Description: In Thailand, Muay Thai rules king. And there the king of kings is the Emperor of Muay Thai himself, Adon. When the Ikari Warrior Clark Steel accidently starts trouble in a bar, he draws attention to a golden rule: No One Enters Thailand Without The Grace of The God of Muay Thai.
In the wake of the attempted Shadaloo takeover of Thailand, things had changed. Sure, there may've ultimately been a defeat of Shadaloo, but that wasn't the sole outcome of the action that came about all those months ago. Political dealings shifted, alligeances changed, and money went every which-a-way. In short: things were different, now. Vega might still be a major threat, and of course still was, but there were plenty of other new threats that popped up around the Thailand incident.
Take for instance the new God of Muay Thai. What was /he/ up to? It's probable the guy, in his efforts to fight against Shadaloo, been sincere. But just because someone might've been sincere didn't mean you didn't investigate to make sure. And thus, was Clark Steel deployed to Thailand for a week's roundup of information gathering on the scene. He was to work quickly and get out, since an American asking too many questions was likely to arouse suspicion quickly. But at the same time, this matter was simply too important to leave it to someone who did not have the skill in personal defense Clark had. All the Ikaris were tough; but when dealing with someone who had the title 'God of Muay Thai' you didn't send someone who wouldn't be able to kick some ass and get himself out of trouble, if necessary.
Unsurprisingly, Clark had been here for two days already, and now he was at a bar. To most, this might just seem like an American being lazy and drinking beer while on the job. And indeed, Clark had some booze in front of him. But how many noticed he'd been drinking the same drink for the past two hours? How many noticed that the big blonde man was listening in on conversations with the skill of a practiced spy? And how many knew he knew how to speak Taiwanese, if only passingly? Surely not this big American with his muscles and good looks; too much a pretty boy to bother with things like that.
...Sure. Right. Meanwhile, Clark listens in on the bartender's phone call, talking secretively about some interesting shipments being made.
Adon. Sincere.
Bwahahahaahahah, hahhahaha, haha, ha, ha, my lord, oh my, ha, ha ha, kwa haaa haaa ahaaaaaaaa.... haa.... hooooo haaaaaa.
Ha.
Sorry, I can't help it. No, no, Adon's actions in Thailand were well, widely, and publicly recorded. He saved orphans with his Muay Thai! He stopped villains with his Muay Thai. Adon's actions as Emperor did his name justice, and were transmitted across the world. Videos can't lie, and neither can the horrors of war. If it wasn't for Adon and his Muay Thai army, Thailand would have been taken over by Shadaloo.
Right?
It was a bit unusual that Adon kept a network of his own spies across the country, listening in on any potential warriors in the country. Though as the leader of Muay Thai, it does make sense for him to keep tabs on expert martial artists. But it sometimes brought about the question of when these people fight Adon. Maybe it was a private thing. That was what the Jaguar hoped for. A private thing. Clark Steel's actions were not initially noted. He was just another American, listening to everything. Ikari Warriors were the least of Adon's priorities, as such sentiments extended to his men.
The bartender's shipments were the usual of Thailand stocks. Opium, Marijuana, and something cryptic involving a necktie from columbia. A very popular item here in Central Thailand. Oh, wait. Central Thailand? That's not the territory for Americans. Tourists were met with the level of xenophobia only augmented with the financial prospects of some dumb rich foreigner.
Like Pretty Boy here.
The bartender's conversation cuts off shortly as he looks over at a trio of tall, well built locals donned in bright red bandanas. Bearing a gruesome light in each of their eyes, the bar's flow of conversation seems to ebb back for just a moment, before rushing back into it's normal tide. The three men hit the bar, leaning far on each of Clark's flanks. Two to his right, one to his left. Since their entrance, they had not taken their eyes off Clark. They seem to enjoy the company of Mr. Steel's natural charisma, judging by those sincere smiles. Righty #2 looks over at the bartender, who just finishes up the phonecall with remarkable timing. They exchange more in Thai, mostly details about Clark's activities at the bar. Being cheap, being lazy, and nursing that beer for 2 hours. Well, it seemed the conversation shifted back to buying a necktie for Clark Steel himself. And judging by the rising excitement of Righty #1 and Lefty, they are all for it too.
How thoughtful.
A necktie. From Columbia. Clark is no stranger to codetalk, but it doesn't help that his Thai isn't exactly what one would call fluent. Mostly based in curses and rough talk, it's perfect for picking out criminals talking, and tidbits of their conversation, but a necktie? ...No one that he'd seen in Thailand so far had even worn a necktie. Mostly rural people in dingy clothes, which, hey, Clark had no problem with. So, what's the business with a necktie? Either his admittedly limited Thai was wrong, or this was a necktie threaded with gold.
But before he can ponder on it more, in come three fellows, who are just so obviously friendly. Cheerful, even. Sure. Though Clark is fairly sure he knows what these three are here for, -who- they are here for remains to be seen. After all, they could just be local ruffians looking to heckle an American tourist too far into the country. The Ikari Warrior doesn't spare them a second glance, just gives them each a greeting nod as they settle in near him, then... takes a sudden deep pull of his beer, just as the bartender complains about the 'cheap American'.
Clark's about to just get up and leave when he hears that phrase again. Necktie. ...Ah. So, not a necktie threaded in gold then. This one would be painted in red.
How /thoughtful/.
"Can't be having that," he says, in English, then switches over to his Thai, which spoken is even more shaky than his ability to listen to it. "Don't wear neckties, thanks. Though I could use a throw rug." This comes out more or less right, though it may have unfortunate mentions of someone's mother.
Oh, well, good news and bad news. The good news is that Clark's Thai is much better than he thinks. He makes it very clear he doesn't want the necktie that the men offers, and he could use a throw rug. Unfortunately for Clark, that was quite possibly the WORST thing he could have said in this part of Thailand. 'Use a throw rug' was a very common insult about the nature of one's wife or significant other. Like the small scatter rug, it was a very public item placed in the front of one's home. It was filled with the filth of guests, and often had to be taken out and beaten.
So naturally, when the idiom is used by Clark, the trio reacts... poorly.
Immediately, Righty #2 breaks into a frown, setting the tone for his fellow partners. Spreading to a triangle formation around the American, they begin adjusting their knuckles. Now that the tourist learned enough Thai to insult them, they talk to him PERSONALLY. "Stupid man. Stupid birdshit foreigner! Son of a bitch, I'll break your face!" The man spits out in Thai, bringing his fists up. The rest of the bar doesn't react, short of the bartender, who seems to be man-handling something under the bar. But Lefty attempts to move in behind Clark, to grab him into a full nelson, while Righty #1 moves in with a small, concealed dirk, attempting to give him a solid shank before Righty #2 gets it up with the real deal.
Clark -had- meant to imply he was going to throw them around like potato sacks, but this works out much better, even if it was unintended. After all, he did mean to fight them. Who talks in code except for criminal organizations, after all? This could lead to something... interesting. And if he had to break some tables to get there, so be it. As the trio stand up and move to surround him, Clark doesn't move at all, since, as he was the analytical sort, the short glance he'd given ot each man had already given him a glance of what he needed to assess the men's strength. And, while these three men would be enough to hurt a normal person, even a relatively tough guy, Clark was well out of their league. So he appears unconcerned, even as the one man starts to cuss at him.
And for good reason.
The one man grabs Clark into a full nelson, and the American's first reaction is, simply, to kick his feet up, dig them into the bar, then kick himself backwards, hard. Overloading the man due to weight and force, Clark does an impromptu body slam in the one trying to full nelson him, and considering Clark is by no means light, this probably hurts a great deal. Rolling to the side and quickly standing in a crouch, Righty #1 is dealt with by rising smoothly and catching the man about the waist, then lifting him straight into the air. Twirling around once, Clark calmly deposits the dirk-wielding man on top of Lefty, slamming Righty #1 down on top of him.
Righty #2 has had enough time to get in and deck Clark a solid one across the face, and to be fair, it does sting a bit, and even makes the big man stumble back a step or two. Frowning, the American then steps back in, and grabs Righty #2, then by sheer main force, -slams- him into the bar, hard enough to make the thing creak with protest, not to mention Righty's spine. "Who sent you?" Clark asks, first in English, then again in Thai. After all, if the bartender and the toughs were using some manner of code... well, it was safe to think they weren't just in here to rough up an American.
As the last man smashes hard into the bar, the bar grows deathly silent. The bartender, bringing up an old M-1 Garand (Likely a leftover from the old US support in China, though the looks indicated much worse for wear), seems to be losing his heart at his planned peacemaker. See, Clark makes a minor miscalculation. Those men were not spies for Adon. No, THOSE guys were swiftly slipping out of the bar before hell broke loose. As the three men groan in agony as their bone and organs pool in funny places in their body, a sort of domino effect happened.
See, here, there was quite a bit of gang activity. And with all gang activity, you had gangsters and thugs. And with them, petty crimes. Clark was a pretty boy tourist in a bad part of the country. And as such, they wanted to mug him, plain and simple. But then, he goes and pummels them, and with a loud voice, demands in who sent them. That sounds like what a gangster would say. A RIVAL gangster, which was the kind of business that the bartender was discussing over the phone. So the hangout for the Triad new base of operations slowly comes to life as it's occupants begin throwing their chairs and tables to the floor, arming themselves with a real armory of weapons. There may be 15, possibly 20 men there. Well, Clark, it looks like you just got yourself a real training session.
*****
Adon looked over the fight coldly. His reasons for being in this part of Thailand... was actually routine. One of his more favored schools of Muay Thai was running a demonstration of his favorite aspect of Muay Thai: The Waiku. Otherwise known as the Wai Khru Ram Muay, it was a ceremonial dance required before any serious match of Muay Thai. Like military drilling, it was a ritual set in discipline, respect... and honor. The God of Muay Thai sat on his throne, watching his soldiers perform the homage to the king, and of course, to him. And what else could he do but smugly stare. It was almost complete, and with it, came the fighting. But then, a message comes into his earpiece. A man, foreigner, tearing through three men at a local thug hangout, likely starting a major upset. Adon narrowed his eyes. Shadaloo.
His reasons for abandoning the demonstration were understandable, if shocking. Shadaloo was attacking. And he had to stop them. He did not need to prepare, for he had it all with him. The amulets, or circlets, were bound to his joints, as one crown for his head. Hands and feet bound, he was prepared to fight the school's best Muay Thai warrior when the time came to test their strength. His entourage barely had time to catch up to him. The spies were useful, and gave the location for the Emperor of Muay Thai to burst in to save the day.
RThe doors of the bar burst open, revealing the red-haired World Master of Muay That standing there, arms spread out to enhance his entrance. Far behind, four running Muay Thai warriors hurried up, trying to catch up to the Jaguar. But Adon did not care. They were trophies, decorations for the Muay Thai God. Face contorted into a tiny, smug grin, he scans the bar, looking at the damage that was done by his new guest, his new friend.
Shadaloo.
Well, even a mind like Clark's makes a mistake every so often. Sure, he knew the local language, but he didn't know it /well/, nor did he know the local customs and sayings. If this were South America, where he spent a majority of his young life, he'd have a better time of it and likely could've discerned criminal organization from local thug gang. But he wasn't as accustomed to Southeast Asian countries and their local color. Sure, someone more familiar with this area would've been better. But if they had made the same mistake Clark just had? The difference here was now clear: a less skilled member of the Ikari Warriors could not handle 15-20 baddies arming themselves with guns.
Clark could.
When the Muay Thai God walks into the bar, the scene before him is one of chaos. Bullets have riddled the walls, there is an almost literal coating of spent shell casings on the floor, and there are people lying on the floor. Surprisingly, none of them are dead. ...Also surprisingly, none of them are Clark. The big American man currently is punching one of the last few remaining thugs in the face, which drops the man to the floor, unconscious. Once the last man comes charging in, Clark simply grabs him, throws him into the air - and then the man gets unfortunately Backbreaker'd, which an accompanying crackle of bones. Not good. Once all the combatants are now on the floor, the big man lumbers over to the bar, looking only slightly worse for wear than he did coming in, and takes the remainder of his glass of beer - somehow untouched in the fight - and pulls the remnants of it. Setting the mug down, he wipes his mouth, then turns to go - only to see another man standing at the door to the bar. This man... looks different. Not just in the fact he's wearing jewelry and looks flashy, but different in the way he carries himself. He was... a fighter.
This guy, he might have trouble with.
For now, Clark doesn't move, simply gazes at Adon behind his shades, sizing the man up and wondering just what the man may want. He doesn't recognize Adon as anything more than a skilled fighter... but that's enough. Apparently, he attracted /someone's/ attention down here. While perhaps not in the best manner possible... he could live with this. Assuming, of course... he lived.
The Emperor of Muay Thai looks over the destruction that was brought upon his people. And to that end, he could not help but smile. He watched Clark Steel with a disturbing look of enjoyment, watching the Ikari Warrior tear apart the gangster with precise abandon. As his bodyguards slide into place, the Jaguar clenched his fists, tilting his head back to case the man.
This was not Shadaloo. He could tell quickly. This man was too powerful to not be on his list, and this was just alien for the group anyways. Mike Bison was the benchmark for recklessness, and he kept with the cities. Low-level flunkies would try the same. Syndicate had no business here, either, they would start with the cities, his advisors warned him. R? No, Rugal wouldn't try anything, especially with the likely presence of- Oh. Of course. Reports of the Thailand attacks rushed back to him. He knew who this man was. It looked so obvious now.
"Clark STEEL. Of the IKARI WARRIORS." The God of Muay Thai screeched, crossing his arms. The lord of the land could barely suppress his cackling. "My GOODNESS. Aren't YOU a bit far for VACATIONING." The four, beefy bodyguards begin position themselves in front of Adon, attempting to keep some level of protection for their master. Adon rewards them with a steady, smooth sweep of his arm, smashing the nearest guard hard to the ground. His entourage, taking the hint, move behind him. "Watch the DOOR. My FRIEND and I need to DISCUSS about TRUST."
Stepping forward slowly, the Jaguar grips his right hand in his left, working it like a piece of dough. "I, ADON, am the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI, HERO of THAILAND, and the LIVING GOD of my ART, MUAY THAI. AS SUCH, I wonder why an IKARI WARRIOR is ATTACKING my PEOPLE... or even HERE in THAILAND." A scream breaks the room as Adon steps hard upon a dazed victim of Clark, shortly followed by a crack. Still focused on Clark, he doesn't stop his steady march. "ANSWER, my good FRIEND, before you DRAW the IRE of the ENTIRE NATION of the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI!" The red-haired man howls, his voice grating across the bar.
Clark's first thoughts, when the redheaded man begins to speak, is: Wow, what a voice. It was loud. Louder than Ralf, and -that- was saying something, since Clark Steel's partner was far more brash than even Clark's minor screw up here would've showed. The second thought is: oh crap, he knows who I am. Not that Clark was really here to be incognito or anything, no. The fact his identity itself was known wasn't a problem, and there were no legal problems here: Clark was, justifiably, defending himself against attack. ...Though it might not come out that way in a court hearing. It -was- just his word against about 20 people's.
No, the real problem here was that this 'Emperor of Muay Thai' knew Clark, but Clark did not know this man. And that created some problems, because Adon clearly had some kind of menace on his mind. But, ever calm, Clark doesn't appear shaken in the least, despite all the factors going against him in this situation. Lifting his gloved hand up, the big American pushes his shades further up his nose, before he answers, "They attacked first," he states. "As for why I'm here, well..." A brief, almost imperceptable pause is given before, "...I heard the beer here was cheap, but good." Which, you know, it had been, if slightly watered down. He supposed Asian beer wasn't that bad; he typically prefered German or other East European countries' beer.
Taking a glance around the area, Clark frowns a touch, then shoves his hands into his pockets, his posture relaxed, yet ready to spring at any moment. "Seems I made a mess, though. The bartender was about to kick me out, but I think the twenty or so gangsters with guns were a little too loud to say anything, otherwise I would've left in peace." The Ikari Warrior remains calm despite the core of unease running through him. This likely wasn't going to end well.
Clark Steel demonstrated himself with the grace that only Heidern could have brought about. Adon knew about the Ikari Warriors, as any man of his stature would need to. Yes, he was a pretty lousy God of Muay Thai. But where he lacked in actual skill, he made up with cunning. As the Ikari Warriors were a significant mercenary group operating against the criminal organizations around the world, Adon had a very good reason to keep some tabs on them. And here was one of the more... visible members. Clark Steel. Excellent grappler, and from the looks of it, decent in hand and foot combat. Part of the 'Ikari Team' that frequented the fighting circuits. This presence... concerned Adon.
With Adon's private dealings behind the scenes, he first expected Shadaloo to raise hell to 'test' his boundaries. Instead, he has one of the most aggressive groups in the world sniffing around his back door. There was a difficult cross-roads here. On one hand, if he let Clark run off without a scratch, he might end up with Heidern sending more of the Ikari Warriors into his country. And with his dealings with Shadaloo... it could harm his status if they attempted to cause trouble. However, punishing Clark... might also lead to the same situation. He would have to handle this with the diplomatic skills that a head of an martial art would require.
For his country's benefit, of course.
Adon stops his steps, his grin twisting into a pompous little frown. Spreading wider as he tilts his head back, he points a single finger at Clark, and begins his next speech with a rapid pitch shift up. "YOUR story speaks TRUE, for as the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI, I UNDERSTAND how a WARRIOR of IKARI needs to DEFEND against the FILTH of the world. THAT is NOT my CONCERN."
Face turning more and more grim, he shuts his eyes tightly. Curling up his lip ever slightly, his actions compound with greater intensity. "Your OFFENSE is COMING to my COUNTRY, and LYING about your INTENT. I KNOW the IKARI WARRIORS are a HELP to the WORLD, and I, THE EMPEROR of MUAY THAI, am somewhat thankful for your MINOR ASSISTANCE in the INVASION of THAILAND." Opening a single eye, his look of disgust turns into a more casual sneer. "However, your PRESENCE here OFFENDS me and my country, as does your RECKLESS NATURE. If the IKARI WARRIORS WISH TO OPERATE with the blessing and... SAFETY of MUAY THAI, I demand that you WORK through I, the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI."
Crossing his arms again, the Jaguar of Muay Thai nods firmly at Clark Steel, a warped grin winding from ear to ear. His head was now tilted low, a peal of high-pitched cackling barely swallowed down. "So, as the FIRST TRIBUTE of the IKARI WARRIORS, you must OFFER YOURSELF to the HONORABLE COMBAT of the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI. A DUEL to SUBMISSION. Prove your WORTH to ME, CLARK STEEL of the IKARI WARRIORS!"
The GOD of Muay Thai rolls his neck, raising his arms forward. He swiftly hops from one leg to another, revealing his impressive footwork. Balancing on one foot finally, he holds there in perfect form, watching the American with sick glee. "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOH. Come, IKARI WARRIOR, and BRING to ME the GLORY that your MEN demand from my COUNTRY!"
In traditional Clark Steel style, Clark doesn't interrupt anything the Emperor has to say, and simply listens intently. It brings up a few puzzling questions, which he tucks away in his mind for later. The real problem, right here and right now, is that this Adon fellow was challenging him to a fight. The good part was that this probably means, whether he wins or loses, that he'll be able to leave Thailand in one piece... if a bruised one piece. The bad part was that it probably isn't possible to avoid the fight. Despite appearances to the contrary, what with the twenty or more guys lying on the ground around him, Clark wasn't someone who just went looking for fights. This had been a mistake, and one he'd likely not make again.
Seriously. Columbian Necktie. You'd think he would know this.
"I wasn't aware I needed to have political permission to come here for beer," Clark says, keeping his cool. But after another moment's consideration, the big man slides his hands out of his pockets again, and rolls his shoulders. "Fine, though. I guess I don't have any choice." Someone not really understanding the situation and watching that might not see what Clark was actually saying. In this case, the big man would be seen as acquiescing to a demand for a duel simply because he had no other choice. Seriously, Adon was -there- and there was no way he'd just let Clark walk out of the bar. But no, the subtle way in which the Ikari Warrior puts it means he's accepting Adon's claims that he's not really here for beer, and that he needs to prove himself in a duel. The American didn't -really- think he needed to go through Adon to do anything within Thailand, but if Adon were strong at all, it could prove a problem for future operations.
Sliding his feet apart and then holding his hands up in front of him, Clark clenches his one gloved fist, then relaxes. "Let's do this!"
COMBATSYS: Clark has started a fight here.
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Clark 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Adon has joined the fight here.
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Clark 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Adon
The three remaining bodyguards hold there at the entrance of the bar, arms crossed. The fourth man slowly is still recovering from the treatment their king just provided to him. Adon himself did not care. They were in great supply, and their worth was based on how quickly they stood to a fight. This Muay Thai student... would need much more training in strengthening his body.
But if Clark wished to leave in one piece, that was something Adon was sure to arrange. The Emperor of Muay Thai reasoned that the death of a member of the Ikari Warriors would do more harm than good in the long run. Clark Steel was a hero to many, and any long-term harm to him would in turn do long term harm to the nation of Thailand... and himself. Death was not what he needed, nor was not what he deserved. By the court of Muay Thai, he needed to take a trial in combat, a sentence that he had warmly accepted.
At the sound of his acceptance, Adon's grin catches fire to a whole new light. His eyes burn at the chance at battle, and his strange bounce from foot to foot begins again. "If you INSIST, WARRIOR of IKARI." Was the squawk, as the flighty footwork... stopped with a stony resolve. Anything that seemed quick with the fighter seem to freeze for a moment in a single moment of intense rigid force draining to the ground. With a rebound of energy, the force shoots directly back to his body, and the GOD of MUAY THAI demonstrates where the style of the JAGUAR got it's roots from.
"keeeeeeeYAAAAAAAAWWWWWWW!!!!" Was the high-pitched howl as Adon shot through the air at astounding speed. The oncoming strike was not apparent, initially. The warrior of Muay Thai brought his body together, tucking his knees in as his arms held out for balance. As he approached the Ikari Warrior, the strike revealed itself. His knee was brought forward for the impact, attempting to ram it hard into the body of the American. This was not the primary point of force, though. As his knee moved in, his arm snapped around as well. Tucking in, the Emperor of Muay Thai introduced his art to the Ikari Warrior with a transition to a solid elbow strike, aiming squarely for the skullcap of the American.
COMBATSYS: Clark blocks Adon's Medium Punch.
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Clark 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Adon
Well, he didn't insist. But it wasn't something he could just reject, either. Settling himself into his traditional fighting stance, the Ikari Warrior looks as stern and impassive as he usually does during his fights, or at least the opening rounds of one, largely as a consequence of his mind going to work, attempting to study what it is, precisely, that makes his opponent tick. What strengths and weaknesses, what skills, all that is what Clark's shaded eyes take in and evaluate, and then his mind attempts to see just what he can do to get around the strengths to find the weaknesses.
Adon makes the first move, and shows the American just where the Jaguar's strengths lie. Leaping forward with a kind of grace that matches his nickname, and then turning it into a rather deceptive two-prong attack, Clark is nearly not fast enough to raise his arms - but he does. The knee strike is taken in a palm, which still impacts roughly, tensing the bones in the wrist and arm in a way they probably shouldn't have tension applied to. The elbow strike, however, is a bit more tricky, and the big man's arm comes up only fast enough to deflect it into a glancing blow rather than a full on slam into his brainmeats.
Not too much worse for the wear, Clark immediately moves into a counterstrike. Shoving Adon's knee down with the hand that caught it, the Ikari then seeks to drive his fist up into the Emperor's stomach, a stiff brutal blow that seems less meant to hurt than it is simply to stun and wind the man. If this goes well, Clark's body dips, and his shoulder thuds up against the thinner man's torso, while his other hand - the one that deflected the elbow strike - grabs a shoulder, and with both of these in place, the big American uses those muscles to twist Adon over his shoulder, up, then down again, slamming him into the ground on the other side.
COMBATSYS: Adon blocks Clark's Combo Throw.
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Clark 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Adon
The rapid leap to Clark is met with acceptable skill. Unlike a less-experienced fighters, Clark manages to both catch his knee strike and his elbow swipe. Sure, he manages to rattle him a bit, but that was part of blocking. The least experienced warrior always went for the knee, and would be taken out by the elbow. A more experienced warrior would go for the elbow, assuming the knee was a harmless feint. The fact that the American took the knee in stride, and deflected the elbow demonstrated the kind of training Adon hoped for in the Ikari Warriors.
However, the GOD of MUAY THAI was not completely oblivious to the strengths of Clark. He was a grappler or some note, as he observed when he was coming in. As such, when brought in so close, he expected the man to immediately get him into a hold. The quick jab into his abdomen is met with a strong tensing of the body, absorbing the impact slightly. However, there he felt the power of Clark held in that body of his. Unstunned, Adon still allows himself to be caught up into the lifting motions of Clark. Body still tense, he saw himself being whipped around, and as he began to shuttle to the ground...
He struggled.
Forcing himself to a footstand, he felt his spine twist in the exchange to the offense. Still in the grips of Clark, he shot his own hand up, attempting to get a grip upon the body of the grappler. Body straightening out into to act as leverage, his other hand snapped around for the shoulder of his enemy. "keeeeeeeOOOOO!" Was the scream as the Emperor of Muay Thai attempted to reverse the very toss, hurling Clark over his body as he dipped low. Perhaps then the Ikari Warrior would understand what exactly a God of Muay Thai was.
COMBATSYS: Adon successfully hits Clark with Jaguar Carry.
- Power hit! -
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Clark 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Adon
Whoa? Clark could already feel, just from the punch to the sternum he gave Adon, that the throw was not going to go as planned, though he was already committed to it, and as such couldn't back down. Throwing the man, he feels at least successful at that part... until he feels the Jaguar on his feet, having landed square, and now attempting to reverse the throw into something else entirely. Of course, being a grappler, the American is by no means a stranger to this, and already he's working to free himself from the grip that Adon tries to get him into. But it just isn't to be. The grip is too firm, and there's too much leverage for the Emperor - in this case, Clark's size is working /against/ him, as the Emperor rightly judges that that little thing known as gravity is a great force, when one applies it right.
Clark goes sailing overhead, and flies a greater distance than even Adon probably would expect - and he goes right into a table. Being large as he is, he doesn't just flop down onto it easily, he crashes right through it, shattering the varnished wood and collapsing to the floor in a heap of splintered wood. There's a moment of silence where Clark doesn't move, but eventually he pulls himself from the wreckage, groaning out. "Rrgh, good throw," he mutters, and means it. Shakily getting to his feet, the big man rubs the back of his head with one hand, and brushes off wood particles with the other.
Rolling his head, the Ikari Warrior once again adopts his usual stance, looking more closely at Adon. "Seems I shouldn't make assumptions about Muay Thai being about strikes," he says... but then doesn't attack. Instead what he seems to be doing is studying Adon, taking in anew the man's movement, footwork and motions. If Adon could hit as good as he could throw, Clark might be in trouble here.
COMBATSYS: Clark calculates his next move.
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Clark 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Adon
Clark's moment of observation is brief. See, Adon represents a technique of Muay Thai that is rarely observed with it's most famous students. Sagat, the Tiger of Muay Thai, once bore it, but these days he went for a slower, steady offense, using his long reach to control his opponents. King held the same steady pace. Joe was close, though his speed was more erratic and fanciful. But Adon? When he attacks, he doesn't stop. A true Muay Thai warrior, every attack is followed by another more aggressive strike. Every mistake gets the same treatment. More power, more violence.
So once Clark is hurled over him, he takes less than a second to recover his balance. He is already moving towards Clark as he smashes hard into the table. By the time Clark gets up, Adon is leaping through the air. The Jaguar kicks a foot off a wall, giving him additional height for his next strike. Clark gets a chance to watch the GOD of MUAY THAI flip head over heels, energy burning as it arcs from behind his heel sticking out. "JAGGA KEEK!" The emperor howls as he attempts to spike the warrior hard to the ground... before he gets a chance to react properly.
COMBATSYS: Adon successfully hits Clark with Jaguar Kick.
- Power hit! -
~ Cruel hit! ~
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Clark 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Adon
It's probably the sheer relentless nature of the attacks that keeps Clark off-balance. Even as he rises, Adon is already rushing in strike, and it gives the big American little time to properly react, much less analyze what steps Adon is taking and how to get around them. Trying to raise his arms in an X shape over his body, the Ikari Warrior does indeed get them up in time... but whether he didn't have them set, or Adon's strength is just that much, the block is meaningless. The force of the blow goes straight through the man's guard, and he's spiked into the floor, face first, with a loud grunting noise. For a moment, Clark is stunned, more due to the ferocity of the attacks than anything. But, after merely a minor pause, the big man is in action, rolling to the side.
If Adon is relentless, so too must Clark be.
Getting up quickly, Clark is already in forward motion before he's completely risen up, and he closes the space between himself and the Emperor of Muay Thai swiftly. Leaping up into the air, it would seem as though Clark intends on tackling Adon to the floor in a flying pounce - but this is false. Instead, Clark tries to catch Adon's head between his legs, and then suddenly reverses his momentum by dropping all of his weight down. Pulling with his legs, as well as his hands on the opponent's head, the Ikari Warrior attempts to flip the Muay Thai God with a Frankensteiner move, spiking -him- into the ground this time.
COMBATSYS: Adon endures Clark's Frankensteiner.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Clark 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Adon
As the kick smashes Clark to the ground, Adon believes this to be over. The Ikari Warrior's technique, while having some merit, was simply being bowled over by the GOD of MUAY THAI. Why wouldn't it, thought Adon to himself. He was the greatest warrior the world had seen, and Clark Steel's arrogance of dismissing the Emperor was being dealt with in a fair manner. If he did not believe Adon was the type of man who DESERVED respect, he would EARN it. Landing on his feet, Adon recoiled back for a moment. Balancing on one foot, he simply stomps it down, spreading his body wide. Grinning with the confidence of a man who downed Sagat, the Jaguar snarls into a sneer. "COME now, is THIS what HEIDERN molds the DEFENDERS of the WORLD into? No WONDER his family fell so EASILY against RUGAL!" A great cackle ran through the bar as Clark rose back up. Oh yes. Adon took note of ALL of the faction's relationships, especially one as powerful as the Ikari.
As Clark scrambles, Adon tenses his body up significantly. Still smiling broadly, drew his arms wide to catch the oncoming man. When Clark switches into gripping his face between his legs, though, Adon finds himself in a more western technique of Wrestling, one that he was not as familiar with. However, when confronted with the unknown, the GOD of MUAY THAI simply reverts to the defenses he is comfortable with.
Twisting his wrists around, he keeps his palms on the abdomen of the American. Body still tense, he lands with an almost aggressive impact, like if he was attacking the ground. Hardened by the muscles grown through years of training, the impact stiffened his motions significantly. However, now Clark was in a position where he could punish.
While still on his back, Adon applied his hands quickly with a solid push, trying to roll him off his chest and towards his side. Attempting the reversal, Adon would act simply: As he rolled him over, he would pass his elbow just short the jaw of the Ikari Warrior. With his free arm, he would keep himself in the air just long enough to rebalance himself, to draw his knees in. Clark would go to protect the face in what seemed like a quick attack of opportunity... and from there, he would draw his body in. He would let his body crack like a whip, driving both knees hard into the gut of the American, letting the internal injuries take their toll on the poor man.
COMBATSYS: Clark interrupts Medium Kick from Adon with Super Argentine Backbreaker.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Clark 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0 Adon
There was one fatal flaw with Adon's plans. Though the Muay Thai God's technique is sound enough, and in normal cases it probably would've worked quite well, to painful effect, even. And indeed, even though the motion is interrupted, Clark can feel the Jaguar's knees impacting roughly on his chest, even if the force is somewhat diminished because of the interrupting counter-force applied by Clark. But the flaw was something that Adon probably couldn't recognize, because, well, if anything, Clark had come away with this encounter with one truth: Adon was kind a douche. So, of course, if the Jaguar could not understand what suddenly makes Clark hit back, it couldn't surprise the American.
You don't talk like that about Clark's boss, man.
There's no skillful counter, no tactical move that makes the interrupt successful. It's nothing like that. It's a simple, brutal charge of main strength, fueled by sudden quiet anger. Clark was hard to get ruffled, and indeed when he did get ruffled it was hard to tell. But in this case it might be pretty easy to recognize, because his interrupting motion? Is to grab Adon and just throw him in the damn air, straight up. Surging upwards, Clark seems to follow, standing up in a flurry of motion, all so that he can 'catch' the Muay Thai Emperor once he falls back to the ground: and then he's slammed hard across Clark's broad shoulders. Up again does Adon go, and once more the motion is repeated: catch, slam, throw. The final catch is followed then by palming Adon's face in mid-air, then using pure, primal strength to slam the redheaded man into the ground, before backing off a few steps, a few slight pants given to catch his breath. Adon might be a douche, sure, but that didn't change the fact he was -skilled- to boot. It wasn't like this fight was easy, after all! Clark steadies himself once more, driving away the quiet rage that fueled him for but a second, returning once more to his stoic nature.
Adon's knee's impact hard upon Clark, but not hard enough. All that energy that was drawn inwards was released out against the blazing spirit of the American, whose rage suddenly came to surface. The GOD of MUAY THAI lets loose a feeble "Wha?!" When he finds himself tossed into the air. If he had an edge to leap off of, he might have been able to counter the combo himself. Unfortunately, he did not, so when he landed upon the shoulders of the Ikari Warrior, he finds his moment of mockery biting him hard in the ass.
The first crack gets a squeak of pain. The second gets nothing, as the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI remembers his has his men before him. If he must be struck, it must be with pride. The third catch even release a peal of laughter as he hurled to the ground. The Jaguar breaks into a roll, tumbling over a toppled chair and a broken gangster. And with that, he perks right up, slightly woozy. Gripping his forehead in the palm of his hand, he rubs his crown slightly. And his grins gets new light. "SO. Maybe HEIDERN isn't as much a FOOL as I FIRST passed. You DO have fight in YOU, DON'T you." Leaning precariously forward, the EMPEROR OF MUAY THAI rolls his neck and shoulders. Then, with little further warning, he suddenly grabs the broken chair. Twisting his body around clockwise, he uses the spin to build power and momentum for the chair. Looks like his was extending beyond Muay Thai here, in order to confuse the powerful fighter. Perhaps using his own overconfidence in his favor?
COMBATSYS: Clark dodges Adon's Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Clark 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0 Adon
The 'taunt' is given another stoic look that seems to roll off Clark like water. He was provoked once, but allowing himself to be provoked again would be bad for him. He had to remain cool, remain focused. He didn't do as well as Ralf when it came to just punching without thinking of the consequences. He couldn't /not/ think of the consequences, really, and without pondering them for a split second more than Ralf would have, he couldn't commit himself fully to attacks, which would be disasterous. So he waits, and watches, not saying anything in return. Which is likely why, when the Emperor of Muay Thai deigns to throw a chair rather than something more... Muay Thai-ish, the big American isn't fooled. Dropping to the side, the broken piece of chair sails harmlessly by, and before it even finishes passing him, the Ikari Warrior surges into motion.
Rushing straight at Adon, there is but one simple goal for Clark at the moment: hit the man really hard. So, without much aplomb or bravado, Clark Steel, a man of at least two-hundred and fifty pounds, jumps into the air, and sails towards the Jaguar. Feet first. Bringing momentum and weight comparable of a freight train down upon Adon, he simply wishes to drop kick the man in the chest with both feet as hard as he can, before dropping down to the floor once again, a familiar motion he can easily rise out of.
COMBATSYS: Adon fails to interrupt Strong Kick from Clark with Rising Jaguar.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Clark 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Adon
The Muay Thai king lets the chair fly forward, letting the man approach. Adon expected that he would go for another grapple. He was just waiting for it. The chair was just to buy him time, and to mix Clark up. Unfortunately, it seemed that the Ikari Warrior was much more focused than even Adon. The chair didn't even faze him, and he just piled on by it... by leaping into the air.
Adon didn't even think about it. Body tensing up again, He immediately shot up into the air, both knees pounding hard, one after another. He expected to tear right through Clark's attempt to catch him in the air again. Frankensteiner rang too fresh in his mind to ignore it. He just expected American to try it again. But then, it became obvious that Clark was focusing more on a flying kick. Attempting to boost the power more, he made a decision to either release his force, or just hold it in. He held it in...
And felt his knees strike harmless against the boots.
"JAGOOOOOO!?" Was the shout as he was rebuffed, his effort smashed back. The Muay Thai GOD felt a rage boiling in him. Unlike Clark, he had every reason to let his emotions get the better of him. Landing on the same broken gangster as before, he tore up, body still bearing a bruise similar to the footprint of the Ikari Warrior's boot. But his stance did not read one of someone weakened. Instead, a new resolve overcame him. At first, it was a frown. And now, it was a sick grin, slowly growing with every step towards Clark Steel.
Though the Muay Thai God was indeed a strong fighter, he had an uphill (upair?) battle going for him there. Not only did Clark have momentum and gravity working for him, he simply had more bulk than Adon did. All these factors likely leads to why the interrupting motion failed. The Ikari Warrior's boots slam against the King of Muay Thai, and then he's dropped to the floor roughly, aided by Clark's momentum, weight, and of course gravity. It's not a fun scene. But even as Adon tries to get himself up, pulling on his reserves to get back up and fight, and fight even more aggressively, Clark is copying the motions that the Emperor showed earlier, by not letting the Jaguar get back on his feet so easily. Already up after the familiar drop kick motion, which he's performed countless times, the big American rushes forward, and attempts to tackle Adon to the floor with nothing more than beefy weight behind the movement.
If this is successful, Clark picks the smaller man up and hefts him over a shoulder, so that his legs are behind Clark, and his head is facing forward, even if he's 'on his back'. And then? Clark begins to run. First, he's dashing towards the wall of the bar, and attempting to viciously slam Adon's head into it. Then, he wheels about, and rushes towards the /other/ wall, and then performs much the same as the first, slamming him into it. Once this is complete, Clark turns once more, rushing back to the first wall, but before he gets to it, he raises Adon up over his head, leaps into the air - then uses gravity, momentum, weight, and now -force- to drive the God of Muay Thai into the floor, probably hard enough to crack some boards.
If that last motion is completed, the American will get up onto his knees, raise his arms into the air, and almost as if by automatic design, yell at the top of his lungs: "BOOOYEAH!"
COMBATSYS: Adon blocks Clark's Running Pirate.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Clark 0/-------/-------|=======\===----\1 Adon
Adon found himself in dire straits. With him on the ground, it looked like Clark was going to make a rag doll out of him. There was little he could do to resist. What COULD he do to resist. But then, the question turned from a futile statement... to a challenge. As the EMPEROR of MUAY THAI is taken up, his entire body tenses up. Hands limber, he focuses HARD upon the world about him. The first slam against the wall he just firms his body up, deflecting the damage slightly. There was little he could do there. The same is said for the second wall slam, which even drives a pained gasp from the Jaguar. But the final motion was the easiest to defend against, despite the power. There, Adon took his arms, and tightened up into a ball. With an explosion of wooden splinters, he is smashed hard to the floor, motionless.
The now four members of Adon's entourage look horrified as Clark rises from the ground, unleashing his battle cry. The Booya turns their blood cold, rattling their very souls. Was that it? Did this foreigner finally take down their master?
Then, there is a silent figure looming from behind the cheering Clark Steel. Body bleeding, it slowly began to loosen as the force drawn inwards... drew out. This late in the fight, he was all too aware of what was around him. And now, it was his turn to turn this fight around. No warnings. He would just jump him here and now. Teeth bared wide into a vicious grin, he suddenly unleashed a howl. "OOOOOOOOOOOOYAAAAAAAA! JAAAAAAAAAGGAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAI!"
Immediately, he began to front flip towards the American. Like the Jaguar Kick of before, a long line of energy drew behind his heel. But unlike before, he just didn't stop. After the first flip kick, he turned into a second one. Then a third one. Finally, with an explosion of force, he held back slightly at the end... before tearing that last heel strike down, attempting to break the Ikari Warrior... for good.
COMBATSYS: Adon successfully hits Clark with Jaguar Revolver.
-+- CALCULATED HIT -+-
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Clark 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Adon
Well, as much as he likes to show off occassionally - he does have that bit of showmanship that goes with pro-wrestling in him, after all - in this case it probably wasn't that great of an idea. Adon was relentless in his strikes, and stopping for even a second to show off, even though he'd done it more on impulse than anything else, was a fatal mistake. As the Jaguar is very apt to demonstrate. When the man gets up and begins to make those relentless, savagely repeating strikes, Clark certainly -tries- to block them, but indeed he cannot. He might've gotten lucky on the first shot and deflected some of it, but if that helped any at all, it only serves to make the next few punishing kicks work against him all the harder, slamming straight through his raised arms and just pummeling him relentlessly until he's stumbling backwards, and hitting up against a table. And even -then- he's driven into it, even though this one doesn't break, just provides something very uncomfortable to be slammed into.
Okay, that hurt a bit. But the big American wasn't done yet! Picking himself up off the table, the Clark shakes his head... but then immediately lurches into an attack, rolling with the motion of his 'shaking it off' to move seamlessly into a follow-up attack. This might be familiar to Adon, as well, because Clark's already used it, but he's doing it again. Grabbing for the Jaguar, the Ikari Warrior seeks to place a hand on the thinner man's shoulder and hip, then unceremoniously throw him into the air. Once again, the three motions are repeated, one after the other, catch, slam, throw, catch, slam, throw. The third time, however, the grappler differs slightly. Rather than palming Adon's face and slamming him down, Clark suddenly flips himself upside down, performing a flawless handstand. With a cry, the American extends his legs, then locks them - all so that when Adon comes falling down, he lands on the immovable, unforgiving pillars of the big man's outstretched legs, and his boots, which prove to be a much more unforgiving surface than the ground to land on, should he indeed get that far!
"Clark... SPECIAL!"
COMBATSYS: Adon blocks Clark's Super Argentine Backbreaker.
[ \\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Clark 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Adon
Adon's powerful spirals and circles break the first attempt at blocking... and that was the point where things went to his favor. The combination of energy, power, and surprise serves him well, and manages to almost, -almost- turn it over to the GOD of MUAY THAI. But as that last heel drop knocks the Ikari Warrior back, it leaves him... standing.
Even the table doesn't break. When Adon perks right back on his feet, he swiftly tries to regain his balance after such an assault. His face was burning with a strange rage, strange in the way that his smile still burns wide, if more towards a grimace. "You have LOST this MATCH. Just give IN to the MUAY THAI. Give in to ME! ADON! THE GOD OF MUAY THAI!" He was almost hoarse with his screeching by the time Clark scoops him up. Oh, he was trying that again.
Unfortunately for Clark, Adon knew what to expect this time. Sure, his feint caught him off guard, but other than that, his mind was quite sharp. He already was planning an appropriate counter. He would end this... and he would end this FAST. His body flexed fully on the up swing, turning like a solid block of granite. When he lands on the shoulders of Clark... he did not bend. No, he was unbendable. And as he struggled against the Clark... his arms snapped out.
Gripping the skull of the American, he suddenly exploded with speed, dropping from the grip of the Ikari Warrior and on his back. Winding back, he just jammed his knee up hard as he tried to drag Clark DOWN. If successful, he would attempt to unleash the explosive forces of Muay Thai into Clark, before hurling him down to the ground. He was being reckless now, he was being impulsive... but he did it only for the most important thing in the world.
To win.
COMBATSYS: Clark fails to interrupt Jaguar Slam from Adon with Arabian Burglary Backbreaker.
- Power fail! -
[ \\ < > ///// ]
Clark 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Adon
The throwing, the catching, the slamming... they all go off without a hitch, except he can -feel- Adon's tensing and flexing, trying to ward off the attempts to break him, and meeting with success. This is annoying, sure, since Adon seems pretty consistent in his ability to do this. But it doesn't affect Clark. At least, not until the Jaguar rolls off him, under his -own- terms. Rather than just falling to the floor like many do, the God of Muay Thai clings desperately, driven to inflict more pain on the big Ikari Warrior. Jamming a knee into the back of his head is staggering enough, but then more come, raining in on his head while he's dragged down backwards, then finally just -slammed- into the floor. The Ikari tried to do something... that much can be felt. After the first hit to his head, though, it simply can't be done, though, all focus lost in a sea of pain.
There Clark lies, unmoving.
And then, he gets up.
Pressing his hands into the floor beneath him, he slowly, shakily rises up to his feet. Breathing heavily, looking rather worse for wear, the big American lurches and staggers forward a step or two, and catches himself on a table. One breath, then two. Then finally, he stands under his own power. Then, he turns and looks at Adon, motioning. "I've not... lost yet. C'mon!"
He was still standing.
It was meaningful that both were standing, in the greater scheme of things. But to Adon, there was only one important thing: Clark was still standing. His aggressive, almost desperate reversal, succeeded in every way except the most important: The American was still standing... Metaphorically speaking. The same could be said about Adon: he was stretching himself well beyond his powers in this match. Yet, he could not allow himself to lose. He took down Sagat with the same tactics, he could handle an Ikari Warrior.
By the time Clark gets himself upright to demand that he come on, Adon is well ahead of him. He did not waste any time to let his foe recovery. Just like before, he was aggressively taking advantage of ANY perceived weakness in his opponent. And here, the man took too long to get up. "keeEEEEYOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Thai Warrior screamed, leaping straight forward as he raised his elbow high into the air. He would greet Clark's stunning survival... by the American's skull hard into his own spine.
COMBATSYS: Clark dodges Adon's Medium Punch.
[ \\ < > ///// ]
Clark 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Adon
C'mon, he says, and Adon comes right on in. Figurative meanings behind their fighting are lost on Clark, because he's simply too tired. Right now, he is moving sluggish, breathing hard, and moving based solely on some kind of crazy willpower that likely Heidern beat into him. But that was okay... because so was the Jaguar. They both were extending themselves pretty far, and neither one was backing down. It would just come down to seeing whose defenses would fail first. The other man leaps and attempts to bring an elbow down on Clark's head... and Clark side-steps, the elbow missing. It takes a second or two for the tired Warrior to register this, and then he lurches into his own attack. Too tired to think of anything fancy, too tired to -care- about anything other than striking his opponent down, he steps in, and tries to simply jab Adon in the short ribs as hard as he can, hoping to take the last wind out of his sails.
COMBATSYS: Adon blocks Clark's Quick Punch.
[ \\ < > //// ]
Clark 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Adon
This was the line, they were right down to the wire. Both fighters did not have much fight left in them. It was just going too long, too hard. Still, Adon felt he still had the upper hand. He believed his training was much more fierce than anything Heidern could dish out. He believed his power was more than what Clark could handle. He was the aggressor, and Clark was the defender; The yings and yangs striving to overcome the other. However, he had one thing that Clark may lack. A counter-balance to his opposing force.
Where the GOD of MUAY THAI'S offense fails to make contact, his drops low, too low. Adon LOOKED like the ghost was slipping away from him. Yet, despite his noisy gasps, that smile was still there, that fierce grin. "FOOL. Just GIVE IN." He states loudly, and turning, he sees the jab approaching his ribs. With that grin, the tiredness seems to leave him as he suddenly snaps his arms up to catch the blow. His arms flex, and the master of Muay Thai simply... absorbs it. It seemed that he had a long defense game left in him.
But then, the offense returned. The Jaguar, drawing from inhuman reserves, simply pounces. Attempting to grab Clark by the side of his head, he would first smash his elbow against the Ikari Warrior's head. If he made contact the first time, he would then hurl him to the ground, and certainly end this match.
Otherwise, he would end this... the easy way.
COMBATSYS: Clark fails to interrupt Jaguar Stab from Adon with Rolling Cradle.
[ < > /// ]
Clark 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Adon
COMBATSYS: Clark can no longer fight.
[ \\\ <
Adon 0/-------/--=====|
He dodges, then follows up with a jab. The Jaguar tenses in that familiar way that Clark knows is almost a near instant reaction to anything he does, and the shot is simply absorbed as if nothing happens. It's merely a drop in the bucket of pain the two have inflicted on one another. The big Ikari steps back and tries to get ready for the next shot, but there's really no /time/ to get ready for the next shot, because a jaguar, much less THE Jaguar, does not wait for his opponent to right himself and get ready.
The first strike of the elbow is enough to do it, really. It's only the impossible will that somehow made Clark stand back up from getting thrown to the floor in the first place that makes him not simply keel over. Hands raise, and the big American attempts to get a hold on Adon, grappling him. As it is, however, it's a struggle for leverage... and unfortunately, it proves that Adon has more of it. Perhaps Clark might succeed in pulling Adon down, but whatever grapple he was attempting just doesn't fly, and the big man is sent to the ground, panting in labored breath, clearly exhausted, clearly hurting, and clearly beaten. It was a close match, Clark knew... and if he could just summon a little bit more will, he could perhaps finish it.
But he can't. Nothing comes. Attempting to lift his arm, he makes slow progress in doing so, only to have it flop back down. Okay... he was just... going to take a little nap here. Hopefully when he woke back up, he could walk out of here and onto a plane, since he was pretty sure Adon's message had been made clear. He wasn't welcome here, not unless Adon himself said so.
The blow rings loudly in the bar, much loudly than it ought to have. But it was amplified by the victory, and resounded to all of the Emperor's people. Whenever Adon won, it wasn't a statement of generic wins or losses. It was a statement of his position. Adon, deep down, knew he was where he was by one, single, win. Everything that came after that, by proxy, was not just a matter of ego.
It was survival.
The Jaguar's pounce brings down his prey. With a slam, he stares at his opponent, taking long, harsh breaths. When Clark raises his arm again... Adon doesn't hold back. He takes two fierce steps, and lowers himself down to a crouch. As part of the movement, he smashes his elbow into the American's skull. He didn't take chances when his opponent was down. Some had a habit of getting back up. And that was a habit that Adon never rewarded.
Safely secure that his opponent was truly down. Adon raised himself up. Staring down out at his victim... he suddenly let loose a cackling howl. "KAYAYAYAYYAYAAAAAA HEE HAAA HOOOO! PATHETIC. Another FOOL who should have RUN." Removing the circlet on his head, he turned away from the body of the American. Snapping his fingers, he motioned his men to carry the body of the Ikari Warrior. He knew exactly what he would do with him. He would send him where he deserved.
A doctor.
After he was cleaned up, and certain to at least be stable enough for transportation, he would be placed on a plane to Hong Kong. A good, neutral location. Excellent for transportation. He would be escorted by an agent, who would meet the Ikari pick up. And he would make clear the criteria in which one communicated with the Thailand... and the empire of Muay Thai.
Adon grinned. Being taken seriously. That was more than what Sagat had now.
COMBATSYS: Adon has ended the fight here.
Log created on 22:29:57 12/27/2008 by Adon, and last modified on 14:40:32 12/29/2008.