Description: An astounding diaply of the new 'Striker' system Geese Howard has thought up, played out through the whims of Saturday Night Fights. Who will reign supreme - The World Warrior, of the Lord of Shadaloo? How will Kula Diamond and Hayato swing the tide of this battle?! (Winner: Vega)
Nothing like a Main Event to introduce a new mechanic to the grab bag of SNF hijinks. With the draw of the big name of Kyo Kusanagi, and the menacing destruction the recently returned Vega tends to bring to the matches, the seats are packed, the crowd anxious to see how matters unfold this time. It's a bit of a reunion for three of those present - Kula, Vega, and Kyo. Only last time, the identity of one of the participants wasn't so clear, and his true power not brought to bear.
Just like last time, Kula isn't participating directly in the match between the two top contenders, but rather running interference of sorts. The problem is that the interference stands a good chance of being a lot more painful, depending on how Vega or Kyo decide to cash in their striker charges. At least she isn't alone this time - Hayato is along for the ride, in much the same way, as a second striker for the match.
Given the rules of the fight, Hayato and Kula are to wait at a perpendicular angle from Kyo and Vega, staying close enough to be available on call, but otherwise staying out of the way. Given just who's participating in the match, the violet leather clad girl already standing at the ready on the arena stage isn't particularly thrilled at the prospect of taking a hit for anyone. Or being in the same /place/ as Vega for that matter. With each fighter getting a chance to call in each of the two strikers only once, she can't just hope that Hayato ends up having to take all the heat either. Exhaling, the girl sighs softly, ice drifting slowly about her. She'll have to keep her attention sharp, reflexes at the ready. If forced to intercept an attack, the last thing she wants to do is trip into an Orochinagi!
Saturday Night. And again, a Main Event. Vega could grow quite used to these tests, one after the other in rapid succession. Each week has been a new challenge, each time he stepped into Howard's Arena, he'd been pushed to a new limit. The first loss pales now, his path clear enough. He's discarded the persona he wore the first time he met Kyo like an old shell, his clothes the standard dictator's fluff, red and militaristic, with Shadaloo's symbol atop his hat, arched wings behind a silver skull. He steps into the arena, looking between the two strikers, and hides a laugh, though the evil smile on his face certainly doesn't drop. He'll be certain to use the pair when it suits him properly - and quite possibly, they'll suffer all the more for it.
"I'm ready." He says this simply, fingers forming into fists, clenched and cracking knuckles as he looks about, white eyes focusing on the stands for a brief moment, then away - after all, he's got something much more interesting to deal with today - Kyo Kusanagi. Will his speed be enough for the man's flame? Or will he find out that Kyo was lazing about the last time, not taking him seriously. It should be .. an interesting challenge, indeed.
COMBATSYS: Vega has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Vega 0/-------/-------|
Vega. Kyo. Tough guys, yes indeed. But Hayato has Spirit, and that counts for a lot. He'd take them both on by himself if the SNF staff gave him that for a fight! But they haven't, so it looks like he's going to have to bide his time here by the side of the fight, next to the girl with the built in air conditioning. He taps his shinai on his shoulder as he glances back and forth between Vega and Kyo. What, he wonders, will they call on him to do? Hopefully something that'll really let him get some action in this match!
Of course, Hayato isn't going to be particularly /pleased/ to help out Vega... He's got some experience with the dictator. More than he knows right now, actually. But he definitely remembers an intrusion into Taiyo high. Kyo, on the other hand, is just a jackass. Now, that's something Hayato can work with. His usual method of corrective action won't really work on someone who doesn't attend gym class... but maybe he can talk to Kyo's father sometime... Anyway, Hayato turns to glance at Kula, offering her a friendly smile. "Ready for some action?"
Speaking of Kyo Kusanagi, where the hell is he, anyway?
The young martial artist, already a living legend of the professional fighting circuit, a man with prodigious talent... Is nowhere to be seen, as of yet. Though the stage is set, his opponent already present and ready, the crowd primed and pumped and full of excitement... The Main Event is still short a key participant.
For the curious, Kyo slept in. Oh, he had his alarm set, and it went off a bunch of times, but he just kept hitting the 'snooze' button. This plan worked pretty well, at least until a certain Kushinada practically kicked his bedroom door down, and rolled him out of bed. From there, it's been a process of Kyo being herded along, forced past his natural lazy tendencies... And finally, finally. He arrives at Howard Arena.
Fashionably late, am I right?
Making his way in last of all, the Kusanagi heir arrives in the fighting area itself to general acclaim, his fanbase already used to the fact that Kyo shows up when Kyo damn well feels like it, raising his fist and smirking in acknowledgement of the cheers. Continuing up to the fighting stage, Kyo stifles a yawn behind one hand, casually stepping up onto the platform of slate and granite... And he doesn't notice the Strikers, or much of anyone else, his attention focused immediately on the red-clad form of Vega.
For a moment, Kyo looks uncertain.
"Oh man," Kyo says, in a tone of sudden realisation. "I know what this is. It's somebody's idea of a practical joke, right? Lure me out here for a big match, say hey, we've got the Popsicle Girl and a gym teacher who thinks he's still sixteen years old, and instead of my opponent there's a male stripper." Kyo laughs, feigning self-deprecation, and shakes his head. "Seriously though bro, I'll pay you five hundred to go to Benimaru Nikaido's house, he digs this sorta thing. He lives at--"
Please, someone, don't let Kyo finish this sentence. Think of the children!
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Vega 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
As Vega enters, Kula stiffens up, taking in a breath easily audible to Hayato. Crimson eyes follow the dictator's stride as he takes his position, no sign at the moment of the violent power she knows he contains within him. She had a stark reminder of just what he can do not long ago. But he doesn't seem to notice her, perhaps expecting his real opponent to be here. He might not know of Kyo's reputation as well as the fans in the crowd do.
As Hayato speaks, Kula manages a bit of a smile toward the embodiment of Burning Spirit. She gives him a slight nod before the smile fades and she falls quiet again. At least, in theory, neither of the legendary fighters are gunning for /her/. Speaking of them, where is Kyo anyway?
Seconds stretch into minutes and Kula slowly begins to relax as Vega keeps his distence. More minutes pass and she relaxes further, finally distracting herself by cupping her hands to create small blocks of ice, then reshaping them into tiny figurines that glint in the hot sun before melting away.
At last, the roar of the masses indicates that the divine flame weilder, Kyo Kusanagi, has arrived. And in traditional fashion, he's already insulting everyone gathered. Kula bristles a little at being called Popsicle Girl. Again. Lowering her arms to rest against her side, the frosty haired girl sighs softly. All right then. Time to see how this goes. She's as ready as she needs to be to act on split second notice. Just how she'll be called upon remains to be seen.
COMBATSYS: Kula has joined the fight here.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Vega 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kula focuses on her next action.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Vega 0/-------/-------|
Eventually, Kyo's blathering and blatant insults could bother Vega. Perhaps, they'd eventually sink under his skin and rile his temper. However, Vega isn't allowing himself to lose control /just/ yet - after all, phenomenal, world shaking power is nothing if it cannot /hit/ its opponent.
"I do hope you'll be faster this time, boy." Vega's words may not make sense to Kyo, but the amusement in his slight grin is for himself, and possibly for Kula's sake. After all, she's one of the few people who have seen his 'secret' first hand. As soon as Kyo's settled, Vega springs into motion, his hands coming out in a quick flurry of jabs and swipes, intent on just testing Kyo's defenses. It's too early to pull out the big guns - besides, he has to see what Kyo's got in his mind for gameplan - if the youth even /has/ a mind.
Hayato arches an eyebrow at Kyo's comments. A wise person might just let it go. "Hey kid, don't think that I won't teach you some manners if you don't mind your mouth, just because of the rules of this match." Sure, Vega may be evil incarnate... But Kyo is /rude/. That cannot be allowed to pass. Still, Hayato's not actually here to /fight/ Kyo, so he'll let him go with a warning. For now.
Warning delivered, Hayato rolls his neck a few times, eliciting some popping noises. Then he settles back to watch, but ready to go when he's called. He might not get a huge amount of action during this fight... but it's more than likely going to be quite interesting to watch.
COMBATSYS: Vega successfully hits Kyo with Jab Punch.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Kyo
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Vega 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Hayato has joined the fight here.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Hayato focuses on his next action.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Kyo
It's not, of course, like Kyo is overly worried by the responses of Kula and Hayato to his taunting... The interesting one is Vega. Of course, the man in red's responses are about what you might expect from the standard 'hey I'm a bad guy' outfit, a taunt of his own then he's rushing right at the Kusanagi heir, fist a-flyin'. Naturally, then, Kyo needs a plan. His plan, apparently, is to step /into/ the strikes, attempting to find an opening...
Alas, no such thing is forthcoming.
Instead, Kyo gets battered around by the barrage of attacks, though he comes out of the whole affair mostly just looking a bit rumpled. "Heh, seriously?" Kyo wonders, well aware that his opponent is simply feeling him out. Might as well throw a few monkey wrenches into his observations though, while he's at it. The World Warrior champ's hands snake out, trying to catch Vega by the front of his fancy red coat, thereby to heft him up over Kyo's head and smash him into the slate underfoot... Before Kyo follows, landing on /top/ of him, elbow first. "Hua-!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Vega with Issetsu Seoi Nage.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Kyo
Punch, punch. Jab, jab. Eventually, the impacts are enough for Vega to make his decision of his opponent's strength. Mn. As Vega starts to pull back, Kyo springs into the offensive, the hands grabbing his chest, and Vega going up and over, landing in a heap upon the slate. Indignity added to pain, the elbow that crashes into his chest makes Vega's breath escape in a loud 'whoosh', an obvious hit landed making the Lord of Shadaloo look like a chump.
"Do you lie around like this in /all/ your fights, Kyo?" Vega growls, the frustration of seeing something stymied and feeling the tinge of worry about defeat already setting the emotional turmoil in Vega's blood to a fever pitch, far too soon. His hands push at Kyo's shoulders, to heft the youth off his form - and then there's a explosion of psycho power, purple and black, to help Kyo on his way!
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Vega's Medium Throw.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Kyo
"Yeah, pretty much, why?" Kyo wonders in return, feeling himself pushed away, and there's that sense that /something/ else is going to happen... Something probably kind of awful. So Kyo pushes off a little, using the momentum Vega gives him with that shove, and gets his own arms up in the way of the eruption of purple and black Psycho Power, the /additional/ force sending him flying in a controlled fall, rolling over one shoulder as he returns to the slate, getting his feet back under him almost immediately.
There's a smirk on Kyo's face as he rises, brushing dark brown hair back out of his face. "Do you suck this bad in all of /your/ fights?" Yeah, he's a charmer.
Raising his right hand, Kyo sets it alight with the divine Ever-Burning Flames of the Kusanagi, gathering energy to himself as he keeps his attention fixed on Vega, odd shadows cast on his face by the fire raging in his palm.
COMBATSYS: Kyo gathers his will.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Kyo
Yes, time to shut up. Better still, it would be time to shut Kyo up, perhaps by putting his fist through Kyo's mouth and pulling his tongue out. The thought warms the cockles of Vega's black heart, but does not do anything further to help him in his fight, so it's dismissed quickly. Instead, he regains his footing, back to his feet, to facing his opponent.
His glance goes to the sides of the arena, Kula first and then Hayato. As of yet unneeded, he's still wary about using them for his 'attacks'. Instead, he matches Kyo's maneuver with one of his own, his aura sweeping outwards as if to block out the lights above, then focusing and distilling inwards as it sinks in, leaving an icky sensation on the back of people's minds, like having been subjected to something particularly vile. "Come on, Kusanagi. Show much this vaunted 'power' you posess."
COMBATSYS: Vega gathers his will.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
There's probably something symbolic here, the conflict between the overwhelming darkness that bleeds out around Vega, and the fiery light of the sun that rages from Kyo. Yes, probably someone of a poetical disposition could make something of that. Right now, though?
"Maybe I don't feel like it," Kyo says, perhaps simply to be contrary for its own sake. The Kusanagi heir rolls his neck, rubbing it with one hand, and casts a thoughtful look over at Hayato and Kula. Hmm. HMMM.
"Hey, old guy," Kyo says, pointing directly at Hayato. "You're up." Could he actually be using one of his Striker calls just to be a douchebag? Or does Kyo have some deeper strategy in mind?
COMBATSYS: Kyo takes no action.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
Old guy? Come on, Hayato's not that old! Damn punk kid. Still, it's an opportunity to beat on Vega, so Hayato's not going to pass that up. If Kyo won't show his power, then it's up to Hayato to show people what's what! Showing no fear of the evil energy pouring out from Vega, Hayato charges right at the Shadaloo lord. Right at him and... past him? Yes, Hayato runs right by Vega. He stops almost immediately afterwards, however, as he suddenly pivots around to put himself behind Vega.
Is he going to- oh, yes. Yes he is. Hayato reaches out with both arms, attempting to wrap them around Vega's torso. "Here's a little payback..." Should he succeed, Hayato will lean backwards, yanking Vega up off his feet, then continue to lean even further backwards to slam Vega's head right into the stone floor before releasing the powerful man... and getting the hell out of there.
COMBATSYS: Vega endures Hayato's German Suplex!
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Kula 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Kyo
There's a way to step into the grip of Hayato that would leave Vega untouched, unharmed and prepared for whatever Kyo might throw next. There's a way to deflect the man's impact, to escape without ever feeling more than the barest brush of Hayato's hands on the Dictator's jacket. There's all this and more - and Vega chooses none of them, because they do not put him closer to Kyo Kusanagi, and merely delay the moment when he will be able to crush the man like a bug.
as Hayato grabs him, Vega laughs, thrown up and over, slammed to the ground - rolling with the impact to suddenly find himself in arm's length of Kusanagi. Hayato - he's ignored, his duty 'done' for now. Vega has what he wanted - close range, and possibly surprise on his side. His hands come up, and a wave of psycho power explodes from them, arcing wide and wild in a point-blank burst of purple psi. "You should learn better how to use your tools, fool!!" he shouts at the last second.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Vega's Psycho Wave.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Kyo
Hmm... That didn't quite go how Kyo would've preferred. As Vega ends up closer to him, rather than somewhere away and preferably hurting a lot, a faint sound of annoyance escapes the Kusanagi heir. And then there's a big wave of psychic force coming at him, tearing through the air with the sort of casual disregard Vega shows for everything. But...
But Kyo isn't entirely surprised, or at least not so much that he can't respond effectively. The reigning World Warrior gets his arms up to deflect the brunt of the fell attack, Psycho Power splitting around him, sending numbness through his arms as the leftover energy attacks him...
"Ain't you a charmer," Kyo notes, in the aftermath, already lunging at Vega for another attack; his fist arcs towards the dictator's face in a hooking punch with most of Kyo's weight thrown behind it, flames trailing in the wake of his fist, and erupting at the point of impact, if any. Should the first hit strike, then Kyo steps in, swinging his other fist up in a thunderous, explosive uppercut... And he makes sure that it's explosive, adding another violent burst of sacred flame!
Such a charmer, indeed! Vega is full of charms, those little tidbits and trinkets of power that give edges in fights - that his own hasn't been everything he needs just yet is mere inconsequence - eventually, he'll work the psycho mojo and punish Kyo for being so silly as to think he could challenge the Lord of Shadaloo. But first, a second to recover.
As Kyo lunges, Vega backpedals, bringing the pair close to the side of the arena that Hayato is on. At the last second of Kyo's first punch, Vega simply /dissappears/ into a haze of purple and black, leaving the attack for Hayato to deal with, come what may. Vega himself will reappear closeby - but this is his choice for the battle - his deliberate tactic to allow his striker to face the flames of the Kusanagi clan.
COMBATSYS: Hayato interrupts Aragami from Kyo with Devastation Kick.
- Power hit! -
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Kyo
For a few moments after releasing Vega, Hayato doesn't really know what's going on in the fight, because he's busy trying to get out of the line of fire. Obviously, that doesn't work out very well for him. He turns around in time to see both fighters drawing nearer, then blinks as Vega suddenly vanishes. Oh, it's going to be like that, then? Vega got so close to Hayato that as far as Kyo's swing is concerned, Hayato is a valid target. Two things: One, Hayato doesn't want to get punched. Two, Kyo has so earned this.
Hayato rears back suddenly, causing Kyo's hook punch to just barely miss his face. But then there's the reason for rearing back. Hayato's right foot is up off the floor, swirling with fiery orange chi, and there's a grin on Hayato's face. "Looks like the fight's back over THAT-" And Hayato's foot snaps out, slamming a devastating (of course) kick right into Kyo's sternum. "-way, kid!"
COMBATSYS: Vega takes no action.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Kyo
Nice going, Hayato. When you attack someone who's fighting Vega, THE TERRORISTS WIN.
Kyo is rather suddenly not attacking the person he was trying to attack, and just as suddenly gets belted right in the sternum with Hayato's energy-charged foot, which... Doesn't feel super great, you know? Kyo gets driven back by the force of the blow, staggering, but he manages to stay on his feet. "Gee, thanks teach. Dunno what I'd do without you," the World Warrior says, in what might just be a sarcastic tone, before looking over to Vega.
"Hey, he hits harder than you do, maybe I should be fighting him, huh?" Kyo wonders of the Shadaloo dictator, jerking a thumb towards Hayato. But his attention remains fixed on Vega, as he slowly starts to move to one side, keeping his fists up. He looks wary... Well, wary-ish. Warier than usual. The point is, he's taking something resembling care, showing some patience... Waiting for a good opening. But will he get one?
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Kyo
"Thank you, Hayato. You're a credit to your school." Next time Vega kidnaps kids to make them Shadaloo servants, he might just leave that school alone. Maybe. Possibly. Probably not. He watches Kyo recuperate himself, and then just laughs in amusement, watching the wary glance and intent of the other fighter. With that done, Vega starts to circle as well - his hands glowing as he channels his own energy into them.
"You've only faced a fraction of my power, Kusanagi. I'd hoped to battle you honestly, to find your true worth. Howard, however - had other plans. Perhaps you should just step away now, before someone else gets hurt." With that, a slight glance towards the striker not yet called - after all, Kula's been off in the background for a bit, hasn't she? He sets that aside for now, and just pulls his hand back. Throwing it forwrads, he chucks a sphere made up of psycho power at the Kusanagi warrior, intent on bowling him over, shaking up his thoughts and making him a bit more wary.
COMBATSYS: Kyo fails to slow Psycho Shot from Vega with Yami Barai.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Kyo
As Vega talks, Kyo's response is to... Make a 'yap yap yap' gesture with his upraised right hand, and roll his eyes a little bit. That's just how he rolls, you know.
However, sometimes even Kyo Kusanagi gets bit in the butt because of his arrogance... Sure, yeah, a lot of the time he's able to back up his talk and his general demeanor with results, but sometimes, just sometimes, bad things happen. For example, right now.
As Vega's sphere of Psycho Power comes towards him, Kyo's pretty sure he's got the timing down right, and his arm sweeps forward, just starting to bellow a mighty: "EAT--" Except, Kyo's the only one eating anything. Specifically, Vega's attack, and maybe a little bit of crow. The Psycho Power sphere hits faster than Kyo was expecting, putting a definitive stop to his own attack, and driving the Kusanagi heir backwards as energy is expended uselessly.
Then, Kyo's eyes narrow at Vega. "Hey, if you're so worried 'bout people getting hurt, why don't you leave? I'm sure if you took your ugly mug out of the equation, you might qualify as a crowd pleaser for once in your lame-ass life."
"I'm sure they'd be quite happy, no matter who wins, Kusanagi." Vega's amused, breathing hard but still standing, no matter how much the youth's strength affects him. No, no, he's more than willing to stay the course, though Kyo's strength is indeed astounding. "I see the World Warrior tournament was a success, Kusanagi. You are indeed a worthy challenger to my might." He refocuses, flexing his fingers and crouching down a bit, as if to provide a harder target to his opponent.
"Still, you've shown me so little of your power. Certainly you can manage a bit more, can't you?" He mocks the Kusanagi heir as he draws in his own aura, feels the shock and awe from the audience at the fight build in his body, his own dark enegery source that he holds tight in his soul. What's left of it anyways, the dark and evil part, still growing with each additional battle he chooses to enter. "Come and get me, boy."
COMBATSYS: Vega gathers his will.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/---====/=======|=======\====---\1 Kyo
That last bit there sucked so hard, you don't even know. Kyo's pride is, generally speaking, too massive to really be damaged, but /man/. Still, Kyo's not going to waste the opportunity provided to him by Vega, standing there and gathering up evil power of evil. "Yeah, I'm not really in the mood, y'know. Got a headache," the Kusanagi heir explains, apparently unable to relent in his usual insolence no matter the current circumstance. "Tell you what, though. You come over /here/, and maybe I'll show you something. 'cause really, this whole 'come and get me, boy' thing..." Kyo gestures vaguely. "I dunno, man. It's coming off a little desperate. Maybe you should try flowers or something..."
Kyo might just be running his mouth to buy time.
COMBATSYS: Kyo gains composure.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Kyo
That didn't go to plan. Vega was expecting to goad Kyo into attacking - apparently the youth was far less foolish than Vega assumed. Such a mistake would not be made again. The Shadaloo Lord's eyes narrow, and then he prepares himself for motion, even as he speaks, hushed words for the youth alone - after all, the crowd's already heard enough out of him, haven't they?
"As you wish, Kusanagi. Prepare to face me, to show me what you have. Perhaps this time.. you won't be so /slow/." With that, Vega launches himself forwards, his hands wreathed in energy as he tries to get his ugly mitts on Kyo. If he can do so, those grasping, gripping hands are going to whip Kyo up and then force him over the dictator's shoulder, using Psycho Power to increase the damage dealt - as if trying to push the man /through/ the arena floor itself.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Vega's Psycho Fall.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/--=====/=======|=======\====---\1 Kyo
Well, Kyo does indeed get grabbed. "Didn't I say something about flowers?!" the Kusanagi heir says quite loudly, before he gets hucked right over Vega's head. Rather than landing the way the Shadaloo dictator would prefer, of course, Kyo instead pushes off, keeping control of his fall even with the meddlesome Psycho Power, rolling and breaking the momentum as he does so, staying low to the ground behind Vega. "By the way, you've got a rip in the seat of your pants, douchebag."
It's probably a lie, but a more pressing concern might be the fact that Kyo follows up said lie by kicking right across Vega's ankles, then twisting to kick back the other way, intending to bring the dictator down... Literally.
COMBATSYS: Vega blocks Kyo's Light Kick.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/--=====/=======|=======\====---\1 Kyo
The man just won't fall. This is starting to wear at the patience of lord Vega, Shadaloo's head. The continual attempts to knock Kyo's smart mouth off is starting to wear on him, and that rage that he carries inside is far too much to hold back for very long - and this fight is severely straining it. The foot sweep comes too quickly for Vega to avoid - but only the first impact hits - the dictator allowing himself to move with the strike, to upend his body.
He spins into the air as the second strike comes down - but the Third Strike belongs to only this Street Fighter, not the World Warrior on the ground. In air, he seems to hang for a moment, then comes downwards towards where Kyo is, attempting to keep him on the ground, where he can land with both heels in Kyo's chest. "Stop... TALKING!" he snarls, intent on his victory that he thinks he can almost see..
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Vega's Somersault Skull Diver.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/---====/=======|=======\=====--\1 Kyo
It's possible that Kyo's just expending himself on useless effort, now. It's definitely a possibility... But even for someone like Kyo, a slacker fighting genius if ever there was one, there are times when it's worthwhile. The descent of Vega seems like a situation Kyo won't be able to get out of easily, his arms already most of the way numb... Until he actually manages to catch those booted feet of Vega's, which have crushed so many other opponents in the past. There's a momentary struggle, before Kyo pushes the dictator off, then rolls back to get his feet under him again.
"Getting a little hot under the collar there?" Kyo wonders, rhetorically. "You shouldn't get so stressed out, y'know. Maybe you should call it quits, go home. Have a pudding cup and take a nap." At the end, his voice turns a bit sing-song, as though he were talking to a child.
Backing up, though, Kyo keeps his fists up and his attention on Vega. Once again, he's looking for an opening, and hoping that he's gotten the man in red mad enough to make a mistake... 'cause that's about the sort of thing he needs, right about now.
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 1/---====/=======|=======\=====--\1 Kyo
Mad enough for a mistake?! That was a few minutes ago, and Vega's far past that now. No, no, he's in prime territory to make a fatal misjudgement, the mad dictator holding onto his ire with a tremulous grip, much the way someone might grip a fabrege egg which was coated in lard. The knowledge that if he lets himself go, loses his composure and cool, he'll quite probably lose the fight in an ignomious way - well, that's just the frustration he'll have to deal with. Later. Now, he lets the anger and rage seethe from him like a thing posessed.
"The only way I'll call it quits, Kusanagi... is with your body beneath my grip!!" With that, the Shadaloo Lord steps forwards, his hands outstretched as if grasping for Kyo. No, not yet - he's still to far away to grab. Instead, a corona of purple and black explodes around him as he launches himself into the air, directly towards Kyo, uncaring of how much time the man has to 'prepare'. No, no, this is all about focusing his world into his fists, and that smug smarmy smirk on Kyo Kusanagi's face. If he's in a just and true world, those two things will impact each other at a high rate of speed. "FIIIINAAAAAAl..!"
The rest, well - it's lost to the roar of power.
Ha ha, see? Kyo's plan worked perfectly. Vega's become a true internet hate machine, driven by pure crazy man rage, which means it's time to tap that bottomless well of devilish Kusanagi cunning. Of course, Kyo wasn't /exactly/ planning on goading Vega into unleashing this particular attack. But, hey... He's got to appreciate the fact that when Vega makes a fatal mistake, it's quite possibly fatal for a bunch of people.
"Hey, Sno-Cone!" Kyo calls out to Kula. "GET YOUR SKINNY ASS OVER HERE!" Presuming Kula, who is such a nice girl really, isn't she, does what the World Warrior champion demands, Kyo doesn't actually like... Try to get out of the way or anything, instead staying behind the ice-wielding girl. And then he does something that might be a little weird, because he says this: "C'mon, kid, you can take this ugly chump. Show him what you can do." Yes, he's being /encouraging/.
Is it the Apocalypse already?
COMBATSYS: Kyo assists Kula.
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Kula 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-------|=======\=====--\1 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Kula stops Final Psycho Crusher' from Vega with Counter Shell.
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Kula 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/-------|=======\=====--\1 Kyo
The entire time the two have been fighting, Kula has been off to the side, watching back and forth. Her relaxed stance, arms hanging at her sides, leaning back just a little on her feet, gives the appearance that she's not particularly ready. But any assumptions of that sort are easily shattered the instant she's called into action. Yeah, she seems to not even have to think for a moment for Sno-Cone to register as a moniker by which she's expected to respond. Because A - she gets called that at home too. And B - It's Kyo, of course he's never going to use her name.
When called, insults included, the girl is a blur of movement, sliding sideways into position in front of Kyo, already facing the horrific attack plowing toward the two fight. It's clear that she was ready for what needed to be done, because trailing a little ways behind her, catching up as she stops, is a storm of blindingly bright, white chi. As the girl is no longer moving, that tidal wave of power encases her for a brief moment
Before Kyo has even uttered a word of encouragement, the frosty haired girl molds the mass of chi into a gigantic block of ice, several feet thick. It isn't going to be enough, she tells herself, panicking at the last moment, remembering the way he was able to kick right through her icy defenses the last time he finished with her. "I can't-" she starts to protest, drawing back even as the dreadful attack plows into the block of ice, melting it easily.
At his words of encouragement, however, she keeps from retreating, leaning forward, planting her gloved hands against the surface of the ice, pouring even more chi into maintaining the barrier. In the end, it proves to be just enough, the last of the ice collapsing into a puddle just as Vega's own energy has exhausted itself. Lowering her arms, Kula takes a quick step back, crimson eyes widened as the mist clears, leaving her and Kyo unphased. She opens her mouth as if to say something, but in the end remains quiet, crouching slightly and leaping off to the side to get out of the way. She did her part.
With his attack blunted by a small girl, Vega fumes. Inwardly, he knew this would happen - that he would expend energy that he could have used for Kyo, that Kusanagi would hide behind Kula for portection from the fight. His ire is raised further from the fact that Kula's shell and barrier is enough to slow, blunt and stop his attack, something that Kyo will no doubt remind him of any second now. Still as dangerous as ever, Vega's knowledge of how this fight has transpired leaves him all the more aggravated - and uncertain.
"Kula Diamond - always an impressive display. However - I knew he would hide behind you." Ok, so he kinda guessed about that part, but he won't tell Kula that. No, no, he'll round about on Kyo, and bring his arm up in a wave of power, purple and black energy trying to backhand Kyo Kusanagi, to knock him down and away as he fights for footing on the watery slate of the arena's floor. It's a blidningly fast swipe, full of power - but also yet another opening for Kyo Kusanagi's flames to whip through.
COMBATSYS: Kyo interrupts Medium Punch from Vega with Orochinagi'.
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Kula 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Hayato
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Vega 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Kyo can no longer fight.
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Hayato 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Kula
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Vega 0/-------/--=====|
Hey, there was very little hiding being done here.
Kyo looks pretty damn pleased at his own cleverness, but will it be enough? "Yeah, she did pretty good, huh?" Kyo says, his contribution to Vega's 'praise' of the NESTS agent. Of course, from Kyo there's more of a smarmy 'ha ha, I showed /you/, Vega' tone to it. Even when the dictator makes another strike at the Kusanagi heir.
But between one moment and the next, Kyo is on fire. Flames pour off of his body, like waves of power, his whole form enveloped in the orange-crimson of the sacred flames his bloodline is given to wield. And he steps in, blunting the blow from Vega somewhat, but not /quite/ enough... And at the same moment he's struck, Kyo unleashes hell on the Shadaloo dictator.
The huge swath of Kusanagi flames tears itself off of Kyo, from his sweeping right hand, and impacts with Vega with terrifying force. The wave of flames explode, searing energy going everywhere, the ancient technique of the Kusanagi clan, passed down from Kyo's ancestors for a thousand years, doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
But it's not quite enough, as Kyo sags where he stands and, with a muttered word that his mother would probably prefer he never repeated, slumps towards the slate underfoot.
Hell indeed.
The impact of Kusanagi's flames burns and sears Vega, causes him to reel backwards. His body shudders from the impact, knees buckling and rocking as he staggers from the blow. It's not /quite/ enough to cause the Lord of Shadaloo to keel over, but it's mere luck that leaves Vega standing at the end. Mere seconds of battle that keep Vega from being on the arena's floor instead. He's faced the Orochinagi before - but every time its blaze engulfs him, it's pain anew.
Breathing hard, eyes narrowed, Vega watches Kyo slump and fall. He stands up, feeling muscles pull and twist in ways they were never meant to, new injuries he'll have to heal within his new base, with the help of his doctors and scientists. But still.. he stands. That much is right with the world. One hand is lifted to the sky, purple and black swirling in his palm. He holds the pose there, for the audience - to show them he still posesses strength enough to fight.. And then brings his hand down, throwing another wave of Psycho Energy at his downed opponent. He turns in one smooth motion, heading towards the arena's exit - and over his shoulder, he calls out, deliberate. "I do believe I still haven't called my final Striker. Kula, attack Kyo Kusanagi - he may still have some fight left in him. Orders are orders, aren't they?" He'll be truly amused if she does - but really, would she attack a downed opponent just because the rules suggested she might have to?
COMBATSYS: Kula blocks Vega's Psycho Shot.
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Hayato 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Kula
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Vega 0/-------/-======|
Off to the side and out of the way, Kula watches the remainder of the fight transpire. It's frightfully brief. An exchange of brutal force and a storm of divine flames, a conflagration that comes just shy of taking out the lord of Shadaloo. Close. But not quite. It seems she wasn't needed by Vega after all. Just as well, in Kula's mind. She didn't like the thought of having to take orders from him anyway. The entire concept felt too much like those dolls she hassled. They seemed driven by Vega via sheer force of will and Kula didn't want any of that.
Kyo slumps and Vega is triumphant. That the fight is over can be seen as plain as day. But the dictator suggests otherwise, extending his hand, intending to attack his already defeated opponent, adding further injury to a beaten foe. She isn't sure what compells her to slip into the path this time. It's something she would have to think about later. Why it is she felt that sphere of deadly power should not be allowed to hit Kyo. Maybe, she'll come to decide later on, that's what ideals are - having bounds that can't be crossed.
When the menacing projectile bears in on Kyo, it never reaches its mark, crashing against a barrier of ice raised by one Kula Diamond, splashing against the shield and crushing through it with enough force to still shove her back several feet, provoking a soft gasp. Lowering her arms, she shakes them a little, trying to work off the pain. Vega called for her to attack, however, and she is his striker, per the rules. Glancing to the side, the girl nudges Kyo with her toe, then turns back to glance back after the departing dictator. It's a small rebellion against the master of Shadaloo. But for now, it's good enough.
Log created on 14:19:53 08/09/2008 by Vega, and last modified on 17:21:31 08/14/2008.