winner: Hayato)
Ah, Mount Fuji. A glorious testament to the beauty of the Land of the Rising Sun. And an area that's been used as a training ground for years uncounted. The woods covering much of the lower part of the mountain make excellent training grounds, and even by the higher elevations of the Aokigahara forest one is already starting to feel the effects of elevation. Not to mention things learned by trying not to get lost in the confusing woods. One poor SNF crewmember thought that a compass would be enough to help him out when he got seperated from his team. Someone will surely find him, eventually.
Further up the mountain the air gets even thinner, and that's where Hayato stands, perched on the edge of a switchback along the trail leading up the mountain. The ground is crumbling slightly under his feet. This is understandable, given the heavy lead weights strapped to his wrists and ankles, and the lead vest strapped over his bright red track suit. The weight doesn't seem to be bothering him much, though. On the contrary, the Burning Phys Ed teacher finds it to be quite invigorating. He thrusts both arms out to either side, shinai clutched tightly in his right hand as he takes a deep breath and stares out at the view. "Ahh... Beautiful!" Then the edge of the ground beneath his feet gives way, dumping him down onto the path on his back.
"Huh. These weights are kinda heavy." Of course, Clark realizes -- that's the point.
Clark Steel has been in position in this elevated position within Mount Fuji for some time now, stretching out and trying to get used to the feeling of lead weights strapped securely onto his ankles and wrists. His blue flak vest has been replaced by an uncomfortably thick lead rendition. The mercenary is, of course, used to these things; you don't get into this business of killing ninja and saving presidents if you're not experienced with all manner of terrain and, occasionally, being weighed down. That doesn't make it any easier, of course. Arms stretching out to either side of him, Clark has spent the last ten minutes simply stretching and preparing. Is Clark a bad enough dude to fight on a mountain with lead weights? He'd like to think so.
"Nice view," is remarked idly as Clark takes a look towards the long stretch of cliffside underneath himself and Hayato, eyes thoughtful behind his shades. Still, he says little more than this -- mainly, because, as he does so... he takes note of the very ground falling apart beneath Hayato's feet. "You should probably watch out fo--" Crash. Down Hayato goes into the path, and Clark simply winces in slight sympathy. Making his way towards the other man, he extends his left, gloved hand in offering to help the Burning Teacher back up onto his feet.
"Yo," he greets simply. "Guess it's just about time, huh?"
Hayato reaches out to take Clark's offerend hand, using the assistance to pull himself to his feet. It's not exactly easy, given all the weight... But Hayato does training like this all the time, and it wouldn't be very useful if it was /easy/, now would it? Hayato gives Clark a wide grin once he's back on his feet, taking a firm stance before nodding once. "Right you are! Been looking forward to this."
The Burning Phys Ed teacher taps his shinai against his shoulder, although he doesn't really feel it through the lead vest. He's not concerned about the fact that Clark's torso is apparently pretty well shielded, though. It just means he has to hit him all that much harder! Before the fight actually begins, though, Hayato glances around to make sure the crew is ready setting up. Lugging equipment around is a bit harder for them up here, but they're also quite motivated to move quickly. You do not want to be the one who screwed up a SNF match.
Bringing Hayato up with more than a little strain of effort, Clark offers an amiable smile in response to that enthusiastic grin the Taiyo teacher brings to bear. He says little at first, instead pulling back and taking a look at his surroundings once more. Unsteady ground, with weights that don't help relieve that... and who knows what other surprises? Clark's brows furrow for a moment in thought, before he makes a single declaration:
"Well, this is going to be a challenge."
For now, though, Clark waits patiently as he watches the crew set up their cameras and other such equipment. His gaze once more focuses on Hayato during this time, looking towards his shinai. Well. This is going to be an interesting fight, at the -very- least. Pausing, he looks towards the technicians once more, and when he's sure everything is set up... he tenses in preparation. "Alright..." he begins slowly, a hand lifting to rub idly at his nose. "Let's get this started."
Without much more hesitation, Clark rushes forward. His body weighed down by the helpful supply of lead, and slightly disoriented by such high altitudes, he comes out slightly slower than he might normally; a bit more sluggishly, understandably weighed down... but no less dangerous. Hands lashing out, he'll seek to grip Hayato by the shoulders. And if successful? He'll lift the man, lead weights and all, with an almost practiced ease, thrusting him over Steel's head and throwing him, back-first, towards the ground. "HMPH!"
COMBATSYS: Clark has started a fight here.
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Clark 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Hayato has joined the fight here.
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Clark 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Clark's Medium Throw.
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Clark 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
The lead weights do make it rather hard to have any hope of getting out of somebody's way, but it does have some advantages. Hayato gets yanked up off the ground and then hurled back down, but he manages to twist as he falls. By landing on his back, Hayato manages to make use of the lead vest to absorb some of the impact. Of course, the vest itself weighs down on his chest as he hits, and his limbs slam against the ground, but it still could have been a worse landing. "Not bad!"
Getting up, however, is a bit of a problem. Especially with Clark still standing nearby. So perhaps Hayato needs to buy himself some time. He moves his right leg as if he's planning to pull himself up and to his knees, but rather than continuing he snaps out with a kick aimed at Clark's leg. Hayato's more than strong enough to move the heavy weights on his leg, and they mostly end up serving to add additional force to the kick.
COMBATSYS: Clark endures Hayato's Strong Kick.
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Clark 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Hayato
Hmm. Those lead vests are going to be a bit of a problem, aren't they? Clark notes this behind his shades as the thick cover effectively absorbs the bulk of his own toss. The only benefit he really has in this situation, however, is the fact that the very lead weights that so expertly help to protect Hayato... are also similarly weighing himself down. Enough so that Steel can see the next attack as it comes at him. What might have been an effective sweeping attack goes through without much of a hitch -- which might be odd, and for good reason. Because, as that kick lances out, it slams into Clark with such force that he falls back, legs kicking outward...
... and seeking to scissor around Hayato's neck as the mercenary descends. As he does, his hands slam into the ground just before he can land and, giving out a grunt of effort, Steel seeks to flip Hayato STRAIGHT over him in something of and improvised Frankensteiner, offering a brief, "Same to you! HUP!" as he seeks to chuck Hayato far away and gain some more distance.
COMBATSYS: Hayato endures Clark's Frankensteiner.
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Clark 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Hayato
Now, this next bit is tricky. There's not much Hayato can do to avoid being grabbed and hurled away from Clark. It's /after/ that point that he can go to work. He manages to twist around in mid-air, orienting himself so that he lands feet first. The gym teacher slams down with both feet as he impacts the ground, feet digging deep into the path and sending jolts of pain up his legs. Hayato grits his teeth and works through the pain, immediately lunging forward and back toward Clark.
He starts with a left straight to Clark's jaw, continuing to push forward even as he attacks. He follows it up with a right uppercut, attempting to send the Ikari Warrior staggering. And finally he ends his combo by shifting his right arm to bring his shinai into attack position, swinging the weapon down right toward the center of Clark's head.
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Clark with Deep Strike.
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Clark 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Hayato
Well...
... ow.
Clark can't properly respond in time, both do to the strain he put forth in making sure that last attack connected cleanly -- which it seems to not have quite even done -that- much -- and the fact that the lead weights slow down his recovery time considerably. What happens next is a very painful encounter. A strike to the jaw, just as Steel is recovering, sends the poor man staggering backwards, the following uppercut only helping with the slightest spray of blood. The final blow, the strike to his forehead, comes with enough force that his cap is flung off, and he is sent blasting -backwards-, landing in an uncomfortable heap several feet away. There is a long, long moment of silence. And then...
... Clark slowly gets up... and -rushes- forward. His form becoming a blur of lead gray and black even despite the weights that encompass him, Clark pushes himself faster, harder than the body naturally should, seeking to get a firm grasp onto Hayato's shoulder...
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Clark's Ultra Argentine Backbreaker.
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Clark 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Hayato
And thusly grasped, Hayato will be thrown straight into the air, in such a way that as he flips, Steel positions himself directly underneath the man. The Phys Ed teacher will get the joy of spinning through the air over and over, the intent being that he lands, lead-encased back first, against Clark's mighty head. But then, a disturbance in the Force?!!?
Hayato's options are somewhat limited here. He's flying straight up... He can move around a bit, but it's not going to be enough to keep him from coming down on top of Clark. He /is/ able to move around enough that he's not falling back first, though. Clark's head impacting with his stomach serves to knock the wind out of him, but it's still less painful then having his back bent across Clark's shoulders. The vest somewhat helps to block the impact as well.
Once he's tossed aside, Hayato scrambles to his feet as quickly as he can before racing back toward Clark. Oh, and remember that other aspect to this fight? From higher up the mountain a boulder comes rolling down the slope. Lucky for Hayato that he's already in motion, because it crashes right past the spot where he was standing a moment ago. There will surely be more to come, though. The boulder passed, Hayato reaches out for Clark, attempting to grab him by his heavy vest, yank him up off his feet and shake him. He doesn't hold on for long, though, trying not to give Clark enough time to react. And as he lets go he's already drawing his left fist back, aiming to slam a punch right into the center of Clark's face.
COMBATSYS: Clark blocks Hayato's Power Punch.
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Clark 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Hayato
The boulder crashing is a touch surprising for Clark, but not nearly enough to distract him for too long. Thankfully enough, too, because Hayato comes at him faster than he might expected. Even -with- the vests on, Hayato moves terribly fast. And Steel's sluggish recovery time means that he is poorly set up to deal with the grab to his vest. Shaken like a baby, Clark's brain rattles in his skull for a few moments. Yet... yet, he keeps a cool head. He stays focused. And as he notices the hands releasing and his feet touching the ground, almost -instinctively- Clark's hand snaps up to grasp the hang flinging out to strike his face, stopping it with only a momentary throb that pulses through his arm. He pauses, considers... and then smiles.
Without a second's thought or delay, Clark moves. In a single motion, he seeks to use his grasp onto Hayato's hand to FLING him into the air. If successful? He follows shortly thereafter with a jump, seeking to grab a hold onto the instructor's legs to spin him once, twice, over and over to build momentum until he RELEASES with the simple intent to launch the other man off like a rocket into the side of the mountain below. "HMPH!!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato fails to interrupt Rebound Throw from Clark with Burning Push-Ups.
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Clark 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Hayato
Hayato brings his shinai app as Clark grabs him by the hand, but his reactions are a bit too slowly. Once he's sent flying into the air it's too late. His legs are snared, leaving him with no real chance at mobility. He's swung around and around before he's suddenly sent flying. He crashes into one of the retaining walls with massive force, sending up a spray of dirt and rocks as the wall collapses, burying the gym teacher in rubble. A few moments later there's a shout as he surges to his feet, dirt flying everywhere as he rises up with a shout, arms spread out to either side. "Grraaaah!"
A close call if there ever was one. As Clark notes Hayato lunging with that shinai, he is silently thankful that it didn't -quite- work out as Hayato might have wanted it to. Instead of probably being beaten into submission, Clark is instead throwing Hayato with untold force into the mountainside, watching as rock collapses inward on the Burning Teacher and buries him with a look of mild concern. Is he okay? He didn't get buried alive, did h--
--oh no, it appears he didn't. As Hayato EXPLODES out of rock and dirt with a bellow, Clark can't help but grin. This man is tenacious, Steel will give him that. He does not, however, see fit to pause just to ensure the other man is well. This is a fight, after all. So instead of -waiting- as he likely would normally, the mercenary surges forward, pushing himself faster and further in an attempt to seize Hayato by his shoulders. If successful, he will thrust the other man into the air, before dropping down to one knee and YANKING the instructor down with him, to SLAM his lead-covered back against his knee with vicious force before simply throwing him off with a declaration of, "BOOYAH!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Clark's Arabian Burglary Backbreaker.
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Clark 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Hayato
Again the lead vest comes to Hayato's aide. He's not quite able to avoid getting grabbed, but once he's in the air he starts grappling with Clark. It's a bit tricky, but he manages to disrupt the Ikari Warrior's technique enough that he can't get a clean blow in at the end, and the vest serves to soak up some of the impact that does make it through. It looks like Hayato's just going to collapse onto his back once Clark's knee is no longer supporting him, but he manages to hold up the weight of his entire body, even with his legs bent backwards at the knees. His legs tremble for a moment but then he manages to heave himself back up into a standing position.
This may come as somewhat of a surprise to Clark, and Hayato moves to take advantage of it. He swings around suddenly, reaching out with his right arm to extend his shinai. A body blow probably wouldn't be particularly effective, so he aims high, attempting to sweep the weapon full on into the side of Clark's face.
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Clark with Fierce Strike.
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Clark 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Hayato
What'd they say about third time's a charm?
Clark's renowned backbreaker techniques seem to have had little to no effect on the rather mighty, lead-encased spine of Hayato, either because he hasn't been able to quite -hit- it... or just from sturdy nature alone. But, Steel isn't one to just give up like that. Hayato is still up and running, however, and in the aftermath of Steel's own technique the man is still able to come running -- just as Clark moves to simply -get up-. Instead, he is struck in the side of the face with such force that he is sent spiraling off to the side, -slamming- into a nearby wall with a sickening sort of crack. He had tried to prepare himself for the blow... but apparently, he's severely underestimated Hayato's speed.
Still, Clark isn't really down for long. And the moment he strikes the ground, he is already pulling himself -up-, gathering himself... before he launches fully towards Hayato. His options here are limited, and though his movements have grown even more sluggish, he seems not to notice. So, he must go back to basics. In a move that Hayato has seen before, Clark attempts to grip onto the man's shoulders. He goes with the only viable option he has -- to HURL Hayato straight through the air, and position himself so that Hayato lands, spine-first, against Clark's thick skull, bending him at irregular angles. "HMPH!!"
If it succeeds? Hayato will be thrust into the air yet again, left to spin before he is slammed, once more, into Clark's skull in an uncanny backbreaker... and then launched a third and final time, CRUSHING against Clark's head and -bending- unpleasantly before being thrust off to the side.
"BOOYAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato counters Ultra Argentine Backbreaker from Clark with Counter Thrust.
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Clark 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Hayato
Indeed, Hayato /has/ seen this move before. And this basic type of technique several times. Hayato may be a large, boisterous, energetic man, but he's no fool! ...Well, he's not /stupid/ anyway. He grins widely when he sees Clark coming rushing toward him. "You're pretty good, but you're gonna have to mix it up a little bit more!" Big words, considering that Clark hasn't even reached him yet. When the Ikari Warrior does get in range, though, Hayato is ready to back up those words.
Before Clark can reach him, Hayato brings his right fist swinging forward in a powerful overarmed blow. He slams a punch straight into the top of Clark's head, driving his face all the way down into the dirt before Clark actually manages to get his hands on the gym teacher.
Well, ow.
Apparently, Clark just isn't fast enough. He doesn't have the time to quite reach Hayato before he's slammed into the dirt with a declaration that he needs to mix things up a bit more. Still, though -- he knows that, even with this, the match is still close. And if Hayato wants him to mix it up, well...
... the moment that Clark slams face-first into the dirt, blood puddles up and seeps into the ground. But, only a few seconds afterwards, still grounded... Clark lashes out, with a single hand, seeking to grasp onto Hayato's ankle. If he succeeds? Well, he'll rear up just as suddenly, and then -whip- Hayato into the air, weights and all, before sending him CRACKING into the dirt in a single, simple motion with near bone-cracking strength. Not exactly fast, but... hopefully it'll get the job done if it should connect. If.
COMBATSYS: Clark can no longer fight.
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Hayato 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Hayato dodges Clark's Strong Throw.
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Hayato 1/-------/=======|
If Hayato could actually see the look in Clark's eyes, it'd probably be further incentive not to get grabbed. As it is, he doesn't need too much more. The gym teacher leaps somewhat ungracefully out of the way as Clark grabs out for his ankles, stumbling backwards and falling over as the weight of his vest brings him off balance. He crashes down a bit hard on his back, but manages to pull himself up into a sitting position. Enough to show that he's still got some fight in him, if Clark isn't quite as finshed off as he looks. "You're pretty good, pal! Got some interesting techniques there. We should get a drink sometime, trade tips." Not that Hayato really needs an /excuse/ to go get a drink someplace.
COMBATSYS: Hayato has ended the fight here.
Log created on 18:03:23 07/30/2007 by Hayato, and last modified on 19:00:55 07/31/2007.