Description: Africa plays stage to one of SNF's more unique matches: positioned on platforms strapped to elephants, the Ansatsuken Angel Sakura Kasugano and Bouncing Choi Bounge must face off against Missile Fist Ashima and the Tai Chi Mistress Chun-Li in a match that's filled with dangerous spills and numerous thrills. But who will come out on top..? (Winners: Chun-Li and Kenji)
Saturday Night Fight usually spares no expense in picking out exotic locales for their battles. This battle, though, takes place in the plains of Africa, and the two hosts work for peanuts. It's also frickin HOT out, as the battle is taking place in daylight. Not much of a Saturday /night/ fight, is it?
Sakura, though, is very very =very= excited to be here. Her past few SNF battles have taken place in the grandiose Howard Arena. It's glitzy, and the center of the fighting world... but it's not a very /interesting/ locale when you've fought there as many times as Sakura has. Here, out in the open, fighting on platforms mounted like saddles onto =elephants=... against the Strongest Woman in the World? Heck yeah the Fighting Fangirl's fired up! At the moment, she's pacing back and forth expectantly, fists clenched at either side with a as she performs a bit of 'image training', visualizing the fight in her mind as a mental warm-up.
Though really, she's trying to forget her teammate in this match. Based on the results of the last fight she bore witness to, she's wearing billowy, loose-fitting clothing -- partly a nod to the neighboring African tribes, but mostly to keep Choi's mind on his -- /their/ -- opponents. She's eager to fight Chun-Li, of course, but Kenji... well, she's never really -gotten- the chance to fight him, and her last conversation with him, as security chief of the Suiryuu, didn't give her too much to go on. So this match will be an educational experience for Sakura, to say the least!
Billowy? Loose clothing? What is wrong with you, Sakura? Now he has to fantasize just like with Hotaru!
Personally, Choi hated this fight. Elephants made him uncomfortable. They were too big, they smelled bad, and whenever Choi saw their trunks, he had the urge to buy a large SUV. Sure, he was paired with a sexy schoolgirl, but the schoolgirl was trying hard not to be sexy or schoolgirlish. Clinging on the saddle, the Korean seemed miserable. Glancing at Sakura's rear end, and then the elephant's head, a question popped into his mind. "Wait. Are these African Elephants, or Indian Elephants?"
It's been some time, but a little part of Chun-Li is glad to be back.
Despite the heat, the Tai Chi mistress does not shy away from sporting her usual threads, her traditional blue qipao and thick ivory boots. As usual, the Chinese woman has opted to pull her long brown hair up in typical ox horn fashion, covered in brocades. She looks far too stylish for a fight on the plains of Africa.
On elephants. ...sort of, anyway.
As Sakura paces, the Chinese fighter emerges from a caravan of SNF crew members, a friendly smile perched on her glossy lips. She spies the familiar fighter and promptly offers her a wide wave with an arm, greeting the girl from afar as she ties up loose ends with staff. It's a brief overview of the fight: don't fall off, otherwise you're disqualified. Fall off of what? Elephant-mounted platforms? How easy!
Right?
Jogging over once she's released from the 'grip' of the crew and their pre-fight briefing, the woman exhales lightly and fans a hand at her neck. "It's pretty hot out here, eh?" she offers to the Fighting Fangirl, a grin still lingering on her lips. Offering the fighter a hand, she extends it for a handshake. "Been a while, hasn't it?"
But then a voice from nearby cuts between them, and promptly brown eyes dart aside, peering at the Korean clutching miserably to a saddle. That must be Sakura's teammate. ...Chun-Li can hope, anyway. His question earns him a light laugh from the woman before she glances back to Sakura and lightly winks.
"Good luck, Sakura!"
Time to get assembled!
"Okay, Ashima, how's this for a fight. You. With another fighter. Against another team of two."
"Sounds pretty normal."
"On -elephants-."
And then he leaned forward, not angry or dismayed, but ... curious, as if something lit up in his eyes. "... Are you flippin' serious."
That's roughly how it started for the young man, before parting ways with his parents at the airport and taking the flight out to the majestic plains of Africa. He'd be lying to himself if he said the prospect of this fight didn't amuse or intrigue him-- after all, it's finally one fight where his love life (or lack thereof) was the focus!
So where is Kenji Ashima at a time like this?
"ONWARD, GREAT BEAST!"
Standing on top of a platform already, his arms thrown out wide and the hot wind blasting on his face. Kenji's been spending his time getting used to the footing on the deck while his teammates and opponents assemble, moving to the edge of the platform and tucking his hands in his pockets. Full of school pride on his trip overseas, he stands tall and proud in his Gedo High uniform-- the yellows, though he's wearing a white shirt instead. With a large bottle of water held now in his hand, he calls out to the SNF staff: "You should've installed cupholders!!"
Sakura's still a bit distant when Chun-Li addresses her -- but she snaps out of her image training soon enough to return the handshake! "Yeah, it's been about a year and forever! And yeah... Thanks! Good luck to you too!" She ruffles her decorative apparel, grinning faintly, "They say it's actually -better- to wear baggy clothes for the heat, kinda keeps airflow going somehow, I... guess?"
Of course when Choi speaks up, Kasugano glances up to him with a sarcastic look. "Well, we're in /Africa/..." And right around then, Kenji's over there shouting for the elephant to go forth and all. Smirking, Kasugano shakes her head and looks back to Chun-Li. "Well, this looks like it'll be fun! See you topside!"
Kasugano looks to the elephant, brushing her hand lightly against its leathery skin. "Okay, big guy... keep it steady, willya? I can make it worth your while..."
By this, she means she got an extra bag of peanuts on the flight over.
Sakura climbs up to the platform via the rope ladder -- no sense in wearing herself out before the battle, after all. When her head peeks over the lip of the platform, she's staring at Choi: "And don't think I won't hit you just 'cause you're my teammate! You keep your hands pointed at /them/, got it?" Ooh, this partnership is starting out wonderfully... Kasugano finishes climbing up, then tests the weight of the platform. Yes, just a bit shaky... but she's ready to fight, just the same!
COMBATSYS: Sakura has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
COMBATSYS: Kenji has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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|-------\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Choi has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Choi 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kenji
Getting a feel for her surroundings, she extends one hand, drawing her other in. It'll be weird fighting atop another living being, complete with /its/ network of chi adding to the surroundings... but Sakura loves a new challenge! "Hehe... let's get this show on the road!" She stomps the platform lightly as a signal to the elephant.
Nothing happens.
That's when the elephant handlers both roll their eyes, and gives their elephant a light lash of the crop. /Then/ they start lumbering forward...
To which Kasugano just smiles smugly, training her eyes on Chun-Li's and Kenji's elephant.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
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Choi 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kenji
Choi suddenly whimpers, tightening his grip. "So are you telling me that we are on platforms on the not-domesticated elephant, as opposed to the the domesticated kind?" Naturally, the reasonable thing would be to have tame elephants. But African were known to be more aggressive. When the Korean hears the lash, he clings tighter. "Look, guys, I just don't feel that safe, I mean, oh darn it."
Choi slowly loosens his grip. All he had to do was tackle them. That was easy. This wasn't an endurance match. This was a speed match. Gingerly winding around, he takes a moment to check out Sakura. Warmth overwhelmed him. As ancient hormones fill his body, the fear slowly faded away. Crawling on hands and knees, seems to be staring at- LEGS
The Korean sees Chun-Li. And more importantly. The legs. If he could, hearts would be exploding from his eyes. Which would be really gruesome, and a poor application of chi. Two beautiful women... they both could wrestle with each other! The fear is totally gone by the time Choi. And then there was the kid. Why the hell was he here? Grinning fiercely, he springs out from the elephant, shooting through the air at disturbing speed, claws out, straight for Kenji. Spinning like a drill, he took out the stops for a very simple end:
Knocking him off.
Grinning still as Sakura returns the greeting, Chun-Li offers a firm handshake. "Thanks for the thanks, Kasugano. I'm really looking forward to see how good this 'year and forever' has been to you." She's certain Sakura won't disappoint. But it isn't just the two of them fighting--they have company today.
Kenji's bellow draws a mildly puzzled look over the woman's face, brown eyes slowly drifting upwards toward the platforms high above. He stands proudly with his arms wide and the wind on his face, his enthusiasm unmatched by any other contender present.
Soon enough her attentions are drawn to Sakura as she offers to see the Tai Chi mistress on the platforms. Offering a light grin, the Chinese woman nods lightly and lets the girl ascend the ladder ahead of the elder fighter. Fortunately, Choi's ogling of her powerful legs goes relatively unnoticed. There is, however, an odd chill at the back of her neck. What are her Spidey senses trying to tell her..?
Shaking it off, Chun-Li climbs onto the designated elephant-bound platform, taking up her place by Kenji as she arrives. Offering the spirited Gedo youth a light and friendly smile, she nods once and offers, "Hello. My name is Chun-Li. Great to meet you. Let's do our best..!" Chocolate brown eyes slowly drift forward, back toward the other contenders as the fight begins...
Just in time to see Choi blazing at Kenji like a human drill of doom.
Sakura, for the moment, does not present a threat. Thus is she left to her own machinations; instead, Chun-Li calls out, "Careful!" to her designated partner and, lifting a long, muscled leg high up, attempts to drop a swift heel down onto poor Choi and hopefully minimize the damage he does to Kenji, if any...and keep the kid from falling off!
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Choi's Houkou Tenkan.
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Choi 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kenji
He's high on the horse, so to speak-- up in the sky, ready and pumped up for whatever they're going to face on there. Once everyone's up above, it takes a moment for Kenji to recognize Sakura from afar-- and give her a wink and a sharp wave of his hand. "Heyyyyy! How about we casually enjoy ourselves at a fine eatery after this?" he calls out.
And then -she- addresses him.
Turning around to face Chun-Li, Kenji's hand sweeps to his chest as if he were struck in the heart, his other arm hooking out wide. He gives a grand, flourishing bow, putting on his best smooth voice and everything. "Oh no, miss... it is great to meet youuuuWHOA-!!"
Fwzzzzzzzzz-- *thwap*
Kenji twists as he stands up halfway, the claws barely digging into his gut-- halted by the hands clapping down on the claw-gloves like he were trying to catch a sword of some kind. Kenji shifts from there, taking a hard step in and reaching out to grab Choi by the face.
If he can grab the small man, a surge of strength enters him long enough to heft the Korean up and -spike- him headfirst into the ground. "UrrrrrAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH--"
And then a fiery burst of white-blue chi -explodes- from below, looking to finish this odd attack by launching Choi sky high!
"What's the matter, partner? Scared?" Kasugano doesn't seem the least bit deterred: the fact that the majestic beasts are responding to their trainers' commands is enough for her!
She seems ... faintly amused at how Kenji carries himself. Sure, he seemed like he was hitting on Sakura when they first met... but she didn't think he was -always- a ladies' man!
Then again, this is Chun-Li he's talking to. Who /wouldn't/ be formal? Aside from that Grigori jerk anyway.
Kasugano begins to consider her options here. Sure... it'd be polite and even dramatic to direct her focus onto Kenji, since Chun-Li attacked Choi... but Sakura's training ushered her away from notions of what's 'coolest' for a moment, and towards what's best for the battle. And Sakura knows that, traditionally, she has a bit of trouble hitting Chun-Li.
All the more reason to strike while the iron's hot.
Kasugano leaps forward, dispensing with her usual cries of action... mainly because if she stops to grandstand, she'll lose her focus! No, right now, she's got one goal in mind -- slam a powerful rushing punch right into the small of Chun-Li's back!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Choi with Light Kick.
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Choi 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Choi dodges Kenji's Claymore.
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Choi 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kenji
Choi flies through the air, and manages at least clear the elephant space. However, contact with Kenji is marred by a central problem. He blocks. Or more importantly, he catches the little pervert. Being caught while on an elephant was not only a sign of bad luck, but was an excellent set up for a rapid loss. Thankfully, he is 'saved.' When Chun-Li comes around with legs on his body, he allows her harsh physical effort to loosen him up. And allow him to break free of the grapple.
Body badly bruised but in a good way, the Korea rolls around on the elephant. Being small had many advantages, the biggest being that on small combat areas like these, he can still move around pretty well. While being legged by legs would be appealing to the little man, he still had the hopes and dreams of hot lesbian action between legs and Hotaru-Pants. So naturally, that left Kenji. Moving behind him, he explodes from the roll in a backflip, unleashing a single solid kick up in the air. If it threw him off balance, it would be perfect for the follow up attack.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Sakura's Fierce Punch.
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Choi 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kenji
Kenji's greeting earns him a tiny grin from the woman, her expression warm as he replies with as smooth a voice he can muster. But, sadly, it's short-lived; moments after Choi blazes forward, his intention to knock Chun-Li's teammate off--and she's having none of that it seems. For a leg lifts and summarily falls, crashing into poor Choi and leaving him battered beneath that ivory heel of her combat boot.
"Good luck, Ashima," the Tai Chi mistress offers her teammate for the fight with the tiniest of winks.
Sakura's cry is heard, and Chun-Li responds by turning her chocolate-brown gaze back onto the incoming young fighter. Smiling, she simply swings her arms up with a graceful motion, her heel pivoting as she about-faces and greets Sakura head-on. The blow intended for Chun-Li's small of the back instead meets forearm, the impact drawing a light wince from the elder woman.
"I see you still hit as hard as ever, Sakura," she offers with a chuckle. "It means I can't let my guard down around you, I think."
And so, with a light hop back, the Chinese woman lifts a leg and, without missing a beat, shoots it forward, a swift side kick aimed for Sakura's collar!
COMBATSYS: Choi successfully hits Kenji with Hien Zan.
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Choi 0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Kenji
Good luck, she says! Kenji would hope that he wouldn't need all that much luck in an event like this, to blow past the opposition with pure skill alone. So by that thought, the young Gedo brawler turns for a half-step after Choi's unexpectedly limber form darts behind him with a rolling attack, then ... kick!
"Ugh!" is the first thing he blurts out, his arms wheeling around and legs treading air while he lands. He staggers a few steps before turning around hard, his eyes going wide and his expression becoming fierce. "Why you little--"
And then he throws a large right cross at Choi, but the swing falls short by inches-- for the torrent of white-blue chi to chase after his strike, looking to rip across the Korean man's chest in a broad arc. "UrrrrrrrAGH!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Sakura with Medium Kick.
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Choi 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Kenji
Sakura may not be privy to what's going on in Choi's head... but she's still got him pegged as the worst kind of pervert from the one fight she watched him. And with that in mind... she's content to let him do whatever he likes, so long as he stays away from her!
Or, more to point, Kasugano feels her true battle is with Chun-Li. Smiling at the compliment, she hops back with a steady but measured grin, ready to strike again now that she's got the Chinese woman's full attention. She's improved a lot since her last battle with the Tai Chi mistress, and she's gotten very close to beating her twice before... so she's bound to be able to go toe-to-toe with her now, right?
The nice *THONK* of Chun-Li's boot colliding with her collarbone is the sound of her dream being shattered! Kasugano crumples backwards from the blow, hands going out to catch her, should she fall ... but after a moment of teetering, she's able to push back to her standing height.
"Hehe... yeah..." she replies, one eye shut from the wracking pain of the moment. The sensation may go away once the adrenaline's really pumping, but for now... only her mental discipline can make it stop. Clamping her jaw shut, she nods with approval -- oh, she's not out, not by a long shot! -- and takes two steps back. Widening her stance slightly to account for the elephants' incresed gait, she curls her hands by her side with a tight smile. No quips, no teasing -- her teaching with Ryu is really showing now! Of course, the bright blue chi she's channeling into her palms is something she picked up even before training, but the power is much greater now, of course! Kasugano gives Chun-Li a sample, palms slamming forward to send a five-foot wide blossom of concussive force at the Strongest Woman in the World! "HADOOOOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Choi parries Kenji's Twelve Gauge!
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Choi 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Kenji
Choi managed to make contact with his kick. A solid backwards heel kick. That wasn't the important part. All it was leading up to was the follow up attack. When Kenji counters with a blast of Chi, Choi was righting himself up. Lifting up from his flip, he spots the blast coming at him. The little man brings his claws up, and acting to guide it away, moves into the Twelve Gauge strike.
The energy is shoved aside as Choi moves in. Using the momentum of the strike as a a surface, he pushes off it. With the already limited space, he is deep inside Kenji's danger zone when he starts to spin. Whirling like a top, he charges at Kenji in a spinning cyclone strike. Bands of chi energy wind around him as he keeps putting pressure on the Gedo student. He had the advantage. He had the momentum. All he had to do was knock him off the elephant. And then, from the spinning, something falls from his hat...
Is that... a photograph?
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li parries Sakura's Large Hadouken!
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Choi 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Kenji
With a solid strike, Chun-Li lets her leg coil back as swiftly as it struck, her muscles tense before she simply sets it down and slides easily into her usual stance. A ghost of a smile lingers on her lips as she watches the girl teeter before she catches herself. She knows the girl has improved since they last met in combat, and it would be incredibly foolish to take Sakura for granted.
Holding her ground on the platform, the Tai Chi mistress tenses her arms as she observes the Ansatsuken fighter's stance widens. She knows this, she decides privately. That is a familiar stance, and the swell of chi in the girl's hands can mean only one thing. Sakura's hands draw back and then thrust forward, a burst of energy launched at Chun-Li..!
With a deep breath into her lungs, the Chinese woman holds her ground as she watches the energy draw nearer. When it's little more than a fraction from her body she suddenly and gracefully twists, pivoting harshly on her heel and outright avoiding the strike as it sails harmlessly past. But her body doesn't stop.
Instead, the woman suddenly leaps and twists, her body inverting into a handstand before she leaps up again and, whipping a leg outward, attempts to drive her boot's heel straight into the top of Sakura's skull. "HAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Choi successfully hits Kenji with Tatsumaki Shippuu Zan EX.
- Power hit! -
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Choi 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Kenji
His punch-- his claws?! Kenji's eyes widen as Choi's weapons scatter his attack like it were mist, trying to pull himself back. The small man starts to spin like a top, the energy ripping into him time and again. It hits him -hard-, too, sending the young man sprawling back on the platform with a grunt. It has enough momentum that he even reaches the edge, flipping head over heels, and he's about to fall-!!
And catches onto the edge of the platform with two good, steady hands.
"Why... you... little..." he grunts, pulling himself back up onto the platform and into a low squat. His right palm turns outward and his hand slowly closes, knuckles near the edge of their deck. For those about to rock, here's one part of your salute.
"HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--"
And then his arm explodes with this vivid energy, a blazing force that rips from his knuckles and trumpets up wildly beyond his shoulder. Were it a nighttime battle, there's no doubt the light shed would be seen from across the plains. It hisses and roars, yet the glow is comfortably warm-- but no less the angry and dangerous.
COMBATSYS: Kenji gathers his will.
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Choi 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Chun-Li's Sen'en Shuu EX.
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Choi 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kenji
Kasugano thought for sure that her ginormous Hadouken would have hit Chun-Li... and her evading it is a testament to her skill and speed! Sakura's mouth gapes open for a moment, but that moment is short-lived as the Tai Chi Mistress is still in motion. The Ansatsuken Angel backpedals a step, raising her handguards high to accept the boot in lieu of her cranium! "Nngh..." she winces, her small frame shuddering from the strike. "And I can tell =you= still hit hard..." she notes, drawing back to shake some feeling back into her arms!
She notes Kenji and Choi out of the corner of her eye -- they seem to be plenty occupied at the moment. Maybe in a moment she'll help pummel Kenji a bit, just so he knows the fear. But for right now, she's got some catching up to do.
To wit, taking all of Chun-Li's kicks has left her a bit jealous! So while Kasugano lunges in with a punch, the motion is intended as more of a shift of momentum, as she slings herself forward into a side kick, aimed at Chun-Li's midsection! "Hraaaaaaaaa!"
As Choi winds down, he thinks he actually has him down. But no. The kid manages to hold on. The Korean has a moment's breather, and a chance to recover from his attack. However, there was a problem. Initially, his whole Ki Shout wasn't that bad. Choi was prepared to knock that smile off his face. But no. The real problem was the whole noise thing. The energy and wailing was certain to frighten the elephants. The Korean starts to speak, nervously clicking his claws together. "Look, buddy boy, please keep it quiet, I don't trust these-"
Sure enough, he hears the trumpeting, and feels the platform sway beneath him. Choi panics. He had to get off this one. Charging at Kenji in a quick burst of speed, he suddenly front flips into an overhead kick, trying to use him as a leaping point. If he made contact, he would swiftly trade over to the other elephant.
Meanwhile, the picture dances and floats through the air, drifting towards Sakura. Oh dear.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Sakura's Medium Kick.
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Choi 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kenji
Diana eague
With her strike intercepted, it leaves the woman in a bit of a pickle. Rather than fumble, the graceful woman just pushes off of the girl's forearm and spring off, her body rotating before she lands daintily a few feet from Sakura. She still grins, brown eyes half-lidded as she regards the Ansatsuken fighter with a friendly expression. "Thank you. I was a little worried I'd gotten rusty."
A brief glance is spared as well, eyeing the two fighters as Kenji suddenly flares up with copious amounts of chi, while poor Choi begs him to stop. And sure enough, Kenji's display causes a bit of commotion, both elephants nervously trumpeting and making the bumpy ride a bit more so.
Thrusting her arms out, Chun-Li stabilizes herself a bit, exhaling lightly as she maintains balance throughout. And just as her brown eyes drift back to regard her opponent for the moment--
--Sakura's making her way right for the Tai Chi mistress!
Twisting her body slightly, a long arm swings up and drops at an angle, intercepting the blow on her forearm rather than her gut. It sends a shudder of discomfort along her arm, the woman drawing back immediately after and lightly shaking it out with a smile. Yes. She really has gotten better.
"This can't be safe," she wonders aloud, sparing a glance toward the elephant-bound platform. But soon her eyes return to Sakura...before she suddenly dashes forward and leaps up. Twisting her body, she intends on leaping beyond the other fighter and, once behind, suddenly thrusts both legs forward with a loud cry, the soles of her boots aimed for the back of Sakura's head as she snaps her arms out to maintain her midair balance.
COMBATSYS: Choi successfully hits Kenji with Toorima Geri.
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Choi 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 0/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Kenji
How could he not trust an elephant! They're massive, gentle creatures! They like peanuts, for god's sake! And yet, Kenji doesn't have so much of a problem on their backs, on the platforms and ... with Choi putting a boot to his face before he springs off to the other elephant. The young Ashima stumbles, his arms wheeling around in the air-- as he's still towards the edge of his platform, making it a rather precarious situation.
Rubbing his jaw, the young man sputters and breaks into a hard run. He has no person to leap off of like Choi, but he sure as hell has a good enough jump to clear the distance and chase after the clawed Korean. And when he hits, he takes two steps before a swift lunge, his right arm throwing one hell of a fast punch-- and while his fist seems to travel on course correctly, his arm ripples, bends like it's made of rubber. What won't feel like rubber, though, is the impending impact: If Choi can't evade, or find a good way to cushion the blow, he'll discover the truth that getting hit by someone like Kenji is like running face-first into something about as hard as a boulder.
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Tenshin Shuu Kyaku from Chun-Li with Shou'ou Ken.
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Choi 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
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Sakura 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kenji
While Kenji's showing Choi his Gomu Gomu Punch, Kasugano's still keeping up the battle with Chun-Li! While she's certainly -starting- to whittle down the defenses of the Tai Chi Mistress, she's not going anywhere fast. It'd be easy to get discouraged when facing a living legend like Chun-Li, but Sakura's determined enough to not notice. This is /fun/ to her, don'tcha know!
Of course... despite her determination, she /can/ be distracted if something gets in her way. In this case... it's a photograph.
Of herself.
From a /very/ low angle.
Not that she can really see it at first, since the photo has plastered itself across her eyes in the midst of what was sure to be a very dynamic uppercut, aimed at intercepting Chun-Li's aerial kick! But with the interference, Sakura's a bit shaken... and gets /clubbed/ right at the base of the neck, knocked right out of her uppercut, and sent careening to the platform floor. Only then, with her laying upon the deck, does the photo become dislodged from her face, such that she might see the image engrained within.
And lo, was her face red with rage. "CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOI!" she thunders, plucking up the photo and crunching it into a tight ball as she springs back to her feet. Oh, she'll actually /deal/ with him later... but right now, there's a Chun-Li to focus on!
Yeah, Sakura's a /wee/ bit frustrated right now.
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Choi with Missile Fist.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Choi 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Sakura 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Kenji
Choi lands on the platform, and tries to regain his balance. After all, moving quickly tended to be risky. But since Kenji was too busy yelling, he could have a breather, right?
Wrong.
The fist smashes hard into the back of Choi's head. He is sent reeling, just like what he did to Kenji a few moments ago. He topples over the platform, but unlike Kenji, he is facing towards the edge, not away. He falls down, out of sight... and then, a pained trumpet is heard.
Choi, equipped with claws, has very good reflexes. When he is falling from a high place, he is used to using said claws to attach to nearby walls. Sadly, the elephant was too close to being a wall-like object.
The Korean scrambles up the platform as the elephant begins to enter a rage. He certainly looked upset. The Sakura incident is not heard by the poor man, as he cares less about Sakura's well-designed panties and more about not being beaten up by an elephant. A trunk snaps around, attempting to grab whatever is on the creature's back. Choi, thinking quickly, dashes over near Kenji. "Think fast, Kid!" He snaps, trying to shove him in the direction of the trunk.
The distraction, however utterly unintentional it proves to be, does not bode well for poor Sakura and, as result, the Tai Chi Mistress' booted feet snap straight into the poor girl's neck as she tries to intercept. Chun-Li simply uses the impact as a means to push off, her body landing a foot away from the Ansatsuken fighter before she tucks and rolls.
When she rises, however, the elephants are none too happy at this point. And who is to blame?
Why, Choi!
Letting her arms stretch out for balance, Chun-Li stabilizes herself atop the platform, knees slightly bent before she finally finds her footing. Exhaling lightly, the woman casts a stray glance aside toward the platform's edge. It's awfully close...
...and Chun-Li very nearly falls over when Sakura suddenly bellows, brown eyes wide with disbelief before she exhales a heavy sigh. That too was close. But now, Sakura seems preoccupied in her rage at the Korean to fully give the elder woman her attention. So, with that in mind, the woman tips her head in a light apologetic bow before she twists and about-faces, brown eyes fixed on Choi as he now tries to push poor Kenji.
Moving swiftly, the woman bounds across platforms and zeroes in on Choi with hooded eyes. Only when she closes in does she plant a foot and lift her arm back high. A split-second later she swings it wide, attempting to deliver a swift slap-like attack to the back of his head, followed by an equally-swift backhand motion. "KIYAH!"
Is she doing Sakura a favor? ...maybe.
COMBATSYS: Kenji blocks Choi's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Choi 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 1/------=/=======|=======\=====--\1 Kenji
Kenji looks up as the mighty scream of Sakura Kasugano cuts the hot African afternoon, his eyes wide and full of surprise. What the hell did that guy do?! No, no time to think about it now-- not while he's got the short Korean trying to shove him into the path of a pissed-off elephant. That he -stabbed-. It sets off a few red flags with the brawler youth, but he... relents?
Falling back, jogging himself backwards a few steps and circling around on the platform, the Gedo student's posture is somewhat curious. His arms hang at his sides, his shoulders hunch forward, and it looks like he's ready to snap at a moment's notice. Chun-Li deciding to swoop in and deal with the creepy old man does seem to help-- it gives him a little bit of time to think about what to do next, bide his time, and find his second wind. Dragging the cuff of his jacket sleeve across his forehead, he flicks off a thin layer of sweat-- damn the sun blazing in the sky.
COMBATSYS: Kenji gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Choi 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Sakura 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Kenji
... Wow. Sakura screams, and Chun-Li goes off to her rescue? Wow, neat concept! Kasugano is a bit sad that their duel had to put on pause, but never look a gift horse in the mouth, right? Or a gift elephant either.
All she knows is that when she looks up, she's the only one on this elephant. Where's the fun in that, huh? And as Chun-Li is engaged in combat with the person she /wanted/ punished... and since she /really/ shouldn't be engaging her own partner if she wants to actually /win/ one of these SNFs... well, Kenji's the obvious choice. Even if he /does/ look ready to snap, Kasugano isn't far from it herself.
The Ansatsuken Angel leaps clear to the ticked-off elephant, landing in a low crouch for one brief instant before surging forward again. "Hey, there's a perv on the loose, Ashima..." She's got no intention of just standing around watching, oh no... she'll be snapping into a fierce roundhouse kick at the boy's torso, arms flung akimbo for balance. "Don't just /stand/ there!"
COMBATSYS: Choi dodges Chun-Li's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Choi 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Sakura 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Kenji
The Korean has a gift at drawing aggro. After all, everyone is jumping on the ENRAGED ELEPHANT. Choi didn't understand the reasoning behind thing. After all, angry elephants were not usually attractive for those who enjoy life. As the trunk continues to flail about, and the elephant handlers try hard to handle the elephants, Choi watches as Kenji calms down a bit... and Chun-Li moves in to pummel the little man.
While Choi didn't have a problem being backhanded by *LEGS*, falling down near an angry elephant tended to be bad for your health. When the funny lady came by, Choi just leapt high in the air. "You guys are nuts!" The Korean shouted, sticking his legs out as he landed. Hopefully, if he hit *LEGS* on the way down, he would have another kick-off platform. He wasn't going to spend time on THIS elephant for much longer. Let the others become victimize by its wrath!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li interrupts Light Kick from Choi with Tenshou Kyaku.
[ \\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Sakura 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Kenji
A slippery one, that Choi.
Each swipe of her arm misses, drawing a mildly baffled expression across the woman's face as he's suddenly not there. A rustle of fabric draws her attention, a blur of motion her signal--there's the Korean pervert. And his legs are kicking out to strike the woman atop the head. Chun-Li's lips pull into a thin line, the faintest hints of a smile daring to bloom. Fortunately, she refrains.
Instead, the moment Choi's legs kick into Chun-Li, the Chinese fighter suddenly blurs into motion. Twisting her body, the woman swings a leg up, giving her the momentum to leave the ground and swing the other leg around. It lashes out, catching Choi with one brutal kick, volleying the Korean upwards as the Tai Chi Mistress keeps moving at an upwards angle. A leg spins around once again, the heel of her heavy boot aimed to strike the man a SECOND time before she relents and falls to the platform below in a deep crouch, her form wobbling a bit upon landing.
She really doesn't like this moving elephant platform fight...thing.
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Kenji with Strong Kick.
[ \\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
When Sakura's voice rings out to his ears, when she calls his name-- that's when Kenji realizes, "Uh oh--"
And then she comes on from down high with the mightiest roundhouse kick that he's ever had the pain, pleasure, and problem of knowing. He tries to block, he really does, but the kick buries itself hard into his stomach and sends him skidding back a little bit. And then staggering, and then falling into a hobble and collapsing to one knee, holding his gut and breathing -hard-.
Silently, he's thanking the good lord he had the insight to eat light before setting out on this African adventure, even if he's had a whole lot of water. Resting his hand on the platform, he stands to catch his breath one more time while evaluating the situation-- Sakura, now on the current platform and god -damn- does she kick hard. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you have Choi, and god -damn- did he get kicked hard.
So, what next?
COMBATSYS: Kenji focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
Choi almost gets off the ground. Almost. However, Chun-Li has legs. And I still don't understand how Tai Chi gives you thighs like that, but pragmatically, they function well for kicking. The initial upwards kicking isn't the bad part. When Choi goes back down with the single kick, that is pretty bad. The impact ruptures not only the platform, but the elephant groans loudly, falling to its knees.
The Korean doesn't exactly respond. He sort of scoops up the parts that are at least semi-solid, and molds it upright. He then motivates this animate pile of clay up in the air. Chun-Li was wobbly. And Choi just got the worst kick ever since Kim caught him reading that porno mag with girls making out. However, he had one last trick. Shuttling through the air, he launches himself right at *LEGS*. A flash of Red slashes rake the air around Chun Li, but this seems forced. Choi keeps shuttling over the edge, right into the side of the elephant. If he is conscious, he will try to grab on to the straps that hold the platform in place.
If otherwise, well, hopefully the creature won't step on him.
COMBATSYS: Choi has reached second wind!
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
Kicked?! And even still Kenji's not following her advice. THough, as Kasugano notes out of the corner of her eye, maybe there's nothing left for him to do... what with Choi getting kick, kick, kicked right into the air and all. Okay, so maybe that's not a shining example of /teamwork/, no, but it sure makes her feel good on the inside! "Serves you right, perv!"
Though... if Choi's shook up, and Kenji's shook up... well, that means it could be back to Sakura vs Chun-Li soon? And if that's the case, Kasugano's gonna need a moment to settle down and assess the situation. Especially with the pissed-off elephant shaking the platform and all. Her attention flickers between Kenji and Chun-Li as she fights to calm herself...
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has saved the state of this fight.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Choi's Shakushi.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
Struggling to maintain balance, the Tai Chi Mistress' arms remain outstretched as she stands on her precarious perch, the designated platform just barely offering some sense of stability. Fortunately, the woman is far more graceful than to simply fall off and allow herself to be disqualified. That, and there's another fighter counting on her. She can't let Kenji down!
Chun-Li spares a glance over her shoulder toward the remains of the platform Choi once inhabited. Is he gone for good? For the sake of poor Sakura, the woman can hope. She begins to exhale a breath of relief...
A blur and flash of red and steel catches the woman's peripheral, her lips parting to exhale a sharp breath past her glossy lips. With a graceful pivot and a sharp twist of her torso, the woman lets her body sharply pirouette before she dips and springs upwards, leaping over Choi's whirling form and onto another, far more stable platform. A light sigh follows.
With her balance restored and her body not shredded by tiny Korean claws, Chun-Li's attentions turn back onto Sakura as she gauges her surroundings. With her biding her time, the Tai Chi Mistress does the same; letting her chocolate brown gaze drift between the three other fighters, the woman holds her ground carefully and cautiously, waiting to see who will make the next move...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Kenji
So, Sakura kicked the crap out of him. Choi's tried repeatedly to cut him. Apparently there's indecency and perversion rolling around up on top of this elephant. He's fighting -on- an elephant.
Straightening up, Kenji brings up his hand slowly to flick back his bangs. His eyes are startlingly clear for how close he is to having to sit down and just take a breather. "Perversion cannot be forgiven."
"HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--"
His right arm is again consumed with his vivid, bright chi, the Gedo brawler twisting to the right at the waist. Storming across the platform, he bears down on Choi while the chi suddenly flares and presses down into his fist. There's an odd blue light that pierces the Korean's chest-- it deals no damage, and for a moment it could look entirely harmless, if it wasn't for the boy attacking.
His arm reels back, far. "SET!!"
Stomping down on his left foot, the platform cracks under the pressure he's putting out-- and then his fist strikes the beam, travelling along the length like a guide, rocketing toward Choi with the intent to punch the living hell out of him. And if it hits, the air ripples with a powerful shockwave-- one with enough force to knock even huge men off their feet, enough power to throw most small objects that aren't nailed down right away. And with the release of power, Kenji screams two words in English:
"RAIL GUN!!"
Kasugano isn't ready to fall over just yet... but the Japanese dynamo /is/ having to pace herself now. Exhaling short, measured breaths, she glances back and forth between Kenji and Chun-Li. ... And she can sense a storm brewing around Kenji. "Y-yeah... you tell him, man! For the honor of /all the women in Southtown!/" If she's read Kenji right, that ought to strike a chord, right?
But there Chun-Li goes, leaping back to the first platform. And there's that storm brewing, which Sakura wants no part of -- it's tough enough to stand as it is! "BRB!" she shouts, taking a few strides before vaulting into a somersault, leaping across to the platform that could actually -bear- her weight. That is, the one with Chun-Li on it.
But it's not an ordinary jump. While midair, her form adopts a pale blue glow, growing in intensity the further she goes. At the apex of her leap, she straightens out of her somersault, billowy pant legs slowing her spin. Her hands keep whirling downward, though, until her palms face Chun-Li -- palms that reveal the source of that blue glow: a brilliant blue orb of energy. "HADOOOOOOOOOUKEN!" Kasugano's fall slows slightly, no doubt due to the recoil from the five-foot wide blossom of energy that she sends thundering towards the Tai Chi Mistress.
COMBATSYS: Kenji successfully hits Choi with Rail Gun.
[ < > ////////////////////// ]
Choi 1/------=/=======|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0 Kenji
Choi clings to the side of the straps loosely. He was conscious... barely. Grunting loudly, he began to struggle up the rope. However, there was a problem. A very big problem. As he reached the top of the platform, he realized that Kenji was bearing down on him. And being on the ropes- literally- made it very difficult to evade. The Korean swung hard to the side, attempting to evade the blow.
He fails.
The blow hammers down on Choi, sending him straight to the ground. He hits it with a very loud 'snap' sound, chi dispersing around him. Well, the Korean was out. But not without a bang. As he rebounds up, he begins to spin. Whirling around, he was shooting up a whirlwind of chi straight back at Kenji. That was the issue, though. The issue was his position.
Falling down while the elephants were move had unfortunately has left Choi in a bad position. The whirlwind rips along the side of the poor elephant, tearing through bindings and even ripping the platform. If Choi was going to go down, it looks like he was going to make it miserable for everyone else.
COMBATSYS: Choi can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/-----==/=======|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li just-defends Sakura's Large Hadouken EX!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Kenji
When Kenji's attack strikes true, Chun-Li's attentions turn back onto the other fighter presently unscathed by attacks: Sakura Kasugano. And when she spies the girl, a tiny smile edges lightly across her lips. She's had her time with the tiny perverted Korean; it's time to go back to entertaining the Ansatsuken Angel.
But just as the woman begins to move Sakura jumps upwards, a glow of energy swelling in her hands once more. Pursing her lips, the woman's eyes narrow as the girl reaches the peak of her jump and thrusts her palms forward with a shrill cry. Her eyes simply narrow further as she waits.
It comes blazing forward, an impressive display of chi that dangerously flies at the Chinese fighter. But rather than move, the woman stays her ground on the platform she holds, despite the chaotic shudder of the large animals as Choi unleashes at Kenji. Dipping low, the woman braces herself securely on the platform, a hand glowing with a faint flicker of blue chi energy. And just before the large burst of energy strikes, the woman's arms swiftly move, an upward motion that drives her palm into the blast, redirecting the blow and sending the fireball careening skyward.
A light but relieved sigh escapes Chun-Li shortly thereafter.
Leaping up to her feet once more, the woman wastes no time. Narrowing her eyes with a smile, she fixes her attention on Sakura...before she suddenly lunges forward, a blur of blue as she swings her body around halfway and raises a leg, attempting to strike Sakura fiercely with a side kick...
COMBATSYS: Kenji just-defends Choi's Shin! Tatsumaki Shinkuu Zan!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> /////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Kenji
It may be too late to keep the platform from being destroyed, it may be too late to keep Choi from harming the animal and earning the ire of all sorts of animal rights groups and the trainers that were contracted for the battle-- but it isn't too late to keep the attack from going any further. With the whirlwind of chi ripping up toward him, Kenji brings his arm around and -stomps- on the ground, presenting his fist in a pose better suited to a martial artist. And through it, he lets out a deep, impressive, "HYAA-!!"
His own chi bursts out from his fist as it makes contact with the energy whirlwind, cutting a swath in it the length of his arm from fist to elbow-- and somehow, through some trick of powers, he does his damndest to just 'break' the attack apart.
Twisting around now that Choi's been taken care of, Kenji checks his balance on what's left of his side of the platform he stands on, looking over the splintered edge and at the bindings that've been since ripped up. "Aw man--"
Turning around, he runs across the platform-- likely past Sakura and Chun-Li-- and does his best striding leap to the other setup.
Turning around as he stands upright, his hands thrust into his pockets, and his voice becomes all too amused-- even if he has to shout. "Kasugano!! You, me, and my partner here, we should all just go have a delicious cup of coffee back at the hotel, you know?"
Either way, it gets him out of harm's way long enough to catch his breath.
COMBATSYS: Kenji gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> ///////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Sakura just-defends Chun-Li's Houyoku Sen!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> ///////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> ///////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
Kasugano's still in midair while Chun-Li deals with her Hadouken; she lands a moment afterwards in a low crouch. Making sure she's on stable footing, she starts to rise -- only to see her Hadouken dissipating as it flies off into the distance. With a mild frown, she rises -- only to face two near and present dangers!
The first has been brought to her, courtesy of Choi's cyclone! She'll make sure to punish him for that later -- sure, the elephant will probably survive with only minor scarring, but that's a terrible thing to do to an animal! Really! ... But really, she's only paying attention to the splintered sheet of plywood flying towards her, a remnant of the platform that was just ripped to shreds. Now that she's finally 'in the zone' she's able to sidestep and grab the piece of plywood before it can slam into her face. Her body acts almost on its own -- which is why she grins in surprise at herself! "Heh, whaddaya know..."
The second, though... is Chun-Li. "U-uh-oh..." she stammers, catching movement from the Tai Chi Mistress and moving to intercept. She springs backwards, slapping the board of plywood against Chun-Li's boot heel! Sure, the plywood is cleaved in two with a hideous cracking sound, but better that than her /face/, right? Right!
The board still gave Sakura /some/ momentum, though, and she makes the most of it, shoving the remains of the board off to the side. The net effect of that, though, is a quick spin as the Seijyun undergraduate drops low to the platform, aiming to slam her heel right into Chun-Li's lower leg -- the one that =didn't= kick just now. "Here we go..."
Should she manage to kick her that once, she'd continue whirling about for another three kicks before rising to deliver a powerful roundhouse to the midsection! "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! HAAAAAAAAAA!"
Choi rips along the poor elephant. The damage was done, and the little man falls on the ground. Yes, he was out. But there were other problems. The handlers dash in, trying to calm the hurt elephant down. Choi was underfoot now, at great risk of injury. Both elephants were becoming more and more unstable, all thanks to Choi. The Korean's fight record made him a terrible teammate, but a great Chaos Agent. That second element was showing itself now. A handler scoops the little man up, and carts him away. Were trying hard to tame the creatures, with limited success. This was becoming more and more dangerous, whether or not the fighters realized this.
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Chun-Li with Haru Ichiban.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Chun-Li
> ///////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
Despite the woman's swift and sure-footed attempts to drive her heel into Sakura's poor face, it would seem she somehow underestimates the other fighter. With a loud crack her heel hits not the girl's face; instead, it strikes the wood used to shield herself from the incoming kick. For the briefest moment, Chun-Li is stunned.
...which doesn't prove to be a good thing.
Sakura's leg snaps out and catches her, causing the woman to buckle with a loud gasp before she's battered about in a flurry of painful kicks, the last strike packed with enough power to send the woman crashing back first into the elephant's side, eyes wide before she winces. That hurt a lot.
"Y-You really have gotten stronger, Kasugano. I'm glad to see that," the Tai Chi Mistress offers with a friendly smile, eyes delighted as she regards the younger woman. "I see you haven't skipped a day of training." Her ribs tell her as much, as she pulls herself back to her feet with a pained wince. Ow.
Sparing a briefly glance to Kenji, she regards the young man with a smile before those chocolate brown eyes fix back on Sakura. With a deep breath the Chinese fighter inhales and slowly exhales...before she dashes forward again, pulling no punches as she suddenly drops low in a flourished crouch and drives her fist for Sakura's midsection. "HAAAH!"
Wuh-oh. This is going to be a mess.
Watching the fight from afar from his most excellent vantage point, Kenji purses his lips and blows out a low whistle. "I didn't realize Kasugano had that much," he says, recalling their first meeting. It was a fairly calm night on the Suiryuu, and Kenji decide to read one of his manga on the deck. And there, he met Sakura!
It's all so fresh in his mind. 'Please, forgive my broken arm,' he said. 'For I still have one good arm to hold you with.' 'Oh, Ashima-kun!' she said. 'I will make it my personal responsibility to nurse you back to health!'
No, seriously, it was like that. ... Well, he had better luck with Sada, anyway.
Kenji takes a few jogging steps before he decides to hook around in an arc, run on the platform and leap back towards Chun-Li and Sakura-- the latter, especially, looking to get the drop on her. "Oi!!"
And then his foot thrusts out, trying to plant on Sakura like he were trying to stomp on air. "UrrrrrrAGH!"
And if he can get his foot there, if he can move on unharmed, Sakura will feel what could rightly be called an explosion from within-- a jostling shockwave to the innards that will likely make her realize what it feels like to be on the inside of a paint can shaker.
COMBATSYS: Sakura dodges Kenji's Magnum Spike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
> //////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Fierce Punch from Chun-Li with Shou'ou Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Chun-Li
> //////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Kenji
Kasugano never expected to actually -land- those kicks, but since she does, well... she may as well pose! She keeps her leg held up after that roundhouse, balancing herself with outstretched elbows, even while the elephant tromps along beneath her. Sure, he's a little spooked from the platform blowing up, but no skin off his hide, right?
Sakura's never really been all that big on coffee, herself, but free drinks are free drinks! And it'd be nice to get something relaxing after this balancing act! Kasugano cracks a smile in belated reply to Kenji, calling out, "Sure, sounds like fun!"
She doesn't get to follow up on that though, as Chun-Li's recovered from that kick and she's coming right back for her. "...Oh... uh... yeah! Hehe..." she laughs -- Chun-Li's compliment wasn't -exactly- accurate, but she doesn't dwell on it for now. "I've got a good role model to follow!"
But just about then, Kenji's closing in also! Sakura glances sideways, eyes going wide with surprise, "H-hey..." Kasugano leaps to the side, allowing her to clear out of Kenji's way... but that doesn't take her any further from Chun-Li! Shaken from suddenly having to face -two- opponents, Kasugano falls back on her reflexive instincts -- which, in this case, are the instincts psychologists refer to as The Need To Shou'ou Ken Anything That Moves. So while Kenji stomps down, Chun-Li's slamming a fist right into Sakura's midriff. The Ansatsuken jacknifes backwards from the sheer impact, coughing up air hoarsely as she falls to the platform. "Nngh..." she grumbles, kicking back to her feet with an arm curled about her middle. Warily, she sidesteps to a safer distance, adding with ragged breaths, "Actually... I guess I did take a couple breaks from training, kinda..."
"A good role model, eh?" the woman offers, cracking a light grin in response. Whether the woman's statement was valid or lacking, it doesn't lose its sincerity; the Ansatsuken Angel hits hard, if not HARDER, than Chun-Li remembers. "I suppose that's true," she follows, giving a light chuckle from behind a fist.
But then it's go time. Both the Tai Chi Mistress and Missile Fist Ashima move into action, double-teaming poor Sakura and flustering the girl a bit. But for the moment Chun-Li focuses solely on the girl, dropping low to deliver a harsh guttural blow that ultimately sends the poor reeling from impact and coughing hoarsely. She'll have to make it up to the girl later with some cake and coffee, Chun-Li secretly muses.
Rolling backwards, the Chinese woman hops to her feet and casts a glance to Kenji, eyes hooding in amusement as she regards the young man. "Still holding up well, I see," she observes, chuckling softly before winking. "Let's do this."
Standing upright, the woman breathes in deeply, eyes drawing shut as she focuses inwardly. A ripple of pale blue energy surges down the woman's form, from her shoulders to her legs as she drowns the world out in that moment. Focus...focus...
"HAAAAH!"
Suddenly and perhaps unexpectedly does the Tai Chi Mistress leap upwards, her body twisting through the air, right at Sakura. Her legs lift high as she drops her head, her body inverted as her right leg begins to drift closer to her hip, that pale blue chi energy swelling and enveloping her leg...before she suddenly and swiftly swings her leg fiercely downwards, a burst of chi shooting along her powerful leg as she drops it at Sakura. Whether it hits the girl or not, impact with the platform results in a shattering blow that sends a huge burst of chi and dust exploding in its wake.
Then it is... a date!
Or so he hopes-- the flip-side to his luck is the 'later'-- what with people suddenly and inexplicably losing their memories of an event or there being ninjas on the roof or insane ancient batshit hags in a basement torturing his friends. It's an unfortunate part of his life, but it's one that Kenji's come to accept, sort of. Not that terrible things will happen, but ... just ... the unexpected!
Similarly, Sakura moving out of the way of his kick was unexpected.
"Who-o-a-!!"
Expecting to have hit girl instead of platform, his foot plants hard against the deck and his arms pinwheel around almost comically, tipping forward and faceplanting himself into the ground. Pushing off with both hands, he turns and tries to get himself back up and moving, trying to shift behind Sakura while Chun-Li assaults from the front. In a manuver that she might've seen if she caught it, his arm hooks around and looks like it bends like rubber-- but man oh man, will she know if he does hit-- the hardness of his fist, and the strength of the arm behind it.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Sakura with Tensei Ranka.
[ \\ < > /////////////// ]
Sakura 1/---====/=======|===----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> /////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Missile Fist from Kenji with Flower Kick.
[ < > /////////////// ]
Sakura 1/-======/=======|===----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> /////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Kenji
COMBATSYS: Sakura can no longer fight.
> /////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Chun-Li
> /////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Kenji
Kasugano smiles and nods in reply to Chun-Li. She probably should have said 'role models', plural, which would imply BOTH Chun-Li and Ryu... but the Tai Chi Mistress probably knew what she meant.
Regardless, it's not that Sakura has much leisure to continue the discussion at this juncture, as Chun-Li's calling out to the opponent... /behind her?/ Oh snap... Sakura whirls around with an intent to kick Missile Fist Ashima right out of his signature attack, but no... the Ansatsuken Angel's delayed response isn't quick enough! She gets /nailed/ in the shoulder before her leg can clear, sending her staggering backwards.
Right into the path of Chun-Li's kick, which cracks right down onto her -other- shoulder, crushing the undergrad into the platform. The shockwave of chi is enough to blast a crater in the platform, and blasting away the shoulder of Kasugano's loose-fitting shirt...
But who'll think of the animals?! The elephant is scared witless from the sudden strike, bucking harshly to one side and moving as if to run away from the pests on his back. ... Of course, they're still =on= him, so... better hold on tight!
It's about all the battered Sakura can do to hold on to what's left of the platform, as the pachyderm races on, out of control of its handlers. Wincing, and barely conscious, she shouts, "I hope we're still on for coffee!" Jane, stop this crazy thiiiiing!
With one graceful leap up high...
Chun-Li unleashes a furious kick onto poor Sakura. It's in tandem with her partner; the two move swiftly, closing in on the Ansatsuken Angel, the only remaining half of her designated team. Kenji's fist punches into her shoulder, followed by a heavy heel laced with chi onto poor Sakura's opposite shoulder, her leg ultimately crashing into the platform along with the girl's body. A delightful crater results.
...immediately startling the animal and its partner. Rolling backwards and kicking her legs around, the woman hops back onto her feet...just in time to struggle to maintain her balance. Jolting forward, the Tai Chi mistress clutches desperately to the straps holding a platform in place, eyes wide as she watches the animal Sakura is attached to charge forward out of control. Is she going to be okay..?
Her call out suggests she's just fine. But what about the Korean claw guy..?
"G-good job, Kenji," the Chinese woman offers her partner, smiling brightly. "You did really well. Now, let's say we catch up to Sakura and go get ourselves some coffee?"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has left the fight here.
> /////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Kenji
His fist digs in as the burst of chi goes off within a foot of his head. Sakura's introduced to pain.
And the poor elephant has finally had it.
It's something of a blur for Kenji, the moments leading up to his inevitable dismounting of the elephant. He would've hoped that it would've been under better circumstances, or his landing would be a whole lot cooler. He would've done a sweet roll off the side and pushed off to flip, to land flat on his feet in a tripod stance. He would've smiled and brushed back his bangs.
But that sure didn't happen.
When the elephant bucks and tries to shake them off, Kenji rolls, all right-- but head over heels, the Gedo student tumbling off the back of the platform and flipping over and over in the air before he lands in the grassy plain, disappearing from view briefly as the momentum of the elephant and the runalong-side SNF staff in jeeps just keep going.
There's stillness and silence from the grass.
"COFFEE!!"
And then the battered and bruised Missile Fist bursts out of the grass, his thumbs held high... even with a huge bloody gash dripping down his face. He's got his intense face on, too.
"YES!! COFFEE!! Let's GO!!"
>O</ !!!
Log created on 19:46:58 05/17/2008 by Chun-Li, and last modified on 17:43:42 05/21/2008.