Description: Zach continues his Neo League activities, facing Ingrid this time. Zach loses the match but gains something more important. (Winner: Ingrid)
Southtown is pretty infamous for being the fighting center of the world, let alone the fighting center of Japan. It's almost a given that when there's going to be a fight in Japan it'll be at or near Southtown. The Neo League is trying to change that, however, not only because Southtown might be getting more attention than it deserves, but because there's so very many other wonderful spots in the island country to visit. Today's match up between psycho power wielding fighters is going to be in one of the most obvious of these; the base of Tokyo Tower. An utterly beautiful sight, with the sun already set and all the lights on the tower shining brightly. It takes a fisheye lens to actually get the tower in all it's majesty, but it is an incredibly impressive view.
One of the participants in today's fight is one Ingrid Holmann. She doesn't have a very good record in the League, with literally no points to her name, but at the same time she's fought superstars such as Ken and Sagat, which don't lend to doing very well with the way the current point system is distributed. It may be easy to underestimate her, but any footage should show she can be a force to be reckoned with in the right circumstance.
This sixteen year old Norwegian is currently relaxing, standing around outside the designated ring, a nebulously cordoned off area, and mingling with the crowd. She's starting to gain a bit of a following, and it appears she doesn't mind chatting with her fans, preferring a more normal approach to it than inspiring hero worship.
Her opponent, however, lacks such an impressive record. Zach's current standing is the result of a major upset draw against the then number two ranked Hotaru Futaba. He /has/ met Ingrid however, even if he never got the young girl's name that time.
Glen arrives to no fanfare, no screaming fans. He prefers it this way; he would not be comfortable with it. Ingrid would likely feel him before sight or sound help her out; this loud, barely controlled mass of.../something/. Zach pulls his cap off, and pushes his hair back before resetting the head piece.
"Excuse me are you Ingrid...Holmann," the older man asks, "...Oh! Hey! It's good to see you are okay," Zach states with a wide grin. "I understand we will be fighting here today." He glances at the fans, "They...may want to step back though."
Ingrid turns around slowly when Zach approaches, so that by the time he's made his way over to her, she's facing him. "I am, yes. It's good to see that you've recovered as well. That was a rather... intense experience, was it not?" She smiles to the man and brushes her hair back behind her shoulders, "Yes, I suppose that would be wise. It just wouldn't do to have the 'fans' get in harms path, now would it?" A faintly amused look crosses her face when she mentions the fans. They're a relatively new thing to her.
"Yes; it will be interesting to see how this plays out. You and I both seemed to have quite an effect on that powerful man, didn't we?" She then turns her back to him and begins heading for the large, unoccupied area. "Hurry, hurry! We shouldn't keep our fan's waiting, now should we?" Yes, that's definitely an amused little smile.
Zach does not look like he gets whatever is amusing Ingrid, "Yeah. I think we did, actually..." He scratches the bridge of his nose, "Though...I'm not really sure how. I didn't get /half/ of what he was talking about," he says as he glances up towards the top of the Tower as he follows her into the 'ring area.' He mentally marks the area off...easily a good fourty feet across. Good; the odds are pretty low if things get...bad. He glances over at his white haired opponent as he slides into a somewhat mobile stance, "I'm ready when you are..."
COMBATSYS: Zach has started a fight here.
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Zach 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Zach focuses on his next action.
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Zach 0/-------/-------|
"Oh, he was mostly talking about how it was harder to deal with the type of energy you and I use compared to what the vast majority of combatants do. I'm sure you've noticed... The power that we use is unique to ourselves." Ingrid smiles warmly, "It's a wonderful gift, to be sure." She turns around once in the relative middle of the 'ring' moving herself into an open stance, one with her arms held down by her sides, the girl swaying slightly from side to side. It wouldn't be a hard thing to guess it emphasizes mobility. "I can assure you; I'm quite ready." She doesn't appear to be making the first move, however.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid has joined the fight here.
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Ingrid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zach
COMBATSYS: Ingrid focuses on her next action.
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Ingrid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zach
Zach frowns at the mention of 'gifts,' tensing up slightly. He shufflesteps a bit closer, firing off a quick punch to the shoulder as he does so.
"I...wouldn't call it a gift," Zach states flatly, "All I can do with it is destroy."
COMBATSYS: Ingrid blocks Zach's Quick Punch.
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Ingrid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zach
Ingrid shakes her head a bit while closing her eyes, "Oh no, it may not seem like it, but it truly is a blessing. You can express yourself in ways very, very few can match. It may seem like a curse at times; trust me, I know this as much as anyone, but in the end I think we're better for it."
Her little speech aside, she readies herself for the blow, taking it on the shoulder and twisting to the side to lessen the impact. "There are some that have turned this power into the ability to mend. If pure destruction nags at you, you could seek one of them out. You could help many people in such a manner." While in close she swings her arm in an underhand motion, her own energy manifesting as a stream of glittering golden sparkles that trail the limb, a shining ball flying out from her and lifting into the air briefly before falling back down in a sine wave pattern.
COMBATSYS: Zach slows Sun Shot from Ingrid with Warning Shot.
Glancing Hit
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Ingrid 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Zach
Zach whips a hand up, firing off a small bolt of his own purple power from each palm. The shots arc before smashing into the Sun Shot in an explosion of color. Zach is unprepared for the remaining power of Ingrid's as it slams into a shoulder, sending him skidding back with a gasp.
"Hafta... hafta learn to /control/ it, first..." Zach counters. "If I can't..."
Ingrid nods her head at these words. "Yes. Yes, you are entirely correct. Control of ones energy is the key. That is what you might call my specialty. Perhaps I could give you some assistance, if you'd like? I too once had power like yours; so strong that it could overwhelm ones senses and release unwontedly at the blink of an eye. Those days have been gone for a long time for me... but one day that power will come back, and I must be ready for it. Just as you must learn to master yours."
That ended up sounding a bit more self-centered than she'd intended, her wish being to tell him that he's not alone in his plight. There are others, and they can help, if he so chooses.
But there is a fight on, and she can't just let up when it's just begun! She leaps up into the air and then comes down towards him quickly holding out one leg in an attempt to plant it firmly in his chest. She hasn't tried jump in attacks like this very often lately; lets see if she's gotten rusty!
COMBATSYS: Ingrid successfully hits Zach with Light Kick.
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Ingrid 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Zach
Zach staggers back with a gasp as the foot strikes home. He smiles slightly, "I think... I'd like that very much," he says with total certainty.
The burning sensation in his shoulder, and the stinging in his chest remind him that he has a fight to get to, however. He tucks his right fist in close, channelling power into it untill it wraps around his fist and forearm like a hazy glove. "But we have a fight in front of us. We should finish that first."
Zach steps in, and fires off a punch with that 'gloved' hand.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid counters Shatter Strike from Zach with Sun Upper.
- Power hit! -
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Ingrid 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Zach
Ingrid nods, "Yes, we really should, should we not? It would, after all, be a waste of these peoples time, who were so nice as to come watch us." She takes a quick step back after she lands, staying close but giving herself enough room to react to his moves. The psychopower laced punch seems like a more powerful attack, likely one that'd hurt tremendously if it were to land. With that in mind, Ingrid readies herself for the perfect moment, and then quickly leans forward and points into the air directly in front of herself, a disk of swirling golden energy forming in front of her and intercepting the attack.
The fist hits the disk dead center, and the energy inside that disk suddenly disappears as it wraps itself around Zach, Ingrid quickly swinging her pointed hand high into the air, the energy flinging the older fighter skyward before simply letting him drop harshly back to the ground.
Zach lets out something of a yelp as he is thrown, and a pained grunt as he hits the ground. He rolls back a few feet, his eyes closed. His arms flare up with that same power; pruple, laced with black highlights now as it rages beneath the surface. When his eyes snap open that same power pours out of them, hiding the green eyes that held their first genuine smile in quite a while not moments before.
The weight of it seems to bear him down; it feels like it is almsot as bad as the first time but at the same time... not. He strains, focuses, tries everything his limited training can call to mind as he tries to bring it back down...under control...safe.
COMBATSYS: Zach gains composure.
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Ingrid 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Zach
Ingrid may be in the middle of a fight, but let it be said that she will at least fight with honor. Attacking someone while in the middle of attempting to control their power from completely overwhelming them isn't something she considers honorable. Perhaps if this were a life or death struggle she would strike, but it is not. It's a match in a league for points, which while important to her, isn't as important as letting her opponent gain his bearings. Besides, it isn't as if she can't gain a bit of a rest herself.
"Take your time. I'll give you as long as you need." She gives a little smile, "I'm sure our audience will forgive us one little lull, don't you think?"
COMBATSYS: Ingrid gains composure.
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Ingrid 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Zach
Zach squeezes his eyes shut again, focusing harder still. There are people watching, people who have nothing to do with this fight other than to spectate. If it were just him and her, he would not be as concerned; she asked for the fight, Ingrid living or dying is not completely in his hands. He balls his hands into fists, then opens them slowly. The exercise is not too different from one of his training regimens; summoning small bursts at will.
The glow around the arms starts to subside somewhat...
COMBATSYS: Zach gains composure.
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Ingrid 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Zach
Ingrid nods to herself a little. "You seem to be getting the hang of it; at least for the moment. Control is as much about releasing energy harmlessly as it is creating potent attacks; I'm sure you're well aware of that." She watches him curiously. "You shouldn't be too worried about my health, either. I can assure you I'm quite capable of taking care of myself, and the medics here are the best around." As for the spectators... well, that is why the ring is such a large one, isn't it? The blonde taps her chin a bit. "Hmm..."
COMBATSYS: Ingrid focuses on her next action.
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Ingrid 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Zach
Zach nods slightly, focusing the power from both arms to just one. When he opens his eyes again, there is no trace of the energy pouring out, allowing those green eyes to peer brightly from beneath the brim of his cap.
"If I did not know any better, I would say that you planned most of this," he chuckles, "But you /did/ ask for it..." Zach leaps skyward, collecting the power between open palms now. It should look familiar; there are only so many variations on the 'really big blast' motion. Zach's tends to follow the Shinku Hadouken style as he floats over Ingrid for just a moment before slamming a pillar of bright purple energy directly down on her with enough force to hold him off the ground for a moment.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid endures Zach's Burst Stream.
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Ingrid 1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0 Zach
Ingrid smiles to him when he seems to get his energy back under the control he usually has. "I wouldn't so much say that I planned it as I stumbled on to it, but I suppose that's not so far from the truth." Zach jumps up into the sky, and prepares an incredibly powerful blast of energy. The blonde teenager simply stands inert, and smiles, and then the onslaught comes. If Zach is very in tuned to his power, which might not be likely considering his lack of control, he'll feel it smash into the steel hard barrier of her soul. The energy assaults at her, but rather than fighting it off she accepts it, allowing it to rend at her as much as it can, simply opening her eyes back up and letting out a soft sigh when it's over.
"Yes... you are powerful. Very powerful, in fact. The potential within you is great, and if harnessed I'm positive you could do amazing things with it." She then brushes her hair back over her shoulder, and moves in, rushing up to Zach and aiming a quick, simple slap for his cheek. But don't be offended, she simply slaps rather than using a closed fist. "Hah!"
COMBATSYS: Ingrid successfully hits Zach with Quick Punch.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Zach
Zach... is the polar /opposite/ of sensitive. His own power prevents it, actually. It's like trying to listen to a conversational level of volume while standing next to a jet plane.
Zach lands, and recoils from the slap, his cheek reddening as he sways a bit. He attempts something very simple; he hooks an arm under the slapping one, and tries to toss the girl over his hip. It's crude, unrefined. It may not even work.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid dodges Zach's Strong Throw.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Zach
Ingrid withdraws her arm away from him, and suddenly flings herself into the air, twisting as she leaps away and drops down to the ground with ten or so feet of distance between them. She seems to be enjoying herself. "Good! Keep fighting. There's one thing you should always know above all others. Never give up. Never allow yourself to think you're defeated, or you truly shall be." These words spoken, she doesn't even move in to attack. She's hammered on him pretty hard, so far, and kept him from every really moving into a groove. She wants to see him at his best, and assaulting him right now isn't the way to do that.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid takes no action.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Zach
Zach eyes the girl warily; this feeling...
He gasps for a bit of air before speaking, "Feels... kinda like I'm fighting myself here," he says as he tries to catch his breath again. This fight, despite the short amount of time it has been going, feels in some ways more difficult than the fight those two shared. Zach steps in, firing off a quick kick aimed at the girl's flank.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid dodges Zach's Light Kick.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Zach
Rather than something elaborate like before, Ingrid evades this time via simplicity, twisting to the side and allowing the kick to just brush past her clothing. She spins back around to face him, and then in one quick motion bends down and picks up some loose rock from the ground, blasted free by that powerful attack he sent her way earlier, and lightly wings it at the back of his head. "In a way, you are. You're always fighting yourself, when you fight an opponent."
COMBATSYS: Zach negates Thrown Object from Ingrid with Warning Shot.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Zach
"Not what I meant," Zach grunts as Ingrid flings a rock at him. He snaps a hand up, firing off another short blast of violet energy.
This time, it has the intended result: the rock shatters in a cloud of dust before it hits him. Zach's breathing really hard now; the fight is catching up to him...
"Hmm... I suppose it's because I've been playing a defensive game to see how you stepped up your attacks." Perhaps she was wrong; maybe in order to see his full potential she has to force him into a corner and make him show his all. With this in mind, Ingrid dashes towards him quickly, suddenly dropping down to the ground and planting her hands against it, swinging her legs out hard in a circular motion and attempting to kick his legs right out from under him before quickly getting back to her feet.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid successfully hits Zach with Heavy Kick.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Zach
Zach's eyes bug out as he suddenly loses his balance, and starts to fall towards the ground...
...but not before Zach does the one move he 'perfected' before any other. He thrusts a palm forward, summoning forth a beachball of the violent power. It takes up a bit of a rotation before before disappearing completely. Zach crashes to the ground, gasping for air. "I... don't think... I can move..." he gasps with a chuckle.
COMBATSYS: Zach can no longer fight.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
COMBATSYS: Ingrid dodges Zach's Impulse Flare.
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Ingrid 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
Ingrid does hit the ground, and fast, dropping herself low to sneak under the rotating ball of raw energy. "Whew!" She stays low to the ground as Zach topples over, and then cordially extends a gloved hand in order to try and help him up. "You gave it your all, and for that I thank you." It's pretty true that if he had gotten some early hard hits in this would have been a much different fight, perhaps causing her to fight more conservatively, and lose advantages she held.
"I'm sure you're going to be very powerful once you get your power under better control. It'll be fun seeing how you develop." It probably sounds odd, considering that Ingrid is herself only perhaps a year or so ahead of Zach in terms of training; or how long it took her to train to her current level, at least.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid has ended the fight here.
Zach tries to raise an arm to try and get up. He grins tiredly, "I think I'll just lie here a moment...try to catch my breath." He chuckles, "That was good. We should do this more often..."
Log created on 17:59:42 08/16/2007 by Zach, and last modified on 15:24:11 08/17/2007.