Description: Even though the occupying forces have mostly locked the borders of Southtown down, benevolent souls in the world beyond Southtown have still been trying to help those within. Organizations have been attempting to smuggle the populace out of the city and other groups have been dedicated to the task of getting food and medical equipment into the beleaguered city. Slipping into the city on side roads with busses full of supplies, the brave drivers and their teams of volunteers leave with as many people as they can fit aboard, relocating the population of Southtown to relief camps outside the city. One such bus has been stopped on its way into the city under the cover of darkness. Caught in a NESTS organized road block, Foxy and Diana are on scene to handle capturing the pesky do-gooders, confiscating the vehicle and supplies, and plugging yet another gap into Southtown. Things look grim for the volunteers but there might be unexpected relief in the form of a wanderer...
Food and medicine in, refugees and looters out.
It's a simple repetition, as the warrior in the white gi rides with the makeshift convoys into downtown Southtown, and fights his way back out to the outskirts, taking... measures... to free captured prisoners, protect innocent shopkeepers, and generally make a nuisance of himself before riding a convoy back -into- the proverbial 'deep shit' to do it all over again. There have been no clear reports from the checkpoints that were broken, but let's face it: Foxy and Diana can handle just about anything, right?
... that, and everyone else is busy with more 'important' battles. Which, in Ryu's estimation, has left Southtown's civilian population in rather dire straits as trade is cut, terror and anarchy threaten to explode, and the city's rotten power structure crumbles around them all. Somebody has to do it. The nomad is quiet, offering support where he can, but as the convoy rolls up on the reconstructed roadblock, the hair on the Ansatsuken Master's neck is already on end, and he stares straight ahead, almost somberly.
In intent meditation, studying the currents of what is now certain to come.
Meanwhile, NESTS is busy.
On one particular stretch of vacant road in the northern outskirts of Southtown, NESTS has set up 'base,' as it were, a stretch of concertina wire and sandbags to prevent, for the most part, entry and exit on this particular road. No one will get in--or out. Particularly the latter.
Though she is of considerable 'worth' among NESTS operatives, Foxy does not necessarily agree with these measures. It's been tough, to take captive a good number of do-gooders who just want to see people fed and safe from the war around them. But her orders are orders, and if she seeks this new world, a world that is peaceful and just, a few sacrifices must be had. This is one of them.
A caravan rolls up, headlights cutting through dark evening atmosphere. Standing in front of the car is Foxy herself, red rapier in hand and its tip aimed at the car. Scattered about are a few unarmed soldiers, generally keeping radio between NESTS operatives at other checkpoints. They are harmless, to say the least. Especially to someone like Ryu.
"I'm afraid you've made a mistake here," the Venezuelan woman offers. "Kill the engine and everyone get out slowly, hands overhead. Any resistance will be met with excessive force." She flinches slightly, but maintains posture. "Now, exit the vehicle, all of you."
Diana was more or less on the same boat as her good friend, it was about following orders, having faith, and working through the sacrifices, difficult as it may be. Though really, all of these politics and physical struggles weren't really the woman's cup of tea anyway, she felt more comfortable with a pen in hand and peering through a microscope, analyzing data, theorizing, all that good stuff that makes a one feel all warm and fuzzy.
Alas, instead she gets this which, honestly, beats having to deal with Angel again by a couple hundred longshots. Coming from wherever it was she was hiding at, the tall, wild-haired woman makes her entrance wearing a labcoat over her usual ensamble and goggles over her eyes. They're night-vision goggles, honest! "... What she said. And make it quick, please?" Diana adds, right hand raises to jab a thumb to her partner, for those unclear to whom she was referring to. Her rapier is also on hand, but still sheathed. Her attire? Chances are she brought a little work along with her to pass the time- The good thing about jobs like these are that they're quick enough to get back to whatever it was she was doing- Usually her height alone is enough to get the citizens to back off.
The mobile base looms closer as the truck rolls up, packed with relief supplies and manned by three particularly rugged looking truckers - perhaps military, perhaps just hardened examples of their namesake, but either way, they don't look to be armed for bear - or at all. There's a bit of nervousness at that when surrounded by the operatives who've taken over the city by force, but none from the man riding in a makeshift seat of crates in the back of the lead truck in the canvas-covered convoy. The one behind it stops early, and as the lead truck skids up, and Foxy and Diana speak their demands, the Ansatsuken Master rises, climbing up over the cargo and dropping out the rear of the truck, to walk calmly around. Unarmed redshirts are generally smart enough -not- to get in Ryu's way, but his course is the front of the truck.
Only once he's clear, ready to move, does the driver follow the pre-established protocol: he backs up, as damn fast as he can, while Ryu gets ready to leap in the way of any sudden movements. It's foolproof.
"This is a shipment of relief supplies - rations, first aid. One of our passengers is a medical student. We will pass." He does not wait for further explaination, instead the nomad lifts his sparring-gloved hands, dark eyes shifting from Foxy, to Diana, as he considers the strange women with an analytical confidence, calmly assessing both the seen and unseen, as the wind whips down the street, setting the long tails of his red headband blasting forward, and bringing a wide, relaxed smile to the Ansatsuken Wanderer's face. He has met the lord of NESTS, fought him, the soldiers earn no disdain, however. Everyone wants to believe in something.
"Your new world will not be built on ashes, think this through."
COMBATSYS: Ryu has wandered into a fight here on the left meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Foxy has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Ryu calculates his next move.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Foxy
Greeting Diana with a brief glance as she exits from whatever mysterious area she'd been camping out researching in, Foxy offers her colleague and friend a brief smile. At least she has capable backup. She knows with her friend they are an unstoppable duo, capable of carrying out whatever they put their minds to. But her thoughts quickly dismiss, and swiftly do Foxy's crimson eyes snap back onto the caravan.
Soon enough, its designated protection exits the vehicle, and immediately the woman recognizes the face. Her dusky skin is briefly pale, eyes wide before they swiftly hood. If he's here protecting the caravan, things could get messy.
"Diana, ready yourself," she quietly murmurs to her colleague.
"I expect we need to use force."
Looking back toward Ryu, the woman shakes her head, long bound white locks shaking at her back. "I am afraid I have very strict orders and cannot allow this caravan or anyone to pass, regardless of cargo or reasons." Pausing, she lets her words settle before her chin lifts, eyes narrowing a little further. "But I have issued my warning already. It is clear, however, that you and this group will not oblige."
Rapier in hand, the woman moves her arm, cutting the red-bladed weapon sharply forward. It's all she issues before she pushes off her foot, making a pointed charge for the Ansatsuken fighter, seeking to close in and deliver a sharp angled slash from left shoulder to right hip. "HYAA!"
Diana says, "Huh, well that was unexpected," Diana responds, her eyes similarly widening. Of intruige if anything else, she honestly never thought she'd see the day she'd actually end up having to fight Ryu. In some sort of odd way it'd be an honor, though honestly, she'd like to see more of what's going on on the inside that the out.
Don't read into that too deeply.
Diana's pretty much doing all the talking for her, and as she does so, the amazon unsheaths her beloved weapon of choice with a small frown. Obviously she's going to need to give her all and more to come out on top. She's moving right along with Foxy, perhaps a step or two behind, and following the womans strike, Diana herself leaps into the air and delivers a simple high kick toward the upper body! "Even if that were the case, don't /you/ live on ashes or some nonsense like that?""
COMBATSYS: Diana has joined the fight here.
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Diana 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Foxy
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Diana has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Diana 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Foxy
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Diana has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Diana
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Diana successfully hits Ryu with Random Strike.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Diana
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Foxy's Medium Strike.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Diana
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
Ryu is always popping up where least expected... now and then he gets lucky, and winds up where he's needed, to boot. The Ansatsuken Master may not have signed any of the treaties on humane warfare, but he's a staunch supporter of rendering humanitarian aid. His primary aim, initially, is simply to get a bead on his opponents, to draw attention... to allow the cargo trucks to get clear. They don't go too far, not yet - but within eyeshot is a longshot from sitting helpless at the narrow checkpoint. Ryu? Ryu gets his wish. Both the NESTS assassins / researchers / babysitters are on him in a flash, in a flurry of kicking boots and slashing steel. The nomad's eyes narrow, and he breathes deep.
Weaving backwards, Diana crashes in hard, her foot clipping the Wanderer's collarbone and staggering him - for all of the bat of an eye. Foxy's blade arcs in, and Ryu is simply no longer there, leaping backwards a short span indeed, in a rather notably sharp recovery. He does not speak, he does not offer further warnings. The nomad lands in a half-crouch, muscles tensing, as his smile disappears, and the very air temperature seems to suddenly spike.
It's just the city heat. Some far-off explosion, perhaps? But in a strange sort of turnabout, Diana gets her wish. A not-so-subtle reminder that Kyo Kusanagi is not the only warrior to bring fire against NESTS. The meteoric blast erupts outwards, forged of pure spirit, burning with the fervor of Southtown herself, a scream not of terror, but of battle. He has felt the strain on this city since he first stepped back into it, weeks ago. As is occurring many places in the city, a roar answers the occupation. The struggles of syndicates mean nothing to so many. Diana has only moments to study the erupting blast of crimson energy before she might find herself surrounded in brilliant, burning flame.
"HADOOOUKEN!!!"
He's fast--Foxy should have anticipated that, she mulls, as her blade cuts through empty air, the nomadic fighter crouched a few feet from them. Sparing a glance toward Diana, she offers a thin smirk, offering an appreciative nod. At least one of them got through Ryu's defenses.
Drawing her blade down, the Venezuelan woman turns her red eyes back onto the fighter of little words. "Your efforts here are futile, Ryu," Foxy states, her words confident and clear. "No matter what, we will not allow you to aid this convoy and pass. These are our orders."
The air chills, the atmosphere dropping. Foxy arcs a thin white brow softly in response, eyes hooding sharply as she watches the fighter, the energy swell gathered before it's launched for her companion. "Diana!" she cries, but does not move to stop the assault; instead, she makes a charge forward, running swiftly at Ryu before she plants her feet and slides forward, thrusting the tip of her red-bladed rapier right for Ryu's abdomen.
COMBATSYS: Diana blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Diana
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
It's one thing to have heard one is quite fast, but actually witnessing it, in person, up close, is a bit surreal for Diana. Foxy is no slouch with her strikes, for a man as big as himself to evade so swiftly.. ".. Wow. Okay." Her boots hit the ground post strike and she quickly turns, weapon held at the ready. Ready in time for a massiev ball of flaming death it'd seem, in which her only mode of defense involves rather stereotypically crossig her arms in front of herself, letting the power slam into her body and try to absorb some of that chi best she can to ease off the pain she knows she's going to feel afterward! Boots dig a touch more into the ground as she's pushed back and then when the energy fizzles her arms lower and her labcoat has become short sleeve. ".. Fascinating. I'm fine, Foxy, let's just try to end this as quickly as possible, time is of the essence and such."
Diana catches up with Foxy, though not as quickly as she would have liked, to add to the blade strike, only when she races forward she is slashing horizontally downward, and then sweeping back up in two wide arcs. "So, assuming things go our way, do you think we can keep him?" she half-jokes.
COMBATSYS: Ryu full-parries Foxy's Tree of Beginning!
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Diana
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts The Silver River from Diana with Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku EX.
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Ryu 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
Orders. Such doesn't mean much to Ryu - but then, both sides are well past expecting things to turn about via simple parlay. They are, after all, at something of an impasse.
"That cannot be allowed." In better times, the calm words would be almost sympathetic to Diana and Foxy. This? There is a collected focus to the nomad that is a rarer thing, perhaps spurred by the near-defeat of Vega and Balrog so recently... there is no room for error on this battlefield, not taking the lives of so many into his hands, both those here, and those at their destination. Foxy charges in, an impressive display of swordsmanship indeed, but the Ansatsuken Master moves in synch with it as if he had seen it a hundred times before. Shifting to face the fencing matron fully, Ryu lunges, his stance dropping wide as his weight and inner chi shift.
He doesn't dodge, merely feints to the right, sweeping an open palm around as he does so. The thrusting blade suddenly sings a brilliant note across the street as the striking hand seemingly slaps against the side, though the contact seems ever-so-slightly premature... a veritable shockwave of force. It may not keep the masterful Foxy at bay for long: but Ryu doesn't seem to intend to stay where he is much longer.
That gathered power erupts, outwards, through him, an inward tornado of wind-whipping gusts as he whips about, launching into the air like a helicopter, his extended, whipping leg the requisite rotor blade. Kick after kick is levelled into Diana as her rush serves to draw blood, the sword catching a rising leg in the first moments of the assault, splashing crimson outwards on the windblown, worn white gi...
Even as Diana herself is subjected to a series of brutal, skull-smacking strikes.
"TATSUMAKI SENPUUUU KYAKU!!!"
"Understood, Diana," the woman acknowledges, as either begins their move toward the Ansatsuken fighter. "And I believe that is likely, my friend," she adds with a wry grin. "I think Igniz would appreciate it, wouldn't you?"
Ryu's words fall upon deaf ears now--especially when he merely moves in synch and avoids the strike altogether. An obvious frown edges sharply over the woman's dusky features, her red eyes hooding with annoyance. That's twice now--
But seconds later he merely bursts through Diana's offense, ignoring the slice of her blade and kicking her repeatedly. There's little the other woman can do but look on with horror...before she lets her hand angrily grip the rapier, leather gloves creaking.
By her judgments such a maneuver would leave him vulnerable; not capitalizing upon it would be a shame. Thus, with a determined look upon her dusky features, the Venezuelan fencer charges forth once more, making a lunging strike at the fighter's midriff. But, unlike before, she follows up with a graceful spin, a swift, circular swipe motion of her rapier completing the motion. "HAH!"
".. Igniz?" Diana responds, she wanted to research him for herself! .. Oh. Um, I mean, "Yes, of course he would.. Yes." she then follows up, just a touch of red in her cheeks as she clears her throat... And gets sucked into a WHIRLWIND OF DOOM to the face. Diana, luckily, is hard-headed. And not in the K9999 sense, but as in her skull won't be exploding open like a bad watermelon following the kicking assault that eventually knocks her back and sends her crashing to the ground with an intense headache and seeing triple.
And yet she manages to sit up. Shakily, slowly, but she does do so, seeming to weather off the pain at an astonishing rate. Actually it's a force of habit, not really fully recovered, but she must press onward. "I commend you, Warrior, you're as skilled as they say! Perhaps sometime you can clear up some rumors for me!" she calls out, and Diana is back on the offensive, a slight stagger in her steps, but once she's in again she gets a little more wreckless; if the guy can hit like a firing cannon from a battleship, all the patience in the world isn't going to help 'capitalize' the two on one 'advantage'. She strikes low, a horizontal slash toward the shins, then following Diana's strike, completes the blurr of motion to make a 'Z'. Just.. Upward.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Diana's Fierce Strike.
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Ryu 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> /////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Foxy's Memory of Noah.
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Ryu 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> /////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
While Igniz's eye can be quite irritating indeed, drawing it isn't a reason to change his efforts during this particular campaign. The self-proclaimed god has been aware of the Ansatsuken Master for some time, but his agents are threatening more than him, just now. There's no time to try to talk down a maniac, particularly when they happen to be trying to shred you with whipping weapons. Steel flashes in, and in one graceful, abrupt motion, the Ansatsuken Wanderer weaves low, heaving himself sidelong under and away from the dual onslaught, sliding into a leap away as even the retreat is threatened by the whirring swordwork. Sweat begins to form on Ryu's face, the headband doing its part to keep it from his eyes, as he touches down somewhat hard, his bare feet skidding across the warm asphalt.
He simply frowns, "This game must end, you and yours are too corrupted to play at being gods!" The declaration is accompanied by a charge, both hands heaving forward in an attempt to clutch Foxy by the collar, and quite unceremoniously whip her towards himself once, twice, three times, heaving a forceful knee upwards for her ribs with each resounding, "HAH!"
COMBATSYS: Foxy blocks Ryu's Combo Grapple.
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> ///////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Foxy
Her blade is not its strongest today.
Again, the skilled wandering fighter evades her lunging, graceful strikes, flowing with the motions and otherwise outright avoiding the slashes. She frowns sharply in response, immediately withdrawing her blade with a soft exhale. She does not sheathe it--she will not until either she or the Ansatsuken fighter fall.
"My goals are not for godhood!" the woman exclaims in response, her voice filled with certainty. "I fight for a peaceful future!" He comes at her, unlike the previous times, and briefly Foxy is startled. She responds quickly, however; though gripped, the woman draws her legs up, shielding her stomach and ribs from the crushing blows before, when let go, tumbling back and springing to her feet. She does not relent.
Instead she again lifts her rapier and leaps, attempting to jump OVER Ryu while she lashes out, delivering a slice of her rapier with a wide, circular motion in passing.
"A game? Hardly, Warrior.." Diana grumbles. While she certainly shares the same ideals as her friend, she's.. Not quite as vocal about it. If people don't understand, they simply don't understand and that is that. Like with science, ignorance doesn't change the fact that what's true is true. Not that Ryu is ignorant; perhaps sheltered. Or misguided. Or something, she doesn't know! "We are not proud of what what must be done, but this how it must be.. For the time being."
Diana takes in a calm, deep breath, swishing her sword from side to side as her stance straightens. She doesn't like to have to leave Diana in the center of the fray at the moment, but if she's going to push her limits, she'll need a moment to concentrate. She shouldn't have underestimated this man, as unintentional as it may have been.
COMBATSYS: Diana calculates her next move.
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> ///////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Random Strike from Foxy with Shoryuken.
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Ryu 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> //////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Foxy
"Peace is not achieved through murder!" The nomad insists, rather steadily indeed, "The storm you blindly spur will rise up to devour you!" The Wanderer promises, or perhaps warns. Regardless: he cannot relent, cannot miss a beat for concern over the paths of those who would risk so many. Their worth is not different, nor is his - and thus, he must act. Diana reassesses, searches for an opening in the young champion's exceptional defense... but that leaves Foxy on the frontlines. The leaping swordswoman triggers something bordering on instinct, her blade whipping down, around, cutting harshly into Ryu's shoulder as he drops low, and /launches/ skyward with a single heave of both legs, the weight of his right fist seeming to somehow redouble his momentum.
It is an uppercut, yes: but there is nothing simple or familiar about the raw transfer of force from that single warhead of a punch, sending Ryu up, up, and into a graceful pirhouette... and launching the fencer away with a reverberating impact.
"SHOOOORYUKEN!!!"
She doesn't respond; if anything, Foxy's lips just purse all the more, her teeth clenched as she makes her move. She knows this isn't the way, and it isn't HER way. But if she wants to see her dream come true, she'll have to make sacrifices--even if they are not her own. But she acts, regardless.
And pays, perhaps, for her rashness.
Though her blade finds purchase, the uppercut suddenly smacks into the woman midair, sending her soaring very high...before, as gravity dictates, she falls, hitting the ground with a heavy, wet thud. For a moment, she doesn't move--and doesn't seem to breathe.
But soon enough she coughs and rolls over, gripping her rapier tight. Holding it firmly in grasp, she pushes its tip down and uses it to pry her body off the road, eyes narrowed and fiercely burning. "My orders...stand," she insists, focusing on the fighter. "I will not neglect them." Even if she hates them.
COMBATSYS: Foxy calculates her next move.
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Ryu 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> //////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Foxy
Diana cringes. She knows Foxy's a tough girl but, she wished she could have been the one taking the blow there; oh she's seen that shoryuken plenty of times on tv. Apparently it even tears through flesh like a blade, but luckily that doesn't seem to be happening to her friend and partner, thank god. He must not be in a bad enough mood, she supposes.
On the other hand she's quite proud of Foxy too, it isn't easy to say something like that, even before the harsh, truthful words of the wandering warrior. She raises her rapier to her shoulder and whips the weapon outward to point to Ryu with it, "How do -you- know! When was the last time -you- saw the entire world at peace, Warrior?" she yells.
The woman rushes forward, noticing Foxy take her moment to gather herself. As usual, they're on the same page, that is essential for this battle for certain! Once she barrages forward and is close enough, "You can't answer that, can you! You'll say something like 'I feel it in my heart' or 'I feel it in my gut', but that doesn't cut it in this world!" Diana strikes with a short flurry of diagonal and horizontal slashes, six in total that would be a blurr of motion to the more common eye, though oddly it is finished with a burst forward, making an attempt to knock the fighter back a bit.
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Diana's Soluminous!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Ryu 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> //////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Foxy
There is a fine line between being a champion, and being a zealot. It's one that Ryu has stepped on both sides of, erred on both paths.. but in the end there is a calm intensity to his actions. Not a fight he enjoys, a battle he must fight. One the waves themselves guided him into the midst of. Foxy's defiance is expected, her resilience as well. Ryu lands, facing midway between the deadly duo. He simply nods, "So be it."
Diana's assault comes in impossibly fast, brutal, as if from every angle at once. Every ounce of the nomad's attention suddenly shifts to the rebutting swordswoman. As if with each stab, the Ansatsuken Master blurs backwards in sudden half-steps. Impossibly, a gloved, open hand meets the flat of Diana's blade on every stab. Each rotation matched, each staggered, staccato of stabs met with unyielding, almost intuitive quickness, "I see peace rippling from action every day." He responds, seemingly entirely serious, "And I see those such as you try to undermine it."
Point-blank, Ryu heaves both thickly muscled arms forward, a roaring tidal rush of blue-white energy bursting forth from his palms, the flames racing towards a brilliant central point and flaring outwards as it bursts forth, threatening to wash Foxy in a searing explosion of spirit.
"Hadooouken!!!"
There is a fine line between being a champion, and being a zealot. It's one that Ryu has stepped on both sides of, erred on both paths.. but in the end there is a calm intensity to his actions. Not a fight he enjoys, a battle he must fight. One the waves themselves guided him into the midst of. Foxy's defiance is expected, her resilience as well. Ryu lands, facing midway between the deadly duo. He simply nods, "So be it."
Diana's assault comes in impossibly fast, brutal, as if from every angle at once. Every ounce of the nomad's attention suddenly shifts to the rebutting swordswoman. As if with each stab, the Ansatsuken Master blurs backwards in sudden half-steps. Impossibly, a gloved, open hand meets the flat of Diana's blade on every stab. Each rotation matched, each staggered, staccato of stabs met with unyielding, almost intuitive quickness, "I see peace rippling from action every day." He responds, seemingly entirely serious, "And I see those such as you try to undermine it."
Point-blank, Ryu heaves both thickly muscled arms forward, a roaring tidal rush of blue-white energy bursting forth from his palms, the flames racing towards a brilliant central point and flaring outwards as it bursts forth, threatening to wash Diana in a searing explosion of spirit.
"Hadooouken!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Diana with Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Ryu 1/----===/=======|=======\=====--\1 Diana
> //////////////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Foxy
Diana is seeing it, and she still can't believe it. Ryu's movements are just .. Unreal. It's impossible! But it's also fascinating; she may find this fellow frustrating, but he's a speciman like none she's seen in a while, and perfectly human (maybe) to boot! Sweat forming on her brows, the assault must come to a stop, easing back just a touch, but it's not back enough to be able to deal with teh blazing chi that follows. No fire this time, which was also interesting, but no time for science, more fighting. She can't power her way out of this one, it bursts through her guard and hits the ground with a tumble; yet is quick to stand once more, panting heavily and sword still in hand.
"Hmph.. Don't even get me started, Warrior, I could debate your ear off so hard your head would spin. I'll leave it that we agree to disagree." Diana replies, wiping the back of her hand over her forehead and then gives a rare display of chi of her own. "Foxy! Let's go!" the chi sort of pops and sparkles around her like snowflakes, and she rushes forward, as if she had suddenly come 'to bloom' once more, this time she actually stabs at the warrior, aiming toward one shoulder and then the other, switching from high to low. The blue chi not only bursts from the blade with her furious slashes, but from her back as well, taking the appearance of butterfly wings, finalizing with a low sweep to try to knock the nomad off his feet!
Impossible. Utterly impossible.
Observing while Diana takes offensive, the Venezuelan woman just keeps her eyes on Ryu's movements, trying to read them. But even that seems an almost impossible chore, as he deftly avoids the blade altogether. How can they be having such a difficult time against a man like this? Surely he lives up to his reputation, but that remains no excuse.
And seconds after her attack, Diana is struck by his burst of chi. The woman calls out, a sharp cry of "Diana!" before she hurries up to her friend's side, staying close. Her expression is stern and grim, red eyes fixed on Ryu as her comrade addresses him. It's her turn to speak. But then--
"Of course, friend," the woman replies, her words sincere to her ally.
She moves in tandem with Diana, attempting to close in on Ryu while Diana stabs. Her hand moves, lifting her blade to her long ponytail and removing the bindings woven within, a large NESTS flag suddenly waving off her red blade. Once she closes in she'll attempt to catch Ryu in the flag, binding him tightly with a swing of her rapier before she leaps into the air. With Diana she'll attempt to slash him repeatedly, flipping head over heels repeatedly midair with her blade lashing out until the final blow is delivered from Diana.
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Diana and Foxy's La Cachola!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Diana
> ////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
When you're as good at slashing, stabbing, and otherwise eviscerating something as these two, it becomes... almost a certainty. They are not going to relent, and Ryu will not give way, so it is inevitable that there will be more consistent application of the stabbity implements in his direction. The upsurge in the sometimes-assassins' inner chi is enough of a warning, however. Ryu clears his mind, his gaze intent on first Diana, and then Foxy.
Forgoing retorts, Ryu weaves back as Diana stabs in, the chi erupting forward and exploding outwards, as if meeting an invisible wall before the braced alignment of Ryu's forearms, or open hand. He stays a step ahead of the blade, the 'shrapnel', as it were, simply driving him back... and one would think, to a position quite vulnerable to Foxy's assistance. But as Diana slashes for his legs, the Ansatsuken Master leaps high, heaving his weight to the side and dropping just off the swordswoman's flank, as her partner's flag whips through empty air. Stepping through its wake, the nomad weaves aside as the duo continues to fervently perforate the air. The benefit to this exchange is that it does, at least, force the nomad back. But his footing remains perfect, and his jaw clenches with determination as he sees his moment appear.
Lunging forward, the Wanderer seeks to catch Diana by her collar, and heave her harshly away. To this end, Ryu would drop all his weight back, and seek to use the lab-coated operative's against her, his right foot launching upwards to ease her decidedly 'coach' fare trip through the air, and to the harsh street - or perhaps the unyielding foundation of the nearest building, "HAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Diana dodges Ryu's Tomoe Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Diana
> ////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
Diana is again finding herself stunned, and of course again comes the question of what does it take to bring this man down? Though at the very least she isn't left completly open after the duo's assault.. She does think she's getting a touch of a headache though.
The amazon evades the grasp toward her in a simple-looking motion, jerking back, but even then she just barely escaped a potential finish! ".. Foxy this isn't good," she mumbles, as if situation wasn't obvious enough. But this would also tell her friend that she's at a loss at how to proceed.. Clearly this is the damn luckiest transport to hit Southtown! And it most certainly isn't going to be the last at this rate, what a bother!
The most she can think of is switching her position, slipping to the side and circling Ryu until she's potentially behind the nomad. He's fast, yes, but perhaps he's unable to handle two opposite directions? She's a slash away from finding out, jabbing forward twice, then slashing her beloved weapon diagonally and vertically in a fancy 'L', vision starting to blurr once more
"Really," the other NESTS scientist muses in response to Diana, Foxy's red eyes half-lidded in annoyace. Once again, this man has bested their efforts considerably. They stand no chance--she sees that clearly. But...can they really abandon post?
Immediately recoiling after the combined (and failed) assault, Foxy's flag is wound up and recoiled into her hair, pale, platinum blonde locks once again pulled up atop her head. Holding firmly to her rapier, the woman watches as Ryu attempts to throw her partner.
"Diana, flee if you choose to," she offers her comrade. She'll try to help buy her some time. If they both attack, perhaps they stand some chance. "I do not think at this rate we have a chance of stopping this man. You are in bad shape!"
Moving as Diana does, she moves forward, coming from the front. At the same time she snaps her weapon forward in a very similar fashion to Diana, cutting an inverted L from the opposite direction of her colleague across his chest and torso. "Slash!!"
COMBATSYS: Foxy successfully hits Ryu with Power Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Diana
> ///////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Diana's Power Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Ryu 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Diana
> ///////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
Even questioning their situation, Diana and Foxy prove formidable. The dual assault comes as if out of nowhere, Ryu shifting sidelong, eyes shifting quickly between the NESTS operatives, "I told you in the beginning." Ryu observes helpfully, even in the face of flashing steel. Foxy's proactive slashfest rips into the nomad's torso, several more arcs of crimson rising from his flesh as the blade bites into hardened skin. It might cut shallower than she is used to, but it cuts painfully nonetheless. The sweep of the blade is intercepted as Ryu twists away from the first stinging blade, to slam his forearm into the second. It bites shallowly into a tensed defense, an impressive feat as honest defense meets steel. Again, the nomad bleeds. But the guarding arm flexes, coiling back to his side.
"You should both have already left." His gloved fist shoots out, as the young champion steps forward, heaving all his weight behind a singular, downward-angled straight meant to crush home on Diana's solar plexus. He still holds nothing back: at least, nothing that's not predominantly lethal.
"HYAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Diana with Sakotsu Wari.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Diana
> ///////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Foxy
Diana grimaces a little, it pained her to admit that Ryu was right along, and him saying it was just salt in the wounds! Right in this particular situation, at least. Hmn, retreating, was that even an option? on the other hand, what good would being defenseless around this crowd be? Still, though, after Ryu manages to successfully (for the most part) defend himself again, the scientist raises her goggles with closed eyes, "Hmph. I can still fight, if I'm leaving it won't be without you by my side." she replies, admittadly rather stubbornly. While she may be hardcore on science, she is accepting of the possibility of miracles.
Her eyes open, the fighter charges forth, and she just can't quite parry such a massive blow away, she's not even certain her blade touched his arm then, but suddenly she's doubled over the mans fist, saliva flies out of her mouth, and the amazon in the blink of an eye is downed. The womans knees buckle and with a wheeze she collapses to the ground, looking as if she's going to be ill. Needless to say she's in an incredible amount of pain, and yet she somehow hides how bad it really is, struggling to stand once more and wobbling in her stance. "Ngh.."
Well, stubborness can only go for so long; as much as she loathes it, she decides on the tactical retreat after all, taking a few slow steps back at first, her weapon raised defensivly.. But she's going to feel humiliated if Foxy doesn't follow suit after those words.
COMBATSYS: Diana takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|-------\-------\0 Foxy
COMBATSYS: Diana can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|-------\-------\0 Foxy
This isn't good. This is terrible!
Watching as Diana is caught off her guard and forced to her knees from the sheer strength behind his fist, Foxy seems torn. On one hand, she does not want to flee--she wants to fight and defend her honor and hopes for a future without violence or war. On the other, this is a lost battle, and her friend is now suffering painfully as result, the odds now truly against the two women.
Ultimately, Foxy's response is a small, audible "feh!"
She moves, swiftly catching up to her comrade with one weapon raised. Grabbing her around her waist and providing support, she shoulders most of Diana's weight, aiding the other woman's stance before she glares back to Ryu. Her anger is there, visible on her face...
But, seconds later, the two women flicker out of sight, little more than a blur of red, blue and black images, vaguely shaped like butterflies.
COMBATSYS: Foxy has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|
While clearly prepared to battle on... Ryu makes no move to oppose the egress as the NESTS outpost is abandoned rather quickly indeed. He holds his guard for a few moments longer, holding his alertness in case there is another proverbial phase to this assault, but when Diana and Foxy remove themselves fully from the fray, the nomad waves the two trucks forward, moving up to remove the blocks in the road. It's right back to business as usual... but the resistance was harsher this time.
Things keep racing, nearly out of control, with the violence erupting around the city. Perhaps this equipment will not win the war for any side, but perhaps a few more can survive it. The high price of ambition. The Ansatsuken Master pauses, looking up the street, then down it, as a renewed wind blows in from the outskirts.
The roads are open again, and another run secured, perhaps weakening the stranglehold Southtown finds herself in. Regardless, the sound he hears now, more than any, is that of escalation. Much is amiss that will not go unanswered. The young champion closes his eyes, and crosses his arms, and waits for his ride to catch up in silence.
Log created on 21:32:46 04/18/2009 by Foxy, and last modified on 04:34:26 04/19/2009.