Description: Four of the biggest names in professional fighting duke it out for the right to be crowned the new SNF Champion! Kyo Kusanagi, Billy Kane, Rugal Bernstein and Kain R. Heinlein throw down in a chaotic free for all the likes of which THE WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN. But in the end, only one of them can be 'Champion'... (Winner: Kain)
This should be a rather incredible battle; The arena has not been quite this full in some time, absolutely packed to the last low-budget partially obstructed seat. Even if the majority of the mainstream fans are for Kyo and Billy's outright popularity, as well as Kain's long term dominance in this fighting world. Rugal, being ever so lazy in publicized battles, is the least represented. For shame. Spotlights and intense techno music paint the atmosphere, a rather dramatic announcer rattling off the names and details of the four men here. Billy Cane is the first person out, housing a rather high-end guitar upon a shoulder strap. He blasts out his own little theme song for a few seconds before approaching the central area, stepping upon the central block. "Hey hey hey!" is called out, settling into his own corner while still lightly fingering the strings and bobbing his head to the beat. He'd be mostly quiet, until Kyo comes out; whereupon he'd start hammering upon his guitar to utterly ruin the Kusanagi's arrival, slamming the pick in almost violent motions until the announcer plain gives up on properly introducing him.
A match between champions, four of the most powerful fighters participating in SNF battling one another for the chance to be declared /the/ champion. Honestly? Kain doesn't really care. He's been the champion of SNF before, and it doesn't really mean much to him. No, what he cares about is the fight. And a four way battle between fighters of this caliber should be quite a fight indeed.
While Kain doesn't care much for Kyo, he doesn't participate in Billy's attempts at sabotaging Kusanagi's entrance. When it comes down to it... he doesn't care much for Billy, either, though that has more to do with the company he keeps. No, Kain just takes his position, waiting patiently for the fight to begin. His gaze moves from one opponent to the next, as he ponders his strategy for the fight.
And then, of course, Kyo Kusanagi makes his own entrance... As the announcer is drowned out by Billy's murdering of that guitar. The reigning World Warrior finds his cheers turning to confusion, as pretty much the entire arena turns to look at Billy, in a vain attempt to figure out just what he's doing - Kyo included. A slight frown of irritation crosses the youngest fighter present's face, as he continues on towards the ring regardless, climbing up onto the raised stone platform. Normally, he'd probably have something to say to Kain right now.
But Billy's got the lion's share of Kyo's attention.
"What the hell are you doing, you idiot?" Kyo wonders of the staff-wielding Southsynd enforcer, tilting his head slightly. How dare Billy ruin his entrance. Entrances are a sacred trust, a bond between fighters and the fans. "But hey," Kyo says finally, shrugging his shoulders in a 'what can you do?' motion. "Keep practicing and maybe they'll finally let you into Fallout Boy like you always wanted."
The last to step foot into the arena, much to minimal response, is Rugal Bernstein. One who rarely appears in such public locales, especially as of late, it took something with a big enough draw to get him to step off his floating fortress and step foot in such a public place. A match against not just one but three of the greatest fighters in the world appeared to be good enough to get him here.
It is an appearance that bears some risk for the reclusive crimelord. Rumblings of trouble brewing between his cartel and Geese Howard's have started to make their way through underground information circles. Whether or not Bernstein himself has given the rumors credence, he has chosen to appear and contend for the championship title for SNF.
No public Rugal appearance would be complete without his signiture crimson colored suit, a thin, black scarf hanging loosely around his neck. The obnoxious noises pumped into the stadium for the purposes of building up the fight mean nothing to the veteran fighter. If that's what it takes to manipulate simpletons into being excited then that's no concern of his. A mildly bored look is given Billy, a nod of acknowledgement for Kain, before his single eyed gaze comes to rest on the Kusanagi youth. It's been awhile. The cacophony of guitar abuse leaves the German silent, his fight hand idly folding and unfolding the end of his thin scarf in anticipation for the fight to come.
"Oh, where you comin' in, Kusanagi? I didn't notice." Billy comments in a rather casual fashion, the last note of his guitar dying away while the strap is yanked off. Gripping the end of it and hefting the instrument to rest on his shoulder, those assembled are each given a glance, free hand scratching upon his chin. "So how this gonna work? We gonna run around like headless chickens?" is asked to nobody in particular, taking a moment to adjust the tuning on his own instrument, despite the fact it doesn't appear that he's going to be playing any more. "Doesn't matter to me, really. I might as well start us off...!" Spreading his stance abruptly, Billy twists his body taut like a rubber band, before hurtling his guitar off like a bullet; he goes after the person he thinks least likely to get out of the way. Namely, Rugal; After all, Kain's his enemy and Kyo's his rival. Might as well make sure everyone here has a solid reason to hate him for the foreseeable future! "Catch!"
COMBATSYS: Billy has started a fight here.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rugal has joined the fight here.
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Rugal 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kain has joined the fight here.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
When Billy begins winding up, Kain shifts his weight slightly. To the casual observer it might not look like much, but he's moving himself into a combat ready stance. This proves to be a wise decision, as Billy quickly gets the carnage started. While the instrument is flying toward Rugal, Kain makes a few quick strategic calculations. The result? Explode Kyo's face. You can't argue with math.
Kain lifts his right arm, cocking his wrist slightly. Black flame surrounds his hand, and then a quick snap of the limb sends that flame springing forth from Kain's hand, racing across the arena on a collision course with Kyo's head.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Kyo with Schwarze Flame.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Kain
That poor guitar. What did it ever do?
If Kyo is bothered by the lack of reaction to his remarks to Billy, he doesn't really show it; even if he were going to, it'd be difficult, between the way the Brit hurls his guitar at Rugal, and Kain's launching of black flames his way. Dealing with those always seems to be a gamble, even for Kyo, so he tries to play it a little safe, getting his arms up in the way... But he can't manage it in time, the Ankoku fire powering through his half-place guard, and blasting the Kusanagi heir back.
"Still sore 'bout that thing with the floats, huh," Kyo wonders, mostly rhetorically.
But there's no time to stand around and be a smartass all day, there's a fight to be had! So Kyo does the smartest thing under the circumstances, and rushes directly at... Rugal. Yes. Rugal. It's funny, but here he is in a situation where everyone else would dearly love to beat him awfully, and he goes directly for the one most likely to want to outright /kill/ his ass. "Hey, been a while!" Kyo calls out as he closes with the crime lord, swinging his right fist in a hooking punch at Rugal's head, complete with the expected Kusanagi flames. If he lands the first strike, he steps in closer for a second, swinging his left fist next, before completing the turn to strike with his foot in a whirling heel kick. "Did you grow out your 'stache? It looks pornier than usual!"
COMBATSYS: Rugal dodges Billy's Large Thrown Object.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Rugal with Aragami.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Kain
Early in a fight like this, Rugal has no problem tracking the actions and intentions of the other three combatants. Kain's presence is easily felt, the man a living reservoir of chi building up just before the attack is launched Kyo's way, leaving the tyrant of 'R' a chance to observe the incoming guitar from Billy's direction instead.
A simple sidestep, his right hand against his stomach, his left hand raised, almost as if offering the British punk a faux bow of respect, the suited crimelord shifts his attention toward Kyo immediately, fully expecting the young man to aggress on him swiftly.
The three strikes connect cleanly, Rugal raising his hand to attempt to bat aside the second strike but missing by a little. The heel kick drives him backward a little, but all in all the veteran fighter seems to have faired fairly well. The remark about his mustache provokes a faint glower. "Ah, yes, the Kusanagi pup once again. How's your father doing lately? Still inept as usual?"
Not interested in passing up an opportunity to strike back when attacked, however, the man steps in forward, left shoulder forward, before he twists around the other way, drawing up his right fist and aiming to slug Kyo's chest back hard enough to drive him back. Stepping forward into a second swing, he attempts to finish the combination with a strong haymaker for Kyo's head with his left fist. No fancy flames or chi to accompany these strikes, just raw power.
There's something of a smirk now crossing Billy's face, as he observes the beginning of the chaotic endeavors. "Oye, what made you so popular, Kyo?!" is asked, in a sardonic fashion. More then anything else he's an opportunist, and has rushed after his launched guitar right behind Rugal; crouching down low, pivoting one foot in a rasp of steel-toed boots. From within his jacket, a collapsed staff has been yanked out and in a rather aesthetic twirl assembled, myriad clacks assembling in short order. "Over here, Bernstein!!" is called out, before he launches the point straight upwards, trying to catch him in the neck. Twisting himself around, he would use that leverage in an overhead arc, to slam Rugal opposite him upon the ground with hopefully no small amount of force. Thereafter, Geese's second would try to get himself some room from the other two, literally bouncing foot to foot in an eager manner. "I think we're gettin' ignored, Heinlein. Eh? Maybe you oughta do more then spit out flame cheese and make yourself an actual threat!!" He gestures to Kain thereafter, trying to provoke his fury as best he can.
Oh, Kain can make himself a threat. Particularly when he has a wide open path to his target. With the other three all battling amongst themselves, Kain is free to close the distance between himself and the rest of the fight, and he does so via a quick dash into the brawl. He could, of course, leap into the middle and attempt to blast all of his opponents at once... but Heinlein isn't about to turn everybody against him just yet. No, he'll stick to one target at a time for now.
And Billy wants to see a threat? Request granted. As Kain draws close he leaps up into the air, whipping his body about as he rises. Blue energy surrounds Kain's foot as he sticks his leg out, aiming to smash a kick into the side of Billy's face before he lands back on the floor.
COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Kyo with Fierce Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Billy 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
"Yeah, probably," is Kyo's response to Rugal's taunt about his father. Expecting him to get angry at an insult leveled towards Saishu? What is it about Kyo that suggests 'filial piety'? Still, feeling a rush of adrenaline at the success of his own attack, the younger fighter almost forgets that he has to deal with Rugal's return strikes. Once again, though, it seems playing conservatively /backfires/, Kyo's attempt to guard the initial blow from the crazy old German leaving him wide open for it instead. The first blow does indeed drive him back, the second hitting him in the head with thunderous authority...
But is something like that enough to defeat Kyo Kusanagi?
Staggering away, as Billy swoops in on Rugal with his own attack, getting potentially sandwiched by Kain, what does the World Warrior do? Simple, he tries to snag Rugal - whether he's on the ground after Billy's assault or not - and then simply toss the older man out of the way; let him make friends between his scary old face and the granite fighting stage!
COMBATSYS: Rugal endures Billy's Fishhook Throw.
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Billy 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rugal counters Strong Throw from Kyo with Genocide Cutter EX.
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Billy 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
Howard's lapdog decides to insert himself into the exchange of attacks between Rugal and Kyo. The jab to his neck with the staff seems to catch Rugal offguard enough, his attention on Kyo more than anyone else present in the fight. But as he gets lifted up off his feet and slammed down on the other side, the taller fighter manages to land into a hard roll out of the impact, coming up into a crouch that leaves him already in the position to contend with Kyo as the Kusanagi representative tries to keep the pressure on.
"Genocide," comes the deep growl, as Rugal rises up into a cresent kick, sharp, red, bladed chi trailing behind the foot as he catchs Kyo in the chest before he can get a hold. A second kick, with his left leg, follows the first, knocking the lighter weight fighter up into the air along with the rising tyrant. "CUTTER!" comes the final slam, a slashing sideways kick intending to send Kyo flying some distance from him.
A second later Rugal lands, rising back up to standing, pausing for a moment to brush the dust of the arena floor from off his red coat, attention shifting partially to Billy, deciding he's next on the list once Kyo has been managed.
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to counter Medium Kick from Kain with Fire Dragon Pursuit Cane.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 1/---====/=======|===----\-------\0 Kain
Well, if someone wants to call out Kain, it's probably a good idea to insure one's ability to deal with it. That frugality was intended to be the end of him; his assault slithers in quick, flaming heel shooting. Leaping out of the way isn't liable to work, and he's not going to break his guard on such a harmless assault... so he shifts up his staff, intending to instead catch it dead. But really, his options appear to be entirely lose/lose in the present situation, as it plows through and hits him dead in the solar plexus. Air vacates his lungs violently, sparing him the smell of a burned footprint now imprinted upon his chest as he flies backwards. He hits the ground on his upper back with a grunt, rolling to a stop some distance away but instantly flowing into a crouch. "...Ouch." is offered, in a way that more diffuses the success then anything else. He rubs at his chest, raising back up and maneuvering his staff back into an adaptable grip. "Hah. Well, Kyo... gotta say, I didn't expect Bernstein Bear to mop your face so quickly... I was hoping to have that honor myself."
Kyo got a face full of fire, and Billy got a solid kick, so Kain's next target seems obvious. Sure, he /could/ keep going after Billy, but after kicking the cane wielder in the chest and springing back, Kain has opened up a bit of distance between himself and the Brit. And Rugal is right there. As he lands, Kain starts twisting himself around to face in Rugal's direction. Black flame springs into his hand, and with a sweeping motion of his arm he brings forth a wall of flame between himself and Rugal. It doesn't quite stay 'between' for long, though. Although it doesn't fly off into the distance, the flame does engulf a fair sized area, and one which includes the spot upon which Rugal is currently standing.
Well... Kyo probably should've seen that one coming. As arrogant as he is, even the Kusanagi heir has to acknowledge that all the fighters present are a legitimate threat, and today it seems he's zigging when he ought to zag. Especially as his attempt to just throw Rugal around like a sack of potatoes results in his getting helluva kicked, knocked right into the air and flung away by the force of the attack.
Vexing.
But even still, Kyo's not out of the fight just yet. He kind of feels like getting up and going to get a sandwich or something, rather than continuing to deal with this crap, but... There's that nagging pride of his. Besides, it's a true fact: He's come back from worse, somehow.
So instead, Kyo pushes himself up off the floor, and sets about straightening himself out, adjusting his jacket and then his hair, acting as though he had all the time in the world to make himself look presentable. Maybe he does. "Y'know, Kane, if you want to get beat up by me that bad, you could just ask, instead of letting Blondie and Pornstache do it for you. 'course they might object."
COMBATSYS: Kyo gains composure.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rugal with Schwarz Cutter.
- Power hit! -
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
Deciding to not get in close to Rugal at the moment proves to work well for Kain, as the suited crimelord shifts his attention back toward Heinlein. Without the proximity necessary to get a grasp on the other man, Bernstein decides to guard himself against the swath of obsidian flames as the assault washes over him. A battle of energy mastery transpires, Rugal attempting to guard himself both physically and with his own chi control.
But Kain's hand in such matters proves the better of the two, driving Rugal backward, his guard shattered painfully, the man standing engulfed in powerful flames. The pain is excruciating for a moment as Rugal is forced to one knee for a moment. With a clenched fist and teeth grinding scowl, he forces the energy off of him at last, rising back to fully standing.
Having been the target of most of the attacks launched this match, the man decides to hold back rather than aggressing back into the midst of things. His right eye flares to life, a pin thin red light, as he begins to rapidly agument his own intuition with the split second accurate analysis of the fighters around him, taking a moment to make the most of the information gathered, fists trembling as he prepares to launch an assult on one of the other three shortly.
COMBATSYS: Rugal focuses on his next action.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
Man; Kain's really going all out at the moment. He's sending everyone flying with those ridiculous fiery onslaughts, even Rugal. He fully stands up, using the respite to stretch himself slightly, head tilting with a crack in either direction while gripping his bo staff in the middle. "Nobody's gonna win at this rate." Well, nobody important. Catching the words of the Kusanagi, there's a spit to the side, smirk curling upon his lips. "I wanna save you for last. Beating a whipped dog right now... that's too easy." Taking advantage of the respite, he seethes with heated energy, beginning to whirl around his bo staff in regular rotations. The ground smolders, his clothing flutters in the wavering heat, as he regains and focuses his energy in the forge of his fighting spirit!
COMBATSYS: Billy gathers his will.
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Billy 1/--=====/=======|=======\===----\1 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
Things rather seem to be going Kain's way... but that's no reason to get cocky. The situation could change rapidly, and Kain needs to be prepared for that eventuality. He's managed to probe the defenses of all of his opponents, and after a few quick steps away from Rugal Kain is in a position to watch the other three fighters, without having any of them sneak up on him from behind.
This time around, there's no ongoing conflict for Kain to take advantage of. Time to be patient. Kyo, Rugal and Billy are all on their guard, which means being the one to make the first move is a dangerous position. That in mind, Kain holds back for a moment, waiting for an opening. Things are liable to explode the moment someone makes their move, and Heinlein wants to take advantage of it.
COMBATSYS: Kain focuses on his next action.
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Billy 1/--=====/=======|=======\===----\1 Rugal
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Kyo 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
"Yeah well, we all know what you're used to beating, Kane," Kyo replies blithely to Billy, nodding towards that big red staff of his. Come on, that thing is seriously phallic. Billy's a pervo.
But the tension isn't lost on Kyo, not in the least; he's quite aware of what's going on, as the other three make their own various preparations for the next phase of the match. What's a Kusanagi to do, under these circumstances? There are only so many viable options... He could hold back like the others, take more time to prepare himself, and form a plan, or... He could just go and do something awesome.
Suddenly, Kyo is dashing forward, closing with Rugal again, of all the people he could choose to attack. Well aware that the megalomaniacal criminal mastermind is ready for just about anything and frankly not caring in the slightest, the World Warrior smirks as he closes with his old foe, lunging forward to try and catch ol' Bernstein.
Why? Well, to blow him up with an sudden, humongous blast of Kusanagi flames, of course. "/BURN/!!"
COMBATSYS: Rugal interrupts Koto Moon Positive from Kyo with Genocide Heaven.
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Billy 1/--=====/=======|===----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=====--\-------\0 Kain
When Rugal's ready for anything coming his way one might be better off considering alternative options. But there's nothing like bad blood to keep Kyo fixated on trying to burn down Bernstein with the Kusanagi family flames and the mastermind of the KOF tournament of years past hardly seems surprised that the hot headed youth insists on attacking him once again.
So bet it. Where one Genocide Cutter is a good thing, more Genocide Cutters can only be a great thing, right? Answering Kyo's call for him to burn, Rugal responds with equal vehemence. "DIE." Just as the burst of flames begins to strike him, the man launches into another variant of his signiture technique, bladed, crescent kicks designed to launch Kyo up into the air all over again.
But rather than ending with three simple strikes, the man continues into three more spinning kicks, each one laced with that same slashing chi, before he finally drops back down to the ground, landing on one knee, one hand planted against the arena floor, releasing a quiet growl before rising up to standing slowly, a lot slower now than he was at the outset of the fight. Dealing with an assault every round without a break is starting to take its toll.
Well, well. Looks like Kyo and Rugal are intent on killing themselves; that doesn't matter much for him, he's in this to win. Cutting off his energy, he abruptly charges towards the Heinlein, the firework show taking place on the edge of his vision all but ignored. "Looks like it's you and me!!" is snarled, twirling around his bo staff in one hand and then suddenly lunging out; using his maximum range in an attempt to thrust up and catch Kain in the throat, trying to send him upwards and make the assault significantly difficult to intercept, slithering backwards for some additional range immediately after. Just a love tap, but hopefully one that might break his concentration before it can fully be capitalized on...
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Kain with Sparrow Drop.
- Power hit! -
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Billy 1/-======/=======|===----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\1 Kain
Kain attempts to block the incoming staff, but it goes poorly. He does manage to get his arm in the way of the blow, for a moment. But then, as the force starts to lift him off the ground Kain's guard slips, and his arm is pushed away as the staff strikes home. Except, Kain did manage to redirect it. This does not turn out to be to his advantage, however, as rather than hitting him in the throat, the end of the weapon slams squarely into Kain's eye, snapping his head back sharply before he falls to the ground.
Climbing back to his feet, Kain clutches his eye with his left hand, while glaring at Billy from his right eye. That was... irritating. Kain's response isn't verbal, but it should express his feelings well. He lifts up his right hand, blue chi swirling in his palm. It quickly balloons outward into a massive sphere of churning energy, which leaps forth from Kain's hand and races across the arena toward Billy.
That's a new one by Kyo; getting kicked /through/ his fiery explosion by Rugal, and pretty much juggled in the air in an insane series of kicks, the sheer brutality of the attack is... Impressive. And pretty much vintage Rugal, huh? The younger fighter crashes to the ground, bloodied and battered, but he starts picking himself up /just/ when one might think that he didn't have anything left to give in this fight. "Heh," Kyo chuckles, spitting up a gob of blood onto the granite underfoot. "You first."
So now what, Kyo? You're pretty close to being taken down, Rugal's looking pretty crappy... And meanwhile, Billy and Kain seem to be doing whatever they really feel like. Naturally, Kyo does exactly the opposite of what one might expect; rather than throwing himself at Rugal again in a last ditch assault, the World Warrior champ tries to keep himself straightened up, focusing his attention entirely on Rugal. But is it too late for him to start thinking of a clever plan?!
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Billy 1/-======/=======|===----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|-------\-------\0 Kain
The attack was intended to finish the Kusanagi fighter, but it seems Kyo's got a bit more left to him than Rugal's cybereye had calculated. The man grunts softly as he realizes the World Warrior is back on his feet after the combination of painful strikes and slashing chi. Kain and Billy seem to have finally shifted focus onto each other, giving Rugal a moment's reprieve.
A chance he decides to forgo. Perhaps responding to Kyo's recklesness in kind, the man growls, fists clenching. The staff wielding Syndicate enforcer and even the chi master Heinlein are ignores for now. All that matters now is taking another swing, making up for lost time, perhaps. Or maybe an old defeat he's never managed to forget after all this years. The suited tyrant charges toward Kusanagi, powerful hands unclenching, willing to charge through whatever Kyo intends to throw his way.
His left hand slams out, attempting to sieze Kyo by the throat in order to heft him off the ground. His right hand, clenching into a rock solid fist, slams forward, a literal piston of stone crushing strength toward the young man's gut, releasing his throat at the same time.
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Kain's Himmlische Seele.
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Billy 1/=======/=======|=------\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|-------\-------\0 Kain
Ah; a desperation attack, potentially capable of evening the fight all but irrevocably into Kain's side. Billy whirls around his staff, willing to take the chance to deny this from happening, igniting one end in his own fierce chi energy before spiraling; a small, wafting wall catches the sphere, which pushes him back a couple meters. Teeth clench with a grunt, body tensing, but he manages to launch the sphere into the air away from him, recoiling off-balance immediately thereafter. The explosion that takes place makes him rather happy he succeeded, even if the difficulty of such was more then expected. "Not bad..." is offered towards Kain, before whirling around his weapon and launching it across the intervening distance. "BUT TAKE THIS!!" Breaking into three segments, he tries to impact Kain in the face with catastrophic force, igniting his weapon before retracting it back to his hand with a cackle; he's not going to lighten up his offense in the slightest!
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Rugal's Scorpion Blow.
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Billy 1/=======/=======|===----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Billy's Blazing Cane Thrust.
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Billy 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0 Rugal
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Kyo 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=------\-------\0 Kain
Kain does take it, but not in the face. He swings an arm up as Billy's staff comes rocketing towards him, knocking the weapon aside. The fiery blast does wash over him, but with the blow failing to make a clean impact it causes him relatively little injury. Pushing the staff further aside as he swings his arm down, Kain suddenly dashes forward, racing the retracting weapon back toward Billy.
He might not make it before the segmented staff becomes whole again, but Kain is hoping to close the distance between himself and Billy before the Brit can effectively make use of the weapon. There's nothing particularly fancy about what follows, but it's an effective technique just the same. Kain's right hand curls into a fist, raw chi surrounding it as he attempts to drive a blow home right into the center of Billy's face.
And Kyo's response to Rugal's chage? His usual cocksure smirk, a look of pure defiance and arrogance towards the would-be tyrant. Battered and bruised as he is, every line of the Kusanagi heir projects insolence, and when that hand grabs his throat, it doesn't falter even for a moment. There's a faint cough from Kyo, but he swings up a foot and kicks off of that punch headed towards his gut, avoiding the worst of the harm ol' Bernstein had clearly intended for him... But even as he escapes, Kyo feels a weakness sink into his limbs. This could be all she wrote for Kyo tonight.
Of course, he's not going anywhere without adding further injury to injury.
"What, is that it?" Kyo wonders, a bit hoarsely from having his throat grabbed and all. "I'm about to fall asleep here, you're so boring. Tell you what, how 'bout we reminisce a little." Snapping his fingers, Kyo sets his right hand alight, Kusanagi flames raging in his palm. Raising that hand, he brings it across his body, the flames intensifying quickly, before he simply slides forward and sweeps his right arm out, unleashing the familiar hellstorm of orange-crimson fire, the flames hungrily seeking out Rugal in a wide wash of searing bloodline flames. "...REMEMBER THIS?!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/----===|=======\=======\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Rugal stops Orochinagi' from Kyo with Dark Barrier.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|=======\=======\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/------=|
Once again Kyo pushes on longer than Rugal expected. Maybe his punches are getting a bit soft, he ponders for a moment as his crushing fist is kicked aside before it can quite leave the blow that was intended. His clenching claw is pried out of by Kyo and Rugal takes a step back, beginning to reevaluate how much strength Kyo has left in him. "Falling asleep, hm..." the man growls. "Let me help you with-" he begins before a quick change of course becomes so very much necessary.
The burst of flames is a warning that it's time to pull out the best defense he has against just that sort of thing. One might even consider how many years he's been refining that technique ever since... just for this... very... moment.
His right hand slams forward, fingers extended, and drawing heavily from the world around him, a barrier is torn into the world. A discus of churning, green chi, the Dark Barrier flares brighter than normal as Rugal pours everything he has into the technique, giving it the strength necessary to absorb, negate, and consume the storm of fire Kyo launches at him.
Muscles strain, teeth grit to keep back the force, his left hand clamping down over his right wrist as he pours more into the technique. But when it's all said and done, the defense does its part and the legendary technique is snuffed out entirely. "Indeed I do. I have never forgotten." the man grunts toward Kyo, taking a step back, beginning to get rather exhausted in this grueling fight.
COMBATSYS: Billy interrupts Medium Punch from Kain with Red Lotus Requiem.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/-======|
Billy's response to this might startle Kain; he's actually running forward rather then away, pivoting his body at the waist to all but launch his staff back into his hand. He catches it a split second before the heel hits him, twisting away. It hits solidly, grimace crossing over his face unable to hide the dark satisfaction. "Don't underestimate me!!" He then sweeps up his hand, weapon catching Kain upon the chest full strength. Upwards the spiraling rotor goes, pushing off the ground with a raising snarl that launches the pair into the air. At the apex his body rushes with chi, and his weapon erupts in a massive swathe of burning fire to send Heinlein flying away, Billy himself slowly descending to land in a crouch. He's breathing heavily, looking between Rugal and Kain; this is going to be a close finish by all counts. Who might reign supreme... he's not even able to wager a guess at this point. Kyo's down? ... Who cares!
Things become rather difficult for Kain when his target suddenly explodes in his face. Or at least, that's what it feels like. The staff crashes into his chest, and then Kain is launched upward in a flurry of blows and flame, eventually launching him free after a savage beating has been delivered. Heinlein flies backwards before finally crashing back to the stone floor, skidding a short distance before coming to a stop on his back.
After a moment Kain sits up, then slowly drags himself back to his feet. It's never wise to underestimate Billy, even if he does look like a pushover! Things have certainly gotten shaken up, though, and the dynamic of the fight is changing... which means Kain should probably take a moment to plan. Luckily enough, he's been granted some space after getting smacked around by Billy. So rather than rush back in, Kain takes a moment to observe his two remaining opponents and catch his breath.
COMBATSYS: Kain gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/---====|
With Kyo dealt with, Rugal's reprieve seems to have been extended a moment longer. Good. The suited crimelord is slowly regaining strength, catching his breath from the constant bursts of effort he had to employ to deal with the Kusanagi scion. But now there are two very powerful other fighters to contend with. His attention shifts, watching Kain knocked back by Billy's powerful technique. The chi control of the staff wielder isn't missed, the man idly wondering how it would be to contend with Billy in a direct match someday.
For now he'll have to content himself with tryign to get a strike in on the weapon user, hoping to buy himself time to regain his strength enough to deal with the two remaining potential champions. As Billy takes a moment to catch his breath, Bernstein decides to cut his break short, charging in, picking up speed as he approaches, drawing his right fist back and simply slamming it forward, sliding to a stop in order to drive all of his forward momentum into the knuckled strike for Billy's head.
COMBATSYS: Billy dodges Rugal's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/---====|
Well, Billy really doesn't care to take a peg to his face. He's running low on his own steam as well, slamming his weapon into the ground and launching airborne; it's still annoyingly close, spiraling backwards and landing in a crouch some distance away. "Pant... pant..." He's not sure which is the better one to assault first, but knows Kain likely has the greatest reserves of strength. Spreading his stance, he decides to take the advantage the best way he knows how, by preparing his trump card. Again the air billows and flows around him, tapping his staff lightly upon a shoulder while cracking his neck. "Hrrm..." is all he offers, eyes shifting to first one then the other. This will be the last respite he's going to have, most likely. He's not hoping to waste it.
COMBATSYS: Billy gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/---====|
Billy may be preparing himself for an assault... but he's also standing still. It's a risk Kain finds acceptable. Getting to Rugal would now require going past Billy anyway, and it's unlikely Kain could pull that off without getting attacked by the staff wielder on the way. And so he decides to go for the obstacle first. Running across the arena floor, Kain leaps into the air toward Billy. He snaps out his right leg, black flame erupting out from the limb as the kick flies toward Billy, promising an explosive impact.
Billy spirals out of the way of Rugal's strike, the fist whistling through the air but hitting nothing. The man draws his hand back, regaining control over his stance quickly, expecting potential retaliation or perhaps for Kain to get clever from distance. But it appears for a moment Rugal is left alone to weigh the battlefield as it presently exists. His single human eye fixates on Billy where he lands, becoming aware of another gathering of energy around the Brit. Opposite Kane is, well, Kain. A man that is going to have to be contended with sooner or later if Rugal intends to win this fight. A quiet smirk crosses his lips as he reads Heinlein's intent to keep the pressure on the briefly immobolized Billy, however.
Following suit, Rugal presses the offense against Howard's minion. If anything, letting one of Geese's boy win this matchup just rubs the crimelord the wrong way. Billy will have a black flamed kick to deal with at the same time Rugal steps in and brings his knee up first toward the staff user's side. The leg will snap down as the man drops into a sweep immediately after.
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Kain's Schwarzer Stob.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|=======\===----\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Rugal successfully hits Billy with Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/--=====|
Well, it looks like Billy's not going to be allowed any success today; ain't that a bitch. He manages to slither his staff to intercept Kain's kick, picking it out as the stronger of the two, but still it rattles him almost as hard as the knee slamming opposite; he really had no defense against it, stumbling back from the pair and grimacing heavily. "Heh... heh..." Well, if one of them has to win, he's pretty damn sure Geese would want Kain denied a second championship. Slamming his staff into the ground, Billy launches himself skyward with a snarl, before descending directly above Kain while viciously rotating his weapon; trying to slam in not only a downwards kick across his face, but also the end of his weapon, hoping the combination neatly floors him with a loud snarl. "DIE!!"
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Kain with Flying Assault Cane.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/-----==|=======\=====--\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 1/-------/=======|
The kick knocks Kain's head down, forcing him to look at the floor... the following blow from Billy's staff sends the rest of Kain's body down, all the way to the floor with a heavy impact. A loud grunt escapes Kain as he hits the floor, but he's not out of it just yet. Pushing himself up on his hands and knees, Kain then quickly regains his feet, gritting his teeth. He may not want the championship, but he does want to win.
There's a flash of gold light in the palm of Kain's hand, which quickly begins to grow in size and intensity. Then Kain suddenly whips around, pointing his arm toward Rugal. A massive orb of roiling golden chi springs into being, then launches at high speed from Kain's hand toward Rugal. It dances about in a crazy, zig-zag pattern, but it's definitely moving toward the crimelord.
COMBATSYS: Rugal blocks Kain's Himmlische Macht.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/---====|=======\=====--\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/-------|
Another demand to die is declared, but this time it's from Billy to Kain. Well, that's unfortunate. It's going to take more than shouts to take a man like Kain down, however, as the other German seems to be holding his own fairly well. The attacks smash into Heinlein rather solidly though, driving the blonde back just enough to force him to change targets and shift his attention toward Rugal instead.
It's at that point that Bernstein is introduced to one of Kain's more poweful chi blasts. Golden energy splashes against Rugal's arms as the suited man defends himself. This time his aura holds true, fending off a large part of the blast, energy broiling around him but so very little of it actually contacting his skin.
Lowering his singed coat arms, the man exhales slowly, taking in the other two fighters silently. With the match approaching its conclusion, the tyrant of 'R' takes the time to reassess both of the others. The next move anyone makes may very well determine the outcome of this fight.
COMBATSYS: Rugal focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/---====|=======\=====--\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/-------|
Well, that's rather bothersome. Rugal's preparing to swipe the victory, and if he takes down Kain he's all but giving it to him. This is one of the more awkward positions that Billy's been in; but there's not much to do about it. Bernstein's tactics are infallible; he can either likely fail going after the one-eyed pornstache, or try to finish off Kain and at least get the joy of beating up someone. The standoff continues for a few moments, and then Billy... goes after Kain. His staff slams into the ground, using it to push himself off and launch towards the Heinlein. The final seconds have begun!!
COMBATSYS: Kain fails to interrupt Light Kick from Billy with Schwarze Flame.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/---====|=======\=====--\1 Billy
[ \\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/------=|
Billy may be /intending/ to launch himself at Kain, but what he's actually launching himself at is a fireball! Except the fireball isn't unleashed until Billy's foot has already connected with Kain's chest. It goes sailing off harmlessly past Billy, while Kain gets knocked back by the kick to the chest. It's not a particularly hard hit, but Kain wasn't properly prepared to take it full force, allowing it to send him sprawling on the stone floor.
Hanging back seemed to do the trick in sending Billy off after Kain for a moment, catching the other fighter here with any fashion sense off guard and dropping him to the ground. The opening to go finish Kain seems to present itself, but Rugal isn't even sure if the previous title holder is going to be getting up again and that might just prove to be a wasted effort. "And now the conclusion," Bernstein growls.
But one thing he's very sure of is that no matter what he's going to have to contend with Billy one way or another. And right now, after the exchange of attacks between the other two, seems to be the best opportunity. Digging into his gradually renewing reserves of strength, the man finally charges forward, building momentum in the distance traveled in order to overpower the expected attempt to attack him back instead.
A hefty kick comes first, a smashing heel toward Kane's chest, before Rugal steps forward and follows up with another knee into the same place, both of his hands shoving the staff user back afterward as he attempts to take him out of the fight for good.
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to counter Medium Kick from Rugal with Ifrit Crisis.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Rugal 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Billy
[ \\\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Billy can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Rugal 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Kain
Here it is. The defining moment. If he can remove Rugal from the picture, it should be simple to do the same for Kain; He's willing to take that chance in order to steal the crown. He rears back his hand, reacting in a heartbeat to hurl his own staff; it spirals towards Rugal, missing him by an inch as his heel comes flashing in. Fast; Too fast. Before he braces properly, he's slammed in the chest. Droplets of blood seem to float as he folds inwards, face tense with teeth bared, eyes bugged, fully lifting off the ground while he is sent flying. Billy lands hard on the ground before his red bo staff does in the distance, bouncing twice before coming to rest on his back. He's trying to get up, but far too slow; he's lost. Which of the two will reign supreme now?
Dragging himself back to his feet, Kain spies that Billy has fallen. That's all well and good... but he himself isn't in particularly good shape, and he still has Rugal to deal with. Taking a deep breath, Kain points both of his hands toward Rugal. For a moment nothing happens, then a breeze blows up around Kain. His legs shake for a moment, then there's a flare of golden light between his hands. The light once more forms into a large golden orb. Rugal may have been able to handle it last time... but can he do it again? Kain launches the zig-zagging sphere toward the crimelord, but this time it doesn't actually make it all the way to Rugal. As it draws close the sphere suddenly explodes, blasting the area around Rugal with waves of punishing energy.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Rugal with Himmlische Macht.
[ \\\ < > /// ]
Rugal 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Kain
The targetted tyrant attempts to defend himself against the energy just like last time but Kain's determination to strike him down in this final moment proves the better of the two contending veterans. The explosion rocks Rugal back, arms blasted out of the guard he attempted, feet digging trenches in the arena floor before he comes to a stop.
Smoking, burnt by Kain's remarkable chi control, but not down... not just yet. The man goes back on the offense just then, charging forward, a burst of speed unlike any he had manifest earlier in the fight. His fists begin to glow with sickly green flame as the tyrant of 'R' attempts to get a grip on Kain and heft him up by the neck.
If he gets his chance, the man will unleash one last final surge of the chi he can bring to bear, attempting to finish Heinlein before his own strength gives way. The energy is savage enough to ignite his opponent into a human torch, but for a moment, before Bernstein will finally drop to the dirt, catching himself with his hand, gasping for breath as he no longer possesses the strength to continue.
COMBATSYS: Rugal can no longer fight.
[ \\\ <
Kain 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Kain just-defends Rugal's Rugal Execution!
[ \\\\\\ <
Kain 0/-------/------=|
Kain falls to his knees after unleashing that last blast, having some difficulty just keeping his head raised to watch the impact. His hope is for it to put Rugal down, but it turns out to not be quite enough. Rugal gets back to his feet and begins advancing on him, and Kain has to do /something/ with what remains of his strength. Rugal's hand reaches out for Kain's throat, but Kain snaps his own hand up to meet it. His hand closes on Rugal's wrist, stopping the leader of R dead in his tracks. And then... it's just a matter of holding on for a moment. Neither man is in much shape for a contest of strength... but Kain has the edge, able to hold on until Rugal's legs fail him and he drops to the floor.
Then, slowly, Kain raises himself back to a standing position. For the last few moments a hush has spread over the audience... but now thunderous applause erupts, as it becomes clear who the victor of the fight is. Kain listens to it for a few moments, mostly because he needs to catch his breath. But then, finally, he begins walking off toward the back rooms of the arena. If Geese wants some sort of formal ceremony handing out the belt, it's not going to be right now. Kain's damn near about to fall over.
COMBATSYS: Kain has ended the fight here.
Log created on 17:01:52 04/19/2008 by Kyo, and last modified on 14:57:42 04/23/2008.