Description: For some fighters, the League isn't about winning. For some, it's about the opportunity. The chance for some truly glorious battles. For Kentou, that's what the League has always been. And that is a sentiment Acacia understands. ( Winner: Acacia )
"..Acacia..Gillespie.."
White tape weaves around youthful yet calloused knuckles, eclipsing white skin from view and affixing the pads into place.
"..Age eighteen.. Metro City, United States.." The last of the tape finally weaves between fingers until his hands are fully bound, prepared for even the hardest impact and protect his bones from cracking on impact. A really important precaution for who he's up against!
"Wins.. Twenty Three.." Fists pump through the air in a rapid series of punches. Shadow boxing quickly to limber up his lean arms. Bare feet shifting back and forth over the cracked and crumbled pavement of the old industrial park. It used to be a Tuna cannery once upon a time, now more or less abandoned to the various harbor gangs and the occasional scene of a street fight here and there.
"..Losses.. Heh! Twelve.." The boy murmurs to himself with an excited grin affixed to his lips. Long braids bouncing behind him as his wild bangs swish this way and that with every quick motion. The NeoLeague camera men? They aren't even bothering with getting footage of the kid right now. Mostly they're adjusting their lenses and getting ready for the -real- star attraction to show up. The youth doesn't mind their inattention or their rather blatant disregard for his existence. That's all fine.
Truth be told, Kentou's waiting just like they are. This was his idea, after all. The producers thought it was hubris on his part. Blanka happened to give the boy a freebie and now he thinks he's all that, blah blah. Of course, they're wrong. Kentou knows precisely what he's doing and what his chances are. They don't even get it.
With a final whirling flourish of a kick high over his head, the boy lands solemnly on his feet. Exhaling in a single hard breath, "HAH!" Forcing the giddy excitment from himself and willing himself to calm. Just like Hotaru-Sensei taught him to do before a fight.
The boy grew up reading the Neo League standings the same way most kids read comic books. These people.. these fighters.. They're his idols. He's living a dream where he can actually compete with people he grew up wishing he could be. For over half a year now he's been apprenticed to the current Neo League leader, Hotaru Futaba. He already had the incredible opportunity to meet and actually SPAR with Sakura of all people! He's also studied under Instructor Frei and learned much from him. He's meeting everyone he ever wanted.
And when he looked through a list of people with close Neo League rankings to him? Oh, there wasn't even a question. He HAD to fight Acacia! One of the best records in the entire league. She's always been a holy terror to everyone who follows fighting statistics as religiously as he does. He couldn't pass up this opportunity!
Under normal circumstances, she'd be way out of his league. He'd never be able to fight her in a big public tournament that only admits other professional, established fighters. Here? Due to Blanka's incredible gift, Kentou can meet the best in the world.
Which brings us to the challenged herself..
Acacia walks along the pier, her footfalls slow and measured. She's taking her time, her pace leisurely. The heavy soles of her combat boots make a distinct sound as she approaches the designated fighting arena. A small entourage of Neo League officials and camera crew follow her, but she doesn't seem to pay them any particular heed. One harried-looking woman even seems to be trying to offer make-up to Acacia, waving her kit - to not much avail, for Acacia rather studiously ignores her.
Looking good for the camera is the least of her worries. The brine-tinged breeze from the seafront blows her hair into disarray, strands fluttering against the wind. The long-sleeved camouflage top she wears over a t-shirt is unbuttoned and wrinkled, but the fact doesn't seem to bother her overmuch.
She stops, staring across the marked-out area of concrete, surrounded by towering stacks of shipping containers and loading machinery. Her eyes focus on the small figure at the other end of the battle ground.
Acacia angles her head to one side, blinking a single time. Her lips move, her tongue flicking out to moisten them. Then she speaks:
"Kentou Ondori?"
She waits a beat, before stating:
"Hotaru's student?"
Not so much a question, just confirmation.
This granite maiden's reputation being unsubtle was well earned! Kentou's head tilts as he hears the sound of those boots just above the waves of the ocean beyond. Impulsively, an excited grin dominates his face for just a moment before he fights for a more passive expression. No need to insult her with senseless fanboying, after all. Especially someone reputed to be as tacturn as her!
The boy turns to face the slightly taller young woman. Seeing her in person for the first time and.. Well... She's even shorter than she looks on TV. But, as he's learned from his own Master, just because someone's tiny doesn't mean they can't hit like a giant! Especially in the Stone Icon's case! Besides.. Its not like the young boy has any room to make size comparisons, he still needs to look up to her!
To be honest.. As the spartan lady speaks to him.. He's shocked she even knows his name. Let alone that she knows about his apprenticeship! But then.. With Hotaru as wildly popular as she is in the media these days, the little fact that she has a dedicated student isn't going unnoticed. Infact, of the few interviews he's done, that's generally the chief question always asked. 'Whats it like being Hotaru's student?' 'Does she have more openings?' 'Is it true that you're a Martian baby Hotaru adopted while living with Brad Pitt?' .... He still boggles at that last one.
"Hai!" Kentou answers in affirmation. His reply proud and immediate. Brisk and to the point, as he's read she likes it that way, the boy immediately whirls his hands together. Fist to palm, Sword in Sheath, "I am honored to fight you, Miss Gillespie! Let's fight fair and square!" Bowing deeply from the hip toward her. Only allowing a nigh-giddy smile to creep over his lips while his expression hides behind his long shock of bangs.
This is going to be awesome! ...It'll really hurt.. But it'll be amazing!
In response, Acacia snorts. She lifts a hand to her face, suppressing the laugh. Her eyes close for a moment. When she opens them again, she regards Kentou closely. Her smile is a far more restrained thing, only a tiny curve of the mouth.
"Mmn," she remarks, considering the statement.
The strap of her right glove pulls tighter round her wrist, as Acacia makes a final adjustment to the fit with her other hand. The leather creases, drawing taut. Her exposed fingertips bend, checking the range of movement, before she forms them into a fist and draws her arm back.
It's true that Hotaru's popular. It's true the media and fan community know she's taken a student.
Of course, that's not where Acacia gets her information from.
"Hotaru says you're good," Acacia murmurs, using the other fighter's given name, again - which is a rarity, for her. Acacia speaks it, though, with a great amount of familiarity.
Her boots slide across the concrete as she adopts her trademark ready stance, feet apart, legs bent at the knees for balance and stability. She lifts one arm in a guard position, the other loosely chambered and ready to strike.
"Let's see it," she says, simply.
COMBATSYS: Acacia has started a fight here.
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Acacia 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kentou has joined the fight here.
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Acacia 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Thanks Master! Talking up how good he is! No pressure!
Righting from his bow, his expression has returned at least a modicum of reserve - even if excitement hides poorly just beneath the veneer of stoicism that ill fits the youth. As Acacia adjusts her glove the boy himself loosens his stance. Sliding a trailing foot behind him as he half-turns away from her, bouncing on the balls of his feet. His movements freeze still as the Stone Icon's statement reaches his ears. Mouse brown eyes widening a fraction at the revelation of who Acacia's informant is.
He should've known! Hotaru's friends with so many of the top fighters, even in the wake of her recent 'episodes'. His smile extends warmly, realizing that Hotaru must be talking him up pretty highly. Of course, now he has quite the job cut out for him if he wants to live up to that respect!
Acacia isn't the sort to be impressed by terribly much of anything.
As she achieves her stable stance, the boy again resumes his nimble movements. Acacia can clearly see that the boy's stance all but mirror's Hotaru's own. Fists held widely at shoulder height, constantly floating on footwork and movement, never presenting a stable target. The only major difference are closed fists to her open palms.
With that challenge issued, the match is officially on and the boy has the unenviable task of fighting someone who.. by all accounts.. cannot be hurt. He's long considered this moment while watching her various Neo League fights on DVD and listening to fight post-mortems by a variety of sport commentators. Not to mention by Hotaru herself, mentioning that she nearly broke her hand just punching her. Meeting force with force is doomed to failure against the Stone Icon. What he needs to do is what Hotaru taught him, as well as what insights he has from his own family style. For a rigid, hard stance like that, having rooted footwork must be key. Wreck her balance somehow, and she won't be able to hit as hard. That's his theory.
...And taking one look at Acacia's rock-solid stance, already the question is begged. How in the Hell does he unbalance -that-.
Well. Only one way to find out!
"You got it!" Kentou shouts, meeting the challenge head on. "HUT!" Digging in with his back heel, the boy doubles forward, thrusting his center of gravity way ahead of himself.. Then -vaulting- into motion. Clearing the distance between them with surprising speed as dust kicks up in his wake a good full second after his passage. Leaping straight for her..
..But banking that she'll thrust an arm forth to block or intercept. Upon which, the boy will then redirect his movements.. Trying to -race- up her defenses in a series of fast and disorienting kicks. Climbing along her symmetry before flipping back and away from her. "SHIN-JOU TAI!"
Stay mobile, stay fast, try to get her off-guard.. Its the best shot he has!
COMBATSYS: Acacia just-defends Kentou's Shin-Jou Tai!
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Acacia 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kentou
A strategy that Acacia comprehends in an instant, understanding flashing across her eyes. She takes a breath as Kentou rockets towards her, spiraling into the air. She recognises the form, even before he cries the attack's name.
And she reacts, lifting her left forearm to intercept the barrage.
As predicted. Kentou anticipated that response.
But she doesn't -hold- the stance. As the follow-up blows start to land, hammering away, Acacia forces more strength through her muscles. She -thrusts- her blocking arm outward, defying Kentou's attempt to kick round her guard...instead slamming her limb towards him.
Attempting to smash him straight out of the air.
Around the fighters, the cameras roll, and the fevered voice of a League commentator screams words to the TV audience...
COMBATSYS: Acacia successfully hits Kentou with Strong Throw.
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Acacia 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Kentou
Uh oh..
For the briefest of seconds, it appears like his initial strategy may actually work! For an instant, the boy precariously balances on Acacia's outstretched arm like an overly large falcon. Preparing to continue his attack an instant later.. That is.. If the mind-bogglingly strong woman didn't have other plans!
In a shift of force that utterly belies the relatively slight woman's stature, by the time Kentou realizes she's pushed her arm out..
..He's already twelve feet off the ground. And upside down.
Wide eyes stare in disbelief for a full second of hang-time before he -crashes- into a stacked pile of tuna cans. Exploding in a cacophony of hollow aluminum as the hundreds of decayed vessels roll away from the central pile Kentou disappeared into.
Moments later, the youth's head periscopes up from the mess. Wincing awkwardly while painfully pulling himself free to the tune of more banging metal.
Okay. Note to self. Don't try to jump on her again. Check.
Undetered from that spectacular failure, the boy manages to fully wriggle free. Huffing and puffing as he returns to his stance. His game face returning this time as his mind works in overdrive.
Okay, she was ready for that. Lower to the ground this time. She's wearing combat boots.. Those have to restrict the movement of her ankles somewhat. Okay? Okay..
"HUP!" The youth again pushes anxieties from him with that terse shout. Again crossing the distance quickly between them, picking up speed with every step before dropping in mid-run. Sliding the last few feet as he attempts to spin a modest whirling kick right to the side of Acacia's heel at an angle. Hoping to force her to turn to face him, only to lift her foot at what he can hope is the exact wrong moment to give him an edge. Already whirling about while sliding on his back, hoping to spin-kip himself up behind her in one smooth movement to set up the next attack..
COMBATSYS: Acacia endures Kentou's Light Kick.
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Acacia 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Kentou
No, combat boots - with all their heavy leather sheathing, stitching, and renforced construction - aren't exactly condusive to barefoot sensitivity. Nor is Acacia all that quick in absolute terms. She's a split-second behind Kentou, a hair too slow in tracking his movement. She turns, dragging her foot across the rough concrete surface of the pier, her eyes following Kentou as he whirls.
Then impact. For a moment, it seems Acacia's lost balance.
Perhaps she has.
But she breaks her fall by snapping an arm out, driving her spread hand into the ground, striking it with the ball of her palm.
It's entirely the wrong way to land. For a normal individual, such a thing would run the risk of serious injury. Better to land flat on a forearm, not in any way that can potentially overstress the wrist or elbow.
Of course, Acacia isn't normal.
The first sign is the roar - and then the cracks radiating out over the concrete surface, before it all explodes upwards in a spray of spinning shards. The ground caves in and then blasts upwards in a geyser of debris, driven by the force of Acacia's chi.
Kentou's behind her. But that shouldn't matter, with the attack radiating outward in all directions.
As she moves, Acacia narrows her eyes.
He's fast. Skilled too - that attack he made, the Shin-Jou Tai. The form seemed perfect, or close to - at least in Acacia's eyes, as an educated outsider. He's not been Hotaru's apprentice for long...and that's not something most could pick up in just a few mere months of study.
So.
COMBATSYS: Kentou dodges Acacia's Mass Breaker.
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Acacia 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Kentou
Ha Ha! It worked!
For an instant, Kentou's risky spinning slide-tackle actually managed to clip Acacia's foot enough to topple her! The woman teeters sideways like a falling pillar and the boy just gets to his feet, preparing to continue his orchestrated attack as..
During a frozen second of time, Kentou's eyes shift to her outstretched bracing hand. Watching her fist plow into the solid concrete of the floor and witness the explosion of raw force beginning to radiate outwards like a bomb. The growing circle of kinetic destruction reflects in his widening eyes as the youth just barely has enough time to murmur, "Oh cra-" Before the wall of destruction sweeps over him!
Or make that.. just under him. -Barely-.
The youth once again finds himself upside down - This time by design. Vaulting his light frame into the air as high as he could, the expanding wave of force unfurls just beneath his head.. The highest shards of concrete slashing away a few of his most outlying hairs as wide eyes watch the destruction sweep beyond him with more than a little concern.
-Yipe-
Inventory check. He dodged a massive wave of destruction. That's good. Now he's falling upside down in arm's reach of Acacia. That's.. not so good. The boy realizes he needs to get away and reengage, and the best way to do that is a little number Frei taught him called-
"HIZASHI!"
The youth barks hastily, his hands stretch out while still mostly vertical and above the Destroyer. Thrust forth, fingers curled like parabolic mirrors as he generates a globe of emerald energy. Igniting brilliantly at point blank range like a potent flash bulb, hoping to blind Acacia for just long enough for him to land safely and regain a bit of distance from her..
COMBATSYS: Kentou successfully hits Acacia with Hizashi.
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Acacia 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Kentou
Instinctively, Acacia shields her eyes - an arm coming up to ward away the bright flare, even as she rises back to her feet. But she doesn't make it, not soon enough. The energy sears into her skin. She stumbles, wincing, giving a ragged hiss.
Regaining her balance, she cracks one eyelid open, staring across the harbor at the smaller fighter. She studies him across the expanse of concrete, across the makeshift battlefield bounded by the containers and port machinery. For a moment, there's stillness, as Acacia stands there. Silence, too, save for the sounds of the waterfront and the muted chatter of the commentator.
Then she speaks.
"Didn't," Acacia says, curiously, "learn -that- from Hotaru."
She considers this.
"Good," Acacia concludes, with a grin.
COMBATSYS: Acacia focuses on her next action.
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Acacia 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Kentou
Really thankful that his emergency measure managed to catch her off-guard, the boy roughly sticks his full-flipped landing a short distance away. Trying for the most elegant tactical retreat he can manage.. Which comes away as more of a very hasty half-stumble. His foot tripping over one of the many tuna cans now littering the floor as he hops a few feet on one foot. Arms failing away for balance before quickly managing to stabilize his stance.
Kentou carefully watches the Stone Icon regain her balance and get the spots from her eyes. For an instant, the boy considers pressing the attack before she can resume her otherwise iron-clad stance. He even takes a single hopping step towards her again, before her cracked eyelid drives him back. Instead, the boy lets out a breathe he didn't realize he was holding. Suddenly feeling like he managed to dodge a very nasty bullet that time. Similarly realizing he can't bank on a stroke of luck like that twice.
So much for the 'doesn't hit as hard when off-balance' idea. She hits like a truck even if she's on the ground! Now what, genius?!
Narrowed eyes look at the girl as some manner of confusing puzzle. Trying to figure out which piece to strike to send the whole house of cards tumbling. Unfortunately.. It isn't nearly so simple. The fact is, Kentou doesn't have nearly enough experience to discover and expound upon such a weakness. But that doesn't mean he won't try. Even as he focuses and concentrates, expanding his senses to more facets of his stance.. The more he realizes just how indestructable she is to him. Even Sakura didn't read -this- tough. Though, Sakura had other talents that made her every bit as difficult to fight.
So intense are the youth's calculations.. That he almost missed the fact that Acacia is speaking to him again. With a single blink, the boy responds with a hasty grin in return, "..Frei-s..." Heh, Foreigners and their disregard for proper titles! "Frei taught me too!"
As much as Kentou is officially Hotaru's student, Hotaru has also asked a few of her friends to help train the boy as well.
COMBATSYS: Kentou focuses on his next action.
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Acacia 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Kentou
It's a small sound, what might be laughter. Acacia gives a little shake of the head. She seems almost amused, the expression leaking through her otherwise neutral mein.
A quick study, then. No surprise that Hotaru agreed to train this boy, if this is his talent.
Still.
"Mm," she says, again, "but..."
Acacia fixes him with a look, her eyes boring into his.
"...what of your /own/?"
And as the syllables leave her lips, she moves. Lunging into the wind, her hair flying, the tail of her mottled green coat catching the breeze as she breaks into a forward charge. Her right fist rises before her, balled tight into a striking position. And as she moves, a pulse of chi resonates down her arm, flowing through bone, muscle, sinew, singing from her skin in a wave that distorts the air. Her hand shimmers, speeding into a kinetic blur, vibrating, trembling with pure concussive force.
Because this is /her/ technique, her unique creation, and hers alone.
She drives it home.
COMBATSYS: Kentou fails to interrupt Mass Driver from Acacia with Tekkoudan.
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Acacia 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Kentou
One of these days, he's going to learn not to be baited so easily.
Talented, but still impetuous. Acacia actually managed to strike a nerve with the boy. Even as her question touches his ears, she's already on the move. Charging across the warehouse like a freight-train. Fist rippling with raw force as she heads straight for him. Logic dictates.. Get the heck out of the way!
But with that spoken challenge, the glint of the camera lens focused on the battle - on him. His fist tightens.
"Just watch!" The boy boasts! His trailing foot pushing off with a powerful thrust of motion, his fists striking forth in parallel to one another and the floor. Pushing forth like a battering ram as he shouts, "TEKKOUD-"
Gigantic, gigantic mistake.
In fact, the very same mistake he had mentally warned himself not to make before starting this fight! Never, ever meet Acacia force for force! He should have known better. He DID know better. But... He.. Just couldn't. The reason why he knew he shouldn't use his family techniques on Acacia? They're extremely alike to hers. Short bursts of extreme strength and direct force. He knew full well he just can't do that as well as her. Playing that game would only doom him utterly.
...Even knowing all that..
The boy meets Acacia head-on and the only possible result comes to pass. The youth just shatters against her. A very truncated shout escapes his lips as he -flies- across the vast warehouse. -CRASHING- against the far wall with enough force to send cracks spiraling outwards from the impact. A heartbeat later, a blood-flecked gasp for air escapes his lips and he slowly flops from the impression on the wall. Collapsing in a heap on the floor.
The vibration dies down as Acacia's chi dissipates, the surge of spiritual energy fading...dying down to its usual ambient level. Once she's satisfied that the flows are restored to their neutral position, and her own breathing's under control, Acacia looks up.
She stands framed against the open doorway of the harbour building, once again staring across the floor - past the stacks of containers and the parked forklifts, to where Kentou lies in a crater of shattered concrete, paint, and plaster dust.
She blinks. Once.
For a moment, she says nothing.
Then:
"Again."
Acacia rocks back a step, planting her rearmost foot securely on the ground. She moves back to her initial stance, and nods to Kentou.
She doesn't move. She just stands there, waiting.
COMBATSYS: Acacia takes no action.
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Acacia 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Kentou
It's a good thing Acacia is patient, Kentou is going to be a minute.
The commentators have already declared Acacia the victor and beginning to argue with one another just what that kid was even thinking for trying a stunt like that. He should have known it would never have worked! Didn't Hotaru teach him anything?
The only arguing more vicious than the armchair quarter backs, is the raging tirade going on inside of Kentou's mind at the moment. Yelling at himself.
Stupid, Stupid! How could you be so stupid?!
Of course, Kentou already knows the answer. Victory was never his concern. The only thing that matters to him is that he proves the honor of his family and their style. He can't let that go. When a great fighter asked to see it, to give a chance to show the world what his family is made of... He can't let that go. Even if it's against all odds, it doesn't matter. As angry as he is at himself for throwing away his own game-plan... He knows full well that if he was able to do that all over again.. He'd still have done the exact same thing.
Right now, his most important concern is proving to the referee that he isn't out of the fight yet. The boy, crumpled on the floor, slowly begins to shift. His hands painfully stretching as his fingers find purchase in the cracked concrete floor. Pushing himself up with trembling strength.. Forcing himself little by little into a vertical position. Staggering a few steps once he manages to get to his feet.. But remaining mobile. "N..Not over.." He rasps. Dizzy eyes unable to see more than twenty feet away.. Let alone where Acacia currently stands.
It isn't until her terse command that the boy's attention snaps in her direction. Giving his head a little shake, slapping the side of his head with his palm, trying to get himself to focus in on her. Apparently.. waiting for him?
Okay. Okay.. He's got one more shot at this. He knows full well he can't take another direct hit from her. Kentou needs to make this count - right here, right now.
Bobbing his head in drunken acknowledgement of her offer, the boy isn't quite conscious enough to realize the depth of the gift he was offered. Truth be told, he probably couldn't even tell you what planet he's on right now. But that's alright. That's fine. Kentou doesn't need to be able to think too hard for what he does next. A technique that was burned into his soul, the best technique his family has to offer.
"HUP!" Kentou's kiai echos outwards, banishing the daze from his mind and body. Willing himself to focus for at least the next few seconds. Tensing his muscles for one last moment of strength. His eyes affix upon Acacia's stable form like a targeting solution.
A deep breath, exhale.
The youth once again ducks forth, leaning forwards heavily before -dashing- into motion. Crossing the long distance of the warehouse in a matter of seconds. He may not have great force.. but he has great speed as an ally. Half-way the youth -leaps- high into the air. Twisting rapidly about like a top in a tight spin, keeping his limbs close, "TENCHIIIIIII-"
He lands in a deep crouch, the spiraling kinetic energy halted and bottled like a coiled spring with his low landing..
..And then unleashed.
In a single instant, the boy goes from a crouch to right up in Acacia's face. A small fraction of a second later, the sound of the movement reaches her. An ring of force expands from the spot Kentou launched from, sweeping the debris across the floor outwards as a thunderclap is heard a moment after. His fist outstretched like a rifle-bullet, as he throws every last iota of speed he has into this supremely focused strike.
"-SHUUEN!"
COMBATSYS: Kentou successfully hits Acacia with Tenchi Shuuen.
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Acacia 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Debris drifts across the room, a cloud of dust and smoke hiding the battlefield from view. The Neo League officials monitoring the fight from the sidelines cough and splutter, eyes and throats stinging, even as their ears ring from the sheer /pressure/ unleashed by Kentou's movement... the cameras continue to roll, but there's no sign of the fighters.
Then the clouds part, and Kentou's visible, in his follow-through position. But Acacia?
Metal groans and shifts. The shattered wreckage of a cargo container breaks apart as Acacia climbs out, twisted steel and chips of rust flaking from her jacket. She's breathing heavily as she pulls herself free and back to her feet.
Bringing the back of her gloved hand to her face, she wipes away a trickle of blood, smearing it across the leather. She squints her eyes through a burning mix of involuntary tearing and cold sweat.
"Fast," she says, simply.
That much is undoubtedly true. She's well aware the hit didn't hurt her all that much, so complementing the other fighter's strength might sound, however unintentionally, condescending.
But the speed. That she can appreciate.
COMBATSYS: Acacia takes no action.
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Acacia 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Kentou
As the dust clears from the impact, Kentou can be seen wobbling about. The bindings about his hands and wrists all but undone, shredded wrappings drooping from his fingers, the youth stares drunkenly at the container wreckage Acacia finds herself ensconced within.
It .. hit? It hit! Direct hit! Quick! While she's recovering! Follow through on her, this is his only chance!
The boy's few remaining mental processes click together, advising him to expound upon his advantage while he has it. That is.. Until he finds himself petering out. Willing himself to run forth, only for the strength to suddenly give from his legs and topple forwards. In an audible crash, the youth falls to his knees and collapses onto a shoulder. Cheek pressed to cold concrete as his braids trail away from him. Raw, pure determination keeps him going now. A hand, trailing tattered tape, slides forth on the dust-covered floor. Literally trying to drag himself forwards, "Won't.. give.. up.."
No way is he going to quit, not while he's Hotaru's apprentice! Even if he's out of gas and barely conscious, he's in it until the end!
COMBATSYS: Kentou takes no action.
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Acacia 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Kentou
She waits as Kentou rises, hauling himself off the ground. She observes his slow and painful movements with an unreadable look, her eyes half-slitted. Her expression is dispassionate, but the very fact she's simply standing there and not pressing her advantage speaks of a deeper courtesy than mere sympathy. Several heartbeats pass before Acacia finally moves into a ready stance of her own. Muscles shift beneath the sweat-spotted fabric of her shirt and jacket. Another breeze blows in from the direction of the ocean, whistling through the harbor holding area that's become the field for this match.
Acacia opens her eyes, peering past the stray hairs dancing in front of her face.
"Ready yourself," she says, flatly.
The ball of her rear foot pounds into the concrete. Acacia pushes herself off, almost like a sprinter, her spine arching as she races towards Kentou. Her fist rises, poised to deliver another punishing blow. The move's telegraphed, the arch of her body making it clear where it's coming from.
Which doesn't do anything to mute the power.
COMBATSYS: Kentou fails to interrupt Strong Punch from Acacia with Bakuretsu Tekkouken.
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Acacia 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kentou can no longer fight.
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Acacia 0/-------/=======|
In truth, the slowly telegraphed move doesn't help quite so much when there's three Acacia's circling in his vision. Kentou wonders to himself when she learned such incredible illusionary powers! Of course, he stops wondering as he tries to drag himself up into a vaguely upward leaning position.. As the terrible pounding in his head saps the strength right out of his trembling arms. By all rights the youth should call the fight then and there, but the Neo League is not sympathetic to technical knockouts and Kentou wouldn't have it any other way. As long as he has some strength left to move, he doesn't give up.
Acacia's singular warning faintly echoes in his ears and the Kenpo student knows this is it. He's already used his best technique.. But he's got one more trick he can pull before the end. That's Kentou's way. If you gotta go.. Go down swinging.
"H..HA!" The powerless shout barks through bloodied lips. Summoning forth every last iota of his nearly depth-less reserve of energy. Shoving with his legs in an inelegant cross between a leap and a crawl, feet shoving off the ground as he thrusts his fist forward into the incoming punch.
"BakureTSU-" Grunting the word as his fist meets Acacia's own far ahead of schedule. His punch, with virtually no room to build up to it, possesses a phenomenal rock-crushing strength. Striking the Stone Icon's fist as a small jackhammer.
Except, this time, the rock breaks the hammer.
His powerful technique is utterly overwhelmed by Acacia's completely superior force. Not even slowing her down slightly as his words are cut short in a surprised screech! Blasted backwards as the youth rolls on the floor, end over end as if the ex-Gedo student went bowling with a rag doll. Only skidding to a halt as his shoulders bump lightly against the far wall as the youth remains prone.
This time.. Out for sure. Not that the camera crew don't watch the sometimes surprising youth carefully for a long moment before the winner is declared! Kentou, is out like a light, but he held nothing back.
Fingers uncurl as Acacia releases her fist, letting the tension drain out of her muscles. She takes a breath, air filling her lungs. She continues to breathe heavily as she steps forward, moving closer to where Kentou lies on the ground. She spends a moment staring down at his unconscious form.
Then...silently, she nods, once.
Passed out as he is, he isn't able to see the gesture. It's captured on camera, of course - but Acacia isn't thinking about that either. No, it's just a matter of principle.
Acknowledgement. Respect.
She turns, then, raising a hand to wipe away sweat and neaten her hair, brushing it back from her forehead and temples. As she walks out of the designated combat area, a League commentator bearing a microphone rushes up to her, trailed by a cameraman. A barrage of questions gets yelled at Acacia - to which her replies are almost monosyllabic, the bare minimum demanded by courtesy.
The publicity is meaningless.
That was never the point.
COMBATSYS: Acacia has ended the fight here.
Log created on 22:44:19 07/02/2008 by Acacia, and last modified on 21:28:47 07/07/2008.