Description: Iori and Kurow go head to head in one of the closing season matches, and luckily Iori is stupid and tough enough to eat all of Kurow's attacks and still live. (Winner: Iori)
As this season of the Neo League comes to a close, a lot of fighters are looking to improve their standings -- the less well-off ones by knocking down a top competitor, the more well-off ones by stomping someone into the ground for that little edge they need to come out on top. At this stage in the game, it's entirely possible for a massive upset victory to happen at any time, so long as someone honors a challenge.
In this case, the person that has been challenged is Iori Yagami, scion of the Orochi-tainted family and surprising hero in strange situations. The challenger? A man who would appreciate Yagami's help in something, in spite of the fact that mere months ago he'd wanted to fight against him. Funny how things change when you suddenly share a desire to see someone die.
Kirishima has named the Red Arena of Masters Stadium as the location for his challenge -- the landscapes give him, he feels, a drastic advantage in having an environment to manipulate. And beyond that... they give him a place to hide things, which he naturally spent some time before the match doing -- who /wouldn't/ like to have a convenient heavy weapon stored away in the arena?
The time for preparation is over, of course -- now Kurow just waits for the opponent he's challenged, standing on the stepping stones in the watery part of Red Arena's disparate environments.
Does Iori care about Neo League? Only partially. On one hand, it's hard not to have a little bit of fighter's pride in your standing, and the fact that an obviously less talented person is above him in the rankings and about to win is a little... 'annoying' is probably the word.
So when he was challenged by the Kirishima kid, Yagami's usual reaction of 'blow it out your ass' was magically changed to 'gladly'. It's probably some sort of grudge match on Kurow's end, but for Iori it's a chance to crush Shinobu's dreams and displease Geese by raking in some advertising by winning Masters' tournament.
As it's an exhibition match on short notice, there's not much of an audience, mostly Neo League employees and some trainers or rookie fighters who happened to be at the arena. So, when Iori takes the stage through a door in the side, there's no thunderous amount of applause. The redhead takes his position at one end of the sandy area, dimly realizing through his nonchalance that Kurow's probably hiding somewhere in the trees.
Ah, displacing someone beneath you and displeasing Geese Howard. If nothing else, the two fighters are on exactly the same page on those particular motivations, and anything Kurow can rub in Geese's face is fine with him. Even if he loses, Iori and Kurow have risen to become some of Saturday Night Fight's top 'heels,' and seeing them on another business's circuit pulling in viewers should be a fine way to slap Howard in the face.
Kirishima takes a long, flat leap forward, onto the other end of the sandy portion of the arena -- it makes it easier for the viewers, and it's at least good sportsmanship. "I'm pleased to see you made it here, Yagami," he says, tugging his clawed gloves onto his fingers and rolling his neck once. Flaring the claws out, he continues, "But let's skip the formalities. I have something to discuss with you later... but let's not keep them --" he gestures to the crowd momentarily, "-- waiting."
Slipping into stance, he waits for Iori to make the first move -- he is strongest, after all, when he lets someone /else/ take the initiative, and can start capitalizing on the openings in his or her style. Let the /opponent/ make the mistakes, after all.
COMBATSYS: Kurow has started a fight here.
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Kurow 0/-------/-------|
Iori brings up a hand to rub his forehead, looking down his nose at Kurow. He reminds him in some ways of Rugal, which would probably be a compliment to the younger fighter, something that stills Yagami's tongue. Wouldn't want people thinking any pleasant thoughts. Especially since Kurow's promising discussion afterwards -- and Iori's pretty sure he knows what he's going to say.
"Yeah, screw them. I'm gonna get this done with fast so this damn thing ends on an anticlimax. Wouldn't that be great?"
The redhead trails off, dropping his hand and hunching forwards slightly. He takes one step forward, and then suddenly breaks forward into a lightning-fast run with his arms outstretched to snatch Kurow up and do something hideously painful to him.
COMBATSYS: Iori has joined the fight here.
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Iori 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
COMBATSYS: Kurow dodges Iori's Koto Moon Negative.
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Iori 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
Kirishima is on the ball -- as soon as Iori starts talking, Kurow readies himself for something hard -- and when it comes, he knows exactly what to do. As Iori stretches his arms out, Kurow drops his body straight down, moving in a hard roll to the right that takes him out of the way of the Koto Moon attempt, springing back to full standing form just as quickly. "Somehow," he says, off-handedly, "I doubt that."
Kurow's seen Iori fight more than once -- he's fast, but he doesn't use it, for the most part. He's like a solid wall of offense, and Kurow needs to account for that in his techniques; small amounts of harassment are going to get him nowhere. Kirishima needs to take Iori down, hard and fast. There's no other way.
He pulls a hand back, and then engages in the simplest of all offensive tactics, one Iori himself is probably quite familiar with. He just rushes in, going for a two-handed downward swipe with his claws to draw some blood.
COMBATSYS: Iori interrupts Fierce Strike from Kurow with Yumebiki.
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Iori 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Kurow
Iori skids to a halt as soon as he passes Kurow, eyes wild as he looks for the younger fighter and spots him after a half second. It's not too late for him to get out of the way, but there's an itch that won't be satisfied until he's hit his opponent at least once.
The redhead brings his arm up, intercepting the doublehanded slash with his forearm. It cuts, but it doesn't cut enough, and ends up leaving Kirishima in a less than favorable position -- one that Iori takes advantage of with a quick rake of his free hand across Kurow's face. With the same momentum, he spins around, withdrawing his blocking arm and then using it to backhand Kurow right across the jaw.
When the man with the ridiculous haircut slashes Kirishima across the face, Kurow is forced to stagger back, trying to stem the flow of blood and staining those red gloves a slightly deeper shade. He backs away from Iori, dripping crimson onto the sand -- and retreats, as before, to the shallow pond on the other end of the arena.
Rather than stay on Yagami, knowing full well what that will get him, he decides to instead study the man. Yagami's more experienced than he is, that much is for certain -- or at the /very/ least, his genetic memory is even better. But even the most experienced men in the world have openings in their defenses, little places that bear improvement. As Kirishima's eyes scan over Iori, he uses the one advantage he /can/ claim over Iori, in hopes that it's enough: his mind.
COMBATSYS: Kurow focuses on his next action.
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Iori 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Kurow
Iori steps back, relaxing his intense stance for just a moment to bring his now-bloody fingers up to show to his opponent. With a grin, he wipes it across his chest, leaving blood on his pectorals. This is what is commonly referred to by SNF fans as 'the ya otome signal'. Maybe it'll happen, maybe not. It's more of a meme than a law.
"Relaxing? Let's not drag this out! That just gives the pain a chance to catch up to you before you can get to the hospital!"
Like any true fighter, Iori responds to Kurow's obvious attempts to center himself by doing the most assholish thing possible: throw fireballs at him to mess up his mojo. The redhead clenches his fist, surrounding it in purple flame before gesturing forcefully towards the ground. An orchid of Orochi-tainted fire splits off, slamming into the arena floor and kicking up sand as it speeds towards the ninja.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Kurow with Yami Barai.
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Iori 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Kurow
The burst of Orochi flame travels across the ground, across the water -- and knocks Kurow squarely into said water. It's shallow enough that he comes back up almost instantly, but nonetheless, it's both humiliating and painful. The water doesn't weigh Kurow down, though -- he's up and running at Iori again just as quickly as he was knocked into the drink, and with new tactics, besides.
The youth rolls forward toward Iori, springing up just as he passes and whipping a claw out to the side... but not nearly close enough that it could actually hit Iori. Is he so winded so soon that he can't even judge distance properly, forgetting some of the most basic rules of battle?
The swipe of chi left in the air behind him, floating toward Iori to cut him, certainly says not.
COMBATSYS: Iori endures Kurow's Kuukan Saki.
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Iori 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Kurow
Iori is at least somewhat surprised -- he doesn't quite remember this move. Unfortunately for Kurow, the redhead has a far more strategic mind than he gave him credit for. The way Kurow moves, the feeling in the air, the sense of chi; it all adds up to Yagami knowing exactly what's coming towards him.
And, surprisingly, not caring.
The Orochi scion pivots in place, tracking his opponent through the air so he can get a good idea of where he lands. See, when you put yourself out there like that, it's hard to alter your course mid-momentum. Kurow is probably usually saved by the fact that most people are too busy dealing with the attack to take advantage of this, but Iori doesn't seem very phased by the energy slice cutting into his back. His eyes go wide, and he jerks forward a bit, but that only serves to get him stumbling towards Kirishima.
"I WANT YOU TO CHOKE TO DEATH ON YOUR OWN BLOOD! HRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAGH!"
And then, Iori seems to fall. It's clear it's not from the pain of the attack, if only because how swiftly it turns into an offensive action. Hands burning bright with poisonous chi, the redhead slams his fists into the ground, creating a crater as a giant gout of fire flies across the ground. Every so often it becomes unstable, exploding upwards in pillars of fire in which the vague shape of skulls can be seen.
"DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!"
COMBATSYS: Kurow parries Iori's Ya Sakazuki!
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Iori 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Kurow
The technique is familiar to Kurow, if only indirectly -- it's like a slightly more mobile Raging Storm, he thinks to himself, as the redhead creates that gout of fire. And the Raging Storm -- the move from which Kurow's own Eye of the Dark Storm draws no small amount of inspiration -- is something he knows how to handle.
Kirishima stands tall as the gout of flame flies across the sand, raising both hands high. His senses are thrown for the shortest of moments as he recognizes that taint for the first time -- he'd never paid it attention before, but now, it's something he's dealt with from more than just Iori. It's more intense in the redhead's bloodline flames, but there's no mistaking that same strange aura that occasionally slips in, just a little, in the assaults of Rugal Bernstein.
It's not enough to throw him off his game, though. When the gout of flame is mere inches from Kirishima, he slams his hands straight down, cleaving through the pillars entirely, sending them careening off into the safety walls. "IS THAT IT?!" he yells at Yagami as his hands make impact with the floor, sending up a pillar of golden blades that converge on Iori, ripping through him. "THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH TIME TO SUFFER!"
COMBATSYS: Kurow successfully hits Iori with Kirishima Shinkuu Yamiarashi EX.
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Iori 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Kurow
Iori is too far gone to notice the results of his assault on Kurow. When the response comes, he's hunched over and breathing heavily. The knowledge that an attack is coming is there, but at this point it's taking a lot of effort to just stay on his feet. He's sure he can take it and--
"GWWOOOOOOOAAAAGH!" the redhead shrieks, jerking upwards as the chi blades slash through his thick skin. Not literally, though there is blood, but rather it is one of the few times that Iori is actually staggered by an attack. A quick step backwards is enough to steady himself, but he's clearly shaken.
Iori coughs hoarsely, exhaling a bloody mist as he steps forward to try to pick up where he left off. There's no taunts, not even a yell, but there's a certain sadism in his eyes that wasn't there before.
The redhead's advance is slower than previously, but at the last moment he leaps forwards with surprising speed, turning around and bringing his clawed hand downwards to smack Kurow to the ground, aided by a burst of flame.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Kurow with Tsumagushi.
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Iori 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Kurow
The only thing Iori is probably cognisant of, at this point, is the loud 'thud' of Kurow's body against the ground when he's hit down by Iori's hand. It's a wonder he doesn't stay down, but -- well, Kurow's been described as a cockroach before, and there really isn't much more apt a description. He pries his bruised broken body up from the ground again, gritting his teeth. There's not a whole lot he can do at this point except hope for the best with what he does next -- and hope he can move fast enough to deal with everything else that comes after.
Kurow's shoulder, one of the few parts of him that /doesn't/ yet ache uncontrollably -- comes slightly forward, as he drops low in what looks like the posture of a 'conventional' athlete getting ready to run.
The youth needs to make this count for all it can, which is why he spends a second making absolutely sure that he's got all of his proverbial ducks in a row before launching himself forward, trying to shoulder through Yagami's legs and unbalance him.
COMBATSYS: Kurow successfully hits Iori with Kirishima Kyoujuu Reppa.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Iori 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kurow
Perhaps it's desperation that gives Kirishima an additional burst of speed right as he nears Yagami, plowing through the larger man's legs as if the size advantage were his. "Kirishima-ryu..." he hisses as he focuses his chi, leaving dozens of claw marks like the one he attacked Iori with earlier directly behind him as he runs forward, dragging Iori along behind him with that energy.
It is only when he stops that he finishes declaring the attack's name, yelling "KYOUJUU REPPA!" as the man flies up and forward in front of Kurow -- who takes advantage of the opportunity yet again, leaping up and swinging a hard axe kick right into the airborne man's gut to send him back down. "You've softened up since we last met, Yagami! Or is it not having Kagura backing you up that's weakening you so?"
Iori shakes the stars out of his eyes just in time to see Kurow barreling towards him. He falls forward, but not into the ground; rather, into blackness.
What seems like an instant later, he wakes up a few feet away, staring towards the ceiling with every muscle in his body aching. He can't hear anything but his heart thudding rhythmically in his chest. It feels very hot, like the arena suddenly became a furnace. As he rolls over and pushes himself to his feet, the redhead's hands unconsciously burst into flame. For some reason, it feels good -- the pain, that is. It still hurts, but... it is a good pain.
"Ha... ha ha ha... ha..." Iori sputters, shakily leaning from one foot to the other. It looks like he's going to fall over at any moment.
"Ha ha ha... HA!"
With almost necromantic energy, the Orochi scion lurches forwards and almost disappears from view, dashing quickly along the ground, hunched over like an animal. His hand rakes upwards, not touching Kurow but bringing with it a rift of flame cutting through the air.
COMBATSYS: Kurow dodges Iori's Yami Sugi.
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Iori 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Kurow
When Iori's arm whips through the air, Kurow has only the smallest moment to react. He doesn't have time to consider anything but pure, simple survival; his body whips back, and while it seems a futile gesture, Kurow is blessed with good luck today. The flames do nothing more than singe his modified Justice High uniform, and when he stands again, he does nothing but crack a smile.
The fight is his to end, he thinks to himself. It is his by right and, no matter the cost, he /will/ end it. The youth closes his eyes for the smallest of moments, trying to visualize the end to the fight. It only takes a moment before his eyes snap open, and he believes himself ready to take control of the battle.
His experience with Raizo has taught him how to use the Demon Wheel with more force, more directness -- both entirely necessary when using such a slow, vicious attack. When he leaps forward and curls into that black ball of chi, claws of both energy and metal whirling around his whole body, it is not the slow, lazy hover he put to use and caught Takuma with in a previous battle that involved Iori. It is a fast, cruel strike, a merciless launch forward that seeks nothing save Iori's blood.
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Kurow's Yasha Guruma.
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Iori 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Kurow
Iori falls to his knees when Kurow leaps away, shrieking horribly as the excess flame explodes from his hands and briefly engulfs his form. He's invested too much into the fight to safely deal with the tainted energy, and it has taken its toll on him. The redhead shakes with effort as he makes it to his knees, blood trickling from his lips. It's almost the end for him, be it from Kurow's claws or the curse laid upon him from days past.
Yagami has, at least, the presence of mind to lift his arms up to greet the sphere; the momentum is still enough to send him tumbling backwards into the ground again. Laborously, Iori rolls away back to a crouching position. There's another surge of flame coming upon him, and at this point he just wants Kurow dead so he can go somewhere and not have to deal with other people for the rest of the week.
With a grunt, he raises his arm, steadying it at the elbow with his other hand. A blast of chi spirits forward, unfocused but still deadly.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Kurow with Yami Barai.
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Iori 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Kurow
That blast of chi catches Kirishima as before, sending him sprawling down into the sand again. The youth considers his options -- keep his body in better shape, or try for the victory. Lying down and recuperating certainly has its appeal, but at the same time, how much of a slap in the face would it be for Geese to hear that a hastily-planned exhibition match was more intense than his own fights could ever hope to be?
It's this that prompts Kirishima to pull his body back out of the sand one last time, for one final blow. It's not much -- all he does is swing a leg up toward Yagami's thigh with as much force as he can pull from his aching body. As his vision swims and he looks upon Iori for what may be the last time today, he assesses the man's numerous wounds and -- even if he fails -- can at least affirm one thing to himself:
He did better than before. It's improvement. /Something's/ working.
COMBATSYS: Kurow can no longer fight.
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Iori 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Kurow's Light Kick.
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Iori 0/-------/----===|
Iori gets to his feet, which he suddenly realizes may be a mistake. If he were to be knocked over, he doubts he'd have the strength to stand back up again. Maybe, maybe not. His blood feels like it's boiling, and his breath comes in irregular rattling bursts. There's a very real feeling of a snake coiling around his lungs -- not his ribs, but his lungs, preventing him from breathing or keeping air in his body for anything more than a split second.
Through the blood-haze, however, Iori can sense Kurow coming towards him again. The other fighter's movements are clumsy, thanks to fatigue and pain. He could try to move out of the way, but the redhead doesn't trust his own balance. It's much easier to just deny the younger fighter outright.
"Hrrrrgh... HA!" Iori spits, lashing out with his leg and intercepting Kurow's kick, not in an offensive action but rather in a steely defense that's merely a bit proactive. Shifting his weight to that foot, Yagami leans forwards and puts all his remaining strength in a vicious haymaker straight to Kurow's jaw.
Somehow, he remains upright. When it becomes apparent that the last exchange ended the fight, the referee shouts "WINNER! EE YOR EE!"
Iori doesn't move for several seconds, standing over Kurow.
COMBATSYS: Iori has ended the fight here.
Kirishima stays conscious, but it's only by a thread; he looks up toward Yagami, trying to avoid showing the very real fear that the Yagami scion is putting into him. He does stay down for the full count, though -- Iori certainly has this match firmly in his hands, and the officiator clearly knows it. The haymaker has him down.
"Excellent... /excellent/..." he says, forcing a smile in spite of the pain and the mortal worry. "You really are a match for Kusanagi... heh." He rolls over on his side, but keeps his head tilted toward the cursed man, as if wanting to be sure that he has a good bead on him at all times. Taking eyes off Iori, after all, is a dangerous thing.
Iori's not likely to suddenly haul off and start beating Kurow after a match. Or maybe he is, considering how he's treated other official fighting events with such disregard. Truthfully, the thought has occured to Yagami, but currently the benefits of feeling his flaming fists forcefully fondle Kurow's fearful face are outweighed by the killer headache that he's just barely keeping at bay by standing still.
"Yeah?" the redhead mutters, muscles in his neck tensing and untensing. It seems like he's only half-paying attention. "Is that why you challenged me? Not really a smart thing to do."
"You could... say that," Kirishima says, taking a deep breath as he watches Iori closely. He waits for the cameras to finally shut off, now that the fight is concluded. His voice drops to a whisper when he explains, "Kyo Kusanagi has been a thorn in my side for months, as has that pathetic 'disciple' of his -- all of Taiyo High, really, except..." He rolls a little farther over, spitting up some blood before he continues.
Perhaps words get away from him. Perhaps he drops it intentionally. Whatever the case, he elaborates, rolling back over, "I want him... and every last vestige of his presence on the earth... erased." His eyes narrow as he looks up toward Yagami, saying, "... and I know I'm not the only one. Aid me... and I will ensure that..." Here, he takes a deep breath, trying to keep himself conscious, "... you get your fated battle with Kusanagi."
"Ha ha," Iori replies dully, his hair obscuring his eyes as he tilts his head down. He seems to be recovering from the fight right in front of Kurow's eyes; even now his posture is more solid than it was moments before. A strange thing, that.
The redhead turns away from the younger fighter, jamming his hands into his pockets as he does so. "I'll tell you what. You think long and hard about how you plan to do that, and come and find me when you have a really good answer."
It's not the first time he's been offered a facilitated duel to the death with Kyo. Rugal did it, Geese did it, and even Vega probably would have done it if Iori was four years younger and female. It's not that he doesn't have confidence that Kurow has thought up something hideously devious before breaking the news to him, but after a fight like that the last thing on Yagami's mind is talking.
He leaves the arena like a stormcloud, but luckily most Neo League officials know to get out of his way.
Log created on 15:32:53 08/28/2007 by Iori, and last modified on 05:49:28 08/29/2007.