Description: A battle royale, featuring the fearsome Kain Heinlein versus former World Warrior Kyo Kusanagi and the World's Strongest Woman, Chun-Li! Whose strength will prevail? And can Kain and Kyo stop hating each other long enough to worry about the threat of Chun-Li's mighty legs?! (Winner: Chun-Li)
SNF. Fists hitting faces, the thud of bone on bone, the spray of blood... Is it the violence that draws people to the spectacle? The displays of skill and raw strength? Or, perhaps in some cases, the appearance or personalities of the fighters. Whatever the reason, it's a highly popular (and likely profitable) enterprise. But for the fighters? Some of them like the fame, some of them just like the violence, and some of them, like Kain R. Heinlein, like the chance to test themselves and push their abilities against other skilled warriors. And Kain would be hard pressed to find some better fighters to compete against tonight than Chun-Li and Kyo. Even if Kyo /is/ a dick.
Heinlein walks into the arena to the sound of cheers, the tail of his coat trailing slightly behind him as he walks briskly toward the fighting floor. He doesn't bother to glance toward the audience, simply taking his position and then briefly glancing up toward the ceiling before settling himself into a deceptively casual stance, left hand tucked loosely into his pocket. Despite appearances, he's ready to spring into action at any moment. Presumably that moment will be as soon as the start of the fight is announced, but you never know...
With the arrival of Kain Heinlein, Howard Arena comes alive.
Loud, roaring cheers flood the stadium, deafening in volume as men, women and children grow eager and excited for the scheduled event--the main event of the week, no less. Lined up are three very famous fighters in the circuit and the world over, known for their strength and skill. People pay damn good money to see these sorts of match ups. Someone upstairs is making massive profit.
While fighting on numerous public circuits has become somewhat commonplace to Chun-Li, it isn't to say that she still gets a touch nervous beforehand. Standing backstage, she hears the audiences' excitement and cheer with the arrival of the first contender. A nervous glance is cast out to the thousand upon thousands of faces, a hand lightly curling into a fist. She just hopes this goes easier than the rest of her week has...
Chun-Li emerges, lifting a hand up high and greeting the gathered fans with a bright smile. Approaching the center of the arena, the Tai Chi Mistress nods politely to Kain, a tiny smile on her lips. "Good luck, mister Heinlein."
But you know what? Tonight, the arrival of Chun-Li... Even that of the mighty Kain R. Heinlein... Just the opening act. Because tonight, there's just simply a superior breed of human being in the house.
Once Kain and Chun-Li have both arrived in the arena, acknowledging their fans or not, as their respective natures dictate, the third participant in tonight's main event makes the scene. And you know what? He gets spotlights. The rest of the lights in the arena dim, and two big bright white lights are cast on one of the entryways, as Kyo Kusanagi steps out into the light. A former King of Fighters champion, the reigning World Warrior... And now, as well, the reigning SNF Champion as well. The title belt is slung over his shoulder as Kyo grins out at the world at large, the shit-eatingest of shit-eating smug expressions that the cosmos has likely ever seen, as the Kusanagi heir even buffs the gleaming faceplate of his title with a breath and one gloved hand.
Some people don't care for this stuff, you know; the theatrics, the spectacle. Kyo Kusanagi, like most of his bloodline, thinks it's absolutely /awesome/.
The lights follow Kyo as he half-struts his way down to the fighting stage, the arrogant young man looking even more puffed up than usual, the cheers of the crowd music to his ears. As he gets closer, Kyo takes the belt off of his shoulder and lifts it high with one hand, showing it off to the crowd... And to Chun-Li, and Kain. Of course, before he actually gets to climb up onto the stage, an SNF official takes the belt away from him for safekeeping, and then, quick as a wink, Kyo hops up onto the granite platform, the lights returning to normal.
To Kain, he says: "Whew, those things are pretty cool, huh? Say... Whatever happened to yours, anyway?"
What was that about Kyo being a dick?
COMBATSYS: Kain has started a fight here.
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Kain 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.
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Kain 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
COMBATSYS: Kyo has joined the fight here.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/-------|
Kain shifts his weight slightly but does not, for the moment, spring to the attack. "If some people need shiny trinkets to distract others from their lack of real strength, who am I to keep it from them?" Kain does find Kyo fairly annoying, but it's more Kyo's approach to life than any individual jibes he makes. And Kain is quite good at keeping himself in check. That still doesn't keep Kyo from being an irritant, however.
Now that all three fighters are in the arena, though, things start to move quickly. Nobody wants to see them just standing around! Some people might care for Kyo's verbal jabs, but he can do that while he's fighting, too! And Kain's not one to keep the audience waiting. The start of the fight is called, and Kain is quick to spring into action. His target isn't too hard to guess. His bloodline flames cause Kain to consider Kyo the greater threat, and his personality causes Kain to want to shut him up. A perfect combination.
Heinlein quickly closes the distance between himself and Kyo in a dash, leaping forward as he gets within the last few feet. His right leg snaps out, shrouded in black fire as he attempts to start the fight by landing a kick square in the center of Kyo's chest, along with a blast of dark flame.
When the lights dim and focus on the Kusanagi heir, all eyes are his.
Including Chun-Li's. But rather than look disappointed or annoyed or even offended, the woman just smiles politely and even claps her hands lightly. The belt is thrust her direction, but she only smiles wider, her clapping speeding up just a bit. Only when the lights cut back and Kyo has approached does the woman cease, nodding her head to Kyo. His words fall upon deaf ears, as far as Chun-Li is concerned; after all, he was addressing Kain.
"Ah, good to see you again, Kyo!" the woman interjects after Kain, giving the Kusanagi boy a slight wave before she rests her hand on her hip. "Congratulations on the belt, as well. I hope you can hold onto it long enough. It wouldn't do to have the World Warrior lose the belt so soon!" Winking at the young man, she lifts a finger and lightly wags it--before a flicker of chi roars from the corner of her eye. Her gaze shifts, watching Kain as he leaps in and attempts to strike down Kyo without hesitating.
That means the fight has begun. "Good luck, everyone!" Chun-Li cheerfully exclaims over the cheers of the audience and roaring chi-flames. Immediately dropping into stance with arms lifted and one leg slightly crooked, the woman glances between Kain and Kyo with a mildly uncertain expression, lips pursing in thought.
A moment later the Tai Chi Mistress' mind is made up, as she darts in just behind Kain. Coiling a leg tightly at her hip, she draws in a deep breath before the leg fires off, a rapid series of lightning-quick kicks delivered at Kain's backside with a sharp kiai exhaling from her lungs.
COMBATSYS: Kyo counters Schwarzer Stob from Kain with Nue Tsumi.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|
Aww, that's not a very nice thing to say, Kain. You're gonna hurt Kyo's feelings like that!
Ha ha ha, okay, not really. But you never know!
At least Chun-Li has the right attitude about things, and Kyo glances over towards her, tilting his head curiously. "/Thank/ you," he says, putting a great deal of put-upon emphasis on the words. Is something bizarre happening here? Is Kyo actually, genuinely thankful for another person's well-wishes on the subject of his much deserved success. "At least /some/ people around here have a sense of perspective, not like Jealous Jenny over here," Kyo adds, thumbing towards Kain.
So, as one might expect, Kyo was just using it as a setup to be a jerk. Of course, this isn't going to stop Kain from attacking him, no.
Something else is.
As Kain leaps at Kyo and snaps one leg out, Kyo's hand shoots up with blurring speed to catch Kain by the ankle, black flame warring against orange-crimson, as Kyo's eyes move back towards the blond man. "That's weird, this seems kinda familiar," he notes, pulling Kain towards the fighting stage and leaning in to help the German on his way down, courtesy of an explosive fiery punch aimed to drive him right into the granite underfoot.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kain with Hyakuretsu Kyaku.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|
One thing about being in mid air... it makes it difficult to defend yourself. So when Chun-Li manages to catch up with Kain, he's in trouble. In even more trouble when Kyo grabs him by the ankles. Kain suffers a flurry of kicks to the back, only stopping when he's yanked forward and down to the floor so that a fiery punch can slam the back of his head into the stone floor. There's a brief bounce and then Kain is flat on his back.
Not for long, though. Kain is only laid out for a brief moment before he kicks off the ground, rolling into a backflip the ends with him back on his feet and taking another quick hop back and away from both Kyo and Chun-Li. That was an inauspicious start to the fight, and Kain is really feeling it. Taking a deep breath, Kain resumes a ready stance, glancing between Kyo and Chun-Li. Perhaps he should wait a moment and see if the two of them will perhaps start clashing, what with being right in one another's faces. No need to bring their attention back to him so quickly.
COMBATSYS: Kain gains composure.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|
Kyo's comment earns him another grin, his sass simply rolling off Chun-Li's shoulders. She has more important things to think about--namely, keeping afloat in the fight. She can't let herself get distracted by Kyo's arrogance, after all. So she focuses, and timing herself just right, leaps in and delivers a series of harsh kicks unto Kain. As result, the blonde is sent staggering. Chun-Li, on the other hand, recoils her leg and touches it down, pacing back a few steps before reassuming stance.
But there comes not retaliation; in fact, Kain doesn't even attack Kyo. Left a touch confused by his inaction, the Chinese woman glances between both men before those almond-brown eyes eventually wind up back on the Kusanagi boy. She smiles again.
"The belt looks good on you," she states, still grinning. "I just wonder, though... Do you really have the skills to defend the title?" Tilting her head slightly, Chun-Li appears vaguely thoughtful. "Hmm. Maybe I should challenge you for it sometime? It could be fun, don't you think, mister Kusanagi?"
Whatever his response, Chun-Li doesn't wait for it. Instead, the Tai Chi Mistress dashes forward and attempts to drive her palm's heel straight into the young man's sternum. "YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Chun-Li's Medium Punch.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/------=|
With Kain not electing to continue his assault, it seems that Kyo instead gets the full attention of Chun-Li, who's talking... And then before he can even /answer/ her, she's rushing right at him and trying to hit him in the solar plexus. That's counterproductive when you're asking questions like that, Thunder Thighs!
Still, the thrust out palm instead smacks into Kyo's own palm, as he catches the Tai Chi mistress' hand. "Hey, if you're gonna flirt with me, you should know that I've already got a girlfriend," the Kusanagi heir says, ever the charmer. "'sides, I think you need to prove you're /worth/ it before you get to challenge me for anything."
Releasing Chun-Li's hand, Kyo hops back a step or two, glancing briefly towards Kain. "Now, this is the part where I go after her in retaliation, and you go 'ha ha ha, you fell into my trap, Kusanagi, mine is an evil laugh!' and hit me in the back of the head with your copycat flames, right?" That would probably be the dramatic cliche right about now.
So, naturally, Kyo lunges directly at Kain. Indeed, he ignores Chun-Li almost completely as he charges after the German, swinging his right fist in a hooking punch aimed at the side of the blond man's face, flames trailing behind his fist and erupting at the point of impact, if any. Should the first strike land, then Kyo steps in and unleashes a second, a heavier punch with his left fist, accompanied by a similar burst of flames, before simply lunging again, ducking low, to drive his shoulder into the Ankoku flamewielder's sternum. "Hua-!!"
COMBATSYS: Kyo successfully hits Kain with Aragami.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|
Kain doesn't get a chance to respond to Kyo, as he's busy dealing with getting punched in the face, then having the Kusanagi scion's shoulder rammed into his chest. Heinlein is sent flying back several feet before his feet come back into contact with the ground and he skids to a stop. And he manages to remain standing, although there's a brief moment where he has to fight down the effects of the pain and having the wind knocked out of him. Then Heinlein takes a deep breath and starts walking back toward Kyo, both hands bursting into flames.
Swiping at Kyo, Kain unleashes a short range blast of fire which obscures his position as well as being a nasty attack in its own right. Then he follows it up by stepping forward with another slash from a different angle. Then, before that one fades Kain steps forward through the flames, thrusting out with one arm. He doesn't come close enough to reach Kyo, but the fire that bursts from his hand might well do so.
"What..??"
Stunned, Chun-Li eyes Kyo with a vague look of confusion before she draws her fist back and away from the Kusanagi heir's grip. Taking a few steps back, the woman's features give way to a tiny smirk, almond-brown eyes hooding in amusement as she replies, "Sorry. As charming as you are, Kyo Kusanagi, I'm afraid you're just not my type." As for proving herself..?
Her smile grows a touch coy. "I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself there." Her shoulders tense, hands curling into fists as she braces herself. She expects the younger man to make his attack...but he doesn't. Instead, Kyo...attacks Kain again? Chun-Li softly exhales--should she really throw herself into the fray, when both fighters are throwing flames like crazy at one another?
The obvious answer is no. Instead, Chun-Li keeps back for the moment, brown eyes watching intently as both fighters strike one another. All she needs is an opportune moment...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li focuses on her next action.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Kyo with Schwarz Cutter.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/--=====|
Of course, Kyo feels pretty good about that, even if it did sort of result in him forgetting about Chun-Li... Possibly leaving /her/ open to attack from the rear. But would an upstanding, honourable young woman and all around paragon of justice and fair play do something like that?!
Anyway, Kyo's put most of his weight and momentum behind that last attack, leaving him a bit slow to react as Kain comes back with an assault of his own. Arms come up to try to blunt the burst of energy, but he can't quite get his defense solidly in place in time, and instead Kyo's forearms are knocked aside, leaving him open to the rest of the fiery attack, which finally sends him sprawling, though he rolls over one shoulder and gets his feet under him again afterwards.
"Hey, that's good! I was worried they'd just sent out some idiot in a cheap wig instead of the real thing," Kyo says, only now glancing over towards Chun-Li, before he turns to Kain and says, in a horribly loud 'conspiratorial whisper', "Don't worry though, the hairpiece doesn't look cheap at all." And then he gives a thumbs up and a big, cheesy grin.
Of course, while all this is happening, there's a sense of power building around Kyo, his irreverent behaviour belying the focus he's putting into tapping the might of his bloodline...
COMBATSYS: Kyo gathers his will.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Kain
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Kyo 1/------=/=======|
Kain remains quite aware of Chun-Li's presence, but he's also not going to turn his back on Kyo to attack her. Perhaps if some distance were to open up between the two of them... and that might just be something that Kain can accomplish. He strides smoothly toward Kyo as the other fighter rolls to his feet and starts standing back up. He can sense the energy building in the other fighter, but there's one important point about that. 'Building' implies time, and if Kyo isn't finished focusing his energy yet, well, perhaps Kain can take advantage of that.
It doesn't take much effort on Kain's part, either. He just continues walking toward Kyo and, after a moment, flames begin to flicker into being all across his body. A split second later those flames erupt into a towering inferno centered around Kain, blasting outward through anything that gets in its way.
For the longest moment, Chun-Li's attentions remain on Kyo, her expression neutral at best as she listens. Only after the stage whisper does she exhale lightly, eyes drawing to a close as she shrugs her shoulders softly and shakes her head. "Oh Kyo," she finally remarks, her gaze opening once more to regard the young man with a lopsided smile. "You've really got to learn to control your sassy mouth. One day you're going to--"
And it's about then Kain attacks Kyo once more, vicious flames roaring at the young Kusanagi.
"...ah, nevermind."
With both fighters suitable distracted, Chun-Li decides now is the best time to take advantage. Hopping a few feet backwards, the woman drops into a low stance, her arms stretched at her sides for balance. She watches, waiting until the Ankoku flames disperse before she lunges forwards with impressive swiftness. And once she's covered considerable ground...her body twists, flipping forwards as she plants her hands onto the ground briefly.
"SPINNING BIRD- -!!"
Giving her entire, inverted body a fierce, corkscrewing shove upwards, Chun-Li's powerful legs split, heavy booted heels whipcracking out before her in either direction. Defying logic, the woman's body whips forwards, rotating like a cyclone of pure pain, right at Kain Heinlein.
"KIIIICK!!"
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Kyo with Schwarze Kreuz.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Kain
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Kyo 1/---====/=======|
Well, for all of his trash talking - and Kyo was, let's face it, weaned on trash talking, son of Saishu Kusanagi that he is - even Kyo can't claim with any legitimacy that Kain doesn't know how to hit hard. The force of the Ankoku Flames is nothing to be scoffed at, unless someone were some kind of epic level smartass, with the sort of insouciance that legends are made of.
Oh... Wait.
Still, Kyo tries to brace himself against the incoming eruption of black flame, but for a second time he can't seem to manage it, despite the advantage of his current position. Blasted back by Kain's power, Kyo is left with pick himself up off the granite stage with a bit - the faintest hint - of chagrin in his expression.
"C'mon, man, when are you gonna start /hitting hard/?" Kyo wonders, because all that stuff about being an epic level smartass pretty much applies to him entirely. Still, at this rate the pair of them are just going to wear one another down, leaving Chun-Li to pick up the leftovers, aren't they? So... Kyo doesn't press the attack, even though he might want to. Instead, he's going to see just what Ms. Tai Chi can do against Evil Leisure Suit Larry.
And wait for just the right opportunity, of course; probably to smack Kain upside the head.
COMBATSYS: Kyo focuses on his next action.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Kain
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Kyo 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kain with Spinning Bird Kick.
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Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\=====--\1 Kain
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Kyo 1/---====/=======|
Eventually Kain has to let the flames fade. Even he has his limits, and there's better use of his energy than just a constant lightshow. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to wait a bit longer, however, as the removal of the flames gives Chun-Li a perfect opening to strike Kain with her spinning legs, her feet repeatedly kicking into him and sending him sprawling to the floor. Before he actually hits, though, he manages to catch himself with his hands and use the leverage to flip himself up and back to his feet.
Kain hits the ground facing Chun-Li, skidding away from her, and with one hand raised up above his head. There's a flash of golden light, and then Kain suddenly drops to one knee and slams his palm to the ground. Then, between the roaring sound, the rushing wind and the bright blue light Chun-Li might have some reason to look up. The source of all that? A swirling maelstrom of raw chi energy swirling about, preparing to drop a hammer blow of energy onto the spot where Chun-Li stands. Then to do it again. And again.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Kain's Himmlischer Atem.
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Chun-Li 1/-----==/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 1/---====/=======|
Kick after kick delivered, the woman's assault seems relentless as powerful legs collide into Kain, eventually sending the man sprawling backwards. Chun-Li, on the other hand, lets her hands reach down, fingertips brushing the granite arena floor before she plants her palms, catching her weight on her hands before she whips her legs around and down. Landing in a cross-legged crouch, the woman lets her hands stretch out to her sides before she swiftly rises to her feet.
For now, Kyo Kusanagi is forgotten--and for terribly good reason.
The light noted, Chun-Li gets a nasty feeling on the back of her neck. Brown eyes snap upwards, the maelstrom of chi noted, and gawked at. Before she can outright avoid it, however, the woman finds the energy rapidly bearing down upon her. Her response is simple; bracing her powerful legs, the woman's arms whip upwards, folding over her face and shielding her from the brunt of the blow as it comes not once, but many times. Only after does the woman stagger back, arms singed and burnt from the powerful energy, her shoulders sagging in pain.
But she says nothing. Instead, the woman turns her eyes back onto Kyo. Without a single word the woman breaks into a sprint, only to plant her feet down a few feet in front of the youth. Leaping high, her body rotates, head over heels with her legs tucked close to her chest. At her apex, however, those powerful legs THRUST outwards, both feet aimed for the back of the young man's skull to send him staggering and get her out of Kain's vicinity. "YAA!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kyo with Tenshin Shuu Kyaku.
- Power hit! -
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Chun-Li 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 1/-======/=======|
Yess, that's right. Dance, puppets. Dance!
Kyo's brilliant (?) plan comes to a grinding halt, though, when rather than keeping on the CLEARLY EVIL Kain, I mean COME ON HE'S GERMAN, DO THE MATH, Chun-Li instead turns her attention back to himself. "Seriously?" Kyo wonders, with a light, 'what can you do?' shrug, which proves to be the worst thing he could possibly do under the circumstances. He's too late to try blocking the Chinese woman's attack, and so he gets kicked right in the head with both of Chun-Li's mighty feet, which are only slightly less mighty than the legs to which they are attached.
The point is, Kyo gets dropped flat on his ass by the kick to the head, rolling backwards to try to keep his distance. Ugh, dammit.
"Okay, okay, I get it. You are woman, hear you roar," the World Warrior says, getting to his feet and raising his right hand up. "Let's strike a blow for equal rights, here." At this point, then, Kyo bursts into goddamn flames, his form enveloped in the orange-crimson power of his ancestors. The flames are concentrated in his upraised right hand, it's true, but tendrils of fiery power rise off of his shoulders as he prepares an assault straight out of myth and legend, the air around him distorting from heat and power. Then, Kyo suddenly slides forward, sweeping his right arm back and then across his body, unleashing a hellish arc of raging fire, the flames on his body peeling off to bolster the blast that radiates from his hands. The wave of Kusanagi flames bears down, of course, directly on Chun-Li, Kyo's voice raised in a loud cry of: "SUCK ON THIS!!"
He has a way with the ladies.
Good for Kain that he has a moment to recover, allowing him to stand back up slowly. He watches Chun-Li and Kyo clash for a moment, not eager to run into the fray when he's already pretty banged up himself. It takes but a moment for him to confirm that he's still in fighting shape, and doesn't have any serious injuries that will interfere with his ability to continue carrying on the fight. And with that assessment completed, he can act.
Kain holds both of his arms out at 45 degree angles to his body and summons up crackling flames into the palms of both hands. A flick of both wrists sends them racing forward, colliding with one another and forming a spiralling pair of fireballs which streak through the air like comets toward Kyo. Kain's banking on them easily passing through fading remnants of Kyo's own flames, and the attack itself leaving Kyo open for just a moment.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Kyo's Orochinagi+.
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Chun-Li 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|
With one nasty kick, Kyo is felled! Sort of, at least.
Landing in a low crouch, Chun-Li tumbles forward before she hops up, immediately pivoting on her thick heels to face both Kyo and Kain. The sight which greets her is of course a surly Kyo, to whom she offers a coy smile and a tiny 'what can you do' shrug in response. Rather than add fuel to Kyo's sass-fire, the woman remains tight-lipped and observant. She knows that she has successfully grabbed the Kusanagi heir's attention, and that isn't necessarily a good thing.
Especially when he suddenly erupts into intense crimson flames.
The woman's legs tense up, powerful muscle readying herself for those infamous Kusanagi flames. And when Kyo whips his arm and sends the raging fire surging forward, Chun-Li leaps upwards, clearing an unbelievable amount of height. Nimbly she twists her form, body whipping head over heels as the inferno of sacred flames sails harmlessly past below her, save for the intense heat that warms her skin.
She lands low, hands dropping to the ground to brace her body as she makes impact with the granite arena floor once more. Her attentions are immediately on both fighters, observing as Kain makes his move, sending a fiery burst of violet chi sailing at the Kusanagi. Lunging forward from that crouched position, Chun-Li charges right for Kain, seeking to capitalize on his distraction by drawing in close and leaping upwards, a leg snapping out as she delivers a swift roundhouse kick aimed for Heinlein's head.
COMBATSYS: Kyo blocks Kain's Schwarze Flame.
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Chun-Li 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|
"...Okay then," Kyo says, watching Chun-Li avoid that huge conflagration entirely. Seriously, what else do you really say to something like that? She kicks high.
Of course, while Kyo is watching Chun-Li get all flippy and practically /fly/, Kain is plotting terrible things for him, because, again: German. This time, though, it seems ol' Kusanagi has got something to say about that, as he gets his arms up to deflect the paired Ankoku fireballs, the worst of the damage blunted as the rest splashes over his forearms, searing and burning... But not unmanageably so.
With Chun-Li aiming a deadly kick at Kain's head, though, there doesn't seem to be too much room for Kyo to get in there; at least, there wouldn't be with someone less reckless. Somewhat fiery of temperament, as his power would suggest, Kyo just charges in heedlessly of the possibility of screwing up Chun-Li's attack, though. As he closes with Kain, the Kusanagi heir lashes out with his left fist in a wild haymaker, flames trailing behind the motion of his fist and set to explode against Kain's head again if he lands the strike; if that does happen, then Kyo's next move is to step in again, throwing his full weight into a thunderous, teeth-rattling uppercut at the buttom of the German's jaw, replete with a second, larger explosion of flames aimed to blast Kain away. "Graah-!!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Kain with Medium Kick.
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Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Kyo's Dokugami.
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Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0 Kain
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Kyo 0/-------/----===|
Kain watches both of the other fighters, including the direction Chun-Li travels in her leap and the way she's facing when she lands and... yes, here she comes. Heinlein springs into motion, forcing Chun-Li to come in at an angle rather than straight on, but he's not able to actually escape. He tries to duck as she lashes out, but isn't quite fast enough. He ends up taking a kick to the temple, sending him stagger and looking like a pretty good target for Kyo. Not good enough, however, as Kain manages to swing an arm up to deflect Kyo's first punch, then stop the uppercut dead in its tracks.
Both Kain and Kyo are looking pretty worn down at this point, but it's unlikely that either of them will give up... however, it's also unlikely that either of them will be the first to try to deal with Chun-Li, turning their back on the other man. To illustrate this, Kain continues attempting to take Kyo down. He shifts the he used to block Kyo's punches, twisting his body to the side and then stepping in toward Kyo in an attempt to ram an elbow into his face. An aura of blue chi surrounds the limb as Kain does so, making the potential impact even more devastating.
Though staggered by the kick from Chun-Li, it would appear that Kain is still more than capable of dishing out the pain at Kyo. The Tai Chi Mistress' response is one of mild disbelief, as both fighters again clash, Kain retaliating against Kyo with a chi-laced elbow to the Kusnagi boy's face. Standing her ground, Chun-Li seems at a loss for any real words or action. This fight seems almost...personal.
A light frown graces the woman's soft face, brown eyes flickering between Kyo and Heinlein once again before she simply takes a few steps back and exhales. Her shoulders sag, her stance casual as her hands fall to her hips. She watches carefully, as both men deal with one another. At this point, what can she really do? They both look exhausted and worn out, and to Chun-Li it doesn't seem quite fair to pick them off like a vulture when they're both gunning for the other's throat.
So, instead, the Chinese fighter is reduced to watching closely and biding her time with a soft sigh.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0 Kain
[ \\\\\\\ <
Kyo 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Kyo fails to counter Medium Punch from Kain with Nue Tsumi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Kain
[ \\ <
Kyo 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Kyo can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Kain 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Chun-Li
Let's be fair and balanced here; this fight really hasn't gone well for Kyo OR Kain. In fact, it's mostly been a story of the two of them getting hit pretty solidly while Chun-Li remains on the sidelines, doing... Whatever it is Chun-Lis do.
As Kyo's strikes get deflected or stopped, though, the Kusanagi heir knows he's pretty much out of steam here; he put a lot of effort into his attempt to deep-fry the Tai Chi mistress, and that didn't really pan out at /all/, leaving Kyo with precious few options and not a lot of time to generate new ones. As those who follow his career know all too well, sometimes in situations like this Kyo seems to pull a miracle out of who knows where; this is, apparently, not one of those times.
As Kain goes for the elbow to his face, Kyo moves in to try catching the limb... And he fumbles it. He just... Goofs it right up, getting smacked in the head by the energy-charged elbow, stumbling backwards with a rather unimpressed look on his face. "Aw, dammit," he mutters, falling flat on his back.
And that's about it from Kyo.
Kain doesn't even wait to see Kyo hit the ground. He felt the solid impact with Kyo's face, and he can already sense the fight leaving Kusanagi as his legs start to give way. By the time Kyo's back hits the ground, Kain is already a good portion of the way toward Chun-Li. He doesn't look /angry/, really, but he does have a rather intense expression on his face. Even for him, pushing himself so hard at this point isn't pleasant. But that can be ignored easily enough.
Chun-Li still looks pretty fresh, so Kain is, perhaps, going to have to fight a bit dirty here... Hopefully it will work. Of course, there's varying levels of dirty, and while in a 'real' fight Kain won't hold back from any of them, in this case he'd prefer not to have everybody see him as an evil monster. So, disabling strikes are in, threatening to kill Chun-Li's loved ones if she doesn't throw the fight are out. Simple, yes?
Right, about those disabling strikes... As Kain closes in he suddenly lashes out with a chi-fueled kick, aiming to drive his foot right into Chun-Li's ankle. With any luck that'll slow her down a bit. But even if it does, it won't /directly/ help to take her down, it'll just make it easier over time. And time isn't something on Kain's side. So after that kick he hops back a step then swings his foot up and about in an attempt to hit the Chinese woman in the side of the face with a blazing foot.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Chun-Li with Strong Kick.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Kain 1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Chun-Li
In what feels like a matter of seconds, Kain Heinlein takes out the Kusanagi heir.
Blinking at this, Chun-Li turns her attentions from the felled Kyo to the blonde, her soft features locked in an expression akin to confusion as he suddenly places the Chinese woman in his sights. Tilting her head, she watches as Kain steps forward and draws upon his chi. She can see it--feel it. She KNOWS what's coming. And perhaps that...
Is why she fails to evade the strike successfully.
Though Chun-Li tries to swiftly backstep, that foot strikes her ankle, causing her to hiss in pain and stagger. But the real pain comes when she gets her just desserts, an expensive shoe wreathed in chi slamming harshly into her face. The impact is brutal, sending the woman sprawling to the ground with a heavy thud, hitting with a loud gasp.
But she doesn't linger on the granite floor long. Instead, the Tai Chi Mistress pushes her body from the floor, getting back onto her feet once again with a fiercely determined look on her face. A cornered and wounded animal can be vicious, and fighters on the verge are no different. So she has to be swift. She has to push her body to its limits.
Drawing up a leg, the woman lifts a hand and folds it at the wrist across her brow. Slowly breathing in, she focuses, gathering her wits about her and letting her mind calm and clear. And then..?
With a sharp cry the woman barrels forward, a blur of blue as she closes in on Kain. Once she's near her leg SHOOTS out like before, a barrage of kicks delivered--but it doesn't end with one. Instead, she changes up, swapping legs before she unleashes a second barrage, followed by another change up and a third barrage. Only THEN does she change up one last time and deliver a high, powerful side kick aimed for Kain's chin, to send the man flying into the air. "HAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Kain fails to counter Houyoku Sen EX from Chun-Li with Schwarz Cutter.
[ < > ////////////// ]
Kain 1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Chun-Li
COMBATSYS: Kain can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|
Kain draws his arms back as he sees Chun-Li rushing in, intending to meet her head on. He's too worn down to get out of the way, and his body is probably too battered to weather the blow, but he can still call upon his chi, and call on it he does! His coat begins flapping behind him and his hair flies back as flames spring to his hands. As Chun-Li closes in he starts to sweep his arms forward, two walls of flame following them in to block the Tai Chi mistress' path... but not quickly enough.
The first kick lands before Kain can finish blocking off Chun-Li's path, and though the flame linger Kain's arms are thrown wide as the kick is instantly followed by another, and another, and so on. Kain is already staggered by the time Chun-Li switches legs. He's not even /trying/ to move by the third barrage of kicks. And after the last kick snaps Kain's head back and sends him sailng through the air he's unconcious even before he falls limply to the floor.
When all is over and done, Chun-Li isn't sure HOW she should feel.
Despite the cheers of the crowds and the announcer bellowing her name over the P.A., the Chinese fighter looks more confused than anything. Glancing between Kyo and the unconscious Kain, her lips pull into a thoughtful line over her soft face. What IS the beef between those two men, anyway..?
Giving her head a gentle shake, the woman casts off her doubts and puts on a smile for the audience. Lifting her arm, she gives a big wave to the thousands of eyes watching her, her past nervousness gone. Relieved to still be in one piece after dealing with the sacred Kusanagi flames and Kain's Ankoku flames, the Tai Chi Mistress makes her way toward the backstage of Howard Arena with a slight limp, her ankle aching still from Kain's vicious assault. Part of the woman feels pretty good about herself.
The other part isn't sure HOW she should feel after that particularly odd match.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has ended the fight here.
Log created on 20:11:58 09/27/2008 by Chun-Li, and last modified on 01:46:37 10/06/2008.