Description: The Ansatsuken Wanderer's odd meditation is interrupted by Billy Kane, with unclear but nefarious motivations! Asskicking ensues.
The outer borders of Gedo territory are among the most arguably hopeless in Southtown. Dangerous, poorly supported, without so much as a crooked representative on the city council, or a school full of unusually talented ruffians to help keep its inhabitants safe. Here many of the city's seediest clubs, worst gambling dens, and fiercest warehouse fighting clubs exist. Here the gang tagging is profoundly prevelant down towards the river, the faux concrete banks cracking in places as it rises at a sharp angle up to the city. The water rages by, flush from a recent rainfall, the grassy bank shifting subtly in the crisp breeze.... and one man braves the evening shadows for the most unlikely of ghetto activities: riverbank training.
The Wanderer sits in a lotus position, hands relaxed to his sides, eyes closed. His long red headband shifts in the wind, his already tousled hair fluttering towards further windblown dishevelment. His mind clear, he focuses outwards. The dark resonance of this place calls for all his discipline, and even here... there is strength. He can feel the energy coursing through these old tenements, the thrum of life, spirits who refuse to give in. The tremor of adrenaline in predator and victim. A jungle within a jungle within a jungle. Possibly with a few more jungles outside of that. The air about the King of Fighters all but shimmers with the tingle of chi, the nomad himself drawing deeper into his meditation, as his own aura becomes more and more central to the roar of the city, and the rushing Southtown river.
The moon rises into the sky, obscured by wisping dark clouds and the sillhouette of the Earth - a dark night, but within it, the glimmer of light. The shimmering silver shines down despite its slender arc, casting moonlight futilely into the blooming, shadowy glow of the city at night.
Not a whole lot happens within Southtown that Billy isn't made aware of; whether he cares is another matter entirely, but anything of vague notices shifts past his proverbial desk by the sea of attentive watchers and informants that spread in an intricate web across the city. But when such involves one of the few people who can be argued as the greatest public fighter in the world, it's another matter entirely. There was little hint beyond people taking careful notice of Ryu that the sea of dominos was tilted; certainly he was not brazenly followed, nor did the same person arise repeatedly, yet the feeling of being watched is hard to shake. When he finally settled down for training is when Billy opted to meander down, parking a sleek motorcycle a couple blocks away. He's dressed for business, which involves the classic shirtless denim ensemble the fighting community knows him best as, tightening his bandana with a resolute expression before slithering towards the riverbank.
There's no attempt to hide the new presence. He drops within the riverbed casually, making little sound upon his approach beyond the gentle rasp of boots on concrete, easily lost in the chorus of the concrete jungle. Although his grinning visage is cast directly towards Ryu, two fingers raising to his head and crisply saluting. "Hey hey hey." is offered, tone mildly sardonic. "If it ain't a World Warrior and King of Fighters. Can't help but notice a man of yer magnitude's crouched in the wondrous squalor of Gedo." He'd come to a stop a few steps away, arms loosely crossed before his chest. He looks smug, but more wary then confrontational. "Bit curious, that. Ya here for Saturday Night Fight, eh?"
Billy's one of the few who've even come close to intruding on Ryu since he arrived here, which makes the Southsynd underboss special. After a fashion. The break from his meditative reverie is not sudden, but rather smooth and almost gradual, considering that Billy's not giving Ryu a great deal of time, here. The bofighter's approach brings Ryu's eyes open once more, and the Ansatsuken master looks back over his shoulder towards the denim-clad thug's approach. There's a mild, halfhearted sort of sigh, more of resignation than anything. Only one way this is likely to end, or at least that's the expectation born of experience with men such as Billy's boss.
He's aware of Billy's capacity as a fighter... but the Brit doesn't get the same sort of respect the Wanderer normally offers to his peers. Instead, the 'congratulations' bring a frown to Ryu's sternly chiseled face, his dark eyes locked on Billy the entire time he's speaking. He doesn't tense, doesn't take up a fighting posture... but every fiber of his being screams alert, distrusting, "Is this where they're holding SNF now?" Ryu answers, entirely dryly. If he's kidding, it doesn't show, the retort is delivered with the perfect amount of deadpan oblivious, "Geese's bottom line must be down. I suppose that's why you're here." Wait. Did Ryu just toss out a burn? He's still staring intently at Billy, unblinking, unflinching. No hint of satire or goading in his even tone, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want anything to do with the company you keep. On a personal level." He's fought Geese before, after all. There's no reluctance on THAT level, just the opposite really.
Standing up tall, as if Ryu were nobody special, Billy's smirking countenance shifts at the commentary. Just a moment's pause; it seems the scale of the man opposite's capabilities insight that much hesitation in the bofighter, which is a far cry beyond the average fair. Mayhaps four other people alive can make Billy pause, after all; old big chin, mullet one-eye, white suit boy, and senor greased muscles. A rather short list for such a subtle reaction. He's scowling thereafter, obviously unamused by the insult. "So then, here to loiter, are you? I know you're a bum, but there's probably better ditches you can roll in then Gedo." Another step is taken, flexing his fingers and cracking them. Ryu wouldn't take this as an attempt at intimidation, but of preparation. Billy's not so dense to posture at the moment; such would only underline his own personal apprehension, and at best look downright silly. Orochi could burst from the ground frothing balefire and Ryu would still not back down. "I'm not a subtle man, and neither are you. I can respect that. So I'll be upfront. You're being watched here. You wanna train by smelling polluted water to the sound of screams and gunfire, I don't give a damn. But you try being a hero, then we'll have a problem." He'd be close to Ryu. Quite close; unless the Ansatsuken master were to step back, either could take an easy swipe. A long stare, until an addendum. "We going to have a problem...?"
"Frankness, honesty is only a virtue when it comes from one's self, not in the parroted echo of an insecure sociopath." Ryu offers back with the same almost mellow disdain. He remains rather matter of fact himself, but then, it is rare that the nomad really needs to stop and consider the path he walks: he has already made his choices, "I am no hero." He answers smoothly, voice resonant, projected past the river easily, "But I am not the sort of man to abide all the things that you stand for. Do not get me wrong, Billy Kane..." Ryu reaches up, tightening the knot in his overlong crimson headband. Also a motion of preparation, "For every cockroach that one sees, there are five more. I have no interest in stepping on you all - it would be most disgusting and destructive to my feet." Ryu smiles, almost cheerful, grinning rather wider than one might expect. Unthreatened, and suddenly amused that Kane is even here, "But if you're going to make an issue out of someone having the decency not to take from the weak to feel strong or elevate themselves, and having a problem with the thugs who think their strength puts them above simple compassion, well."
Ryu's smile fades, once again he's all business, "Then yes, we'll have a problem. Or rather, any of your people who cross my path will have a problem." What is the Syndicate thinking? Strong-arm him into staying out of their way? As if THAT'S going to happen.
Oh, Geese doesn't even know about this particular meeting. Truly, it's a rather thin veil for Billy to confront the other man; a guise of Syndicate investigation, when Ryu likely sensed quite accurately at the onset that such was hardly going to be a cordial affair. Amongst all the dour traits Billy has, he's a sore loser. Curiosity why Ryu has come was satiated, and indeed what he expected; likely no particular reason. Such leaves only the seething insults, one which no person alive could hope to get away with saying to Billy. Indeed, Ryu is no exception. "Well, well. I came out here, curious what a man like you'd be doing in Southtown. Didn't think that was such a slight. You're famous, aren't ya? Might be in Brazil one week, Russia the second. Almost a special occasion, seeing the great and powerful Ryu humbling himself in Southtown." He fastidiously smooths the front of his jacket, the motion disturbingly peaceful for a flickering tension within Billy. It's unseen in tone or body language, but would build like a static generator, all but crackling lightning between. "Ya ain't a threat to the Syndicate. Don't get me wrong. I asked if *we* are gonna have a problem. Geese don't give a rat's ass how many cockroaches you squish, because they'll breed faster then you could ever hope to remove. Even the Bogards know that." He'd move to slowly circle Ryu, in a clearly predatory fashion; sizing him up, like a shark preparing to descend on wounded prey after deducing just how much it might fight back. Finally he would stand opposite Ryu, grinning slowly, baring teeth like a wolf would show fangs. A smile that is anything but amiable. "I think you know the real reason I'm here. I heard a big face was in town. This isn't about business at all. What do you say, fellow King of Fighter...? Up for a spar?" Hands splay in an almost regal gesture thereafter. Although a quiet sadism would neatly remove any hint that such is purely for sporting reasons.
Billy's restated motivations and empty flattery don't seem to convince Ryu for a moment. Billy was here to hero-worship like Ryu was here to practice his crocheting, "See, I asked you not to take it personally. I understand, you do what you feel you have to do. But you walk a path illuminated only by the directives of the worst kind of scum." Ryu's hands shift, tightening first one crimson sparring glove, and then the other. For Billy's protection, you understand, "Such actions lessen not only you, but all those who you care for. What is to keep it from happening to your family? Your friends, if any. Blood begets blood, whatever you think you can handle, yourself." For a man who holds nothing but disdain for everything Kane stands for, he actually sounds sincerely concerned about the proverbial state of Billy's soul.
"You are angry, now. Because I called your road low? Because I implied you are little more than a common criminal with talent?" Ryu cants his head to the side slightly, "Why? Do you doubt your own path? Will taking it out of my hide make you more certain? Come, make me bleed. Show me why Billy Kane stays top dog in this pit. If you can." A double flick of his wrist, and the Ansatsuken master beckons Kane forward.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has started a fight here.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Billy has joined the fight here.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
"Don't make this philosophical." Billy mulls out, cracking his neck heavily to either side while tracing his lips with a tongue, almost seeming to be eager. Although the mention of family causes a sudden flare of anger, eyes narrowing in a manner transcendent a mere grudge. At the mere implication? It fades away thereafter, and he spits aside "Ya wanna know why? You beat me once. You can deride and mock me all you want, but you know damn well there ain't a hell of a lot of people able to take me at my best." He reaches within his jacket, yanking out a collapsed crimson staff. He is downright leisurely as he folds it together, clicking audibly into place. "I wanna see how far we are apart. And I wanna see, if just a glimmer of hope, if I can stand over your broken body as a winner." Eyes are almost wild, but what he says finally screams open, honest truth. "This is fighter and fighter, Ryu. Enough semantics and dissection. Hell, I'd almost apologize for even fronting that I wanted anything else. You of all people can respect that much, eh...? Nothing but the brawl...!!" Slipping into a stance, loose and relaxed, he appraises the man opposite. Not a single opening. No matter; the stoutest wall can still be broken. One foot slides forward, pivoting as his grip on his staff shifts. Before lashing out in a brutal overhead assault, aimed towards a shoulder. This is easily dealt with, by the standards of this combat; forecast, and time to react. It is the sudden step forward, bringing up the other end in a violent sweep aimed at the ribcage that might be dangerous. Ryu likely doesn't have much experience against staff fighting, let alone against the best in the world at it...
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Billy's Medium Strike.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Despite his unchanging stance, barring the gesture, Ryu is ready for Billy to charge at any time. In fact, he expects it before it actually happens. Kane chooses to monologue a bit further, first, and as he has until this point, Ryu listens. Not quite politely, but certainly intently. Billy's reasoning does make sense, and shed more light on his behavior... but it does little to sway Ryu's overall opinion. He remembers Kane, and the underboss is the sort who's talked about, in certain circles. Whatever the bofighter's strength....
"Of course." Ryu answers simply, acquiescing his respect, as requested. He can understand that much, and obviously, entertains it readily. Billy charges, and Ryu's sable gaze tracks both the dangerous underboss, and his unconventional weapon. Bofighters may not be his speciality - but Ryu has experience with a vast number of styles... in many corners of the world, "Just don't pretend that beating me, or being beaten by me changes /anything!/" The whooshing strike passes just shy of Ryu's abdomen as the Ansatsuken Wanderer pulls his stomach taut and steps away with a graceful, near-blurring stride. It's a singular step in perfect time with the assault of Billy's staff, and the nomad steps back in after the whipping stave whirrs past, cocking back his right fist and stepping in on Billy with a sudden half-twist, slamming his gauntletted, steely fist down for the SouthSynd Lieutenant's solar plexus, a singular blow that would drive most men, gasping, to the ground... if not finish the fight outright. Of course, Billy is ANYTHING but most men.
COMBATSYS: Billy dodges Ryu's Sakotsu Wari.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
"We'll see about that..." Billy roars in defiance, twisting around slightly before passing his weapon into the other hand; this removes the kinetic flow from his torso, stance shifting as the long staff curls behind him anew. Eyes widen at the incoming fist; it's almost relentlessly simple, yet the speed and accuracy beneath belies the simplicity of the motion. He leans back, pushing with one foot, entire body arching away. It connects; but brushes along his torso painfully, sinking only an inch within. The end result is a stumble, not a graceful skip away; over in a blink of an eye, but in this dance Ryu retains an upper hand. "Tch!" he offers, fluidly resuming an aggressive posture and wasting no time to drive forward once more. Angling his body down, bobbing in a disorienting fashion, there's nothing apparent to hint what he might be doing next – before in a sinuous flash of crimson, the end of his weapon lunges out for Ryu's throat. The force behind it is titanic, intending to resist a deflecting forearm, seeking his throat like the fangs of a cobra. Were it to connect, he'd heft upwards while twisting about, to hurl the World Warrior in a broad overhead arc and slam upon an appropriately jagged rock!
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Fishhook Throw from Billy with Medium Punch.
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Billy 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Billy's footwork keeps pace with the Ansatsuken master step for step right back - Ryu's fist whips through the empty air, quickly snapping back as his other arm takes the fore, raising an angled guard as he steps in, trying to keep up with the slight retreat. Much to his own chagrin, as it turns out. That vicious weapon whips out, extending brutally to crack into Ryu's throat... as he steps /into/ the strike, twisting and guaging incorrectly - the strength of Kane's strike aborts any hopes he might have had of retaliating, as he's whipped upwards and hurtled free, back towards the hard soil. He kicks out in midair, landing /hard/ with a resounding thwump and rolling once, twice, and back up into a crouch, shoving up and gliding back into a ready stance, his neck sore... but surprisingly resilient. He draws a deep breath, and nods once to Billy.
"Think of what you could be if you fought for yourself, unguided by hate, and fear, and obligation." The Ansatsuken master observes calmly. He may not have the strength to stop every villain in Southtown - but that's never a good excuse to fail to act. His fists remain his tool, with Billy, but there is always hope. Gouken proved that much. Brown eyes narrow, and the Wanderer reanalyzes his adversary... Billy's championship may have been fixed, but the warrior is a champion. That much is obvious.
Billy doesn't let the first blood affect him too much; a pleased sound of "Ha!" definitely punctuates the air, as he immediately maneuvers while holding the weapon low to the ground, tip hovering above with the full extent of range offered; charging through it would be potentially devastating for little potential gain. "You're a class act cliche. But you'd be wrong if you thought I fought outta hate and fear." A keen mind might notice he did not reject obligation, adrenaline now coursing through his veins. "Geese gave me a chance, but it was me who worked bare knuckle to get where I am. Ya know, had someone else gave me an opportunity instead, I might be just as much a goodie two-shoes as you." With that he moves forward again, leaning forward with legs churning. Quite suddenly he slams his staff into the ground, crimson staff going taut before he launches forward; using the momentum to sweep one foot about, raw speed more then anything else intending to crash through mundane defenses and send the other man staggering backwards!"
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Ryu with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -
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Billy 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Once again, the fervent assault mounted by the SouthSynd Lieutenant proves impressive indeed. Ryu crosses his arms, slams his guard forward as Billy vaults in, but his precise, fast aerial kick catching him squarely in the face. Blood sprays from his mouth, and Ryu reels backwards, staggering haphazardly across the riverbank and slamming his heel painfully into a jutting rock. Teeth grit, and his eyes snap back to Kane. A brisk shake clears his head, and the Wanderer sweeps his hands forward, palms splayed. A roiling mass of blue-white fire all but pours from his fingertips, roars from his palms, surging rampantly into being and roiling through the air as it's shoved forward, burning the space between Billy and Ryu with flaring, white-hot intensity, echoed by a fervent cry of, "HADOOOUKEN!!"
Ryu may not have nearly as much invested in this battle as Billy seems to - but it's not going to stop him from putting up the best fight he can against the angered underboss. If he can just figure out the timing... that bo throws it all off. Billy is indeed better.
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Ryu's Hadouken.
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Billy 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Well, well. Billy's not doing half bad. Some of this is abated by the fact he knows Ryu's not going into this with his heart, but such doesn't completely taint the experience. After all, how many people can overpower Ryu when he's going through the motions? Rather few. "Jeez. Thought this was gonna be a workout." he offers towards the incoming flash of cerulean chi, bringing up his spiraling staff; it impacts dead on, staggering him backwards a step with a grunt as a flash of heat dissipates the ball into motes of light, smell of brimstone and smoke tainting the air. Off-balance, he presses forward regardless, trying to keep close, not give Ryu the vital time to reflect he doubtlessly desires; and suddenly beginning to spiral his weapon madly, whooshing like the rotors of a helicopter. A literal cackle, as he tries to allow sheer numbers of buffeting impacts to shatter through Ryu, attempting to bypass any leap backwards or hefted arm, his stance spread in resolute defiance...
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Billy's Whirlwind Cane!
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Billy 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
The Hadouken impacts squarely - but not as forcefully as Ryu might have liked. Billy's defenses are as solid as his offense. The nomad's gaze remains intent - he tracks Billy's stance, the flex of his muscles, the whipping motion of the staff. First into the guard against his fierce blue fireball, and then whirring forward, carrying Billy's momentum with it as he pushes onward past the stinging burst of chi. Ryu weaves left, shifting sideways... the staff whirrs blurringly through the air, millimeters from his face, scant hairs from cracking into his chest. He steps back, twists the other way, the stave comes about again.... another sidestep gives him slightly more breathing room. The hum of the staff is constant in the air - the instants seem to hang in eternity only to the Ansatsuken master, and his deadly opponent. Every time that staff comes around, Ryu is one step ahead. The final trio of whipping strikes reverberate squarely against the cushioning of Ryu's sparring gloves, batting each strike wide as he matches Billy's flurry pace for pace, the two fighters little but a constant, blurring flurry of motion to anyone who might be watching. He shoves the whirling strike low, and steps in, swinging his right leg around.
In blatant defiance of gravity, Ryu leaps in on Billy, and swings about, his right leg parallel to the ground. With helicopter intensity, he whips about, twirling through the air and levelling roundhouse after roundhouse at Kane in a flurry of his own, the wind whooshing outwards as the technique is sounded in fierce kiai, "TATSUMAKI SENPUUUU KYAKU!!!"
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to counter Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku from Ryu with Fire Dragon Pursuit Cane.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Ryu
Truly, this teaches one that you should never be complacent; Billy had prepared himself for myriad possibilities, and gauged his assault accordingly for maximum effect. But the sheer possibility that every blow would be repelled in such a manner was beyond the scope, and he is in a terrible position as the Ansatsuken master approaches. Eyes widen, but he makes no attempt to evade; there's really nowhere to go at the moment, instead hefting up his staff with his face a mask of grim determination, hands sliding to brace. The first kick hits it squarely, but feet give, and he's overpowered; the weapon wielding hand flashes down, bo staff cracking on the ground. This gives him a moment of reflection, before being pelted across the face by one of Ryu's feet. "Hnngh!!" Blood splatters the ground, but luckily the remainder only crack against his back, spinning him once before he allows himself to crash upon the ground, leaving Ryu's last pair to churn only air. He rolls rapidly, pushing up and away, trying to get the breathing room he tried desperately to deny only a few seconds ago. Well; in a heartbeat, they are back on even ground. But there's no lack in either that defiance, or astute fire, within Kane's eyes...
The wind whips through Ryu's hair, and polluted or not the spirit of the wind serves him well tonight. The night air is cut by the impacts of his roundhousing strikes, and only as Billy falls away does Ryu descend, dropping lightly onto one foot, and then the other, landing almost perfectly back in a ready stance. His fists, one clenched and one open, rise in a ready guard before him, and he watches Billy carefully where the dangerous Lieutenant recovers his senses. Rather than immediately push the offensive, the focused nomad summons instead what he had when Billy first approached. For all its darkness, this tainted glade suddenly reverberates with power. The water itself seems to pour forth tingling energy, the very air, the dim silvery light filtering from above. For a moment the ghetto riverbank is the conflux of a great force of natural power, as Ryu calmly studies his opponent, his air remaining unworried - intense, but more interested in the puzzle that is the unique Mr. Kane.
He doesn't speak, merely centers his own chi, the reverberations of his considerable inner power resonating in slow crescendo with the very Earth around him, a low rumble coming from somewhere deep underground. This message is entirely in a language composed of something much more primal than words.
COMBATSYS: Ryu gathers his will.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
Billy decides to take advantage of the lull as well, and cede the offensive to Ryu once more. He begins to spin his staff leisurely overhead, gaining momentum in slow, heavy thrums. Unlike the fighter opposite, his chi comes from within; utilizing the conduit of his staff, the air begins to heat up massively, billowing against Ryu despite the fair distance between. Sparks and crackles surround the staff fighter, before he reaches a crescendo and seems to almost shimmer, drawing out to the forefront the very energy that Ryu drinks and swims in, struggling for the equivalent of an easy breath for the white attired practitioner. Ergo, this should not mean the gesture is to be taken lightly in the slightest. His free hand shifts, and a simple gesture is done: Come. It's likely there will not be a second break until one of the pair lays defeated on the ground.
COMBATSYS: Billy gathers his will.
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Billy 1/---====/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
The gathering power is echoed, after a fashion, as Billy whirls his staff and summons up his fiery spirit. Perhaps he believes it is all within him - Ryu believes differently. To the nomad's senses, Billy is as much a part of the power in this place as he is, as the river is. As the roaring storm brewing overhead, blowing in fast from the Northeast, "You say your role, my role, are only products of experience. In so doing you claim yourself a slave to your fate, chained to the first tidbit thrown your way. Not every man finds true choice, purpose in life... but I assure you, yours is not to help rob others of theirs." Stern brows furrow, and the Ansatsuken master steps forward.
For a second time, his hands thrust forward, fingers flexing firmly. This time, it's a roaring maelstrom of crimson firebolts that coalesces in his grasp, blasted forward with impressive intensity, levelling the meteoric blast right at Billy. A little more fuel for his fire, so to speak. The rampant firestorm flares violently as it burns a direct course for its target, echoed by the trademarked cry of, "HADOOOOUKEN!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to interrupt Shakunetsu Hadouken from Ryu with Red Lotus Requiem.
- Power fail! -
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Billy 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Ryu
"Hah. Yer good at gettin' close to the truth. I am chained to somethin'." Billy offers, almost cheerfully. There's no further elucidation offered, but he's found that he doesn't particularly hate Ryu. It's something a bit odd, given his words would surely suffice in most any other mouth. Then again, Billy is hardly someone born to abject cruelty and sadism, and the purity within Ryu is not hated or despised in the slightest. Almost refreshing, in a world of constant brutality. As Ryu begins to summon the energy, Billy shoots forward; dispersing much of his prepared energy, but retaining enough for the gambit at hand. One which could easily make or break the fight, roaring. But... no. He failed. Eyes widen, as he is two steps away as Ryu's palms flash towards him. Having dedicated himself to the charge, there's little to do but ... well, options were minimal. He had been flirting with leaping over, diving under, but both would of resulted in glancing impacts. Mayhaps were he not to abort the titanic drive, he'd have more to show for it then being blasted backwards, breath sucked from his lungs, sharp sound of burning flesh sizzling in the air. He shoots backwards like a projectile of his own, cracking against the side of the riverbed so hard chunks of stone fall down around him. He immediately pushes up to his feet, scrambling, but in a stiff, disoriented and leering manner; stumbling forward with a hand clutching his ribs, coughing and hacking with eyes clenched shut. Ah, he's a fighter if nothing else.
Interesting. Ryu will take that at face value, given the shift he senses in Kane's demeanor. The fiery Hadouken overwhelms his impressive preparations - but Ryu isn't put off his guard. This opponent is dangerous right to the bitter end. The Ansatsuken master narrows his eyes thoughtfully, pausing a breath, two as Billy recovers his senses. It's sporting of him - and perhaps wise. Any ambush or feigned injury will fall away by the time Ryu charges in to spring the trap, or force his opponent back further. He launches in with a gliding uppercut, slamming in low for Billy's rips as he twists to launch his fist forward, a simple, firm strike that seeks to lead into its fraternal twin:
A whizzing right straight that brings a bright red glove in straight for Kane's nose, seeking to pop a staggering hit in punctuation to the quick assault, "Haaaaaah!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Billy with Medium Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Billy 1/------=/=======|=======\======-\1 Ryu
One could make the assumption this is a feint, but it's really just Billy stumbling around and trying to walk off the pain of that torrentous blow and manage some kind of more aggressive action to make up for lost ground. Ryu is slithering forward, and unlike the onset of this fight, he lacks the faculties to even temporarily match the driving speed of that incoming fist. Stepping backwards, forearms try to meet, but it passes between before they completely close. With his only line of defense broken, there's naught to stop the incredible crack upon his already bloodied face. Lifted a good meter from the ground, Billy lands heavily and does not immediately rise this time, spasming with a bloody hack. "Hah..." Feet slide drunkenly and he rises with more speed then might be expected, leaping back from a perceived assault that might not even have come. "I'm not done yet...!!" he growls, before snapping forward his staff. Abruptly it breaks apart into three pieces, chain rasping between; for the desperate movement, it's still honed with deadly accuracy, shooting out in an attempt to crash into Ryu's ribs and send him skidding backwards. This would be punctuated by a flash of napalm-like ensconcing fire. Even if his fate is sealed, every additional bruise between himself and Ryu will bring a smile to his face...
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Billy's Blazing Cane Thrust.
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Billy 1/------=/=======|=======\=======\1 Ryu
One. Two. The flurry falls as one, the second strike nigh instantaneous after the first slips past Billy's guard. Staggering the crimeboss isn't enough, it seems - Billy comes back strong indeed. The eruption of energy and whirring stave meets crossed arms and centered chi of the Wanderer's own. The inferno blasts outwards, as if it hits an invisible wave as the whipping staff recoils off braced forearms, deflected this way and that with repeated, stinging impacts. It may not be the bruise Billy was after, but it's sure to raise painful marks on the Ansatsuken master's resilient guard. Clenching his jaw, the Ansatsuken master doesn't hesitate for a moment, launching himself in and around, turning a sudden, singular rotation to drive his heel in for Billy's face in the same fluid motion in which the nomad rises.
The launch is as quick as the blast before it, slowed only by the Ansatsuken master's travel through literal fire to reach his opponent. Still, he doesn't seem inclined to relent now, and the technique loses little of its graceful execution for the stinging prelude.
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Ryu's Senpuu Kyaku.
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Billy 1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Ryu
The baton begins to retract, Billy grimacing as he sees Ryu outracing it; A step backwards gives him enough time for a free hand to shoot up and catch the vicious kick cleanly upon the back of his hand, although his fist still is cracked against his face merely absorbing that comparatively mild amount of kinetic force. Shoving away to put the other man off-balance, he has despairingly few options at the moment. So suddenly shifts his weapon behind, arm tensing as a billow of segments flash out. Growing and growing, until a dragon's tail of chain-connected segments is bloomed. With obvious effort they ignite into fire; before Billy roars, swinging upwards as the ground is cleaved away, scorched stone caught up in an avalanche as it bears down on Ryu. Intending to send him airborne in a rather large area of effect; to then swing overhead, and swat him down into a crater with a massive geyser of flame. Oh, it won't win the battle; not nearly. But at the very least, he can make sure it hurts a hell of a lot. "GO TO HELL!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Salamander Stream from Billy with Shin Shoryuken EX.
- Power fail! -
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Billy 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Ryu
Billy's sudden /explosion/ of power and brilliant weaponwork leaves Ryu at a sudden, unexpected disadvantage. He tries to simply power /through/ the assault, slamming into the initial eruption full bore... and being blown backwards all the more violently for his efforts. His face and chest are pelted, the ground erupts underneath him, and the landing is no better. The Ansatsuken Dragon hurtles through the air, end over end, and crashes to the ground, completely out of control. His limps splay as he tumbles, then rolls, then presses one palm to the ground, spitting saliva and blood.... and drawing a deep, somewhat ragged breath. .... that hurt.
"I've been there, Billy Kane." The nomad answers, the words somehow more somber than his calm tones previously, though still carrying that same cool, focused resonance, "Be glad I do not choose to return, for you."
Billy is panting. He's still lost; cleaving through that finishing blow is merely a matter of pride now, and he seems to take such a mild victory for what it is worth. He's rather slow in retracting his weapon anew, and it clicks together. Breath comes long and labored, having trouble even remaining fully upright, stance spread in a manner intended to support himself rather then lend any combative aid. "I know... ya gotta spark of the devil in you, Ryu... I saw what ya did to Sagat..." He grins, blood staining between his teeth. "Just imagine, I'm like that all the time... and I've not nearly the raw skill you do... Wonder what you might be able to manage..." Rushing forward, he plants his staff upon the ground and it bends wildly, before Billy launches straight into the air; clothing shimmering behind before he descends, embracing gravity as he rears back his weapon with reckless force. "I'LL KILL YOU!" is roared, swinging it down with apocalyptic force; if by some fluke Ryu were struck by it, at least. The ground would shatter and part beneath the end of his staff, which would creak ominously.
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Flying Assault Cane from Billy with Hadouken EX.
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Billy 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu barely reacts at the mention of Sagat. There was a time it was a fresh wound - but he's well aware of what happened. What's more, he's beaten the Thai titan since. Fair, and square. And then not-so-fair with his deadly 'friend', Balrog. Ryu does frown with nostalgic rememberence of that. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Like the strong, but reckless indeed assault levelled on him by Billy Kane. The powerful staff descends, and Ryu pushes to his feet. The weapon cuts air, and he shoves his hands forward. The strike cleaves true, cracking harshly against Ryu's collarbone, reverberating with a resonant CRACK as it threatens to drop Ryu to the ground once more. But he stands his ground, barely bends, grits his teeth past the agonizing pain of having his bones nearly broken as he pours forth a luminescent charge of bluish energy right into Billy's path.
It's a collision that makes up at least some of the ground lost by the potent strike launched by the Syndicate underboss - and there's always the chance that the blast will finally take the deadly Kane off his feet.
Small solace from Kane that his weapon strikes true; he's sent spiraling backwards beneath the terrific flash of blue chi once more levied at him, and doesn't hit the ground; he spirals away at an awkward angle, burnt clothing peeled away from an angry red shoulder, hitting the ground upside-down with his weapon clattering away. Writhing like a stuck animal, Billy still doesn't seem apt to give up. "Ssss.... on of a bitch..." is exhaled through clenched teeth, numbly finding and pulling his weapon back to him. Pushing back upright, sagging despite all his weight upon the bo staff, he glares through a mask of blood in Ryu's direction, one arm dangling rather limply beside. "Hah... I ain't... down yet..." is all he offers, eyes shifting in and out of focus. Stumbling forward, a fall turns into a laughable charge. His good arm manages to rear up the staff, but he never quite makes it to the Ansatsuken fighter; teetering over in a drunken manner, feet picking up speed in a distant attempt to keep balance, even as blackness floods his vision. A loud splash as he impacts a puddle of water, weapon finally rolling away. Billy is quite still; it seemed he had to be beaten unconscious before giving up. Well, hardly a trait that can't be admired.
COMBATSYS: Billy takes no action.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Billy can no longer fight.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
Son of a bitch? Who really knows, right? Now that Gouken's gone, Ryu probably never will! So 'your mother!' loses some of its venom. He holds his ground, readying a defense, but letting Billy come to him after the final explosion of chi energy. Something that Kane seems to have difficulty doing, just now. As Billy falls, Ryu relaxes his stance, dropping one hand to his ribcage and grimacing slightly. Now that was a fight... not the sort of workout he had been looking for, but perhaps a more interesting one in the end. He had forgotten just how powerful - and entrenched the Syndicate in Southtown really was. He offers a slight bow towards his fallen opponent, collects his white duffel bag, and starts off down the riverbank. Whether Billy really came solely to spar, or has really been watching Ryu doesn't seem to worry the Ansatsuken Dragon. After all, with the warrior in the tattered white gi, what you see is what you get.
.... at least, that's the way it seems
Log created on 19:47:45 08/11/2008 by Ryu, and last modified on 14:45:41 08/14/2008.