Description: Battling on top of the Great Wall of China, Batsu finally gets his one on one match with Adelheid Bernstein. The son of Rugal proves his superlative skill, but when it comes to Batsu, counting out the power of GUTS before the final bell is often a fatal mistake... (Draw Match)
The Great Wall of China. A masterwork of engineering, and raw, enslaved manpower. A wonder of the world. A treasure. A pinnacle of man's supposed accomplishments. It's not often that anyone /sanctions/ the potential desecration of a landmark, but then, Ken Masters and many of the fighters in the League aren't just anyone, either. However good the workmanship, now and then you just have to restore sections of the massive, stonework expanse - and such a section has been designated for today's bout between two of the younger generation's most promising fighters: The BURNING Taiyo champion, Batsu Ichimonji, and the cool, focused, if a bit enigmatic Adelheid Bernstein. It's a classic showdown, the sun dipping low, the rolling scenic horizon cast in waning glow that stretches the shadows of the Wall and its parapets long, the broad structure creeping over the countryside... in a manner of speaking, at least.
Adel remembers Batsu: indeed, the other young fighter was difficult to forget, with the fervor of the free-for-all between the two of them, and Sakura Kasugano. The platinum blonde jumps at the chance for a rematch, stepping out onto the length of walkway set aside for their duel. His hands clench momentarily together, pressing the half-gloves tight, the leather flowing unbroken into bracers that cover the better part of his forearms, each etched with a flowing, graceful accent in dark silver. These happen to be black, much like the rest of his attire. A tight, sleeveless black shirt is belted and tucked into flowing, baggy fatigues, and heavy reinforced boots. His crimson eyes scan his surroundings, awaiting his opponent's arrival - presumably from the other archway across from him.
One might not believe it, but every now and then when Raizo Imawano deigns to give his son Ninja Tips(tm), sometimes -- SOMETIMES -- Batsu actually listens and internalizes. A very rare sort of deal, but it does happen now and again. One thing Raizo once said, offhandedly, was 'never be the first to show up'. 90% of the time Batsu completely ignores this warning, but today, just the once, he heeds it. Let the other guy show first, get settled in, give him time to worry or think things over. Then drop out of a helicopter from 15,000 feet and HALO jump onto his head like he's a Goomba.
There's a reason they're 'nonsense ninjas', the Imawanos.
The other archway does indeed frame Batsu's form as he saunters into the makeshift Neo League stage. Unlike his opponent, a study in elegant black and gold, Batsu is clad in the torn and patched, comfortably worn blue of his Taiyo uniform. Also unlike Adel's cool collectedness, the Burning Fighter gives the impression of suppressed energy, a fireworks display shoved into the body of a 17 year old Japanese kid. Even his walk is purposeful, forceful, kinetic. He doesn't walk; he strides.
Coming to a stop, Batsu inclines his head to the side a little and cracks his knuckles. "Glad ya could make it," he says offhandedly, not grinning just yet, but not exactly angry... just determined. "Been meanin' to have a one on one with you since that SNF. Ain't nobody up here to interfere, either," he adds, and now he grins a little. "Just you and me."
COMBATSYS: Adelheid has started a fight here.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Batsu has joined the fight here.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
Falling from the sky is indeed an effective 'element of surprise' tactic. Not to mention just a bit theatrical. And while Batsu doesn't get the drop on Adelheid quite so literally, the arrival of his opponent signals a similar response from Adel, mirroring the intense focus Batsu shows. An icy sort of intensity burns in his dark eyes as he studies his opponent momentarily, a precise and efficient reconsideration of what he remembers about the champion, "Batsu." The prodigal Bernstein greets smoothly, his rich voice even, clear as he respectfully greets the other warrior, "Indeed it is." He agrees, concurring with the Burning Fighter's observations, "I hope it will be just as challenging as before." He observes with an almost wry half-grin. There's no malice to this fight, and Adelheid remembers all too clearly what Batsu is capable of, "You fight well, I'm looking forward to it." He responds simply, rather bluntly, in the same impeccably calm tones, belying the energy brimming forth within him, the intensity in bearing as he raises his arms into a fighting stance. It's almost innate at this point... others his age may be accomplished warriors, but few have lived the same lifestyle. Forged in the proverbial fire, the veteran beyond his years locks gazes with Batsu momentarily.
"You'll find I've learned a few things, myself!" He announces, and as the signal to begin is sounded, the shout of FIGHT! is the only warning Batsu gets as Adelheid charges him. The shockwave as he launches himself forward is tangible, invisible but almost audible as the young warrior accelerates nigh instantly into his sprint, launching himself at Batsu elbow-first. It's a blow even with the other fighter's collarbone, snapping around and in rather abruptly, and meant to be followed up by a sudden, lunging uppercut to the ribcage, courtesy of his opposite, right fist. As he twists his weight about, his right foot kicks forward, rising with tremendous force and carrying his momentum in at Batsu: but the real threat there would be the /explosion/ of raw, silvery chi that erupts in a torrential, ragged edge, pouring forth from the sweeping kick.
COMBATSYS: Batsu dodges Adelheid's Grosse Stob.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
Normally, Batsu's modus operandi is to leap in, guns blazing. Whether he's playing on his idea that Adelheid expects this, given their previous fight, or if it's simply stupid luck on Batsu's part remains to be seen. However, rather than drive into the attack to trade hits with Adelheid's chi-laden charge, Batsu steps *backwards* instead, dropping low; the elbow goes over his head, and Batsu takes the opportunity to drive forward... not to attack, but to 'switch sides' with Adelheid while the blond's focus is on where his opponent *used* to be. Not the sort of agility Batsu tends to display, but when it's absolutely needed, he can pull it out. The effect, however, is somewhat ruined when he pulls himself upright again, stumbling a bit as he turns around and faces his opponent, losing any tactical advantage the dodge might have afforded.
"You're not bad yourself... s'why I wanted to fight you again," Batsu says, watching Adel closely. The Burning Fighter knows his limitations; he's not a tactical type, not like Adel; he doesn't capitalize, he blazes a trail, powers through. It has its advantages and its disadvantages, of course, but Batsu himself has learned that trying to fight your nature inevitably ends in failure. "Only way to get better's to test yourself."
With that, Batsu sets off at a dead run, twisting and then leaping into the air; at the apex of his jump, he twists and extends one leg, body becoming sheathed in the painfully eye-searing deep blue of his own chi as he dives down at Adel like the celestial javelin of some very angry god. "RYUUSEI KICK!"
COMBATSYS: Adelheid dodges Batsu's Shooting Star Kick.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
Batsu's footwork is impressive indeed - an aspect to the Burning fighter's style that the platinum blonde had missed in their previous bout. He's taking notes here, test or no. Adelheid's alacrity can't match Batsu's own, and in an instant, the momentum of the opening moments of combat shifts entirely. Adel, to his credit, staggers only a step out of the impressive force of the evaded assault, planting the heel of his other foot firmly and coming about to face the Taiyo champion in one fluid instant, "Couldn't agree more." Batsu launches in, and Adel shifts sidelong, weaving into a graceful, lunging sidestep that rather abruptly carries him out of the path of the rather dangerous-looking kick. Pushing the envelope is indeed good for the soul.
It's the young Bernstein's turn to outmaneuever his adversary, and seize the initiative in turn. The Burning Fighter lands, and Adelheid charges him once more, looking to catch him sharply in the throat before he can fully recover from his own show of force. With a strength one might not expect from the lithe youth, should he find his choking, clenching grip... that one thickly muscled arm would flex, heaving Batsu up momentarily as Adel throws his weight behind a sudden twist, spinning about with the intent to slam Batsu back first into the unforgiving stone.
"Not a bad START!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu fails to interrupt Medium Throw from Adelheid with Fierce Punch.
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Adelheid 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
While he took care not to overextend himself as per normal, a dodged attack is a dodged attack; even if Adel didn't turn it back on him, it gives him that extra push of momentum for his reprisal, and coming out of a high aerial move like that is bound to leave Batsu disoriented. He pulls himself standing only to find Adel inside his guard, and reacts entirely on instinct, intending to use the rising of his body to power a blow right past Adel's guard and dissuade further action. Sadly, it's too little too late, and the chokeslam leaves Batsu breathless before he bounces off the Great Wall a few feet away.
Rebounding off the ground, Batsu brings his arms up and over, slamming his palms into the ground and turning his rebound into a backflip that lands him in a crouch, facing Adel as he stands a little more slowly this time. Grinning, he wipes a hand across his face just under his nose and grins. "That coulda gone better, but it's just the first round."
A final heave helps Batsu into the ground, and the same motion shove Adelheid away from him as he hits, and rolls clear. Shoving back to a ready stance, he pauses only a few moments, as his opponent picks himself up, admirably quickly, at the edge of the wall, "Only the warmup." Adel both promises confidently, and cautions himself. The succint pair of words are his only spoken response, quickly striding the distance between himself and the Burning Fighter in a handful of long, sprinting strides. It's the reinforced toe of his boot that leads this time, swinging up and around in a forward roundhouse, the heavy heel meant to punctuate the initial kick to the jaw as Adelheid comes about with blurring, air-displacing force, aligning the second kick with the Taiyo champion's temple.
The goal here is to punctuate the duo with a third: a rising snap for the hopefully staggered Batsu's ribs, full force thrown behind the strike, and the accompanying slight leap forward. Each strike would lead fluidly into the next, and whatever impact the all-out assault might find.... one thing is clear. The blonde prodigy has no intentions of letting up the pressure on Batsu. The Taiyo fighter made an impression, and that impression earned him.... well, many kicks at his head and (GUT)s apparently.
COMBATSYS: Batsu endures Adelheid's B's Destruction.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Batsu
Adel has no trouble connecting with his kicks at all; in fact, it's too easy, which an experienced fighter like the Bernstein heir is almost certain to pick up on. Blow after blow is rained onto Batsu's body, but he doesn't flinch. He aches, he grunts, his shifts his body ever so slightly so the pain isn't crippling, but he doesn't flinch. Nobody gets to be Raizo Imawano's son without learning how to take a punch. Or claw. Or occasional thrown object like desks or innocent bystanders. Through it all, he just pushes through, trying to find the sweet spot, giving it whatever he's got.
When the assault comes to an end, however, Batsu doesn't waste any time himself, either; he suddenly and violently lunges up and forward... not with a punch or kick, but *his entire body*, looking to slam into Adel head first in the chest. If he can manage that, the Burning Fighter bears all his weight into driving the blond to the ground and then, straddling his legs, driving punch after punishing punch right into his face. It's not elegant, it's a brawler's technique... but Batsu's turned brawling techniques into something approaching fine art.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid blocks Batsu's Headbutt Beat Up.
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Batsu
Being knocked around end being taken off your feet, or even rattling the wits would have been a far better outcome. As it is, Batsu holds his ground, thundered into by the Bernstein heir's kicks, unphased by the barrage... and then WHAM! It's a moment to be captured and immortalized by gaping viewers everywhere on the replay: Batsu all but EXPLODES forward, leaping literally headfirst, his skull slamming hard into the platinum blonde's dense chest. He steps backwards, but similarly to Batsu... he is not knocked off his game. Batsu leaps in, and finds flexed, resilient forearms intercept his flurry of punches one after another, answering each lightning motion with one of his own. Dense muscle absorbs much of the potent impact, though the sheer /force/ of each strike reverberates to the bone, thudding dully as Adelheid shifts and braces, deflecting the strikes as best he can. In the next moment the prodigal Bernstein's right fist shoots upwards, rocketing a direct course for the underside of the Burning Fighter's chin, looking to quite literally turn the tables with one more staggering blow.
His weight is thrown behind the sudden strike, looking to almost heave himself upwards... hopefully toppling Batsu in the process, and giving him a head start on the process of getting back to his feet. While his arms are aching, there is no hesitation to the strike: in a fight like this, there's just no room for any.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Batsu with Fierce Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Batsu
Sadly, Batsu's pledge to not overextend himself against a technical fighter didn't last long; besides eating a punch to the face, he threw everything he had into making that combination blow connect and Adel's handling of the situation left him high and dry. One might think that Adel's prone position is too awkward for counterattacking, but in fact he's the better off in this scenario; to move, Batsu has to shift all his weight, while Adel can indeed just push *up* and right on through, leaving the onus on Batsu to get out of the way. He tries, the Burning Fighter does; sadly, his semi-crouch makes that hard, and the blow sends him spinning back to impact against the arch that Adel had entered through before, giving extra kick to an already powerful blow.
Turning, Batsu smirks and wipes blood from his lip, making a 'feh!' sound as he does so. "You... fightin' you especially, I needed to do," he admits. Is it good to do this on camera? Probably not, but what the hell. "I'm not much for plannin' stuff out. I get in, I punch. It works for me. Works for Kasugano, too, though she's pretty creative, I'll give her that. Gotta fight people who can do what you can't," Batsu says finally, "to learn about it." And then he's got his arms high in the air, a blazing aura of blue surrounding his whole body. Last time they fought, Adelheid no-sold this attack with some creative chi use of his own... but the Burning Fighter is resolved not to let fear of failure keep him from doing what he came to do. The arms plunge forward, and the aura of blue becomes a screaming bullet of chi, formed on instinct and talent alone, that spirals toward Adelheid. "KIAI DAN!"
COMBATSYS: Adelheid dodges Batsu's Guts Bullet.
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Adelheid 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Batsu
"It's what gives one's style true diversity." Adelheid agrees. Even at the very pinnacle of mastery of a particular style, one is still predictable. Counterable. Only by adapting to the teachings of many schools of combat can one truly surmount these limitations - or so goes the Bernstein credo. It is difficult to refute the potency of the adaptable, assimilated artform, however. Recovering his footing, Adelheid paces slowly to the side, flanking around Batsu as much as the walkway allows, his boots sounding rhythmically on the stonework beneath his feet. His eyes remain locked on Batsu, and as the upsurge of chi comes, the mighty bullet blasting in, this time he throws himself forward sidelong, landing into a shoulder-led roll. The singular somersault carries the young Bernstein back to a crouch, and he comes up in the same motion.
A lance of pure, silver=grey windshear is his answer for Batsu's brilliant blast, the ragged, cruel-edged energy surging forward rapidly at his feet, threatening to rip his legs right out from under him as the roiling mass rockets across the ground, blasting the air around it in all directions. If it was a diverse and unrelenting look at what Adel was capable of that motivated the Burning Fighter, well... his wishes will certainly be obliged. The Taiyo champion gives as good as he gets - the battle is not over yet.
COMBATSYS: Batsu overcomes Reppukyaku from Adelheid with Maximum Guts Bullet.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Batsu
COMBATSYS: Batsu successfully hits Adelheid with Maximum Guts Bullet.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Batsu
There's no response. Why? Because Batsu might not 's-m-r-t' but he's got good instincts. Past experience says Adel's either going to fire his own shot back at him, or perhaps try his own in retaliation... from Batsu's point of view, he's seen Adel fight enough times to know that the Bernstein heir likes to show and show alike, as it were. Thus while the initial Kiai Dan burst is on its way, Batsu hasn't stopped gathering power. Indeed, rather than disappearing, the blazing blue aura is just getting brighter. "Maybe... but you gotta be true to yourself too! Balance it out!"
The silvery tornado blasts across the intervening space, but Batsu's ready for it. Again the blue aura pulses, and again the arms drop out parallel to the ground, but this time the force of Batsu's guts-driven chi power is considerably greater. "ZENKAI! KIAI DAN!" The resulting bullet makes the previous one look like a wiffle ball; the silver wind crashes against it like a wavefront, slicing off 'shards' of blue light that fade out like wisps as the two energies vie with each other... but eventually, Batsu's attack wins out, spiralling toward Adel.
"Be true with your actions, a warrior should never stop learning and adapting!" Adelheid retorts, even as the raging edge of energy races to its demise. The spike in Batsu's energy is impressive indeed, as is the imposing blast that rips through the cleaving wave. Weakened or no, the burst of blue erupts across his chest and shoulders with impressive force, staggering the young Bernstein back a step, then another, his footing wavering, but not giving. A deep breath fills the platinum blonde's lungs, jaw clenching and unclenching as he focuses his attention on Batsu. The Burning Fighter's strength, from where Adel is standing, comes from his uncompromising fire... in his style, in his attitude. He is unswayed regardless of the impacts he's received, or who he stands against, and it's a page that is certainly worth learning from.
So Adelheid steels himself, breathes again, forces past even acknowledging the aching burn in his muscles. It is just him... and Batsu. No impressive drop off the wall, no legendary landmark, no stars rising in the crystal clear sky. The Taiyo champion came here to fight - this is no learning bout between amateurs. Both men are prodigies in their own rights, and the rivalry and spirit of the fight itself is nearly tangible. The power in the air centers throughout Adelheid, the very flow of the wind seeming to invigorate as he simply stares evenly at Batsu, holding a ready, defensive stance.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid focuses on his next action.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Batsu
"Hehe..." Batsu says raggedly. Guts are one thing, but he's had some nasty strikes landed on him in this fight and he's starting to feel the effects, both fatigue and the ache in his many bruises and scrapes. Still, he seems in good spirits. "You sorta sound like Pop, but you can't be that much older than I am," the Burning Fighter observes, giving the Bernstein heir the once over again, trying to take a guess at his age. The man carries himself like an adult, but there's something under the surface that resonates with Batsu... the passion of youth, the joy at seeing the entire world spread before you like one massive opportunity, ripe for the taking.
Where might both of these young men be, with just a slight change in their personal histories?
Having gone full-bore offensive for some time now, Batsu also takes a moment not to attack but instead to gather himself in his own inimitable way... which is to say he balls his hands into fists and shoves his elbows back, initiating the DBZ-style power up sequence we all know and love, his chi a mix of that cobalt blue aura and tongues of scarlet-orange flame. "DON'T QUIT ON ME YET, 'OLD MAN'!" Batsu taunts, grinning wildly. "BRING IT ON!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu gathers his will.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Batsu
Sometimes, the will to keep going is enough to turn an inexorable tide. It's a lesson that's been hard for Adelheid to learn - but it has served him well, of late. Batsu's words bring a smirk to Adel's face. Or perhaps it's the tremendous charge of power he's gathering to himself. The brilliant lightshow doesn't earn the Burning one any reprieve though: Adelheid steps forward, closing the distance with one powerful stride as he heaves his right arm upwards in a potent heave, weaving a much larger, roiling tidal wave of energy from the empty air before him. Brilliantly luminescent and torn by untold blades of gale-force chi, the sudden, tumultuous blast races towards Batsu. It's a demonstration of a mastery that has to do with something altogether seperate from bearing... a burst of raw power that competes with the one Batsu threw a moment ago, matching up to the Taiyo warrior's expectations.
... but as a mirroring answer, it would lack. No, there is an undertone to the statement: the relative /ease/ with which Adelheid launches a maelstrom of such magnetude, sending the crashing wave reaving in at Batsu, coruscating violently around itself.
COMBATSYS: Batsu endures Adelheid's Kaiser Wave.
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Batsu
The easy way's not always the good way, though. The hair on the back of Batsu's neck raises even before that massive burst of energy makes the hint of an appearance. When the huge burst of silvery light with the patent pending name really decides to come into play, Batsu does indeed get nervous. His grin gets a little unsteady, but he is going to laugh it off. WORSE than laugh it off, in fact. "What's a matter, afraid to bring out the big guns?!" he taunts. Yeah... there's no getting away from that thing. He could probably deflect it, but what's the point in that? "I just... gotta be me."
He charges into it.
For a lesser fighter this would be tantamount to *suicide*; only Batsu's instinctive level of defense and sheer stupid hardiness keep him from immediately being blown right off the damn Wall. But instead he pours it on, digging deep. He isn't a chi master, but he knows that when he needs it, it's there; when his emotions really hit their peak, that's when his power comes to bear. What it lacks on ease of use, it more than makes up for in intensity.
When he bursts through the end of the blast, still driving at Adel, his entire body is blazing with a corona of red-orange flame.
He doesn't bother with preamble; he drives his flaming fist at Adel, looking to pound him into the ground... and then bring his fist right back up, to change the Bernstein heir's direction from down to straight up, his fist accompanied by a massive gout of chi flame that acts like a rocket booster, for a little attack he calls "GUTS! UPPERRRRRRRRRRRR!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu has reached second wind!
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Adelheid 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
COMBATSYS: Adelheid endures Batsu's Maximum Guts Upper.
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Adelheid 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Batsu
Swaying backwards with a stumbling step, however, Batsu *doesn't* fall down. He looks like he COULD at any moment, but he hasn't. "Not... done yet!" he grinds out.
Remember that thing that Batsu was monologuing earlier regarding Raizo Imawano? And being crapbeat about the head and neck? Well. It's true about being the son and student of Rugal Bernstein as well... have no doubt about that. Adelheid is impressed as Batsu barrels /through/ the massive gout of energy - and what's more, comes through with enough gusto to continue the fight. Looks like the big guns may indeed be quite necessary. It's a nod to Batsu's style and outlook that leaves his fist with no opposition as it hammers home, staggering Adelheid before he's launched upwards by the tremendous uppercut. It's a potent hit indeed, and for a moment the ringing in his skull threatens to overwhelm. The searing heat consumes his hearing, and his sight. The dizzying flight disorients. But his own chi continues to build, focused within him... his singular goal never wavers. He actually springs /into/ the final strike, kicking into the upwards momentum, and flipping higher still. Pushing past the pain, past the spray of blood, the young Bernstein flips forward, over Batsu, landing with his arms stretched to his sides.
With his splayed palms, pulsating silver-blue power thrums to life, erupting outwards in a rapidly amplifying surge, the twin blasts all but /slammed/ together as his hands meet before him, projecting the blast forward, at Batsu. If he's lucky, he might not turn in time to fully see what's bearing down on him. The blast is larger than Adelheid himself - a massive conduit of raw chi talent made manifest, forced to epic proportions. The massive cleaving, roughly spherical, ragged-edged blade of wildly flaring tempest drowns out the powerful wind gusting over the wall - cancels out the screaming shout as Adelheid focuses the power. Leaves nothing but the swirling blast obscuring all between himself and the Burning Fighter.
.... this is what Batsu just requested, after all.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Batsu with Crown Prince.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Batsu
Oh, hell.
Even if he hadn't just poured every ounce of his being into that final strike against Adel -- which he DID -- Batsu is only on his feet through some act of divine providence, nothing more. To think that he could avoid the bitchin' big blast of chi that is an apotheosis of Adelheid's power is hubris of the first order. But he's got to *try* and so he turns, arms crossed over his face, stacked on top of each other, almost like warding off a curse than protecting himself. It doesn't work; the very first kinetic force of the blow not only rips through Batsu's defenses, it flat-out blasts him straight up into the air like a ragdoll.
And yet...
Something makes him open his eyes, force energy into resisting limbs, bring his blazing aura of blue to bear. One more shot... one more shot to make this an even match. He's not going down without that last shout, not until he literally can't move his body anymore. And thus that flying through the air becomes something entirely different: Batsu once again becomes a divine spear, lancing from the sky downward right into Adel if he can manage it... but this time the force is that much greater. "NOT... YET! ZENKAI! RYUUSEI KICK!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu can no longer fight.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Adelheid fails to reflect Maximum Shooting Star Kick from Batsu with Dark Barrier.
- Power fail! -
COMBATSYS: Adelheid can no longer fight.
Similar indeed is the true answer to the blast of Batsu's own chi. As well as the final, all-out assault that preceded it. His all poured behind the assault, Adelheid has perhaps accomplished his search for enlightenment from the Burning one's style... he stood his ground, gave as good as he got, put Batsu down for the count. But as he /should/ have anticipated - Batsu is not going to go so easily. He leaps in one final time, all his battered aches and pain fueling that last-last-ditch attack, it seems. Adelheid shifts, bracing a palm... but the Taiyo champion is just launching himself too forcefully. The impact blasts aside any illusions the young Bernstein had of turning the attack aside: foot and fury of fiery energy crash home, launching him back, and abruptly to the ground. He skids over the rocks, launched slightly each time, until his back crunches hard into the far stone, his arm hanging up on the ledge limply.
As Batsu descends for the last time... so too does the Prince of War, letting out an ached groan as he struggles to right himself... an attempt that's not going to happen until he's counted out, the air quite thoroughly blasted from his haggard lungs. A gasped breath comes, and he spits a bit of blood and spittle with a hoarse cough. Looks like Batsu was just waiting for the final hour, after all.
Log created on 23:13:57 05/10/2008 by Batsu, and last modified on 02:10:41 05/14/2008.