Description: What do you get when two old men are pitted against the famous 20 year old high school student and heir to the Kusanagi flames on a boardwalk? Answer: Kichiga eating up the MUCK Power Hit quota for the month of September. GOOD GOING KICHIGA WAY TO STEAL. (Winners: Heidern and Kichiga)
It had been some time since Commander Heidern of the Ikari Warriors chose to step into the world of public fighting. For good reason, really, as the last time he participated he was nearly assassinated by his rival, Major Schugerg. But if there's one thing the Ikari Commander has sought to make painfully clear to most, if not all, of his enemies, it's that he refuses to die. Not until his business is finished.
But if he is to succeed, he needs to continue to improve his skills as a fighter. Participating in sanctioned events such as these were one of many ways to accomplish precisely that. But the commander finds no thrill being here. In fact, the man stands by himself at the boardwalk's edge, clad in a deep, olive green trench coat, arms folded across his chest as that solitary blue eye peers toward the stretch of ocean ahead of him. As expected of the taciturn soldier, his features remain lacking in emotion, that single eye lacking the vibrancy of feeling. He's just here.
Behind him, the SNF crews have already begun the final preparations. Setting up cameras and various equipment, they tirelessly work and toil, waiting for the other fighters scheduled on this less-than flashy venue to arrive. The boardwalk isn't as spectacular as, say, Howard or Masters arena. Or some foreign, mysterious country mountaintop. But the home turf match gives the denizens of Southtown SOMETHING to take pride in. And why not? The famous Kusanagi scion is here, pitted against a pair of mysterious old men.
It should be entertaining, at least.
Most people wouldn't know to look at him, but Kichiga Kyoufumaru, one of the highest-level teachers of history at Justice High, is wearing a mask. Standing there, head down, eyes closed as though in thought, both hands resting on the end of his cane. He looks as though he's reflecting on the match ahead with a gentle, methodical mind.
In reality, he is mastering the desire to cause agony that curls within him. His eyes are closed because, so close to a fight, they risk bubbling over with blood-red light. His knuckles are nearly white on his cane. He wonders to himself why he has done this - never before has he fought without the mask over his face allowing him to take the mask off of his mind. But in a school like Justice, it's almost expected that the teachers be fighters, much like the rest of that group of schools in Southtown.
Finally, he feels he has himself, and Kichiga tilts up his head, staring ahead with what appear to be unremarkable blue-grey eyes. He fights not to turn to look at Heidern, to stare deep into his soul and see what emotions he seems to be trying to chain. That is not what this is for. For the older man, this isn't an outing with fun in mind - this is work, another brick laid down on his new persona.
Kichiga takes his weight off of his cane, spinning it once in his fingers before lifting up his arms, palms out, standing nearly on his tiptoes. He has a faint, kindly smile.
Roughly ten meters away from Heidern and Kichiga stands their opponent for this evening, the recent winner of the World Warrior tournament, Kyo Kusanagi. Like Heidern, the scion of the flames is making his return to the Saturday Night Fights after a long absence. However, motivations for entry into this event are completely different: Kyo would never willingly volunteer for anything that could be considered "work" or "practice," he didn't sign up to keep his skills sharp, or to work towards some goal.
Kyo fights because that's what he is good at, and he enjoys an excellent fight, the chance to test his mettle against worthy opponents, more than anything else.
And so his demeanor is also completely different from his opponents as well; he stands in the middle of the wide boardwalk, lazily tugging on the backs of his trademark fingerless gloves, pulling them tight against his hands. Every so often his glances up at his two opponents with a small smirk.
When he's satisfied with his gloves he tilts his head up and peers at Heidern and Kichiga with a bemused expression; "I have to hand it to the organizers, they've always had a sense of humor about the matchups! Of course, you two geezers aren't gonna be laughing once I'm through with you!" His fists clench and his eyebrows lower slightly, "It's just your bad luck: I've got a lot of steam to blow off today!" Meeting up with that K' guy and his crummy attitude always pisses Kyo off.
*FIGHT!* comes the official's call, and Kusanagi is off like a bolt, dashing recklessly towards the Ikari leader and the schoolteacher. It looks like he might just try to plow into one of them, but a couple meters before that happens, he plants off the boardwalk, sending a plume of splinters behind him as he shoots up into the air. The jump is a wide, arcing one that carries him towards Kichiga, hopefully landing a hard downwards kick to the guy's head or shoulder area.
COMBATSYS: Kyo has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Heidern has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Kichiga has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kichiga
Whatever "inner turmoil" faces Kichiga Kyoufumaru, Heidern seems oblivious.
In fact, the old, one-eyed soldier of the Ikari only briefly regards his teammate, that blue orb peering with muted interest at the curious - and likely older - man. Reflecting or plotting; it matters little to the Ikari Commander. He seems more intent and focused on the fight that awaits both fighters. Where Kyo may have skill and natural talent, these two have years of experience under their belts. It's just a matter now of who will prove the victor here.
Looking away from his teammate after a nod to acknowledge him, the soldier turns completely, facing the younger opponent as he readies himself for the battle ahead. Taking note, the old Commander lifts gloved hands and, with a casual tug, peels the trench coat from his body, casting it aside on the boardwalk. It is of little concern to the man. His interests are instead invested in finishing this fight as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
But ah, the ego of youth. The words of the Kusanagi are met with a lifeless smirk, his single blue eye narrowing discreetly as he listens. "We'll see who is laughing, Kusanagi," he warns, his words hinting with the faintest promise of a threat. "Just try to keep up."
With a cry of "fight" the match has begun, and with it Kyo leaps into action, his target the other elder man present. Frowning ever so slightly, the old Ikari makes no move to interrupt or immediately aid his teammate - not yet. Instead, that single, piercing eye watches Kyo closely, marking his every movement, however slight, ever so patiently...
COMBATSYS: Heidern focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Heidern
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Kichiga
COMBATSYS: Kichiga blocks Kyo's RED Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Heidern
> /////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
Kichiga reacts with a fluidity that should be impossible in a man of his age. His hands come up, palms just lightly touching Kyo's leg as he directs the strike away from him. The impact still rocks him, but it could have been so much worse. Kichiga tastes the anger, hot and burning... but not intense. No, Kyo is not angry at him, but who? He cannot tell. Not Heidern, either.
The teacher continues to move with the momentum of the kick, turning around with barely a whisper on the sandy wood at his right hand comes out to grab ahold of the fabric of Kyo's black jacket. If he gets that hold, his sleeve billows and a few chains lash out, glowing a pale blue, to wrap around Kyo and lift, whip out, and slam him into the ground a few feet away before pulling back. No arrogance, nor worry - the old man appears unconcerned that he's fighting someone with more raw talent than he's ever had.
COMBATSYS: Kichiga successfully hits Kyo with Behold Hell.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Kyo 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Heidern
> ////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
The old man reacts just a bit more quickly than Kyo had anticipated, and ends up getting ensnared, and then tossed aside, by bizarre chains of energy. The binding grip hurts somewhat, but he's able to free himself from the chains hold before he gets slammed to the ground. Still airborne, he generates a two plumes of crimson flame, one in each palm, and overhand heaves them towards Heidern, who seems to think he can just sit back and wait for an opportune moment to attack!
Moments later, the scion of the flames lands about as far away from his two opponents as when he started. He skids backwards to a halt on his feet and one hand while he watching the twin fireballs careen towards the commander of the Ikari Warriors.
COMBATSYS: Heidern endures Kyo's Yami Barai.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
> ////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
As expected, Kichiga handles the attack with impressive ease. It draws the faintest of smirks to haunt the old soldier's lips, weathered features vaguely amused before it simply drops back into the typical expression of nothing. The old soldier just watches, as Kichiga reacts and slams the Kusanagi into the ground. A faint noise rumbles in the man's throat, a sound of mild curiosity as he watches, even as Kyo flies and summons his flames.
And they're launched. Right at Heidern. But the old soldier doesn't move. He simply lets the flames of the Kusanagi crash into his form, the slightest of jolts his response. Briefly, Heidern's eyes flicker toward his chest, where the front of his uniform has been singed by the chi flames. Then that single eye slowly rises up, focused on the Kusanagi boy.
Squaring his jaw, the soldier jerks to life. Lunging for Kyo, Heidern's gloved hands lash out in an attempt to get a hold of his collar. Should those hands make purchase, Heidern's ankle will shoot out and drop his legs from under him while slamming him groundwards, where the Commander will simply lift a hand up high and drop it, fingers first, straight into Kyo's gut before kicking him aside.
The chains slide back up Kichiga's sleeve, vanishing to... wherever the things Kichiga keeps in his sleeves go. Unlike Heidern - Kichiga can tell something is their, but kept in tight control - Kyo's feelings are an open book. So he knows that the young fighter isn't going to come at him, and takes his time pressing his hands together, and moving in at the spot where the student and the commander are tangling. He waits for the perfect moment.
"Ah, you young whelps... so quick to dive in." One leg comes up, hands still pressed together, and it leaps up for Kyo's arm. The old man then, if he finds purchase, /walks up/ Kyo to send the other foot at his head, leaping back and gliding through the air to his feet as though gravity has difficulty holding him.
COMBATSYS: Kichiga successfully hits Kyo with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Heidern
> /////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Heidern's Lead Belcher.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Heidern
> /////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
Kichiga's unusual kick strikes Kusanagi in the chin and sends him stumbling a few steps backwards, whereupon Heidern pounces upon him. Still having some cobwebs from that old dude's unnaturally spry maneuver, Kyo is easily entrapped by the Ikari commander. He's thrown to the ground, almost getting the wind knocked out of him, but manages to keep his wits about him, enough so that when Heidern goes for the killing blow, he rolls to the side to avoid the strike.
Heidern's fingers stab through one of the thick planks of the boardwalk like it was balsa wood, an impressive display, but it immobilizes him long enough for the split second it takes for Kyo to roll onto his back again, bringing with him a nasty right hook to Heidern's face as well.
COMBATSYS: Heidern interrupts Medium Punch from Kyo with Moon Slasher.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Heidern
> /////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
The old Justice High teacher proves more spry than one would be led to believe. Luring the youth into his grasp, his attack lands solidly and ultimately sends the young Kusanagi stumbling backwards. That is when the Ikari makes his strike - pursuing Kyo, Heidern snares and ultimately grounds the young man. But when the man lifts and expectedly sends those deadly digits falling toward Kusanagi's stomach, those fingers meet no flesh. Instead, the bury themselves into the boardwalk planks and ultimately THROUGH, splintering wood and sending it splashing softly into the ground.
Heidern seems not the least bit bothered by this outcome.
Instead, the man rises up once more, withdrawing his arm from the wood beneath before he turns to face the young man. And when he turns, it's just in time to witness a fist flying right for his face. Again, Heidern does not move. Instead, the knuckles lightly graze his weathered face...
...and then he is a blur of motion.
Dipping low, Heidern coils an arm before he suddenly moves into Kyo, a rising lunge of sorts as he snaps his arm out. His fingertips slice through the very air, a flash of blue-white energy cutting through the air between himself and the Kusanagi, to cut fiercely into his chest without remorse.
Kichiga is a relatively inexperienced fighter - most of his life he was chasing other pursuits, never realizing how well his unique power translated to direct offense. Even then, he tends to do these things to people who cannot fight back nearly as well. He entered SNF to acclimate himself to his new environment - fighters have such fiercer emotions than most, and fights are when they tend to be released.
The old man decides to risk it, using a slight variation of one of his signature techniques when in his more... well-known persona. His hand whips out, and a small metal ball on a thin chain whips out, arcing impossibly through the air to seek out Kyo despite his close quarters with Heidern. It seems he is perfectly willing to stay on the sidelines in this fight. A faint blue haze rises from the ball, expanding out into a cloud of brightly colored psycho power on impact.
Aside from the curious sensation psycho power brings, it seems Kichiga is using it as a conduit for something more... sinister. The cloud carries with it a pure psychic impression of terror and confusion, enough to put nearly anyone off of their balance for an instant, wearying the body along with a storm of whispers, barely on the edge of hearing. Heidern is not close enough to take the brunt of this effect... but he can probably feel the barest shadow of it.
COMBATSYS: Kyo catches Dark Censer from Kichiga with Nue Tsumi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Kyo 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Heidern
> ///////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
It seems like he's landed a solid blow on Heidern... until the old geezer just turns around and does his fingers-as-blades trick, completely suckering Kyo into a nasty hit. He rolls away from the Ikari commander, one gloved hand moving to gingerly touched the brand-new slash wound decorating his chest.
"Tch..." Kyo spits, disdainfully at first, but then he adopts his usual shit-eating smirk, "It's good to see you old farts aren't as slow you look!" Kyo remarks, jovially. While he's talking he casually swipes a flame-wreathed open hand across the air, intercepting and cutting through the energies produced by Kichiga's pyscho powered chain attack. "Hmpf... so you use 'that' power-" Kyo puts up his dukes again, waiting for his opponents to come for him. Despite the stacked odds and seemingly dire situation he's been put in, the young heir to the Kusanagi legacy seems to be enjoying himself. "Sorry pal, but I've faced a lot scarier guys who had the same stuff as you! Come on!"
"My apologies," the commander simply states, his features stern as he looks toward Kyo from over a shoulder. Only after the youth has staggered back does the old soldier loosen up a bit, his arm losing its tenseness as he drops it easily to his side. That single eye of his narrows only slightly, gazing at Kyo with the faintest glint of interest. Aren't as slow as they look?
The old soldier of the Ikari scoffs. However, he says nothing.
Instead, the soldier drops a hand to his hip, the other hand crossing over his chest. With a hand raised by his shoulder, a strange red haze erupts from around the man's thick boots. It lingers like a fog, the energy swirling and snaking its way around his legs, around his body and over those long arms. At the core, the commander just watches Kyo, that one good eye of his focused entirely on the youth.
Heidern bides his time, as patient and composed as ever.
COMBATSYS: Heidern gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Kyo 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
> ///////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
Even as the steel ball flies back into Kichiga's sleeve with no apparent influence from his arm, he's already coming forward. He catches the chain a few inches behind the ball, a slow, sick smile spreading over his face. The mask is slipping, ever so slightly, but he doesn't care. Kyo pushed, ever so slightly, the only real button the old man has.
"Ha ha ha... ah, to be young again, and to think you know the extent of the world. You have not breathed enough air yet, whelp. You do not know..." He swings the steel ball ahead of him like a holy man's censer, dispensing another cloud of 'mist' that completely obscures him from sight. If Heidern is going to take a step back, it falls to him to press things and keep Kyo from finding a center.
The pale blue mist surges forward until it surrounds Kyo, faint whispers coming from behind Kyo, no matter how much he turns, assuming he does. Kichiga's own voice comes from everywhere at once. "...what fear truly is." And then the attack comes.
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Kichiga's Phobia.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Kyo 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
> //////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
Kichiga's cane slid out from his sleeve once the mist was dispensed, spinning in his hand as he swung it at Kyo's ribs. The attack is meant to be in three parts... but he won't get past the first attack anyway, cutting off as soon as it fails to connect.
Kyo mutters as he's surrounded by the thick fog. He's trained in blind fighting, thanks to his father, but he's never liked it; he likes to see the faces of the people he's beating into a pulp. The attack could come from anywhere, and Kichiga's mocking old man voice reverberating seemingly all over the place doesn't help when it comes to pinpointing the source of the threat.
His instincts don't fail him this time. Kyo hops backwards, the cane swiping in front of him and missing by a mere inch or so. Moments later the young scion of the flames bursts out of the cloud of mist, immediately scanning around the boardwalk for any signs of Heidern, who appears to have given him the slip...
COMBATSYS: Kyo gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
> //////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
The fog produced by Kichiga is particularly odd, evident by the slightest arch of Heidern's brow over that single blue eye. But his expression remains calm and composed, as an odd air of red surrounds him. That aura fuels him, so to speak; gathering his energy, the old soldier bides his time for the moment. Likely, what's said by the old man is a sentiment Heidern shares; however, the old Ikari just keeps his mouth shut.
He'll leave the provocation to Kichiga.
Clearly Kyo chooses to bide his time. Frowning slightly, Heidern bows his head a fraction of an inch, that single eye narrowing slightly, ever so faintly. ..before it goes wide, blue depths as cold as ice as he suddenly lunges toward the Kusanagi boy and lash out, a fierce swipe of deadly fingers meant to leave a lasting mark across the young man's chest.
The mist vanishes as though it never existed once Kyo jumps out of it - it doesn't follow normal physical rules, being simply an extension of the old man's mind. The cane slides back into his sleeve, and his left hand sweeps over the bald top of his head, looking like a faintly mottled egg standing from the medium-length fringe of limp hair. His grin has shrunk back down into that faint, grandfatherly smile. He realizes that he must master himself again, lest the mask slip.
So, Kichiga pulls his hands up, going back smoothly into his stance as his eyes stab out toward Kyo, breathing deep as he samples the emotions around him - Heidern remains a tightly controlled blandness... a slight twinge of thoughtfulness, however. Something caught his attention. His power? Kichiga fights paranoia down, there is nothing to suspect. The Ikari are likely unconcerned with crime such as his.
It takes a brief effort for the old man to focus himself entirely on the Kusanagi, waiting, watching for his next move, feeling what he decides an instant before he acts on it. He cannot be caught unaware.
COMBATSYS: Kichiga focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Heidern
> //////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
COMBATSYS: Kyo counters Fierce Punch from Heidern with Nue Tsumi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1 Heidern
> //////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
Heidern and Kichiga have been able to successfully keep Kyo from focusing on one of them at a time, weaving in to attack one at a time while the other stays back out of harm's way. It's a smart strategy, and it's been keeping the young flame-wielder on his toes.
He keeps his eyes on Kichiga, waiting for the crazy old geezer's next move, but is forced to switch his attention once again when Heidern lunges at him. Kyo whirls around to address the military man, and having already suffered the effects of Heidern's blade-like fingers across his chest once before, is able to respond in kind. He catches the older fighter's hand by the wirst, neutralizing his slash, then uses the grip to pull Heidern towards him so that the Ikari commander's collarbone makes a less-than-soft landing right on Kyo's turned shoulder.
While Heidern takes the initiative, it would appear that Kichiga takes the defensive, stepping back to gauge the situation and, more importantly, observe his opponent. The old Ikari can respect this, so he has no qualms in giving the man time to consider the next, possibly best course of action. In fact, the man dares to smirk. It fades quickly enough.
And with that, Heidern moves, lunging for the Kusanagi, his intent clear - perhaps too clear. Lashing out, the Ikari's assault is otherwise stopped cold and, in one movement, a shoulder slams into his chest and collarbone, causing the man to grunt faintly. A minor setback, obviously; the soldier recovers quickly enough, staggering lightly back before he sports a tiny smirk once more.
With the young man close, the old soldier simply turns, quite suddenly. He pivots on his heel, an attempt to suddenly lash out a leg and plant the heel of that thick military issue boot in his chest, to send him staggering back and away.
And now comes the time for the assault. Kichiga sees the perfect moment, and reaches down, reaches for a reserve that a man of his age shouldn't even have, much less be able to draw from. He reaches into his soul, and - if someone is watching - blood red Psycho Power bubbles out around the contacts he wears to mask his true eye color as the muscles in his neck tighten.
The steel ball comes out again, swinging out in front of Kichiga, the teacher creating another cloud of pale blue, to obscure the blood red that is beginning to rise out from him. He does not yet have the mastery to fully control himself. The blue is a concious choice - he manifests a deep red naturally. He waits for a beat after Heidern's kick to continue the attack. The end of the cane, a blade of blood red power extending from it like a longsword, emerges from one side of the cloud as a trio of chains lash out from within. They travel unerringly toward Kyo, trying to wrap around him - and pull him in.
COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Kyo with Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 1/----===/=======|=======\=------\1 Heidern
> //////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
COMBATSYS: Kichiga successfully hits Kyo with Terror of the Unknown.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 1/--=====/=======|=======\=------\1 Heidern
> //////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Kichiga
The chains wrap around Kyo as he rebounds off of the military man's boot. All the conditions are right, and he's pulled into the cloud, obscuring him from sight. Even he cannot see within... but he can certainly feel.
The mad laughter of Kichiga's echoes from everywhere within, but does not leave the cloud. No, this is a show for Kyo's and Kyo's alone as the cane lays about, slamming in at all angles, burning, freezing, every kind of pain at once. Heidern - and our viewers at home - see thin waves of red lash out from the blue mist at regular intervals until the cloud bursts apart, leaving Kyo there alone.
A few seconds later, Kichiga reappears across the boardwalk, seeming to coalesce in thin air, the cane slowly sliding up his sleeve.
Kyo tries some fancy evasive maneuvers, but for his trouble he gets booted in the chest by Heidern, sending him into a staggering backpedal that leads him right into Kichiga's clutches. Bound by the chains, he isn't able to struggle free from them before all the slashings begin. Once the mist fades, the cameramen lense in on the batterd Kusanagi warrior, giving the audience at home an eyeful of his tattered clothes and cut-up body.
He's clearly hurt now, but shows little sign of stopping, instead, for all of Kichiga's theatrics and Heidern's stoic assasin personality, he's still smirking... and he still has a plan. "What were you saying earlier? Something about fear?" He asks, focusing entirely on Kichiga now. He produces a flame in the palm of one hand and shows it to the masked criminal, "Only thing I'm scared of is that I'll have such complicated, boring techniques when I'm your age! Here-"
He raises the hand above his head. By this point, the flame has grown, spreading over his arm and eventually his entire body, giving him the appearance of a human torch (and likely discouraging Heidern from attacking his blindside, least he get burned). "-This one is simple." And it is: He merely swipes the arm down in front of him, and hell travels in it's wake.
Needless to say, even the mighty, wide wooden boards of the elevated walkway here are no match for the power of the Orochinagi, which cuts a swath of fiery destruction on it's way towards Kichiga.
His strike lands, a solid blow that earns the Kusanagi...nothing. Stoic and cold as ever, the Ikari does little more than recoil his leg tightly before setting his heel down. A stride forward takes him away from the youth as he staggers. Unfortunately, it does not work in his favor, as Kichiga makes his attack shortly thereafter. In short, it likely spells pain.
And earns the man a faintly odd look from the one-eyed soldier. Who is this guy, anyway?
But Kyo has a plan, and it spells pain for Kichiga. Frowning ever so faintly, the Ikari bows his head a touch, that eye narrowing to a mere slit. ..before he moves in behind, just as the Kusanagi boy attacks the old Psion. Snaking in behind Kyo, the Ikari Commander attempts to weave his arms around his chest and heft him up - into the air with the old soldier, before he'll attempt to drive him downwards in a vicious suplex.
COMBATSYS: Kichiga interrupts Orochinagi' from Kyo with Condemn.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1 Heidern
> //////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Kichiga
Kichiga has spent the last decade and a half studying fighting. He knows the Kusanagi style. He knows what this is. Anyone else who knows what's coming would be terrified, but Kichiga is literally unable to feel fear, or many other emotions. He still has that faint smile on his face as he steps forward into a cloud of mist and appears out of another one directly in front of Kyo, driving himself into the bloodline flames. His hands lash forward, sleeves billowing, a glow building up within them. Even as the flames burn him, he whispers, "Be cursed."
There is barely enough time for it to happen. Spikes of Psycho Power burst out of his sleeves, raw force unfocused through any kind of object, giving the appearance of impaling Kyo though they do not actually cut the body, but rather the soul. It's enough to strike back against the flames, blasting them away before he can fling them out. But on the heels of tearing forth the power before, this is nearly too much for him. Clothes singed, skin red, he falls back, returning to his stance, but it's loose.
It literally takes a psychopath to dive into the teeth of that.
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Heidern's Critical Drive.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
> //////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Kichiga
The Orochinagi, while powerful, is by no means a perfect attack. After he sends the swirling mass of crimson flame towards Kichiga, he charges in right afterwards. The burst of speed leaves Heidern in the dust and grasping at nothing by air, and while surprising, the spikes of pyscho power that are driven through the Orochinagi into Kyo's body are harmless compared to the blows he endured just moments ago. He powers through them and ends up right in Kichiga's face just as the criminal is trying to get back into his ready stance.
He might not be able to beat both of these guys tonight, but he sure as hell is going to take one of them down with him. Kichiga gets a good eyeful of Kyo's superior smirk before the boy attempts to break his nose.
COMBATSYS: Kichiga blocks Kyo's Fierce Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
> //// ]
|=======\===----\1 Kichiga
Gloved hands touch nothing; instead, they grope empty air, as Kyo avoids the attack altogether. This is a touch frustrating, but no one could tell. Heidern's face remains perfectly neutral, like always. Instead, that single eye narrows ever so discreetly, thin lips pulling softly across his face in a tight line.
And then he watches as the old man does something potentially stupid...and gets away with it.
It gives Heidern a chance to make his attack again. Charging forward from behind, the old soldier attempts to drive in and crouch low, a hand lashing out to leave a gash across the middle of Kyo Kusanagi's back, if he's not careful...
There's an instant of bitter arrogance just before Kyo swings... the emotion betrays him, and Kichiga, even in his battered state, is moving, fluidly rolling forward to push the hook aside, rolling it onto his forearm. It's a lot like shoving a car aside with the sole of your foot - somehow the sleeve doesn't rip, but blood trickles down the old man's arm later.
Somehow, he continues to attack. The old man's eyes bore into Kyo as his other hand lashes out to grip his neck like a vise. "I can feel it... you believe yourself my better. Perhaps so. But you put yourself on a tower, whelp. You leave yourself open to attacks from below!" Poetically, two chains have slid from Kichiga's pants, a faint blue glow coming from them as the telekinesis moves them. He has to be careful with this... he must not let this technique present as it normally does. If the chains wrap around Kyo's legs, they snap upward, tossing him into the air like a giant flinging a child. His body only standing due to the unnatural energy that bolsters him, Kichiga's cane whips out from his sleeve, and he lifts it high.
There is no roar of exertion, just the silent swish of the cane through the air as he brings it down in front of him like a hammer. A pale blue manifestation of the end of his cane suddenly slams downward into existance above the hopefully-flung Kyo, pure Psycho Power driving into the ground, tearing at his soul. He sags forward over his cane once it's done, exhausted.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Heidern's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
> //// ]
|-------\-------\0 Kichiga
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Kichiga's Madness Manifest.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
> //// ]
|-------\-------\0 Kichiga
Again, Heidern attempts to capitalize on Kusanagi's blindspot. As an assassin and military man, this is only to be expected. Sensing the Ikari behind him he takes a quick roll to the side, taking him out of harm's way. Unfortunately the chains snaking along the ground catch up to him here, unceremoneously tossing Kyo high into the air above the boardwalk. When the psycho power cane slams down onto the wooden planks, the booming crash has a resounding air of finality of about it.
But Kichiga, slumped over his cane, hears another sound just moments later. That of shoes hitting wood, and then Kyo Kusanagi's voice from behind him. Close behind him. "Those chains of yours are pretty creative..." It could almost be taken as complement, but the way he trails his statement off makes it certain that there is going to be a 'but' attached to it. In any case, by the time Kichiga turns to face Kyo the flaming punch, that the scion of the flames hopes will finally put the creepy old man down for the count, is well on it's way.
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Kichiga with Aragami.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
> ]
|=======\-------\0 Kichiga
Kusanagi lays into Kichiga, grinning with smug satisfaction. "...But if you're going to show them to me five times, I'll certainly think of a way to counter it."
Kichiga has lasted longer - far longer - than Heidern would presume. Mildly surprised at his sheer tenacity, it comes as a slight disappointment when Kyo's punch strikes the poor old man clean in the face. Hooding that single eye, the Ikari watches, patiently observing and waiting for his chance. It comes when the Kusanagi boy talks cockily to the old man. Mistake.
Pushing off his back foot, the soldier in uniform lunges for the young man, attempting to strike him in the knees and drop his legs out from under him. The attack is coupled with a shove of his gloved hand into his backside, to encourage the scion to kiss the wooden planks of the boardwalk.
There is a brief moment where Kichiga's hand is past Kyo's body, and therefore the end of his sleeve. Heidern will see several large, heavy history textbooks with another chain wrapped around them fly from that sleeve and sail high into the air. They come flying at Kyo's back as the last punch sends him stumbling back, flames trailing on his goatee. Kichiga hasn't won the fight, but winning was not the point.
And the old man has learned much.
Maybe Kyo will notice the chain reeling back into the teacher's left sleeve as he starts to fall back, smiling even into unconciousness. He probably will. If he doesn't... well, those books have broken the backs of many students. Maybe they'll claim another victim.
COMBATSYS: Kichiga can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Kyo dodges Kichiga's Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Kyo with Medium Throw.
Glancing Blow
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
Throwing textbooks at Kyo? Worst idea possible. Kyo has trained extensively, for many years, in the art of avoiding schoolwork.
Heidern isn't so easily dealt with, however. He does indeed trip Kyo up with a sneaky kick, but the boy is able to get his hands in front of him before he lands face first on the boardwalk. He pushes off his palms, vaulting up into a flip that gets some distance between himself and Heidern. Now the Ikari Commander will receive all of Kyo's attention. "Sorry to make you wait so long, there was an old tick I had to burn off of me..." He quips.
Shaking his arms loose, Kyo adopts his his standard ready stance, fists up in front of his face. He also attempts to catch his breath a little.
COMBATSYS: Kyo gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Heidern
Noting the avoidance of Kichiga's last ditch efforts, the commander does little more than loft a brow slightly, thin dry lips pulling into a thin line over his face. Again. It's as much emotion as he is willing to put forth, like usual. But when he regards the last remaining old man, Heidern does little more than slightly lift a brow. Then he softly scoffs.
"You're making me wait even more, Kusanagi," he warns, almost darkly.
"And my patience is wearing thin."
That said, Heidern charges forward without a shred of uncertainty and, with a sudden jab, attempts to punch Kyo in the trachea with a quick blow. It isn't meant to pain him - only stun the youth briefly.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Heidern's Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Heidern
Kyo just flashes that superior grin in response to Heidern's warning, "You sound just like my math teacher, old man!" Of course, his math teacher has never (or has he? You can never be sure at Taiyo) disemboweled somebody with his bare hands before like Heidern most likely has.
Kyo makes an '
Kyo just flashes that superior grin in response to Heidern's warning, "You sound just like my math teacher, old man!" Of course, his math teacher has never (or has he? You can never be sure at Taiyo) disemboweled somebody with his bare hands before like Heidern most likely has.
Kyo makes an 'X' with his arms, crossing them in front of his throat. Heidern's jab bounces off the hard muscles of the scion of the flames' forearms. With his opponent now within the distance he likes them to be, that is to say close enough to see the whites of their eyes, the young World Warrior champion decides to make a bold move. He uncrosses his arms and takes a mighty leap upwards, spinning around in mid-air complete with two tendrils of serpentine fire dancing around him. This technique can only be described a jumping lariat attack, and hopefully it sweeps Heidern up off the ground.
COMBATSYS: Heidern endures Kyo's Oniyaki.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Kyo 0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1 Heidern
"Then maybe you should listen to him," the old man retorts simply, weathered features lacking any emotion as he speaks. "Do not condemn your elders. They have much to teach you. For instance." For instance? Heidern does not follow up - not yet. Instead, the old Ikari holds his ground, even as Kyo dramatically holds his ground after the blow, before he suddenly leaps upwards and into the old man's chest.
Still, Heidern does not move. He stands his ground, letting himself be battered by the assault. It hurts, oh yes. But the man's face does not offer any sign of weakness. He flinches, grinding his teeth behind his tightly-pursed lips. The stench of burning flesh fills his nostrils, but he is used to these smells. They remind him of the trials he has endured.
And lived through.
He is taken into the air, but that isn't where he stays. In fact, as Kyo begins to descend...Heidern follows rather suddenly, twisting his body as he suddenly LUNGES at the Kusanagi, long digits outstretched and aimed for his stomach...
COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Kyo with Final Bringer.
[ \\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Kyo 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Heidern
"For instance," he begins, as fingers brutally plunge into Kyo's stomach.
There is no mercy.
"It's not necessarily about how slow, or how fast one is. It's about being resourceful. Sacrifice." The stench of burning cloth and flesh lingers between the two, an awful stench that would make a weak stomach vomit. But the Ikari does not seem concerned with his wound. He just stands there, his hand and wrist buried in Kyo's stomach. Blood weeps from the wound, pitter-pattering on the dock between them.
It makes a few SNF crew members ill. But Heidern remains cold. Emotionless.
"You still have much to learn," he states, his words lifeless.
Heidern brutally rips his arm from inside Kyo, the other hand reaching up to give a decidedly mean shove to the kid, to send him staggering back and away, as the old commander turns his back, that solitary blue eye drawing shut as he thrusts a hand out to his side, ridding his leather glove of the blood that lingers on it, staining his hand.
"You should start by learning to respect your elders."
The sound that Heidern's hand makes as it enters Kyo's body is sickening to be sure. As is the gurgling noise Kyo makes when he, in shock, coughs up a large amount of blood onto the ground, and some onto Heidern's pants. Already the boy can feel faint as a large amount of blood begins to leave his body; this isn't the hardest he's ever been hit, but it's one of the more unusually traumatic blows he's endured. He slumps against the finger impaling him, head hanging.
However, the commander of the Ikari Warriors finds that impaling the scion of the flames is far easier than removing himself from him. Kyo's hand suddenly clamps down on Heidern's wrist, preventing him from taking his hand out of the boy's guts. The boy's eyes snap wide open and he shows Heidern a blood-stained, desperate smile. "Wow. That was some speech."
Beneath Kyo, a column of flame errupts through the deck of the boardwalk, shrouding him in flame. The next thing Heidern sees is Kyo's free hand emerging from the flames, balled into a fist.
COMBATSYS: Kyo can no longer fight.
> //////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Heidern
COMBATSYS: Heidern blocks Kyo's Mu Shiki.
> ///////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Heidern
Kyo executes a barrage of punches upon Heidern, each with fiery after-images adding more strikes and damage to the assault. When it's finally done, Kyo is forced to take a knee, flames trailing off his back like he was a dying candle. One hand finds the wound Heidern just inflicted and covers it.
There is no mercy - not when Heidern seeks to teach the World Warrior champion a lesson of sorts. Old, he and Kichiga may be, but they are not slow. Nor are they dumb. That alone was a mistake for the Kusanagi to make. Those weathered features remain stern and cold, his jaw squared and tightly locked as he just meets the boy's gaze with that one, good eye. His head bows.
But Heidern does not smirk. He just stands there, even as Kyo suddenly grabs his wrist.
The smirk is met with little more than a slight lift of thin brows.
"Thanks," he remarks, coldly. Then a flaming fist is sent at Heidern, courtesy of Kyo's heritage. Is the Ikari Warrior hit? Hardly; a hand lifts, intercepting the attack with an open palm. Flames lick and bite at the leather glove, but the soldier seems mildly put off at best. Still - even still - he remains calm and patient. Another fist. Another. Another; every fist is intercepted, as that single blue eye narrows to dangerous proportions. When all is over, however, the Kusanagi slumps forward.
Heidern? He turns his back and collects his coat, before he moves silently toward the end of the boardwalk, returning to the beach. The fight is over, and as far as he is concerned, he need not linger any more than necessary.
He'll apologize to Saishu later for all but gutting his son.
COMBATSYS: Heidern has ended the fight here.
Despite the violence and bloodshed of the Final Bringer, Kyo only needs a few moments to collect himself, and by the time he's stood up the bleeding has already miraculously begun to subside. It appears the scion of the flames isn't QUITE as dead as one would think after enduring such a technique.
"That was a pretty good fight, maybe next time I'll ask them to throw three geezers at me." He flippantly remarks. He laughs at his own joke, but it turns into a cough in short order, causing him to wince a little bit.
Without any more commentary, Kyo turns and limps away down the boardwalk, towards Yuki's house likely. She'll be thrilled about having to patch him up tonight.
Log created on 00:44:42 09/02/2007 by Heidern, and last modified on 06:02:13 09/07/2007.