Neo League 551 - #567: Rock vs Birdie

Description: Rock's on the prowl for a brawl, but sooner or later he bumps into a predator! What happens next?! IT'S NEO LEAGUE TIME. (Winner: Rock)



Rock Howard's got one mission this weekend. With the Neo League rounding up, every fighter is on high alert. Anyone they can come across in the final days they are fighting, hoping to get in a few final matches and earn those precious, precious star chips. Howard's no better. He's instructed a Neo League camera crew to follow him around for the last day and a half; promising that he's going to finish in the top ten if it kills him. He can't lose that much face to Kirishima; he has to at least make an honorable effort in the League or he'll never live it down.

Patrolling the streets of Southtown, Rock's got his red coat and Terry Bogard Trucker Hat on. He's trying to look as unmistakable as possible. This, unfortunately, draws him a lot of attention from fans. He's signed more autographs than thrown punches. Bending down a side street from the business district, the spectre of Geese Tower looming on the horizon behind the young scion, Rock grunts and jams his hands into his coat's pockets. He's been out here for four hours and hasn't run into one professional fighter.

And that will change... right about now.

Birdie, a rough, tough fighter had been patrolling as well. He's one of Geese's men now, but almost no one knows it. You know what happens when you leave Blackjack? Nothing. Because they're all too scared to go back after you. And this is exactly what happened when both Katana and Birdie high tailed it out of Blackjack. Why? Because they're none too fun. Just imagine it.

And now, as if nothing was happening, Birdie just continues his rounds. Moving down a side street himself, Birdie just happens to be rounding the same side street as Rock at the same time. Wearing nothing but his own normal clothes, the vest and the pants with the chain around his arm and his 'bling', Birdie just turns right as Rock does.

Each meet each other, and Birdie's sort of annoyed about this, breathing like a bull and looking down at Rock, due to his giant size.

"The 'ell are you doin' running into people like that." Birdie says, "Better apologize bloke or I'm gonna break ya."

Rock stumbles when he impacts off the much bigger and thicker man. Recovering, he shoots a terrible glare over a shoulder at Birdie, brushing his shoulder off like the brief contact was some sort of contamination. Straightening, Rock doesn't like the cut of this dude's jib. He recognizes him, of course, because he's Birdie. He's a former wrestler and known in the fighting circles. He's no Mike Haggar, but he's done enough that people know not to fuck with him.

Squinting for a second, Rock's face finally flattens into a more amused smirk. "Oh," he says. "I get it. You're Birdie, the token dumb British guy. What're you doing out here, walking on my street?"

Rock's being deliberately challenging because he knows Birdie's a fighter and he wants a match really bad.

Birdie quints down at Rock. Oh you son of a bitch. What did you just say? The man's demeanor changes rappidly. The shit eating grin he usually carries slowly turned into a frown. A massive scowl. His massive hands flex and clench powerfully as he looks towards Rock. Birdie knows who the hell he is. And Rock? He remembers Rock from a bunch of high class fights. Did he ever pay that much attention to them? Well, yeah. Birdie's a genius sometimes. Hell, he usually is. But really? He's just here to beat some ass.

Brawlers will be brawlers.

The amused smirk is what really gets Birdie. "Yeah, I'm Birdie. I'm a giant dumb ass thug that's just another Katana thug. I haven't done any damn thing good." Birdie states as he begins to approach Rock. Slowly but steadly the large man hulks forward towards Rock, eyes staring down at the man.

"So you give me one damn reason why I shouldn't kick your ass right now. Since I'm so damn stupid, this is the only bleedin' way to solve it."

Rock deadpan stares back at Birdie. He didn't expect /that/ sort of a reaction. "Well, you said it, pal," he says after a pair of blinks. There really is nothing left he needs to say. The guy just totally self-deprecated himself on International Television. How can you talk more shit when the guy just called himself a worthless thug and said he had to solve all his problems by fighting? And for a guy dying for a Neo League Fight, Birdie is a freakin'g /goldmine/!

"Alright, let's do this!" Rock says suddenly, stepping back from the behemoth Brit. He motions the Neo League Camera crew forward to get into position. Foot traffic on the street has stopped, a Street Fighter 2 opening perimeter of people forming around the two fighters. Pulling his gloves out of his coat, Rock pulls them tight and flexes his fingers, getting ready.

"You don't mind if we make it official, do you, you glorious dumb Brit?" Rock asks, getting into his Hakyokusaken stance.

COMBATSYS: Rock has started a fight here.

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Rock             0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Birdie has joined the fight here.

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Rock             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Birdie


Birdie is a freaking gold mine. Of fists and meat. And Rock just waltzed right into him. The joke with Birdie is that you gotta beat him to join Neo League. He's like the first boss. And his own thoughts about himself on TV? Well, Birdie likes other people thinking he's just another damn thug. That's the best way to do things around his place.

But Rock acts differently as well. He accepts the fight instead of walking away from him. Well, damn. Birdie's sure to enjoy this then. Well, presumably. As Rock starts to get ready, Birdie nods. "Yeah, lets do this then. Damn officially and everything." Birdie states as he hunches over, rolling his neck and running a hand across his face. Looking towards Rock, there's only one thing he's going to do.

And that's send a monsterously large punch right for Rock, attempting to just lay a hand on the man as the punch is sent hurling. Birdie's really damn angry, and like a bull, you're probably gonna get his horn sooner or later.

COMBATSYS: Rock dodges Birdie's Fierce Punch.

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Rock             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Birdie


Rock JFK's to avoid the punch. He rolls at the waist back and to the left. Back and to the left. Birdie's huge knuckles scrape the air, dancing and gleaming a few centimeters from Rock's nose. "Woah, big fella," he says, trying to keep the guy angry because that'll mean he makes more mistakes. "You might want to aim before you throw those things around. I'm here to fight, not get hurt."

Proud with his bad banter, Rock pivots forward. His body rolls around Birdie's extended arm like water around the curve of a jar, spinning in a full pivot so that he comes around at the bruiser's side. With his momentum behind him, he drives one of his elbows as hard as he can send it right for Birdie's underarm and rib cage.

There's something strange about this guy's eagerness to fight, Rock thinks, while his body works off instinct. But he can't place it and he can't really care. He needs to get to that top ten.

COMBATSYS: Birdie fails to interrupt Fierce Punch from Rock with Murderer Chain.

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Rock             0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0           Birdie


Birdie's unable to really land a shot on Rock. He's really damn close, he could even feel the mans breath, but he's unable to really grasp him. Instead, Rock manuevers out of the way like a crazy man. And he certainly seems that way to Birdie. Gritting his teeth, Birdie's just got to roll with it. And he does.

As Rock taunts him, well, Birdie continues to keep going after the man. But as Rock pivots forward to get behind Birdie, the brawler just lets him, actually removing the chain from his arm as he does. C'mon. A little closer.

And then he comes around, attempting to drive the elbow into Birdie's rib cage.

Birdie reacts quickly, murder chain up to stop Rock from impacting... but what? It wasn't a punch at all. The elbow goes right through, the heavy links falling to the floor, Birdie being driven back for all he's worth before coming to a stop. That damn hurt. His ribs are screaming at him for that.

"Ugh.... you're gonna pay for that." Birdie promises. But... will you?

Rock pulls his elbow back and straightens. He swips a gloved hand through his blond hair and he studies Birdie for a few seconds. He's got a good deal of experience fighting meatheads before. He's also got a terrible track record against them. M. Bison, Dudley, Yamazaki, Raiden, Shenwoo, and Rugal -- they're all dudes who have crushed Rock with pure physical power. He does a lot better against balanced fighters or dudes with gimmicks. Those he can exploit. A really strong guy? Less so.

"Chain fighter?" he asks, red eyes flicking to the Murder Chain. "I'm pretty much completely against people who need weapons to get the job done. Learn to use /these/, punk," he smacks his fist into a palm. "If you ever want to get anywhere in this business."

Demonstrating with his actions, Rock blitzes forward. He comes at Birdie like an unchained animal, his two hands shooting out to try and grab the huge dude right beneath the collar. If he succeeds, he pivots his weight with a Judo technique to hoist the man into the air into a flip, and on the way down, slams his palm as hard as hell right for the center of his chest.

Birdie will probably recognize it as something Geese practices a lot up on that Ivory Tower.

COMBATSYS: Birdie interrupts Shinkuu Nage from Rock with Bull Spike.

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Rock             0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1           Birdie


Birdie's a chain fighter alright. But do you know another weapon Birdie's got? Yeah. His head. That's right. It makes no sense, but it hurts so good.

As Rock manuevers, Birdie has a really good chance of losing this. Hell, Rock's got some sort of ace up his sleave for all Birdie knows. And that's why Birdie's just going all out. Even after failing with the chain and Rock just writes him off as a chain fighter, that's a really nice mistake there. Birdie's going to take it.

"Yeah. Yeah. I can use my fists." Birdie states, "But you know what my favorite weapon is?" Birdie asks of the man as he blitzes forward, two hands grabbing Birdie by the collar. Birdie smirks that shit eating grin again. "THIS." Rock succeeds alright. Hoisting the man up and sending him into the air, but as he goes to slam his palms down, Birdie thrusts his head up, his actually hair jabbing into Rock's chest. "Ahahahahaah!" Birdie calls. He's hurtling from the fall, but he's got the man right now. "Didn't think of that now, did'ja bloke?!" And bucking like a Rhino, he sends Rock flying off of his head. It's a pretty grusome move.

Maybe Rock should stick to /not/ using attacks that Birdie's Secret Master practices in his rooftop dojo every day at nine, noon, and three. He might have better luck against this dude. Eating the amazingly durable head spike, Howard's feet leave the ground and he crash lands against the street on his back. The crowd winces with him because that did not look comfortable.

Hauling himself back to his feet, Howard spits on the ground. He can taste a little blood back there. Approving, he wipes his jaw with a gloved hand and adjusts his stance to accomodate the extended reach Birdie's chains give him. "So you've got a few more tricks than those chains," he says, steadily. "That's fine. That still doesn't make you a real man, 'mate', because you can't beat me with just your fists and your fury. You're not a real fighter; you're just a clown."

"And I hate clowns!" Power explodes around Howard, his chi aura suddenly blossoming visibly. The crowd peels back from the golden corona of energy, as Rock takes a step forward, his right arm cutting upward. A slice of energy rips off it, tearing across the ground. "DOUBLE!" he yells, mimicing the motion with his other arm, a second beam of light cutting forward. "REPPUKEN!"

COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Birdie with Double Reppuken.
- Power hit! -

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Rock             1/-======/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2           Birdie


Birdie... is destroyed. He brings up his arms when Rock actually comes for him. Well, there's one way to stop him... but it doesn't. Rock's attack just burns across the ground. And like a 'clown', Birdie's fed something there. Something horrible. He's not even able to do very much. It's as if the power of Rock's taunting destroys the man.

Bam. It hurts. It hurts a lot.

Birdie's just sent flailing across the ground. He's not even in a position to talk. He's just sent across the ground like a rocket. And he stops, oh he stops when he finally hits the side of a building, some rocks actually bouncing about before stopping.

"Hah..." Birdie states. "Strong."

And he just looks at Rock. Just stares.

COMBATSYS: Birdie focuses on his next action.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Rock             1/-======/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2           Birdie


Rock exhales after the energies of the two Reppukens start to fade off his body. He realizes Birdie is just sort of staring at him across the street. Eyes thinning, he squints at the gigantic dude. "What the hell is the matter with you?" he demands, taking a perpendicular step to the guy. "After an attack like that, I'm tired. You're supposed to seize the advantage and crush me for as much pain as you can dish out! Jesus," Rock looks over at the Neo League cameras. "It's hard to find good competition."

The truth is that Rock anticipates that Birdie is waiting to level something at him. There's more to this guy than muscles and chains. He would have charged in if he didn't know something about what Rock would do next. Hesitating for a few seconds, Howard studies Birdie right back. Finally, he internally shrugs. Fuck it. And he runs right at the dude. The minute he eclipses Birdie's defensive perimeter, he jumps.

Rock's right arm cocks back. Chi pools along his fist. Feet hitting the ground again, he slams his fist forward towards Birdie's face, the chi exploding outward with the extension of his arm.

COMBATSYS: Birdie fails to interrupt Rage Run Dunk from Rock with Bull Revenger.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rock             1/=======/=======|


COMBATSYS: Birdie can no longer fight.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rock             1/=======/=======|


Birdie just waches as he gets back up. Rock's beating him up damn quick. Sure, whatever. Birdie doesn't give no damns.

As Rock moves to slam Birdie in the face, Birdie moves to counter. Throwing himself fully into, he's not going to give himself a half assed move with him. He's just going to throw himself right into Rock. Right into him and going forward.

But it stops easy. Rock saw it. As Rock comes down, Birdie throws himself up towards Rock. Hair first as he attempts to really beat Rock with his head. If he just catches him... maybe.. No.

Crack. The fist slams into Birdie's head, knocking him back on his ass and sprawling him out onto the floor behind him. Rock just creamed this big guy to fall on his ass. Damn, that really hurt.

Looking up, Birdie just succumbs to his injuries for now. He'll be fine though. His blood is concentrated meat.

Rock pulls his hand back, smokey whisps of spent chi curling off his knuckles. He breathes out, watching to see if Birdie will get up or not. Satisfied after the obligatory ten count, he relaxes his fighting stance a looks over to the Neo League camera. With a boyish shrug, he laughs. "I don't know what came over me. We all have our gifts. I guess mine is creaming Street Punks with ridiculous Swiss Cheese hair. Go figure."

COMBATSYS: Rock has ended the fight here.

Log created on 17:14:42 12/23/2007 by Birdie, and last modified on 11:49:35 01/01/2008.