Description: City Hall, the center of Southtown's would-be prominent governing body -- and recently renovated by way of Howard Enterprises -- is under siege. Lord Vega and the forces of Shadaloo would seek to demolish it entirely, as a message to the whole of the once-proud city: there is no hope. Ryu and Ken Masters would disagree. Happenstance and the words of a comrade have brought the vagabond and his rich American friend to Southtown in the midst of its struggles, an x-factor among the chaos. Vega, with the Spanish assassin Balrog, has primed himself to take out the would-be heart of Southtown and bring everything to anarchy -- but will Ryu and Ken prove to be the eternal thorn in his side, or simply another obstacle to overcome...?
It's a simple mandate, that amounts to the age-old special forces adage: Breach, Bang, and Clear. Really, it's an operation Shadaloo's soldiers should not have had any major trouble with. Invade city hall, clear it out room by room, detain (or murder, because murder is FUN!) every white-collar worker and elected official hold up in the place. They even have tank backup. Complication a) comes when Southtown's more capable combatants take offense to a giant engine of destruction rolling down the streets and trying to shell City Hall, but the people inside City Hall? They're fucking it up for the people that's in the streets.
It's apparent from moment one that there's more going on here than rent-a-cops and Howard security forces inside the illustrious seat of Southtown's corruption, however. The initial wave of Shadaloo warriors only manage to get back garbled transmissions, most cutting off in a screech, scream, or odd, muffled, hard packing sound. One particularly informative piece of intelligence begins and ends with 'Auuuuughhhhnnnnnnnrrrrrrfffff..... ' and then way too much microphone feedback.
Inside the seat of (un)lawmaking, it's a vision of martial arts pride, with armed assailants unconscious hither and yon, some strewn over one another, some with the comfortable bedding of a (now broken) desk or bookcase. It's warmup time for Ryu and Ken, the Ansatsuken duo having carved a very un-subtle swathe through the invaders right down the street from the cleared Hospital where the Masters Media chopper landed. It's certainly a twist, for Ken (and even Ryu) to step up to the plate as Geese's home turf comes under threat, but this isn't about Geese, now is it? It's not even about crooked politicians or buildings built with blood money. The people in them matter, no matter who's footing the bill.
At least, that's the Ansatsuken Dragon's perspective, and he's sticking to it. The civilians have all been gathered into the shelter under the building itself, leaving only Ryu and Ken on the upper floors. At least, only Ryu and Ken /conscious/ on the upper floors, as a particularly harsh smack that could be a noogie in another life drops a black-clad fellow instants after his assault rifle, at Ryu's feet.
"They'll be sending in the big guns any minute." The Wanderer predicts, with his ever-comforting intimate knowledge of how malevolence works.
HOW KEN GOT INTO SOUTHTOWN
"Thanks for the lift," Ken says, words drowned out by the wind being whipped in front of his face as he forgets the guy's name, "...nameless Ikari Warriors helicopter pilot."
Frowning for a moment as he considers how he could have handled that more gracefully, Ken leaps out of the helicopter, giving the earth an upside-down Shoryuken to cushion his fall.
NOW
"Man, Ryu, I just came in here hoping I could use the bathroom," Ken says, in such a laconic, smiling deadpan that it's not immediately clear whether or not he's really joking. "Fancy this."
Ken prods one of the fallen soldiers with a bare toe. "I'm kinda bummed, though, I mean, I thought Shadaloo mostly used, like, teen babes in pantyhose for stuff like this. Not that it would have made hitting them any more fun, but at least the fight would've been easier on the eyes." The American champion runs a hand through his blonde hair, pulling it out of his eyes and glancing around. "But, y'know, it's cool, they can send whoever they want, I'm basically some kind of Shoryuken machine, the way I've been busting 'em out since I got here. I just wish I could use 'em on, you know, some real competition..."
"Jovial to the last, Masters. I should have expected it."
Behind the waves and waves of minions (read:Cannon Fodder), a stronger warrior approaches. Or perhaps, Vega was always there, simply watching the pair of Ansetsuken warriors decimate his ranks as idle curiosity, a way to gauge their strength. After all, his reply does seem to make it sound as if he'd heard at least part of their deadpan repartee. His hands are folded against his chest, his look dour, dismissive. In his blank white eyes, perhaps just a hint of anticipation. This, after all, was something he could not have prepared for, not have expected - if he weren't the strongest psychic force on the planet, that is.
"We wouldn't want to see you playing Howard's lapdogs in any worse environments. Tell me - do you enjoy working for criminal masterminds, or is it just a new hobby?" With a wave of his hand, blue and purple energy courses around his frame, and the Shadaloo Head steps into the path, designating himself the next target for the fearsome twosome. "Or are you simply dense enough that you don't care if he runs this town into the ground like a cancer, as long as you get another chance to 'fight Lord Vega'? If so.. come and fight! I've been waiting for this /ever/ so long..!"
Of course, far be it from Vega to throw himself into something like this alone..
COMBATSYS: Vega has started a fight here on the right meter side.
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|-------\-------\0 Vega
COMBATSYS: Ryu has wandered into the fight here on the left meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Vega
COMBATSYS: Ken has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Vega
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Balrog has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Vega
It's a true fact, Shoryukens > Helicopters. Shoryukens > Gravity. They did a whole Mythbusters on it.
Vega may be the most powerful wielder of his unusual energy in the known universe, but he's not the only one with a sixth (or maybe even SEVENTH) sense working overdrive. Ryu twists about before Vega actually steps forth, as his power makes itself known before Ken finishes cracking wise. The witty repartee might have spurred a smile, even in these circumstances, from the allegedly blonde battler's more stoic counterpart, but for the moment the only expression on the Wanderer's face is a profound, granite harsh scowl. His dark eyes lock on the blank stare of the crimelord - the sheer, seeping evil almost penetrating to the bone in the moment it takes him to center himself, his own formidable will fighting back against Vega's even at this earliest instant.
Ryu draws himself up, facing Vega sidelong, as a breeze fills the entryway from nowhere, fills the man known only as the Dragon, accompanying the near-tangible connection to his own power, "Don't tell me you're here to sell yourself as the lesser of two evils, Vega." The Ansatsuken Master retorts, without even a moment's doubt or hesitation. He knows who runs Southtown, he's known for awhile, but Vega couldn't even get away with /that/ shit on eBay.
Both fists shift as he immediately drops into a ready stance, his feet ever so slightly wide as one hand guards forward, the other higher, back by his torso, "If you two were to pummel each other into nonexistance, that's your business - but that's not what you're doing. We're here for everyone you've /both/ caught in the middle!"
Evidently, that's enough talk, enough explanation. Ryu bum rushes (no pun intended) the Shadaloo Lord, the final step anchoring all his weight on his left foot as his right shoots nearly straight skywards like a rocket, whipping around and dropping in on Vega unannounced, seeking to crack his prominent chin on both the trip up, and the axeing return.
"HYAAAAAH!!!"
Ken is not quite as intense as Ryu in how he regards the diabolical lord of Psycho Power -- though he leans back into a combat-ready shuffle, gloved fists coming up, he simply lets one side of his mouth tick upward in a wry smile. Likewise, one wild, unplucked black brow lifts just a bit. "Ryu's actually pretty on the nose," Ken appends calmly to his ally's tirade. "All I gotta say is..."
As Ryu leaps, Ken lunges, going for the low as Ryu takes the high ground -- although, honestly, there is probably enough chin for the both of them. As he swings in, leaping into a forward somersault and coming out of it with one leg extended toward the dictator's knee, Ken finishes his thought: "...you really need a fashion consultant if you want anyone to take you seriously. I mean, c'mon, who wears shoulder pads anymore?" Ken's verbal jab may fade harmlessly into the ether, coming from someone notorious for not wearing shoes or sleeves, but his foot seeks to score a more substantial (and physical) blow, as Ken hopes his well-callused foot trumps Psycho Kneepad.
COMBATSYS: Vega blocks Ken's Medium Kick.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Vega
COMBATSYS: Vega interrupts Strong Kick from Ryu with Psycho Wave.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Vega
Ah, this is what he was prepared for..
Vega grins widely as the two face off 'gainst the evil Lord of Southt.. Shadaloo. The look in his eyes is eager, anticipent, as he prepares himself for what will come next. When they begin to move, he speaks, and when they strike, he laughs out loud. "Then you'll face him .. after I crush you beneath my heel! HAHAHA!" He starts to move, fluid for his size, a shin coming up to break the impact of Ken's incoming sweep, the clang of metal on foot audible throughout the room. But Ryu, Ryu... Ryu gets the impact that Vega was truly attempting.
As that right foot comes up, Vega's hands come down - not used to block, no - but the waves and gout of giant purple and blue Psycho Energy that rattles behind the Dictator's digits is phenomenal indeed. It blasts against Ryu's foot, and the rest of his body as well. The shock to Vega's hands from the impact is enough to stagger him backwards - but the grin never, ever leaves his face.
With a flick of his fingers, he shakes out the sting from impact. With a slight resteadying of his foot, the shin guard splinters from the might of Masters' kick. And as he beckons them on, he narrows his eyes, the cat ready to pounce on a particularly lovely feast. "Now.. you don't think I'd face you alone, do you..?"
Prying eyes monitor the scene from an unobserved vantage point, only the smallest visage of an upsidedown mask visable as its eyeslits peer into the room from their unseen vantage point. While it is significantly more difficult for Lord Vega to mask his presence than his underlings, he shouldn't have to either. He has assassins for that, you see.
Right on cue, the sound of tinkling glass can be heard as the nearest window window is smashed inward. The object crashing through it is a swift blur of motion, touching down on the carpeted rug only briefly before darting to the wall, a telltale glimpse of yellow and purple spandex quite possibly the only hint of the form the new threat takes at this venture. That, or the sight of an oval mask fixed on its prey in the very brief moment that the owner stands perched against the wall before striking.
With one acrobatic lunge, the intruder travels across the remaining distance of the room with extended arms, seeking to get a grip on the shoulders of one cocky Ken Masters. No witty banter to betray his intent - should he allow himself to be caught overextended from his deflected kick, or just plain not be able to react in time from the sudden onslaught, he'll likely find himself backflipped by his midair assailant and driven face first into floor. Good thing the glass didn't travel this far!
FWOOSH!!! Forward like a battleship... cruising straight into a tsunami. The explosion of Psycho Power was all but inevitable - it burns, it lashes, it launches Ryu right back the way he came, off his feet and into the far wall, a portrait of Geese Howard dropping beside him, frame cracking apart as the glass shatters out - a prelude to the entrance of the Spanish Ninja (which is similar to an African American Klan member, but that's a whole different scenario). Ryu plants a hand and all but vaults back to his feet, shaking it off in the proverbial sense as breath refills his lungs, and Balrog erupts in the window. The nomad recognizes the brutal Spaniard, and of all the unlikely outcomes, the mass murderer's arrival brings a smile to Ryu's face.
"You're counting on /that/ guy?" it's Ryu's turn to mock, just a little, his deep voice projected, deadpan, dead serious, "... oh well, I guess he and Sagat wouldn't have reported that to you." the Wanderer observes, apparently genuinely - if not dramatically - amused that Vega is relying on Balrog to even the odds for him, "Doubt you'll need a hand pasting that guy, but keep frosty!!" he calls to Ken, cupping his hands at his side, his attention still fully on Vega.
"Bring whoever you want, even if we don't stop you here, you'll never get away with this!!" Ryu's arms flex, his hands sweeping forward, and a voluminous outpouring of crimson flame licks from his fingertips and bursts forth, surging around itself in a brilliant, superheated moment, the conflagration erupting forth and coursing towards Vega with meteoric intensity, a spiralling flame-trail illustrating its swift path as it burns brightly for the Shadaloo Lord.
"HADOOOOUKEN!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Balrog's Izuna Drop.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Vega
Rebuffed by Vega's mighty shin guard, Ken Masters recoils, considering his next move -- maybe, he thinks, I should strike at a part of Vega's body that /isn't/ covered by reinforced metal. Unfortunately, Ken does not have time to continue that line of thought, as suddenly hands are upon him. "Whoa! What th--"
The blonde Ansatsuken disciple arches his back slightly as Balrog slams into him, but is quick enough with his wits and his mitts to flip the Spanish marauder away before too much damage can sink in. "Oh, man, it's you," Ken says, rolling his eyes in exaggerated disrespect. "Phew, man, seriously, don't /do/ that to a bro -- I almost thought I was in /trouble/ for a second! Be cool, Ryu, this'll only take a second!"
Ken then lunges toward the masked assassin, spinning his body with a quick twist to try and snap off a brutal roundhouse -- and maybe kick Balrog right into that big glassy mess he made.
COMBATSYS: Vega negates Shakunetsu Hadouken from Ryu with Psycho Shot.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
Ah yes, the Hadouken. Vega knows it far, far too well. He's seen Ryu use it hundreds of times, and he's felt it far too often for his liking. That, well - that will change, today. As Ryu proclaims Sagat and Balrog possibly lesser than Ryu himself, there's a slight glance towards his teammate. Just what /did/ Ryu mean by that? Perhaps an unmentioned battle, one where Balrog and Sagat were beaten around like little girly men? No matter! Vega has no time for such things!
As the blue-white blazing sphere comes in, Vega holds out his own hand. He reaches into the heart of that maelstrom of energy, his fingers wreathed in his own Psycho Power. Forcing his way into that chi-ball that Ryu holds up, Vega corrupts it, twists it - and chokes the life out of it the way that a warrior might crush a throat beneath his mighty grip. The evil smile never leaves his face as he does so, perhaps imaginging Ryu's throat there instead. As the ball of energy fades, Vega throws the remnants to the side. "I believe... I've seen you stronger before, Ryu. Or perhaps.. I'm the stronger one, now..!"
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Balrog with Ushiro Mawashi-geri.
- Power hit! -
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Ken 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
When The Wanderer is making fun of you, it's reason to feel burn. Ken Masters is well known for being a cocky bastard, sure - so perhaps no small surprise that in the company of his best friend, Ryu is inclined to show a side of himself that normally isn't apparent. Still, it singes - one of the right hand men of THE most powerful men in the world, and these cretins DARE to mock him as if he were common trash?! Vanity is Balrog's greatest flaw, and the blatent disrespect levelled upon him by two of the greatest fighters in the world injures him, as loathe as he is to admit it!
Thankfully, Ken's foot his here to put things into perspective. Being treated as a joke *does* grate on his nerves, but it doesn't hurt nearly as much as that kick does. That wrecking ball of a roundhouse catches the ninja just as he's backflipping to safety, and...it's like soccer. Fortunately, Masters misses the goal, the Spaniard instead rebounding off the "post" of the surroudning wall instead, landing chest first amidst the myriad shards of glass. Some threat indeed!
A slow chuckle begins to creep through the room as the fallen man rises, glancing down as he idly picks away at the few pieces of glass caught within the confines of his musculature. "Hm hm hm...so that's how it's going to be, is it? I'm not sure why Lord Vega has tolerated your presence for this long, but...I think I'm going to kill you."
The chuckling becomes steadily greater in volume until he finally breaks out into insane cackling, smearing his already shed blood over his chest with nowhere to wipe it off...yes, there is no recourse, he must paint this room red with their blood! "Yes, I think this is going to be FUN! Keep laughing, laughing while you scream in agony...laugh, scream, and CRY, while all the life slowly bleeds away!!"
Ladies and gentlemen, Balrog has already lost the thin grasp of sanity that he carries between rampages. Long as that tirade must be, he's already in motion once more the moment his speech ends - sprinting along the side of the corridor, he simply *hurls* his own bulk into the living corpse who thinks this will be over so quickly, a forward sommersault of taught muscle that bounces, once, twice, three times into Ken's guard before unfurling into forward claw stab carrying the Spaniard's insane, murderous intent.
There is little surprise as Vega's own manifestation of energy crackles sickeningly into the surge of fiery life-force projected at him. This is, after all, what the Shadaloo Lord does, and does well. It almost seems to be expected, a slight nod coming as Ryu studies the coalescent crash site, gaze intent. His features are once more grim, determined - totally business like as his attention returns fully to Vega, "You still don't understand." The nomad observes, thinking back to his last meeting with the Psycho Overlord.
"Desperately grasping for more power, with the delusion that it gives you strength.... rather than sapping it from you, draining it from everyone you touch, littering your course with nothing but death and decay. You look out upon the destruction you cause.... and you feel powerful?" Ryu seems almost confused, and simultaneously.... all too aware of how that feels.
"But it's already spiralled out of your control, as I told you before. You reek of it even more strongly, now. A bottomless void, meaninglessly lashing out, seeking to prolong and accentuate an existence that long since lost any meaning BUT that hunger." It's a fate Ryu does not envy the Shadaloo leader, and as before, there's an undertone of pity to the words, to the observation. Threatened by Vega? Not even knowing full well what the Dictator is capable of. Not even realizing that the blank-eyed Overlord is every bit as murderous as his wildly cackling cohort. Balrog is enraged, Vega... well, Vega is pretty much /all/ rage. And Ryu?
Ryu takes it as a sign to take a moment to center himself. His breath comes steadily as he stabilizes his footing, his hands weaving a short, graceful kata through the air before him, one palm open vertically, the other suddenly facing skyward.... and beckoning Vega forward as if he were a student being tested.
Once, twice. Fingertips flick as the nomad's dark yet intensely burning eyes focus in on the mighty tyrant. Time to get this party started.
COMBATSYS: Ryu calculates his next move.
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Ken 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Ken with Rolling Crystal Flash.
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Ken 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
"Oh my god, ever heard of therapy--" Ken starts to say -- but then Balrog is already moving, and before he can even finish his thought, the claws of the Spanish warrior have sunk into impeccably tanned and sculpted flesh -- even through the astounding protection of what can only be described as 'a mostly open gi top.'
"Aaah!" Ken hisses, recoiling -- three puncture wounds, claws having failed to sink deep enough to tickle organs, nonetheless begin to seep blood. "Do you even /sterilize/ those things between fights?! Because not only am I gonna beat your ass right now--" Ken surges forward, bringing a red-sheathed fist up to try and smash the underside of Balrog's chin "--I am gonna have the hospital /personally/ bill you for the hepatitis shots!"
Pity?! PITY?! Vega can feel it - he can sense the tone in the simple statement, and he scoffs at it, enraged (yes, enraged) all the more. Eyes flaring with untapped Psycho Power, Vega brings his hand up, ranting and beginning to foam at the mouth, like any good psychopathic dictator should do, words tumbling out in a rush of psychotic energy.
"Death and decay? What else is there, in the end? We strive, we fall - and in the end, only /one/ has been more powerful than that. That's /me/, Ryu! I've cheated it, and I've grown beyond your simple games, your pity and your art. Let me show you, just how I've changed!!"%R
Vega would never have backed away from that beckoning stance before. He'd never have stepped off when Ryu goaded him in - but that was then. Now, well - Vega is something else, some/one/ else - and he's eager to prove it. He lashes out and lunges towards Ken Masters, fists outstretched with that evil energy, dark and menacing. He rushes in with a doubled fist, axe-handle chop aimed at Ken's chest, a cackling, manic glee in his crazed white eyes. "Sterilize /this/, Masters!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Balrog with Aggressive Strike.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
The face. Oh yes, the face. They always go for the face. The mask beckons to them. As Ken makes his brief retreat, the ninja snaps both of his arms out to the sides before crossing them in front of his own bloodied chest once more, a ribbon of Ken's blood coating the adjacent wall. "...Keep laughing...make more jokes...!" Eyes behind the mask bulge, the face hidden behind the mask splitting with a wide, demented grin as his opponent rushes him. His reponse to the renewed assault from Masters is to...turn his back to the man. Defense? He doesn't even *bother* to put up a guard or step out of the way as the fist comes crashing into space of the air his chin once occupied, now the base of his neck. It's painful, oh yes. It's painful. But Balrog is in a place that pain doesn't hinder right now. Within him, the swirling flames of malevolence reach the peak of their cescendo. Yes, right THERE. This is the moment. "Red...your gi..."
A single arm snaps behind the Spaniard to try and grasp both sides of Ken's gi. He hauls up, up and over the shoulder, attempting to throw the mighty Ken Masters skyward.
"Your gi...IT'S NOT RED ENOUGH!!! HOOAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
And should Balrog's prey be so unfortunate, Ryu would find himself witness to the horrible skyward transfiction of his best friend upon the merciless razor's of the ninja's claws, suspended in midair for several seconds before the weapon is retracted.
"In the end, we all die - even you, no matter how many times you cheat that inevitability. You are not a god, only a man drunk on his own power, without compromise or perspicacity!" Ryu offers, unconvinced, as Vega launches himself in at the Blonde Battler. The nomad's gaze tracks him... his invitation was ignored, but it's no matter. Ken is strong, nearly as strong as the Wanderer himself, and it gives him just the opening he needs.
"Changed?!?" Ryu shouts, incredulous, as his footfalls suddenly accelerate him to a sprint, "All I see is the same maniac, lashing out at anything and everything he can!" The warrior in the white gi (which is also probably not nearly red enough for Balrog's tastes) culminates with a fierce crescendo as he launches himself the rest of the distance, seeking to intercept Vega even as Balrog rejoins his dance partner with bloody intent.
The grace in the aerial assault belies its sheer, ferocious efficiency, as the nomad shifts in the last instants of flight, launching his crimson-gloved right fist downwards. It's as if his entire momentum were transferred to that singular punch, his weight and speed carried behind it, akin to a warhead that unsettles world leaders. Levelled on Vega's skull, at jaw level, the jarring strike is meant to bring Vega right back into his orbit - not that he expects any particular sense to be knocked into the Overlord.
Then again he's the one facing down a nigh-immortal, psychotic, life-destroying powerhouse in a warzone, surrounded by enemy soldiers, armor, and operatives.
Maybe Balrog isn't the only nutty one here.
"HAAAAAH!!" comes the fierce kiai, reverberating off the crumbling walls, enough inner chi summoned within Ryu's breakneck flight to actually shudder the ground, shift the shattered glass, and rumble the surrounding woodwork.... no matter what he collides with.
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Vega's Strong Punch.
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Ken 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
COMBATSYS: Ken fails to interrupt Red Impact from Balrog with Jigoku-guruma.
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Ken 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vega
"Hoo-up!" Ken shoulders Vega's axehandle -- literally, as he ducks the blow, but not completely. It connects with the American fighter's shoulder with a loud, hard thwacking sound, like the sound of striking leather.
And it hits /hard/, too, which puts Ken in the unenviable position of now trying to defend against Balrog with a bum shoulder. As Balrog grasps at him, the attempt is made to swing a leg up and flip him, but it doesn't quite work out that way when Ken's shoulder suddenly gives out mid-attempt. "Wh--"
That's all Ken has time to get out before he's shredded. He lands in a heap, lines crisscrossed on his body, gi torn to shreds in conveniently macho action-hero fashion, leaving him more or less fighting cutoff shorts and assorted rags. "Listen, man, I'm sorry," Ken says, coughing and contrite.
"...sorry you sound so much like a woman, was that hard growing up?"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Vega with Strong Punch.
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Ken 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Vega
Not a solid blow, no - but still, it's enough that Vega can feel Ken's life force near enough to squash. It's enough that he helps provide an opening for his minion, a way for him to attempt to eviscerate his foe. It's enough that it leaves him ready and able to prepare for what Ryu brings to play.
It's not enough to escape unscathed, however.
*KRAK*!!
Impacted on the head, Vega drops to a knee - and there, for a moment, he stays. Hunched over, the warlord seethes with fury and the lingering pain of Ryu's punch. Strong, yes - difficult to bear, but something that will just goad Vega into further fury. He leans up, and grins at Ryu with blood-flecked lips, spitting out the remnants of the punch, denying its effect on him. "Then I'll lash out more - I supposese, if you see nothing different, then everything must be the same, Ryu ! HAaaaaah!"
For all his power, Vega never really learned subtlety - and here is no exception. He sweeps out his foot in a wide arc, slow but strong, attempting to knock the Ansetsuken master from his feet, to bring him down to the floor on Vega, to fight the other warrior on 'his level', as it were. He howls in anger as he does so, white eyes full of rage.
SOME of the blood frenzy is lessened once the Masters brat crumples to the ground, but only some. It's the difference between driving in an unrelenting rainstorm to driving in a fog. The color of red still fringes the matador's vision, but...he's somewhat here again now. Somewhat. He idly studies Ken instead of choosing to persue him, removing his mask so that he can run his tongue along the bloodied prongs of his precious weapon, an act that is more businesslike and pragmatic than sensual when his victim isn't a woman. "You're a funny man, Ken. In your own head at least. I'm in a better mood now, so I thought I'd answer one of your earlier questions." Blades cleaned, he offers a deranged flash of (despite all common sense) pearly white teeth before fixing the mask back in place. "Doesn't reassure you of much though, I'm sure!"
The mask is replaced in short order, a low chuckle reverberating throughout the room once more. "Go on, get back up. It wouldn't be as FUNNY if you died while cracking jokes on your ass."
COMBATSYS: Balrog calculates his next move.
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Ken 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Vega
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Medium Kick from Vega with Shoryuken.
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Ken 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Vega
There's a simple fact anyone who's fought Ryu knows. The harder you fight him, the harder he fights. Sometimes way, way beyond when he should rightly have stopped fighting. There's a less well known corollary to the Ryu Doctrine, however: the harder you hit his friends, the harder he fights x2. It's been tested. But such experiments are seldom wise. Naturally, though, when the science lover in question is Vega... well, if anyone is prepared to deal with making exceptions, it's the nigh-Immortal. Impervious, though? That, too, is now tested - and disproven once more.
The would-be Ruler of the Known World lashes out, as he is wont to do, even as Ryu descends. But he makes no move to evade, apparently satisfied with his breakneck course right into point blank Shadaloo territory. He twists sidelong in the landing, fully presenting his right side to Vega, his left arm coming up to meet the swinging kick even as his feet touch down. The reconnection with the ground is one part of Vega's wish, but it's an immediately unnerving, tangible flux as that connection is made, as if the city itself suddenly coursed back upwards through the Wanderer.
His internal energy amplifies in an instant, the passing moments it takes his thickly corded legs to bend.... and then the gi-clad warrior is moving forward fully, once more. It launches like a over-tightened catapult with its trigger flipped. That singular, leading right fist seems to all but carry Ryu back upwards of its own accord, blasting him full-on into Vega with all his weight behind it, the resounding impact of his gloved hand erupting outwards in an invisible shockwave (hey, it's preferable to RIPPING a canyon THROUGH what he's hitting, right?) on its path to Vega's mighty chin.
What took the blink of an eye to gather is released even more abruptly, all of the force transferred in that singular impact, as the Shadaloo Overlord is sent up, up, and away, with Ryu following on a far more graceful course, twisting a full turn at the apex of his rocketing ascent, the incantation of the legendary, some would say infamous uppercut jarring the blown-out windowframes of the wartorn government building, and sharing a clear broadcast of what just transpired with his red-clad comrade.
"SHOOOOOORYUKEN!!!"
"Oh, Jesus, that's gross," Ken groans weakly as he slowly sways to his feet, stance wobbling as he wonders what minimum amount of blood is required by the human body to stay alive. Necessary blood that Balrog is currently licking up. "Cute," he mumbles, eyes shutting for a moment.
In that moment, Ken reminds himself of just how completely and absolutely enraged Eliza would be if he were to die in Southtown. It's a simple thought, but an effective one, and it summons from within him a fresh wave of Fighting Spirit -- he needs only run down the list of the people he'd be letting down to inspire him to win, but the really important entries on said list, the only ones worth fixating upon, are his wife and son.
So Ken takes a second on fixates on them.
Then, Ken Masters' eyes snap open, regarding Balrog with a sharp fury. "Round two," he says, his wobbly form locking into a tight, controlled, aggressive stance.
COMBATSYS: Ken enters a meditative state.
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Ken 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Vega
Sent up and away, Vega has to accept that Ryu is the stronger in /that/ particular confrontation, in that particular moment. Accept internally he might, but in no way will he accept it in any way that Ryu can see. Flipped up, knocked away, Vega lands in a graceful motion, amoung the desks and shattered remnants of minions. Under his boots, bones break - but better them than him. Reaching up, he reseats his jaw with an audible *clack* sound, and his eyes focus on the fight between Ken and Balrog.
Better that than face Ryu again.
Or not - in the end, Vega /has/ to challenge Ryu. The pair against his ninja, no matter what the state of his minion, would end poorly. Vega is determined to show Ryu that he is more than he was, for some reason that mattering more than his attempt to crush Southtown 'tween his fists.
"Come on, then. Come here and show me what you have, Ryu. Show me that power you have, that you draw on. Bring 'the world' to me, and let me face it head on!" Around him, energy gathers - purple and blue darkness drawn from within, expressed in a corona that flares around him!
COMBATSYS: Vega gathers his will.
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Ken 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Vega
Ho ho ho, so it would seem that Ken Masters is finally taking this fight seriously. Very good. For a moment Balrog was seriously questioning whether or not the man really was ballsy enough to be a smartass to the grave, even with his blood being shed as much as it has already. "Fight?", is the Spaniard's only return quip as he lifts both claw and ready hand to shoulder level and takes up a brawling stance, advancing with a measured pace towards the former comedian. Once within striking distance, he comes to a halt and remains there for a good twenty seconds if Ken allows it, locked in the contactless standoff of fighters who consider themselves serious threats.
The masked matador aims to strike first. He begins with a claw strike from the right, a feint only, the true threat coming from the empty palm seeking to clasp onto the Ansatsuken fighter's shoulder. If the grip is firm enough, the claw hand will circle around from its feigned rake to clasp Ken's waist, both arms then heaving as the Spaniard's back arches backward. The painful end result would be a reverse suplex that sends his opponent crashing solidly into ground, where his first attempt failed.
With the intensity in Ryu's eyes as he faces down Vega... it doesn't look like the mighty Psycho Overlord has many choices BUT to face down the Ansatsuken Master to the bitter end. Ryu may have turned things around on the mighty dictator, but something the nomad knows from both ends of the spectrum.... is that it's never over until one or both parties have no fight left to give. He has plenty of fight, Vega clearly has power to burn, and whatever his faith in his brother from another mother, the Wanderer isn't going to simply assume Ken will find his footing against the wily ninja. Not with both their lives at stake - not with the lives of everyone in the bunker below, in the streets outside at stake. No, there's no room for hesitation, no room for quarter.
The Ansatsuken Dragon's hands sweep together, heels locking as his fingers splay in opposing directions, blasting forther a sudden surge of brilliant blue-white energy. Vega asked for the world, and that's just what the nomadic warrior gives him. It's a deep well that's tapped, from within Ryu, from without, the air shimmering about the suddenly forged fireball, the searing sphere erupting forth, ragged edged as the densely packed burst glimmers blindingly, a charge of purest spirit, untarnished by hate or judgement.
"Hadooouken!!!" the Surge Fist. A simple technique, by all appearances - but not nearly so simple to face the focused intensity of Ryu's fighting spirit. If he can even keep Vega occupied just a few moments longer... he knows precisely what the Overlord has left to offer, but the question is not whether he can weather the fury that is to come.
He has only one choice.
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Ken with Rainbow Suplex.
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Ken 1/----===/=======|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Vega
Ken is duly suplexed. Landing on his neck isn't what hurts compared to having his hacked-up and raw torso grabbed so tightly, muscular arms grinding against open slash wounded. Still, Ken is dumped on his head, but it's like he doesn't even feel it -- he just springs back upward, like his spine was made of rubber. The American lands in a crouch. "Yeah," he grunts.
Then, Ken launches forward. He's faster than a man in his condition should be -- dazzlingly fast, almost. His fist is brought back as he lunges, and when he gets in close, it rises up in a sudden onslaught -- with brilliant, open flames of pure chi flickering from his flesh, giving his punch a heat and power only matched by the explosive column of chi that bursts from the ground in his wake, under Balrog's feet.
Ken just prays the Spaniard stands still for the split-second he needs.
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Ken 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
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|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Vega
COMBATSYS: Balrog has left the fight here.
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Ken 0/-------/------=|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Vega
COMBATSYS: Vega interrupts Hadouken from Ryu with Psycho Crusher.
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Ken 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\======-\1 Vega
Ryu's stopped talking. That much, Vega is thankful for. Instead, he only utters one word - that word that Vega's learned to hate, to seethingly mutter in the back of his head whenever he faces the King of Fighters. 'Hadouken!' Like a broken record, each skip bringing new levels of burning, firey pain to the Shadaloo Head. Vega's tired of it - tired of seeing it, tired of trying to react to it - and today, well.. Today, he's more than ready for it.
With a growl, Vega throws himself towards the ball of chi, drawn of the world's energy. He howls out as he races towards Ryu, and the conduit of the Earth's spirit, bound up into a ball of chi that blazes bright blue and white. Vega throws himself into its' heart, its' soul - and forces his will on it. Purple and blue energy corrupt and twist the heart of the world, and as his body slams through it... Vega gutterally growls his own response. "PSYCHOO... CRUSHAAAA!"
Through and beyond - He rejects the world's effect on him. After all, he is above such things - though they may try to cling and claim at his spirit, what little is left to be touched in that way. No, no, Vega is beyond that already - and physically, it's demonstrated by the way he flies through the blast, trajectory unchanged, headed right into Ryu. Blazing white eyes show triumph - for at least a second. Impact explodes with Psycho Power, the aura of his own indomitable will, to knock Ryu backwards. And then - then Vega falls to ground, one knee down, hands on the ground to steady himself before standing. Unsteady, but triumphant.
"I reject... your world. It's less than I am."
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Balrog with Shinryuu Ken+.
+ Epic Hit! +
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Ken 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Balrog
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Ryu 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Vega
Pride, vindication...pain, hatred. Within the space of seconds, Balrog is lost once more to a swirl of emotion. Once his foe is smashed into the ground so effortlessly, the masked fighter simply throws his weight forward into a roll, from which he rises several feet away with a self-satisfied snicker. "Heh heh h--"
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the combination of his turned back and his pride prove to be fatal. He's *just* beginning to turn his head when he sees that Ken has not only risen to his feet once more, but has already closed the distance. "What the hell?!" Try as he might to spin acrobaticly in place and bring his forearms to bear against Ken's flaming arm, that same lightness of foot proves to only make matters worse. The might of Shinryuu Ken comes crashing into Balrog's chest, ribs cracking and chin snapping back with the force of the punch itself, only for the accompanied column of flame to send him flying backward with explosive force. Forget the window, the wall works just as well in this case - congratulations Ken, you've just punched a ninja into crisp city air *through the goddamn wall*. With a pained yelp no less!
So that's it, right? It's right around the time that one would expect some form of crunch, or solid impact against the ground that something unexpected happens. The window *behind* Ken crashes inward, the assassin having ignored the pain of his most recent injuries to quickly scale around the exterior of the building out of sheer unrestrained bloodlust. The moment feet touch the ground he's off again, springing directly at Ken's *own* exposed back with claw extended. "...I'm taking you to hell with me, Masters! DIE!!"
The explosion of power is precisely what Ryu expected - he played his own gambit, and in the end, it's all he can do against the titanic powerhouse opposing him today. Fight to his fullest, and try to goad the murderous tyrant into playing it his way. It's little comfort in the instant of impact, however, as the Hadouken is burned away by the massive manifestation of malevolence, and the burning overlord crashes through, and into Ryu beyond it. The man known only as the Dragon reels away, gi top torn asunder by the rampant, ravaging energies as he is flung backwards, launched groundwards. He drops willingly to one knee, a voluntary decision to keep himself upright at all, as agony fills his form. He lands with such force that his kneecap crushes into the hardwood floor, splinters flying as he skids away from Vega, and slams back first into the far wall, sending a crack up towards the ceiling with the unpredictable meandering of a serpent's form.
Purple fires born of intense hatred smoulder off Ryu's form still as he draws a deep breath, and of all things, chuckles at the Dictator, "You are like a small child gloating over the defeat of a honey bee by virtue of application of a flamethrower, so lost in hapless rage that you believe you have already triumphed over like force."
The Wanderer's dismissal of Vega's triumph, and greatness, is his only verbal rebuttal as he braces his arms, and shoves upwards with his feet. Splayed palms rotate at his side, opposing and balancing one another as all that remnant energy is devoured in turn. All of Vega's malice pours away into nothing, and rising strength unlike any he's shown the tyrant yet today surges through every fiber of his muscles, the purple fires forming only the first foundations of the all-consuming vortex that erupts in darkest cerulean in the midst of his grasp, "SHIIIIIIIINKUUUUUUUU...."
The great, swirling vacuum draws in air as surely as it pulls all power to itself, the remnants of Ken's great onslaught reverberating through Ryu's senses as he calls on fire, on air, on the fluid force of the oceans not far from here... on the solidarity of the earth beneath his feet. Greater than the world? Even Ryu knows he has tasted only bits of it, but he wishes to share more with Vega nonetheless. Muscles tense, his attention centered fully on the Shadaloo Lord as the outpouring of power coalesces into a great, dense mass of coruscating luminescence over the passage of mere instants, a spike in power that spreads its tremors not only through Ryu, but about him, the loosed debris all but disappearing into the growing blast in the moments before it is -heaved- forward, erupting forth with a resounding roar as it cleaves through air, and rips a trench in the floor beneath its path, devouring all in its way in a moment of unrelenting intensity.
"HADOOOOOOOOUKEN!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ken dodges Balrog's Crushing Strike.
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Ken 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Vega
Near-crippled and ripped to shreds though he may be, Ken Masters seems to have gotten a bit of a second wind from the exhilarating violence of his Shinryuu Ken. No, his hair hasn't fluffed into an afro, but there's a gleam in Ken's eyes that indicates a certain defiance -- his refusal to just go down like that, especially with a city at stake. Stepping back from the pile of rubble that formed after blasting Balrog through a wall, Ken wipes his hair away from his eyes -- in true Ric Flair fashion, the brilliant blonde color is streaked with techniclor red.
Flicking his eyes over toward Ryu's situation, Ken is about to move when Ryu unleashes the secret of true hadouken power -- and then, like a Friday the 13th protagonist, is subjected to a masked psychopath shattering through the window behind him. "Whoa--!" Ken drops into a roll instantly, barreling clear of the attack, even though it causes him a good deal of physical pain. His body is still slashed and scratched raw, and he hasn't felt this many nerve endings on fire since college, as he rolls over sharp bits of rubble and shards of broken glass.
Coming out of his roll on one knee, Ken sizes up Balrog, and lunges -- without any snappy patter this time, he attempts to grip the Spanish maniac by the neck, and deliver a punishing series of knee lifts into the man's injured torso. "Hgggh!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Vega with Shinkuu Hadouken.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Vega
Greater than the world, Vega? Hardly!
The eager grin never leaves Vega's face. The imperious look stays on his visage, even as Ryu begins to bring forth even more energy, more power. He knows what this means - an attempt to throw the spirit of the world at Vega again, another feeble attempt by Ryu to make his mark on the Dictator of Thailand, soon to be Southtown. The room darkens in Vega's corner, even as Ryu brings more and more light to the area with the power of his spirit, and that of all he's asked from. And then.. light.
Light blazes, blasts towards Vega. Entering into the darkness he's created, it finds him, overwhelms with the power and focus that Ryu brings to every fight. It sears and sizles, and Vega's attempt to move around it is stymied, crashed and shocked backwards, slamming into the opposite wall, then through. Again. And again.
Inside, Vega curses himself. Outside, he realizes he's almost lost this battle. Broken and burned, he can barely stand. However - he's more than a man. A force of nature, no less than Ryu. The concept of losing to Ryu without leaving some sort of mark, scar - or even just a injury that will allow him /this/ triumph, in this place.. That would be unacceptable. He rages forth from the hole and debris he's been left in - and blasts towards the Ansetsuken master. Around him, purple and blue 'flames' flicker and rage, weakened, slowed - but still composed of Vega's mighty will and hate. If it's all he has - so be it. He'll offer it up, every last bit of it. This place is /his/, this Hall to be /his/ and damn Ryu for standing in the way!
"PSYCHOOOO CRUSHAAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Vega can no longer fight.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Balrog interrupts Tsukami Nage from Ken with Scarlet Mirage.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Balrog can no longer fight.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|
Not nearly as spry on his feet as he once was at the beginning of this, Balrog has plenty of forward momentum - and little else. The act of Ken barreling out of the way leaves him charging down the hall, narrowly catching himself with his free hand against the wall's surface before careening into it. His adversary is kind enough to haul him back and spin him around - at but the favor ends just as swiftly as the knees begin. One, two, three... "Nngh...unhand me, you filth!"
Even the most trained of handlers know the risks of handling an ornery serpent, and to say the same of Balrog is an understatement. As unyielding as Ken's grip may be, it does little to prevent his captive from throwing his weight back once more, arms extended to either side, launching the shredded fighter aloft with a single powerful backflip. Each revolution is accompanied by a hammering blow of joined legs, the last kick being used to launch the matador clear of his captor and onto his feet once more. A quick glance around is enough to size up the situation - it's bad. As strange as it might seem that a masked, angry, psychotic, claw-wielding assassin would take the time out to make a tactical assessment, one too many reprimands by Lord Vega are enough to ingrain one with an additional set of instinctual responses. Any further attempt to take down an opponent while his master is floundering will be no doubt met with ruthless venting of frustration. Far better to begin making his own retreat, for it is only natural that a minion wouldn't be able to outlast his superior! "Maybe not this time...but there will be others. Until then...keep laughing, Ken."
The ninja rushes for the nearest window and throws himself into it with a bodily canonball, crashing through it and cackling off into the night. "Keep laughing!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
COMBATSYS: Vega successfully hits Ryu with Psycho Crusher.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|
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Ryu 1/-------/=======|
Blasting Vega away is always just half the battle. The crimelord's malignant will is never something so easily quashed, particularly in situations such as this. When times get tough, Ryu is familiar with the Shadaloo tyrant's tactics: he will simply try to smoosh his adversaries to pulp over, and over again. So it is that the nomadic warrior senses Vega before he sees him again, as the Psycho Master explodes forth from the debris, seeking to send Ryu home with a decidedly crippling victory. Not the sort of finale that would serve Southtown - or the young champion well. But the Ansatsuken Master has more strength left in him than one might expect, stepping /into/ the oncoming trainwreck, his powerful arms bracing as he heaves his guard into the torpedolike second coming of Vega. Hopefully, he can't fire off too many of these in quick succession... but the repetition proves too much even for the resolute defense offered up, the purplish fires burning brightly as Ryu's guard collapses, the impact exploding him backwards once more, and launching him right off his feet.
Far from the crippling injury Vega was hoping for, however, he succeeds only in blasting his adversary to the ground, the burned and bruised nomad groaning and pressing a hand to the ground, easing his aching form up into a crouch as he lifts his gaze to the mighty tyrant. Equally out of this fight... but far from succumbing to the massive Psycho Power, "You'll never... win here, Vega. Whether it's me, or someone else, you'll be stopped. Every step of the way." The Ansatsuken Master's jaw clenches, and he forces breath back into his lungs, then another.
It's all he can do for the moment, seeking to re-gather his wits for the battles that are inevitably to come. A glance is paid to Ken, as his partner is sent flying, and Balrog makes his escape. ... he is in no condition, now, to oppose the egress of either madman, but Ryu can take solace in one fact as he drops back against the wall, sliding to the floor. The defenses held. There is no way these two can get past them, now. What matters is the people below, and there is a grim satisfaction in the pain for that fact. Still, he is not laughing.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Ryu can no longer fight.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|
"AUGH!" Ken's ordeal is not yet through. The Spanish assassin men call 'Balrog' flips his attack around, and when Ken is launched into the air, he cannot brace to defend himself. Instead, blow after blow hits him with the force of cannons, wracking his already injured form and causing him to quake and convulse when he lands. He's essentially a giant bruise that happens to have been cut open a million times, and right now even the air touching his flesh stings. He doesn't have a witty reply to Balrog's comments -- he just hisses, focusing on the task of holding his body together, which at the moment feels like a fairly horrific strain.
After a moment, though, he gets the hang of it, enough to push himself off the ground and climb to his feet. His handsome features have seen better days -- his face is swollen, nose probably broken, shiners adorning each eye. He looks over at Ryu and tries to chuckle, but it sounds more like a cough. Spitting out something that is not saliva, he shrugs.
"You shoulda seen the other guy."
COMBATSYS: Ken has ended the fight here.
Log created on 20:06:34 03/08/2009 by Balrog, and last modified on 22:49:21 04/10/2009.