Neo League 601 - #614: Zach vs Roberto

Description: Zach cannot decide how he feels about some kid he doesn't even know invoking his name in another fight. That, and he felt like he was slacking in the League after that week-long break, so he decided to see what Roberto was made of. (Winner: Zach)



Roberto received a call from the Neo League for him to head to the clearing within the forest, close to Southtown. He accepted the invitation without a second thought though he thought that it was curious that the person he mentioned in a recent fight would end up being matched up against him. Whether it was random or the challenge was specifically for him will remain unknown for now and possibly forever.

The Clearing was chosen specifically because of both Zach's tendency to blow up and Roberto's Blazing Striker's attack though he's also more capable of more indoors friendly attacks as well.

Roberto comes to the forest with a mesh bag filled with soccer balls over his shoulder as he comes to the fight in his Taiyo soccer uniform waiting for his opponent today.

It was not random at all, actually. Zach chose this match, the Neo Legue producers went ahead with it.

Zach is leaning up against a tree with his hands in his pockets. He smiles softly when Roberto shows up. "You know, I'm not sure how to take it when a high-school student I don't even know starts on a crusade in my name. It's..." Zach shakes his head as he adjusts his cap, "I'm not sure what it is."

He slides into a jujitsu stance, "But it =does= make me curious, so here we are."

COMBATSYS: Zach has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Zach             0/-------/-------|


Roberto isn't alone, of course. Since the Valentine's party, the pale-skinned girl has been taking an arguably unhealthy interest in the soccer player. She's good at not being seen, of course, so he likely has zero idea she'd been watching him. But this time she's not so secretive about it, as she also arrives at the Clearing, clad in a rather nice light-blue and quite frilly dress, matching parasol held over her head and a soccer ball in the other arm- Instead of white and black, it's blue and white.

"Mister Miura, I heard about your match today. So I brought you a little something for good luck.." she says once approaching the young student and tosses the ball to him. "Do try not to lose, it wouldn't look good since you're representing me today." Er, when was that decided anyway?

His mouth curls downward in thought. As Zach makes it known what his reasons for being here are and quietly listens to him and only when he's does he give his own response. "I see." There's a pause before he adds onto it. "It's more a crusade in your name as it is a crusade against what she's become. And the more fights I see her in, the more the trend continues."

But then Yurika shows up with a blue and white soccer ball and frilly light blue dress. It completely changes the actual tone of the fight. "I don't believe this..."

He traps the soccer ball and then kicks it off to the side. Will he use it, will he spurn Yurika's gift? No one knows. But one thought is running through his head as he takes on a goalkeeper's stance. The thought wondering if Yurika might be just as bad as Gabriel. He doesn't verbalize it. "Well let's see you've got."

He doesn't go on the offensive right away but that's because he feels more comfortable working from a defensive stand point.

Zach tilts his head to one side. "Eh. We all have our rough moments, Mister Miura. We all handle it differently. I think that she is very confused right now," he says as he rubs a spot on his chest almost subconsciously. Roberto might recall that that spot is where Hotaru double murder-fisted him in China. He blinks once, and shakes his head, "But we can talk about that after the match. No point point in letting the adrenaline get in the way of the words."

He considers for a moment, deciding to open up with a "classic." He raises both arms into the air, right hand pressing gently against the left as three violet blocks ripple into existance. Zach holds them there with but a thought before sweeping his arms down as he steps forward. Gravity seems to take care of the rest.

COMBATSYS: Roberto has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Zach             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Roberto


COMBATSYS: Roberto fails to reflect Ka-Psi-Ne Ate from Zach with Shining Clutch.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Zach             0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0          Roberto


Is Yurika's intent to drive Roberto off his game? Well, going by her words, of course she isn't. On the other hand Roberto may know better. Or perhaps he's paranoid. Regardless there she is, seeming appreciative when the ball is accepted rather than kicked back at her face, then steps back with the intent of watching the battle. She doesn't know much about Zach, really, so she'll definatly be learning something new today.

Roberto nods when Zach mentions that Hotaru might be confused. And he doesn't mind talking about it later but he definitely wouldn't want to go into detail with Yurika around but the fact that offer to talk is on the table makes him highly appreciative. "I would like to talk about it." And based on what Zach is saying he might have more insight into the situation.

And when the energy comes in he tries to prepare himself with glowing hands to intercept the falling sheets of energy with his hands but though he has seen that move in action, he's never been on the receiving end and so he's hit by the energy and knocked backwards stumbling clumsily. Perhaps he should've used Yurika's soccer ball instead. "So that's what it's like to get hit by that."

Zach is already dashing in when Roberto moves to intercept his boot-leg Kasane Ate. "Not... quite," Zach says reluctantly. Roboerto no doubt recognizes that sting that distinguishes Psycho Power from standard chi. "Mine isn't chi-base, so.."

Enough talk, Zach snaps inwardly. Next move, seperate him from the soccer balls. Glen seizes Roberto's shirt and with a short blast of purple energy from the ground attempts to throw Roberto straight up before sliding past and blasting the younger man back to where Zach was standing at the start of the fight.

COMBATSYS: Roberto blocks Zach's Quick Throw.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Zach             0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0          Roberto


Roberto doesn't get thrown upwards because his hand moves in the way of the attempt to grab at him while at the same time he crouches down into a make-shift vertical fetal position to keep himself from being swept up in the psionic geyser. It's not pretty... Possibly down right embarassing but he has to be pragmatic about dealing with the attack.

The blast subsides and Roberto is still there and so he reaches out to grab Zach and then lifting him up to throw him back down in order to buy himself some room to manuever.

COMBATSYS: Zach dodges Roberto's Quick Throw.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Zach             0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0          Roberto


Zach slips back a half pace, allowing Roberto to grab nothing but air. He throws a punch forward, falling short of the Soccer Superstar. CURSE THOSE SHORT ARMS OF HIS!?!

Oh. Wait. That's okay as far as Zach's concerned. The lance of pychic energy that rips into existance to slam into Roberto's chest MORE than covers the gap!

COMBATSYS: Roberto blocks Zach's Zero Stance.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Zach             0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0          Roberto


The lance of energy does cover the distance but Roberto's fast hands moves to intercept the lance of psionic energy and successfully does so but he hisses slightly before backing off a bit moving to his numerous soccer balls on the field.

When he gets to the soccer ball(which is definitely not the one that Yurika brought to the fight) he performs a sudden hop and turn to change his direction and to face Zach before he launches a soccer ball right for his shoulder in an attempt to throw his upper body out of alignment.

COMBATSYS: Zach overcomes Long Shot from Roberto with Warning Shot.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Zach             0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0          Roberto


Zach inhales through his nose, purple energy lining his body like a cloak as the soccer ball comes screaming in. He focuses for a very short moment before whipping an arm to a straight and locked position.

"HAH!" Zach yells in a sort of kiai that heralds a soccer ball of his own shooting from the aimed palm. The psychic burst powers through Roberto's soccer ball, knocking it clear away as it homes in on the Blazing Striker.

COMBATSYS: Roberto overcomes Warning Shot from Zach with Long Shot.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zach             0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0          Roberto


Roberto was lucky... There was another soccer ball that was close by and when psychic burst comes along, Roberto side steps slightly to right and lets another soccer ball(Still not Yurika's) go sending it plowing through it to the Psycho Powered Wanderer.

After the kick goes through he breathes a sigh of relief but things will get tense if another projectile attack comes through. There aren't any more soccer balls in close proximity.

COMBATSYS: Roberto successfully hits Zach with Long Shot.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zach             0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0          Roberto


Zach's eyes go wide; he... was not exactly expecting that.

The soccer ball smashes into his face, sending him sprawling on his back. He does not stay there very long, rolling back a few more feet before regaining his footing. He looks at Roberto for a moment, thinking about his next action.

He tenses up a bit, exhaling loudly as psychic fire engulfs him. The wind around him kicks up still more as he charges his batteries...

COMBATSYS: Zach gathers his will.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zach             1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0          Roberto


The look on Yurika's face is that of.. Mild annoyance. At first the musician's grip on the parasol seems to tighten a bit each time Roberto goes for a soccer ball.. And proceeds to not use the one she used as a gesture of good will. However, after a bit of thought, she decides that Roberto is clearly just 'saving the best for last' as it were; it'd make sense that her ball be used for the deadly Blazing Strikers technique after all. Yes, that must be it, and so she simply just waits more patiently, in a better mood.

If Roberto could see the look on Yurika's face every time he took a ball that wasn't hers he'd be happy. But as it is, he's too focused on what's going on in this fight. Ok... That's not entirely true. The fact that Yurika has made her presence felt is kind of unsettling to him.

Instead, all Roberto is /trying/ to focus on is Zach and the fact that he was finally able to get an attack through. In the back of his mind he's thinking of ways to keep up the pressure and what he does to do this he runs to another soccer ball now that Zach is hanging back. He's not to enthused about seeing him engulfed in psionic flames but the respite allows him to get back onto the attack as he dribbles another of his numerous soccer balls but the ball isn't the origin of the attack instead his foot kicks past the ball and up in an attempt to disrupt Zach's concentration.

COMBATSYS: Zach blocks Roberto's Heavy Kick.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Zach             1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0          Roberto


Zach twists getting both arms between that incoming foot and softer parts of him. He slides back several feet, before pulling his hands next to his hip.

Roberto will undoubtably recognize the stance, as bright viloet light collects between his palms. He pulls himself upright, and points at Roberto with his thumb sticking up. That globe of energy is still in the other hand.

Zach takes a couple of steps to line up his shot, ensuring Yurika is not in the line of fire as he brings the ball up to the bottom of his fist-gun. The ball is absorbed as Zach readies himself. The thumb snaps forward, and a foot-wide beam of energy lances out at the Blazing Striker with thunderous force!

COMBATSYS: Roberto blocks Zach's Burst Stream.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Zach             0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0          Roberto


Where both of his fights against Hotaru and Iincyo showcased his speed, Roberto takes another tactic against the wandering psi-bomb. Showing how tough he is and attempting to make the fight into a war of attrition. Roberto doesn't move away from the lancing energy.

Roberto grits his teeth and stands his ground catching the energy in the palms of his glove clad hands. Sliding back from the energy. He then finds himself gasping for air as he flips the soccer ball he was previously dribbling before he attempts to close the distance between himself and Zach. He does something so telegraphed that it seems rediculous. Yurika might recognize it from their fight in Thailand. Roberto takes a running start before launching himself in a front soccer ball spring, using the acrobatic maneuver to give his attack more momentum to drive the soccer ball downwards.

Truth be told Roberto doesn't expect it to hit but it might be able to force an error from Zach.

COMBATSYS: Zach dodges Roberto's Random Weapon.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Zach             0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0          Roberto


Zach pivots off of his back leg, allowing Roberto to land before hooking an arm under Roberto's. This, hopefully is followed by a twist of the hips to throw Roberto to the ground.

It is, of course, will be followed up with a buffetting blast of psychic energy. This =is= Zach we are talking about.

COMBATSYS: Roberto fails to interrupt Strong Throw from Zach with Bicycle Kick.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Zach             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0          Roberto


Roberto doesn't quite land as quickly or as well as he thought he would. He actually planned on turning upon landing so his back was turned towards Zach. He does so but a half a step too late and so he finds himself hip tossed to the ground landing with a grunt.

He doesn't stare at the sky for long but instead he looks at Yurika, his lips creased in a frown. He knows can't blame her but he knows he doesn't want her around either.

"Oi oi," Zach calls out. "Eyes over here, kid!"

Zach leaps, a faint burst of psychic energy propelling him into the air. He hangs there for a momement, summoning one of those Kasane Ate plates right next to him. He reaches back with his feet, shoving off of the curtain hard before it shatters into a spray of light motes. His descent is angled towards Roberto leading with a fist that trails energy like a purple comet!

COMBATSYS: Zach successfully hits Roberto with Blast Bash.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////                          ]
Zach             0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1          Roberto


Roberto hears Zach call out to him but it's a moment too late as he turns in time to see Zach descending upon him psionic trailed fist first clocking him in the chin. All of a sudden, he finds his entire world spinning as he stumbles to his feet and stumbling around punch drunk before moving to the nearest soccer ball which once again /isn't/ Yurika's before slamming his foot into it, sending fiery ball towards Zach or atleast it would've ideally flew at Zach but he's currently in tip top shape and the soccer ball starts bouncing from tree to tree leaving singe marks before it detonates.

Will Zach be where the ball is?

COMBATSYS: Roberto can no longer fight.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Zach             0/-------/----===|


COMBATSYS: Zach blocks Roberto's Blazing Strikers.

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Zach             0/-------/=======|


Unfortunately for Zach, the answer is yes. Very yes. The shot is coming in way too fast, from too many different angles.

Zach does the only thing he can, he turtles up, weathering the shots as best he can to avoid a vital strike. The very thin layer of psychic energy helps a little, but it was all he could focus up on such short notice.

The ball bounces off into the woods before it explodes, and Zach is still standing. He slumps a bit, gasping for air.

COMBATSYS: Zach has ended the fight here.


Yurika steams silently.. Her face is hidden by her parasol since the hood of it is covering over it. Needless to say after that display, and the insolence of refusing to use her ball! Well she doesn't have a thing to say, she just turns around and walks off. Most certainly Roberto will pay!

But if you were to ask Roberto, he'd tell you already has. Psionic energy is no joke. Even for someone like Roberto, that stuff. HUUUUUUUUURTS. He'll find himself staring at the sky smiling at Yurika leaving in a huff. It's one of the only comforts that this fight has given.

He then turns to Zach. A playful smile on his face. "Well... now that you've beaten me... You're gonna have people gunning for ya. Enjoy the bullseye on your chest, Glen." Then his voice drops into a more somber tone. "As for Hotaru, we'll talk about that later."

Zach laughs at the bullseye comment. "Been there, done that. That was actually part of the reason I challenged you," Zach admits. "I need more fights against guys like you under my belt if I'm ever going to bridge that Futaba-san mentioned."

With that, Zach adjusts his hat, jams his hands in his pockets, and walks off into the afternoon.

Log created on 20:59:46 03/12/2008 by Zach, and last modified on 01:12:02 03/13/2008.