Description: Geese arranges a press conference to assure the people of Southtown that he will do everything in his power to protect them. He does not, however, count on the resourcefulness of his enemies, and underestimates the more subtle weapons that have been levied against him.
"I've always felt that the city of Southtown was a city of the strong."
Howard Arena. Along with Geese Tower, it is one of the few remaining locations in Southtown that has not been run over or otherwise devestated by the recent attacks upon the city. Not for lack of trying, of course; the recent attack on Geese Howard in his own building had become well-known throughout the media, along with his daringly fending off the vile assailants. Yet they still stand; in this time of need, they stand like a beacon of hope in the darkness.
Just like Geese Howard himself.
Dressed in the finest of black suits, Howard stands now beyond a massive group of people within his eponymous arena, his stance rigid yet full of complete self-assurance as he stands behind the podium. Ice-blue eyes stare out at the crowds beyond. Stragglers from the attacks scattered throughout, but more than that -- like the starving horde they are, throngs of reporters wait with baited breath as the man begins his speech. Whether rain or shine, peace or chaos, heaven or hell-- you can always count on reporters to be there to eat up the frenzy. Geese frowns, but inwardly? His enjoyment of the situation before him is all too immense.
"It saddens me to see what this city has become thanks to the attacks of a group of mad men out to inflict their blight of rage and insanity upon the world," Geese Howard continues smoothly, as photographers flash picture after picture. "To see homes torn asunder, to see loved ones be killed. For what? For the games of some tyrants? To appease the boredom of the megalomaniacal? To what end does it all serve?" Howard taps a finger against his podium, his expression stern as he leans forward.
"But this will not break us. They may bend us, stretch us to our very limits -- but I believed this city was strong. And I still believe it." Howard's arms spread, his grim look becoming a confident, self-assured smile -- the posture and expression of a born leader. "I believe we can triumph over these odds. And that is why I have made this place into a shelter -- not a haven, not a last resort. A place of safety, for those who desire a temporary reprieve before this storm has passed -- no, been /forced/ out. This is not a place of desperation. It is a bastion of /hope./ A testament to our strength of will. The people of Southtown, the /proud/ people of Southtown, will not falter beneath the heel of monsters. We will persevere. And this place -- this /bastion/ -- will serve as a testament to that." His eyes narrow, pointedly.
"We must not let evil seep through the streets of our city any longer!"
Billy has been a very busy man.
Given the amount of people that Geese can trust in a true crisis are likely able to be counted on one hand, as well as the position he holds within Southside, the second in command has been running around, attempting to minimize damages, destroy those he could, and otherwise maintain the status quo. But his official job as Geese's bodyguard recieved something of a hit, when yet again Howard was assailed without hide nor hair of Billy to perform his duties. The last thing people need, when the reality of his crimes is near public, is to question the former King of Fighter's function. When this asylum was made, Billy was there, right by his side. And there he has stayed, hanging out a couple meters back, resting his crimson staff against a lean shoulder, eyes darting to and fro. His attire is higher quality then normal, black dress pants and an open vest, tie loose and his stance incredibly informal. His bandana, the colors of his homeland, remains upon his head, but the denim and emblazoned stance against smoking are gone. For now.
Geese has made his stand and proclaimed his iron law. This will prove if he can still keep this city. To fail here would be catastrophic in public relations. And Kane has absolutely no intent of letting this take place.
Although this is a far cry from being worried. That isn't the case at all. He knows, Geese knows, that someone will try to use this to deface Howard Enterprises. And he is absolutely sure they will be beaten down, and such can only make his haven all the more established in the war-torn city. He tries to hide a smirk at the speech, readjusting the grip of his long weapon. A silver tongue, indeed...
But where are the dogs in the shadows, intent to spring forth and destroy them...? Will it be Vega? Igniz?
...Or one of his other enemies?
Geese does have a lot of enemies. One would almost think he collects them. The number of them who actually pose a significant threat to him, however, is rather lower. And some of them are, in fact, capable of employing less subtle methods than punching Geese in the face or throwing him off of his tower. Things like arranging for false instructions to be given to the lighting crew. After all, Geese's security people can't be everywhere, and after checking to make sure that there aren't going to be any spotlights falling on Geese, what harm can the guy in charge of lighting do?
Well, he can receive a signal that results in all the overheard lights in the arena going out. A brief moment passes during which a shadowy figure makes his way out from the assembled people, shedding whatever disguise allowed him to blend in just enough with the throng. And then a single spotlight shines down on Kain R. Heinlein standing on the stage a carefully calculated distance from Geese and Billy. "You would certainly know a lot about evil, wouldn't you?" And then the murmuring in the crowd starts.
Rock Howard has been trying to get ahold of his father for over two weeks now. He returned to the city of his birth when it came under siege, kicking down Mister Big's Bitches and Balls to get some information the minute he arrived. It was a gutsy, ballsy, and (typically) stupid manuever for the young scion. But it go him in the mix. It got him enough knowledge about what was going on -- Geese wasn't doing this himself. This wasn't some new ploy or trick; this wasn't some game he had worked up to gain some new foothold somehow. This was his father actually being battled by all the people he had ruined. It was a comeuppance. And it was a chance.
A chance Rock Howard has been waiting for since the day his mother died. He's challenged his father before, but that was when the man was at his pinnacle. He was at his peak. He was unstoppable and untouchable. They were token gestures of an angry child. A dog nipping at the heels of a majestic gorilla. But now? With his city under siege. With his Lieutenants dwindling. With his focus shifted. Now? Rock Howard had a chance. He just needed to know when --
A Press Conference. The sheer audacious ego of it even surprised Rock. He didn't even need to find his father. His father had announced when and where. And from the crowd, wearing a trenchcoat and a red trucker hat down low, Rock Howard watches the theatrics with a cold sweat running down his spine. His father's words ring like cowshit against the windshield of his car. Total bullshit. But even he did not expect his own Uncle to appear from the shadows --!
"And that is why--"
Before Howard can continue on with his moving speech, the lights suddenly cut off from up above. Geese's words stop, he gaze lifts, questioningly. There are distinct murmurs from the surrounding crowds. 'What's going on here?' 'What happened?' 'Why did the lights--'
All answered with the brief shunt of mechanics as a single spotlight reactivates, illuminating one figure beyond Geese in brilliant light. A blonde man in white, with distinctly red eyes--
"Always one for excessive theatrics, weren't you, Kain?" Geese doesn't miss a beat; his voice is humored, good-natured even, as he addresses the man in front of him, even as he seethes on the inside. Kain. Why didn't he think of Kain--
"But, evil?" Howard continues, pointedly, lifting a brow as if in abject confusion. Kain is here. A brief twitch of his hand is all the signal he gives Billy to be prepared. This, after all, wasn't even remotely what he expected. This could prove bothersome. Yet, his smile remains, growing a bit sadder as he turns his gaze directly upon Heinlein.
"I /hope/ my dear brother-in-law isn't trying to steal the spotlight just in order to vent some petty misgivings..."
The moment the lights go black, Billy curses to himself. He moves up to stand just in front of Geese, pulling out a walkie talkie and hissing into it. No, there's no hostile forces. Everyone rings back. The fact one of those people is a two-timing bastard who will end up in the river by the end of the week is not yet apparent. Kain's subtlety was certainly surprising for him.
When things come back into order, Billy is interposed before Kain, abandoning his walkie talkie to his belt clasp and hefting his bo staff in a defensive manner. His stance becomes loose but prepared, the bulk of Geese obstructed by the lithe fighter. But not his face; the two can still look eye to eye without any issues...
This isn't the time for Billy to talk. No -- this came out of left field, and when it comes to flawlessly removing this manner of situation, Geese is god. Billy expected a fight. Billy expected to win it. If Kain's alone, he's not so insane to think he can best the pair of them...
If he even is. Eyes begin scanning the crowd, as he manages a ventriloquist murmur backwards. 'Want me to take him down?' He'll launch himself at Kain with the slightest nod.
Kain is under no illusions that he can handle both Geese and Billy by himself in a straight up fight. But if it came down to that he'd still have a few tricks he could play to extricate himself. But having a large crowd here is better for more than just getting his message out. They should serve as at least enough of a shield to delay hostile action on Geese's part, even if they don't stop him completely. "Oh, I don't think you'll be needing your guard dog, Geese. I'm not here to fight you."
By this point it seems somebody has managed to get to the lighting controls, or the guy already there has figured out that something is wrong and the house lights come back up. "Forgive me for the theatrics, but I wanted to get everyone's attention." Without having to do something violent. "I think they deserve to know just who it is that they're turning to for help, don't you?" And then Kain reaches into his jacket pocket. A few people in the audience gasp, thinking he's going for a gun, but everybody who really matters here knows what a foolish thought that is. Instead he draws out some papers, slowly unfolding them. "I've got a rather interesting little list of names and places here, do you mind if I share them? I mean, people will hear this and more soon enough, but I thought you might want to comment on it."
Rock, from the crowd, freezes. When Kain reaches into his coat and pulls that file out, his red eyes squint. He starts pushing his way through the throng, trying to get closer. Could it be that is Uncle finally has what he's been searching for? After all this time, can he prove that Geese really killed his mother --? He has to know!
People start to murmur as Rock pushes his way forward. He become more and more frantic in his efforts, literally shoving people that don't move out of his way. He finally emerges into the frontlines. He doesn't exclaim or make himself known anymore than that -- it is already fairly obvious -- but he has to see it with his own eyes!
Geese Howard, King of Southtown, does not look happy.
It's only for a fleeting moment. For a second at /most,/ a lot of annoyance, of anger intermingled with surprise, flashes across his features. It's so brief so as to be non-existent, but its there.
The first time a genuine look of pure, unanticipated anger filters across those features in years, and it had to be to Kain R. Heinlein. And that fact just makes Geese Howard all the angrier.
Yet, even as Kain speaks, that look of anger quickly fades away into self-assured amusement, like one dealing with an angry child. "Really? You came here to read a report to us, while people are dying on the streets? Perhaps you should take some time to resort your priorities, Kain; my obligations are to the people of this city, not to you, and not to some list of names that hold no meaning." He tries to play if off, but there's that sinking sensation of dread in the pit of his stomach. Geese is not a stupid man; and he knows Kain is not stupid. If he revealed himself here, for this, than that means--
--it means those names cannot be read.
"Billy, if you'd please escort Mr. Heinlein /off/ the premises. We don't have time for his shallow vendettas here."
Not ever.
Somehow, Billy knew it. He could feel the tension, the uncharacteristic note of rage, the unheard of slip in composure. A glance backwards verifies this, even if it's too late to see his actual expression. Like a true dog, that emotion is sent to Billy, who wears a very unhappy grimace, and doesn't bother to disguise it any further.
"You heard him, 'Mr. Heinlein'." Billy muses in a mocking tone, mostly since the crowd can't hear him. The smile, teeth bared like an animal, the poise of his body, reeks of someone who would like any excuse for a conflict right now. He slips forward calmly enough, striding towards Kain. But his outstretched hand snaps, attempting to take hold of the wrist holding those papers, obviously not about to let him calmly read them off either.
Kain may have the pair backed against a wall, but Geese isn't afraid of using force when diplomacy might be less effective. Billy isn't going to hit Heinlein. He's going to provoke him into doing it himself; which might be enough bad publicity, in this place of peace and neutrality, to undo most of the harm he hopes to inflict.
Kain fully expected resistance, and as far as his facial expression shows things seem to be going just fine still. He doesn't put up any resistance as his arm is grabbed, though he does step in closer to Billy. Perhaps because it puts less strain on the gripped arm? It certainly makes Billy's grab look a little more forceful to everybody that's watching. He also doesn't even look at Billy, instead moving his head so that he can look over the bodyguard's shoulder and maintain eye contact with Geese.
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather do this now? I mean, you might like a chance to explain your side of things before the news starts to spread. Maybe there's a perfectly innocent explanation for everything." Kain gives Geese a magnanimous smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. There's a hard glint there, but it's unlikely that anybody farther away than Geese is going to be able to see it.
COMBATSYS: Rock has started a fight here.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Billy has joined the fight here.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Billy
COMBATSYS: Geese has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Billy has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kain has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Rock watches the exchange of /dialogue/ from the floor below the ring. He doesn't know if Kain really has anything in that folder, but he can't take the chance, either. Geese's reaction is what he expected. His father will be smug until the day he dies. He'd probably even smile when getting dropped off the roof of a 100 story building. Just because he'd think he could survive the fall. It makes Rock's skin crawl. It makes his blood boil. He can't even stand to be this close to him. But that folder --
"NO!" Rock yells when Billy moves towards Kain. He knows how this will go. They'll double-team his Uncle. They'll take the papers, fabricate some story, and swing this towards some positive spin for Gesse Howard, the Lord of Southtown. But /not tonight/! Tonight is the reckoning. Rock is tired of fighting. His father will /pay/ for what he's done, or he'll die trying.
"Billy, you son of a bitch!" comes the son of Geese's petulant voice from the crowd, his surging charge coming along with it. As he moves, he tears his trenchcoat off like Clark Kent, revealing the famous red leather jacket given to him by Terry Bogard. Slamming a black booted foot onto the edge of the elevated ring, Rock springboards into a jumping flying fist to try and pummel Kane's jaw right off his neck. "-- Let go of my Uncle!!"
Billy Kane, horrible jerk says, "so glados whats the holdup on charisma"
Beneath the podium, Geese's hands curl into very, very tight fists.
He knows exactly what is in that folder. He knows why Kain would come here, in the middle of this press release. Not Vega, not Igniz -- they, at least, Geese could predict. They were who he /did/ predict. But not this. But why now? Why...
Geese's lips curl into a frown as he watches Billy move for the envelope, meeting a passive sort of resistance from Kain. Howard shifts slightly, easily, meeting Kain's easy smile with an assured one of his own. He's still in control. He'll make Kain know it.
"What is there to explain away? I think we all know you've had a grudge against me for some time now, Kain," Geese says solemnly, standing at bay. Waiting. Preparing. He needs to know the proper time to strike. "I'm sorry for your sister's -- my wife's -- loss. But I felt it just as deeply as you did. It's time to let go of your petty grudges and your little pranks. It's time for you to get he--"
And there's Rock, trying to punch Billy in the face.
"--lp--?!"
For a moment, Geese is left wide-eyed and shocked. But that expression quickly narrows, becoming dangerous -- abundantly so. He's not happy. And it's not a ruse. He's close to the brink, that perfect poise he's kept for so long teetering on the brink, with one little push--
"... Really... /Kain/... bringing my /son/ into this...?"
COMBATSYS: Geese calculates his next move.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Rock's Aggressive Strike.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Billy nods his head slightly as Geese states that hot button. Yes. Mention his sister. Make him mad. Make him strike out. It'd take one wash of flame from Kain for this entire situation to be salvaged. After all, he can't smell hide nor hair of the meaty brute. Grant isn't the sort capable of hiding himself in a crowd, and if a battle can be started, Geese and himself might be able to end Heinlein permanently... Rock was missed, having surged forward after Billy's tenative glance was finished. If you are grappling Kain, you /do not look away./ This is a man who has given him a humiliating defeat, and struck him down more then once. There's a very short list of people Billy doesn't play around with, and Mr. Heinlein is high on it.
But Rock decides to not be particularly subtle. The shouted "NO!" causes the bodyguard to turn his head, twirling his bo staff and catching the fist cleanly near the end. This is a somewhat flashy defense, as a miscalculation could of allowed Rock to slip past and strike him anyway. Yet that move reeked of desperation, and this is a time for visual aesthetics.
Kain is released. Geese is already twisting this further to their advantage. "Well, well." Rock. There is absolutely no love lost between the pair. Geese was a cruel teacher to be sure, but the only help Billy offered to the young prodigy in those years was to crush him time and again in spars. "Sorry, kid. Your uncle is making a scene. So I'll just have to remove..." He slides forward, his newly freed hand snapping out. Trying to catch Rock by the collar, twisting to send him flying back the way he came. "...the BOTH of you!!"
Of course, this creates a rather sizeable opening for Kain, either to attack the bodyguard, or slip right past him...
Anger flashes briefly in Kain's eyes at the mention of Marie, but he retains his calm expression. "Oh, Marie is only one of the crimes for which you have to answer." Though the one Kain cares most about. "You've been quite careful, I'll give you that, but-" and then Kain's gaze flicks over to the side as Rock cries out. Well, this is going to change things. Rock looks angry and it's pretty clear he's about to resort to violence.
Kain staggers back when Billy releases his grip, putting on a rather good show of actually being shoved away rather than being released. "I had nothing to do with this, Geese, but I'm not surprised. I imagine your son has a fair idea of just what it is you get up to." Okay, time to stop playing around. Kain never actually intended to read off the full contents of the documentation he brought with him. The summary will suffice for now, anyway. "And you'll probably try to silence him if you determine he's too much of a threat. And you'll certainly try to silence me. But can you stop it if everybody knows that you're the head of the Southtown Syndicate?" And Kain gives the audience a moment for that to soak in, keeping his eyes locked on Geese.
COMBATSYS: Kain focuses on his next action.
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Billy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Rock with Quick Throw.
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Billy 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Rock smacks into a metal pole. As much as he is used to getting the shaft, Billy's pole always rides him the wrong way. Pulling his fist back with a wince of pain, Rock squints at Billy. "Shut up," he seethes, taking an aggressive and pretty much retarded step right back at Billy -- and right into the much better fighter's grip. Eyes suddenly flying wider, Howard is hefted and tossed from the ring like a lump of dead meat.
The problem is that there is a crowd of spectators where Rock is tossed. They all reach up, cradling the poor son of Geese like he was some stagediving rockstar. Howard, with a dozen hands holding him up above the crowd, lets the reporters set him back down. He's a popular guy, despite (or because?) of his reckless devil may care attitude and genuine desire to be righteous and just. Wiping his shoulder with a gloved hand, Rock nods thanks to the people around him as the start spreading apart. And then he marches back towards the ring.
"Kain didn't do shit," he directs his voice towards Geese. "I came here myself to knock you out once and for all. That's right, /dad/." Rock breaks into a Howard-grin, looking from Geese to Billy and then back. "I'm done trying to knock sense in to you. I'm tired of hoping you'll finally tell me the truth, atone for all the crap you've done. I'm tired of listening to what /mom/ always told me. Tired of letting her voice in my head tell me you aren't a horrible monster. No," Rock shakes his head. "I'm done. No, this time -- I'm going to beat you until you can never get up again!"
Rock ignores Billy, trying to make a break for Geese and get past the bodyguard. He knows Geese will go for a quick counter, most likely, so he swings his fist high and slow -- baiting him with his weight balanced so that he can immediately pivot and drive the beloved elbow of his other arm into Howard's chest once he's opened wide.
COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Geese with Hard Edge.
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Billy 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Kain
At this moment, the safety of his own son is far from Geese's mind. His focus, his hatred, is all focused on Kain. There is middling levels of confusion, of disbelief. Now, of all times. When the city is at its limit. In the midst of an attack. Why /now/? Why--
Oh.
/Oh./
"Oh, you sniveling little pissant."
It all makes sense now. It all clicks into place, the moment Kain says those words. Rock's shouting at him doesn't even register; the boy might as well be a fly on the wall. His hands clench. His lips curl distastefully. He knows now, what this is all about -- what all this is all about. He sees his world beginning the spiderweb cracks of deconstruction right before his eyes. Blue fire licks across his arms as an oppressive feeling permeates across the stage.
"I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago--"
A single CRACK, and Geese's world is suddenly interrupted by a piston-blow of force impacting against his sternum like a battering ram. Eyes widened, the surprise literally KNOCKS Geese off his feet bodily through the air, landing with a brief skid. The impact alone, the surprise, the lack of preparation, shows itself in a brief line of red that dribbles down the corner of Geese's mouth. His eyes narrow.
"You think I /care/ about you or any of your little problems? I'm tired of you whining at me about how I didn't hug you enough, or care about your feelings, or take you to the ball game. Don't you get it, yet? I don't have time to deal with your /tantrums/ right now. So, how about this. How about--" Then, Geese moves. Like a blur, he acts, suddenly surging forward and launching one hand into the air in a wash of blue fire.
"-- you get OUT of my WAY, /NOW/! Double!"
That mass of energy explodes across the ground, added to its mass by the second sweep of Geese's left arm. The wave of icy-blue chi, as tall as Rock, suddenly /shoots/ off like a rocket, aiming to just BLOW past the boy without a single hesitation or care.
"REPPUKEN!"
Billy had moved to the side, beckoning Rock towards him with a sadistic grin. Yet he continues to shout at Geese, and the elder fighter literally snaps his fingers, trying to get the youth's attention. "Yo, Rock! Over here!" But assaulting the elder Howard takes him by surprise, and with a hiss of annoyance, he bolts to intercept. Too slow. Geese is impacted, and the fault is Billy's. He shouldn't of assumed the younger Howard would attack him, and given him no choice. If the wash of flame isn't sufficient to overcome Rock and blow him away, Billy is right there to make things even more difficult. "You wanna play with daddy again, kiddo... you gotta get through me!!" His bo staff hits the ground, bowing before Billy leaps straight up. Whirling through the air, he begins to descend after a tall arc. Gravity pulls him faster and faster, his vest fluttering around him as his entire body goes tense, grasping his staff and then rearing it down, snarling with the effort of trying to slam it into Rock with titanic force, one foot joining in a brutal arc to /slam/ him into a crator. "GO TO HELL!!" He's a bodyguard, damnit. And that's the only hit Rock is going to make on Geese while he's alive and standing!! Interposed, with the length of his staff prepared to intercept any dart or rush, the only thing getting by him will earn is a faceful of pavement....
Things certainly seem to be going in Kain's favor. The question now is, does he try to step in and help Rock? It would make for some even better PR, but it would mean getting in the way of an angry Geese and Billy, when he could be using the opportunity to get a good shot in. But in the end... Rock hasn't yet proven himself to Kain. He's useful, but like most people he's still a tool. Perhaps he could still become more than that... but Kain doubts that even now Geese is going to /kill/ Rock.
But there's at least one more way Rock can help Kain right now... and that's by making it /look/ like Kain is rushing in to save Rock. "Stay away from him!" Kain rushes in toward Geese, but sadly he's just a /bit/ too slow to interpose himself between father and son. But he can still try to blast Geese away, and at this point who would blame him? He bursts into flame as he charges toward Geese, stopping just shy of actually crashing into him but leaving a wall of flame that does close the remaining distance.
COMBATSYS: Geese successfully hits Rock with Double Reppuken.
- Power hit! -
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Billy 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rock fails to counter Flying Assault Cane EX from Billy with Joudan Crack Counter.
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Billy 0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1 Rock
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Geese 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Rock can no longer fight.
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Billy 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Kain
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Geese 0/-------/----===|
Being a worker ant going against the Queen never works out. While Rock scores one terrific blow on Geese and first blood, he's never really seen his father react the way he does. He's seen Geese mad, yes, but usually is is a cold irritation. An icy frustration that boils beneath the surface. It isn't the red-hot rage that he seems to constant battle with himself. He figured it was a trait from his mother -- but then Kain, Kain never got it either. But now, he can see it. It comes from Geese. Geese has just learned to master it --
Rock can handle Reppukens. He's trained his entire life to handle them. But he can't handle them when Billy Kane is coming at him from the other side. The polearm slams into Rock from the left, knocking him off balance with a tremendous crack. The two Repukkens, acting like steamrollers, do the rest.
First one explodes around him and then, before the blossom of glowing gold chi can fade, the second explodes like a shotgun shell. Rock is blasted back -- and kicked in midair for good measure by Billy -- across the arena. He lands well beyond the perimeter of the elevated ring, banging like a kicked soda can into the wall beneath the stands.
A small fire swirls on the emblazened red coat he wears. Hopefully he's dead. That would solve everything for everyone.
COMBATSYS: Geese blocks Kain's Schwarze Kreuz.
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Billy 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Kain
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Geese 0/-------/---====|
"You were always useless," Geese Howard remarks of his son as the boy is blasted back, not even the slightest hint of concern in his eye.
"But I thought I could at least vur you of being stupid. I guess you were just a disappointment to the last--"
Howard is cut off by those distinctive flames of Kain R. Heinlein. Geese knows those flames. And he /hates/ them. Always a nuisance, but now -- those flames sting deeper than before as he smashes his body /arms first/ into the flames.
"Don't pretend like you care about him!" roars Geese accusingly as sleeves burn up, arm hair and flesh singing and charring. He doesn't seem to notice. "He's just a pawn to you! And not even a good one! But I'm sure you thought he looked /very/ sympathetic, right?!" The president of Howard Enterprises snarls as he seeks to /barrel/ through those flames, and grip Kain securely by the throat, clenching with as much pressure as possible. "Did you think any of this would matter? Did you? Did you think you'd beat me with something like this? This is MY city. You all play by MY RULES. Do you understand that?! At the end of the day--"
Geese twists, intent to SLAM Kain straight into the ground with all his might, and crush him against the harsh stadium floor.
"All you are is a bit player who got too big for his britches. And now -- I'm going to put you in your place!"
Well, Rock got annihilated by the duel heavyweight strikes, both of the fighters he faced against having no intention of playing easy. Reality can be a painful thing, especially when it involves a limp body that questionably still holds life. Terry at least isn't going to care for this when the rumors go around; not much good press can come of this. It's rather unnerving, when Billy is more composed then Geese is. "Geese!!" is sharply yelled, a tone few would dare use in the man's presence, as Billy rushes, putting himself between Heinlein and Howard. Not many people alive would dare do this either, but he's trying to startle his boss into realizing the gravity of the situation. "He just made a WILD accusation of you leading the crime in this city..." He's not the first to do it. If it was as simple as slapping that into the newspaper, Terry would of won ages ago. "The people are restless..." And then Billy roars with chi, crackling and popping as sparks swirl around, and he begins to slowly rotate his weapon. "You do your magic with that silver tongue... and I'll do my job here." Kain isn't going to get past him again. Not on his life!!
COMBATSYS: Billy gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Kain
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Geese 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Geese's Medium Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Geese 0/-------/---====|
Indeed, the crowd is getting restless. There have been rumors, but how many have come out and accused Geese publically? And in response had Geese grab them by the throat? Kain reaches up to grab Geese by the wrist as he's being held, pushing down and holding off some of the pressure being exerted. Getting slammed into the ground just makes things look even better, and Kain is prepared to twist his body as he hits the floor, deflecting much of the impact.
And still he smiles at Geese. "You don't think this is going to end here, do you? By tomorrow all the news agencies in the city will have proof of your corruption beyond their wildest dreams. And this story is big enough that even larger agencies will want to be all over this. You can't hide it anymore, you monster!" Apparently Kain really is a good actor. His voice certainly has the proper conviction. But only Geese can see the cold look in his eyes and his thin smile. And then, still trying to hold onto Geese's wrist, Kain attempts to drive his free hand into the other man's elbow and force it to bend in the wrong direction.
COMBATSYS: Geese fails to counter Strong Punch from Kain with Joudan Atemi Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Geese 0/-------/=======|
Geese doesn't listen. Not to Kain, not even to Billy; for the first time in so many years, he snaps. He doesn't remember feeling such rage since the last time he fought Terry. That miserable little hobo, with his blood-curdling self-righteousness. Geese's hand clenches tighter. But even though this is similar, it's different. It's very, very different. It is rage felt at his control slipping away.
It is rage felt at his world slowly teetering on the brink of oblivion.
All the keys have snapped into place, and now? Now Geese can only think about how much he wants to throttle the life from Heinlein. "Monster?! You don't even know what a monster /is/. You, who got too arrogant for your own good, who tried to fly towards the sun with wax wings." Geese's eyes narrow, his grip tightening.
"I'll show you what a /real monster/ is, you pathetic excuse for a--"
And that is when Howard feels his elbow snap.
There is a brief -=CRACK=- that resounds across the arena as Howard's elbow suddenly /juts/ in the opposite direction, bones popping and snapping in a sudden surge of pain. Eyes widening, the man's entire /arm/ goes slack as he stumbles backward -- just in time for Billy's words to reach his ears. His eyes widen. He looks to those reporters and stragglers who have not fled. His eyes narrow pointedly.
"... ngh... you clever little rat."
Slowly, Howard's wits come back to him. His pride tells him to stay, to see this through; but he knows... he's going to have bigger problems to deal with soon. His lips curl distastefully. "... Billy. Show... Kain the /real.../ way out. I have things to... attend to."
And, still gripping his arm, Geese will begin to swiftly withdraw, hoping on Billy's skill to keep Heinlein properly diverted. This is just a set back. It's just a set back. And soon, soon--
"I'll have /everything/ back in control..."
Indeed, Billy has an expression that is rather rare. Concern. Worry. He was constantly reassured that this was all just a laughable attempt doomed to failure, and had thought otherwise. Yet now he can see that weakness too, that vulnerability. And if he can, that means there's a good chance more then one person in the audience does as well. He turns to watch Geese slip backwards, looking more then a little doubtful, on what level is difficult to tell. Yet when his gaze returns to Kain, the shadow of a demon lurks behind his narrowed eyes. "...You really did pull a good one, Kain." he offers, breaking his stance as his gathered chi washes away. He brings up his bo staff, a resolve not seen in the two titanic fights the pair had. ...unless Kain were to compare it to the drive he had when already defeated in the World Warrior tournament. Propping himself with his staff, shouting for Heinlein to stand and fight him, his body and his will too far apart.
That gap has closed.
Rushing forward, Billy whirls his bo staff overhead, skidding a leading foot forward and letting out a growl, bringing down his weapon towards Kane's shoulder. But his foot hefts up immediately thereafter, lashing out the toe to slam into his chest. Using his maximum range, trying to make it difficult to close and use those mastered flames to full effectiveness, dancing back immediately thereafter...
COMBATSYS: Kain dodges Billy's Combo Attack.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Geese 0/-------/=======|
Once Geese releases his grip Kain is quick to get back to his feet, taking a few quick breaths. Even blunted, Geese's strength is nothing to laugh at. "You can't run from the truth, Geese!" Oh yes, he's going to play this up to the hilt. Kain is so, so close to what he's been waiting for. Killing Geese wouldn't be enough. Kain wants to /destroy/ him. But there is another man here and Billy isn't going to let Kain forget that. Kain doesn't have anything to say right now... he'll let Geese and Billy's actions speak for themselves for a bit. And if Kain is just defending himself, who can blame him for what might happen?
Kain twists to the side as Billy's staff comes down, then suddenly pushes back against the weapon, sliding in alongside it to keep Billy from being able to strike with it without throwing himself wide open to get some swinging room. After about half of the distance has been crossed there's a spark of flame from Kain's shoulder, which quickly expands as Kain swipes past Billy's shoulder, leaving a flaming wake to wash over the British fighter. But he knows that's not enough to stop Billy, so he doesn't continue on. That'd only let Billy get a free shot at his back... and everybody can already see that Geese is injured.
COMBATSYS: Geese has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to interrupt Schwarz Cutter from Kain with Red Lotus Requiem.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Kain
That last line of Kain sounds better fitting into a soap opera, but Billy has no intention of allowing things to progress any further. Indeed, his weapon is forced into an inferior position, and then Kain slithers forward. A mild curse leaves his lips, but he's not one easily backed into a corner. Dragging one foot along the ground, he surges upwards, rotating his staff with a snarl; this technique, he doesn't need any room to build up a swing. "EAT TH--" Nope, doesn't work. The distance needed to bring it between himself and Kain is too short. An eruption of fire blows him backwards, knocking him clean out of his attempted attack and flat on his ass, skidding a couple meters away with a hack and a cough. Shit... being sent flying in such a casual manner's not going to get him anywhere. Quickly he pushes back to his feet, bringing up his bo staff. Winded, but hardly defeated just yet. "Come on... you aren't getting by me..." Not in time, anyway. Geese is already nearly to safety, but Kain can milk out this fight for good press. And if he wins, humiliating Geese's right hand and personal bodyguard? Maybe Kane ought to be backing out also... If he knew any better!
Kain has got a pretty good thing going now, and he's probably looking pretty good in the eyes of most of the people in the audience here. Chasing after an injured Geese might jepordize that... and Kain has a much more satisfying revenge in motion, anyway. Billy, however, is outright attacking him and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. So Kain will just have to take what he can get. And this is, for the moment, exactly the kind of fight that the people watching love to watch...
Kain turns from watching Geese's escape and takes a few running steps toward Billy before twisting his body about and leaping into the air. He snaps his right leg out as he flies, black flame surrounding the limb as the flying kick comes sailing in toward Billy and a potentially explosive impact.
COMBATSYS: Billy fails to counter Schwarzer Stob from Kain with Ifrit Crisis+.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Billy 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0 Kain
Well, Billy flunked the first opening that was presented, but he has prepared his guard. The ultimate explosive secret he holds. He has to stop Kain's inertia, steal the momentum, or he's going to be thrown into a corner with no reprieve. And the buildup needed for this assault is observed, tensing his shoulders and moving forward. His bo staff is hurled forward, cleanly missing Kain. But the intent is to distract, beginning to cower, a completely open target... and Kain blows through it. There was no hesitation. There was no opening to prey on. The hit of his heel is not feigned, the explosion of cerulean chi tearing all the air from his lungs. A second time Billy goes flying through the air, now unarmed as he lands badly on his shoulder and rolls to a stop. The quick spring of the first onslaught is a thing of the past, and he gets to his feet more laborously. "Hah... hah... son of a..." He reaches into his vest, pulling out a collapsed staff and quickly assembling it. This is going bad... he glances towards the remaining crowd, all eyes on him. Kain put in a seed of doubt and worry. He cannot allow it to sprout by losing here! He can't!
And in this situation the crowd is actually a bit of a liability for Kain. Sure, they've seen him be unforgiving in fights, but that's only television! And people have short memories. For what he's trying here, Kain can't allow himself to beat on an opponent while he's down, no matter how excellent the opportunity presented might be. Still, there are other possibilities. Kain slowly composes himself, holding himself up straight and giving Billy a disdainful look.
He sweeps an arm off in the direction Geese took to leave, though he keeps his eyes on Billy. "Go on, follow your master. This city doesn't need trash like you." Is he not merciful? But you had better believe that Kain is keeping a careful eye on Billy. It's possible the Brit might take him up on the offer, since it means still being able to protect Geese, but Kain also would not be at all surprised to be attacked again, and he's ready for it.
COMBATSYS: Kain focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Billy 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Kain
This is a hell of a situation for Billy. He doesn't like it one bit. He's obviously heavily battered, and his capability to surprise Kain has been stolen. And he has no need to lie to himself. In a straight up brawl, hit for hit, dodge for dodge, all the cards are in Heinlein's court. He hates this. More then anything in his life, he hates feeling helpless. Skulking away to Geese, letting Kain finish his damnable script from start to finish, his pride couldn't take that hit. But neither would him being batted away like a fly do any good as well. The stubborn beast in his mind keeps screaming the third alternative, the event that will end in his favor 'Bring him down. Defeat him. Drop him!' That ghost is what he follows, bringing up his staff with leaden arms. He never was good at personal relations. "Y,you wish... I'm throwing you out of this damn arena, wait and see..." And again he drives forward, spiraling his staff and then swinging it in a vicious overhead, trying to slam towards Kain's face with a brutal snarl, doing much to conceal his decreased performance!
COMBATSYS: Kain interrupts Power Strike from Billy with Schwarze Lanze.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/----===/=======|=======\=------\1 Kain
Well, if Billy wants to continue the fight, then Kain is happy to oblige him. The audience is certainly unlikely to have any problems with it. And this is exactly why Kain was watching Billy so carefully. It's quite obvious when Billy prepares to strike... and the overhand swing means Kain can quickly come to a decision about how to deal with it. A swing like that packs a lot of power, but it's at the cost of almost completely eliminating one's low guard. Somethign Kain wouldn't miss.
And so he ducks low as Billy strikes, twisting his body about so that he can shoot a burning leg up like a fiery spear to piece Billy's chest. The end of the staff cracks against Kain's shoulders, but the force of the kick is already sending Billy flying away and robs the attack of much of its power.
Eyes bug out from Billy as he feels that terrific blow, his mind numb and blood splattering away as his ragdoll form reaches rather disturbingly far in the arc. Three hits... is this really three hits? He ponders this reasonably as the embrace of gravity steals him, beginning to fall back towards the earth. A bad day... he's having a bad--thunk. His mind is jostled heavily as he is suddenly grounded, writhing to and fro in a truly pathetic manner as he quests to find which way is up and which way is down. Unsteadily he gets back to his feet, resting on his bo staff, breathing in slowly then letting out a exhale. "Not..." He then erupts in a surge of adrenaline, snapping out his staff and twisting. "NOT OUT YET!!" In a rasp of metal links, his weapon breaks apart, surging opposite and attempting to slam into Kain's chest and blow him backwards, with a swathe of napalm-like flame!! Nobody can say that Billy doesn't fight to the bitter end!
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Billy's Blazing Cane Thrust.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kain
As the end of the staff shoots toward him Kain sweeps out his arm, his timing perfect to knock the end of the weapon away and off course. The impact with his arm is still jarring, and there's the waves of flame washing over him and causing the tail of his coat to flutter out behind him, but it's nothing compared to taking the blast head on. "If you won't see reason and leave on your own, then you leave me no choice!" And frankly, that's just the way Kain wants it.
Heinlein quickly closes the distance to Billy, clenching his right hand into a fist that glows with blue energy. As he gets within range Kain lashes out with a vicious hook punch, the glowing chi around his hand pulsing strongly at the moment of impact with Billy's jaw.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Billy with Aggressive Strike.
- Power hit! -
~ Cruel hit! ~
[ \\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Billy 1/-----==/=======|=======\===----\1 Kain
More... Billy needs more... he used up the last of his adrenaline to throw out that cane, his most terrifying and renowned assault with the weapon. He yanks it back, but it feels almost too heavy to keep up. Glazed eyes watch Kain as he rushes forward, hissing out lightly as the weapon is brought up. More...!! He surges with energy, gaining a minute second wind, enough to try and bring up his forearms. He makes it, for his credit. But Kain snakes through, and /slams/ the first right into Billy's face. With his stance weak, all of that force is absorbed by his jaw. Feet slide apart, keeping him up for a few moments. That intensity, at least, never left him as the light in his eyes fades away. First his lax fingers allow his bo staff to clatter to the ground. "I'll..." He falls to his knees, head lolling sideways. "Beat you... Kain..." Then he crashes on his back, utterly destroyed. "...wait and see..." With that, it is done. The crowd is speechless; Billy is no pushover. The ease that was displayed here only gives further credit to Kain's power. Making Geese flee, then destroying his bodyguard... Southside will not be recovering from this day soon.
COMBATSYS: Billy takes no action.
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Kain
COMBATSYS: Billy can no longer fight.
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Kain
This... actually went much more smoothly than Kain had anticipated. He had expected to be able to rile up the audience, then have to flee while giving them information on where they could find the details about the evidence he had found on Geese. But now he finds himself having what's left of Geese's press conference all to himself, and he's still in fine condition for public speaking. "Can someone please try to locate some medical attention for my nephew? And if there's any members of law enforcement around, you may want to keep an eye on Billy Kane here. Especially once you hear what I have to say." Or whatever semblance of law enforcement and emergency services still exist.
Oh yes, the news tomorrow is going to be interesting.
COMBATSYS: Kain takes no action.
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Kain
COMBATSYS: Kain has ended the fight here.
Log created on 19:38:08 04/17/2009 by Kain, and last modified on 22:37:46 04/18/2009.