Description: On a scenic mountain cliffside in the mountains of China, two reputable fighters--Hotaru Futaba and Chun-Li--meet for the first time in the Leagues for a scheduled match. But to the surprise of the Tai Chi fighter, Hotaru admires the woman for her prowess and talent, and proves to Chun-Li that even the tiniest and most innocent of fighters shouldn't be taken so lightly... (Winner: Chun-Li)
A nation as vast as China, with its rich, millenia spanning history, countless climes, billions of people, and blend of various cultures would be hard to capture in a single location. This rocky ledge nestled within one of its many mountain ranges might come close, however. From the trail that crests onto the more level location, one can see the steep sloped peaks of numerous mountains for miles into the distance; each of them poking out of a blanket of thick, obscurring fog nestled into the valleys between them. A crisp, cool air blows gently past, taking with it a few of the leaves from the few nearby trees determined to carve out an existence in this unlikely of places.
Mists cools the air even further, rising up from the rocks where a number of crystal clear, thin waterfalls cascade, joined by dozens of rivulets fed from some unseen source further up the mountain. The steady sound of the waterfalls and flowing water lends a certain sense of tranquility to the location. Perhaps that's what inspired monks to carve a number of stone figures in the nearby cliffwall - permanent sentinels over this special location. Visible through the distant fog is a wooden temple secured to the side of a steep mountainside, held in place by ancient, but no less brilliant engineering. It isn't even clear, from this distance, how one reaches the far off structure... Perhaps it can't be entered, the trails that once accessed it long since erroded away by decades of passing weather.
At least, that's what Hotaru Futaba is pondering; blue eyes gazing off across the valley, her hands clasped behind her back, enjoying the calming zephyr that tossles her signiture twintails that dangle out from the sides of her head, just behind her ears. Perhaps the monks that built it could fly, she daydreams for a moment, a wistfull smile at her lips as she pictures such a magical fantasy of ages past.
Her clothing seems fitting for the region. A Chinese styled, rich blue vest covers her torso, complete with two poofy, white short sleeves that don't quite reach her elbows. Held closed by two golden straps, the form fitting vest is embroidered by bands of gold along the center seam and edges. Comfortable, white pants are met at her ankles by a pair of blue soft shoes. Not horribly short but not remotely tall either, the teenaged fighter releases a breath and turns away from the majestic vista. She needs to focus on other things. Like perhaps one of the most important matches of the year for her. Her expression, as her mind catches up with the present, is enthusiastic, the girl looking forward to this chance like none other.
It had been some time since the world-famous Chun-Li had been 'home.'
While the designated scenery chosen by League officials was relatively remote and far from the familiar, bustling metropolises that dot the sprawling country, it was still a place she could relate to. She was, after all, one of many that her nation took pride in, known not only for her strength and grace as a fighter, but her determination to do good and her compassion toward the nation's youth. Many a donation had been made to schools across China with her earnings.
Quiet and serene, the mountain top ledge curtained by crystalline falls was as good a place as any for a fight. If anything, the Tai Chi Mistress was looking forward to such a unique and remote area to engage in a long-overdue spar.
Emerging from around a bend in a nearby cavern, Chun-Li steps forward into the area proper, as the festively-dressed Hotaru turns around and waits patiently. Equally-festive in her choice of wear, the famous female fighter is clad in her traditional blue qipao and spiked bracelets, her hair done up in traditional oxhorn fashion. The moment the woman's almond-colored eyes fall on the younger fighter, the elder woman offers a friendly and warm smile, a hand lifting up and offering a light wave.
Her approach is graceful, each step marked by trained poise and posture as she nears Hotaru. And when the woman has come a short and respectful distance from the younger (and shorter) fighter does she lift her arms, one hand curled into a fist and pressed into her opposite hand's open and flat palm. A bow follows, as Chun-Li offers the young woman a respectful bow in greeting.
"Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss Futaba," the woman offers as she stands upright once more, her lips pulled into a wide, cheerful grin. "You seem to be making quite a name for yourself out there in the fighting world. It's an honor to meet you and get an opportunity to fight with someone who has much promise in her art."
Climb to the top and there is probably always someone already there, waiting for you. Something for Hotaru to keep in mind now that she's ruled the Neo League charts for a while now. Clearly she's not the most capable fighter on the planet, but when it's come to being competative amongst the popular circuit, the girl has been a regular - holding her own and making a name for herself. A name that has garnered the attention of the woman she has longed to meet in person for years.
Turning toward the Tai Chi master, Hotaru takes in a breath, her face lighting up as her eyes fall on the one that is to be her opponent for this match. So awestruck, she doesn't react to the wave at first, taking in the image of the oft-declared strongest woman in the world. Her famous hairstyle is studied for a moment. Hotaru has, on occasion, mimicked that Ox-horn style of hers to the best of her ability, especially when dressing up more formally. She finally reacts to the bow, however, eyes widening a little as she takes a breath.
Smacking her own fist into her opposing palm, she returns the gesture eagerly before looking back up. Almost any young fighter can cite an inspiration in the trade; someone they look up to, admire, want to be like. While Sakura Kasugano showed Hotaru that it could be done - that girls their age could make a name for themselves if they focused, trained, and tried hard enough, it is without a doubt the master level martial artist in front of her now that she truly dreams of becoming like someday.
"The honor is mine," she replies, her voice friendly, if a bit distant, as if she's still basking in the moment. For well over a year the girl had been seeking training and ideas from every source possible. While the simple, brute force of the Kyokugen Karate style taught her a lot in toughening up, its direct style strikes still wasn't quite what she was looking for. She might have been able to learn some from Ryu with Sakura's endorsement, but even their Ansatsuken style karate wasn't quite a natural fit. Chun-Li's Tai Chi, however, shares a lot of Hotaru's own hybrid of Kenpo styles and the chance to see that graceful art in action in person is an opportunity she is looking forward to with all her soul, even if such an experience is likely to be coupled with a fair amount of pain.
A faint blush makes its way to her cheeks as the girl bows her head just slightly at the compliment paid with regards to her own progress as a fighter. "Thank you," she replies. "While my style is not strictly Tai Chi, it does borrow many principles from it. I hope to demonstrate it well enough for you, given this great chance." She looks up again, reaching her hands to her hair, double-checking that each of her bright red ribbons is snugly in place.
Hotaru's reaction was not expected.
Initially the Chinese woman offers a slight widening of her almond-brown eyes, thin lips curiously puckering into a light o-shape as she lifts her brows. But, soon enough, the surprise gives way to a warm smile, her features settling into a warm and inviting expression that, if anything, conveys a sense of flattery. It's not every day she receives such reaction from other fighters.
Another bow of Chun-Li's head is given, as Hotaru returns the honor. A kind and respectful girl--such is indeed rare on the circuits, the elder woman privately muses. It's refreshing and most definitely different. There's good reason why the young martial artist stands out as she does in the various circuits.
"You've come a long way from what I've seen and can tell, miss Futaba. It's really admirable, your strength and determination. I know you try hard and give your best, and I expect no less of you here today." A light tip of her head is given, the Chinese woman's head canting slightly to the right as she smiles lightly, a hand lightly cupping her chin.
"I'm also very interested to see your style, and how it has evolved." The mention of Hotaru having a 'great chance,' however, earns the girl a light blush from the other woman, a light chuckle escaping her lips as she slides into a neutral stance, arms raised and one leg crooked.
"The pleasure is all mine. Please, whenever you are ready, feel free to begin us. I'd very much like to see what you can do, miss Futaba. Okay?" Chun-Li's lips pull into a light smile, her features never once losing that warm and friendly glow as she awaits the other fighter's reaction...
It's not every day one gets to have their dream match. It seems the young Kenpo artist is eating the opportunity up, simply delighted to be present. Having spent a few years of her childhood in China, and being trained, since young, in a Chinese style of martial arts, it's no wonder that the lofty mountainside location alone is worth the trip. The cameras have been placed carefully off to the sides in order to capture footage without betraying the remote, peaceful setting.
The girl looks flattered that Chun-Li, of all people, has taken notice of her career as a fighter. Of course, there aren't too terribly many girls her age as imersed in the circuits as deeply as she, so she might stand out to one who keeps an eye on such things. A warm smile crosses her lips as the woman speaks of her determination and interest in her style of Chinese origin. "Nn!" she states eagerly, clasping her hands together in front of her.
A few steps backward are taken for her to finish preparing; the girl drawing in a deep, calming breath to center her thoughts, before exhaling slowly. Crossing her arms in front of her, she bows her head, closes her eyes, and concentrates for a moment on setting aside her giddy, girlish emotions. At last, she raises her head, unfolding her arms as she turns one shoulder toward the Tai Chi master, raising her hands, palms to the sides, her breathing regulated, her focus readied.
"Okay. Ready." she states with one last nod of her head. And then she moves. Three quick steps are taken forward to close the distance, feet sliding over the rough rock, dragging some dust in their wake. Her next move is to drop into a low stance, arms out at her sides for balance, her right foot quite a ways forward, her leg leg bent underneath her for support. It's a transitory stance as the girl springs out of it into her actual attack.
Whipping her body out of that low posture, she spins into the air, arms out at her sides, legs behind her as she twists into an aerial, horizontal cartwheel, aiming to strike the other fighter with her feet. If she gets past the first one, she touches down for only an instant on her left foot, spinning with that same momentum into a second cartwheel just like the first. In the end, she lands, recovers her footing, and readies herself.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru has started a fight here.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li parries Hotaru's Medium Kick!
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Patiently waiting, the woman offers little more than a pleasant smile to the young Kenpo practitioner as she readies herself for the inevitable fight. The woman is in no real obvious hurry to start things out; if anything, the Tai Chi Mistress wants to make the fight as pleasant and enjoyable for her opponent as possible, Neo League or not. Besides, Hotaru is just too darn adorable!
Nodding lightly as the girl steps back and focuses her thoughts, Chun-Li maintains that stance, her body lightly bobbing with every breath, arms and legs lightly tense as she waits for the young Kenpo artist's next move, preparing for come what may. Soon enough, however, the girl offers her signal; she's ready.
The Chinese woman offers nothing more than a nod and smile.
Noting the girl's stance, Chun-Li stands her ground, thin lips pulled lightly across her smooth face as Hotaru then and rather suddenly leaps from the coiled stance into the air. Mere moments later, the girl comes at her, spinning with an impressive cartwheel assault that's aimed right for the Chinese woman. Blinking once, slowly, the woman moves herself moments before Hotaru's feet strike.
Dropping low, the woman's arm gracefully whips up and redirects the girl's leg, letting her initial strike glide harmlessly past the elder woman. Following her own motions, the Tai Chi Mistress swiftly rises thereafter, using her once-crouched position much like Hotaru's, leaping up and over the girl with a flip. At the apex--just past her head--both of Chun-Li's booted heels whip forward, a blow aimed for the shoulders and backside of the Kenpo fighter's backside. "YAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Chun-Li's Tenshin Shuu Kyaku EX.
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Hotaru 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Getting one of her extended legs knocked to the side throws the girl off a little, forcing her to twist into a spin in mid-air in order to correct for it. She shot over the more experienced fighter, but as she comes down into her landing, she manages to twirl back around to face her quickly rather than stumble with her footing. She manages to make it just in time to realize that her opponent is no longer behind her but rather somewhere in the air overhead.
Eyes widening at the swift attack, Hotaru takes a step forward, whirling around at the last second, bringing her arms up defensively. The force of Chun-Li's boot-clad feet impacts her forearms rather tahn back or shoulder, her right arm crossed, her left arm bracing to support the former, her feet properly positioned to give her as much standing power as possible. In the end, it proves to be just barely enough as Hotaru stumbles back a couple of steps, arms flailing out at her sides for a brief instant before she recovers by sliding one foot further backward to brace herself.
An exhale escapes her lips as she proves glad to have mustered a defense against such a tricky attack, the angle marking it as one that could be very hard to defend against if one hesitates for even an instant. But now that she's defended herself, she's not going to waste a fraction of a second in attacking right back. Her right foot leads as the girl closes that distance between her and the Chinese native with fantastic speed.
At first glance, it may seem she's intending to deliver a reckless palm press with the way she draws her hands in together. But should she get close enough to the Tai Chi master, both hands will snap out for Chun-Li's forearms instead, attemptin got catch her by enough surprise to be able to prevent her from defending herself. All that forward momentum is converted into a series of rapid, light kicks as the girl ascends with each stomp. Individually not too big a deal, but they add up quickly, and her kicks do pack some power. "Ya, ya, ya!"
If she's able to reach the woman's shoulders, the girl will use them as a spring board to launch into a backward flip away, looking to come down in the center of the rocky ledge, with open space on all sides of her in order to facilitate evasive action if necessary.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Hotaru's Shin-Jou Tai.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Legs extend as the China-born woman lashes out against Hotaru, but swift is the tiny Kenpo fighter to whip up a suitable defense to stand against the older-woman's assault. Heels collide with Hotaru's forearms, and the moment both make contact the Tai Chi Mistress pushes off, her body flipping midair once more as she tucks and hits the ground rolling. A second more, and the woman leaps back up onto her feet, almond-brown eyes peering curiously toward the smaller girl.
As the elder woman expected, Hotaru does not disappoint. Wasting no time on the likes of Chun-Li, Hotaru springs into action once more, attempting to drive herself close into the other woman. Just as Hotaru's hands lash forward, attempting to seize her by the forearms, the Tai Chi Mistress whips blindingly to the right, her body gracefully spinning just out of harm's way, allow Hotaru to harmlessly past just behind her backside.
Much like the girl, Chun-Li seeks to capitalize in that fateful moment. Planting her right foot forward, the Chinese woman lifts her right arm, folding it across her forehead at the wrist as her left hand shoots out from her hip. It's a swift, driving blow aimed for Hotaru's backside, to potentially catch the other fighter off her guard, if she isn't careful!
"YAA--!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru dodges Chun-Li's Medium Punch.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
Her hands reach out, but grasp only empty air, leaving Hotaru stepping forward. Committed to the attack as she was, stopping on a dime is a tricky prospect even as she snaps her extended arms back to recover control. She doesn't have time to turn and watch where the next attack is coming from. She has only her instints and sense of positioning to know that the master level fighter is already lined up to strike out again and that if she doesn't want to get bowled over, she needs to move /now/.
Her speed is pushed to the limits as the girl plants one foot forward and then quickly vaults into a long, forwrad flip through the air, extending her legs to catch against a rocky outcropping to put an early stop to her trajectory. It doesn't give her enough traction to make that new position a perch, however, and the girl quickly drops straight down from it to land off to the side of the Chinese national.
As she rises up out of her landing crouch, both hands snap up to the ready in front of her. She doesn't hold still, however, begining to move to the left, each step deliberately to the side of the previous one, as the girl begins to circle Chun-Li. The stance should be easily recognizeable as a common form in many Tai Chi kata. That tight, controlled circle, always facing inward, keeping her opponent in the middle.
Of course she doesn't dream of being able to pen the likes of this fighter in all by her lonesome, but it does give her a moment to clear her mind, collect her wits, and try to formulate a more effective approach to keeping up with the woman. She may very well be one of the fastest fighters the young Kenpo artist has ever faced. Formidable strength and speed, Hotaru thinks to herself, her expression still aglow with the excitement she has for the match at hand. Someday, if she keeps training hard, perhaps she will be able to approach such talent. But for right now, she needs to pay rapt attention to every move Chun-Li makes.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru focuses on her next action.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
And it would seem Hotaru's instincts do not fail her.
The tightly-balled fist of Chun-Li's sails forward, but bites nothing more than empty air. Impressively, Hotaru leaps out of harm's way and lands on little more than an outcropping. As useless as it may seem, it's well enough to keep the girl out of harm's way. As result, the elder woman offers the girl a light and friendly smile in response, as Hotaru breaks free of her perch and lands. Soon, the Chinese woman is being circled like helpless prey by a predator.
Again, the Tai Chi Mistress offers a tiny smile, saying not a word. She wouldn't want to disarm or throw the girl off her game, after all. She's focused deeply, determined to give her all--and so too should Chun-Li. Thus does she assume stance once more, a swift and deep breath inhaled through her nostrils before she slowly exhales over her lightly-parted lips.
The smile, however tiny, still lingers. But the silence between is broken by a single cry.
"HYAAH!"
Dashing forward, the Chinese woman closes in on Hotaru, attempting to seize the girl with her left arm and drag her downwards, toward the rocks below with a swift takedown throw.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru interrupts Koshuu Tou from Chun-Li with Tanshou Shin EX.
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Hotaru 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Chun-Li
The strict, controlled stalking serves its purpose. It lets the girl regain her focus, get her breathing under control, and clear her thoughts. She won't make any impression at all if she keeps charging in, hoping for the slightest mis-step on Chun-Li's part to go her way. She muses her predictament thoughtfully, well aware that the time she has to think is fleeting. Soon the Tai Chi master will move and the battle will resume its frantic pace. But for right now, she has that moment to find inner peace, her vibrant blue eyes never leaving Chun-Li for a moment.
Silence reigns in the air between them for now, the only sound the scuffle of Hotaru's feet over the rough stone. The pressure Hotaru feels in trying to do her best keeps her from being able to distract herself with trying to come up with something worthy of being spoken. Every second counts right now. Trying to figure out how to keep up with the speed Chun-Li exhibits, the girl concludes she has to fall back on a solution that Ryo would have told her when she was training under him. If you can't catch up with your opponent - get them when they come to you.
A drop of perspiration rolls down her temple. It's hot down in the valleys below, but up on this mountainside, it isn't the heat that makes her sweat. Nor is it the humidity caused by the waterfalls pouring over the cliffsides and outcroppings. It's that adrenaline that drives her, that fighting spirit to do her best. Victory, in a fight like this, isn't about standing at the end. It's about what was learned, discovered, understood by the time it concludes. If she can come away from the experience with growth in any of those areas, then that will be victory enough in her heart.
She puts her plan into action as Chun-Li closes distance. Her arm comes out, aiming to catch Hotaru across the waist at the time the lithe fighter springs into action. The girl lunges forward with all the strenght she has, committing her entire body, every last muscle, to her attack, charging shoulder first. The older fighter's arm collides with her ribcage, provoking a soft gasp, but it isn't enough to stop her from plowing into her with her shoulder.
The girl comes out of her short hop, forward momentum still working with her, and slams out with both of her hands in opposite directions. "HHAAA!" One targetting Chun-Li's torso with a powerful open palm strike, the jutting out behind her to provide critical counterbalance to keep her from stumbling forward. The combination of strikes delivered, Hotaru draws back, retracting her arms, attempting to ready herself for whatever comes next.
Much to the elder fighter's surprise, Hotaru indeed catches the Tai Chi Mistress off her guard.
Despite the efforts given in delivering a swift and decisive grapple to slam the girl onto the rocks, Hotaru proves swifter than she'd anticipated. Using advice given to her from her previous mentors and giving it her all, the tiny fighter startles Chun-Li as she comes forward as the woman's arm swings down and attempts to catch her.
The hop is executed, followed by a sudden slam with her hand into Chun-Li's abdomen with shocking force that draws a sharp and startled gasp from the woman as she's unbalanced and sent staggering backwards, opposite from Hotaru as the girl balances herself. Clearly, her training has paid off in spades. And clearly, the girl has earned her place at the top of the Leagues not out of pure luck and chance, like some fighters.
"That was...very impressive, Hotaru," the woman offers, shoulders rising and heavily falling as she tries to breathe and regain her wits about her. "You have definitely come far in your training. So far, you have yet to disappoint me, though I had no doubt that you would to begin with." Taking a deep breath, Chun-Li lets her eyes draw shut, lips still poised in a tiny smile as she holds her breath.
And then, slowly, she exhales.
"But we've only just begun. I know you still have much more to show me, miss Futaba. So let us continue."
Opening her brown eyes, the Tai Chi Mistress offers an impish smile...before she blazes forward, attempting to close in on Hotaru. Should she draw near enough, the elder woman will lift a knee, one arm raised high and the other held outwards for balance as she delivers the swift strike with a loud cry of "KI-YAH!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Chun-Li's Medium Kick.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Chun-Li
The attack delivered, Hotaru releases an exhale, gathering up her expended breath. It was not with reluctant hesitation that she managed such a counter attack, but rather striking with everything she had, holding nothing back. Recovering from that attack, one of her strongest hitting techiques, takes a breather. It works out that Chun-Li favors that moment to speak, commenting on what she's observed from the young fighter thus far.
From most opponents, the girl puts compliments out of her mind immediately. She learned, early on, that they can be distractions, leading her to walk right into attacks that she would have noticed if she hadn't let some flattering words go straight to her head. But how can she NOT let the woman's words sink in? She has practically no choice in the matter this time. "Thank you," she stammers out a quick reply, rising back up into one of her myriad stances, this one with her shoulder mostly toward Chun-Li, her legs spread apart a little, bracing for something.
Her cheeks blush red as the blue-clad woman continues and Hotaru bows her head slightly, though not taking her eyes off her opponent. "I hope to," she states. Each step is critcal against an opponent of Chun-Li's calibur. Thus far she has hung in there, each moment requiring the best of her. For this woman, she would bring nothing less to the fight. "I'll give it my best," she adds, mouth curling into a faint grin.
And then the battle is rejoined, the masterful fighter stepping in closer to deliver a punishing knee strike. The girl seems inclined to not lose ground retreating with the way she stays put, bringing her arms up into the path of the strike. The force behind that knee strike is enough to dislodge her all the same, sending the girl slipping backward, her shoes not holding enough traction on the rock ledge to keep her put. Given how punishing the force is on her arms, it's probably good that he feet had some give anyway, lest she end up even worse off for her defensive effort.
A quick breath is taken in as the girl sees this as her short to attack back. Standing up straight, she brings her hands up, bent at the elbows and held out somewhat at her sides, giving her the counter balance necessary to let her bring her right leg up, knee bent at first, until she snaps it out with a swift, short ranged kick, intending to drive the more experienced fighter back a little bit if possible. Her own cry is higher pitched and shorter, but no less audibe. "KYA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Hotaru's Light Kick.
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
The look on Chun-Li's face is a pleasant and friendly one--encouraging, even. There is nothing malicious or sneaky in her compliments; if anything, the Tai Chi Mistress hopes that Hotaru will take her advice and compliments and use them to her advantage. Kind words never hurt anyone, after all. Her smile widens just a little, as the girl stammers her thanks.
"No problem," the woman offers casually in response. A tiny, almost coy smile blooms as the girl blushes. How can Chun-Li not be complimented by the girl's enthusiasm to fight with someone such as herself? It never gets any easier, to be perceived as something great in the eyes of others. The Chinese woman remains ever so humble.
Maybe that's a good thing?
But there's a fight to be had still, and the Tai Chi Mistress sees to it that it continues. Drawing inwards, the woman's knee is met halfway with Hotaru's arms, the girl's swift defense admirable as she staves off the assault of the Chinese fighter. Immediately the elder woman withdraws, as Hotaru slides back toward the rocky ledge. She holds her breath briefly, as she observes the girl recover and step away.
Only then does the woman exhale in relief.
Soon enough, Hotaru is back on track, delivering her own assault at the woman in kind. Drawing close, the girl's leg snaps out, a kick aimed square for the woman's stomach- -but meets her palm. The blow intercepted, the woman merely guides the girl's foot away, her body twisting with the motion. Using that momentum, the Tai Chi Mistress flips to the side, landing on her hands in a handstand...before she, strangely enough, pushes off with her arm and swings a leg down hard, seeking to catch Hotaru with the boot of her heel and drive it down into her shoulders with a loud, sharp cry.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Hotaru with Sen'en Shuu.
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Hotaru 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
With her foot pushed deftly off to the side, Hotaru is forced to recover quickly, drawing her leg back down. What comes next is not an attack she's familiar with from Chun-Li's repertoire, however. A fact made only worse as it proves to be extremely difficult to anticipate as far as techniques go, with leverage and momentum, direction and potential attack vectors in constant flux throughout it.
But if one thought that the grace and fluidity of the technique meant it didn't have any power behind it, they need only experience it to discover, without a doubt, that simply isn't the case. The girl attempts to predict the momentum, at first thinking to stay in close, then abandoning that for a more evasive dart to the side when the true direction becomes apparent to her.
The power behind that forceful kick catches her in the shoulder with enough strength to drive her straight down to the ground with a cry of surprise and pain. The jarring force resonates throughout her body, the pain of impact lingering afterward. She lands prone, hands catching her at the last instant to mitigate her fall just a little. Eyes widened, she brings one elbow underneath her for support. She isn't going to cop out by lying still at a moment like this. Not while she can still move.
As she pushes off and rolls quickly to the side, rising up into a crouch, all she can think of is of the attack she just witnessed, painfully first hand. So graceful, so controlled, yet not sacrifing power either. A forced to be reckoned with in its beautiful complexity. In spite her pain, the girl grins to herself just a little, rising up to standing as soon as she feels it's safe to do so without flopping over. She's worth every bit the reputation she holds, Hotaru realizes, knowing full well that that wasn't even the most powerful strike the woman can bring to the fight. Her heart beats faster, adrenaline pouring into her system, lending her the strength to press on, to give her best.
All or nothing, the girl decides, taking in a breath and sprinting forward with the speed she has left in her. A vibrant surge of blue hued chi accompanies her form as she slides into that low stance once again, arms out at her sides. It's all she can do to keep going, to block out the pain for a moment as she prepares to launch into the strongest combination she can muster, herself.
It opens with a punishing, chi-laden flip kick as Hotaru rises up into the air with all the momentum powering her attack. Hit or miss, she flips forward at the apex of the ascent and attempts to dive right back down into her opponent with enough force to take her to the ground. She need only pin her for a second, hands pressed down against the base of her neck as a tremendous sphere of chi builds up before the girl unleashes the massive attack at point blank range then springs away. If she misses, she'll simply have to slide to a stop, the pent up energy released, leaving her having to ready herself in an instant for whatever may come next.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Chun-Li with Ten-shou Ranki.
Glancing Blow
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Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=======\=======\1 Chun-Li
It's swift and brutal, an attack meant to strike its mark and catch an opponent off their guard--and Chun-Li's assault does precisely that. But, inwardly, the woman flinches; it's not easy stomaching the cries of someone ten years her junior that seems so enthusiastic and kind.
On the other hand, the girl is a fighter, and likely she has dealt with far, far worse. And she's come far, enduring much on the circuits and in the leagues. It's just one of many steps to the top. She was there, once, and can relate to the younger fighter.
The moment Chun-Li's heel drops the girl into the ground does she pushes off and roll backwards, tumbling away before she pushes off and lands on her feet once more. To the delight of the Tai Chi Mistress, Hotaru rises from the ground gets back into the match, earning her a bright smile from the woman, followed by a subdued nod of her head. Indeed, the young Futaba girl holds great promise in her future, the elder fighter decides privately. She can't wait to see her reach even greater heights.
Calm and patient, Chun-Li observes the young Kenpo fighter as her heart races and her body pushes itself onward, to give her very best in this match. Running on the thrill of the fight and adrenaline, the tiny young fighter dashes forward, embraced in chi as she slides low before she kicks upwards. The initial flipping kick lands, launching the other woman into the air briefly. Both fighters rise, Chun-Li's warm gaze fixed on the girl in their flight, to discern what may come next. Then it is revealed:
She is going to try and snag her midair.
Almost immediately the woman weaves midair, her body gracefully twisting and twirling like some human kite as she whirls herself out of harm's way, to allow for Hotaru to sail past her. It's a sloppy and last-minute attempt, but it yields SOME results. She avoided the bulk of Hotaru's very best.
The woman lands, staggering lightly. A hand reaches upwards, clutching gingerly at her aching, pulsing chin, where Hotaru clipped the elder woman. She doesn't want to even begin to think what Hotaru could have done, had she connected the second time around.
Lifting her hands, the woman assumes stance once more, grinning broadly--clearly pleased. She says nothing, letting her expressions speak for her. Briefly her stance drops low, arms stretched outwards and behind...before she swings into action, throwing herself forward into a swift dash and a sharp cry of "YAA!" And should she draw close enough to the young fighter, the woman will deliver a familiar technique, swinging a leg up, delivering a rising kick with the left leg, followed by the right. But unlike her usual maneuver, it continues: the kicks come repeatedly, over and over as she seeks to rise upwards along with Hotaru for a total of ten consecutive strikes, the final kick delivered differently, a downward-aimed kick to send the girl falling back to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Chun-Li's Hazan Tenshou Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Chun-Li
She didn't do anything wrong. Her speed, her aim were true. Her mid-air correction and dive back at the Chinese native were all precisely as they needed to be. In the end, it simply comes down to a trial of brilliant levels of speed, and as Hotaru zips past Chun-Li on her way back down to the ground, her body sheathed in energitic, blue chi, she knows that when it came down to it, her idol had the speed necessary to avoid her best. It's to be expected. Rather than frustrate the girl, it exhilarates her. To witness the potential of a female fighter. To know that in this world, there are among those fighting titans women every bit as powerful as the most incredible men she's fought.
She completes her dive, sliding along the rocks at an angle, her arms spinning about her as she takes perfect control of the landing and comes up facing back toward her opponent by the time she comes to a stop. And not a moment too soon, either. That same speed that was just put to use in avoiding her strongest, rather infamous technique is put to use in attacking right back at her. Arms come up, the girl turning her shoulder into the attack to give herself some support. And she needs every last bit of it, too, as the Tai Chi master spins into her with a rising kick.
This technique she knows, having watched Chun-Li fight from a safe distance on more than one occasion. At least, she thinks so. Right arm cross over, left arm bracing as the punishing force impacts her last second defense. It drives the girl backward much harder than anything else she's defended against so far. The rest of the strikes come, however, and Hotaru realizes that's what was different. This time there is so much more potential energy to the technique.
She ducks out of the way to the side, lowering her guard as she escapes narrowly the punishing attack. Her evasion, however, leaves her with a good chance of attacking back with something strong. An effort she makes as the girl whirls back about on Chun-Li, aiming to catch her as she lands. Dropping into her low stance from which she builds her own potential energy, Hotaru lunges into the air with a short, spinning hop, her palms windmilling out in smooth, swift, graceful circles as she tries to catch the woman off guard upon landing.
The real attack is the second stage, however, as Hotaru's feet touch down, the girl slamming her open palm out hard in front of her, her other hand counter-balancing, much like the previous combination that had started with a shoulder slam. "YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Chun-Li with Soushou Shin.
To the delight of the Chinese fighter, Hotaru successfully holds her own against one of the woman's fearsome assaults. The first and second strikes guarded, the woman merely ascends three kicks more before she descends, as the young fighter herself ducks and weaves out of harm's way. She falls, landing a short distance from her, the Tai Chi Mistress exhales softly, still grinning as she begins to turn...
Immediately the woman is greeted by the sight of the tiny fighter swinging into action. It indeed catches her by surprise, a startled gasp slipping past her lips as Hotaru's palms strike her. She staggers lightly; but it's only the beginning.
The second, more painful strike truly startles Chun-Li, as the girl delivers a palm strike with more force than anticipated from someone as waif as her. It sends the elder fighter reeling, almond-colored eyes wide with slight disbelief as she gasps for a full, steady breath. That was truly unexpected.
And truly--
"Wonderful!"
Recovering her balance, the Chinese woman draws her arms gracefully forward, hands gently clasping together as she brightly smiles. "That was really impressive, how you handled that. You pack a much harder punch than I honestly expected. No wonder you've come so far, miss Futaba." A bow of her head follows, a respectful gesture to the girl.
"Mn, though, shall we continue?"
Ready or not, Chun-Li steps forward, three graceful movements executed as she draws close, seeking to close in on Hotaru. In close proximity the Tai Chi Mistress lifts one arm, folding it over her forehead as the other--a tightly-clenched fist--thrusts outwards, a punch aimed for the tiny girl's sternum. "Hi-YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Hotaru with Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Chun-Li
Her effective combination of spinning palm strikes and one powerful finishing strike delivered, Hotaru draws her arm back, tightening back into a ready stance, her shoulder toward Chun-Li, her right hand resting against her left knee as she seems to be taking a more defensive posture, blue eyes wide and attentive, feeling the fight work its way toward its conclusion. She's managed to catch the swift woman with a few more surprising techniques, at times lunging into her in order to land the hit, but her ability to keep fighting at that level is being pushed to its limits and she knows it.
She's given a moment to breath as the Tai Chi master speaks, her praise drawing a surprised expression from the pig-tailed Kenpo artist that quickly shifts into a beaming smile, cheeks tinted red from exhertion and in response to such high remarks from someone she admires to such a degree. "Thank you," she responds, "It means a lot to me to hear you say that," she continues, head dipped in a brief gesture of humility. She draws her arms up then, having caught her breath, nodding with regards to the inquiry about continuing. She's ready to go another round. She can do that.
The more experienced martial artist closes the distance fast. In her condition, simply trying to weather the next strike may be ill advised. She's going to have to do better than that. There is a soft surge of chi, a glimmer of blue, as the girl digs deep, drawing chi to her hands, strengthening her defenses, hoping that it's enough to stave off the incoming punch. Her hands interesct Chun-Li's fist, but the force behind the strike is too much for her to slow by grip or deflection.
In the end the blow gets through, mitigated only in small part by the chi she had drawn to her defenses, that enegy reflecting her resolve to keep going as long as she humanly can. The impact provokes a soft yelp, but the girl slides back only a little bit, already dropping into that lower stance she had demonstrated earlier, arms out at her sides, doing her best to ignore the aches she's accrued throughout the match.
She comes up swinging then, palm first, with another strike with her right hand. It seems to be a lead in to a second strike, however, as her left hand comes in, the girl twisting to that side to give it a bit more umph, attempting to push back the powerful woman one more time. "HAA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Hotaru's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Chun-Li
Hotaru's will and resolve, her tenacity and inner-strength is impressive. In a way, the young fighter reminds her a little of herself in her younger days, and she knows well that even Hotaru has met her share of hard times. But still, in the end, the young fighter has come out for the better--and can only GET better. It's refreshing to see a spirit like hers on the circuit. She means well.
Nodding in response, the woman just lets her lips pull into a bright smile, a heel sliding back as she eases into her stance.
"I'm glad to hear, miss Futaba." The woman humbly bows her head.
It gives the girl a brief moment, but very brief; mere moments after the Chinese woman steps into action, a tightly-clenched fist aimed for the girl. Despite her defenses--which do their part to cushion some of the blow, Hotaru is overwhelmed and sent sliding backwards, away from the elder female fighter. She's still in the fight, Chun-Li quietly observes. And she's actually pushed the woman to try harder than she would have expected of someone Hotaru's stature...
Those almond-brown eyes widen a fraction as the girl swings into movement, a palm-strike aimed for Chun-Li. Twisting her body, the woman drops an arm and shields herself, before she meets the second strike by twisting slightly in the opposite direction, to again absorb the blow delivered. It sends the woman staggering back slightly, arms dropping from the defense.
Which leads into a quick offense. A hop-step forward, Chun-Li's leg draws up tightly at her hip as she moves, her torso twisting slightly as she thrusts one up, her wrist held at the forehead, the opposite arm held out for balance. That coiled leg swiftly fires off in rapid succession, repeated kicks of varying height delivered at rapid, almost inhuman speeds as she seeks to barrage Hotaru's defenses with a mighty offense with a loud, sharp cries of "YA YA YA!" to give her attacks more power and strength.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Hotaru with Hyakuretsu Kyaku.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ < > /////////// ]
Hotaru 1/-----==/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
Drawing back from her delivered palm strike, the young fighter readies herself, attempting to watch for what might come next, knowing full well she's hanging in there on borrowed time as it is. Hands come up, the girl standing up straight, sharp eyes attempting to decipher from where the next attack will come. What angle will she need to slip, what vector will she need to watch for...
In the end, she needs move in all directions at once, but manages to accomplish nothing of the sort. She watches her arms, identifying it a posture from which she's going to have a kick coming at her shortly. Deciding to try and stay close and limit her evasiveness to avoid losing ground, the girl turns to the side, trying to make it around the first kick that gets snapped out. It catches her hard in the side of the head, leaving her knocked too witless to even try and defend against the rapid flurry of kicks that follow.
One after another, battering arms, legs, torso, and her glass jaw. That that isn't even one of the more punishing techniques that the woman can dish out isn't really on the young fighter's mind as she's pummeled back and forth throughout the combination. The last strike sends her stumbling backward, arms flailing as she tries to recover control, only to come to a stop as her back smacks against the solid rocky cliff wall. A cough produces speckles of blood at her lips as she brings her arm up to wipe across her mouth. One of her bold red ribbons, knocked free in the flurry of strikes, drifts to the ground in the path she stumbled as half of her black, soft hair drapes down over her shoulder.
She's not even thinking about the time she's going to have to spend recovering from this match. It's been worth every bit of. The pain will fade with time, but the experience never will. To stay standing after that seems impossible, and indeed she starts to slip back against the stone, a pained expression working its way across her bruised face as she presses one hand against her side. A broken rib, perhaps, the thought flashes through her mind like a lightning bolt. At least it happened now, rather than early - lest she be robbed of the time spent with this remarkable woman.
Her head wobbles, chin lowering as she slowly sinks. But as she starts to slip, she closes her eyes, drawing her hand away from her side. She can think about her injuries later. She has one more burst of strengthe left in her. Blue eyes open again, fixing on Chun-Li, before Hotaru pushes off from the rock, sprinting, holding her breath to bite back the gasps of pain that wish to force their way from her lungs.
Twin tails of blue chi trail behind the young figher's hands as she leaps, spinning into the air with a small hop, sapphire blue energy spiraling out from her palms as she attempts to catch the martial arts master with one more combination of rapid palm strikes, each one charged with an element of that vibrant blue energy. If she catches her long enough, the young fighter will dig deep, pushing herself into a shoulder slam, her entire body encased in one last flare of that heated blue chi before it dies out and the girl is left to stumble several more steps.
Her mouth opening at last to release the breath held back with all her will, the girl begins to slip forward to the rocky ground.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Hotaru's Sou-shou Tenrenge.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|
Unleashing a storm of kicks upon Hotaru, the Tai Chi Mistress focuses strictly on one thing: giving her best. Not necessarily for herself, but out of respect for the other fighter, who appears to be a big fan Chun-Li. Certainly it's been a surprise, but a pleasant one, at that. But while the thoughts are on her mind, they are distant for the interim. Right now, her body simply MOVES.
Within mere moments, the Chinese woman delivers hundreds of kicks, all of which effectively strike her opponent. Strength and power lie in every strike, but, perhaps, Chun-Li overdid it a bit; her concern is clear, as Hotaru recoils, coughing up blood as she stumbles away from the woman. Her features lighten, a look of muted concern on her features. Is she going to be all right..?
The woman takes a step forward, as Hotaru wobbles and begins to close her eyes. To the distance the woman glances, toward a helicopter circling the cliffside fight. She'll need a medic, she figures; the poor girl looks nearly ready to go unconscious. A pang of guilt crosses the woman's thoughts, as she steps forward again, to aid if necessary.
Without warning, though, Hotaru moves, her body embraced in that same, potent chi energy she'd previous wielded. Widening her eyes, the Tai Chi Mistress swallows deeply before she narrows her eyes, watching the girl's descent...before swiftly pivoting her heels, her body drawn out of harm's way as the girl's palms thrust forward. But she doesn't stop, not Chun-Li.
Instead, as Hotaru's body begins to slump forward toward the ground, a long arm shoots out from her peripherals, intercepting the girl's midsection on her forearm. Chun-Li, at Hotaru's side, catches the girl mid-fall, supporting the other fighter's weak and aching form from hitting the ground. On the elder fighter's face is another friendly smile.
"You did very well, miss Futaba," the woman offers breathlessly, shoulders rising and falling as she struggles for a breath. "You really put me to the ropes there, you know. I know now I have every reason to be impressed."
She'll offer the girl her arm, to help guide the girl to a seated position of she chooses. "Thank you very much for the opportunity to see your talents first-hand."
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has ended the fight here.
Dropping, the girl is caught, her light weight suspended easily by the arm belonging to the world's strongest woman. Her own arms dangle for a moment, her head lowered as she seems to perhaps be completely out of it. But in a moment her breathing picks up and she shakes her head, fighting off cobwebs and struggling to open her eyes. She stares at the rocky ground a couple of feet beneath her, not quite having caught her bearings enough to understand what is going on.
It comes to her as the China born master marital artist speaks up again. That's right. The fight comes back to her in an instant, the girl taking in a quick breath as all of that pain catches up at once. Wincing, she shifts a little, weak as she brings her hand up to rest against Chun Li's forearm for support. Fingers clasp tight enough to help the girl twist down into a seated position on the ledge, just to the side of one of the thin waterfalls pouring down from overhead.
Gasping for breaths, she closes her eyes for a moment before forcing them open again. Her smile is weary, her head lolling to the side to rest against a small rock outcropping. She manages a final grin as the sounds of the chopper draw near, leaves and mist whipped up by the rotor blades.
"Thank you... Chun-Li... To see your art in person was... so..." The girl releases a quiet sigh from her lips, eyes closing again as her body relaxes into a peaceful state just in time for the medics to arrive.
Log created on 00:11:45 08/14/2008 by Chun-Li, and last modified on 02:23:44 08/18/2008.