Description: "IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way -- in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of the noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE SCENE?! FIND OUT, NEVER. (Winners: Rose and Ingrid)
Another week, another high pressure team based Main Event in Howard Arena for Hotaru Futaba. And to add familiarity, Rose is on the opposing team again as well! Standing on the raised platform of perhaps the most well known fighting stage around the world, the young pig-tailed Kenpo artist waits with her hands clasped behind her back as match preparations get underway. It is another chance to face that strange Norwegian girl again, she ponders. Assuming she's able to do much at all given the strange constraints of the match.
She's set up to fight alongside a fighter she's of course heard of even if she's never encountered him herself. The legendary weapons master himself, Billy Kane. Playing second fiddle to one of the biggest names out there is no problem for the girl, well aware that she's got years of growth and learning ahead of her. But this time around, the organizers want more than just fighting as a team. They want the two pairs fighting alongside each other. As in, /really/ close to each other. As in, tied together at the ankles in order to make sure that no matter what happens, they're stuck having to act in tandem every moment of the match.
Giving the official wrapping the rope around her ankle a somewhat forced, uneasy smile, the girl tries to keep from fretting about the fact that not only does she have to do her best on her own, she has to avoid slowing down down Billy or getting in the way of his staff swings either! "Hey, that's a little tight," she mutters, wondering if the idea is to try and cut off blood circulation to her foot at this rate, but the official pays her no mind.
Bringing her hands up from behind her back to retie her right ribbon a second time, she can't help but wonder how it fighters keep getting put in situations like this. Arent' they supposed to be the stars?! Celebrities? Important people? Shouldn't they be treated with some kind of respect?!
It hasn't been with amazing frequency that Ingrid has been participating in Saturday Night Fight but this week she is once again hopping into the ring to give it a go. And just her luck to be placed in the main event! Do people want to see her fight so much that she's been placed in the super-start lineup of the main event, she wonders? Perhaps, is the answer she would tell herself, but in reality the superstars here are Rose and Billy, both fighters far and above her ability and popularity by orders of magnitude.
But even if that's the case, it doesn't matter. It's still an excellent opportunity, not only to fight with and against such highly powerful combatants, but to have a bit of fun in the most-watched segment of this highly successful program. And not only that, there's two people here she will be quite happy to see again. Rose, whose enigmatic nature is even larger than her own, and Hotaru Futaba, a young woman who it's always pleasant to be around- even when she's hurling those nasty blasts of blue energy at you. Of Billy Kane she knows little, which really is too bad. There's no reason she can't get to know him in this little combat session as well, so all's the better.
And so Ingrid has arrived in high spirits, ready and eager to both socialize and fight, something she sees no problems with doing concurrently. She stands at a fair distance across the arena from Hotaru, watching curiously as her angle is attached to that of Rose. "Well," she comments to her partner, "I had been hoping that we might some day work with one another, but this is certainly surpassing my expectations. I hope you'll find my assistance adequate," a humorous little smile is given, "Empress."
Rose is honestly a little worried about contending with Hotaru as an opponent. That young woman hits like a brick, at least in Rose's limited experience; many others hit more powerfully, but they are easier to dodge.
She seems to be tolerating it well, though, as her leg is secured to Ingrid's by the ankle by the official. She flexes her foot a little, to test the wrapping, and smiles slightly at Ingrid. "Of course," she says. "I'm pleased to work with you, and I trust we'll do our best."
She shifts her scarf to the arm facing away from Ingrid, perhaps to make sure she minimizes the risk of accidentally murdering her with Soul Power. "If you do feel feedback," she adds, "let me know. I am not used to fighting in such close contact!" Nor against Billy Kane; she is not certain if...
Rose glances at Ingrid then, arching one thin dark eyebrow with a bemused smile. "Empress? I always thought myself more of the Hermit, really."
Suddenly, there is a large crash of heavy metal music rocketing through the speakers within the stadium. Fireworks and flashes of fire erupt from key points high into the sky, a strobe effect risking seizures against even the healthy occupants. At the crescendo of the guitar, Billy enters the stadium within his standard denim ensemble. It seems the crowd is easily worked into a frenzy from the almost manic and positive response, widespread enough he has almost nobody outright rooting against him in his selected hometown. Reap the downside of inferior publicity, fat thighs. "Hey hey hey!" rings out crisply through a microphone, as he saunters over towards Hotaru as the end of his song trills off. He slams the crimson bo staff less then a foot beside the young girl, stooping forward to squint at her while stroking his chin. "You don't look like a very hardcore fighter. You aren't gonna half-ass this, on me? Gotta have a fighting spirit!! You're with BILLY freaking KANE!! Don't let me down!!" Turning to face the other pair, he slips into a loose stance, seeming eager to get started. "You take care of the small fry. She'll just mess with my rhythm."
If Hotaru had any idea Rose considered her such a menace, she would probably be struck with an odd mixture of feeling flattered but embarrassed at the same time, as she considers the more experienced fighter rather frightening to face herself, even after so many times. But she's not psychic, or even empathic enough to have any such clue, so she remains patiently ready off to the side, finishing with her ribbon before returning to clasping her hands behind her back.
Upon spotting Ingrid, she's about to raise a hand to wave, but the loud music that blasts into the stadium leaves her a little stunned, glancing to the side to watch the very energetic entrance of her partner for this bout. Wincing a little as Billy shouts into the microphone, the girl takes in a deep breath. She's watched his fights plenty of times, so his personality isn't all that surprising to her. Even if it's a bit more imposing when it's being directed right at you instead of some other person in the arena.
Not shirking under the inspection, she stares back at Billy as he scrutinizes her. The officials get busy linking the staff user to the Kenpo artist, making sure that at no point can they get too far away from each other. Challenged, she frowns slightly, "I'll be doing my best. There's more to fighting spirit than loud shouting and carrying on like that," she retorts, waving her hand a little. A shake of her head before she finishes, "I can hold my own." she assures him.
Given the instructions to target Ingrid, she nods shortly. It is often how such matches start out. Of course, they can go anywhere from there. "Her name is Ingrid. I'll see what I can do." Of course, there is the minor matter of moving into range. Linked as they are, the girl seems inclined to leave leading THAT charge up to Kane himself.
At the comment about fighting spirit, Billy attempts to whap Hotaru in the back of the head. This is not a love tap in the slightest, and if she were not expecting it she might be severely jostled and stunned, to say the least. "Watch your damn mouth or I'll use you as my weapon instead. You aren't talkin' to some fumbling amateur climbing the ladder of pathetic wannabees. I'm where you hope to god you'll someday be, so show some damn respect." As for the followup part, he waves away her name. "Just make sure she doesn't bother me!" is underlined as the important part. "And you better be ready to move fast." With that, he bursts into speed, rushing towards Rose with his body low and end of his staff hovering just above the ground. He's pumping in a lot of force, having no issue dragging along his charge were she unable to keep up. Slamming his staff into the ground, he twists his free leg out and attempts to snap it right into the side of Rose's ribs!
COMBATSYS: Billy has started a fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Billy 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Hotaru has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
COMBATSYS: Billy has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
COMBATSYS: Rose has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rose has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rose 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rose has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Ingrid has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ingrid
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Billy
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Rose
These two seem destined to get along swell so far, Hotaru deciding that she's not going to be intimidated by her own partner if she can help it. He swings for her and the girl ducks the whap just in time, coming back up, to look at him a little bit crossly. He does have a point though. He really is where she hopes to be someday, and as he makes that case, the girl exhales a little, losing a bit of her initial indignation as she glances to the side, "You're right. Sorry." Resting one hand at the back of her neck a bit sheepishly.
"I can do that." she says, her tone more firm now with regards to keeping Ingrid away from Billy. As for being ready to move fast? She's pretty sure she's got that covered. When Billy moves, she moves with, matching his stride by springing a bit further with each step, managing to avoid slowing him down or tripping over the rope that keeps them linked.
He goes for a powerful kick against Rose, but he's careful to keep his other leg far less mobile, freeing Hotaru up to move a little in her own right. Having done her best to get a feel for the range that the link is going to allow for in the process of keeping up with Billy, she makes the best judgement she can with regards to going after Ingrid. Wishing she had a second to say hello, but feeling that doing so at this point would be a bit disingenuous, she decides to greet the girl by dropping into a low crouch then springing up into a drop kick, aiming to drive her falling heel into the foreigner's shoulder with a fair amount of force. "KYA!"
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Rose with Medium Strike.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ingrid
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Billy
> ///////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
Rose's thighs aren't fat, darnit
Hotaru's relatively positive activity, attempting to curb Billy's... Billiness is met with an incremental nod. She murmurs to Ingrid, "Support me; I'll do the same. If he gets angry enough, he'll leave himself open..."
Maybe this plan isn't so wonderful. Rose attempts to leap back out of reflexive habit, but then Billy's strike hits her as her ankle pulls against Ingrid's! The strike makes an audible crunch and leaves her eyes wide and her mouth open in silent shock before she manages to stagger to the left, realizing for a moment just how great a limitation this will be! It's almost enough to make her thank Billy. Almost.
She shows her appreciation by suddenly leaning backwards, her back flexing as she raises up one leg in a sweeping kick at Billy's own hip, the heel of her fashionable Italian pump erupting in cerulean light as it sweeps through the air. The strike will sting from both a blow aimed at a joint /and/ the Soul Power in it, at least, if all goes according to plan. She keeps her bound foot safely on the ground, and sends a momentary, non-verbal idea to Ingrid. It seems, perhaps, to suggest 'upness'.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid counters Medium Kick from Hotaru with Sun Upper.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Billy
> ///////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
Music blasts and Billy enters the arena with all the ego that is gained and deserved from attaining such skill and power, bringing a soft laugh from Ingrid. The near head-smacking of Hotaru gets a curious look from her- now that's interesting, maybe they have some kind of history together? The young woman looks over to Rose and smiles, "And I am, of course, delighted to fight alongside you as well." As to the potential to accidentally get fried by Rose's Soul Power, "I will do my best to stay out of harms way," though she doesn't think it'll be a terribly large problem.
And to her final comment an amused look crosses her face, "Is that so? Hmm... May I suggest that what is a hermit to one is an empress to another?" If only she had time to elaborate on this little comment, but this is a fight and not a comfortable conversation around a fireplace, so that will have to suffice.
A nod and a smile is given to Rose as tactics are briefly discussed, "Very well." And then she immediately fails to move in tandem with Rose, holding her back from being able to escape in time. You'd think a pair of psychics would be able to coordinate on an immediate and deep level... but perhaps such is not the case.
No apology for the mistake is given, as instead she decides to simply perform better from there on out. Tugged back by Rose's attempted evasion, Ingrid is off balance enough that an attempt of escape against Hotaru's sly assault would likely end only in disaster. Lucky for her she has another option- one that she finds especially humorous in this situation anyway.
As Rose prepares to retaliate, Ingrid leans forward towards Hotaru and taps at the air in front of herself. Apparently having seen past the drop-down feint, the kick to the shoulder is intercepted by a glowing disk of golden energy. The young woman flings her pointing arm skyward, and the energy of the disk wraps about Hotaru and then launchers her skyward.
That's where the humorous part comes in- she can't wait to see what happens to the other pair of fighters when one of them is accelerated skyward.
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to counter Medium Kick from Rose with Fire Dragon Pursuit Cane.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> /////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Billy
> ///////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Rose
Billy does have the advantage here in being a heartless bastard who will swing Hotaru around like a sack of potatoes if she gets in his way. Rose might be constrained by her bondage, in contrast. He's satisfied by the contact, knowing full well that as long as he doesn't kick her in the legs she should be dropped rather fast. ...assuming he manages to connect, at least. This is a more arduous venture then sheer tactical planning might imply. Twirling his staff, he almost takes off Hotaru's head in his motion to deflect. But she manages to cleave past, whacking him likely as hard as he managed against her, the former King of Fighter stumbling a step with a loud grunt and regaining his defense. Damn; he's ceded the flow of the fight now. Taking a moment to glance at Hotaru's progress, it's unacceptable. "You better not be dead weight..." is reiterated with an unhappy tone.
Stopped short by Ingrid's aggressive defense, Hotaru is helpless to free herself from the energy that unfolds from that discus. Held in place then hefted up into the air, the rope that links her to Billy ends up drawing her ascent to an early close, the staff weilder too sure footed to be budged by the featherweight Futaba. Wrenched back down as her path skyward comes to an end, she twists into a semi workable landing, managing to avoid wrenching her leg any further in the process. It is with a shake of her head that she tries to stave off the pain from Ingrid's sun hued energy, rising back to her feet and exhaling softly.
She can feel Billy's disapproval before he speaks. He's a tough in to please anyway, and she had admittedly done him little good beyond simply keeping Ingrid distracted for a moment. Staying rooted is a problem for someone who typically fights with aggressive lunges or taking herself to the air for acrobatic strikes. It rules out some of her options that she'd like to take against the other girl, but she is, if anything, a versatile fighter.
"I know," she answers him, avoiding glancing his way in order to keep her focus on Ingrid. Slipping into a low crouch, she springs at the pale-haired girl again, though this time a bit lower than last. Unleashing two swift, windmilling strikes, she lands right at the limit of the rope, her free leg slamming forward, along with her hand in an open palmed strike aimed at Ingrid's torso. It packs a deceptively powerful amount of power in so simple a final hit, her leg and body strength lending to its force. "HA!"
Rose is, all comedy in the concept of kicking Billy in the hip aside, not taking him terribly lightly. She staggers as she steps back, biting her lip as she threads through her mind on how best to carry through with this momentary dismay.
And she steps back then, taking a deep breath and letting it out to ease the pain in her side. Light shimmers around her (and some of it may sting Ingrid faintly, if only in the way that touching one of those Tesla orbs can sting a bit) and sinks into her body, as she asks the former King of Fighters, "This is a little challenging, isn't it?"
She lets her bound leg go limp in case Ingrid will need the extra moment of agility for her own evasion. She fully expects to get jerked around - it wouldn't be the first time!
COMBATSYS: Rose gathers her will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> /////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Billy
> ///////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Ingrid dodges Hotaru's Soushou Shin.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> /////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Billy
> ///////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Rose
Rose proves to be a very capable teammate, slipping her upward kick into Billy even as he tries to intercept the leg with a powerful whirling of his staff. Ingrid looks a little disappointed when the sudden uplifting of Hotaru results only in her dropping back to the ground, Billy being far too stable to be thrown skyward along with her. Oh well, now she knows, doesn't she?
She suddenly finds herself in quite the predicament as Hotaru is able to quickly recover, lowering herself and then rushing forward- or as far forward as she can get. Not wanting to upset Rose's gathering of power, the aura of energy seeming to only be a minor irritation to the blonde, she twists her body around as much as she can manage- slipping her leg in the binds just enough to allow her to change positioning, moving back-to-back with Rose, the powerful strikes of Hotaru being narrowly avoided.
This position isn't something that can be held indefinitely, however, as her leg is twisted in a rather uncomfortable way- a kick to the side right about now could prove excruciatingly painful. So she returns to her previous position, spinning back to face Hotaru. Still unwilling to disrupt Rose's stance, she decides upon a method of attack that doesn't require movement. He left arm pulled back, it swings forward as she returns to Rose's side, a sparkling of golden energy trailing behind the limb. As it moves forward and up a large ball of brightly shining energy emits, raising up into the air and then quickly falling back down, assaulting Hotaru from above.
A soft exhalation of exertion is given, and she gives her opponent a smile. "It is nice to finally see you again, Hotaru."
Good; Rose has opted to not press her offensive, which gives Billy a chance to do something else. Hotaru seems to still be unable to put a hand upon Ingrid, and he decides it more prudent to expedite that process. By approaching the other girl as well, just as she is unleashing an attack upon the lithe kenpo extraordinaire. Twirling his weapon around, he suddenly slams one end of his weapon upon the ground and launches into the air; likely tugging Hotaru up a bit before he descends with a snarl, lashing his weapon and one bone shattering kick in an attempt to plow her into the ground with hopefully rather painful results. "Yeesh... You're more like an anchor then a partner!" he offers in an obviously exasperated fashion, preparing to deal with Rose' next offensive.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru parries Ingrid's Sun Shot!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Billy
> ///////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Rose
Ingrid slips out of the way of Hotaru's palm strike in spite the constraints of the link to Rose. Or perhaps because of another link about which she knows nothing about? That the two seem to work exceptionally well in tandem is noticed, at least, especially in contrast to her and Billy who don't seem to be getting along in the slightest. Drawing her hand back, she leans back in the same motion, letting her buy a little bit of distance simply by shifting her positure while Ingrid prepares to retaliate as well.
Ingrid's greeting is met with a tight, soft grunt of acknowledgement. Under too much pressure and stress to reciprocate with anything more intelligible, the soft nod and flicker of a smile that goes with it will have to due. She's got Billy breathing down her neck, if not literally, and the constraints of the fight keeping her mostly ground-bound are a challenge to deal with.
She's going to need to pull out something good to make up for her lack of success. When Ingrid sends that large sphere of chi flying her way, Billy moves, shifting his focus to the foreigner as well. Noticing him moving closer to Ingrid is all the hint Hotaru needs to know that she can aggress much more directly as the rope is going to be forcing her in that direction anyway. Sprinting forward, her forearm is laced for a brief instant with an aura of that vibrant blue energy she's capable of weilding. A precisely timed swing of her limb has her scattering the projectile aimed her way, leaving her able to continue forward without any need to slow down.
At last she can charge into one of her more aggressive opening attacks, her hands going for Ingrid's wrists the instant she's within range, seeking to twist her guard open and leave her vulnerable to a rapid series of stomping kicks up the front of the other girl. "Ya, ya, ya!" If successful, she'll make due with a short ranged backflip, unable to get quite the distance she would like to have had.
As Billy makes his strike towards Ingrid, Rose is spared his wrath for a moment. That's good! What's bad is what this is likely to do to Ingrid if she isn't fast or canny enough, which could be very bad. If Ingrid was disabled - well, she isn't sure what she does then. Do they stay attached?
Better not to find out. Either way, as Billy lunges in, Rose reaches out with her scarf in a swirl of light, aiming to wrap it momentarily around his bandanna'd head and send a brain-melting shock of Soul Power in there, to either throw off his game or throw him into terrifying psychically-induced agony! That, or the refreshing feeling of cashmere caressing his skull - it could go either way.
COMBATSYS: Ingrid endures Hotaru's Shin-Jou Tai EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Billy
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Ingrid fails to counter Flying Assault Cane from Billy with Sun Upper.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ingrid
> ////////////////////// ]
|====---\-------\0 Billy
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Rose
Things take a sudden turn for the painful, as Billy decides it's time to swat the fly known as Ingrid. Even that orb of energy she sent towards Hotaru doesn't seem to be giving her any help, as the Kenpo artist finds a way to tear right through the energy with a burst of her own. Rose in this case is unable to help her, so she needs to find a way to protect herself. She knows Hotaru's attack is going to hurt... but Billy's power is undeniable.
A sacrifice must be made, and so when Hotaru comes towards her she simply stands and takes the blow, getting grabbed and then kick walked up. It's time that Billy probably isn't going to be smashing her with his staff, lest he smoosh his own partner in the process, and so that time is used to call upon the power she needs to halt his advance.
Unfortunately that power is /just/ out of reach, and try as she might she's unable to summon up the energy needed to perform her most potent reversal technique. She makes due, simply lifting a hand and pointing towards him as he comes down on top of her, another disk like the one that stopped Hotaru forming.
But this time it's no use, for even as the disk seems to catch the blow it's blasted through, Ingrid getting smashed into the ground in an incredibly painful manner, her disk of energy seemingly dispelled by the brute force of the attack. It's going to take her a moment to get back up, lying on the ground dizzy and confused as she is. Hopefully having a laid-out partner won't hamper Rose /too/ much?
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Rose's Aura Scarf.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ingrid
> //////////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Billy
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Rose
He is forced to raise his forearm rather then his staff to catch the scarf, and the surge of psychic energy is still rather painful; luckily not nearly as much were it to be channeled through his face instead. His stance spreads, and he decides it would be best to take now to summon up his energy. Hotaru should note how uncomfortable this is; ambient temperature for others is likely a bit much, the ground smoldering as the air visibly waves, shifting his staff around in heavy whooshes. "C'mon, c'mon. You are makin' this too easy for us!!" he mocks, smirking towards Ingrid before beckoning Rose to come at him once more.
COMBATSYS: Billy gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ingrid
> ///////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Billy
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Rose
Her backflip is just in time to avoid Billy's incoming, painful staff. It's all Hotaru can do to slip out of the way, twisting herself to the side at the last second, leaving the way clear for her teammate's attack to strike true. And thus completes that painful combination on the pale haired girl. It wasn't really what Hotaru had in mind, but following Billy's lead really was the only shot she had at not dragging him back any worse.
As she lands, she's just in time to see him defend himself from Rose's incoming attack, wincing a little even though it failed to connect cleanly. She knows how bad the seer's power can sting, though she has to imagine the more veteran fighter can handle it better than she. At least his ire has been turned against their opponents instead of her now, having appeased him by having landed a hit.
And now Billy's cooking up a fire right next to her. Or so it seems to her. A glance to the side is allotted for observing the ongoing surge of chi from the experienced staff user. So far he's managed to prove that he's earned his reputation, both in being able to strike hard and channel chi to boot. She can't help but be impressed. Seems like manners and politeness don't go hand in hand with power. But she's always known that...
A glance is made back toward Ingrid, a flash of apology in her expression at Billy's rude taunting. It's uncomfortable being teamed up with him, but such it goes. If the other girl is done fighting, she'd hang back and bide her time to figure out what to do next. But the moment it's clear Ingrid is hanging in there, Hotaru bursts toward her, speeding toward the limit of her rope, stopping just shy of tripping herself in order to snap out with her free leg in a swift kick. The rope actually serves to let her spin faster, unleashing a swath of blue chi in the wake of where her leg passes, her foot never getting close enough to reach other girl. The point was driven home quite plainly early on that Ingrid can contend with her kicks. But do her tricky discs have the same effect with chi? "YA!"
COMBATSYS: Ingrid blocks Hotaru's Kobi Kyaku EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Hotaru 1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ingrid
> ///////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Billy
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Rose
Ingrid's fall distracts Rose for a moment, looking over at the younger woman with obvious worry - but she doesn't seem to be knocked out or worse. But this entire situation is too chaotic. What the hell can she do!?
Rose knows only one clear solution. She reaches down with an apologetic, "Excuse me," to grasp at Ingrid's tied ankle, crooking her own to loosen it - and then whipping her scarf down to grab the girl's other leg, pulling her up and then pivoting around with a sudden cry!
Naturally, this sends Ingrid in the direct line of fire for Hotaru's attack, which Rose will feel guilty about marginally later (unless they win). However, this is not genuinely the point. The point is that Billy, where he might have expected Rose's dainty fist, svelte heel, or fluffy scarf, is instead recieving 85 pounds of a Norwegian girl aimed directly at his own personal head and upper body region. Can his staff withstand such a potent girl-attack?!
Ingrid is just going to lay here and take a nice long nap. Surely the world will leave her alone as her brain is bombarded with 'by the way this hurts' from nearly every region of her body after being smashed into the ground by Billy's assault. Or, well, it won't. Rose's voice is heard as the pain just begins to subside enough for Ingrid to get a hold of herself. Unfortunately it's at that moment that she's lifted from the ground and swung mightily towards Billy. Uh oh.
Ingrid has to think fast in order not to be absolutely destroyed by this attempt. First up she crosses her arms in front of her body and face as she is /swung through/ a potent swath of Hotaru's chi- maybe Rose doesn't know how much that stuff tends to hurt her when it connects! Luckily she's still able to continue after that... and with her hands near her head like they are, why not? Even as she's being swung a powerful flash of light surrounds her, and her hands move to her chin. All that energy pools into a single, dull little sphere, which she blows right at Billy's face. With any luck it'll smack him right before... she smacks him? Oh dear, this is going to hurt, isn't it?
COMBATSYS: Ingrid successfully hits Billy with Sun Burst.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Ingrid
> /////////////// ]
|=======\====---\1 Billy
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Rose
COMBATSYS: Billy counters Random Weapon from Rose with Ifrit Crisis.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Billy
> /////////////// ]
|=======\=====--\1 Rose
The blast of energy hits Billy right in the face, staggering him in a swathe of pain and beautiful colors. But he's not so put off that he can't deal with Rose's ponderous assault, recoiling and hurling his weapon blindly past the pair. Thud. That didn't hurt him at all. Because it's a tiny 85 Norwegian girl. Now really, Billy can take a sledgehammer to the gut, what made Rose think that would work?! Well, he's apt to punish her for such, surging past the tiny psionic while yanking out a new weapon with a cackle; lashing it to strike Rose within the face, surging with fire. He sustains this assault, luckily not moving enough to risk yanking Hotaru around, before suddenly lashing back his weapon and summoning a stream of scorching segments. That he slams overhead into Ms. Thighs, as a fountain geyser roars skywards with an appreciative gasp from the crowd. How Ingrid isn't hurt can only be marveled.
Snapping her foot back after her swift, chi launching kick, Hotaru stops completely short, a somewhat bewildered look on her face. Ingrid wasn't where she was supposed to be, but instead flying past her, hurled by her own partner. Billy is throwing his staff off like some kind of maniac, only to charge back in with an all new one he had stashed and dishing out a powerful attack after suffering a blast from the Norwegian... This fight just got pushed into a very strange place, and she requires a split second to put it all together.
Ingrid is still fighting, not much to Hotaru's surprise. She knows the girl is really good, having found herself pushed to the limit every time she's contended with her. It looks like this is to be no different. Gritting her teeth, she drops into a low stance, her linked leg beneath her for support, her free leg extended out a little. And then she springs, twisting through the air into another windmilling attack like the last one. Only she has no intention of following up after she lands, only seeking to batter the other girl with a few quick palm strikes before touching down on her feet and dropping back into her lowered stance.
The burning strike hits Rose in the face, making her gasp - she staggers back slightly, especially when the roaring fragments erupt around her. Her lips seem even more swollen now, a trickle of blood leaking from the side of her mouth as she gives Billy a surprisingly sweet smile. She lets Ingrid down, drawing up the scarf --
It snaps above her head with another flash, and then swings down, describing an arc of light that hangs there for a moment. THEN it snaps forth again, the bolus of light sliding down the Italian woman's arm on its way down, hitting the scarf and accelerating, intercepting the arc and growing brighter, streaking now towards Billy and his brave little staff!!
COMBATSYS: Ingrid counters Enryuu Banda from Hotaru with Sun Delta.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Hotaru 1/--=====/=======|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Billy
> /////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
Somehow Ingrid is spared the fury of Billy's assault on Rose as he neatly smacks her and then explodes her with chi after being able to completely ignore the impact of the small Ingrid. Who didn't see that one coming, really? But Rose is luckily able to roll with the punches as they come, able to quickly recover and go powerfully on the assault once more.
Which leaves Ingrid once again in a ponderous position, not wanting to mess up the attack, even as she has to deal with Hotaru. Lucky for her she's rather capable at staying still and keeping herself from being hit. This time she -does- have the reserves of energy to pull off her most powerful technique, handily summoning up that which is required as Hotaru drops down and then windmills in towards her. Bright golden energy flashes around her, and she leans forward and points towards Hotaru, a disk as large as the Kenpo artist herself forming around her and freezing her within itself, only a foot in front of Ingrid.
Were Billy less rooted to the earth, Hotaru would be dragged upward as the energy assaults her... but as it is the disk seems to just over there for a ridiculous amount of time, keeping her held tight and frying her with psychic power before disappearing and letting her drop the non-existent distance to the ground. And Ingrid? She looks very relieved. How she's managed to keep going this long after the brutal teamup against her is surprising the Norwegian herself.
COMBATSYS: Rose successfully hits Billy with Aura Soul Spark.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Hotaru 1/--=====/=======|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> //// ]
|======-\-------\0 Billy
> /////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
Ow. Billy can't really muster anything; his best chance, trying to capitalize on any opening, is still plowed through without any difficulty. He slams upon the ground, writhing in pain. It's too much; he feels blackness flowing in, and with extreme lethargy shoves up to his feet, surging with chi that he quickly and messily coalesces into his spiraling staff. Rearing back his entire body, a pinwheel of shaky flame is then hurled forward, at the same moment he slumps upon the ground, out cold. ...Have fun now, Hotaru. Hopefully the roaring fireball will help her in some part as it streaks towards Rose!
COMBATSYS: Billy can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Hotaru 1/--=====/=======|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> /////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
Stopped short once again, she's tought rather effectively that she should've kept her distance. Frozen a foot from connecting with her strikes, Hotaru grits her teeth, attempting to struggle against the force before the psychic energy begins coursing through her, putting an end to her attempts to fight against it. The pain is significant, if not the worst thing she's ever dealt with, and there's nothing she can do but simply try to outlast it.
Eventually it ends, allowing her to drop to the ground, landing on her feet but crumpling to her knees, hands bracing her against the floor. Starting to get back up, she finds herself tripped back to the ground as Billy is sent sliding back from Rose's powerful blast. Rolling onto her side, she doesn't take the time to get back up completely, planting her bound foot against the arena floor and sweeping out with her other leg, aiming to trip Ingrid and take her to the ground. She doesn't even really have time to judge Rose's condition at this point. All she can do is keep on fighting with the best she has. "HA!"
COMBATSYS: Rose dodges Billy's Blazing Whirlwind Cane.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Hotaru 1/--=====/=======|=------\-------\0 Ingrid
> /////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
The incoming burst of flame is a little hard to dodge, Rose thinks, as she tries to leap - but no! She tumbles down, hitting the ground hard... as the burst of flame passes over her, as she watches. She sighs in audible relief - narrow escape!
Even this, though, doesn't relieve her from difficulty; it just means she has to face Hotaru alone. Maybe she'll be easier, she thinks as she rises up to her feet and flicks the scarf with a brilliant scintilattion of light at Hotaru: She /is/ now tied down to some dead weight, at least!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Ingrid with Light Kick.
Glancing Blow
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Hotaru 1/--=====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Rose
Billy apparently just collapses under the assault of Rose, but nobody could blame him. Standing up to such a powerful psychic attack is incredibly hard for even the best fighters, and it's not like he doesn't go down fighting. Rose, however, is a rather agile fighter, even when bound to Ingrid, and manages to slip beneath it. The affect this has on Ingrid herself is a rather direct one: Rose goes down? Ingrid goes down too. In this case it's actually to her benefit, however- being tripped isn't terribly effective when you're /already/ on the ground! So the net result is Ingrid receiving a swift kick to the leg, which rather hurts... but isn't in and of itself enough to overcome her ability to fight.
Rose gets up? Ingrid gets up, though she has no scarf to flick at Hotaru. She does have hands, however, which she raises above her head while stepping towards Hotaru, getting as close as she can with how she's tied to Rose. Once close like this her hands move down, releasing a large swath of glittering energy upon Hotaru. Is this really only the second time she's attacked her outright? So it is.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Rose's Aura Scarf.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Hotaru 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|==-----\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Ingrid successfully hits Hotaru with Sunbeam.
[ \\\\\ < > ///// ]
Hotaru 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|====---\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Rose
Now it's Billy's turn to be an anchor. No longer mobile, it presents a problem for the lone fighter left to contend with the other two she's facing. Her foot sweeps, only knocking Ingrid but not managing to keep her out of the fight, then she rises up to find Rose bearing in on her. Drawing her arms up, her shoulder turned toward the woman, she braces for the incoming strike, the fabric smacking against her arms instead of getting a clean hit, though the soul power that it is charged with proves painful all the same, sending the girl staggering backward with a sharp gasp.
She knows Ingrid is attacking as well, but she hasn't the range of motion to do more than try to step to the side slightly, but it doesn't prove to be enough, the girl taking the hit hard and stumbling, her ankle still trapped by the rope. Catching herself, her hands against her knees, she glances over her shoulder at the other two fighters. She doesn't have much left in her, but that doesn't mean she isn't going to try her best to the end.
Ingrid ends up being her target, the girl springing for her, a surge of vibrant, blue chi building up around her. It's all she has left in her as she tries to give the other fighter a powerful, chi-laced flip kick intended to knock her off her feet. "Ten-shou..."
COMBATSYS: Hotaru can no longer fight.
> ///// ]
|====---\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Rose
COMBATSYS: Ingrid dodges Hotaru's Ten-shou Ranki EX.
> ///// ]
|====---\-------\0 Ingrid
> ////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Rose
And stopped just shy of reaching her, the attack is for nought, the girl releasing a startled yelp before being drawn back to the arena floor where she lands with a grunt and doesn't get up.
Ingrid is poised to escape as Hotaru bends down and prepares to flip-kick into the air, but lucky for her it doesn't end up being required. Someone's going to have to drop Billy on a scale one of these days- he was a little /too/ hard to get off the ground, this fight. Maybe he was weight training with lead?
The blonde lets out a relieved sigh, and looks over to Rose. She'd talk to Hotaru, but, well... she doesn't appear to be in the condition to talk at the moment. "Well, that was certainly exciting. I must say we made a fairly good team, don't you think?"
"I think so," Rose says back, brushing her hair back from her forehead. "It was a little intense, wasn't it?" And then, with a faint wince, she kneels down to unlace the rope binding her ankle to Ingrid's.
"I hope they're alright," she says after unbinding her leg and straightening up. Even Billy.
Ingrid stretches her leg out a bit once it's untied, "Intense is a very appropriate word." Painful would be another- the Norwegian is only barely able to keep on her feet. "They both fought very well, but I don't think they're fighting styles, or personalities, meshed very well." She looks over to the two fallen opponents and nods, "I'm sure they will be." She'd try to help them herself, but the medical teams here at the Arena are among the best in the world. She'd be nothing more than a hindrance. "Hotaru is much stronger than she looks, if her kicks are any indicator, and Billy... well, I don't suppose there's much of anything that could keep him down for all that long."
Log created on 20:29:19 07/05/2008 by Rose, and last modified on 17:42:20 07/07/2008.