Description: Luck be a lady tonight! A lady that Hayato has apparently ticked off, because the Chaos Agent-controlling roulette wheel singles him out as Chun-Li's target with unnerving regularity. Epic blows are exchanged all around, and in the end, it's down to Kula Diamond having to deal with the Taiyo student that just... won't... die! (3KO)
It's Vegas in Southtown this weekend! Hopefully no one needed to use this particular street intersection, for today it has been repurposed to stage a giant roulette wheel. The streets are cordoned off, cameras and seating in place, and windows of the neighboring buildings are lined with people enjoying the 'free seats' with a good view of the action.
The wheel itself is large enough for the fighters to stand upon. Fortunately, it isn't designed to spin. Nor is it designed to house a human sized iron ball to bounce and ping around to land in one of the slots. Instead, the 'lucky' fighter to receive the Chaos Agent's attention will be determined by what lights in the floor light up! That doesn't mean a prop ball isn't sitting there all the same, occupying one of the slots. It helps complete the image.
Escorted to the venue by her usual entourage of scientists, handlers, and note takers, Kula Diamond steps foot onto the giant device calmly. The mechanics of the battle have been explained to her. It's entirely possible that should she draw the attention of the other two and also end up on the wrong spot, she could have three fighters trying to strike her at once... How pleasant.
The frosty blue haired fighter takes a positionn over one of the black slots, hands resting against her sides, snow flakes drifting to the ground at her feet in spite the summer warmth in the air. She's fought everyone that will be here in one way or another, though of the three, her last encounter with Batsu was far from remotely sanctioned. She'll have to watch out for the loud youth from Taiyo she decides quietly as she tunes out the noise of the crowd, the stopped cars, and the general ruckus of the city at large. She looks as calm as a glacier, but she's as anyone could possibly be.
A casino setting, eh? (Or part of one, anyway.) Well, you know who was often seen in casinos, and is also a pinnacle of manliness? That's right, James Bond. And so when Hayato arrives at the giant roulette wheel, rather than his usual red track suit he's wearing a tuxedo that, to the untrained eye, might look right at home on Bond himself. (Untrained eye is the key part, there. It's actually much, much less expensive than something Bond would probably wear. Also, a rental.) And what's this? Although he has his shinai in his right hand as usual, Hayato's left hand seems to be occupied by... is that a martini?
Hayato takes a brief sip from his drink, then hops up and into the roulette wheel, planting one foot on the edge and waving to the crowd with his shinai. "This is gonna be a great fight, folks, so I wanna hear you cheering!" And of course the audience obliges him, because that's what audiences at these sorts of events do.
Stepping back down completely into the wheel, Hayato takes another sip of his martini. There's still a fair bit left... is he planning on finishing it before the fight starts, or what?
It's a far cry from a banquet hall full of distant members of a celebrating Jewish family... which suits Batsu just fine. It's not that his last SNF bout was a problem, per se -- he had a lot of fun fighting Rylee, for example, who is his type of personality, for sure -- but that he usually signs up for these things to test himself as a fighter in very odd situations. Adapting to them is good training, he feels, and worth participating in... well, the game show of it all. Thus he climbs up the side of the giant roulette wheel with reasonable enthusiasm. Plus he's fighting Hayato-sensei, a man he knows to be damn strong, and thus is happy about that too. All in all, it's turning out to be a good day for the Burning Fighter.
When he crests the top, however, things change a bit. He steps onto a red square and dusts himself off, looking around... and spies Kula. He didn't recognize the name right off the bat, but having the girl right in front of him to look at, all the memories come flooding back. Not pleasant ones, either; he acquitted himself well enough against her, but the match between the NESTS assassin and the Taiyo senior was brutal in the extreme. His feelings are mixed; she's strong and a good challenge, but... but.
Instead, he focuses pretty solely on Hayato, all but turning his back to Kula to wave to his teacher. "Seems like we get paired up in these things pretty often, Sensei!" he yells, grinning and slamming a fist into the opposite palm. "Guess they know it's gonna take someone like you to challenge me, huh?" Oh, Batsu. Have you been taking trash talk cues from Sakura again?
It would appear that the Saturday Night Fight schedulers have gone out of their way to make tonight's venue as flashy and spectacular as possible, sparing no expense for the sake of entertainment. And at the core of this? The fighters themselves!
While the big draw to the scheduled SNF venue is the massive reproduction of a roulette wheel, the atmosphere isn't neglected. Men and women on crew are decked out in tuxedos, a small bar area set off and outside of the roped off 'arena' providing drinks to (legal) spectators and loudspeakers booming various Sinatra tunes to add to the atmosphere. It's a real treat to the lucky people watching--all of this is on Howard Enterprises' tab. Lucky!
But for the fighters, it may very well be another story altogether. Fortunately, Chun-Li is spared the stress of fighting in such a big venue this week. Instead, she has been designated to play the role of Chaos Agent, while the other fighters are expected to duke it out amongst one another. And the real zinger? Their fate at the Tai Chi Mistress' infamous strength lies entirely in Lady Luck's hands. A truly exciting twist to their fighting experience!
With loud cheer the woman herself emerges, clad not in her traditional (and entirely familiar) qipao but instead something far more formal. With her hair done up in her typical oxhorn hairstyle, the woman emerges wearing a floor-length cerulean cheongsam, complete with intricate gold threading of Oriental patterns along its surface, the whole affair complimented by a pair of simple but elegant matching flat-soled pumps.
Offering waves to the gathered throngs of spectators, the woman makes her way to the center of the roulette wheel, where she stops to greet each fighter with a respectful clasp of a fist against an open palm, her body bowing gently from the waist up. "Good luck to you all," she offers, smiling brightly before she relaxes.
Below, the wheel suddenly explodes with light, each pocket flashing brightly as the 'machine' is turned on properly. Simple flashing is followed by the lights wildly chasing around the broad board, before the numbers themselves flash. Then, as the board comes to a still a voice announces the each fighter present, before offering a loud cry of, "FIGHT!"
As if sensing Batsu's attention on her, Kula turns to face him, regarding him silently. She has no words for the boy. No scripted messages, no thoughts to share. She remembers his talk of fighting for something important. She discovered, in a sense, what that meant only recently. What was worse than trying to fight for others was not being in time to save them, however. He turns his attentions back toward Hayato and Kula bows her head, closing her eyes, gloved hands closing into small fists, the temperature around her dropping rapidly.
She has nothing to say to the distinguished looking Hayato either as he enters. It's dawned on her, gradually, that at this fights, she looks forward to so little. Other fighters seem to know each other, look forward to contending against one another, have friendly things to say. She just shows up, fights, gets dragged off, week after week. Clutching her right arm at her side with her left hand, she looks up slowly at the mounting ruckus at the last arrival, only to lay eyes on the world famous Chun-Li.
Crimson eyes blink slowly, a flicker of a smile at the corner of her mouth bringing the girl out of her maudlin reverie. There's someone she has come to like seeing at this events each time she's encountered her. Last time the woman encouraged her to do her best. This time she gets a blessing of good luck. Breathing in, the girl exhales softly, hands raised up in front of her chest, clenched closed for a moment until she relaxes, lowering them to her side once again. "Thank you," she responds to the encouragement of the very well dressed fighter, whirling around to face the other two combatants in this free for all match!
She doesn't move until the signal to start has been given. But when she does at last budge, it is with a frightening amount of speed in Hayato's direction. The last time she fought the Taiyo High teacher, she couldn't best him. She has plans to rectify that this time. Besides, she just doesn't feel at east with gunning for Batsu all the sudden. Perhaps her combat algorithms will kick in to help rectify that uncertainty shortly though.
That energy, ever ready at her finger tips, sparks to life over her gloved right hand with a shimmer that results in a thin, icy coating over her glove as she strikes out, going for a quick, chi laced punch into Hayato's side if he's too busy drinking and not paying close enough attention!
COMBATSYS: Kula has started a fight here.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Hayato has joined the fight here.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.
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Hayato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
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Kula 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Batsu has joined the fight here.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Hayato with Medium Punch.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Hayato
Hayato is paying plenty of attention! ...But he also doesn't want to spill his drink. When Kula comes swinging in at him, Hayato attempts to step back and out of the way. Because of the circular nature of their fighting platform, however, he's also forced to move a bit to the side, or else tumble over the edge of the roulette wheel. This slows him down enough for Kula to drive her fist into his side, sending him stumbling. He also has to make a few quick movements to contain his drink which has started sloshing around inside his glass. Not going to get him to spill it /that/ easily!
Hayato's got a grin on his face as he steadies himself. "Not bad. Keep it up!" And then he takes a sudden step toward Kula, thrusting out with his shinai right toward the center of her face! But actually, that's just to throw her off guard. If he does connect, it only results in a light tap to Kula's nose... before Hayato suddenly swings the shinai up to bring it crashing down on the /top/ of Kula's head.
Whoa, it's Chun-li. And indeed, Batsu seems dead impressed when the Strongest Woman makes her appearance. He keeps up with the fighting world, after all, and she is one of its luminaries, without question. "Thanks," he says with a nod, to her wishing good luck. Yeah, that's it, Batsu. Cool and composed, take it smooth. Plus this isn't the weird manga so you're not competing with Ryu or anything!
[RECORD SCRATCHING NOISE]
But then the gong is rung and things are off. Kula starts the battle by attacking Hayato, a move that makes sense to the Burning Fighter; they've fought each other, he knows, so Hayato might be the unknown quantity she'd want to test. Of course, this means the two are off and running while he's standing behind a little bit, and it makes his decision of how to get into the battle a tough one. Goofily, he just runs at the pair and resolves to start in on whoever doesn't get hit... which appears to be Kula.
"Ice to see you again," the Taiyo senior puns, dashing past his lush sensei and looking to simply grab Kula around the waist. If he can, up they both go... and then DOWN they both go, Batsu drawing on some inner reserve of Imawano jutsu to do a makeshift Izuna drop. It might not LOOK graceful but getting your head rammed into a giant roulette wheel's gonna sting all the same.
Of all fighters present, the one she recognizes most is the young face of Kula Diamond. Her response is a small grin of her own, the woman's head tilting in a tiny nod before she regards both Hayato and Batsu. With all fighters present, it's clearly time to get this show on the road. Taking a long, deep breath in, the Chinese fighter finds her center.
Around her the roulette wheel erupts with lights and chaos. Fighters throwing themselves at one another, the woman's eyes slowly open to gaze about. It would seem poor Kula has found her way in the center of both Hayato and Batsu's attacks. That doesn't bode well for the girl, but Chun-Li knows she can handle herself.
Fortunately, Fate doesn't seem cruel enough to pick on Kula either. The wheel's furious flashing of lights begin to die, and soon one panel remains lit--Hayato's. That's Chun-Li's cue to take initiative and make her move on the Burning Phys-Ed teacher. A breath quickly slips past her lips, her body jerking to life as she beelines from the center of the wheel toward Hayato, where she leaps a few feet before reaching him to drive herself into a handstand. The moment is brief.
A split-second later her lips part, a loud cry of "YAA!" escaping her powerful lungs as she whips into action, her body flipping forwards as she attempts to drive her leg straight down with frightening force, right for the man's body.
COMBATSYS: Kula dodges Batsu's Head Drop.
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Kula 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Kula with Random Strike.
? Strange Hit! ?
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Kula 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Hayato
Her early strike draws Hayato's attention, that infamous shinai, dreaded by teenagers world-wide, swinging in for her face. She brings her hands up, inserting her forearms into the path of his strike, keeping it from even reaching her nose. As it turns out, he isn't out to bloody the girl's face just like that, however, Kula's combat algorithms completely misreading his less than ruthless intent and guarding against him improperly.
The wooden weapon comes down atop the crown of her head with a resounding *THWACK* instead, knocking her down and forward, stumbling as she fights to keep standing, practically tripping over the edge of the wheel herself in a manner Hayato sought to avoid when she attacked him.
It's only by mixture of raw speed and that already forced movement that she reacts in time to Batsu, hearing his quip in time to realize that he's going after her with his opening move. Just before his arms wrap in about her wist, the skinny girl spins out of his path, coming up standing a few feet away, facing him directly. "Is it," she replies, her voice neutral, as if she isn't really sure what to make of his greeting. It sounded... surprisingly non-hostile.
The lights along the floor of the wheel begin to blink rapidly. Someone is about to enjoy a swift strike from that powerful Tai Chi fighter. But Kula doesn't have time to give it any thought as she speeds forward for Batsu, ignoring the lights for the moment. Kicking off the ground into an aerial pirouette, the girl attempts to spin into Batsu, feet first, in an attempt to strike him hard enough to send him reeling. Of course, given the nature of her style, there's always a catch. And that catch happens to be in the swath of ice enshrouding her right arm - the entirety of which she attempts to blast Batsu with the second her feet touch down - a point blank torrent of freezing cold energy that leaves a thick layer of crusted on ice in its wake.
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Chun-Li's Sen'en Shuu.
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Kula 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Hayato
Hayato briefly glances down when there's a flare of light underneath his feet. Uh-oh. And here comes the World's Strongest Woman, flipping his way. The teacher moves quickly, pushing his drink out behind him, and meeting Chun-li's foot with his shoulder on the opposite side. Getting kicked by Chun-Li is pretty much always going to hurt, but at least he manages to take the hit on a sturdy area. Straightening back up as Chun gets to her feet, Hayato flashes her a smile. "You know, I don't have any plans for after this fight, if you want to go get a drink. Think about it!"
And with that, he's away! Can't leave the fight unattended for too long, right? "Think fast, Batsu!" Hayato leaps at his student with a sharp laugh, kicking out with his right leg toward Batsu's back. Flaming orange chi flares up from his foot and covers his leg all the way up past the knee as he strikes, making the kick, well... devastating, should it hit.
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Batsu with Devastation Kick.
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Kula 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Batsu fails to interrupt Ray Spin from Kula with Guts Upper.
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Kula 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Hayato
Well, isn't this fun? Last time it was Kula who needed to repel boarders; this time it's Batsu, and his career as a pirate is probably going to come to an abrupt halt because he fails beyond human expectation. His mistake was probably deciding to try and weather one of Hayato's attacks, considering the fervor that the Burning Phys Ed Teacher tends to put behind everything he does. That... and he has Plans, considering he's being attacked from both sides. Thus he actually doesn't even turn much to see Hayato; he just braces himself and keeps the focus on Kula. This is a bad plan, because rather than being propelled forward by the blow, he's smacked *forward*, stumbling. Grimacing in pain, he still tries his best to follow through and blow through Kula's attack with a single, powerful uppercut... but it's not meant to be, and he's knocked a good distance away from *both* fighters by the simultaneous impact.
But it's not over... not by a longshot. Pulling himself to his feet, he grimaces in pain but gets back into his brawler's stance, fists balled. "Yeah... not really," he says to Kula offhandedly, before turning to Hayato with a raised eyebrow. "You ain't got time for hittin' on ladies, Sensei... I ain't down yet!"
Recoiling from the strike against Hayato, Chun-Li rolls and rises swiftly, brown eyes fixed on the fighter as he recovers from the staggering block. It's likely spared him a world of hurt, and part of her is a little thankful. There's no real delight in picking on fighters as they try to fight amongst themselves, after all. But that's the gamble one takes when signing up every week. She offers the Phys-Ed teacher a tiny, almost apologetic smile.
...that swiftly falters as the man offers her a drink. Stunned, the woman stammers lightly, her face a faint shade of red as she glances around. Surely no one else heard it, right? Naturally, Batsu points it out and immediately validates her concerns. The blush grows a little, but...she smiles regardless.
"Perhaps, Mister Nekketsu," Chun-Li simply replies before she hops out of the fray entirely. No sense in lingering when fists are being tossed about.
Again, the Roulette board ignites with a flash of lights, and--unfortunately--Hayato's panel lights up again. A faint sigh escapes the Tai Chi Mistress, brows knitting discreetly as she steps forward with mild reluctance, narrowing the gap between herself and Hayato before firing off a swift vertical kick right for his face. Surely he won't take it personally!
Landing out of her spinning assault, Kula rises back up to standing, her left hand coming up to flip her long hair back over her shoulder as she takes in the circumstances. Batsu confirms that no, it isn't all that swell seeing her again. It doesn't come as a surprise. What DOES surprise her is how it seems to bother her a little. Shaking her head, she convinces herself that she can't really sit around thinking about it. Her battling instincts want to drive her forward, carry her on through the fight in practically an autonomous manner, like a mindless weapon capable of so much ruthless harm that gives no thought to the impression she leaves on people outside of NESTs. They're not supposed to matter after all.
Exhaling softly, she turns back toward Hayato in time to notice the blinking light beneath Hayato. Poor guy, looks like the wheel has it in for him thus far. Her combat algorithms, however, decide that attacking him at precisely the same time as Chun-Li is the most effective thing she can do this very moment. But she can't cover the distance in time. The black clad woman is fast. Extremely fast.
Lifting her right hand to her mouth, palm up, fingers toward Hayato, the girl breaths in then exhales in time with a shimmer of white light that courses over her, passing along her arm and into her hand. What is sent the Taiyo Teacher's way is definitely not a blown kiss from a crushing school girl, but rather a blast of freezing cold wind bearing rings of sharp ice, needle-sized shards of frozen matter, and raw, painfully bright white energy in the mix. A simple exhale, but it bears so much danger for the other fighter.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Hayato with Medium Kick.
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Kula 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Hayato with Diamond Breath.
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Kula 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Hayato
Hayato won't hold it against you, Chun-Li! This is a fight, after all. Even so... you made him spill his drink.
Hayato attempts to leap back from Chun-Li's kick, but her foot still manages to connect with his face, snapping his head back. He staggers, his martini sloshing about as he tries to get some balance, much of the precious booze slopping over the rim... and then Kula's ice blast explodes in his back. We switch to slow motion as the glass is wrenched from Hayato's fingers. It begins to flip over, the remaining drink flying out. The glass spins through the air until it eventually hits the roulette wheel and shatters. A moment later the olive hits, bounces once, then slowly rolls away.
Switching back to normal speed, Hayato himself hits the floor, sprawled out forward with a few shards of ice still stuck in the back of his tux. And now the sleeve is soaked from his martini. Man, he's so going to lose his deposit on this. After a moment Hayato hauls himself up to his knees, then back to his feet. He rolls his shoulders, an action which dislodges the few remaining, rapidly fading ice crystals. If only Kula were older, he could say something about there being plenty of him to go around. Why couldn't you be Foxy or Diana, Kula?! Instead Hayato just cracks his neck, turning to try to face as many of the other fighters as possible, then slamming his right fist into his left palm with a grin on his face. Yeah, he's pretty banged up... but that just makes things interesting!
COMBATSYS: Hayato's Burning Spirit keeps him going!
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Kula 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Hayato
The Burning Fighter visibly winces when Hayato gets double-teamed thanks to the roll of the dice again. That's got to hurt... and though he has no desire to feel Chun-Li's legendary kicks himself, he wouldn't wish them on Hayato, either. At least he has a second or two to collect himself after his own brutal doubleteaming, but now he's ready to get things moving again. Cracking his knuckles, he calls out "Alright, sensei?" toward Hayato... but his eyes are on Kula. He's not too thrilled to see her again, no... but she's a fighter, and she deserves a fighter's respect, at least as long as people are in SNF.
"I'm not tryin' to gang up on ya," the Taiyo senior explains to Kula, moving toward her with careful steps. "But you're the only one fresh as a daisy right now." He sounds genuine, at least... but it probably hurts his credibility that, statement delivered, he sails across the distance and tries to land a right hook right across her face. You're not supposed to hit girls there, Batsu.
With one powerful strike, Chun-Li does the unthinkable:
She knocks the booze out of poor Hayato's grasp.
But the Burning Phys-Ed teacher's alcoholic plight is far from her mind; instead, she worries more as her strike sends the man staggering back, her leg swiftly recoiling back to her side before she sets it down. Three swift steps take the cheongsam-clad Tai Chi Mistress pacing away, for good reason. For, mere moments after a burst of Arctic-like winds blaze forward from the NESTS girl's lips, a move she's come to know quite personally in their many encounters through the public fighting arena. Hopping back, she draws herself out of harm's way, a light sigh escaping her lips.
Again, the fighters make their moves, however idle Hayato seems to be at the present. With the man biding his time carefully it leaves Batsu and Kula to fight amongst themselves, and once more the Roulette arena flares to life. When the electric panel stops, it does so right under Kula's feet.
Without a single word Chun-Li dashes forward, maneuvering around as Batsu attempts to punch her in the face before she drops low. Planting a hand, the woman's leg shoots outwards, attempting to sweep the girl clean off her feet. "YA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kula with Light Kick.
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Kula 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Kula interrupts Fierce Punch from Batsu with Crow Bite.
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Kula 1/-----==/=======|=======\=------\1 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Hayato
As her freezing breath gets Hayato's attention, Kula slowly lowers her now ice encrusted hand, clenching it shut to force the thick layer of ice to fall to the ground at her feet. She doesn't charge for her in retaliation, however, having to take a moment to recover from that brief double teaming he's had to weather. It seems her combat algorithms were, as they often are, brutally accurate. Whirling around to face Batsu as the next predicted threat she'll have to contend with, Kula readies herself.
What she and her algorithms forget, however, is that dastardly light blinking around under people. It seems her turn is up next. It flickers on and she's too focused on Batsu to notice as he comes barreling in with a fist intent on striking her face solidly. In sweeps Chun-Li's low kick just as Kula begins to crouch in retaliation. It happens to be well timed, however, as she realizes at the last instant, that she's got two attacks, not one, to deal with.
A small wall of ice juts up out of the wheel in the path of the Chinese fighter's kicks, slowing them a little though not dulling the impact completely. It keeps Kula standing, however, as she makes no effort to spare further defense against the woman. Out of the crouch she spins into Batsu however. Her left hand leads, waving out, leaving thick ice in its wake with enough mass to it to slow his punch just before it shatters through and strikes the girl's shoulder.
Her right shoulder spins toward him next, however, as her right hand becomes encased in a giant guantlet of sharp, bladed ice, with jagged spikes and razor edges all along the surface of it. And it is with this 'armored' arm that she uppercuts the Taiyo youth with all she has, the momentum taking her up off the ground, "My training has prepared me for scenarios such as this," she states as she spins out of the uppercut into a follow up, ice laden kick intended to drive Batsu back down to the Wheel of Unfortunate Pain.
The girl lands moments later, rising back up to standing, her arms resting against her sides as she exhales slowly, her frosty breath visible in the warm air. This is starting to wear her out - she's been going full out for the last few minutes now.
Nothing wrong with hitting girls, Batsu, as long as they're ready and willing to hit you, too! Hayato's not about to hold back from hitting Kula now, for instance. Having had a moment to recover himself, Hayato's back in the game. Not getting kicked again by Chun-Li has been helpful, as well. "Watch out for the broken glass, folks. Somebody might get hurt!" Hayato grins, then charges across the roulette wheel toward Kula swinging his shinai back and up as he runs.
His plan isn't too difficult to see, but Hayato is counting on being fast and difficult to stop. And once he does arrive, he demonstrates why his attack might also be difficult to simply defend against. Because he starts lashing out wildly with the shinai, full armed swings bringing the bamboo blade slashing down at Kula from a multitude of angles, none of them particularly planned, so even /Hayato/ doesn't know where he's going to be attacking from until a moment before he strikes!
Alright, that stung. She hits a little too hard for her size, Batsu gets to think as he flies through the air (thankfully away from the blinking lights) and lands a good distance away. Every part of him aches, between actual physical hits and the threat of frostbite; he called that ice 'not that special' when they last met, but it sure is PERSISTENT, isn't it. Still, this is Batsu we're talking about, and no matter how bad he lands, he yanks himself to his feet, gritting his teeth. "That all you got, Popsicle?" he asks, sucking in a breath. "I've gotten worse from a box fan." That didn't even make sense, Batsu.
But he needs to psyche himself up, that's for sure. Gritting his teeth, Batsu throws his arms down to his side... and yells. *Loud*. Stuff on the roulette wheel *rattles*, and his cerulean blue chi explodes off his body in a blazing aura. "ALRIGHT, YOU TWO, BRING IT ON!" he bellows. "I'LL TAKE YOU BOTH OUT AT ONCE!" Bold words, Ichimonji... bold words.
COMBATSYS: Batsu gathers his will.
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Kula 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Batsu
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Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Hayato
The moment Chun-Li's leg impacts with Kula is the moment her leg almost immediately recoils, tucking back at her hip before she pushes off her hands. In a pinch the woman leaps into the air, gracefully arcing before she lands on her heels. By that time Kula has already taken to the counterattack, breaking through Batsu's meaty attack and delivering a harsh blow of her own. Immediately she winces; she knows THAT feeling well, too.
Hayato's 'warning' earns him a brief glance from the Chinese woman, her expression vaguely puzzled before she offers a light grin. For now, she steps back, letting the three fighters engage with one another as the Roulette wheel fires to life again. Round and round the lights chase...until they stop underneath the loud Batsu Ichimonji.
Once more, Chun-Li is on the prowl. Pacing swiftly forward with her sights fixed on Batsu, the woman offers a ghost of a smile as she suddenly picks up speed, her legs moving swiftly before she stops a foot in front of Batsu. The remaining distance is slid on those flat-soled shoes while, at the same time, one arm folds across her brow at the wrist, the other fist suddenly shooting out, a punch aimed right for the center of Batsu's chest. "YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Kula dodges Hayato's Scolding Slash.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Kula 1/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Hayato
Hayato provides the group of fighters a warning about cut glass, but Kula pays it no mind. Compared to the danger of her ice shards, she doesn't consider it to be too important to worry about. And what's even more worrisome is that shinai of Hayato's as he comes bearing on her again. Having gotten wiser to being hit by that thing now, the girl springs backward quickly, weaving around a couple of swings, waving an ice barrier or two into its path to slow it down as it smashes through them.
In the end, she has to take to the air to avoid the rest, leaping up and over Hayato to come to a landing a little ways behind him. She exhales softly at having avoided his strikes. She isn't even sure why she finds him so vexing to fight, not quite picking up on the way her combat routines, struggling to keep up with the eccentric style of fighting, stress her out on an unconscious level.
Rather than attacking him back right now, however, the girl has other plans as she extends her hand out to the side and half closes her crimson eyes. All the fragments of ice left lingering across the giant wheel begin to be drawn back toward her, losing their sharp edges and crystaline shapes as they mold into a sphere of pulsing energy just over her hand.
Taking in a deep breath, she absorbs the small sphere of ice into her system, restoring her strength and reinvigorating stressed muscles. She'll be back up to full speed in a moment and good to deal with whatever comes her way next. Even her minor stress at having to keep up with Hayato bleeds off a little, the girl becoming once again perfectly composed. And, for the sake of the other fighters, she even waves her hand, sending a small gust along the surface of the wheel to sweep the broken glass shards off the side.
COMBATSYS: Kula gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Hayato
Bring it on? Well, how can Hayato possibly turn down an invitation like that? Nothing even needs to be said. He simply grins at Batsu, then starts moving to oblige. It looks like Chun-Li is also taking Batsu up on his challenge; hopefully they won't get in one another's way. Hayato's breathing a bit hard as he charges toward Batsu, but once he gets up to full speed that doesn't really matter. The plan is for nothing to slow Hayato down until he crashes right on into Batsu.
At that point Hayato will grab his student and give him a violent shaking. Perhaps not the most damaging approach, unless he develops whiplash, but certainly nothing that will be good for his health or ability to concentrate. Then Hayato grabs Batsu by the front of his shirt, briefly hefting up him up off the ground, only to slam a punch into his torso that should send him right back down.
COMBATSYS: Batsu blocks Chun-Li's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Batsu with Power Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Hayato
The flashing light actually has a benefit, for once; Batsu was already on the defensive, so he knows Chun-Li is headed his way. Thus the punch from the Strongest Woman is met with a firm, steady defense that blunts it considerably. The problem his, the Burning Fighter spent too much time focusing on Chun that he doesn't notice Hayato until it's a WEE bit too late; when the grab starts he decides to just try and roll with it, but considering the beating he's taken in so short an amount of time, fatigue and pain just aren't going to let him. He bounces across the roulette wheel floor like the little ball that would normally go on such a device.
Fighting his way to his feet, wiping blood from his face, Batsu sets his teeth in a grimace. Why? An internal battle. After their previous match, he REALLY wants to stick one to Kula. Really bad. He hides it under bravado but is still ashamed of his past performance against the assassin... and this one isn't much better. But Hayato's presence is a strong reminder of how sportsmanship works... and he realizes he's done nothing but charge the girl since minute one. Resolving himself with a faint 'heh', he turns to Hayato, unsteady but not giving up yet. "You... are gonna regret that," he says, blue chi around him erupting instead into red-orange fire, as he charges Hayato, fist cocked, to simply SLAM him to the ground with one mighty punch, and then with the customary shout of "GUTS... UPPERRRRRRRRRR!" he swings his fist back UP, accompanied by a blast of fire like a rocket burst. Well, the wheel hasn't been kind to Hayato this fight... maybe the rafters will be kinder.
COMBATSYS: Batsu has reached second wind!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Hayato
Though Batsu effectively handles the Tai Chi Mistress' striking blow, it would seem that the Burning Phys-Ed teacher has a bit more luck against the Ichimonji boy. But the exchange of blows between both Hayato and Batsu are of no real, major concern to Chun-Li--this is their fight, after all. Not hers. So, with a tiny and fleeting sort of grin, the woman steps back, out of the fray once again. This is between Hayato and Batsu now. But where is the Ice Princess..?
Glancing over a shoulder, the woman's gaze fixes on the girl as she tries to keep her cool about her in the middle of this wicked three-for-all. A lopsided grin edges across the woman's face, her gaze turning back toward where the real action is for the time being. The girl can handle herself just fine, after all. Likewise, so can these other fighters.
Yet again the wheel alights, and once again it spins around the Roulette arena. When it stops, it again (and perhaps unfortunately) stops underneath Hayato, the odds clearly not favoring the Burning Phys-Ed teacher tonight. Still, the woman seems determined to fill her role as Chaos Agent and, with a swift breath deep into her lungs, draws her arms out and forward. From her palms a sphere of blue chi forms, energy gathering and growing brighter and stronger with each passing second. Waiting until Batsu has drawn himself out of harm's way does she suddenly thrust both arms forward, her legs tense as she launches that rolling ball of chi with a clear, sharp cry of:
"KIKOUKEN!"
Left to herself for a moment, the ice user has the chance to compose herself, regain her cool detatchment from the chaos around her so that her ruthless style can be used to its maximum effectiveness. Her breath restored and her strength readied, the girl watches the explosive exchange of attacks between Hayato and Batsu. That the young man can keep on going after what he's weathered thus far is... well, it reminds her of the last time she evaluated his abilities. He lasts well beyond his expected potential. And here he goes again to prove it!
Charging at the Taiyo instructor with everything he's got, the girl also detects a surge of bright, vibrant chi flying Hayato's way. All in all... she decides he's well and plenty busy. Batsu, on the other hand, needs to have pressure kept on him as he continues to defy all predetermined expectations to push himself even further.
Springing forward, the lithe fighter takes to the air, aiming to catch the youth from behind with a dive kick... a dive kick amped by that blade of ice suddenly affixed to the sole of her insulated boot, that is. Nothing like a stab in the back to remind Batsu why he wants to tear into her so bad. But her routines tell her that this is the most optimal action... the Physical Ed instructor will be dealth with shortly.
COMBATSYS: Batsu successfully hits Hayato with Maximum Guts Upper.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Hayato with Kikouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Hayato
So, first Hayato gets launched by Batsu. He's slammed into the ground, then sent flying into the air by the explosion of chi... only to be blasted in mid flight by Chun-Li's Kikouken. This sends Hayato sailing through the air, spinning about, before finally crashing back down onto the roulette wheel with enough force to splinter the thick wood when he lands. At least he didn't go all the way through it and get stuck. For a moment it looks like he might be down for the count, but then he manages to sit up and drag himself up to his feet. He looks pretty unsteady, though.
Hayato takes a few wobbling steps toward Kula. "I'd... say that's about it... for me... but you two kids go play together." And with a fading grin he lunges at Kula with the last of his energy, his fist flaring up with chi as he attempts to punch her hard enough to launch her in Batsu's direction. Aside from the chi there isn't really anything that fancy about the punch... Hayato's just a strong guy.
COMBATSYS: Hayato can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Kula 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kula successfully hits Batsu with Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Kula 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
And then Hayato topples over face down.
SOMEHOW, after delivering that blow, Batsu is still on his feet. It's not entirely certain how he does that, and when he reels backwards from the Burning Phys Ed Teacher it's in a pretty clumsy fashion. But he's on his feet, there's no question about that, and he *shouldn't* be. A hand comes up to grip his face for a second, in exhaustion and fatigue, and it's only as he brings it down that he sees Kula flying at him out of his periphery. It's not in enough time for him to spin out of the way; the best he does is make it so the ice blade slices into his side rather than his back, cutting open a thin line in his already pretty abused Taiyo uniform and eliciting a hiss of pain.
Batsu can see Hayato giving a shot at Kula with his last gasp, but the Burning Fighter doesn't have it in him to help out right now; he steps back and clutches at his chest, frowning and getting his act together. "Man... you could do well with one a' Nagare's speeches," he says to Kula off-handedly. "'Bout sportsmanship, 'cause I *know* those ice kicks a'yours don't gotta cut."
COMBATSYS: Batsu gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Kula 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
Wincing as Hayato takes not only Chun-Li's sphere of chi but ALSO that particularly nasty blow delivered by Batsu, the woman can't help but feel just a bit sorry for the older man. Still, he's a trooper, and with one last ditch effort makes his move against the icy NESTS fighter. Meanwhile, Batsu holds his ground, as the Roulette wheel begins to spin around and around.
In the middle of it all, Chun-Li finds herself a little confused by it all. When that light finally stops--
It lands on the now-unconscious Hayato's panel. The woman blinks slowly.
A glance is spared to the SNF crew on the sidelines, the Chinese fighter giving them an odd and clearly puzzled look. What is she supposed to do? Should she kick him while he's down or something? She certainly hopes not; what sort of fight would that be, anyway?
Fortunately, the crew make a dismissive motion, allowing the Tai Chi Mistress a moment to stand by idly and watch as Kula faces off against the persistent Ichimonji boy. Finally, a chance to catch her breath.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Kula 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Kula with Burning Cross Counter.
-* WILD HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Kula 1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
As Kula kicks off Batsu's back and comes down to a landing, the ice on the sole of her boot shatters off, scattered across the wheel as she no longer needs sustain the now bloodied blade. Rising back up to standing straight, her arms at her sides, the perpetually chilly girl stares back at Batsu with narrowed eyes. At first her ice was nothing special, but now it's too effective in the wrong ways? Hmph! She should spend more time focusing on Hayato, however, for when the gym teacher comes barreling her way, her attention isn't where it needs to be to contend with an attack of that insane magnitude.
Whirling to face him, the girl brings her left hand up, creating a barrier of ice that she knows, an instant too late, is not going to be remotely enough. Smashed to small, sparkling diamonds, the powerful, burning chi laced punch collides solidly with the girl, slamming her clean off her feet, tumbling over the ruts in the wheel as she comes to a rough, painful landing on her hands and knees. Her mouth open with a pained gasp, her left hand goes to rest against her side, resting over the tender point of impact left by the destructive attack. Even her leather armor jacket is scorched and frayed at the point from the power of that strike.
Slowly the NESTs operative pushes herself to her feet, mouth clenched in a teeth gritting grimace. Part of her wants to charge Batsu and strike with another one of her vicious attacks. But she's not sure how steady her feet are at this point... Instead the girl opts for another option, closing her eyes, and bringing all the latent chi she controls to the surface, forming an icy sheen over her entire body. The ice fragments that hadn't already been consumed during her prior reprieve are drawn back toward her, absorbed by the icy shell she creates over herself.
There is a silence, a prelude to the attack to come. And then she unleashes it all. A complete hemisphere of white energy explodes out from the girl, discharging that shell of ice and converting it into pure, freezing chi moving at nearly the speed of light!
COMBATSYS: Batsu endures Kula's Diamond Shell.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
He can feel it. That swell of power... probably even non-fighters in the place can feel it. Maybe it's the moisture in the air being drawn in. But for some reason, Batsu isn't readying himself, or at least not openly. Hayato's down, he's not feeling too hot himself. So there's only one way for this to end: with a bang. A real, honest to goodness bang. It looks like Kula's got that bang, too... he just needs to tough it out a little while longer. Make it work. Make it happen.
The frost wave slams into him like a jackhammer.
But he STAYS UP. Uniform torn, face bloodied, the Burning Fighter absolutely refuses to give in despite this powerful attack. Maybe he pushed her to this with that comment -- one he doesn't regret -- but the force of that icy attack is brutal. He's swaying on his feet when it passes, and one of the 'spokes' of the roulette wheel above him, the size of half a flagpole, slams to the roulette wheel next to him with a loud *THUNK*, caught in the blast.
For a moment, Batsu seems indecisive. Then he just... picks it up. Where the strength to do so comes from, given his state, is anyone's guess. Why he's grinning, even more inexplicable. But he came to do a job, so he's gonna do it. "Learned this trick... from Shoma..." he says. He winds up, and then quite simply looks to bat Kula right off the stage with all of his might. But is it his last act in this epic fight?!
COMBATSYS: Batsu has reached third wind!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
...it sure ain't.
COMBATSYS: Kula dodges Batsu's Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
As the explosion of bright light fades, returning the surrounding area to the same color it was before that hemisphere of freezing white energy coursed over the region, and Kula stands up slowly, arms at her sides, that perpetual breeze in motion around her figure. She expects that to be the end. There's nothing else to be done now besides just go home and relax, and have her bruises looked at.
But Batsu is still standing, in pure defiance to everything she's thrown his way thus far, refusing to go down even still. The girl's eyes narrow, brow furrowing to a visible degree of confusion at his ongoing tenacity. Did he block it? He couldn't have dodged it. Even blocking it should have bowled him over in her mind. She isn't really sure what to think now.
The Taiyo student comes back at her, taking his chance to smack her hard with that makeshift bat of hers, but Kula slips out of the way, relying on a small barrier of ice to glance the pole a bit off course as she does so. The girl comes up at Batsu's side, exhaling softly as she digs deep to keep pulling all that chi to the surface in this fight that's managed to last longer than she had paced herself for.
This time she goes for something simple, her right hand snapping out for Batsu's neck, seeking to get a vice-like hold. Sportmanship seems lost on her. If she thinks she can strangle the fight out of him, then so be it. Her left hand follows suit, going to plant against his chest as the girl unleashes a torrent of energy at point blank range, attempting to blast him back some ways to give herself a chance to better evaluate his condition and /tenacity/.
COMBATSYS: Batsu dodges Kula's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Kula 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
If Batsu has a hallmark, it's that he can make his body accomplish things it should in no way be capable of doing. The sheer biology of this scenario says that once the hand comes for his throat, he should just slump and get it over with. Every part of his body *hurts* thanks to Kula's punishing assault... and no small number of battering moves from poor, unconscious Hayato as well. But fiery determination is apparently enough to spur him to move, to quell the resistance of muscle and sinew, to quite frankly get him the hell OUT of the way.
The movement is ragged and jerky; he's determined, not immortal. But the Burning Fighter slips out of Kula's grip, spinning out of the way of the vice grip and sliding a bit across the roulette wheel floor as he does so. "Feelin' a little tired?" he asks, a little amused. The irony of it might be lost on Kula, depending on her concept of how tired BATSU is, but at this point he's relying on any tool he can think of to keep the girl off-balance. If that means lying about his condition, so be it.
Well, that and the punching. Stepping quickly, he tries to blow into Kula's guard before she can recover and slam his fist into her stomach, painfully, a gut blow intended to perhaps give him the opening he needs to keep this going...
Somehow, despite all that Batsu has endured, he is still standing and still capable of fighting. It's impressive really--so much so the Tai Chi Mistress is a bit shocked when he recovers from the staggering blow delivered by Kula to fight more and fight on. The woman's eyes naturally shift, peering rather thoughtfully upon the icy girl. She's endured much herself and still stands to fight. It's impressive, the both of them and their sheer tenacity.
Again, the Roulette wheel blazes to life, lights spiraling crazily around the wheel before it stops under Batsu. Clearly the one who remains worse for wear, it draws a slight frown over Chun-Li's lips. When things are so closed to the wire here, it almost feels wrong to butt in and throw a punch. But, hey. That's the role she was assigned here, so...
Racing forward once more, Chun-Li attempts to pursue Batsu, her body dropping low when close enough before she whips into action, springing upwards as her left leg whips outwards. Should it connect, the Tai Chi Mistress will attempt to whip her body around and juggling him upwards before delivering a second strike with the opposite leg. "YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu successfully hits Kula with Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Kula 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|
He slips out of her grip before she can tighten her hold, leaving the girl drawing her hands back as she attempts to correct for this unexpected evasion on his part. He calls her on being tired, but she's non-responsive, silent, trying to focus her best on finishing this fight against what have been increasingly difficult odds as the young man proves to be defiantly tenacious.
She tries to slip around the punch, but maybe she's slowing down a little as this match drags on, because his fist finds its mark right in her stomach, bending the more fragile fighter forward over the punch as she releases a pained, sharp gasp. She retaliates quickly, however, slamming her closed fist forward, aiming to return the favor with a strike into /his/ stomach to see how he likes it.
That isn't the only direction he needs to worry about, however, as directly behind him a glimmer of energy shimmers into a three foot long lance of ice that the girl is controlling with her left hand. With a twitch of her wrist, she attempts to paint another slash across his back. Apparently she didn't take his complaint about her cutting kicks to heart!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Batsu with Tenshou Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Kula 0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Batsu endures Kula's Behind Slash.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Kula 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Batsu
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
Tunnel vision really is a killer. It's Kula, Kula, Kula in Batsu's hazy vision... and he doesn't even notice the ground light up underneath him at this point, a curious reversal of his previous fortune. So focused is he on Kula that Chun-Li's attack leaves him approximately 0.0000001sec to react, which is to say it slams him into the air TWICE and then back down to the ground just in time to see Kula lunging at him. But he's not going to give her the satisfaction of seeing him topple over, no matter HOW bad off he is. She manages to tag him, and cut him, making even more blood run down his already beaten face... but he doesn't flinch. Not in the slightest. All he does is sit there, at point blank range, glowing blue as he summons all the chi left in him, a blazing halo around his body.
"You..." he says, throatily. "I dun... like you." Right then.
"SO GET LOST!" And that's when it happens. The same attack he tried on Hayato... but there's no two stages to it this time, oh no. This is just one flame-wreathed uppercut. A really, really nasty flame-wreathed uppercut looking to knock Kula *into the ceiling* if he has to. And the scream, though it takes almost all within him, is mandatory: "GUTS! UPPERRRRRRR!"
COMBATSYS: Batsu can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Kula 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Chun-Li
He then promptly face-firsts onto the ground.
COMBATSYS: Batsu successfully hits Kula with Maximum Guts Upper.
[ \\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Kula 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0 Chun-Li
Her punch delivered, her ice slashing across his back as intended, Kula is left to stare as Batsu refuses to go down. She litterally looks baffled as her precisely honed combat routines are thrown for a loop, the confusion her sub-conscious is dealing with making it all the way to surface in her expression as he remains standing even still. It defies all probability. He should be practically dead by now. Not standing, and certainly not /fighting/.
He's stil talking too. Something she gets ready to rectify as she ponders sealing his entire face over with a nice thick patch of ice to put him down, perhaps for the long term. But while she's thinking about that, he's moving, tearing into her with a flaming uppercut against which she's too slow to respond in her current condition. Both hands slam forward, creating another one of those barriers, but Batsu goes on to smash right through it, plowing the lighter weight combatant clean up into the air.
She smacks against the flimsy ceiling, the cheap plastic cracking every which way, before she drops right back down uncerimoniously, landing on her back hard. The girl starts to sit up, hissing as she ignores the smoke rising up off her jacket. She had everything planned perfectly. Her execution through most of the fight flawless. It's a hard pill to swallow; that sheer guts and determination can win out over her devastating techniques and constantly refined, adjusted, tuned style of combat.
But it's one she's going to have to deal with as she ends up flopping backward, releasing a tired sigh as the energy constantly in motion about her dwindles and fades away, leaving auburn locks where frosty blue ones existed moments before.
COMBATSYS: Kula takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kula can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|
Log created on 20:06:51 09/06/2008 by Batsu, and last modified on 04:44:08 09/07/2008.