Description: Adelheid takes on Batsu takes on Sakura in a no-holds-barred teen free for all between three of the forefront contenders for 'most uber of their generation.' As you might imagine, a chaotic, adrenaline-packed thrill ride of passionate pugilism ensues, ending with no fighter unbattered, and all fighting fiercely to the bitter end. (Winner: Adelheid)
After a few weeks of more gimmicky fights -- not that Batsu minds those so much; as he told Oswald not too long ago, they're often good footwork practice if nothing else -- Taiyo's favorite son (he is, shut up) is ready for some straight-up brawlin'. No castles, no crossbows, no DDR (though he bought the 4th Mix soundtrack when he got home)... just people with fists doing what people with fists do best: using them to make other people unconscious. Thus as Batsu makes his way up toward the arena, he's actually feelin kind of psyched. Lacking anything approaching subtlety and guile, the Burning Fighter is easy to read: the grin, the itchiness of his fingers as they curl in and out of fists... he's ready to go.
And of course, where Batsu goes, so too go Taiyo High students in the stands to cheer him (and by proxy the school) on... and there's two mitigating factors here as well. One is that SEIJYUN TRAITOR GIRL KASUGANO(tm) is in the match too... and while she might be wearing a different set of colors now, she's still well-liked by the Taiyo crowd. Secondly, though, is the much-watched fight Batsu had with Oswald on school grounds not a few days previous... one where his fighting skills did not come out on top, though the gambler attempted to go for a gracious offer of a draw. Thus the cheering people in the Taiyo section are somewhat conflicted; while they want to see their favorite tough guy rise from the ashes, many also want Sakura to come out on top.
As for Batsu... nearly losing to Oswald merely drives him on to fight even harder today. He stands off to the side of one of the carved stone steps leading up into the arena, sipping water from a sports bottle and hoping Sakura and the blonde kid with the hammer pants show up soon. He really wants to punch something.
Batsu. Taiyo's vanguard is a fighter that Adelheid has not had the privilege to combat directly, until now... but the Bernstein heir is certainly aware of the fellow. One of those few of his peers that can truly be considered peers, the Burning one's strength and skill are well known, examined several times in the self-imposed studies the platinum blonde warrior pursues. Add Kasugano to that equation, AND the fact that there's nothing in the fight invite this week about showing up dressed as a cuddly bunny or fighting in a bouncy ball castle or some such ridiculous shit, and Adelheid is pretty psyched, himself.
Adelheid may be cool, collected, focused as he climbs the faux stonework steps to the pinnacle of Howard Arena, but he's anything but sedate. The young fighter veritably burns with his own inner power, centered and honed with a discipline that's unusual in one of his age. But if Rugal were your father, you'd probably keep him happy too. Unless you're just born retarded, like say Rock Howard. Clad in black combat boots, black fatigue pants, a skintight black shirt (are we sensing a trend here?), his only ornamentations are the silver rings of metal adorning the back of his leather gloves, and in spots on his belt. Batsu is the first place his eyes fall, one of two substantial challenges he's looking forward to tonight. ... it's that thought that brings a bit of distance to Adelheid's countenance, as the 'R' heir turns his head over towards the third competitor's entry point.... Kasugano sort of owes him, doesn't she? Sure, he put on a hell of a good show the last time they met here, but.... well, he still remembers the time in Taiyo's yard, before that. Ow.
Clenching his teeth once, Adelheid's feet shift, steadying his stance somewhat. His breathing rhythmic, his attention returns to the fight.... which judging from the mostly-ignored announcer's tone, is quickly coming up.
For what it's worth, Sakura hasn't ever -publicly- changed her colors, or her uniform -- those precious few appearances she's made since graduation have been in the Taiyo uniform, where appropriate! ... Mainly because the Seijyun university campus lacks a true uniform.
Kasugano's picked out a bright red hoodie with white stripes for tonight's fight, knowing full well the camera's going to want some color to contrast against Adelheid anti-hued wardrobe. Her skirt and handguards are dark grey, but everything else is either red or white -- further homage to her Taiyo roots, of course!
... And, true to form, folks will be waiting a bit longer for the perpetually-tardy Sakura to appear. Adel may be watching for as long as a minute before the tomboy makes her triumphant appearance, with great aplomb, from the far gate. Waving one hand high to the crowd, she draws in a confident breath as she strides across the arena. It's been a long tim since she's fought here in Howard Arena, and... wasn't it against Adelheid then, also?
Kasugano tips her head to her two opponents as she pulls her handguards snug. It'll be good practice -- no more costumes, no more tricks, just a good honest beatdown!
And, true to form, she flashes a smirk to them once she's in speaking range. "Hey! I know it's been a while since I've done this SNF thing, but you two don't have to go easy on me or anything! Put up a good fight, okay?"
COMBATSYS: Sakura has started a fight here.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Adelheid has joined the fight here.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
COMBATSYS: Batsu has joined the fight here.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|
Hey hey, the gang's all here. Sakura's lateness gives Batsu time to observe Adelheid as he walks into the ring. The Bernstein heir's physique and -- let's face it -- beauty are pretty striking, but it doesn't put Batsu off any. After all, look at Hyo and Kyosuke... and how strong they are. No reason why Adelheid wouldn't be the same. And indeed, much like his blond opponent, Batsu's blood starts rising too at the thought of challenging someone he hasn't fought before. It's not that Sakura doesn't present a challenge -- far from it, in fact. But she's a known quantity for the most part. Fighting someone you don't know is an entirely different test of strength and skill.
Coming up the stone steps, the Burning Fighter makes a bit of a triangle once Sakura arrives, and he turns to her with a grin. "Have you ever known me to go easy on *anyone*?" The answer is probably no. Still, he turns away from Sakura to Adel and starts cracking his knuckles, that grin getting a little wider. "Anyhow... no offense, Kasugano, but I wanna see what our new friend here's got goin' under the hood." He drops into stance, a stance that makes 'real' martial artists cringe. Fists up, posture loose, Batsu looks more like he's about to re-enact Final Fight than have a real martial arts competition.
"READY...? FIGHT!" comes the announcer's voice.
"I thought you'd never ask," the Imawano sorta-scion says, before launching himself at Adel and attempting a no-nonsense, straight-up right cross to his placid face. "Alright, blondie... LET'S SEE WHATCHA GOT!" Subtle.
COMBATSYS: Batsu successfully hits Adelheid with Fierce Punch.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|
Damn that Sakura and her fashionable lateness. It robs Adelheid of a bit of time that might otherwise be studying Batsu! Anticipating his style, and movements. Of course, it's the young Bernstein's own fault for waxing nostalgic when there's fighting to be had. After Sakura makes her entrance, Adel can't help but grin a little towards the Taiyo-turned-Seijyun School mascot, "I'm going to have to agree with Batsu, here." The 'R' heir concurrs, turning his dark eyes back towards the Burning Fighter.
It's about that time that the fight starts, and the aforementioned warrior is launching himself full tilt all up in Adelheid's grill. He weaves back, but not quite far enough, and Batsu's potent strike cleans Adel's proverbial clock squarely, crashing home on his jaw and sending his head reeling back, a stuttering step carrying him away from Batsu once, half again.... then his attention snaps squarely back to Batsu, as if the ringing in his head just abruptly cleared, "Not bad." There's no doubting the raw power in the strike, but regardless, the platinum blonde launches himself -right back- at Batsu, left arm shooting out, seeking to grab the other prodigy by his jacket, and should he find his grip: jack him violently up off his feet with a surprising strength from that lithe, corded arm. It wouldn't last long, however, as Adelheid's real intent is to -slam- his other fist forward, in a jarring straight to the Taiyo champion's ribcage, with force meant to launch him right back the way he came.
So the Ansatsuken Angel has not one, but -two- guys turning her down in front of several thousand onlookers? Some -might- take offense to this, but Ryu's number-one-and-only student smiles affably back at the two. "Hey, none taken! It's not every day I get to see two guys beating the crap out of each other just a couple meters in front of me!" Lacing her fingers together, the Seijyun U student stretches her arms high overhead, taking a step back to ensure she's out of punching range.
But when those hands fall, it's with her palms flattened against one another, just before her her navel. Her body stills in a perfect, straightened posture as the other two combat. Exhaling a breath as her eyes narrow to mere slits, she continues in a much calmer voice, "It will give me time to practice the ninkoujutsu techniques I've been working on..."
There has been only one clan known to use that -particular- term for their arts: the Ryouhara.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
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Adelheid 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Batsu fails to interrupt Scorpion Blow from Adelheid with Head Drop.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|
The result of Adelheid's attack plays out a bit like a vaudeville pratfall. When the Bernstein heir goes to grab his shirt, Batsu's eyes widen a bit and he decides to... well, ignore it, hoping that he could push forward before Adel can do anything and counterattack with all due haste. He chooses... pooorly. Attempting to snag the blond around the waist with both arms for an impromptu Izuna drop, he instead closes his arms around... well, nothing, which he realizes is because he is off the ground and out of reach.
...damn.
The straight catches him in the stomach easily, sending him sprawling toward the ground. Snapping out one hand, he rebounds off the stone floor and lands in a crouch, but the damage is done. That stung just a little bit. "Not bad yourself," Batsu says appreciatively. Takes a lot of strength to lift a guy with one arm, after all. "But I'm just gettin' warmed up... and don't think I've forgotten about you, either," the Burning Fighter adds, turning his head to Sakura somewhat.
Fingers flex and he draws his arms back, resetting a versatile ready stance, difficult to identify as any particular style. Adelheid's mouth quirks in a bit of a half-smile, "I'd hope so. If you're winded already this is going to be a short fight." But, Sakura's words give him pause, the platinum blonde turning towards the preparing Kasugano, "... ninkoujutsu?" Adelheid just shakes his head, "Sakura, if you try to blow all of us up, I'm going to be very upset." The words are dryly spoken, but sardonic. And the Bernstein prodigy is in motion, charging in at Sakura, apparently willing to invite the danger implied by Ryouhara's bizarre and dangerous style. Or perhaps invited by it. Then again, it -is- rude to leave Sakura sitting on the outskirts like that. .... and possibly imminently unwise.
The last span of distance is crossed in a leap, one that takes Adelheid forward more than up, his velocity increased further still by a twisting, tight-fisted backhand that's levelled on Sakura's head as he descends. Nice to see you again!
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Fierce Punch from Adelheid with Strong Throw.
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/----===|
So the other two think they know -exactly- what Sakura's up to? She's here to prove them wrong tonight, folks!
To Batsu, the meditating (?!) Ansatsuken fighter gives a simple, "Mm." No sense in ruining her mojo just to respond to a comment, after all! She's got stuff to focus upon!
... It seems she expects at least -one- of her opponents to take the bait though, as she doesn't seem to move -too- quickly as Adelheid comes rocketing over to her. Ninjas can move really fast, so... Sakura waits till the very last second to leap up and out of the way.
And she almost -does-, too, her form blurring out of existence for a motion that -would- have been too fast for the average audience member to spot... if it weren't violently short-circuited by Adelheid's backhand. Sakura goes flying sideways, arms helicoptering to the side as she teeters to the arena floor. Only at the end does she manage to catch herself, slapping a hand to the floor to steady herself before leaping off to safety. She certainly -seems- faster... somehow?!
There's a frown as Adel and Sakura have their little conversation-slash-punchings. Ninkouwhat now? In fact the Imawano son even scratches his head a little bit. "Nin what who?" he says, giving a demonstration of his marvelous deductive faculties. Which is to say: Batsu's brain works like a flowchart:
1.) Is the object alive? Yes.
2.) Is it punchable? Yes.
3.) Will punching it probably cause it to make more sense? Sure.
Thus he slaps a fist into his palm and rushes Sakura. "I dunno about whatever jutsu or somethin', but this is a fight! Don't go blowin' anything up!" Yes, he is a simple man. Simple... LIKE A FOX! Leaping into the air, Batsu's body takes on an intense blue glow as he looks to drop onto Sakura from above like an arrow shot from some divine bow, only the arrow is wearing a Taiyo uniform and shouting "RYUUSEI KICK!"
Kasugano is always full of surprises, it's true. But then, so is Adelheid. There's an odd dichotomy between the two prodigies, and it's played out in some of the hurdles and clashes of their peculiar rivalry. It seems facing Adelheid in the spotlight continues to favor the 'R' heir, for the moment... but in such a chaotic situation, truly anything could be coming down the proverbial pipe. Such as the impact his brilliant manipulation has on Punchy McPuncherstein over there. Batsu's renewed vigor takes even Adelheid by surprise... hey, that's a nice side-effect of a little repartee. Yea! Get the damn ninja! Get them all!!
... ahem. It's Adelheid's turn to step back, flanking as Batsu hurtles in. It's not hesitation, but rather anticipation. Squaring off for the next round. That clash will end, another will begin, and it's only going to get crazier before the end, "Next thing you'll be telling me you've decided to become an assassin, Sakura." Sure, it's more random taunting than anything, but Batsu seems to be enjoying himself.
Adelheid still needs someone to wipe that little half-smirk off his face. Alright, so he's enjoying himself too. He's been waiting for this fight. He wets his lips, draws a deep breath, and paces another graceful sidestep, changing his avenue of attack. .... wait for it....
COMBATSYS: Adelheid focuses on his next action.
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Sakura parries Batsu's Shooting Star Kick!
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|
Assassin? Pfft! Kasugano rubs the back of her head as she rises to her full height, offering Adelheid a quirky smile. "Maybe." Her words are laconic, but her expressions are 100% Sakura, just the same.
Some time ago, Sakura's own fighting method wasn't far removed from Batsu's. But the more she's trained with Ryu, the more she's realized that such unmitigated passion for the fight can be put to more strategic uses. That is to say, she'd be more than happy to just charge in, fists merrily punching away... just not now!
"Aww, can't I have any fun?" she comments as Batsu's foot streaks across the sky towards her. His blue chi is definitely similar to Sakura's in intensity... but if there's one thing Sakura's good at, it's =harnessing= chi, molding it to her own devices. So it is here, as well, as the self-proclaimed ninja actually -does- manage to flit out of Batsu's path, twirling with an impish grin upon her face.
But while she twirls aside, her palm remains outstretched. "Borrowing this!" she calls out, as her hand flares a lighter, powdery shade of blue, brushing ever close to Batsu as he continues to the ground. As she completes the gesture, both palms curled to her side, her eyes focus upon the black-garbed one hoping to evade all the puncherocity. She's clearly still addressing Batsu, though, as she adds, "Hope that's okay with you!", while wisps of Batsu's energy are drawn into her curled palms. It doesn't seem like he has any real choice in the matter, though, as she's forging an attack of her own -- in this case, a rather -potent- sphere of cerulean-blue chi.
But -Batsu- won't be the one facing the five-foot-wide orb, as it rockets out towards Adelheid! "HADOOOOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Adelheid with Large Hadouken EX.
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/=======|
Well, that's new. Batsu knew Sakura was always good at... whatever the lightshow fighters use is. The Burning Fighter knows it's called 'chi' but it ends there; his trademark techniques like the Kiai Dan don't read as 'Guts Bullet' for nothing... it stands to reason that if Batsu actually trained in HARNESSING his vast amount of rage-and-passion-fueled chi, he would probably be pretty frightening. As it is, though, that sorta thing isn't his style. Well, at least, not completely...
Skidding to a stop on the ground, he turns just in time to see Sakura 'borrow' his energy and throw it at Adel, and can't help but grin. It's an interesting way of doing things, and he can appreciate that even if he can't duplicate it. He doesn't attack, not just yet... instead he just wipes a hand across his mouth. "Fine by me. Use all you want..." And then his arms are thrown to his side, mouth open wide with an inarticulate shout as a blazing aura of bright blue, tinged with dark red at the edge, explodes around his body. "THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu gathers his will.
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/=======|
Wow, did she just...
Alright,maybe Sakura -is- faster. For a moment Adelheid can only watch, and channel a trace of his father, murmuring a succinct, "Impressive." his melodic tenor speaking more to himself than anyone else. Unfortunately for the platinum blonde, he murmurs it moments before Sakura's channeling and rechanneling the impressively conjured chi into her own wild conflaguration of spirit. Adelheid shifts, tenses, and then gets absolutely -nailed- by the impressively fast mass of power, the burning energy blasting him backwards, sliding to his knee on the ground, the stone bruising skin even as the Hadouken's force dissipates violently through him, "I guess... you've been practicing!!!" Adelheid pushes out of the forced crouch, shoving back to his feet and charging in on Sakura, his right boot leading as he closes the distance with a forward, flying snap of his fierce foot.
It's not the Bernstein prodigy's intention to stop there: ideally he'll follow the first kick with a second aligned squarely with Sakura's ribs, before roundhousing her squarely in the temple with one axeing bootheel and an abrupt turn.
The power that Batsu's gathering probable spells bad news for one or both of them, but there's no answer in the here and now but to charge full bore back in on Kasugano. He did promise to fight her all-out, after all... and she's making him work for it.
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Adelheid's B's Destruction.
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Adelheid 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 1/-------/=======|
Sakura was pretty fast to begin with! She doesn't have the -strength- as other fighters, so she's learned to put more emphasis on momentum. It doesn't always work, as her initial attempts at ninkoujutsu showed earlier, but it's the thought that counts, right? But her speed is enough to allow her a better defense against Adelheid's boots, giving her the space she needs to interpose her padded handguards between his soles and herself. "Nnf..." The third blow is met by stepping to the side, necessitating both hands to be raised overhead to deflect the impact. And yet... the Seijyun collegiate smiles in approval. This is what she enjoys most about fighting, after all!
Still, it's a shame to leave Batsu out of the action! He promised more power for her, and the tomboy figures it's time to collect. Whirling out from under the high kick, she dashes over towards the Taiyo brawler. "Don't worry, there's enough of me for both of you!" She puts another exclamation point on that statement by channeling her full momentum into one solid, powerful thrust kick aimed at knocking him to the arena floor in the midst of his waaaage!! "Hyaaaaaah!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu endures Sakura's Strong Kick.
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Adelheid 1/-------/=======|=======\======-\1 Batsu
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Sakura 1/------=/=======|
Well. If Sakura wanted to really dish out a bunch of hurt all in one go, she did accomplish that. However, as he thrust kick impacts with Batsu's stomach, she may be regretting that her secondary objective didn't work 100% as planned. Yes, she connected, and there's a sharp exhalation as air is knocked from Batsu's lungs... he just, you know. Didn't GO anywhere, or fall down, or any of that sort of thing. He stays right where he is, and that blue glow around his body shifts hues, the dark red from the edges bleeding inward until Batsu's body is wreathed in scarlet and orange chi flame, burning as brightly as his passion for fighting.
"What was that, Kasugano, a love tap? You're gettin' soft!" And then he just looks to DECK her, hard, with a slightly downward-angled punch... before bringing his fist back UP in a vicious uppercut looking to knock Sakura clear into the ceiling... and the titanic geyser of chi flame that follows the path of his punch is like a rocket burst from the launching pad to make this a reality. "TRICKS LIKE THAT DON'T WORK ON ME! GUTS... UPPER!"
Strongest or no, fast and strong is an impressive combination. It's something Adelheid demonstrates as well, but Sakura's the one putting on the display right this moment. His strikes deflected, Adelheid takes a moment to regain his bearings, preparing himself... before he realizes that opponents have shuffled again, Kasugano rushing the Burning Fighter with full-on fury. He can almost -feel- the force of the kick as it cracks home on Batsu, which only makes the Taiyo hero's resilience more impressive, and his counterattack more menacing. It's past time to give the Burning fellow some of his attention, if that outpouring of chi and fist is any indication. Adelheid hasn't trained with the Ryouhara, but his hybrid style is based largely around his own impressive, adaptively impulsive wind chi. He all but blurs as he sprints forward, launching more than running as he gracefully closes distance with Batsu.
One hand seeks Batsu's jacket, the other his face, as Adelheid's momentum carries him in on the other fighter's flank. It's not fast enough to catch him -before- he finishes unleashing that destructive technique, but the idea is to catch him still off-balance. And should he find his grip? Rather than -landing- as one might expect, a tremendous, invisible shockwave of chi would erupt as he shoves off once more, velocity doubling and then redoubling as he yanks Batsu aloft, drags him along, and suddenly -slams- him back-first into the rock of the arena floor.
COMBATSYS: Batsu successfully hits Sakura with Maximum Guts Upper.
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 1/=======/=======|
Geez, when your opponent just takes that lickin' and keeps on kickin', it's time to be scared. VERY SCARED. To her credit, Sakura doesn't show it much to the audience... but the audience can't see the ohmigod-i'm-gonna-die expression on Sakura's face too clearly. She can tell the amount of energy Batsu really was building up -- unlike many fighters, he doesn't -need- to bluff. He's got exactly what he promised -- more where that came from.
And with her foot overdrawn such as it is, it's =really hard= to get out of the way there! ... So Sakura gets not only punched in the clavicle, but then uppercutted right in the stomach, and catapulted up, up, and away!!!
No one in the audience has the right to complain that they missed an upskirt angle -now-, what with Sakura flying up so high she nearly scrapes the ceiling of the dome, and then falling right back down...
But at least it gives her plenty of opportunity to figure out her next move, if she can only ignore the pounding in her forehead. Gritting her teeth, she reasserts control over her descent, pushing her palms down as she forces herself to concentrate. Batsu may have just blasted her with the sum of his bountiful fighting spirit... but Sakura's about to return that right back at him, with the white-hot, crackling energy forged in her palms. "Shinkuuuuuuuuuu...." she calls out, fighting to keep from coughing in the face of the rushing winds.
Then, when she's just close enough, she squints her eyes even more narrow, forcing the concussive shockwave to explode forward, rocketing out towards Batsu. "HADOOOOOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Batsu with Shinkuu Hadouken.
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Batsu with God Press.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-======|
Well... there's good, and then there's bad. The good is, Batsu managed to really smack Sakura a good one and make his point. Then he is basically doubleteamed into the dirt, the details of which are better left to those puissant martial artists who delivered such beatdowns twice in a row indiscriminately. Of course the damage, when added up, is more than Batsu's body appears to be able to take, and when his body finally skids to a stop across the cold stone floor of the arena, he doesn't move for a bit. The Taiyo students gasp, the crowd indeed holds its breath. Could this be the end of the Burning Fighter?!
Of course not.
Getting to his feet very, very slowly, Batsu wipes blood from his mouth and grins faintly at his opponents. Beaten, battered, within an inch of unconsciousness, he nevertheless is on his feet. "Heh... pretty weak, Sakura. Next time try hittin me... fer real." Against all logic, blue light starts to gather around Batsu's form once again, only this time it's concentrated in his arms. He turns to Adel with a faint smirk, knowing this is his last gasp... but he's going to make it a good one. "Well, you've felt plenty of these from her... here's my version." Throwing both arms forward, shotgun-style, he hurls a massive bullet of cerulean blue at Adel, shouting "ZENKAI... KIAI DAN!"
COMBATSYS: Adelheid reflects Maximum Guts Bullet from Batsu with Dark Barrier.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-======|
Batsu crashes down, and Sakura blasts the point home with that impressive blast of chi. He's been on the receiving end of it more times than he cars to remember, to mixed results admittedly... but the eruption is more than enough to prompt the Bernstein heir to leap back a step or three, giving Batsu just a little bit of breathing room... as much good as that does. Still, the Burning Fighter is up again despite the sudden destructive force unleashed around the ring.... and there's more still to come. Only going to get worse before it gets better. The mantra repeats, the focus redoubles, and Adelheid prepares for the last inning. All of them are hurting, a quick glance back at Sakura confirms that... going all-out like that tends to leave one aching, though.
Adelheid can sense the raw power in the lancing bullet that Batsu suddenly blasts forward, "Strong..." he murmurs, the instinct that says such things screaming warnings. The platinum blonde responds, shifting sharply to square one strong shoulder forward, fingers splaying as he pushes one hand towards the rocketing projectile, as if to catch it. Even as it crashes in, however, a disc of crackling energy coalesces into place just beyond Adel's braced palm and shoulder, a swirling creation of smoky silvers and arcing wind-chi. The dark blue bullet bursts magnificently directly into the barrier shield, its breadth rippling outward, then rupturing back inward, wavering like it's been dealt entirely too much to deal with.
Adelheid's eyes narrow. His muscles tense. The mass that was the massive Guts Bullet explodes outwards, a spraystorm of cerulean and silver, fiery windshear erupting in all directions, Adelheid barely managing to direct the explosion's force away from himself.
Sakura... really didn't think ahead to 'landing' after lobbing her Shinkuu Hadouken at Batsu. Got caught up in the moment, probably! But luckily Sakura's talents are mostly instinctual, so while she may not -consciously- know what to do when she rockets to the ground, her body knows well enough to throw the girl into a roll to the side. Tumbling to safety, she springs back to her feet without much additional injury...
And takes a deep breath, sweeping her hands to either side to dispel the momentum. She then draws her hands close to her mouth, raising two fingers while murmuring something beneath her breath. ... Maybe she -has- been studying ninkoujutsu after all, as a red circle seems to be forming around her feet...
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
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Sakura 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Batsu fails to slow Reflected Maximum Guts Bullet from Adelheid with Guts Bullet.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Sakura
COMBATSYS: Batsu can no longer fight.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Sakura
That's unexpected. Frowning, Batsu opens his mouth wide and shouts as he fires off another blue chi bullet... not as large at the one he threw at Adel before, but enough for his purposes, or so he had hoped. However, injuries and fatigue have slowed his reaction time far more than he'd thought, and his aim is totally off; his return blast arcs off into the distance and then vanishes as Adel's return shot smacks him in the face. The damage is actually quite minimal... about as much as a hard slap. However, it's enough to put Batsu out of the fight. He's just too tired to keep this up, though he is thankfully spared the indignity of a knockout.
Slumping to the ground at the edge of the arena, the brown eyebrows furrow in annoyance and frustration as he slams a fist into the cold stone. Two days in a row he's performed at something less than his best... just means more training is required, and perhaps a one on one fight with Adel and no Sakura-flavored distractions would be in order. "Damn..."
That may have been Batsu's last-ditch contribution to the battle, but Adelheid isn't out of the woods yet. Sakura lands, and recovers not only footing but initiative, from the look of things. Still plenty of fighting spirit in her, and as Batsu is blasted back by the force of his own technique, the Bernstein heir twists to face Kasugano, drawing a deep, slightly ragged breath. If she's preparing, it would behoove him to do the same. The air about Adelheid stills, then erupts, a veritable cyclone of ragged windshear bursting in a circle about him, coursing upwards and through him, the silvery light glinting in his eyes as he beckons Sakura forward.
"Well fought so far. Looks like it's down to just you and me, Kasugano." Muscles tense, a the glint intensifies, and the tangible pulse of chi ebbs, gathering and reinforcing the platinum blonde's impressive reserves, "... so let's see which of us can finish it -this- time!" As challenges go, it's relatively friendly... but there's nothing charitable about the gathering energy about Adel's lithe frame.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid gathers his will.
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Adelheid 1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0 Sakura
Kasugano frowns somewhat upon noting Batsu's last stand... she knows he poured every ounce of his fighting spirit into those last two Kiai Dans of his... and Adelheid had just shut him down. Sakura knows the Bernstein heir -- that's just what he does. And that's been another reason she was hesitant about giving him her =own= sure-kill blasts of energy, earlier.
But she believes that her luck is in the cards, tonight... her ninja info cards. She's been researching plenty of Seishirou's tricks, trying to find out what makes them work, and how to use them in battle. And someday... she'll attain full mastery over those skills just as surely as she's figured out Hadoukens.
But not tonight -- she's still learning. And as Adelheid states the obvious again -- something which a smartaleck like Sakura -ought- to be deriding -- the Seijyun student just smiles and nods. Because she's got a trick up her sleeve.
With a blur of motion, the Ansatsuken student surges forwards, faster than most of the audience can see. In the blink of an eye, she's right in front of Adelheid.
And at the same instant, there's the thunderous sound of gunpowder igniting =all around him=.
Just the sound, though. And it's not even a very powerful sound, at that -- because it's coming from a couple boxes of snap n' pops the girl picked up on the way over. Harmless, kid-tested mother-approved explosives employed for the sole purpose of scaring the bejeezus out of people... and Sakura had tossed them out one half-second before unleashing a rapid rising uppercut to the prettyboy's face. "SHHHHHHHHOOOOOU'OOOOU KEN!"
COMBATSYS: Adelheid just-defends Sakura's Shou'ou Ken!
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Adelheid 1/--=====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Sakura
Theatricality and deceptions are powerful tools indeed. It's an impressive display of alacrity, to be sure, but the danger is right in front of him... Adelheid can sense it, instinct tells him Sakura is coming. All-out, no less. It's an impressive feint, but the explosions do little to sway Adel... and as quickly as the uppercut begins, it ends. A perfectly aligned forearm meets Sakura's before she can fully complete the motion, the force behind the premature punch sorely lacking as the platinum blonde's own mastery over his internal chi surges to the fore once more, his hair gusting at the moment of impact, before all of Kasugano's momentum just leads her upwards, and Adelheid glides back into a ready stands a short distance back.
The Bernstein heir is spared not only the biting retort Sakura had for him... but also the fierce uppercut. It carries all the strength and skill he's come to expect from Sakura, but this time.. it may leave her precariously open.
Adel draws a breath, grits his teeth, and flexes his arms, shoving out as the ground beneath him all but erupts with roiling surges of wild, windy blades, a tumultuous storm that grows to a climax in the span of a couple fleeting instants. The wildly luminescent tidal wave of windshear is all but shoved forward, lancing in a coalescent mass in a breakneck course across Howard Arena, aiming to intercept Kasugano... and rend the remaining fight right out of her in a hurricane of massive energy, "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!" he shouts, straining his muscles, straining his body to finalize the outpouring of energy, and focus all of it on the lucky Sakura.
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Adelheid's Crown Prince.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Sakura
Aww, man! Snap 'n' pops were supposed to be the bestest thing ever! They sound like fireworks, but they cause minor burns at =best=, so Sakura doesn't have to worry about her fighter's honor much!
When her uppercut gets brushed aside and she goes flying up -anyway-, well... she realizes this could hurt. Gritting her teeth, she curls her legs up, twisting her upper torso down to face the oncoming shockwave in anticipation. With this... she's able to meet the force with her forearms, the pores in the fabric of her hoodie blistering open from the searing pressure. Kasugano drops the solemn ninja act to let out a pained shout, her shoes finally squealing as they touch down upon the arena floor a fair distance away.
Stabilizing herself, she isn't exactly one to sit by on the sidelines ... this is one of the times to harness her passion for the fight, like the kind Batsu showed all throughout the battle! "HRRRAAAAAAAAAAAA!" she howls, rearing her fist back for a widely telegraphed punch...
... only for her to lunge her foot forward and send herself flying at Adelheid with an aerial ankle kick to the back of the neck! "SHINGOOOO KIIIICKU!" So much for ninja moves!
COMBATSYS: Adelheid dodges Sakura's Strong Kick.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Sakura
Fighter's honor indeed! Taking lessons from damn ninja will get someone lots of none of that! ... not that Rugal is a great teacher on the subject, though. Really, it's remarkable Adelheid has any sense of sportsmanship at all. Passion for the fight, indeed... it's been poured out in droves by all three of the young contenders here tonight. At least, that's how he remembers the announcer putting it. Sakura not only weathers the storm, but comes out fighting. Adelheid can't help but chuckle, as he tries to gather his breath, "Hah..." he murmurs, impressed, as Sakura launches herself in. But...
"Shingo Kick?" There's another laugh as Adelheid throws himself aside, landing in a half-twist that brings him back to face Sakura, "You -have- got to be kidding me." And then Adelheid's charging her, blurring girl vs. blurring boy, his inner chi accelerating him in an instant, borrowing a trick from the potent style utilized by Batsu as he all but teleports the distance between himself and Sakura in one ferocious wheeling overhead axe-kick, accompanied as he slides in to slam it down at Kasugano's head with a familiar, "Hriiii-haaaaa!!!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Medium Kick from Adelheid with Haru Ichiban.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Sakura can no longer fight.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|
As much as Sakura wanted to hit Adelheid with that kick, it seems he's quicker after all! Just as well, it's a stupid move anyway... "Hehe, I figured you wouldn't ever =expect= it, y'know...?" Maybe Adelheid just doesn't like surprises!
The Seijyun teacher-in-training recovers soon afterwards, drawing back with her fists raised high in defense as a bright blue aura flares up around her. She thinks she's ready for this -- but her body's worn down much further than she really wants to let on. When Adelheid darts forward, Kasugano thinks she has enough time to drop low and sweep his legs with a low kick, but his imitation of her infamous signature happens to catch her off-guard, right between the shoulderblades! The Ansatsuken Angel flattens to the stone floor, her accumulated aura dissipating with the swiftness of a snuffed candle.
Sakura grits her teeth in agony, rolling over to her side... but only manages to curl up slightly. That =hurt=, and tallied up with all the other attacks, it's too much to bear. Sakura shakes her head, looking up at Adelheid with a faint grin. "Touche!"
The crowd, as they say, goes wild!
Expect? No. But Shingo won't have his vengeance-by-proxy today! Instead, the Bernstein edition Flower Kick ends the match the Kasugano way, minus the skirt and 'gym shorts'. Thankfully for Adelheid, today the kick part was enough. I guess you'll have to ask Sakura what she thought of the distracting fanservice! The Ansatsuken disciple falls, and this time... looks ready to stay down. Adelheid steps back, and releases a breath, his shoulders relaxing as he stands down, and releases a bit of the adrenaline and fervor for the fight. Sakura's grin is returned, and the young Bernstein moves to offer her a gloved hand, if she needs a hand getting up, "You Southtown schoolkids pack a hell of a punch. What are they putting in the water, exactly?"
It's a mystery, really. Sometimes it's a wonder they don't take over the entire city and build one hell of a Six Flags. The announcer goes into his spiel, the crowd shouts their praises, but Adelheid barely notices. Does he even -know- he's the 'title holder'? Far from other showman fighters, the collected prodigy simply congratulates his opponents, and calms his wits, still icily burning from the battle.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid has ended the fight here.
Log created on 14:11:54 03/08/2008 by Adelheid, and last modified on 19:06:05 03/12/2008.