Rugal - Settling Scores

Description: Having some scores to settle, Rugal 'invites' Raizo and Aranha to face him at the Seventh Circle Arena. To add some more flavor to the event, he invites one of Geese's own people to fight at his side...



Rugal is up to his old match making tricks again. But unlike a typical intermediator of love at first sight and long, fruitfull romances to come, the tyrant of 'R' is only interested in setting up violent battles in manners that he would find sufficiently challenging to amuse him! Fighters studied and researched, tapes viewed and analyzed, and backgrounds investigated and considered... all that went together to create what he felt would be something 'worth his time'.

An invitation was submitted to Raizo for a rematch to follow up the battle held on the campus of Justice High many months ago, issuing a challenge to the formidable administrative manbear to see his skill in action once again.

An invitation found its way to Aranha, daring the young man to come set foot in a ring with none other but the infamous crimelord. To 'encourage' him, it was implied that it would be better for his sister's sake if he didn't fail to show... Of course it means braving the Seventh Circle Arena once again, even if this time at least it isn't to face off against a certain long haired bandit to pursue their ongoing grudge match.

And a final invitation submitted to a woman firmly employed by the 'opposition', Shihong. It makes things interesting to the man to see if one of Geese's own will show up to fight at his side for this ruthless pit fight. But he suspects, based on her appearances in Howard's broadcast fights, she will take advantage of the opportunity. It does put a potential viper close to his side for this bout, but the veteran fighter has always been one willing to take risks...

The house is full tonight, all the audience eager to see the match likely to come out of such a gathering. Rugal himself has been a part of that audience for many a blood bath, but now it's time to descend into the arena himself. Wealthy, powerful, maniacle... How else is a man like him supposed to get entertainment these days?

The floor of the arena is clear. Rugal was interested in no contraptions, traps, or gimmicks for this battle. Just fists, feet, and claws. The pit is circular and as the cameras come online, the four fighters are already gathered within the arena. Rugal himself is clothed for battle, having already discarded his dress shirt and suit coat, leaving a green muscle shirt covering his torso. He's already fought Raizo once before and knows any holding back will place him at too severe a disadvantage...

Waiting with his powerful arms folded, the man eyes the rest of the participants with a faint smirk, his inhuman eye observing them each in turn as he studies the fine combatants gathered here tonight. "I'm glad you could show. I assure you this will be made worth your time in both the thrill of the fight as well as compensation for your time. Now then, make ready. We begin in thirty seconds." If he looks at all nervous it wouldn't show, the man the very picture of calm as he mentally ticks down the seconds in his head before the battle begins.

Despite the...less-than friendly feelings between Geese Howard and Rugal Bernstein, business is business. Whatever rivalry or grudge or what-have-you the two men harbor between them is of no concern to Shihong Mao. She tends to her business when need be, not one to truly step on the toes of those who employ her. But she keeps her ear to the ground. She keeps aware of the details.

Even if they do not directly concern her.

And so, an invitation graced the woman's hands. It was from none other than Bernstein himself, to her surprise. But this was obviously a golden ticket to see the man himself in action, to observe the crime lord and take notes, if not for herself, then perhaps to her employer. But Shihong's no fool; likely, if she thinks this a chance to see Rugal himself in action, then likely he sees it as an opportunity of sorts himself.

Fortunately, she's of no real importance. In Shihong's mind, she has the upper hand here.

A full house does not ruffle the feathers of the Chinese woman. She appears relatively calm, pale features poised in a tiny, almost coy expression, thin red lips pulled into a ghost of a smile. Though Rugal may have 'dressed down' for the occasion, Shihong Mao is anything but. Wearing a black cheongsam with her hair pulled into a bun, the woman looks very much out of place here. The only thing out of place on her is the earbud in her ear, as she chats away on her phone.

But she doesn't care. She's making a spectacle, in her own, overdressed way.

Only when Rugal addresses the lot does she say her good-byes and hang up, handing the device over to some generic man in a suit. Glancing aside to Bernstein, the woman's ghostly smile blossoms, a pleasant grin etching its way over porcelain features. "Compensation, you say? A generous man, you are."

Lifting her head, the woman absently lifts a hand to her ear, idly tugging at the small hoop there as she glances over the other fighters. "I just hope this is a worthy investment of my time." She's a busy woman, after all...

Rugal never goes anywhere without his entourage; a big shark produces its own cloud of remoras. One in particular is seated to the side of the arena, where the bench might be if this pit was ever used for a legitimate, healthy sport. She's behind the bulletproof glass, but still near the entrance.

Laila looks over the rim of her sunglasses towards Shihong as she enters and speaks to the boss as if he and she were equals. It makes her snort, but not enough to catcall. Her hands fold in her lap and she leans back in the folding metal chair, crossing her legs at the ankle. This should, she suspects, go quick.

Raizo is not, in fact, dressed as usual - he lacks his usual jacket. He's not doing anything he'd approve of. This is not his kind of place - Raizo prefers the world of light, not this messy, chaotic underbelly of society, where the dredges he'd much rather reform reside. And to fight for their own amusement...

But Raizo has lived in that world before. Project Justice was not built in an hour. Besides, knowing the enemy is the first step toward destroying them. Any Imawano knows basic fundaments like that.

Thus, for reasons too complex to go into in any reasonable span of time, Raizo Imawano appears, striding into the arena floor, apparently unconcerned with the possibility of being murdered by Geese's underlings or anyone else who might not want to see Justice High succeed. Few would be foolish enough to try such a thing against a mountainous man like Raizo, and fewer still are powerful enough to do so without being crushed by Raizo's savage claws.

After the last fight at the Circle, Aranha swore that he would never set foot in this place again. The entire idea of Blackjack making money off of him makes the capoeirista sick to his stomach, especially when one considers the fact that they kidnapped his sister to get him there. The fact that his sister is being used as leverage just makes him angrier. Well this time he can't blame Blackjack for it.

Aranha for the moment quietly seethes as he looks at first Rugal, then Shihong and then to his own team mate Raizo. Studying each one of them. Aranha's eyes aren't nearly as experienced or as cybernetically enhanced as Rugal's but they do the job.

Aranha for the time being isn't going to speak but he'll pull out a pair of Oakley Thumps and slide them onto his face as his own way subtly of thumbing his nose at Rugal and turning on the music before standing arms akimbo as he waits for things to get started.

Shame the platforms and chains won't be involved. It doesn't allow the Dancin Spider to open up as much as he'd like.

COMBATSYS: Rugal has started a fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Shihong has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Shihong          0/-------/-------|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Aranha has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Raizo has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rugal            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Raizo


Studying each of the participants in turn, Rugal's attention rests in the end on Raizo, his human eye narrowing as he observes the large statured ninja who bested him in their last combat. While this is a team fight, in the tyrant's mind, it all comes down to him verses Raizo. Shihong and Aranha are along to help spice things up a little. The Imawano master is all that matters to him. Though he probably owes the capoeirist a kick or two too. Poor guy, always garnering all the wrong attention. But he showed and a deal is a deal.

Shihong's commentary to the tall German provokes a quiet chuckle from the man's throat. Being generous has little to do with it. But he does understand the practice of give or take when it comes to getting the things he wants in life, such as a /challenge/. "The measure of its value is highly dependant upon your abilities, Miss Mao," remarks the man as he slowly unfolds his arms, never taking his eye off Raizo. Taking a step forward, he enters a ready stance, as much as it might be called one. His right arm at his side, his left arm bent at the elbow and held against his side.

"Gentlemen," he nods toward Raizo and Aranha. For as cordial as he is being it would be hard to pick him out as being one of the world's most deadly individuals. But those present all know better; all know of the darkness beneath the display of pleasantries. "Miss," he nods toward Shihong for a moment.

"Begin."

He makes no move, staying calmly in position. But if one were to mistake the passive quality of his stance as being unready for just about anything imagineable, they would be sadly mistaken...

The chuckle noted, Shihong offers a light smirk in response, dark eyes hooding ever so slightly as she looks up at the German. "I assure you," the woman states, calmly. "I have no intention of holding back. None. It would insult us both, right?" Rolling her pale shoulders, the woman's lips twitch at the corners before her eyes slide back onto the other fighters before them. "I take certain pride in my abilities. I just hope I can keep up."

Her smile blossoms, a devil's grin briefly seizing her features.

Directly addressing the other fighters present, Shihong's gaze drifts to both fighters. Observing both closely, she lets no detail go unnoticed. Both fighters seem ...interesting, to say the least. Is Raizo even a human being? Or is he really some bear raised as a ninja?

Red lips purse tightly, as Rugal insists they begin. This ought to be interesting...

Aranha's arms drop from his side as he approaches the other team. Sure Aranha wants more than anything to go after Rugal but right now Aranha knows that to go after the older Bernstein would be a mistake at this moment in time. So he stops for a moment and flings his denim jacket aside exposing his scarred arms for all to see.

With the jacket removed the scarred capoeirista darts towards Mao Shihong with a hop to close in with her, a quick step to give him depth, and then he kicks out sending a side kick to her stomach pushing her away before resetting his foot.

Laila plucks off her sunglasses, folding them and reaching up to tug her hairscarf back, shaking out long wavy black locks as she looks ahead towards the fight that is so close to commencing. Her arms splay out a bit, elbow resting on the back of an empty folding chair to her left. That chair isn't REALLY empty, since it contains a large, locked aluminum-plated briefcase.

Perhaps there really is a reward.

Raizo merely watches, at first - like a proper old man of his caliber, he's not moved to take instant action. Slow, methodical...

...hahaha, not really. He sizes up his team mates, though - Aranha's troubled and half-crazed from some problem or another, Shihong seems to be... ...well, not giving away too much, but his old eyes can see that mischief in every move she makes.

And Rugal...

Raizo merely drops into his fighting stance - more than six feet tall even hunched over, arms up like a boxer's except for the massive claws on the end of each finger...and crimson eyes fixed hard on Rugal.

He won't act. He might swing in wildly on any other opponent, hoping to use his incredible strength to simply blow them away, but for Rugal...he needs to be ready.

COMBATSYS: Raizo focuses on his next action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rugal            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Raizo


Aranha's advance is observed but for an instant until Rugal decides that the young man isn't going after him but rather his partner. Just as well. It leaves him to focus on the unlikely looking ninja this event is all about fighting once more. Few beat Rugal on their first match against him. No one has beaten Rugal on their second encounter. Perhaps Bernstein sees fit to make sure that streak doesn't end with Raizo.

As the other man holds back, Rugal charges forward, shifting out of his passive stance into an aggressive rush forward, displaying far more speed than one would likely expect from a man his age and stature. Muscles tighten in his arms as he holds them out at his sides, fingers open as if intending to simply claw his way right past the other man.

Only when he draws near does he come to an immediate stop, converting that forward momentum into two rapid strikes. His right fist clenches and comes in as a hook toward Raizo's sizeable cheek, his left hand stays open, slamming forward, attempting to slam right into the other man's chest and drive him back. "HAH!" comes the accompanying exclaimation as his strength is put to the test once again.

COMBATSYS: Shihong blocks Aranha's Medium Kick.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rugal            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Raizo


Are Rugal and Shihong the only ones with voices? It would appear so.

Eyes wander from Raizo, as Aranha creeps forward and sheds his jacket like some second skin sloughed off. A thin black brow rises over her eyes, the faintest flicker of red in her depths as the younger man comes stalking forward. Clearly he wants to make his move on the woman. Understandable; Rugal is clearly imposing and far more experienced than the both of them.

With an exhale, the woman in the black cheongsam sighs, shoulders rising before they sag deeply.

But there's a reason for the gesture, and not to simply spite the young capoeirista. She's relaxing her limbs, her body; her being. She's readying herself for the inevitable, as the man steps in and attempts to strike her in the stomach.

Instead, his foot is intercepted with her hand. Long fingers curl like an eagle's talons, manicured nails lightly digging against his shoes before she flashes a broad grin. "So you want to dance?" she asks, her words barely audible between them. "Good, good. Shall we? You've the lead, so let me follow your mark."

And with that the woman releases his leg and directs it to the side, attempting to throw his balance off before she coils it at her side, chambering the leg before she swiftly snaps it outwards, a three inch heel aimed for his sternum. Raizo is, for now, forgotten.

COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Shihong's Short Kick.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rugal            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Raizo


If it wasn't for the circumstances for this fight Aranha would be all for cheerful banter. There's a slight glance at Rugal and then the goes from a somewhat angry scowl to a neutral expression. Unfortunately for Shihong her words meet a wall of silence. Or maybe if she has extremely sensitive ears she can possibly hear the sounds of drums and berimbaus.

Aranha rocks away from the Asian woman not enough to avoid the kick outright but his arm catches the impact on his forearm and he spins around unable to use the contact to improve his own attack. But he's able to use the rocking motion of his own creation to throw himself back at the other fighter as he whips a heel around at her head.

COMBATSYS: Raizo interrupts Medium Punch from Rugal with Claw Stab.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0            Raizo


He's coming.

Raizo filters everything out of his mind, keeping his senses, focused to a razor's edge, on Rugal and only Rugal. The Tyrant of 'R' is adaptable if nothing else - renowned for his skill at tricking others, using his skills to crush those who dare to underestimate him.

He's not aware of Rugal's all-important winning streak...not yet, at least. And for now, Raizo merely tries intently to take and keep command of the battle. And he knows exactly how to do it:

Rugal comes roaring in and Raizo shifts his weight forward. The punch hits, tagging Raizo just on the shoulder before glancing off. And Raizo's moving through it - driving his own clawed fist forward and into Rugal's chest, sinking nails into the Tyrant deeply while the princibear emits a roar.

The moment of impact brings Raizo and Rugal to a halt, the crimelord's powerful momentum brought to a stop by the principal's own mass and strength combating against him. So it is to be a trade of hits, is it? Bernstein is more than happy to fight in that range even against the clawed mitts of the Imawano-ryu veteran. For now the exchange between Shihong and Aranha is unimportant. He'll have time to notice their status all in good time...

His fist glances a little off the powerful shoulder of his chosen foe and Raizo's claw finds its way into Rugal's fist un-abated, the points piercing through the skin tight shirt and into his flesh, allowing blood to seep to the surface of the punctures and begin staining the fabric an almost black color as liquid crimson meshes with the green.

But Rugal gives no quarter for Raizo to backup after delivering his strike, deciding that one good hit deserves another.... and another... and another... The tyrant's suit pants covered right leg slams out in a straight kick aimed for Raizo's stomach before Rugal plants his foot and sweeps out with his left in more of an arcing strike to drive the toe of his shoe into Raizo's ribs if the ninja he's drawn out to fight isn't quick to defend himself!

COMBATSYS: Shihong dodges Aranha's Change-Up Kick.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0            Raizo


From the corner of her eye, Shihong notices the faintest flicker of motion between the Imawano ninja and Bernstein. Unfortunately, things didn't appear to go well for the R tyrant, and it draws her thin red lips into the tiniest of grins. The fight has only just begun, after all. But her interests are minimal, as she attacks the capoeirista with a snap of her leg.

But to her regret, it would appear he isn't one to talk. Frowning softly, the woman's pale features are pitiful, save for the distant hint of amusement dancing in her black eyes. "Aww~," she murmurs playfully, as the young man rocks back before he launches forward, a leg swinging right for her.

Dipping low in one fluidly swift motoin, the woman crouches, avoiding the strike altogether.

"Cat got your tongue?" she wonders...before she springs up and flipping backwards, attempting to deliver a swift clip of her toes into the underneath of Aranha's chin. "HA-AHH!"

COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Shihong's Medium Kick.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0            Raizo


When the capoeirista swung the kick, he made sure that his foot got to the ground as quickly as possible making sure that he'd be in position to move to dodge. His planning paid off. Aranha drops backwards as his hand moves to catch him from falling keeping himself safe as Shihong flips upwards attempting to kick the capoeirista on the chin and instead finds nothing but air.

Up until now Aranha been working slow, trying to feel Shihong out before he begins to truly fight in earnest. From the handstand, the Dancing Spider snaps out a rapid series of kicks in attempt to catch her repeatedly in the head.

COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Raizo with Medium Kick.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Rugal            0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0            Raizo


Raizo won't be caught that easily! The Principal Bear of Justice sets himself, shifting to one side as Rugal swings his foot around!

Except apparently he will be, because he is. Raizo hisses a loud "Oof!" as the foot connects, sending him staggering back and away...but not out of the fight by any means. He drives his fist toward Rugal again, recovering quickly despite the surprising amount of sheer FORCE Rugal was able to put into the blow, and aims to quite simply smash Rugal's ribs in - or at least, that's about what such a blow would do on a lesser man.

COMBATSYS: Rugal endures Raizo's Strong Punch!

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Shihong          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Rugal            0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0            Raizo


The moment his feet connect with Raizo, Rugal takes a couple of steps backward, polished black shoes clacking against the hard floor of the arena. Entirely contained and sound proofed, the sounds of the cheering menagerie of cut throats, wealthy barons, and young men with just too much time on their hands is barely even audible. But Bernstein knows what a mob like that wants... and in giving them what they want, it becomes possible to manipulate them in the future. But entertaining the masses isn't his primary goal here. Pushing himself harder against an opponent who bested him once before /is/.

Extending his arms out to his sides, the man chuckles, finally responding to Shihong's taunting of the dancing spider in her attempts to get him to speak. "Perhaps, Miss Mao, you will find him more responsive if you were to do something about those gaudy eye coverings of his." Glasses that play music, what will this silly generation think of next... Apparently the man doesn't take kindly to such snubbing.

As he speeks he is hardly idle, however, his arms extending to his sides, his open palms powering up with an incredible amount of energy. Bright, white, glaringly brilliant compared to the normally din lighting the Seventh Circle provides in the pit. Rugal holds his ground as Raizo charges and drives his fist right into Bernstein's side. There's no crunch of bone being broken but it does make the man lose a step in ground...

But then Raizo will find himself having to deal with the /immediate/ retaliation that comes in the form of a man-sides wave of broiling, pulsating chi as the crimelord slams his hands forward together and unleashes the attack of legend - The Kaiser Wave. "RAGH!"

COMBATSYS: Shihong blocks Aranha's Inverted Flurry.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Shihong          0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0           Aranha
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Rugal            0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0            Raizo


Kicking empty air, Shihong seems far from distressed by the fact; instead, she lets her body follow the motions, landing in a light, dainty crouch with a soft 'oof' before she stands upright once more. And that's when Rugal speaks, drawing the woman's gaze to the side, a curious look on her pale face.

"Really?" she wonders aloud, before black eyes slowly draw back onto Aranha. Considering Rugal's advice, thin lips softly purse before she sighs, shaking her head slowly. "I don't know," she ultimately replies. "That seems awfully mean." Which means she will probably do it at some point.

Rather suddenly, however, Aranha is whipping his legs out, to strike the woman. But rather than outright avoid, Shihong braces herself, hands intercepting the brunt of each kick in her open palms before she lets red lips crawl into a broad grin. "It's not every day I get to play with capoeiristas," the lanky woman practically purrs...

But she doesn't immediately react. Instead, the sudden surge of odd energy from nearby causes the woman to flinch slightly, the Kaiser Wave sent blasting from Rugal's palms toward Raizo. Fearsome, the raw power is...but no matter. Shaking her head absently, the Chinese woman turns back to Aranha, she smiles lightly. Then?

Swiftly crouching, the woman plants her hands, legs suddenly ablaze with rich red psychic energies. Her heels snap forward, attempting to slam into his shins, before the woman kicks her legs upward, a staggered motion as she attempts to plant each blazing heel into his chin, one after the other.

COMBATSYS: Aranha endures Shihong's Coiled Serpent.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Shihong          0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0           Aranha
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Rugal            0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0            Raizo


For a moment, it looks as the the capoeirista is going to move out of the way but then at the last moment he decides he'd be better off taking the hit to give another. It normally goes against a capoeirista's training to take a hit like that but then again a lot of his life was spent fighting in pits and occasionally he was forced to adapt.

Aranha is flipped high into the air by the psychic energy shrouded feet before he lands, not on his back but dropped to one knee. He doesn't have to do much acting to make it look like it hurt because it damn well did but after a short pause he darts out like a blue glowing human torpedo, head first into the woman in black and driving his head directly into her torso.

COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Raizo with Kaiser Wave.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Shihong          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0           Aranha
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Rugal            0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1            Raizo


The Kaiser Wave comes, and the massive man merely snarls, clenches his fist, and hisses something not terribly optimistic - and then SPRINTS RIGHT INTO THE WAVE!

It doesn't really go well. Raizo takes the wave full on, and for his pains, is sent hurtling clear across the arena, smashing into the bulletproof glass, sliding down, down, barely conscious...

...and then he pushes off, somersaulting in midair. "NOT ENOUGH, BERNSTEIN!" Raizo cackles, as he lands and then runs, gets up as close to Rugal as he can, lashes out with one fist, and--

--tries to palm Rugal's skull?

COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Raizo's Ningen Taihou.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Shihong          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0           Aranha
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


And even if Rugal gets something in the way, as long as Raizo gets a grip, he can follow through - by whipping Rugal around bodily, spinning the man in the air like some kind of gigantic baseball (including some dragging of his person along the ground) and then HURLING him downrange!

Ideally, this would end in Rugal having a high-velocity impact with the glass barriers, but not everything can end perfectly.

The Kaiser Wave is not a trifling attack. For a man to take it and then come back demanding more is... well... it's never happened before. Rugal's eyebrow arches faintly as the Justice High principal comes charging right back at him as if the tidal wave of chi that just crashed into him was only a speed bump imparing his forward progress. Grunting, Bernstein raises his hands, palms forward, getting ready to respond to any retaliation the hulking man bearing toward him has in mind.

"Very well," comes the growling reply as the man seperates his feet just a little, legs bracing for impact for what he expects to be a fiercesome onslaught. And the tyrant isn't disappointed as Raizo reaches out for him. Raising his hands to block, the man is caught instead by the head and hefted completely off his feat.

The twisting, painful ride that follows would shatter a man in less physical shape than Bernstein, as the veteran fighter moves, sways, fights against the momentum, and half catches himself as he's dragged along the ground - each shift in posture just enough to mitigate some of the pain and damage that would have done a fair amount toward keeping even someone like /him/ down.

And when Raizo hurls him it's with only just enough timing that Rugal turns himself around mid-air, feet planting against the wall of the arena instead of his head, stopping his flight more painlessly than would have otherwise clearly happened. Dropping to the floor, Rugal catches himself with his hands, pauses, then slowly rises up to standing, his back arcing a little as he works out his joints in the process with a couple of popping noises.

His eye narrows on Raizo and his right eye begins to glimmer with a pin-thin red light as he regards the Justice High administrator. "Impressive," he allows the moment he is certain his voice will not betray any indication of having been injured by the assault. And then he starts to walk back toward Raizo. His pace is controlled, his muscles tensing with each step as he simply strides at a controlled gait toward his opponent, sizing up his condition and ability to retaliate with every step... "But as you say, my good friend," the words laced with amusement though his expression bears nothing of the sort, "...Not Enough."

COMBATSYS: Rugal focuses on his next action.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Shihong          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0           Aranha
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Shihong with Malicia.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Shihong          0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0           Aranha
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


It would appear that, for now, Rugal and Raizo are happily focused on one another, leaving the other fighters to their own machinations. That's fine with Shihong--she'll handle what she needs to and be on her way. Hopefully she'll get some form of compensation from this from Bernstein. If not, well. She has something else.

First-hand experience with the fighter.

Much to the woman's dismay, Aranha recovers and barrels at the Chinese woman, blazing with energy. It draws a frown from the woman, her feet sliding apart as she readies herself for the attack as she perceives it. But for her efforts, the woman is overwhelmed; struck, she staggers back, very nearly losing her footing as a hand clutches her stomach.

"Feh," the woman ultimately responds, her other hand reaching up and smoothing back errant locks of black of hair. She says nothing more; instead, those eyes narrow, fixed on the capoeirista, observing him closely.

COMBATSYS: Shihong focuses on her next action.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Shihong          0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0           Aranha
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


The Dancing Spider has no doubt in his mind that the Chinese woman felt the impact of head to abdomen. His eyes can see that. And even if he couldn't, he could feel how it connected.

As Shihong staggers back, he quickly gets back to his feet not wanting the fighter to capitalize on his somewhat vulnerable position on the ground and the attack doesn't come. Instead, he sees Shihong's eyes focused intently on him. Studying him carefully.

It is because of Shihong's attention that Aranha treads lightly with a careful approach and then performs a quick kick with his booted foot for her face. The question is, 'Is Aranha being careful enough?'

Raizo stands there for a few moments when he's done treating Rugal like some kind of man-sized frisbee, huffing and puffing, gathering his reserves in preparation for the renewed hostilities.

But Rugal doesn't give him the time he needs, the Tyrant standing tall and walking toward Raizo with that cool, ready eye.

Crap.

Raizo shifts his stance from a resting one to a ready one, crimson eyes sharp. Rugal has done a good job of skipping past his defenses already. But Raizo isn't the type to give up.

"Yes," Raizo mutters. "It would seem I haven't hit you enough yet," he offers, with a very faint smirk. A wry jab between warriors. Raizo always was the type to laugh in the face of death.

Those eyes are sharp - and just as Rugal watches him, so does he return the glare. Raizo's at the disadvantage, here...but Rugal knows full well that to underestimate a canny old bastard like Raizo is a mistake that leads directly into doom.

COMBATSYS: Raizo focuses on his next action.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Shihong          0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0           Aranha
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


That Raizo is still in the mood for talking is pleasing to Rugal. He knew from experience that the burly statured fighter wouldn't let him down when it comes to providing a good challenge.

The exchange between his partner and Aranha doesn't go disgregarded as well. If things get a bit more hectic there, he might just have to switch gears. Though with a contender like Raizo in the ring, giving Shihong backup might just give the principal a wide opening to dish out some more damage.

For now, however, his sights are on Raizo. "We'll see if you have that opportunity now won't we," he replies. A surge of power builds up around the crimelord as he leans forward and launches himself swiftly toward Raizo, propelled by energy far beyond that of simply muscle power.

But instead of swinging for him with fists, he attempts to simply barrel directly into the other man, crashing into him in order to hook one of his arms around him and physically drive him all the way back against the arena wall with destructive force driven by more than just raw muscle power. "RAAGH!"

COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Shihong with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Shihong          0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0           Aranha
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


Holding her ground, even as Aranha chooses to 'play it safe,' Shihong observes. Squaring her shoulders, the Asian woman keeps focused as he chooses to come forth and make his move, as she otherwise opts to hold back and find a suitable opening to exploit. She's ready, too.

Well, was. Rugal's guttural yell and impressive lunge at Raizo distracts the woman, her defense faltering. As result of her distraction, the Chinese woman is kicked in the face, staggering back from impact and looking mildly puzzled and bothered, if anything. It causes her thin black brows to furrow, her thin red lips pulling tightly across her reddened face.

Lifting a hand, Shihong rubs at her forehead before she simply sighs and shakes her head. Without a word she lunges forward, attempting to seize the man by his arm. And should she snag him, she'll prance up the front of him, scaling his chest with her sharp heels while maintaining a secure hold on his arm. At the apex, legs ignite with vermillion energy before she drives her heels harshly down on his shoulders, intent on sending him straight into the ground, followed by a second, concussive burst that will launch the woman off his back and send her airborne.

COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Shihong's Savage Tiger.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Shihong          0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0           Aranha
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0            Raizo


Aranha isn't quick enough to avoid Shihong's grab for his arm and he's helpless as the Chinese woman runs up his chest. It's only at the apex that he doesn't become nearly so helpless. The heel impacts with his free arm and the first and second bursts of vermillion energy bore into his arm shaking him and causing his knees to buckle but don't completely give way.

As Shihong is launched off of his forearm by the burst of energy, Aranha spins away from the other martial artist, lashing his arm out as he sends a blue Spider Web of chi at her.

COMBATSYS: Raizo interrupts God Press from Rugal with Yasha Guruma.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0           Aranha
[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Rugal            1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0            Raizo


Titans clash, and in the end, the winner is--

...impossible to say.

Raizo merely bares his teeth at Rugal as the even /taller/ fighter comes in - though whether Raizo can actually stand up even taller than Rugal is a question some in fighting circles busy themselves with even today.

But not right now. Now there are more important things.

"You've already given it to me!" Raizo thunders, and even as Rugal barrels toward him, Raizo springs at him, claws bared, chi exploding around him, and the bear roars, "YASHA GURUMAAAAAAA" even as Rugal plows him into the back wall.

It hurts Raizo a lot...but body-slamming a cannonball of chi and claws can't be terribly fun, either.

That... that wasn't what Rugal expected. Rather than defending himself, Raizo takes the brave route of smashing right up against Rugal with his own savage attack. Bernstein is committed to the attack all the same... and there's a question as to whether or not he could stop even if he wanted to... so straight into the whirlwind of claws and slashing chi the man charges, driving Raizo back hard against the arena wall all the same.

The exchange of force is not a pretty one by any means, the crimelord forced back after driving Raizo against the sturdy pit wall, arms out at his sides as the strength behind his charge fades a little. Exhaling, he clenches his fists, ignoring the shreaded nature of his muscle shirt or the bloody gashes visible beneath it.

Jaw gritted, his human eye glares back at Raizo, but he doesn't charge him again this time, instead fueling power into his right hand. Churning, pulsing energy, it begins to swirl around his fist as it builds up, the man powering one of the many legendary techniques he has stolen over time. "Impressive strength, Principal Imawano..." the man allows.

But that isn't going to earn him a break. As if bowling for bears, Rugal rolls his right arm down toward the floor and forward, unleashing a blazing white blast of chi that broils across the arena floor toward Raizo, perhaps before he can even recover from being smashed against the wall like a car due for recycling...

COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Shihong with Web Shot.

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1           Aranha
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Rugal            1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0            Raizo


Midflight, a burst of blue energy catches her eye. Blinking once, the woman turns her attention toward the burst. In all honesty, its path is a predictable flight, giving her reason to grin to herself as she begins to descend. She'll avoid it, right? Wrong.

Despite her graceful twist in the air, her timing is off. The burst should have moved behind her, past her back, but instead strikes her in the ribs, causing the woman to groan before she hits the ground with a meaty thud. How...inconvenient.

Rising from the ground, the woman absently runs a hand over her forehead, smoothing back stray locks of black. In honesty, she shouldn't bother, considering her hair's bun has essentially begun to fall free. Realizing this, the woman narrows her eyes, a hand reaching up and ripping the fastener from her hair before she throws it down.

"That's it," she states, coldly. "I'm tired of fucking around."

Dashing forward, the woman closes the distance between. Halfway there, however, she plants her heels into the ground and leaps up high, her body flipping head over heels. On descent, however, she intends on driving the back of her heel right into the top of Aranha's skull.

COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Shihong's Medium Kick.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1           Aranha
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Rugal            1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0            Raizo


Aranha didn't even throw the energy web with intent to actually land it. It was really just was just a delaying tactic to give himself a bit of room to breathe. The fact that Shihong

Aranha didn't even throw the energy web with intent to actually land it. It was really just was just a delaying tactic to give himself a bit of room to breathe. The fact that Shihong miscalculated on the avoidance of the attack was just icing on the cake.

The hair falls out of the bun and the Syndicate employee makes her displeasure known. The capoeirista who wasn't talkative from the beginning of the fight finally speaks. "I was done 'fucking' around the moment I was lowered into this pit." His thoughts are interrupted when Shihong takes to the air causing the spidery capoeirista to respond by cartwheeling to side which in turn brings him closer to the action between Raizo and Rugal. "Anyway I think I should give my regards to Mr. Bernstein."

Raizo probably is going to rethink the half-crazed analysis of his team mate. He flings the Oakley Thumps into the air landing them high into the air and onto one of the platforms. He doubts his sunglasses will survive his nigh suicidal idea. He then breaks into a run and curls up into a ball as he flies towards the Princibear. Hopefully he can read what the traceur has in mind.

COMBATSYS: Aranha assists Raizo.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1           Aranha
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Rugal            1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0            Raizo


COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Raizo with Reppuken.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1           Aranha
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Rugal            1/---====/=======|=======\=------\1            Raizo


Raizo Imawano glares at Rugal. OK, so...

...so this isn't going to go so well.

Raizo acts quickly nonetheless though, aiming to do his best to at least make Rugal need a few more bandages before he goes down.

He reaches out with one gigantic arm - oddly, the arm OPPOSITE Aranha - to catch the spinning capoerista. The reason becomes apparent soon enough, as the Reppuken smashes into that arm - a quick, makeshift block, that...doesn't do a whole lot. Rugal's Reppuken tears through Raizo's guard, sending the Princibear soaring backward...but when he impacts against the glass, panting, huffing and puffing, he doesn't stay there. He rises, one more time. "Yes," he mutters. "Impressive...it's important to be able to make an impression, don't you think?"

And then he HOWLS, an almost animalistic roar, as he bears down across the distance toward Rugal, carrying Aranha in his hand like nothing so much as some ludicrous BASKETBALL, and at the last instant, makes as if to simply PUNCH RUGAL IN THE FACE with Aranha's own body...!

And then Raizo rears his fist back, snarls, "LIKE THIS!!" and hurls Aranha as far into the air as his arm can throw the boy, before bringing his claws down hard on Rugal. "IMAWANO KYOUJYUU REPPA!" And then again, and again, and again - smashing with every ounce of power left in his body, crashing through Rugal's defense as best he can.

He assaults until he runs out of strength and then simply collapses at Rugal's feet, which if he timed it right should be about when Aranha comes down on Rugal's skull.

COMBATSYS: Raizo can no longer fight.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1           Aranha
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            1/---====/=======|


COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Raizo's Imawano Kyoujyuu Reppa.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Shihong          1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1           Aranha
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            1/--=====/=======|


It would appear the fight itself is begining to come to a close. There's only so much abuse individuals can take before they reach their limit and do no more. And all four have been doing a hell of a lot of that this match. Those who came looking for blood, violence, and intensity have not been disappointed by the outcome to say the least. As Raizo comes charging at the crimelord, Rugal frowns, just faintly. There's nothing trivial about the Imawano master going all out on someone and right now he has just that to deal with...

The flury of claw slashes are met with a very vital defense on the part of Rugal. Nigh immortal as he may think himself to be, even he can't weather that kind of savage assault without defending himself. Hands come up to catch Raizo's arms at times, though several claw slashes get through all the same in spite his efforts to the contrary. Good thing he didn't bother with a suit coat for this one... it sure as hell wouldn't have lasted long.

On the matter of Ranha coming down toward him... Rugal spares an arm to block the youth, letting Raizo get a few more strikes in while his guard is half occupied already...

But the assault ends eventually and right now Aranha is in the unpleasant position of being pretty damn close to the tyrant of 'R', a fact that Rugal attempts to put to immediate use by turning and charging toward him with the same ruthless aggression he's exhibited throughout the fight. Some believe all the man ever does is stand in one place and smash away his opponents as they come to him... but as this fight has shown, the titan is just as fiercesome when he's on the offense as well!

Only, this charge is unlike the one that was used against Raizo. While his arms are out at his sides just like before, the man's hands are covered with crimson fluid. It looks like blood but as drops of it fall to the floor in his wake, they smoke and melt their way through the surface... whatever that is, it sure ain't blood...

"Oh, so you can talk. I was beginning to wonder if you were some deaf-mute," the woman explains, tilting her head absently to one side as she observes the young man. After all, he didn't respond to her playful chiding, and hadn't said a word one since the entire thing really began. A smile blooms over her pale face, rouge red lips easing into a devilish grin as she continues to observe the capoeirista. His luck will only extend so far, right?

But the moment of observation is broken, as Rugal and Raizo clash. The woman flinches lightly, Aranha's words falling upon deaf ears as she just watches - and then HE'S back in the picture. What's a woman to do?

Stand back and watch sparks fly, of course.

Grinning to herself, the woman watches, waiting patiently. And when the time is right, when Rugal has staved off the horrible brunt of Raizo's attack, the woman moves in, right for the capoeirista in tandem with Rugal. Whether he's struck by her or not matters little; her intention is to draw near and, with one arm rising up and crossing her forearm over her forehead, the other thrusts forward, a burst of furious vermilion energy exploding, right for Aranha.

COMBATSYS: Shihong successfully hits Aranha with Swallow's Wings.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Shihong          1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1           Aranha
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Rugal's Gigantic Pressure.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Shihong          1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1           Aranha
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


Aranha knew he was in a bad position the moment Raizo had fallen. And so Aranha watches and waits as both fighters come in to completely destroy him. It forces the capoeirista to make a quick decision as to which is the lesser of two evils. Ideally, he'd get out of the way of both but his concern about feeling the pain from Rugal's attempt to crush him that he weaves out of the path of the Tyrant right into the psionic energy of the Chinese enforcer.

Ultimately it was probably the right decision. But then decision time comes once again. Go after Rugal? Go after Shihong? He then makes his decision.

Taking advantage of their close proximity to each other and the wall that Rugal tried to drive him into, he suddenly takes the air jumping at Rugal as the entirety of his body glows blue. In the best case scenario, he'd bounce back and forth between Shihong and Rugal kicking the both of them over and over again from a variety of angles but he's capable of using the walls to bounce off of if worse comes to worse.

COMBATSYS: Rugal fails to interrupt Joker's Wild from Aranha with Genocide Cutter.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Shihong          1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0           Aranha
[                        \\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


The youth proves to be rather swift in his getting out of the way of Bernstein's incoming attack. He'll be glad he pulled that off, considering what was in store for him...

But then come the flurry of attacks, back and forth between the two fighters, and Rugal decides to put a stop to the young fighter's speedy assault with savage retaliation. His leg swings out swiftly, piercing chi trailing behind it as the man attempts to snare the dancing spider up in one of his most powerful attacks...

But Aranha's speed saves him once again, leaving Rugal pummeled somewhat by the chi laced kicks. The man seems to weather it fairly well, all things considered. Then again, he is a monster... what would one expect.

COMBATSYS: Shihong blocks Aranha's Joker's Wild.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Shihong          0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0           Aranha
[                        \\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


As Aranha gets blasted by her burst of psionic energy, the woman offers a wry grin, eyes half-lidded in delight as he's struck. It's only fair in her mind, she figures. He had plenty of clean hits on her, and now it's her turn to dish out some pain. It makes her feel a LITTLE better.

But a certain expression of surprise crosses her face as the young man suddenly erupts with chi energy and otherwise ping-pongs off of walls, attempting to kick both she AND Rugal in the process. Frowning, the woman does the only think she can do in this instant: she lifts her arms up and crosses them, shielding her face and chest from the incoming strikes.

Only after he has relented does the woman let her eyes widen, black depths flickering with red, lively and afire. Without a word, she leaps forward, landing in a handstand before she springs at Aranha with both heels. Should she land cleanly, she'll hop up once again, another backflip aimed for the capoeirista, one foot after the other: the first aimed for his chest, while the second foot staggers, aimed for his skull to introduce him face-first to the floor.

COMBATSYS: Aranha endures Shihong's Raiding Falcon.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Shihong          0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0           Aranha
[                        \\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


Aranha knew that he had no business surviving what Rugal has been trying to do to him for most of the fight. He breathes a sigh of relief though Shihong seems intent on making him cough up that breath along with a bit of blood as well.

Once again, takes the impact. Aranha probably should move but he doesn't. Aranha takes the heels to the chest making him grunt as he slides backwards. He then finds that the attack hasn't ended but is followed by the foot connects with his chest, and the other for his head but he moves a foot forward allowing him to drop to one knee and keep himself from fully falling. That's when Aranha then grabs Shihong by the waist as she recovers from the attack pushing her at Rugal to attempt to make him move his guard to catch her and hopefully creating an opening for one of the most powerful kicks he

COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Aranha's Colossal Kick.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Shihong          0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0           Aranha
[                        \\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


At this point, weathered and beat down as Rugal is by Raizo's assault and Aranha's flurry of chi laced kicks, the man is not quite out of commission yet. And the swift way he slips out of way of Aranha's attempted tactic is evidence of that. The kick misses as Rugal side-steps, taking a moment to even catch Shihong with his other arm to keep her from dropping, as if not even willing to sacrifice the well being of his partner at this stage of the fight.

The contact is brief, however, as he is immediately whirling back around on Aranha as he comes out of the swift evasion, his right fist slamming in toward the young man as muscles draw tight, aiming to deliver a crushing blow to his side with enough force to potentially send him flying. "Well fought," he growls mid-swing. He expected the youth to be unconscious a long time ago, really... "Maybe you would be better off naming yourself after a cockroach..."

Grabbed as she's recovering, there's a certain look of annoyance that registers over the woman's pale features, eyes widening before they narrow dangerously. "Let me go!" she exclaims, flailing in response as she's hefted up. And he does that; letting her go, he throws her at the R tyrant without so much as batting an eye. He's using her as a tool of distraction?

How insulting. She won't forgive.

Fortunately for Shihong, the leader of R grabs her out of the air. Surprise registers, black eyes swiveling up to peer in disbelief at the man before she exhales and lightly sags her shoulders. "Thanks," she replies, set down and left to fend for herself.

And she'll do precisely that.

Lifting a hand to the raised collar of her cheongsam, the woman unfastens the gold, ornate fasteners, letting the lip of the dress hang lightly. It gives her the opening she needs to dip a hand inside and withdraw a slender looking object with an ornate tip that glints in the light. A keen eye would note that it's a kanzashi hairpin, probably for her hair.

Unfortunately, that's not where she PUTS it. Instead, the woman crosses her arm over her chest before she tosses her arm out wide, letting the sharp in fly at the capoeirista with every intention of letting it pin right into his person.

COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Rugal's Medium Punch.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Shihong          0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0           Aranha
[                       \\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Shihong's Thrown Object.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Shihong          0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0           Aranha
[                       \\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


Aranha watches as the two fighters recover from his gambit that didn't quite work as he planned Rugal stays close to slam his fist into his side while Shihong hangs back to impale him with the thrown hair pin. It wasn't to be. Instead of finding his fist in Aranha's ribs the Dancing Spider leaps up and back bounding off the wall as he avoids the punch and in the process clearing the pin that was targetting him.

Only upon landing does Aranha respond to Rugal's barbed words. "I wasn't the one who chose the nickname." After the response he realizes he's not going to be able to take out Rugal he just has one chance and so he makes a run for Shihong and whips his foot around in a glowing roundhouse, followed by an also glowing spinning jump kick and finishing with a backflip kick of his own driving his blue chi engulfed boot down on the Chinese enforcer's head.

Persistant little guy, Rugal muses, as Aranha weaves out of the way of his crushing punch. But he can't keep this up forever... Rugal is slowly regaining strength as seconds tick past, his constitution far beyond that of most fighters in the world. Pulling back his fist, he turns his head to watch as Aranha takes off after Shihong again.

Tsk. The man speeds after Aranha though, not willing to give him a break even as he turns his attention elsewhere. He can't keep avoiding him forever... everyone's speed fails them eventually. Coming in behind the kick-mastery fighter, Rugal decides to strike him back with footwork of his own, swinging his right leg up in an axe kick, before continuing into a combination to sweep out side with his left foot for the final strike. "HAH!"

COMBATSYS: Shihong interrupts Aggressive Dance from Aranha with Savage Tiger.

[                          \\\\  < >  //                            ]
Shihong          1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1           Aranha
[                       \\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/-----==|


The hair pin sails past, as the capoeirista jumps over it altogether, bounding off the walls like some insane ping-pong ball. The pin lodges into the distant wall, earning the woman a soft sigh and a shake of her head. She could have used that in her hair, she realizes. How unfair her fate is looking. This guy is incredibly persistent. It's almost enough to make her mad. But...she's not.

Instead, those eyes flicker up as she watches him carefully, noting his response to the R leader. But just as soon as the words leave his lips, he's throwing a kick right for her head. Not again, she laments. But there's no time to mull; instead, the woman moves into the attack.

The kick lands, jarring the woman slightly in response, a pained look crossing her face. But she bites down and pursues the young man, thrusting a hand up and snaring his leg to drag him down, the other grabbing at his opposing arm. Again, the woman climbs up the Spider, heels digging into his front as she ascends. And when she reaches her apex she wrenches his arm tightly and slams her feet into the back of his shoulders, thrusting him toward the ground, followed by a concussive burst of red.

She, on the other hand, leaps up and off, landing daintily before she staggers back, winded and clearly pushing her limits.

COMBATSYS: Aranha endures Rugal's Medium Kick.

[                          \\\\  < >                                ]
Shihong          1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2           Aranha
[                       \\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/----===|


Aranha knew he was done for the moment the vermillion energy had been blasted into his shoulder driving him down upon the ground and forcing him to growl in pain. He's in no condition to move out of the way of the axe kick or the subsequent kick from Rugal. So he doesn't. Instead, he grabs a hold of Rugal's foot as he struggles to his feet before trying to whip his foot around with an outside crescent kick from his front leg which then drops to his rear leg. He shifts back and swings his leg around in a rear leg outside crescent kick which is quickly followed up by a trio of kicks where he touches the ground as he swings the heel of his rear leg towards his opponent's head. On the third of those particular kicks he cuts short and turns his foot as he drops it down on the ground before swinging his other foot at the head in a roundhouse kick-like motion though it's also done with both hands on the ground. Aranha then shifts his weight over to the side swinging the unplanted foot up and over which though it doesn't hit, it generates momentum for the other foot to come back across. He performs a handstand and performs a series of rapid spinning handstand kicks.

COMBATSYS: Aranha can no longer fight.

[                          \\\\  <
Shihong          1/-------/=======|
[                       \\\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/----===|


COMBATSYS: Rugal counters Royal Flush from Aranha with Scorpion Blow.

[                          \\\\  <
Shihong          1/-------/=======|
[                        \\\\\\  <
Rugal            0/-------/----===|


Slowly Rugal regains his strength. Bleeding gashes have started to stem the flow of blood and even some of the smaller scrapes have started to close up. The stamina of this man is nothing shy of legendary and as the seconds tick past, it becomes obvious that while Aranha is putting up a fantastic struggle that has the audience on the edge of their seats, there's no way the that he can hope to take the slow, patiently striding monster down. Now it's just a question of 'how long does he have left'.

The fight taken out of him by the hard work of Shihong, Rugal simply stops and waits for Aranha to come for him. Dishing out a series of rapid kicks, but Rugal deflects each one with his hand nudging aside the youth's leg with mastery level skill and timing. He does nothing but fend off the attacks at first, one by one, using both of his hands, and on occasion, the side of his show by lifting his foot just high enough to intercept, keeping Aranha from getting a clean hit through in spite giving it his all.

Eventually Bernstein has had enough, however, and the time comes where he lashes out with his right hand, snagging a hold of Aranha's leg and lifting him right up off the ground, hanging him upside down in front of him, his arm extended to give him a chance to view the determined fighter from a little bit of distance. "Heh." grunts the crimelord as he inspects his captured prey.

"You had this coming from the time you were on my ship. Disrespectful child... But, like the good Principal Imawano, you did manage to provide me with an interesting diversion for this dull evening, so I believe that makes us even." He pauses, right hand tightening into a fist. "Almost." ANd then he slams it forward, driving it into Aranha's stomach at the same time he releases his leg and lets him go flying away to wherever he might land. "Okay, now we're even."

Lowering his arms, he brushes himself idly, inspecting the severe amount of injuries before he glances toward Shihong, "Well fought, Miss Mao. I trust this was worth your time," he smirks faintly. He knows she was able to gather intelligence on him as a result of being invited here, but the reverse is also true now isn't it? All part of the game.

Lifts are lowered down into the pit with medics and staff as well as providing a way out of the fighting arena. With a slight nod of his head toward Shihong then toward Raizo and Aranha, the man takes his life.

As promised, their time spent providing this match doesn't go to waste. A significant, untraceable donation will be made to the Justice High alumni foundation and Aranha and Shihong both will receive $15,000 money orders before leaving the Capital 7 Casino up above. As for Rugal, he's on the next chopter to his carrier. That fight took a lot out of the man, to say the least.

COMBATSYS: Rugal has left the fight here.

[                          \\\\  <
Shihong          1/-------/=======|

Log created on 23:09:28 01/31/2008 by Rugal, and last modified on 13:28:41 02/04/2008.