Description: Duke is out enjoying the night sky during opera intermission, when SUDDENLY he is ransacked by a purple-haired maniac!! Watch in shock and horror, as Krauser and Duke exchange... pleasant introductions?! Despair, as Duke punches Krauser, and then is atomized by critical hitting fists!! Gasp in shock at the twist ending!! Featuring: SOMEONE DIES!? You really think I'd get over that plot hook by now, but no. Also, no one dies.
So far, the training that Wolfgang Krauser had been subjecting himself to was helping, but something just didn't seem quite right.. not quite complete. Even in training, there was a rather notable difference between those who didn't want to get hit because it was training, and those who didn't want to get hit because they wanted to break your face into small pieces. It was that particular violent edge that the German's training was missing, and he decided that he would have to take to the skies in order to find a proper training partner, be it willing or not.
Word of one of his half-brother's lieutenants having been found in Metro City guided his flight to that airport. While he knew that Duke may be in the city, the chances of finding him were likely slim. So it was to the square that he went; the heart of the city, and one of the most likely places for anyone to be found. For once, he was about as incognito as a near-seven foot tall purple-haired German nobleman could be; a nice button-up dress shirt and slacks, nice shoes.. and, well, the purple hair and mustache. "It will be fortuitous if he does end up being here. I would hate for this trip to be for naught."
It has been a busy past few days, but there's something that always holds constant: no matter how hectic...
... one can never be too busy for opera.
This is a belief that the Syndicate lieutenant has held true for many years now. His transfer to Metro City had been one in the making for years now -- the opera house stands as testament to this, even if only he and a small handful of others know his part in its creation. It serves as a private locale where he can go about constructing his plans, but more than that... the opera house serves as a place where he can indulge in one of his favorite art forms. It is a relaxing experience, one that allows him to think. Concentrate. And with the recent activity and rise of new gangs in Metro City... that is exactly what the man known as 'Hell's Executioner' needs.
It is as Krauser lingers through the square, then, that he might notice someone from out of the corner of his eye. Sheer happenstance brings Krauser to the city on a night that Duke has deigned to observe an opera in public, rather than lingering in his study. Dressed in an elegant, black three-piece suit, Duke has decided to step outside during the opera's intermission, as the high class of Metro hobknob within the atrium. Hands in his pockets, the man looks towards the sky, silent and with lips pulled into a distinct frown. Whether it be luck or fate, it seems that the very man Krauser seeks has just stepped out right across the street. How fortuitous, indeed.
Oh, what luck of timing this would be. The rumors had spoken of Duke's love of this particular fine art, but Krauser had no idea that it would lead him right to the Syndicate lieutenant so quickly. "Mind the car." The driver nods back to the German, who pushes away from the section of car he was once leaning against. He takes a moment to loosen the buttons that hold the wrists of his long-sleeved shirt closed, then he rolls the sleeves up a bit as he starts to approach the opera house. Duke, most likely, could see him coming from a mile away.
"Duke." A slow smile starts to pull at his lips, and a low chuckle rumbles as he approaches to within speaking range. "I did not expect that luck would lead me to you in such short order." He looks down to that fancy suit for a moment before shaking his head. "A pity that such a nice suit will have to be ruined, but..." It's at that point that he cracks the knuckles of his left hand, then the right. ".. I did not come all the way from Strolheim to simply appraise your taste in clothing."
Of course, you would have to be blind not to see a man like Krauser coming at you. Not for his height, or his abominable size -- but because of that distinct, purple hair. It's the first clue that Duke receives as he makes note of it out of the corner of his eye. Almost instantly, that frown of his deepens just a -touch- more. Yet he makes no movements, not attempts to leave nor preempt the inevitable encounter. Rather, he simply stands where he is, his right hand sliding out of his pocket. As Krauser advances, Duke's fingertips touch against his concealed neck, tracing something that cannot be seen through the collar of his dress shirt. He smiles, if only wryly.
Wolfgang Krauser," Duke utters the name in full knowledge of just who this man is. One doesn't achieve his rank in the Syndicate and -not- know who people like Rugal, and Kain, and Krauser are. Why are they -always- German? "You did come a long way from Strolheim," he notes casually. Yet even as he speaks, Duke almost nonchalantly unbuttons the front of his jacket, sliding it off one arm, and than the other. He doesn't want to get -that- ruined, at least. Though... "It wouldn't be the first time. Since you've singled me out, and you know my name, I'll go ahead and assume you know just who I am..." His sentence trails here as he turns to finally face the full frame of Krauser, a brow lifting in a dull sense of curiority.
"So I'll also assume this isn't a social call. But for the sake of courtesy... what do you want?"
"I've decided, lately, that there are far too many things that I have let slip to the side, Duke.. things that I have failed to act upon with due diligence." Seeing both Krauser and Duke together, the crowd is starting to put two and two together; people clad in nice suits and fancy gowns are starting to push back and away, creating a large circle around the both of them, providing more than ample space for what they know is coming. "My dear brother has been a taint and a plague to those who abide by the law." The smile starts to widen across his face before both hands curl into fists. "And it is long past time that all those that act under his jurisdiction see the error of their ways." Again, another chuckle before he uncurls his right hand, only to beckon Duke towards him. "Be it by their own willingness, or if it involves me being forced to show them."
COMBATSYS: Krauser has started a fight here.
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Krauser 0/-------/-------|
"So," Duke muses as he unbuttons the cuffs of his shirt, staring at Krauser with that cold rage that boils behind his gaze almost constantly, "because you want to remove Geese, the 'taint,' you've decided to beat up on his lackies instead?" The enforcer considers this for a moment, before his shoulders roll in a shrug, his body lurching forward into a simple battle stance. "That must make you feel awfully daring, huh? ... But it doesn't matter. If you want to fight me..." Duke pushes off his right foot, breaking out in a run towards Krauser.
"... then I'll -OBLIGE YOU-." Rushing in towards Krauser in a rather straightforward run, Duke seeks to pivot his body within a few feet or so from the German battlemonger. His upperbody twists, his right fist swinging forward in a simple hook aimed for Krauser's jaw. No time for words. No time for discussion. Just a swift, testing prod into Krauser's defenses, delivered with a deep growl of, "GRAAARGH!"
COMBATSYS: Duke has joined the fight here.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Krauser
COMBATSYS: Krauser endures Duke's Strong Punch.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Krauser
He won't disclose the real reason for coming and tracking down Duke, but that reason will be close enough for now. He tilts his head back just a little, glancing down at the incoming Enforcer before he nods. "As I would hope, Duke." That fist slams iinto his jaw, and the German's head cocks back a little, but his eyes remain locked on the Syndicate strongarm. "Don't hold back on my account. Please, give it your all. I'd hate to think you were pulling your punches just because your employer and I are family."
His left hand reaches down to shove Duke back a couple steps, and he slides back at the same time. As his left arm reaches full extension, whether it be by Duke moving or himself, his other arm comes around a moment later, sweeping across in a wide sidearm. The palm of his hand lights up in a fierce red glow just a moment before his fingers curl around the sphere of chi that forms there, gripping it and hurling it that short distance, right towards Duke's midsection. "BLITZ BALL!"
COMBATSYS: Duke endures Krauser's Blitz Ball.
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Krauser
So, it's going to be one of -these- kinds of fights, is it? Duke feels the lack of give beneath his fist, noting the strength that Krauser is renowned for. The man's iron hide is much like Grant's, and this is something that the Syndicate enforcer keeps in mind. If he can take a hit as well as Grant, odds are his physical prowess is on a similar level. He is undeterred, however, snorting at Krauser's words just as that chi becomes evident across Krauser's arm. "Trust me..." he begins.
"... I wouldn't hold back on that account."
At nearly point blank range, Krauser launches off that sphere of power. Rather than even attempt to outmaneuver it, however, Duke instead steps -INTO- it, greeting the sphere with an explosive BURST upon impact. While this attack alone may have been enough to launch many individuals straight off their feet, Duke bears through the entirety of it. And as that chi explodes...
... he lances out, with a single hand. His aim? To get a solid grip onto Krauser's violet hair. If he does, he'll wind back, and SLAM his fist into the other man's gut to stun him, before following up with an uppercut to the jaw to launch him into the air. From there, he winds back, before unleashing a THIRD punch -- aiming to SLAM it straight into Krauser's chest and send him flying, even as Duke's body still smokes from the previous attack. "HRAAAGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Krauser with Crack Up.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Krauser
The sudden move to just push straight through the chi strike catches the German off guard, and it's not long after that when he finds fingers rather painfully tangled into his hair. The pull into the next strike is enough to send him off balance, and stumbling right into the oncoming fist. It buries itself into his gut, causing the normally steady Krauser to double over. The next combination sends him airborne in short order, tumbling a full 360 degrees in mid-air before he slams into a nearby wall at high velocity. It's there that he rests for a few moments, then a low chuckle rumbles in his throat. "Good."
From a blow that would probably completely destroy smaller people, the Strolheim lord manages to find his feet a short time later. "I would hate to think that Geese would hire someone weak enough to fall from a single blow." He takes a few moments to brush himself off, then he tilts his head sharply enough to cause an audible crack of vertebrae realigning themselves. After a short push off the wall, he's moving right towards Duke again. There's no bright announcement of chi this time, just the charge of an upset German noble. As he gets closer, both arms come up, then he takes a short hop into the air. His fists clasp together as they lift, then as he drops down, his arms descend in a short, fierce double axe-handle blow aimed for the side of Duke's head.
COMBATSYS: Krauser successfully hits Duke with Medium Punch.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Duke 1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1 Krauser
All large men have a weakness. Duke doesn't care for such, however; Krauser, much like Grant, came here searching for something. And the Southsynd enforcer is going to show him -exactly- what he is looking for, no matter what the outcome may be. So, as Krauser lifts off his feet, Duke says nothing. Instead, he simply stands up fully, rolls his neck... and waits.
Whatever he is waiting for doesn't really take long to come to him. Soon enough, after a push, Krauser is blurring at Duke with -impressive- speed. The man doesn't really have much time to respond; soon enough, Krauser is upon him in a sudden BURST of speed. The airborne nobleman catches Duke before he can put up a solid defense of any sort, and soon enough that hammerblow SLAMS against Duke's head with such -ferocity- that he is sent blasting straight off to the side. A trail of blood follows in his wake as he crashes into a nearby building, bricks loosing and falling as his head dents straight into the wall. Physical strength to match Grant's, to be sure. But even so...
... even so, Duke gets up slowly afterwards, his gaze almost impassive save for that ever-present sense of rage -- not at Krauser. A rage that just seems to be in a perpetual state of consuming Duke's gaze, a rage that propels him -forward- as blood stains his goatee. He wastes no time; his right hand cocking back, he swings it FORWARD, aiming to plant a most vicious haymaker across the side of Krauser's face...
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Krauser with Volcanic Bomb.
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Duke 0/-------/----===|=======\======-\1 Krauser
One strike. That single haymaker brings with it an oddly -explosive- amount of force, carrying more than enough power to floor even a mountain of a man like Krauser. The carry through is titanic, and Krauser would likely leave a large, German man-shaped crater in the wake of it... if Duke allowed him to. Instead? Instead, as Krauser falls, Duke sweeps -out-, gripping the nobleman by his legs. Making sure his grasp is secure, Duke begins to rotate 360 degrees, swinging Krauser across the ground and lifting him higher and higher as that momentum increases. Once... twice... three times. And then...
Release.
Like an extraordinarily oversized ragdoll, Duke FLINGS Krauser into the skies. But that's not the end of it. As Krauser goes soaring? Duke follows after in a blur of a run, rushing just underneath the nobleman. With a leap, Duke greets the purple-haired battlemonger as he descends, getting a solid grip on him, lifting him up... "GRAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!" ... and then just POWERBOMBING him into the street with such -ferocity- that the cement and concrete all literally -explodes-, SLAMMING Krauser into the ground with so much force he creates a massive crater beneath the man. Upon contact with the ground, Duke leaps back -- allowing Krauser to deal with the aftermath. "... hmph."
It looked to just be another incoming haymaker. Krauser gave it no real initial thought, other than to brush it aside as he did the first strike. But when it slams into his head, there was far more force than he originally expected, and he almost manages to hit the ground. Instead, he's sent airborne, and brought back down with enough impact to drive him several inches into the concrete. Rocks and debris are actually sent airborne as Krauser is buried into the cement, and he just stares upwards, quite thoroughly stunned. But slowly, just as before, one massive hand plants itself palm-down on the ground, and he works to extract himself from the crater. The other hand hits a moment later, and he lifts himself out. Pebbles fall down off of him, and the amused look has left his face. "Hmph." Echoed sentiments. Duke's brief statement mirrors Krauser's mood rather succinctly.
"You fight well, Duke. Though I despise you as a member of Geese's cadre, you've earned my respect as a fighter." Both palms start to glow a faint blue now, and the German slowly straightens up to his full height. The glow whips up in intensity in a matter of moments, and his left foot slides back as his arms come up to his sides. Both hands slam forward, quickly extending to full length as he throws his entire body forward. Right where his hands stop, all that gathered energy focuses itself in a fireball easily the size of Duke itself, exploding from his palms and ripping across the distance between the two fighters with all the force of an angry mack truck.
"BEHOLD! KAIIIISER WAAAVE!"
COMBATSYS: Krauser successfully hits Duke with Kaiser Wave'.
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Duke 1/---====/=======|=------\-------\0 Krauser
This is it. The Kaiser Wave. It's a technique that Duke has never had the... privilege to see before, not even during his fight with Rugal. As he notes the ebb of blue chi around the German's hands, Duke's body tenses noticeably. "And you're just as powerful as they say." He wonders, briefly, if this man might be just powerful enough to bring down his own half brother, Geese. It's something to consider, but then -- Krauser would require a special touch in order to guide to such a point. And besides--
--You can't really consider these things 'in-depth' when a gigantic wave of white-blue fire is about to blow you up.
The attack moves -fast-. It's far more than Duke would have ever expected. Within the span of an instant, an inferno of chi is upon him. He attempts to take it all in, to simply -BARE- every single moment of it... but to no avail. Consumed in the storm, Duke's fancy attire is burned, skin charred, before an explosion -shakes- the foundation of the entire block. For a long moment, through the dust and the haze, one might assume that Krauser has just -incinerated- Duke. But... as time passes?
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!" A single fist SHOOTS through the dust, wreathed in fire.
%Krauser will see it at a distance as the smoke clears; Duke is -somehow-, -someway-, still standing. His entire body is smoking, but it isn't just because of Krauser's mighty attack. Flames of utmost intensity, born from Duke's rage, rise around his fists as he lifts them up. And in a single, simple moment... Duke lets out a blood-curdling yell, and SLAMS them into the ground.
That's about when everything explodes.
In a single act of intensity, Duke releases every -ounce- of his rage upon the sidewalk, beating his fists against it. The moment those fists make contact? The entire ground all around him and Krauser, for a vast radius, EXPLODES in the wake of a sudden firestorm of power. Gigantic boulders of rock and rubble burst outward from the ground as the chaotic inferno seeks to engulf everything around Duke... Krauser included. "HRAAAAAAAAAGHH!!"
COMBATSYS: Krauser blocks Duke's Ground Zero.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Krauser
There were a few tense moments in which Krauser wasn't sure what was going to happen; was Duke down? The answer came soon enough, though, in the form of a loud, screaming, angry man. An eyebrow arches up as he watches the smoke and flames rising through the dust that lingers from the aftershocks of the Kaiser Wave, and Krauser sliiiiides back a step. But that's all the time he has before the explosion hits. All he can do is throw his arms over his face and chest, ducking his head down behind his forearms and letting the roar of the fire sweep over his arms and legs. The boulders smack against his limbs as they rise out of the ground, but Krauser just remains with his head down throughout the onslaught. When everything fades away, his head lifts again, and eyes narrow.
Having seen not one, but two of Duke's strongest techniques thrown at him, it was quite rapidly decided that it was time to bring things to a close. He darts forward just a few quick steps, one arm reaching in an attempt to hook around Duke's midsection. Should the first arm gain hold, the rest of the body will slide behind the Enforcer. He'll grab with his other arm as well, then take hold and lift Duke not just up, but completely overhead. Krauser's entire body arches backward for a moment before bringing the other man down to an abrupt stop, slamming Duke's tailbone into fine German-crafted knee at high velocity.
COMBATSYS: Duke Toughs Out Krauser's Cliffhanger Drop!
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Duke 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Krauser
Even in the face of Krauser's overwhelming strength, and -- debatably -- one of his greatest techniques, Duke still stands. He takes a slow, staggering step forward in the aftermath of his assault, obviously just barely clinging to some semblence of consciousness. But it hardly shows in that fiery, determined gaze -- or even in his walk forward as it begins to progress. Growing more and more smooth. His gait is almost -casual- as he strides with one goal in mind -- Krauser. Almost like a single-minded zombie does the man move, until finally... he feels the grip of the massive German enclose around him. He hardly even reacts, lifted into the air. And as Krauser thrusts downward in such a blurring, speedy strike, Duke's right leg lifts. And the moment that his tailbone SLAMS into Krauser's knee with a sickening crack...
... Duke doesn't even show so much of a grimace as his dirtied shoe SLAMS into the ground beneath them.
In no more than a split second, as Duke rolls away from Krauser's grip and onto a knee, the ground shakes. Seeking to disarm the German, it is followed by a sudden, bursting -wave- of fire which spreads in a circle from Duke himself, blazing across the ground to slam into Krauser... and blast him backwards. All the while? Duke says nothing. He just stares forward, cold and -determined-.
COMBATSYS: Duke has reached second wind!
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Duke 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Krauser
COMBATSYS: Krauser fails to slow Seismic Impact from Duke with Double Blitz Ball.
- Power fail! -
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Krauser
It was a bit of a shock that Duke just.. well, just up and rolled away from that. I mean, he /heard/ the crack of bone hitting bone, and the only reaction that he got from him is an annoyed stare? Unfortunately for himself, Krauser hardly has time to react before there's a sudden rumbling of the ground underneath him. Both hands suddenly reach out to either side of him, palms starting to glow red, but the eruption of fire overtakes him before he can get either hand up. The ensuing shocks send the German down to the ground hard, slamming the back of his head against the ground in the process. It's there that he just lays, momentarily stunned, vision blurring just slightly.
There is a reason why Duke is such an intimidating presence. And while his power is indeed great, it's not that which has made him so notorious. It's his drive. His determination to continue on no matter what the costs. The ability to -keep going- to a degree that some might believe him to simply be -immortal-. As Krauser strikes the ground, Duke lifts up from it, his collar burned away now to reveal the long, jagged scar that runs across his neck. His hand lifts, fingertips touching against the length of it and sliding across that entire circumferance... before he simply lowers himself, and stares towards Krauser.
There is no time for waiting or hesitation in a fight. And, true to this form, Duke does not stop. Instead, he walks towards the large man, until finally breaking into a short dash. Seeking to swoop down and catch the other man by the head, Duke will literally -lift- the other man up off the ground in a sudden forward jerk of motion, using uncanny strength to simply SLAM him into a nearby wall. "HRAAAAAAARGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Krauser fails to counter Quick Throw from Duke with Atemi Nage.
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Duke 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Krauser can no longer fight.
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Duke 0/-------/-======|
Krauser never quite had time to recover from being planted once again into the ground. The repeated shocks to the skull have shaken the German up, and as he regained his equilbrium, Duke was already rushing at him once again. He hardly had time to sit up before he was being yanked off his feet and tossed about for who knows how many times. It's easy to lose count when your cerebrum is getting jostled like a pinball. Both his arms come up in an attempt to swat either of Duke's arms away, but without enough strength gathered to move them, he's brought up and just slammed back against the wall. He slumps against it again as a low chuckle starts to rumble in his throat. "Still not enough, I see." He pushes away from the wall, then shakes his head for a moment as he just turns and starts to walk towards his car. "I will have to continue training. My efforts thus far have not nearly been enough." Duke, for the moment, is just put out of his mind outright. He still has Rugal to deal with, and he can't even win against one of Geese's enforcers.
The driver opens the door, and if no attempt is made to stop Krauser, he'll simply slide into the back seat. The driver will then get into the front seat, rev the engine, and drive off.
Silence, for a long moment, as Duke steps back and observes Krauser. It's clear Hell's Executioner is ready to strike again, if Krauser puts forth any effort to assault him once more. But, at that cuckle, Duke's stance relaxes considerably. He shows no weakess to him aside from the obvious injuries, the slight pant of his breath. Instead... his hands slide into his pockets, and a thick, black brow arches. "Don't think little of me," he instructs simply as he turns, neck rolling with a crack. "... you're strong. But me?" As Krauser walks off into his car, Duke begins to walk off, only giving a brief glance over his shoulder.
"... I'm immortal."
He says nothing more after that, sweeping down to pick up his jacket. He inspects it, and then looks towards the rest of his ruined outfit with a distinct frown. "Hnn." He can't go finish the opera with his outfit in a state like -this-. But with as much disrepair as he and his clothes are in, he walks with a content look upon his face. He's learned something today. And now?
It's time to see just how he can use this newfound knowledge.
COMBATSYS: Duke takes no action.
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Duke 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Duke has ended the fight here.
Log created on 15:59:34 08/09/2007 by Duke, and last modified on 20:48:41 08/09/2007.