Description: Four fighters are forced to duke it out in heaps of corporate sponsorships and annoying sales pitches, making for a seemingly impossible battle of epic proportions! Will Team Kusanagi fare well against Team Chun-Li?? Will Team Chun-Li destroy Team Kusanagi? Find out! Or... (Winners: DKO)
The Howard Arena has never looked anything like this before. In an appeal to its sponsers, Howard Enterprise has given them all free reign to decorate the walls, arrange the environment, scatter their products about the entire arena in whatever way they please, and generally brawl for camera time to the best of their abilities. And the sponsors have done just that. Banners, signs, merchandise of myriad type fill the hallways, take up entire blocks in the bleachers, cover the stage... The entire complex looks like a mecca to commerce, a temple of capitalism, a blatent, shameless money grab around every corner. No camera angle exists that isn't packed full of products, flashing lights, and loud noises broadcast from speakers situated throughout the area blaring out pithy slogans and tunes that would be memorable were they not all colliding with each other in a cacophony of indistinguishable noises.
The route from the offstage preparation area to the elevated fighting platform at the heart of the arena is a literal gauntlet of people, items, pamphlets and flyers. And the first to walk this gauntlet is Hotaru Futaba. While not the biggest name at the event, she does have a following and a name that face that can market brands, if she would just capitalize on it. As is, she just looks a bit put out by the whole affair.
A man that comes across like a raving lunatic stops her on the way to the stage, trying to shove a handful of knives into her grasp. "You use knives, yes? Crazy Zhin's Knife Boutique makes the best knives for fighting, yes!?" Staggering away from the blade-bearing-pusher, Hotaru shakes her head quickly, "N-no, I don't, no thank you." She whirls around to continue the walk toward the stage, only to have a hand slap a bumper sticker right over her face at an angle that covers her right eye. "W-what is this?!" the girl stammers, hands coming up to peel off the 'Todohfest '08 - I Was There' sticker and crumple it up before striding bravely onward, "...no I wasn't..." she mutters as she steps out into the open.
Cars, appliances, electronics, food, clothing... the arena is full of them. Actual visible floor space is nigh non-existant, the girl having to hop up onto a washing machine and skip down on the other side just to get onto the stage at all. A sweeping glance over the arena leaves her baffled at the amount of advertising shoved into every nook and cranny of the famous Howard Arena. A large banner stretches across a wide section of the seating: 'Dream Amusement Park - No fighter related accidents for 36 days!'
Bewildered, Hotaru brings her hand up to rest against her cheek, only to have another sponsor step up and shove her rudely backward into a Lethargic Auto-Massage seat into which the girl sinks several inches. "H-hey!" she protests as she starts to try and pull herself out of the excessively soft seating, only to have the advertiser yell into a megaphone a few inches from her, 'See? She's relaxing already! Our Lethargic line of...' His voice is quickly drown out by one of the nearby cars' alarm system going off, causing headlines and a loud honking horn to occupy the soundspace for the next few seconds. Rolling out of the seat into her feet, Hotaru shakes her head, "This is ridiculous," the girl muses. Hopefully the other fighters make it onto the stage quickly so that she isn't the lone center of rabid-sponsor attention!
While Howard Arena may have just made it into Guinness Book of World Records for the 'most advertising and marketing under one roof,' there are SOME places within the sprawling arena to take refuge against the storm of advertisements and endorsements. Such as the backstage changing rooms designated for each fighter in hopes of giving them some sense of peace and quiet amidst the chaos and confusion.
Currently taking advantage of the quiet-time is Chun-Li; however, the woman's expression is...confused at best as she stares into a mirror. Clad in her traditional qipao as per usual, there's something noticeably different about it--namely, the plethora of stickers and marketing plastered over almost every inch of blue cloth. She looks like a quilt of consumerism, and she forgot to pack a spare just in case.
So, reluctantly the woman emerges from backstage, faring no better in the sea of people and products than Hotaru did. Pushing her way through, she struggles to make it down the cramped corridor toward the arena proper, bombarded by almost every salesman and product representative possible. 'Please wear this!' 'Promote this!' 'Miss Li, be sure to mention our name!'
It inspires a headache.
Eventually the Chinese woman emerges, crawling over a few parked cars before she surveys the damage. Everywhere is a mess, save for the occasional spot or two that has yet to be filled with product of all kinds. So far it would appear one fighter has made her way out, her partner Hotaru. Lifting an arm high, she shoots the girl a wave before she skips and hops across cars and tables to catch up to the girl.
"Good to see you again, miss Futaba," she offers, bowing her head politely to the girl. "I'm really looking forward to this fight...all things considered, anyway." A pointed look is given to their surroundings before she offers a grin.
What sort of soulless, black-hearted monster came up with this idea, anyway?
There's a bit of a commotion making its way through the crowd of promoters and advertisers, and for some reason some of these guys even have booth bunnies with them, but at this particular time Kyo Kusanagi has no patience for ogling. No, instead, the World Warrior is distinctly irritated by the crowding of people and things, and is pretty much shoving anyone who gets in his way to one side, making his own path to the elevated fighting stage by hook or by crook.
"No, get lost," is pretty much representative of the eloquent responses that Kyo makes to the various people trying to get him to shill their product or service en route to the stage, though some of these examples might contain words his mother wouldn't want him saying on a worldwide television broadcast. The /point/, though, is that eventually - eventually - Kyo manages to fight his way through, and to step up onto the fighting stage, glowering as he fixes his jacket, settling it properly onto his shoulders again.
"Hey, listen," Kyo says, looking towards Chun-Li and Hotaru. "If you two Pretty Princesses would rather go braid each others' hair and play with your Barbie dolls, go right ahead. I'm in a pretty bad mood after that crap, so this might not be your usual little fun barrel of laughs fight." Yeah yeah, he knows Chun-Li is a big girl and can handle herself, and all that nonsense; but he's in a bad temper, making him somehow even more verbally abusive than usual.
Fortunately, he has yet to notice the bumper sticker one of the advertisers managed to stick to the back of his jacket. In large letters, it reads: VIAGRA - Keep it up like a Champ!!
Well this certianly is different! As Nagare makes himself out of the fighters den he has to make sure that he can get through the great amount of advertizers! Even if he's wearing almost nothing that they can strap things onto him, you can only be sure that these advertizers look for multiple ways to get a hold of free advertising space!
That being said, Nagare's clothes... it seems like he's over dressing?! A massive swimsuit that goes from head to toe was actually given to him to wear today! It's a lot larger than his own regular ones, and told that it'll help give him faster swimming times. In a fight?! Well, Nagare can only go with what the advertizer wants! If this actually slows him down, well, that'll be a feat!
Making his way on stace and immidiately vaulting forward into the air like a samon going through water, Nagare hurls himself forward, going up and down, each time reappearing with sort sort of wretched glothing articles! Belts! Hats! Armbands and whistles! There's even a water bottle holster on his with a free bottle of water attached?!
Finally flopping onto the stage, Nagare swings his feet a little before stopping. "Whoo... they're pretty bad. I dunno if we I've ever dealt with a crowd so fierce!" Nagare exclaims. Well, that really isn't a crowd! Those are advertizers, much different! "Oh, hey! Good luck!" Nagare sure is over dressed! All he'd need now is a fluffy wool jacket!
By the time Chun-Li makes it to the stage, Hotaru has had a pair of mouse ears slapped on her head, an oversized, colorful necklace advertising some local bead shop draped over her neck, and both of her hands filled with brand name sodas. A sash is pulled over one shoulder: 'Neo League > SNF!!' "That should go over swell," Hotaru utters, her voice bordering on exasperated. But the moment the biggest of big names start to make their way out, the young fighter is spared several degrees of undesired attention as the sponsors know just right where the cameras are going to be now that Chun-Li and Kyo Kusanagi are making their way out to the arena.
Fighting alongside the Tai Chi master is one bright spot in this black hole of dispair. As the woman draws near, Hotaru brightens, a grin crossing her features, attempting to return the wave, only to find her arm weighed down by a designer purse strap conveniently positioned to hook onto her forearm as she does so. Lowering her arm slowly, the girl is in the process of shrugging off of as many of the unwanted merchandise as possible by the time her partner draws near, "It is an honor to-" the girl starts, only to have an opened bottle of some sports drink brought up to her mouth, cutting her off, with a voice booming out from a nearby speaker 'You heard it here first, folks. Fighters everywhere consider it an honor to drink Bling H20 bottled electrolytes. It's got what fighters want!'
Shaking her head, Hotaru's attention is drawn toward Kyo as he addresses both his opponents in his expected taunting manner. "I'm surprised he thinks anyone at all is having fun here," the girl states to her partner with a roll of her eyes. Standing up straight, sluffing off the mouse ears only to have them replaced by a hat with blinking lights advertising the Southtown Mall as THE fighter's choice place to shop, the girl tightens her hands, shoving her way around a coatrack worth of dresses, "This'll be some fight!"
Nagare's navigation of the commodities, like a man-fish out to sea, brings the girl's thoughts back to the match at hand. "Hello again, Nagare-sensei!" she waves, paying the Taiyo swim coach his due respects. Ducking down to avoid another necklace-draping attempt, the girl skips up onto a fridge to gain enough altitude to put her out of the reach of any grabby, pushy sponsors for a moment. "All right. Your partner wants to get this going, so here goes!"
Dropping down into a low crouch, arms out at her sides for balance, the girl pushes off into a small hop, twisting around in air and dropping her leg, heel first, toward Nagare's shoulder. At least, she thinks it's his shoulder. Beneath all those clothes he's covered in, she isn't even really sure anymore! "YA!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Nagare has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kyo
Regarding her teammate with a nod and a smile, things seem to be going well as the two exchange pleasantries--at least until a bottle is suddenly force-fed into Hotaru's face, cutting her short. It draws a slight frown over Chun-Li's lips, almond-brown eyes narrowing discreetly as she regards the salesman hocking his goods. Really; whose idea WAS this?
Shaking her head, the woman offers a lightly apologetic grin to the bombarded girl. She begins to speak, mouth opening in response before a sub sandwich is thrust into her face, causing her to nearly gag as arms flail in response. Another product placement announcement booms over the speakers, all while the woman forces the sandwich-offender back and away.
Coughing lightly, she smoothes out her qipao a bit, despite the stickers and decals loudly adorning her silk garment. It's about then that Kyo arrives, his snide remark earning him a light smile from the elder Chinese woman. "It's good to see you again, mister Kusanagi," she offers in greeting. "I see you're still as sassy as ever." Because she knows he loves being called 'sassy.'
Soon enough Nagare arrives, swimming through the piles of absolute junk cluttering the arena. His presence draws her attention, Chun-Li's gaze settling on the thoroughly-dressed Taiyo coach in a mildly puzzled fashion. How much stuff is out there, anyway? Isn't it some sort of fire hazard?
Regardless of whether or not Howard Arena violates numerous laws, the swimmer is given a smile and bow of her head, a respectful gesture given to the final arrival. "Good luck to you too. And good luck, everyone!" With everyone present, that means one thing:
It's time to fight!
Hotaru takes initiative, and swiftly does the Tai Chi mistress follow her example. Leaping gracefully off her pile of sponsorship garbage, she hops over pile after pile, closing in on Kyo with an attempt to snare him by the shoulders and drive into him at a downward angle, to shove him quite forcefully into the ground with a loud "HIIYAA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kyo with Koshuu Tou.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Kyo
Seriously? This is what Kyo gets for a partner? A resigned sigh escapes the World Warrior as Nagare takes the stage, and Kyo's hand rises up to palm his face. Oy.
Still, the fight's starting, and that means it's time to focus on venting some of that frustration and irritation, apparently on the faces and persons of two lovely young women. Kyo doesn't sweat that part though; he's an equal opportunity beating... up... guy. Hotaru's beeline for Nagare registers in part of the Kusanagi heir's mind, but the bulk of his attention goes, naturally, to Chun-Li, as she's trying to throw him around.
Despite his best efforts otherwise, Kyo gets spiked into the ground, crashing painfully and failing to break his fall; he rolls over on one shoulder before getting his footing back, his eyes focused right on the Chinese woman. "Don't you have some egg rolls to deliver?" Kyo wonders, before lashing out with a hooking right-handed punch, flames trailing after his fist, and erupting at the point of impact with Chun-Li, if any. If that first punch lands, then Kyo steps in and swings his other fist for a second fiery strike, before using his momentum to whirl around, sweeping his heel up in a roundhouse kick. "Huaa-!!"
COMBATSYS: Nagare blocks Hotaru's Medium Kick.
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Hotaru 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Kyo
As Nagare stands there, with fins on his hands and bells and whistles of every sort of flavor and taste, he can easily describe that he's never being a sell out again! He's just a simple Taiyo High coach! He has no place in the fine lights of fame and fortune, those are way to hard to deal with! And now, well, with all this to deal with...
Nagare watches as Hotaru smooshes forward, striking out with a single foot towards Nagare's shoulders, which he forces backwards, instead, grasping for something, anything besides him before a toaster is thrown at him, brought up with his flippers to bring it forward towards Hotaru's foot... which drives it right into Nagare's chest, and even out into the air where it DINGS loudly, toast spiralling through the air and landing upon a plate.
"Buy new Champion Toasters! Guarenteed to take a kick from Hotaru Futaba and STILL give you the best toast around!" Nagare, on the otherside, has to deal with a toaster imprint in his chest for a small deal! Hopefully all those clothes will cover it up! And then Kyo speaks, "Ah... yes, good show! And I'm sure i'll be helpful Kyo! Even the strongest rivers can be diverted!" Nagare announces. And they can be too!
Turning towards Hotaru, Nagare throws himself forward, swimming through the air, water chi disolving as he's caught mid way on a pedistol, where a camera clicks to make sure that Nagare will wind up on a cereal box, before once more being let go towards Futaba's presence! There, he aims to force air back into her, as well as his arms into her chest!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Nagare's Artificial Respiration.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Crazy Zhin's Chain of Shops!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Kyo
The 'pleasantries' out of the way, the fight is a go. The girl's foot collides with a toaster, denting it and sending it flying before it dispenses with it tasty toast at the perfect trajectory and timing for just the right action shot. Hotaru lands roughly, her right foot hooked by a TV stand and her left foot planting on a pile of magazines, leaving her scrambling to recover while Nagare checks out his nice new toaster mark on his chest.
Struggling to maintain some kind of ready stance, she ends up backing up against a counter covered with fragile china dishes and set pieces, sending several of them flying to the ground in a pile of shattered mess. "Oops, sorry," she can't help but apologize at having destroyed the most INCONVENIENTLY placed fragile dishware. But she's stuck having to defend herself from Nagare from that position, her hand sweeping to the side, drawing up a large china platter and intersecting his incoming pressure with the dish.
Not made for the rigors of combat, the defending dishware gets pulverized by Nagare's high speed assault, driving Hotaru back agains the counter a second time with a quiet grunt, but not too inconvenienced by the exchange of blows. The camera shot of the swift defense displays a logo from Crazy Zhin's Fine China shop. A frequently destroyed locale at the Southtown Mall during many a SNF, but Hotaru doesn't have time to think about that with the swim coach pressuring her so.
Dropping low once her feet manage to find stable ground beneath all the merchandise, she rolls out of the crouching stance into a palm strike that the girl slams directly toward Nagare's chest, attempting to drive him back and buy herself time. Her left foot kicks out secondly, aiming to use the other fighter as a spring board to gain some distance by leaping into a backflip that places her on the other side of a wall of book shelves, hoping to use the barrier as a reprieve to collect herself and shed the distractions that have her flailing about such. With any luck!
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Chun-Li with Aragami.
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Hotaru 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kyo
With the fight in full-swing, there's precious little time for Chun-Li to pay attention to anyone else, save for Kyo. Hotaru is a capable enough young woman to handle herself against someone like Nagare, she's sure, so she needn't worry for now. Instead, she needs to worry about herself.
Driving Kyo into the ground, the woman recovers swiftly, long arms easing up into a neutral stance as she observes the other fighter carefully. What comes out of his mouth earns him a fleeting frown; the next moment she offers a light smile and shrugs helplessly.
"I would have brought you some if you had asked, you know," is her reply. No sense in feeding Kyo's insult-fire.
Especially because she has to handle Kyo's real fire for now. Lifting her arms as he drives into her with a flaming hook, the woman's defenses crumble in the wake of his flames; smacked hard, she's sent reeling, only to be struck again, the roundhouse kick sending her sprawling to one side, where she smacks into the side of a large van very similarly designed to a giant hotdog. A delightfully-obnoxious jingle immediately sounds.
"Ugh." Shaking her head, the woman staggers forward, trying to shrug off the dizziness. After a shake or two she offers a light grin, a hand absently brushing over her singed and bruising cheek. "That almost hurt," she teasingly offers before she hops forward, breaking into a swift stride. Lifting her hands, she draws both into a fist as she closes in on Kyo, only to unleash a swift punch to the chest as she lifts one leg, the opposite fist folding at the wrist across her brow.
"YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kyo with Medium Punch.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Hotaru 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
See, that was satisfying. So satisfying, in fact, that it apparently lures Kyo into a false sense of security. He just smirks a bit unpleasantly in response to Chun-Li's smart remark, and when she lashes out to punch him, he puts his arms up and...
...Actually his arms don't get there anywhere near in time, Chun-Li's powerful blow blasting right through his half-raised guard and slamming into his chest, hard. Hard enough to drive the breath right out of the World Warrior's lungs, sending him staggering back, gasping for air. That was a bad plan, Kyo Kusanagi.
Finally managing to catch his breath, Kyo straightens up and brushes his hair back out of his face, and that cocky look settles back into place. "Y'know, if you hit like that more often, people might actually think you were a good fighter," he notes, but rather than just charging forward at the Chinese woman again, he chooses to bide his time, looking for a good opening. Nagare will be fine on his own, right?
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Hotaru 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Nagare interrupts Light Kick from Hotaru with Breast Stroke Kick EX.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Joudan Cake Counter!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
Even as Nagare's strike shatters china platters, each detonating in turn, Nagare isn't really sure that they were created for that! In reality, he's not even sure if that can be constantly even tested for the rigors of the fighting circuit! Who heard of a plate of china that can be used for such things like that?! Nagare sure didn't! And as they detonate, he's entirely sure of it! What horrid thigns are brought upon them as the small dishes detonate, fine china shards striking through the air?!
But that's not even the entire part of it! Even as Nagare gets around all of the terrible shards, there is something else coming for him... Hotaru herself?! The kick off she aims to attempt, slamed directly at his chest, Nagare begins to swim! Again! Arms back and kicks going, the swimmer is already off through the air, his feet kicking, his movements direct and water chi flowing out with each kick, that's simple enough isn't it?!
Well, it ISN'T. Right as Hotaru strikes, Nagare runs into a bakery! The Joudan Cake Counter bakery! Obviously it's simply know for it's name! Well, not today it isn't! Running right into the bakery, Nagare's hands and feet hurl pastries towards Hotaru, even between her and her strike that she's throwing herself into, finding donuts and pastries flying through the air as he goes!
And then he reaches the cakes! Birthday cakes, sports cakes, wedding cakes, cakes of all sorts of sizes fly through the air at slow speeds, splattering against Hotaru as she's sent flying back, through the magic of SWIMMING. Some even get on Nagare, ruining his new clothes that he just got in his new swim suit!
If Nagare doesn't watch out he'll swim right backwards into a washer drier mix! Oh no!
Hotaru finds herself summarily swarmed with tasty confections as Nagare swims away from her, sending cakes, pies, and bread flying her way. Pelted incessantly, she isn't even sure if her foot ever struck anything besides some collosal wedding cake as the girl comes down into a catstrophic, frosting covered landing. Grimacing at the thought of getting the mess out of her hair later, she picks herself right back up, hands tightened into small fists for a fleeting moment as her brow furrows. This fight is just ridiculous!
Wiping off her face as best she can, the girl finds a mic shoved in front of her while being asked how she finds the Joudan Cake Counter's tasty desserts. Lifelong patient restraint comes into play as she musters the weakest of forced smiles and avoids striking out with physical force and stops with just waving the announcer away, trying to get a fix on Nagare again. He's always been a rascally one to pin down. It must be that whole swimming through the air thing.
"Yosh," she whispers to herself. She can do this. She's got the world's master of Tai Chi fighting at her side. The woman who inspired her with her own dexteritous style and unexpectedly strong strikes. It's up to her to do her best as well! Standing up straight, the girl finally fixes in on Nagare's position and goes bolting after him. Leaping over counters and tables, kicking aside dishes and microwaves, she attempts to barrel into him with enough force to stagger him and leave him vulnerable to her getting a grip on both his powerful arms.
If successful in prying open his guard, the girl will proceed into a rapid series of kicking stomps right up the swim coach before springing into the air in a agile flip to come back down a little ways off. "Ya, ya, ya!"
The moment Chun-Li successfully pierces Kyo's defenses and slams her clenched fist into him and sends him stagger, that fist immediately recoils. Letting her foot touch back down, both arms ease into a neutral position, raised and fingers loosely curled as she just keeps a close eye on the young man. Kyo's flames are to be feared; she cannot let him slip past her defenses. Not like before, if she's going to help Hotaru win this.
Once he's recovered, Chun-Li just offers him yet another grin, his words simply rolling off her like water on a duck's back. Taunt and tease all he like; fighters like Kyo are easily dealt with. She remains calm and patient as ever, tipping her head forward as she replies, "Thank you for the advice, mister Kusanagi. I'll keep that in mind, to hit you harder next time!"
Idle though he may, Chun-Li is by no means in any position to refrain from advancing on the youth. She can't just stand by as Hotaru fights and gives her best! So as Kyo hangs by and waits for an opportunity to present itself to him, Chun-Li makes her move once more, dashing over various debris of sponsorship to close the gap between herself and Kyo...
Before she lashes out with a leg. But it's no simple kick; instead, the woman unleashes a veritable storm of kicks, her leg delivering blow after blow at varying heights straight at Kyo's chest. In the span of mere minutes her leg fires off seemingly hundreds of kicks without mercy, to send the cocky Kusanagi heir staggering again with a loud kiai..!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kyo with Hyakuretsu Kyaku EX.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Crazy Zhin's Chain of Shops!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Kyo
It seems that Kyo's sensibilities are so thoroughly offended by the rampant advertising in this match that he can't offer up any decent defense against Chun-Li's attacks! He tries to block the sudden storm of kicks from Chun-Li, but there's just too many of them for him to handle right now, and instead he gets quite thoroughly battered by the woman's assault, the successive blows driving the Kusanagi heir backwards. No, this is not looking good for Kyo Kusanagi... Not at all.
But if you think he's going to lie down and take it, well... You clearly don't know who you're talking about.
"I see you've been eating your Wheaties," Kyo remarks, regaining his balance just long enough to step in close to Chun-Li, crouching briefly. And why, you might ask, is he crouching? So that he can leap straight up into the air, is why, both hands loosely outstretched and trailing a whirling helix of Kusanagi flames, power raging as he attempts to uppercut the Tai Chi mistress and take her up into the air with him. "BURN!!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Nagare with Shin-Jou Tai.
Glancing Blow
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Vigorous Gardens Flower Shop!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
Oh no! Hotaru's are coming in for a landing! Nagare knows what to do. And it's something that's entirely unremarkable! Or if it is remarkable it's suitably remarkable! Either way, as Hotaru feels the cake, Nagare makes sure that he doesn't go into the washer dryer combo as he forces all his resources into slowing himself down! And it works! Suitably at least, allowing the swimmer to slow down for a good deal, at least to get his bearing back.
But other circumstances doesn't allow that! Such as flowers! And Hotaru! he slams forward, bolting after him as she moves across every convex known to man without stopping to shop?! Hotaru is trained superbly, even Nagare may have melted at the coffee slash tea slash hot coacoa machine! And then she comes down upon him, grasping a hold of him and slamming him down, series of kicking stomps right upon him! But Nagare is slippery like fish!
And like a fish he slips out of it mid stomp, allowing himself to escape just in the nick of time! Only to be SWARMED with FLOWERS. Flowers and boquets falling everywhere as Hotaru stomps, slamming the air as Nagare catches some as they fall, even instructed to give some to Hotaru as she seems angry?! How would Jiro feel about this, scandelous!!!
Nagare gulps, getting up and breathing heavily at the burst of speed even as she spins backwards. A picture of FLOWERS appears! nd a disembodied voice declares that 'Don't let your spouse get angry like Hotaru Futaba here! Go for Vigorous Gardens Flower Shop, and you'll never get stomped!'
Nagare, on the other hand, spins forward in a weird waddle like walk as he sheds clothes to make it easier for him to manuever, and as he gets close enough, he fires a kick forward, aiming to push Hotaru back a little and give him some room! As well, give her some room!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru dodges Nagare's Light Kick.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Kyo
Nagare slips out mid-way through her ascending combination, leaving Hotaru stepping on thin air rather inneffectively. Flailing arms find relief in the from of a patio awning that she gets a tight hold of on before flipping down to land on the hood of a car. Shaking her head, she whirls toward Nagare, his disaster with the swarm of lowers provoking a grin from the young fighter. After the initial annoyance, she has to admit in the big picture, this fight really is like none other. And on some level, that makes it interesting.
Atop the hood of the car, she's safe from any sponsors for the immediate moment as she prepares to read Nagare's retaliation. Ducking down, sweeping her arms out to the side, she avoids the swift kick meant for her side. His foot sweeps past her head but the girl scrapes by just barely enough as Nagare works on freeing himself of all that inhibiting clothing. Nagare's are apparently meant to be /free/.
The girl intends to not spare him a moment to recover, however, as she lunges up, driving her shoulder for his leg in an attempt to hook it with her arms. If successful, she'll simply continue by leaping up over him, forcing his leg up high enough to flip the slippery master swimmer over on his back while she recovers out of the leap by landing in a roll. Or, rather, landing upside down on a bean bag chair that she didn't notice before hand. "Oof."
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Chun-Li with Oniyaki.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by FIGHTER'S ROAR! Viagra: The Champion's Choice!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Kyo
"Wheaties--"
"--THE CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS! AVAILBLE NOW AT TOSHIRO'S FINE GOODS!!"
A loud sigh escapes the woman, her hand rising and planting firmly on her brow as she gently shakes her head in disappointment. This sponsorship idea was a terrible idea. And it's so difficult to fight, what with all the products littering the arena! Still, she has to do her best to fight, and she can't let her teammate and fan down, can she?
So as Kyo crouches, the woman readies herself, legs tensing as she prepares to leap aside. But just as she begins to move a loud airhorn sounds, her foot landing on a can of Chou! Lemony Iced Tea, which ultimately results in a very confused and startled martial artist losing her balance. And with Kyo coming in, she's left prone and ultimately smacked with twirling, fiery fists of Kusanagi flames. She's taken upwards, beaten mercilessly before she's left to fall.
She hits with a meaty thud.
"CAN'T GET IT UP!?" another voice booms on the P.A. system, as poor Chun-Li struggles to get up. "CHOOSE VIAGRA, THE NUMBER ONE E.D. MEDICINE FOR WORLD WARRIORS!!"
Finding her footing, the Tai Chi mistress wobbles, her balance off-kilter as she struggles for a breath, trying to make sense of a world that's mysteriously gone hazy. Pressing a hand to her forehead she stands her ground, slowly but surely trying to let her body shake off the sting of Kyo's previous assault. She just needs a minute...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li gains composure.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Chun-Li 1/=======/=======|======-\-------\0 Kyo
Yeah, that's more like it! Kyo lands in an easy crouch after his attack on Chun-Li, though he's caught offguard when that voice starts booming out. "Man," he says, with a complete lack of irony since he hasn't seen the back of his jacket yet, "what kind of loser would want to advertise that stuff?"
Don't worry, Kyo will find out eventually.
But with Chun-Li not pressing the attack, Kyo is left to watch her a little bit dubiously. "Oh, so we're playing the waiting game, now. Okay, I can roll with that," the World Warrior says, with a shrug. He brings his fists up, assuming the simple stance of Kusanagi-ryuu Kobojutsu, but he doesn't try to take advantage of Chun-Li's breather... Instead taking a moment of his own to gather his faculties. It's time to start turning this fight /around/.
COMBATSYS: Kyo gains composure.
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Chun-Li 1/=======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Nagare dodges Hotaru's Medium Throw.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by The Dream Amusement Park!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/=======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kyo
Even as Nagare deals with all those everything, Nagare isn't sure what the heck is happening! Fire and brimstone obviously as Kyo unleashes strikes, and then they rest for a little!
FOR GOOD REASON. LOOK AT ALL THESE GREAT DEALS FLOATING A ROUND. THEY CAN CHOKE THE HELL OUT OF ANYTHING. Even such a great fight. What the HECK. All the capitilism is a refreshing, and totally a Geese joke no doubt about it! Geese himself should make an appearence and give a thumbs up so all the sponsers will eat it up. EAT IT UP FOREVER.
But Nagare can't deal with it all! Except for Hotaru coming at him. He deals with her with a little luck as he stumbles backwards through papers and papers of advertisements and coupons as he heaves and hoes backwards before WHOOPS he falls backwards right into a small car, even as she follows after! BUT ZOOM, the car is off along a hidden track that Nagare gets a free ride on. It spins around the arena once, up and around like a kiddy roller coaster, Nagare blinking as he holds on!
"Do you see this?" Another narrator speaks, "This is a dream! Your dream! Everyone's dream is here at THe Dream Amusement Park! Come and stay for the rides and attractions! Halfnakedmannotincluded." And then Nagare is let off the ride stopping quickly as the swimmer is lurches out, using its momentum to send a punch right towards Hotaru's chest as he stumbles out! He's not feeling so good. "Urgh..."
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Nagare's Quick Punch.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by FIGHTER'S ROAR! Viagra: The Champion's Choice!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 1/=======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kyo
Hotaru stands still as Nagare goes for a ride, only gradually becoming aware of the elaborate track the car is sent to take him along, whirling around and spinning the swim coatch at great velocity. In the end he's sent flying, however, taking the opportunity to try and strike Hotaru along the way. Turning her side toward his trajectory, the slams both of her hands out, palms forward, catching Nagare's fist in a cupping motion to keep from being struck cleanly.
The momentum is enough to send her slipping backward, however, leaving her /almost/ oblivious to the announcement from the loud speakers: 'Are the ladies rejecting you for PERFORMANCE reasons, guys? By now you should know the FIGHTER'S ROAR brand Viagra is just the cure. All your friends are using it. Do you want to be left behind?!'
With a shake of her head and soft exhale of exasperation, the pig-tailed combatant wastes no time going back after Nagare. A glance cast toward Chun-Li and Kyo reveals the two facing each other in a bit of a standoff. A moment to collect their breaths and evaluate each other's style of fighting. Snapping her attention back to Nagare, the girl tries to do likewise. The swim coach's durability and speed have always been formidable obsticles and this fight is proving to be no different. She needs to figure out how to get a clean hit in /somehow/.
Standing up straight, she resumes a light ready stance, hands raised, collecting her breath for a brief moment. And then she's charging forward, attempting to retaliate against Nagare with speed, going for a forward leap as she dives into him, hands first to plant against against his shoulders. If she manages, she'll spin around by swapping shoulders, then drop down behind him in order to drive her feet into his back and knock him over!
To Chun-Li's surprise, Kyo doesn't press the advance. Instead, he too opts to keep at bay, playing it safe as it were. Likely, he's taking a moment to catch a breath himself. It means he'll be just as ready as she when they get back into it. But that's fine with the Tai Chi mistress. She can't say it hasn't been interesting.
Still capitalizing on the moment, a glance is tossed to Hotaru as she fights Nagare, the woman briefly gauging the fight and Hotaru's situation. So far it appears things are going all right for her. At least she seems to be in better condition than Chun-Li. She nods her head once, offering the girl an encouraging smile before she turns back to Kyo.
"Well, sorry to keep you waiting," the woman apologizes, grinning as she puts a hand on one hip, the other reaching up to rest firm on her shoulder as she pops her neck. "Just needed to see how my teammate was doing." Not that she'd admit to someone like Kyo she needed a breather. "But I'm ready now."
And she proves it. Dashing forward at a swift pace, the woman avoids debris as she pursues the Kusanagi heir, seeking to get in a foot or so before she plants a foot and shoots the other leg out, to deliver a potentially nasty kick to his chest. But it's only the beginning...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kyo with Houyoku Sen.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Burmingham Express!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Kyo
With a forceful kick to Kyo's chest, the woman unleashes a storm of kicks.
Like the attack before, Chun-Li unleashes a multitude of kicks, repeatedly pummeling the Kusanagi heir before she switches her legs, one dropping and planting down as the other lifts. It fires off as well, unleashing another flurry of strikes with her booted heel before that leg drops, to switch up with her supporting leg. Again, more kicks.
But after what likely does not feel at all pleasant the woman relents, dropping the offending leg once again to rest it down on the ground. However, she switches up one last time, her body leaning deeply to the side as she snaps her leg upwards and at an angle, a nasty kick delivered right into Kyo's chin to send the sassy Kusanagi heir flying.
Apparently, the power of the sacred Kusanagi flames is nothing before the power of CONSUMERISM.
Once again, Kyo tries to get his guard up, to deflect the worst of what's bound to be a powerful assault from Chun-Li... But he simply can't manage it. Once again, his attempt at defense is shattered by the World's Most Dangerous Woman, and so the World Warrior is battered by the assault of kicks, finally sent flying by the last kick. Oooh, that one's a doozy.
Grunting as he manages to push himself to his feet, Kyo regards Chun-Li levelly. Nope, she's no joke, that's for sure. But it's not like Kyo Kusanagi is going to just give up. "Y'know, I feel sorry for whoever you date. They must get crushed up pretty bad between those legs," the Kusanagi heir says, resorting once more to base crassness, because that's how he rolls. "Now then..."
Kyo takes off like a shot, rushing at Chun-Li at top speed, aiming to grab the woman by the front of her qipao. Why? Well, that should be obvious, because he's going to let loose a sudden explosion of Kusanagi flames, an enormous conflagration set to engulf the Tai Chi mistress and send her flying. ".../BURN/!!"
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Nagare with Ten Ranku-Tou.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by The Dream Amusement Park!!
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Hotaru 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Kyo
Oh no, his defense! Nagare needs that to live! Well, somewhat For good reason, Nagare can deal with this and that, but as soon as Hotaru hurls herself forward in an attempt to defeat his movements, Nagare brings himself up once more, falling forwards as he isn't really sure about everything going on. Hotaru just... well, Hotaru throws herself forward.
And Nagare, well, Nagare aims to bring his hands back up, attempting to stop her from getting over, but it's like Hotaru has double images! Hotaru grabs onto Nagare's shoulders and then aims for a simple technique! DESTROYING NAGARE. Well, okay, not DESTROYING. But very close! Nagare finds a Hotaru spinning on his shoulders before planting her feet into his back to knock him over!
And then Nagare buckles... right back into the Rollercoaster car?! "Oh... urp... not... not again..." Nagare pleads, BUT IT HAPPENS ANYWAYS. The car exploding forward, whirling him about the track over and over and over again, up and down, left and right. There's even a small loop de loop in the middle as the announcer comes on once more.
"Did you ever want a place where fighters and civilians can mingle? Where you can leave your kids for fighting lessons while you relax? Well we have the place just for you! The Dream Amusement Park! It's like a dream come true! Stillnohalfnakedmenincluded."
And Nagare comes one, looking rather unsure of where is up, and where is down. Or if down and up swapped to destroy him like this. If anything through, Nagare muddles his way forward and towards Hotaru, attempting to sling himself right upon her, and once there, well, swim upwards a small bit, before swimming up and backwards, trying to get her to ride the ride!
Because this fish mans gills are beginning to look a little green!
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Hotaru with Quick Throw.
- Power hit! -
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Crazy Zhin's Chain of Shops!!
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Hotaru 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Kyo
Landing after kicking Nagare, Hotaru has a moment to herself as Nagare gets to 'enjoy' teh Dream Park impromptu ride all over again. Shaking her head, she has to wonder how he's even staying coherent after all those loops, whirls, spins, and drops. It's in that moment that the crazy man from the entry tunnel finally catches up with her, waving two knives around directly in front of her, "Imagine if you had these knives to even the score, eh? Zhin made these beauties up special for fighting. Zhin's Knife Botique - For when it's payback time!" Eyes widening, Hotaru waves her hands again, "No, really, I don't use kni-"
Zeroing in on her like a human missle, Nagare crashes into the girl, carrying up with his air-swimming technique, leaving her gasping for breath at the collision with her stomach. "Erk." His backturn drops the startled fighter off, right into the car he so prudently vacated. And with that, it's her turn to ride around in circles as the Kenpo artist struggles to free herself.
Kicking out of the seat at last, she ends up in an unintended spin through the air, leaving herself landing off to the side, a bit dizzy from the experience. "Oooo..." the girl murmurs, woozy as she lands, spinning a couple of times before tripping over a pile of books onto a sofa where she flops then rolls off to the ground in a seated position. Forcing herself back up to standing, she decides she isn't fit to charge anyone anywhere for the immediate moment, and decides to brave a moment to collect herself before attempting anything else.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru focuses on her next action.
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Hotaru 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Kyo
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Chun-Li with Koto Moon Positive.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Burmingham Express!!
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Hotaru 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Kyo
Believing Hotaru can fend for herself for the time being, Chun-Li is considerably focused on her fight with the Kusanagi boy. He's been quite a handful for the woman since the fight began, her defenses seemingly useless in the wake of his flames. On the flip side, his defenses don't seem to fare well against her assaults either, so she presumes it's a pretty level fight, each of them having some pretty terrible luck against the other.
And like many times before, the Kusanagi comes, rushing the woman and snaring her by the collar of her product label-ridden qipao, despite her attempts to shove the youth back and keep him at bay. A moment later she's suddenly engulfed in chi flames, the very force and heat enough to send her flying back, skidding along the ground before she crashes into the front of a sleek-looking state-of-the-art refrigerator. Naturally, product announcements follow.
"Uugh," Wobbling and woozy, Chun-Li pulls herself to her feet, brown eyes foggy as she struggles to keep herself conscious. It's hard, having endured the Kusanagi youth's flames repeatedly. But she has to keep fighting. She can't just give up--not while she has another fighter relying on her. Lightly, the woman bites her lip...
Nodding once to herself, she finds the resolve to keep fighting, assuring herself she'll come out on top. With those encouraging words echoing in her mind, Chun-Li drowns out the noise and clamor of the busy arena and suddenly bursts forward, seeking to draw herself in close enough before she drops low, her right leg coiled. And like a tightly-wound spring the woman will suddenly leap upwards at an angle, her body rotating as she seeks to carry Kyo upwards with a series of ten kicks, one after the other as her body spins in that rising angle, juggling Kyo all the way up..!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kyo with Hazan Tenshou Kyaku.
- Power hit! -
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Chargin' Charlie's Crazy Candy Shoppe!!
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Hotaru 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Kyo
It seems like neither of these two experienced fighters are having any luck against each other's attacks, does it? And worse, it looks like Chun-Li might be edging out Kyo in terms of raw damage... So when Chun-Li makes her own assault, Kyo, in the hopes that whatever time this is will be the charm, tries to deflect the blow... Only to leave himself wide open instead, once again getting kicked.
A lot.
On his way down to the ground, Kyo comes to terms with something: He can't keep fighting. He's just taken too much damage, been kicked too many times by Happy McKicksalot, and once he lands, he reaches a decision. Yea, a decision weighty with terrible import. As he gets to his feet, shakily, Kyo raises his right hand over his head, flames springing to life there. "Okay, no more Mr. Nice Guy," Kyo says, as though there were any chance of anyone, ever, referring to him as 'Mr Nice Guy'. He has to hope that Nagare, though he's kind of a weirdo, can seal the deal here. But there's one last thing Kyo can do for his team, oh yes. Suddenly sliding forward, Kyo sweeps his right arm back and then forward through the air, cutting a swath that soon fills with raging Kusanagi flames, a massive hellstorm that grows larger and larger, sweeping through the air toward...
Hotaru.
Say 'hi', Hotaru!
COMBATSYS: Kyo can no longer fight.
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Hotaru 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|
Even as Hotaru keeps off of Nagare for the moment, due to CRAZY KNIFE SALEMEN, Nagare can't help but smell something burning. Looking towards Chun-Li and Kyo, he can obviously see that SOMETHING IS BURNING. Even if it isn't Hotaru, who right now is busy taking the ride of her life! He's certain that it isn't a fun ride. If only because fun rides don't deal with breaking your mind of all such things.
And, well, in the center of a fight and such. But no matter! Kyo is... getting kicked a lot! Before hurling forward towards Hotaru and striking at her! He's certain that no good can come of this, if, well, unless Hotaru has a plan! As it is, Nagare just sees Hotaru and... up up and away! Nagare begins to swim into the air at break neck speeds, aiming to fly higher and higher into the sun! And then the water chi disappears!
Before coming right down upon Chun-Li, breaking through three neon signs advertising movies and TV shows no less, aiming to strike Chun-Li head on! APPLY DIRECTLY TO FOREHEAD.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru stops Orochinagi+ from Kyo with Kobi Kyaku EX.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by YFCC!!
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Hotaru 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\1 Nagare
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|
With a moment's reprieve, Hotaru has time to watch the climatic final exchange of attacks between Chun-Li and Kyo take place. Watching fighters of their calibur, knowing full well the incredible power that each of their attacks is capable of driving home, the girl can't help but be impressed by it all. The Kusanagi legend gets his hands on her partner and blasts her back with that surge of flames and Hotaru winces. She's felt an offshoot of those flames before at the hands of K' in the past, but what she's watching there is the original source. But the Tai Chi master makes it back to her feet after all that, and returns the favor with a powerful assault that Hotru has experienced on her own before.
She almost takes her eyes off the two to see what Nagare is up to when the woman's flurry of rising kicks plows into Kyo, knocking up off his feet then back down again. Well, that looks promising, she muses, starting to turn away when she realizes that the surge in power around the Kusanagi heir is, in fact, /that/ attack. She almost calls out ot Chun-Li, encouraging her to watch out, to gain some distance... When it dawns on her that the legendary technique is being sent back her way instead.
Faced with a do or die decision, the girl decides to trust in her own chi manipulation to provide her defense. There's no thought of driving back the hellstorm coming her way, but that doesn't mean she can't defend herself all the same. It is with a swing of her foot that she creates the initial swath of vibrant, blue chi lingering in the wake of her reverse roundhouse. And it is with both hands that she then leans forward, focusing even more chi into her defensive barrier.
The raging inferno washes around the girl, crashing against her barrier, curling around it but never quite scalding the Kenpo artist. When it passes, she stands in a field of ash, with smoldering food, clothing, and a melted music stand at her side, but the pig-tailed combatant is unharmed. Releasing a gasp of relief as she leans forward, hands going to rest against her knees, ignoring the smell of so much burning matter around her.
A mic is shoved in front of her and the girl blinks at the sponsor brave enough to wade back into the field of ash to even try to get a comment from her. 'Anything to say to the viewing audience?' comes the question. Standing up straight, wiping the perspiration from her brow, Hotaru replies, "Remember, the Young Fighter Community Center offers several different classes in basic self defense. A new term is about to begin in just one week! Sign your kids up today!" One might even imagine a teeth glint, if such things weren't tightly copyrighted by the Kim Kaphwan accounting firm.
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Chun-Li with Concrete Dive.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by The Dream Amusement Park!!
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Hotaru 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Nagare
[ \\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/---====|
Landing a few feet away from Kyo as he hits the ground, Chun-Li delivers a loud exhale, her shoulders sagging as she struggles to keep conscious. She's pushed her body considerably, struggling in vain to keep her defenses up against the Kusanagi. But now, now it would seem she's bested him. It's only a matter of dealing with his flames one more time, as he pushes himself that final mile. She can do it..!
But he doesn't go for the Tai Chi mistress. Instead, those horrible flames sear an angry path right for Hotaru. But, to the elder woman's surprise, the girl stops it with an impressive display of chi-manipulation. Holding those potent Kusanagi flames at bay, the Chinese fighter can't help but offer a light whistle, her head tipping gently to one side as she observes.
Watching the girl for so long was clearly a mistake. She's forgotten about Nagare, and before she can do much of anything about it, the Taiyo coach crashes down onto the woman, sending her legs buckling beneath her, the Tai Chi mistress' feet giving out as she collapses on her side.
She can now see why Hotaru's had such a difficult time.
She struggles though. Biting her teeth down hard, Chun-Li forces her body to do her bidding, to give her the strength to stand up and deliver one last attempt. And she does--leaping forward, the woman drops into a swift handstand a few feet in front of Nagare before she pushes off her arms and flips her body, attemepting to drive the boot of her heel in a fierce downward strike right for Nagare! "YAA!!"
Hit or miss, though, it would seem the Tai Chi mistress is out of the fight thereafter...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li can no longer fight.
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Hotaru 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Nagare
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Nagare with Sen'en Shuu.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Todohfest '08!!
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Hotaru 1/----===/=======|=======\=------\1 Nagare
Even as Hotaru does what she does, Nagare isn't entirely convinced! Well, that's not entirely true. He's impressed that he can stop that! It wasn't no good after all! But in all that moment, Nagare sincerelly can't see what's going on with Chun-Li, because his face is coming down right towards her. Which, well, BANG. He connects and he flops on the ground, a lot actually! Flop flop flop. Nagare is just a flipper away. He'd put himself into that strike! But now, well, he'll have to really do some work to pull it off!
Well, if he can really. It's not that important! Especially when he's getting up before Chun-Li rushes at him like some sort of unstoppable force?! CRASH. Nagare finds Chun-Li ripping into him with a swift handstand kick, the boot of her heel firmly pressed into his chest! Bang!
And Nagare goes flying into the air, hurled up and high, through banner after banner of TODOHFEST '08! Nagare spins, wheels and finally comes down with a slimy clunk on the wall, confetti and loud noises still crying out for TODOHFESTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. All of them saying how you should all go see it now or else you're a loser!
And they might be right. But Nagare, right there and then, feels like he needs to be a winner. So he grabs a whole bunch of bandaids with great reluctance, and begins to use them to conduct his water chi! And their adhesive bandages. Of course. Putting them on over his own vigorous pump into his chest!
And suddenly the battle is down to two, with Hotaru and Nagre remaining standing, the other fighters having given it their all, taking each other to the limit with their powerful techniques. Now it's up to the remaining duo to resolve the rest of the fight. Exhaling softly, Hotaru clenches her hands tightly, watching as Nagare takes a pounding from the Tai Chi master's assault before landing hard and beginning to try and help himself recover. It isn't immediately clear to her what he's doing exactly at first, but it clicks after a moment. He's patching himself up something fierce!
It makes sense, the girl realizes, what with him probably being a masterful life guard. He must know all about dealing with grevious injuries. To be able to pull it off in the midst of a fight is tremendously impressive on top of that, but the girl has come to find, from repeat encounters over the months, that the Taiyo High swim coach is full of surprises. Discounting how resourceful he is is one way to fall way behind in trying to keep up with his prowess.
Breathing in then exhaling, the girl recovers from the adrenaline rush of having to face down that horrifying Orochinagi and instead puts her focus back into dealing with Nagare directly. Charging forward, the swim coach will find his patch up job needs to be hurried before the Kenpo artist gets there, as Hotaru bolts toward him, blue chi trailing out behind her hands. Leaping forward into a spin, the energy builds as she attempts to plow into Nagare with a series of rapid, punishing palm strikes, each one laced with that potent chi she brings to the forefront. "Soushou..."
Should she manage to stagger him enough to leave his guard vulnerable, the young fighter finishes by flipping forward into knee first dive back into him, her entire body encased in that same energy as she tries to plow Nagare right back down to the ground. "Tenrenge!"
COMBATSYS: Nagare blocks Hotaru's Sou-shou Tenrenge.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Kagura Enterprises!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Nagare
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Nagare with Combat Defibrillation.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by YFCC!!
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Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Nagare
Even as Nagare finishes pumping himself full of life healing water chi, as well as those bandaids everywhere, it just isn't enough for the advertisers! Two? Three? That's not enough products. Now SEVERAL. And SEVERAL PLUS ONE. That, my friends, would be enough for the advertisers, as even as Nagare does so, a billboard of the YFCC falls down!
And the announcer comes on once again! "The YFCC! For fighters who want to be good at everything! From the tennis fighting style, to the volleyball fighting style! To even the book fighting style, here at the YFCC, we treat all fighting styles as equal so that everyone grows up to fight their own way! Remember! Every fighting style is unique!" And the billboard, flashing magestically, is pulled up into the sky.
Nagare breaths heavily, what's even going on anymore?! Are they stuck inside a horrible world of advertisements forever?! Is this what being stuck in an infomercial feels like?! Nagare needs to get out of here or else he'll never be the same swimmer again!
And then Hotaru launches forward, leaving a blue trail of chi behind her as rapid palm strikes rain down right into a Kagura Enterprises building model falls between the fighters, Nagare clutching it haphazzardly as Hotaru breaks it apart with chi strikes, even pushing the breaking model into his chest! "Here at Kagura Enterprises, our business is as rock hard as this model! We're here to sell you everything you can imagine. Electronics, robots, robot electronics and other such that are Kagura related! Remember! If you don't know our business structure, then you're doing the right thing!"
Nagare falls backwards, even as the flipping knee strike plows through the remnants of the model, Nagare tumbling away as he's struck. The fighter is really giving it all he has! This is incredibly difficult! Even worse than fighting in a box!
Nagare waits, for a moment, before the super swimmer moves, no, waddles towards Hotaru with an intent to flipper! If he gets close enough, away from all of the everything about, or doesn't trip, he may be able to stop Hotaru from getting away! But with this much crap everywhere, you might as well be fighting blind!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru dodges Nagare's Strong Punch.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by 'Second Wind' Retirement Home!!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Nagare
Trying to stay focused on the task at hand is remarkably difficult in a zoo of modernism like this, but Hotaru manages to keep on trying all the same. Strike after strike is fended off by Nagare as he takes timely advantage of a conveniently positioned model building and all the girl can do is just finish smashing it to smithereens before at last having to relent before exhausting herself. Stepping backward quickly, the young marital artist evaluates Nagare's response, readying herself as best she can in spite the constant stream of nonsense.
It's times like this that she can't help but reflect on Kentou's thoughts on SNF and the zoo it's become over time. Can anyone take fighting seriously when it's constantly staged in such a ridiculous manner? Grinning faintly, the girl twists out of the path of Nagare's incoming flipper, slipping just under the attack. Maybe it's selling out, grandstanding, or showboating. But in the end, she can't argue that it keeps the sport interesting and new. Not every fight can be a solemn duel 'to the death' after all. Sometimes fighters've just got to try something new.
She ducks down low as she evades the swung flipper strike, positioned at Nagare's side rather than in front of him. It serves to wind up for the strikes to come as she lunges forward with a left palm gunning straight for Nagare's side. Her body twists as she moves forward, bringing her right shoulder forward and a much harder, secondary palm strike with her right hand aiming to deliver a much stronger blow.
A still-shot image of her extended palm strike makes it to the giant screen over one of the far walls. 'Young whippersnappers got you down? Don't give up on life just because you're /OLD/. The Second Wind Retirement Home is a place for you to get your second chance at making something of yourself. Endorsed by fighting greats like Ryuhaku Tod..." The rest is drown out by the resounding "HA!" Hotaru exclaims as she aims the coordinated strike intended to knock Nagare back solidly.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Nagare with Fierce Punch.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by The Dream Amusement Park!!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Nagare
Nagare just watches Hotaru move forward and then?! He's unable to make the strike, Hotaru making her way out of the path of his oncoming flipper strikes right at her! It's horrific! And she's comign right at him now, even with the retirement home ad exploding upwards into the area about, Nagare looking for a moment before Hotaru hurls a whole lot of strikes at him, each one striking head on before knocking Nagare backwards, sending him into the cart again!
NAGARE IS GOING FOR A RECORD THIRD RUN IN THE DREAM AMUSEMENT PARK. With the cart taking off with loops and gusto once more, Nagare can't help but want off this crazy ride! But it's not going to happen. As he finally comes to a horrible stop, Nagare crawls out.
But the glowing flashing lights that come down once more do nothing to ease him! 'Once more, The Dream Amusement Park is a great place for all! Why? Because we've paid so much for these ads that we're probably almost broke! But that's alright, we're going to get you all to come even if we have to play this comercial fifty times! So come on down and ride our new Raging Storm Roller Coaster!'
Nagare, forcing himself up, now feels a littttle more woozy. That's never good! And the Hotaru pummeling him in the stomach doesn't help either! But that's alright, the swimmer can still give it his all! Which he will, no matter what! Making his way towards Hotaru in a hurried leap Nagare slowly comes down through the air, water chi dancing about him.
And he lashes out with the slowest kick ever, his flipper shaking menacingly as it comes down Hotaru in a terrible dangerous arc!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru blocks Nagare's Heavy Kick.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Todohfest '08!!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Nagare
Once again Nagare is stolen from the action by a rousing ride throughout the arena on the Dream Amusmement Park's roller coaster. The park must have paid a pretty penny to be able to pull this stunt off, and they sure are hogging a lot of air time! The girl stands up slowly, left alone as the ride whirls, loops, and spins Nagare all along the track. After just one trip in that car herself, she can't even imagine how he has the wherewithall to keep going in the right direction!
"So what did you think of Todohfest '08, Hotaru?" asks a promoter of the first annual event celebrating the master of Todoh-ryuu Kobojutsu. "W-what? I didn't go to that," the girl stammers in protest, distracted from Nagare for a fleeting moment to respond. "So I can't really have much of an opin- Ack, let me borrow that!" The mic is snagged, the girl whirling around just it in time to shove it into the path of that descending flippered foot. The impromptu defense holds, but just barely, nearly crushing the girl beneath the hard strike.
"Oof," Hotaru grunts, feet slipping backward as she attempts to regain traction on the clutter covered ground. Kicking aside a toaster to clear a spot to stand, the girl whirls around to face Nagare directly. One good punch deserves another, however, and she steps back in quickly, weaving low before rising up into a quick stomp stomp with her right foot, her body turning forward from the right, pouring her forward momentum into a powerful, single palm strike with her right hand, "YA!"
COMBATSYS: Nagare endures Hotaru's Medium Punch.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by The Dream Amusement Park!!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Nagare
Even as Nagare finds all this stuff in the way and finding Hotaru escaping the power of his horrible kick, Nagare lands without much to do! And right there, as she uses the mic to actually stop his horrible power?! Inconcievable! Swimming cannot be stopped so easily! Or so Nagare thought. As she moves, Nagare watches intently.
And she strikes, a momentum fulled punch aimed right towards Nagare's chest! WHAM! It strikes dead on, even as Nagare throws himself into it! He's actually made it this time! Hurray! And then a small device snares him, grabbing his arm with a strap and pulling him back into the bars of the rollercoaster car?! "Hey! Wait! Not again!" Nagare protests, but by now HE HAS TO ACCEPT HIS FATE, eternally riding this ride.
It spins, loops, and zooms through the ring once more before Nagare comes to a terrible stop, lurching out of the car and towards Hotaru in a front forward shoot! Even as Nagare moves, he's slowed down because that's how they roll. 'Hello again! The Dream Amusement Park here again! We haven't told you enough about our rides, so here are a few! The Haddocannon! Gigaton Bumper cars! Spinning Bird carousel and more! Come and see for yourself! You won't be dissapointed!'
And then Nagare is sped up, swimming through the air, goggles down on a horrible crash course even as he plows through water chi in the air, aimed to head butt Hotaru right on!
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Hotaru with Underwater Dash.
- Power hit! -
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by 'Second Wind' Retirement Home!!
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Hotaru 1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0 Nagare
Hotaru staggers to a stop as once again Nagare is dragged off back into that infernal car, forced to ride around the arena ONCE AGAIN as the Dream Amusmenet park hogs camera time by repeatedly pulling fighters into their elaborate setup. "S-sou..." Hotaru murmurs, dropping her guard as she tiredly follows Nagare's travailing travels, watching him loop, spin, and... coming crashing back toward her!
With the way he's flung clean out of the car, the girl can't really tell if the speeding Nagare bullet coming her way is on purpose or entirely bad luck. Either way, her feeble attempt at guarding herself at the last instant doesn't go so well at all as Nagare crashes into the lightweight, sending her flying backward into a crash landing in a very quickly, conveniently placed wheel chair. "Ugh," the young fighter grunts, trying to sit up, only to get shoved back into place by a firm handed sponsor eager to steel some of the camera time from that GREEDY theme park.
"Remember kids, it's never too late to start planning your retirement. Before you know it, you'll be old and invalid just like-" "Enough already!" Hotaur exclaims, forcing her way back out of the wheelchair, her patience having been pushed to the limits by the incessasnt harassing by The Man. There's only one way out of this mess and that's to get this fight OVER with! Springing forward with all the speed she can muster, the girl leaps into another series of spinning palm strikes. Out of energy to pour chi into those strikes, she has to settle with just giving her all with the long series of physical smacks. "Tenrenge!"
Should she get through his guard, the girl goes on to tackle Nagare with a rising shoulder slam before finishing with an aerial spin kick to finish the combination and drop back to the ground with a tired gasp.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Nagare with Ten-ren-ge.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Kagura Enterprises!!
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
Even as Nagare suffers from striking Hotaru at SUCH A SPEED that he's unable to to get up in time, ramming into three different pots and pans before slumping upon the ground, slowly getting back up, even as Hotaru herself gets up and gives a stern word or two to the retirement homes, Nagare himself is rather dealing with getting up!
And then Hotaru leaps forward with all her speed and striking out in long bursts of physical strikes that rip into Nagare proper, pushing him further and further backwards from her strength! He's just smashed and slamming until the final rising shoulder comes and slaps the swimmer backwards and into the air, spinning about before coming to a dizzying stop!
And there is where it gets interesting. Nagare lands upon a black table with KAGURA ENTERPRISES, which he storms off on before they can EVEN get started, swimming forward towards Hotaru, willing to tire himself out so that they can't use him any more. "Too... much... comercials!" Nagare whispers to himself, have beaten by them itself! But as Nagare comes, he comes quickly!
Watch out Hotaru, Nagare's most dangerous technique, the doggy paddle, is coming! It's coming fast!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru endures Nagare's Dog Paddling.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Chargin' Charlie's Crazy Candy Shoppe!!
[ \\\ < > //// ]
Hotaru 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Nagare
In comes Nagare again after taking the full brunt of Hotaru's combination of strikes. This was going to be a close one, she could tell. She had poured a lot of vigor and energy into that last combo and for him to come back for more immediately after is just a testiment to how tough being a full time swimming fighter can make one! "Maybe I should find out how that guy trains," the girl whispers beneath her breath. Whatever his secret is, it clearly works!
But she has to defend herself once again, as Nagare returns at speed that defies evasion. It's all she can do to dig deep to pull off one more stunning feat of defense. Having exhausted most of her strength to draw upon chi, it takes a lot of effort to draw forth the chi defense she musters, bringing her hands up to create a small field of blue through which Nagare plows. It mitigates the momentum of his fearsome dog paddling just enough to keep the girl standing for a few seconds longer. ..
In come the announcers, trying to slip in between the two combatants, "The only thing that would make this match more intense would be a bag of our Firecracker Hot Tamale candies from Chargin' Charlie's Crazy Ca-" Hotaru isn't even pausing for an instant to hear them out, however, brushing the sponsor aside as she ducks in low, sweeping her right leg out for Nagare's ankles before spinning up into a follow up kick aimed for his chest to try and knock the incredibly tough fighter down in one final bid to pull this crazy match off!
COMBATSYS: Hotaru successfully hits Nagare with En Un Kasou.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Southtown Mall!!
[ \\ < > / ]
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Nagare
After so long, Nagare is finally put down for the count! A horrible, grueling release that he isn't actually unhappy for! It's a good feeling after all, Hotaru and him fought a bunch in these SNF's, and now, it's time for a surprising end! Well, perhaps! Nagare gets up quickly, attempting to easily bring his hands up as her right leg spins about, knocking him down, only to strike again, one leg smashing into his chest and sending him back!
Right into a Southtown Mall display, which he actually lets them talk for... about three seconds! Hurling himself forward, Nagare makes his way across the ground, speeding after Hotaru in a display of quickery unseen before! He's just happy that this fight is finally over! Woah!
And once there, Nagare strikes out with kicks, lashing out with a single purpose in mind! Well, as hes on the ground, he just kicks out! Kick kick kicks at Hotaru, waterchi following in turn! And then, well, he sort of just passes out, laying there and breathing heavily!
"I... I don't know if I want to do that again. Too... much things."
COMBATSYS: Nagare can no longer fight.
[ \\ <
Hotaru 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Nagare successfully hits Hotaru with Splash Kick EX.
CSYS: This exciting moment brought to you by Southtown Mall!!
[ <
Hotaru 0/-------/-======|
Her two strikes delivered to knock Nagare off his feet then kick him away, Hotaru comes up standing, albeit it barely. "After a match like this," an announcer pipes up, popping up next to the wearied combatant. "Southtown's greatest fighters love nothing more than a relaxing stroll through the Southtown Mall where you can find all the latest merchandise at prices so low you don't even have to win your fights to afford them!"
Eyebrow twitching, the tired fighter tries to keep her focus on Nagare as he comes back for one last go at it. "And just what's that supposed to mean?" Knowing full well she just flat out doesn't have the strength to guard against any more of his attacks, the girl starts to try and slip to the side only to have her arm grabbed and another mic shoved in her face, "So after this fight, what's the first shop at the mall you plan on visiting, Hotaru Futaba?"
She never gets to answer as Nagare collides with her with his volley of chi laced kicks, each of them striking the girl clean on, leaving her staggering one direction then another, before finally collapsing forward onto a fancy bed squeezed in between a SUV and living room entertainment center. "Mmph," the pig-tailed fighter grunts into the thick comforter, arms sprawled out to her sides. She starts to push herself up but in the end she simply drops back down, "...maybe I'll buy this..." she murmurs, offering her single spoken endorsement besides her YFCC pitch before falling asleep.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Hotaru can no longer fight.
Log created on 17:14:04 08/31/2008 by Chun-Li, and last modified on 00:11:25 09/04/2008.