Description: Ryu takes on Alex and his unlikely comrade, Poison, for the entertainment of the Scottish and English nobility. There are very nearly some real royal pains, and a great number of the metaphorical sort. (Winner: Ryu)
This is a new one on Alex.
The American Titan has fought in front of capacity crowds, in front of a drunken roaring Nascar reverie. He's even fought in front of some kind of voodoo party down in Puerto Rico with face paint and everything. The world's a big place, and when your a world warrior you end up beating strange and interesting people up in strange and interesting locations.
Fighting in front of some kind of royal Scottish family in the UK is a wholly new experience.
The giant prowls the edge of the fighting area, a cordoned section of the vast fields before the stately castle manor looming upon the near horizon as a throwback to more 'civilized' times. Powerful arms swinging back and forth, getting the blood pumping throughout his mighty physic as he prepares for what will be one Hell of a damned good fight.
Fighting Ryu is always an honor and a privilege, one he's been looking forward to the moment his manager handed him the fight card for the week.
There's just two rubs to an otherwise amazing event.
Issue the first. Alex is duking it out in view of the most stodgy and dour pack of fans he's ever seen. Unlike the energized throngs of most venues, the Scottish elite line the bandstands like some kind of prudish topiary. Prim, proper and quiet. Spying the foreign entertainers behind monocles and humorless reserve. Not exactly something that gets his his fighting mojo on. While the Titan can't say he's doing all this just for the fans, when you get used to thousands of screaming people its a bit of a letdown when the energy level bumbles somewhere between squat and flatworm.
Issue the second.
Poison Kiss.
The American Warrior glances over a wide shoulder to give the hot number a looksee. He's seen her before - Used to be that Man-Whale Hugo's manager. What she's been up to since then is a matter of debate, depending on who he talks to. Apart from the fact that she just -looks- like trouble, seems there might be credible sources saying she definitely -is- trouble. Alex don't know for sure, but considering they threw him in a fight with Rolento of all God Damned people little things like 'wanted felon' isn't completely out of the realm of possibilities.
Eitherway, one thing Alex knows for damned sure. Masters wouldn't have just sent some complete chump to waste Ryu's time. She's gotta be good or there's no way she would have beat out the tens of thousands of other people who beg for a shot at the Wanderer on a daily basis.
When you're good, that buys some benefit of the doubt from Alex.
"Ready to get this started, Sister?" Alex muses calmly as he finishes his wide circuit in her direction. Glancing at the stoic Scottish royals with some consternation.
"Hm?" the aforementioned Poison Kiss is doing her make-up, using a compact mirror to apply a film of shiny, sticky lip gloss, having completed every other step of the routine. She looks over at Alex with some amount of distaste, as if he were somehow intruding on her private time. "Oh, you're still here?" she asks, snapping the compact shut. "Yeah, I guess I'm ready." The Japanese vixen takes off her hat, shakes her hair so that it's feathered /just so/, and then pulls the cap back on snugly.
Fighting in front of royalty is Poison's kind of scene. She's already wheedled her way into becoming the mistress of several key cabinet ministers, which is useful because she doesn't particularly want to go back to Japan -- or, specifically, Southtown -- anytime soon. These ministers are, of course, attending with their wives, and are all in their sixties and seventies, so they know better than to wink or wave or any of that.
Poison sighs as she look around. "But seriously, if you embarass me out there... it's bad enough you're dressed like /that/."
It's not the first time Ryu has been in front of nobility of one kind or another. Nor does it make a particular /difference/ to the nomadic warrior. The energy of the crowd is different, the countryside, different. He's wandered these isles before... and he might debate the 'civilization' of the castle-ruled ancient world. Tens of thousands throwing themselves at one another over a few yards of land, or religious intolerance... utilizing some of the most brutal weapons known to man, with a backwards code valuing only the lives of a select few. Ah, serfdom. Some would say the class and caste systems are gone: Ryu would note they have merely changed form, and the world is full of those who use whatever methodology they can to elevate themselves over any and everyone who cannot. Or sees another path.
The 'little guy' has always been the Ansatsuken Master's concern, at least once he realized there was a world outside the similarly ancient castle where Gouken made his home, and Ryu and Ken's training ground for decades. In the Southtown invasion, he guarded the convoys, the refugees, the besieged administration of the devastated city. Now, he has a silent moment of meditation for the many who have likely died on this very field, for the strength still rushing through the Earth around this spot. He rises as his opponents array themselves, shifting his feet in the soft, well manicured lawn, a deep breath filling his lungs. A breath that seems to fill his muscles themselves, a quiet tremor of power filling him from head to toe, reverberating in silent, tangible communion with the breeze that flows around him.
The young champion's head is inclined towards Poison, then towards his King of Fighters teammate, the other nomadic warrior, Alex. The towering blonde is a mirror in some ways, of himself, of Ken Masters... a spirit that Ryu learned long ago to respect. Poison will be a new adversary.... since he's never been part of the Metro clean-up efforts, directly. Another thoughtful breath is taken, dark eyes shifting from one to the other, analyzing, considering, "Good to see you both, here. Let's make this the best fight we can." Amended towards Alex, "It will be good to fight you, again." Ryu's own path has taken many shifting turns since he faced the brawler in the mountains outside Strolheim.... it's evident in the fire in his eyes, in the honed granite of his muscle, as well as that extra-sensory tingle from the flow of chi, which seems to course to him like he were a beacon.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has wandered into a fight here on the left meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Alex has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Alex
COMBATSYS: Poison has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> //////////////////////////////]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
Charming. Alex's Spartan reserve remains unbroken as the lady of the hour gussies herself up and complains. Already.
This business is not without its pre-Madonnas. No question. This stand-offish attitude she radiates like a bad make-over is more common than the Titan would care to admit. Doesn't make working with them, especially being stuck on their team, any more charming - But one must be professional about this kinda thing.
"Right." Alex responds succinctly. Continuing to work out his arms and going right back to his pacing, continuing his circuit anew in a new direction.
This time, his path takes him in the direction of a good friend.
As Ryu seems as completely unfazed as ever, Alex openly wonders if anything ever actually annoys that guy. The man is an image of perfect equilibrium in all things. As the balanced movement of the ocean, the more violent it gets the more tranquil the Dragon becomes.
Before the fight itself begins, the tall American approaches Ryu with his wrapped hand outstretched - Seeking to shake hands with the great master once again, "Ryu. Good to see you. An honor, as always." His cobalt eyes carrying a measure of heightened sincerity for this match-up.
Alex hadn't spoken with Ryu since before that whole Southtown mess, and he knew the Wanderer was in the middle of it. While Ryu can undoubtedly take care of himself from just about any damned thing, the concern was there none the less.
With that pleasantry exchanged, the Titan gives the man a firm nod of the head and backs away towards his poisoned corner. Tearing the shirt from his Greco God-like frame, Alex announces, "Lets Go."
Ryu seems ... more determined than ever, if such a thing was metaphysically possible. Alex's nascent senses cannot fully comprehend it but something seems a bit different with that guy ...
This promises to be an even better match than he thought!
Alex settles into a lower stance, mighty hands at the ready as he gives Poison a quick glance.
Alright precious, lets see what you got.
COMBATSYS: Alex takes no action.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> //////////////////////////////]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
It's true -- this business isn't without its pre-op Madonnas. Although really, Poison is more of a Lita Ford than anything. Poison adjusts her officer's cap again, eyeing Ryu up and down, conducting a careful tactical analysis of the other fighter.
Results: indeterminate. Gi too floppy. Will need to get in closer for a more tactile examination of his capability.
Er, capabilities.
Still, the blonde just tore his shirt off, she reasons, so at least the fight isn't a /total/ wash to Poison. Drawing her bullwhip from... somewhere (don't think about), the Mad Gear vixen watches to see how the two forces collide, giving the whip an idle crack as if to hurry them along.
COMBATSYS: Poison focuses on Poison's next action.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> //////////////////////////////]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
As Alex approaches, Ryu studies his comrade and opponent thoughtfully. A light of understanding in his gaze, seeing something beyond simply the blonde brawler's brawny physique. A sense of him beyond the smooth motions of a well honed warrior. The handshake is accepted, returned heartily, firmly, the Wanderer's eyes meeting Alex's steadily. It's an exchange full of unspoken expectation, consideration of the other's abilities... and the battle to come. A fiercer wind comes up, but it does little besides lend the Dragon greater peace, a steady reinforcement of the calm confidence with which he moves. In this case, it is motion that brings him straight for Alex.
Bare feet land in the grass once, twice, then again and again, a sprint all but obscuring Ryu's motion into a blur of white to their spectators, before the last leaping stride brings him low, and he launches skyward in the same, graceful motion. The power behind the ascent is undeniable, as if the rising wind decided to take a turn, and follow the Ansatsuken Master in. His right leg snaps out, rushing audibly through the air as his left tightens, perpendicular to the ground, his form spinning about time and again in abrupt succession, leveling a brutal series of helicopter rotor roundhouses at Alex's chest and face, the gusting storm rushing upwards around Ryu as he defies gravity with a fervent shout, "TATSUMAKI SENPUUUU KYAKU!!!"
COMBATSYS: Alex blocks Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> //////////////////////////// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Alex
A bullwhip?
Somewhere out there, Ken Masters must be laughing his ass off with Eliza wondering what's so funny.
It probably wasn't a good idea to so easily allow Ryu the initiative. While it may have been tactically sound to try and flank Ryu and tax his otherwise flawless defense as best they can ... Well, Alex wasn't expecting much in the way of teamwork out of this one. At this point, the American Titan is just trying to give her a wide enough berth so they don't interfere with each other's avenue of assault.
In many ways, while Ryu is outnumbered, they are the ones who're at a disadvantage. Good teamwork takes a long time to develop, and Alex has only glanced at a few of Poison's public fights. He has no idea what her fighting style is ... If any. He's going to have to learn as he goes, which makes this doubly taxing.
If this was just some schmuck they could bum-rush, it'd be an advantage maybe.
But this is Ryu.
They got their work cut out for them.
Here he comes.
As the Dragon takes flight with the whirling force of a Hurricane, Alex hunkers down like a main battle tank. Boots digging into the glade like support pylons as a roar builds in his throat. Powerful arms lifting, forming a bulwark stronger than steel to intercept the Ansatsuken master's attack. The rapid impacts of those striking kicks jackhammer Alex backwards. The treads of his great boots plowing the Earth as he yields several hard-fought inches with gritted teeth.
Even a Titan cannot contain the full power of a hurricane easily.
Once the majority of the storm has buffeted the American's steel defense, his arm lunges out quickly. Attempting to grab the Dragon out of the air by his head, hopeful to take advantage of the extremely brief weakness Ryu may have - Cut off from the Earth that gives him near infinite power.
Should he connect, Alex will step forward and -SLAM- downwards, reconnecting the Master to the world in a violent fashion and moving away quickly.. Hoping to give Poison the opening she might need.
Also hoping against hope that this doesn't backfire horribly..
Who says Poison is averse to teamwork?
She's part of Mad Gear, after all. She knows the ins and outs of functioning as a team, from all those times she was part of failed attempts to gang up on Haggar before being punched so hard she turned into a whole cooked turkey. So, the strategy she employed there will probably work here, too: stay out of the way, let Alex do most of the work, and occasionally encourage him with scathing criticism while trying to divert his opponent, but not so much that he focuses on her.
See? Teamwork.
To wit: "You think that's going to work?! God, no wonder they put me with you, you need all the help you can get!" Poison then lashes out with her whip, hoping to ensnare one of Ryu's limbs in its grip, to make him more open to the sort of life-changing experience Alex' body can provide.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Alex's Hand Stamp.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Alex
COMBATSYS: Poison successfully hits Ryu with Quick Strike.
- Power hit! -
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////////////////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Alex
It's true that Ryu has his own methods for dealing with bum-rushing and trying to blindly overpower him. It's been tried more than once before. It's true that the nature-inspired fury of the hurricane kick is a difficult force to resist, even partially - yet Alex's mighty arms do the job admirably. It's true that the Dragon draws much of his strength from the Earth... but being disconnected from it physically does little to sway that, it turns out. Equally vital to his art are the air, the ocean, the fire, the forest: As the last rotation is deflected, Ryu comes around as if already anticipating the blonde brawler's move. His hand thrusts forward, and Ryu's momentarily lands on Alex's forearm, as his momentum shifts entirely.
The young champion heaves himself aside, landing in a crouch, as that leathery bullwhip, well, whips in on him, snapping around one arm. A fist is formed, Ryu's arm flexes, but the biting tip rips a shallow line down his cheek, before wrapping soundly around his wrist. Dark eyes dart to Poison, back to Alex, and the man known only as the Dragon is in motion.... leaping right beyond the latter, seeking to place him between Ryu, and his teammate. Between them, and subject to the length of that resilient whip, which is aligned to snap taut across his throat, ideally dropping Alex to the ground like a very forward tripwire, as the Ansatsuken Master touches ground shoulder first, rolling with a quick rotation of his arm, seeking to dislodge that weapon... somewhat familiar with the mechanic thanks to a meeting with the Ikari Warriors Ralf and Whip.
If Poison gets drug around a little in the process? All the better! There's no shortage of sheer momentum or force as Ryu seeks to turn the weapon against the Mad Gear veteran's own comrade.
COMBATSYS: Alex Toughs Out Ryu's Medium Throw!
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Poison
> //////////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Alex
That Ryu deftly perched on Alex's rushing arm was not wholly unexpected. Even his widened blue eyes stare with a measure of awe at the man's incredible poise, balance and speed to pull something like that off. The spectacle is nearly enough to tear a holler of inspired joy from Alex, even when in mid-combat.
Almost because, a second later his throat becomes extremely occupied.
A loud -hrk- escapes Alex's lips as that bullwhip is yanked taunt around his neck. Corded muscles resist the leather binding - And most astonishingly yet ... Alex goes absolutely nowhere.
The Titan's boots dig into the Earth once more. A mighty hand deftly reaches up behind him, snatching the length connecting him and his team-workful comrade before Ryu can complete that rolling pull. The strength required to resist an impromptu garrote like this? ... Who can even begin to guess. No leverage, all power, all determination.
Fighting against Ryu, he ain't gunna let that guy down!
... Though Alex was pretty amazed to see that his teammate did managed to connect with that weapon. She's definitely not to be underestimated, as mouthy as she might be.
He'd communicate his intentions but his windpipe is incapable of noise right this moment. The only warning is a -mighty- pull upon the whip behind him. A silent roar as the Titan steps forth and attempts to -hurtle- Poison forth like an incredibly unprecedented flail. Pulling her about in a massive swing and hoping the extremely unconventional attack may have the Ansatsuken master off-put enough to present the whirling Kiss an opportunity to deliver a decisive blow.
"WHAT THE F--"
Poison /doesn't like this plan/. It's one thing being dragged by Ryu. It's another being hurled by your teammate. Poison finds herself, in rapid-fire succession, subject to both. She flails, reducing her aerodynamic qualities by numerous key fractions and decimals.
She also manages to wrest her knife free of where it was stashed, slid down the back of her shorts. Poison flicks it open as Alex /hurtles/ her, and attempts to... do something, really. It's not quite clear. She's either trying to cut the rope, stab Alex in the eye, or throw the knife at someone. The last one seems the most viable option, as the knife flies out of her grasp, and more by coincidence than design spins toward Ryu -- heralding the approach of the pink-haired fighter's body.
"WHOOAAAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Alex and Poison's Poison Flail.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Alex
Impressive. But then, the Ansatsuken Wanderer has come to expect nothing less of the towering Alex. He comes up in a crouch, as the whip's piloting is transferred from Ryu's wrist and forearm... to the blonde brawler's freaking /neck/! Which does an enhanced imitation of what Ryu just attempted, only the target of the hurling is Poison: and the aim is good enough to send her /right for Ryu/. The knife lashes out first, met by a thrusting backhand, a crimson gauntletted fist driving the blade aside as a gash is cut into the thick, cushioned sparring glove. Then Poison and her whip land, against a squared shoulder, the gi-clad warrior barely moving, his feet skidding backwards, digging two small trenches in the lawn with the heels and soles of his bare feet. Jaw clenches, and before the weapon can be brought fully to bear, or Poison can get her bearings from what is not unlike shoving against a reinforced steel wall....
.... the nomad /leaps/. Up, up, arcing gracefully over the battlefield, one arm drawing back at his sides, fingers curled. That arm shoots forward, diagonally towards the ground. A raging eruption of sheer fire blasts forth, swirling inferno of superheated chi rushing about itself in meteoric fury, before a second, fist-sized propulsion joins it, coalescing immediately into a followup blast of flame-trailing energy, the bombardment set to spray the area where the stalwart Alex stands in reaving napalm, "HADOOOOUKEN!!!"
COMBATSYS: Alex interrupts Shakunetsu Hadouken from Ryu with Slash Elbow.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Poison
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Alex
Hah! Miss Prissy over there probably didn't see that coming. The Titan was hoping she'd show him a little something there, quickly using a finely honed warriors senses and experience to take advantage of an incredibly unprecedented situation and use the momentum against the best fighter on planet Earth.
Instead, as the attack culminates ... Did she seriously try to pull a knife on Ryu?
As Alex yanks the bullwhip free from his neck now that Poison finished her long arc, Alex frowns deeply. he was expecting something a bit more than a cheap thug tactic there ... Feeling vaguely embarrassed now. He'll have to apologize to Ryu later, the giant American had no idea she would try to shiv him in an unsportsmanlike fashion like that. Thankfully, seems Ryu managed to thwart the attack smoothly and is not skipping a beat.
Alex only has moments to react. The glancing at Poison to ascertain her fate before -leaping- skywards himself. His boots -shattering- the glade beneath him as he launches skywards like a patriot missile. The key to fighting guys like Ryu who have a supreme range advantage.. Stay in their face. If you give them distance they will ruin you. Alex cannot back down from Ryu, not an inch.
A massive roar erupts from Alex's throat, his forearm slicing upwards through the air with an arc of red-white-blue flashing chi gleaming at the edge of his elbow. Even as that massive ball of chi-generated flame fills his vision, Alex's bats not an eye.
The titan briefly disappears into the sphere... Before an arc of chi -bisects- the blazing inferno. The titan's ascending momentum hardly dented as he rises between the spreading halves of the flames and -slams- that force-infused elbow directly into the Dragon in flight. His body scorched - A tremendously costly hit ... But a hit none the less.
Poison bounces off of Ryu -- hard -- and hits the ground -- hard. She oofs and grunts as she rolls, her flimsy top staying on through some kind of miracle. She skins a knee. It's terrible. Within moments, though, she's up and getting back to her feet, perhaps motivated to not take a little nap by Alex' inhuman roar.
"Huh--!" she says, looking around for her hat. Unfortunately, Ryu is standing on it. It's a testament to the warrior's power that he probably doesn't even notice. Still, some things can't be forgiven, and messing with Poison's hat is one of them.
As the Wanderer and the Titan square off, the Tranny makes her presence known -- by jumping onto Ryu's back, attempting to wrap her arms around his mighty neck, lock her legs around his waist, and finish what the whip started by choking him out in the girliest way possible. "Hit him!" she yowls at Alex as the massive blonde recovers.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Poison's I Learned This in Prison.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Poison
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Alex
The focused fire of the Scorching Surge Fist erupts downwards... and the titanic fervor of the blonde brawler blasts upwards. It's a brutal inferno that literally scorches the mighty crusader... and leaves Ryu descending right into a ripping elbow, the chi tearing a gash in his gi as his ribs are soundly impacted by the ascent. .... an impact which is, again, not unlike driving against a braced target. Ryu's taut muscles absorb part of the blow which might rip oxygen, rend bone in a lesser warrior, dropping back towards the ground. He lands on one knee, both legs bent, his palm pressing firmly into the grass. The Wanderer's muscles tense, his jaw clenches once more, eyes snapping upwards to regard Alex.
He can sense Poison, even as her hat is crushed under that bracing knee... feel the anger, the power bubbling to the fore. It washes over him, but breaks like waves on a cliff, the nomad's serenity untouched, the fire in his dark eyes smoldering all the brighter. The Dragon sprints from his landing spot, launching himself forward with abrupt force that leaves the Mad Gear psuedomaiden rushing into a shockwave of wind, as the Ansatsuken Master lands even with Alex's own lz, making the combat drop risky indeed. Both hands launch out, seeking purchase on the taller fighter's shoulders and neck, and abruptly, all of Ryu's weight would be thrown backwards.
The intent is to drag Alex down with him, a foot launching up for his midsection, intent on launching the blonde brawler clear in a classic sacrifice throw, hurtling the Titan back towards his comrade.... who has yet to fully distract the Dragon of the Assassin's Fist from his old friend, and apparently favored target.
"HAAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Alex blocks Ryu's Tomoe Nage.
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Ryu 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Alex
Even as Alex slowly descends in an arc, the Wanderer is already there to meet him. Completely escaping from Poison's savage grasp as if she was trying to throttle the wind itself. Wide cobalt eyes see the Dragon coming just as his boots touch the ground once more, the throw is magnificent - decisive. But grappling is Alex's chief province.
It takes all of his experience and confidence to -twist- in mid-throw as Ryu kicks him up and over. The Titan wrenches free from the grip upon his shoulders, with a mighty yell planting his feet yet again upon the ground. The jarring impact reverberating through him, but the Titan manages to hold his ground ...
... And perhaps Ryu's still outstretched foot?
Already starting to feel the burn of exhaustion and the countless impacts and blows he's weathered so far, Alex's throw has less authority than his earlier techniques .. But lacks in nothing of force should the Master not whirl away in time.
The Titan can sense it. Something.. Something changed in Ryu since Southtown. He's fighting on a whole new level - Above and beyond what the Ansatsuken master was at before! Before it was nearly a dead-heat between them but here.. The Dragon has transcended. It's all Alex can do to barely keep up with him!
He cannot describe how absolutely thrilled he is to be here and experience this.
Poison better thank her agent ... She gets a first-hand accounting of the best on the Planet. Hopefully she'll learn something that doesn't involve cheap tactics like knives or surprise chokes. This .. This is pure. It inspires the Titan to train even harder in the future. There's a whole new level to reach for now!
It's basically a given -- and there are few legit givens in the universe, so it's important to note them as they come -- that Poison will never learn anything at any point in her life. To do so, she would have to get over herself, and it's just as much of a given that that will never, ever happen.
Repelled by Ryu's surge of wind, Poison lands square on her shoulders, folding over like a sheet of paper before she rolls through and gets back to her feet. She wears high heel shoes all the time. It's either through dumb luck or lots of practice that she's able to find her balance in situations like that, let alone keep it.
Poison waits for Alex to make her move. Her plan is simple: Alex will throw Ryu, or he won't. Either way, Poison will go for the age-old technique mastered by those who have gained such intense and alluring flexibility as to be able to do vertical splits, and try to axe kick the Wanderer in the skull.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Alex's Power Throw.
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Ryu 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Alex
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Heavy Kick from Poison with Shoryuken.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Alex
As quickly as it was launched, that foot snaps back down. Ryu kicks to the side, rolling away from Alex's recovery and back up into a swift crouch, his eyes once more snapping quickly up towards the Titan. He's not getting one over on... there comes Poison! It's more than time to include the Mad Gear member in the fun, and both legs coil under Ryu, his fist drawing back to his side.... but there's a slight miscalculation. This ends with Poison's foot crashing hard to his temples, sending Ryu sliding backwards. He pushes back to his feet after a moment, and looks between Poison and Alex.
That his training has brought him somewhere new is as evident to Ryu as it is to Alex... right on the cusp, it feels, of what he has been seeking all along. The ability to prove the rightness of Gouken's philosophy. Of his own path. Not all power comes from darkness, ambition... pride. The Wanderer simply draws a deep breath, lifting one hand to his features, brushing away a trail of blood from the earlier exchange, before dropping back to a ready stance, with of all things... a warm smile.
It's momentary, however, as his left hand moves forward, beckoning his opponents on once more. This is far from over.
You hang out with Ryu long enough and you come to realize something pretty interestin'.
Nothing is certain.
As Alex's hasty throw is quickly evaded, the Titan again reasserts his stance. Minding his defenses as his tactical mind processes a thousand thoughts at once. Assessing his own resources at what countless vectors Ryu may come at him from. Every impact on his body, the cool chill of the air, the feel of adrenaline and sweat. Times like these.. Alex feels completely alive. Savoring every infinite second.
But a detail of the fight breaks even this reverie.
As Poison returns to the fight and unleashes a solid kick, knocking the Dragon right upside the head and sending him sliding.
A legitimate attack, from Poison, that hit Ryu.
The Titan slowly looks back at Poison with open astonishment, "Huh. Nice one." The complement slowly emitting from him as he nods encouragingly. As if to say, 'See what happens when you don't rely on cheap crap?' She's actually a pretty good fighter if she really, heartedly tries. Maybe a real warrior is in there somewhere. If only she'd let go of ... Whatever the hell her problem is.
Still, Alex again focuses completely on Ryu. The break in momentum disappears as Ryu urges them on with a grin.
A smile that proves infecious, as Alex returns it in full.
The Titan surges forth, a quick movement but a measured thing. Reserving what strength he has left for times of it's greatest need.. Instead testing what formidable defenses Ryu has left to him with a sweeping backhand.
As Alex goes for the punch, Poison goes for the cheap tactics (again). "I got him! Punch his head off!" she snaps at Alex, likely dashing any impression of the pink-haired woman as being a real warrior.
She swings her arms up under the Ansatsuken master's, trying to use suspiciously man-like strength to pull them up and apart, locking hands behind his neck and prying his spine into a position of considerable pain. The Full Nelson: most dreaded of all the tricks she picked up during her days in pro wrestling.
Not in the least because she's not shy about Full Nelson meaning Full Contact. Ryu is lucky he doesn't have a wife.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Poison's Full Nelson EX.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Poison
> //////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Alex
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Medium Punch from Alex with Shin Shoryuken+.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////// ]
|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Alex
It's a good thing Ryu doesn't have a wife... but it's even /better/ that he is quick on his feet. Poison helpfully shouts out her intentions as she rushes around on his flank, trying to get him from behind (ewwww). It's certainly distracting from the moment of good natured camaraderie and challenge, but Ryu hasn't shown Alex /everything/ in his current arsenal, not yet. Of course, that works both ways: but it's all the more enjoyable that way.
Nothing is certain. Everything is fluid. No man is great by his own accomplishments, or elevated above those who take another path. The fundamental forces of balance, adaptability, and compassion... mainstays of the Ansatsuken Master's very existence. It is not a nonviolent path he walks, but one of a breed of warrior seldom seen in the modern age. Discipline, humility, and training valued above raw power and ambition. It's something he has tried to impart on the Titanic blonde... and succeeded, in parts. Alex's path is no more Ryu's than Ryu's is Alex's, but the parallels are many. The Dragon's smile remains as he suddenly feints to the side, leaving Poison leaping through midair once more... and Alex's backhand? It impacts prematurely.
At the same instant that Ryu's right fist collides squarely with the tall blonde's ribcage, a resonating shockwave erupting from the contact in the instant it takes him to drop low, coil that fist once more.... and then all that potential energy is released, all at once, body unfurling, fist launching straight upwards, a crimson gauntlet hammering into the blonde brawler's chest, crashing into his jaw, and sending him hurtling up at a rate that even eclipses Ryu's sudden, shotgunning ascent. It's not 'just an uppercut': it's a honed, singular strike focusing all of that discipline, all of that inner strength, his muscles fueled by the tumult of chi charging through him.
The Ansatsuken Dragon reaches for the sky, demonstrating in profound fashion just what he's capable of, with a cry that reverberates off the mountains and castle walls themselves, "SHOOOOOORYUKEN!!!"
Well, at the very least Poison turned out to be a lot more of a team player than Alex was expecting. Trying to hold Ryu steady was a valid tactic .... Even if the chances of it working on a guy of that caliber are about the same as stacking marbles in a corner. That Ryu managed to smoothly evade the grappling attempt does not come as a surprise.
What does come as a surprise, is the brief impact of his fist on Ryu's shoulder ... A fraction of a second faster than expected. That moment of confusion is grounded in stark reality as Ryu's fist connects with his ribcage.
Time itself seems to freeze as Alex's eyes widen, doubling forwards as the meteoric impact only begins to ripple across his usually indestructible chest. A hint of a smile, even as air explodes from his lips, as if to say 'You got me you sly Son of a Bitch.'
And thus the Titan is launched. The mountain-shattering force of the punch sends a normally inexorable Alex sailing high into the atmosphere. His limbs flailing in the breeze. It takes -a lot- to make a man as powerful as Alex seem like a rag-doll. The American hurtles away, purely out of control. Flipping end over end.
It is not until several long moments after Ryu touches the Earth once more ... That Alex -crashes- to the planet like a comet. Sending a plume of shredded grass and turf high into the sky like a grand cosmological event.
Nobody is as surprised as Alex as a massive hand slowly reaches up from the crater in the Scottish terrain, pulling the gargantuan warrior from the wreckage of his descent. The bindings of his hands all but undone, covered in dirt with blood oozing from his lips.
"..Holy...*koff* ...Sh.." The Titan manages to blurt, just getting back to his feet and regaining his senses is effort of Herculean scale.
Good luck there Poison, once someone turns off the Spin Cycle on Planet Britain he'll jump right back into the fray.
COMBATSYS: Alex gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Alex
Ryu, as it turns out, is the slipperiest of minxes, and he evades Poison's full nelson like a true professional. In her own truly unprofessional demeanor, this causes Poison to have a fit, and she huffs and puffs and contains a brewing tantrum, because if nothing else she has to stay classy around the aristocrats that they may one day accept her as one of their own.
"God. Are you dead?! Wake up!" the Mad Gear cougar(? age indeterminate) cries at Alex, to support this team effort. "He's homeless and punchdrunk, how can you let him push you around like that?!"
Poison says it like she's been successful in doing much other than socking him with a lucky kick. Still, she tries to grab at Ryu's thick arm, and sort of judo-shove him toward Alex, as if to goad the blonde into fighting once more.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Poison's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Poison
> /////////// ]
|=======\======-\1 Alex
Got him, indeed. Some might say that Alex walked right into it. ... though really, it was more of a full bore bull's charge. Either way, the trainwreck that results is resounding indeed. Ryu rotates a single, graceful turn at the apex of the mighty Shoryuken, with a bit more control than Alex's own resultant flight. The Titan crashes to earth, while the Dragon touches down lightly, legs bending lithely with the controlled landing, twisting immediately to face the raving (and attacking) Poison Kiss.
Despite the sudden upsurge in the nomad's inner chi, the release of more energy than most fighters will ever feel in one dramatic blow... Ryu is ready. The gi-clad warrior twists, his arm darting out of Poison's grasp. The blonde brawler's recovery time is insured by the antics of his questionable compatriot, even if, you know, Ryu isn't the sort to press the offensive against a guy who's climbing out of a new hole in the soft ground.
Instead, the arm that jerked back suddenly shoots forward, the Ansatsuken Master launching one crimson-garbed fist squarely for Poison's fist, "Hah!" his other hand launches in a brutal palmstrike, curled fingers rushing for Poison's midsection, "Ya!"... it's meant to put her off-kilter long enough to whip his right fist back around, turning shoulders with the motion to launch a brutal uppercut for the underside of her jaw, "HAAAH!"
Thankfully the Titan is just senseless enough to actually believe Poison's screams are encouraging. The blonde massages his chest with his off-hand as he slowly gets his bearings. Eyes blinking out of sequence a moment before focusing in on the remaining two figures. The mighty one estimates he has just a little fight left in him, and he sure as Hell doesn't want to leave any bullets in his gun. He's got at least one more card to play, and he's giving Ryu nothing less than his one hundred percent.
Mustering up one more roar, the American leviathan gathers his will. Bellowing a warning and giving Ryu ample time to finish his current exchange with Poison and fully prepare for the Titan's final approach. His face a look of blooded determination, the American charges forth. Rushing forth like an avalanche, the mighty one puts his all this approach... Reaching out his mitts and seeking to find purchase on Ryu's gi...
The Ansatsuken Master knows the price if he does not invoke his supreme speed and get the hell out of Dodge, pronto.
COMBATSYS: Poison fails to interrupt Strong Punch from Ryu with Combo Attack.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Poison
> /////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Alex
Ryu lashes out at Poison with his vicious uppercut, and she catches the larger man's fist casually. He grunts, confused by her sudden strength, and when he tries to wrench his fist away, he finds he's stuck. Poison smiles in her wry, devilish way, and lifts her other hand up -- one finger extended, wagging from side to side.
Poison then swings a long, gorgeous leg up, her kneecap catching Ryu in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He starts to fall, and she uses that momentum to flip him in a judo-ish throw. When he's on his back, seeing stars -- that's when her heel comes down on his chest. Hard.
This is what Poison is hallucinating for a moment after Ryu punches her so hard she flies off her feet. It's another minute or two before she can stand up, let alone recognize where she is. Her gums throb where a tooth used to be.
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Alex's Hyper Bomb!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Poison
> /////////// ]
|===----\-------\0 Alex
The quick flurry of blows knocks Alex's cheering squad clear, though the Ansatsuken Master never /fully/ relinquishes the attention paid to the blonde brawler's recovery. Stopping Alex, even with the Shin Shoryuken, is hardly a given. Although Poison doesn't quite accomplish the stellar planned defense, her oddly resilient skull does some defensive maneuvering of its own, and dazed or no... the Dragon is keenly aware that his opponents are not out of this fight. Cue Alex's energy focusing, barreling charge, coming from being hammered to wield a sledgehammer of his own. It's true, the Wanderer knows /precisely/ the kind of hurt that awaits him if the Titan gets his hands on him with that look on his face.
Ryu twists to face Alex fully, and as the larger fighter's hands lunge in... Ryu grips both at the wrists. He slides backwards in the grass from the sheer force of Alex's momentum. Arms flex powerfully, muscle rippling against muscle as equal force is applied, absorbing the momentum without overexterting himself... or unbalancing either fighter. At least, until the nomad steps abruptly aside. He relaxes his opposition in the same moment he steps right, and turns, tracking the blonde as seeking his own purchase, intent on catching Alex overextended.
... then heaving him up over one shoulder, and abruptly /down/ into the dirt on the other side of the Ansatsuken Master, with a potent heave of Ryu's upper body, "HAAAH!" The assault was admirable indeed... so it is only right that the Dragon seek to turn it back on the American prodigy, no?
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Alex with Seoi Nage.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Poison
> ////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Alex
Hah! In the back of Alex's mind he knew - He knew it was a complete long-shot. He had hoped beyond hope that Ryu was more winded than he looked or Poison would tag a surprise blow at the last second .. But no such miracle occurred. The charge was too long and Ryu's defenses are too good to be caught with such an obvious assault.
However, Alex regrets nothing. The only thing he would have regret, would have been falling with bullets left in his gun. The Titan puts it all on the table, every fiber of his being on the line. He feels pretty damned good, even as Ryu completely thwarts his rushing grab. His own wrists caught but his rushing momentum is his own undoing.
He has no balance to preserve, or energy left to regain it. Oh - He tries to. The American digs in his boots once again.. But to no avail.R With a yell, the man is hauled from his feet and -crashes- back to the Earth with a solid impact. Bouncing rubble and blades of grass back into the sky. What little air is left in his lungs is blasted out ...
A little left.. Just a little more.. Reaching just a little further..
Alex's eyes shoot open. His bloodied teeth gritting as he digs deep.
With a mighty roar, the Titan thrusts to his feet swiftly. Attempting to -smash- his head right up against Ryu's chin.. Then swing his forehead downwards in a second punishing headbutt! And a third.. And a fourth!
As long as Alex has an ounce of strength left in his conscious body ... He'd do no less than his absolute best.
Poison spits up blood and pushes herself to her feet, the red fluid running down her chin, staining her top and bits of her pink hair. She looks like some sort of terrible Fight Club outtake, all sweaty and glistening, grimy and bleeding. In her eyes lies unholy rage, as only the bitchiest of queens can tap into.
"GRAAAAH!" Poison cries. As Alex uses his head -- so too does she. The idea here is simple, but precarious. If Alex rams his skull into Ryu's face -- she'll ram her skull into the back of Ryu's head. Ideally, this will momentarily convolute circulation to his brain, and kill him of a stroke.
Because let's face it, if he'll hit a girl, he has it coming. And even though he didn't hit a girl, Poison still thinks he deserves it.
COMBATSYS: Alex successfully hits Ryu with Stungun Headbutt.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Poison
> ////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Headbutt from Poison with Shoryuken.
-* CRITICAL FAIL! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Poison
> ////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
Alex fighting on is always expected in the back of his head. Alex fighting on with /still more fervor/ was not entirely anticipated. The Titan lunges from his crash site, grips the front of Ryu's gi, and then suddenly, they are FACE TO FACE. Literally. Abruptly. Savagely. Ryu tries to angle, aiming to take the first blow on his more resilient forehead, an arm coming up.... but to no avail. The first and second headbutts blast away his plans, the third and forth spray blood from a newly crunched nose and mouth, and the fifth? ... well, Poison is felt charging up behind him, ready to unleash not-so-divine punishment.
Ryu shoves against Alex, but it is harder to break the Titan's grip than he anticipated. He turns to face the Mad Gear assailant... but well. She's faster than anticipated. Already on him, Ryu basically manages to twist just in time to eat the extra headbutt in the face. He staggers right back, and instead of unleashing his own holy hell on Poison... there's another spatter of blood, and the nomad wobbles a bit withdrawing from the two's immediate vicinity on slightly shakey legs. Vision momentarily blurs, and for a second the Dragon feels /sure/ his eyes are crossing.
A brisk shake of the head sends some more blood free, and staves off the immediate ringing in his ears (and EYES) to try to reacquire his bearings.... though a nap in the grass sounds pretty nice too.
It.. Hit him?
Never underestimate the power of determined ferocity. Alex has no time to question this brief reversal of fortunes.
The best know what to do when the momentum of combat is with them.
The greatest know how to turn the battle around when the outcome looks bleak. Alex never loses hope, never loses courage. And ... It seems that Poison's teamwork shines through as she manages to catch the Dragon by surprise and stun him in turn. Leaving the American with an opening that will not happen again.
Working on one hundred percent adrenaline, Alex attempts to clutch Ryu the very moment he begins to recover ... Hoping to wrap his arms around the man's middle and flip him backwards in a potent German suplex. Should it connect.. Driving Ryu into the already-shattered Earth, shoulders first.
The unexpected side effect of rocking Ryu's brainpan is that Poison basically just breaks her nose against his thick wandering skull. "GUH!" she cries, stepping backward after the hit, clutching her face as blood pours from her nose. "WHAT THE HELL, DO YOU HAVE A /PLATE/ IN YOUR SKULL?!" Her voice is exceptionally shrill and terrible to listen to at this particular moment.
Putting her heavily-modified nose back into place with a loud, wet 'CRACK' and only being slightly Owen Wilson'd for her efforts, Poison seethes as she stares at Ryu. "KILL HIM, ALEX! BREAK HIS GODDAMN NECK!"
Meanwhile, she looks around for where her knife got off to--
COMBATSYS: Poison focuses on Poison's next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Poison
> ////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Alex's Power Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Poison
> ////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Alex
Appearances aside, the Ansatsuken Master can't turn intangible at will. That whole ebb and flow of the current undercutting the combat that rages on which Alex mentions? He's pretty big on that, though. It crashes up around him like a mighty wave. Disorienting. Upending him. Driving him back into the abrasive sand. Under the sea where direction and daylight skew. It takes him precious moments to recover his eyesight, to even think about realigning his stance... but in those moments of pain and distortion, there is no fear... no doubt.
The Dragon does not hesitate: Alex is the first forward, and Ryu is immediately in motion, moving into an evasion that nearly synchs with the Titan's charge. He leaps clear, putting distance between himself and Alex, and immediately heaving his hands in a fluid motion starting at his side, fingers splayed. He lands more evenly, his eyes snap open... blood runs down his face, and blue-white chi surges from his fingertips. In a racing coalescence of densely packed, searing energy, the flaring bluish fireball erupts forward, whooshing rapidly through the air and barreling in on the Mad Gear fighter with a resounding, "HADOOOUKEN!!!"
.... because let's face it Poison probably doesn't have a 'mute' button otherwise.
Almost... But not fast enough. Alex had to take the chance, he knew it. As much advantage as Ryu has now, he can't pass up on opportunities to maybe even up the odds just a little more. He knows, their impressively savage gambit bought them a touch more time to work with. Given a single inch of ground, the Titan uses all his determination and power to take what mileage he can. All he knows is.. He can't let up now.
He runs purely on adrenaline. The damage and exhaustion is adding up .. If he were to pause his attack he'd likely crumple and be unable to continue.
THowever.. Even through all of this, Poison's murderous scream is enough to snap the Titan out of his focus. Cobalt eyes, framed in blood, glare right to her as he barks, "ENOUGH."
The Titan would cast her aside himself, if such a thing wouldn't cheapen what is a supremely glorious battle. As is, he just lets Ryu hurtle that sphere of blue vengeance upon miss negativity over there. Once the Ansatsuken master completes the technique, Alex forces himself to return to attention .. Pushing from the ground and driving forth with a leading, long-strided thrust kick. Little force behind this.. The Titan must conserve what little energies he has or he knows, inherently, he'll not be able to keep up with the Dragon any longer.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Poison with Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
> ////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Alex
A moment ago, a woman(ish) was standing there.
Now, there is just a smoking pair of high heeled shoes.
Poison herself is knocked off of her feet, smashed through the stands and into the crowd, where she lays in a bloody, crumpled heap for a long few minutes. "Guh... gah... uhhhh," she moans, smoke rising from her body, overcooked by the powerful blast of chi.
"Gimme," Poison brainlessly growls at one of the ruling class, grabbing their antique sword -- worn in a stylish scabbard as part of an antiquated military dress uniform -- and throwing it it, like a javelin, at Ryu.
Then, that complete, Poison keels over and throws up.
COMBATSYS: Poison successfully hits Ryu with Knife Throw.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
> ////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Alex
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Fierce Kick from Alex with Joudan Sokutou Geri.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
> // ]
|===----\-------\0 Alex
When high heels and cinders attack! No, wait. The real Poison is just launched a ways back, (thankfully?) still among the land of the living and with one whole slightly confused body of her own. Alex, on the other hand, is right back up in Ryu's grill. It's to be expected, and indeed... the proximity is essential for the blonde brawler to best the Wanderer. But up close and personal is not a fighting style that Ryu is not familiar with... and well versed in. The foot hurtles in, and the Dragon steps outside, catching a painful blow across his ribcage as he pivots to face Alex sidelong, arms flexing back to his sides.
Energy is focused, his stance is squared, and with remarkable grace, the Ansatsuken Master pushes past the impact and raises his right leg, coming about to align a high, thrusting kick with Alex's chest in return, foot shooting out fiercely with a fervent kiai. Poison's motion registers more in his sixth sense, in the awareness of that ebb and flow of intent and momentum in the fight... even as the sword is plucked and sent hurtling for the nomad, he twists back. An arm comes up. The blade slips inside his guard, waves a bit, and draws a gash in that forearm before stabbing full on into his shoulder. Nrgh.
Nearly impossibly, the Dragon lifts his opposite hand to draw out the blade, dropping it aside, its tip reddened in blood. The remarkable part is that the nomad's very FLESH seems to have stopped it from running him through. Or perhaps the resilient, chi-infused muscle present there.
Ah. Crap.
That will learn Alex to let himself be distracted like that. All it takes is a moment.. A single moment of being unfocused ... And that's all it takes for a warrior like the Dragon to end you.
As Alex's kick only barely connects.. His eyes widen as Ryu's strike crashes to his chest with a solid, audible impact. In an instant.. The Titan knows his resilience is undone. The masterful blow ripples through his being, jarring the adrenaline from his veins and leaving him with all but nothing.
Alex regrets nothing. Not even slightly. The faintest of smiles edges up in the corner of his lip.. Feeling one hundred and ten percent satisfied. His eyes congratulate the Dragon on yet another amazing battle, thanking him for it. He'd speak the words but.. without air in his lungs the prospect is tricky.
Seeing that sword jabbed into his side.. Alex flinches but, cannot apologize appropriately here. Instead, all he can do is throw out the very last effort his body can manage. Hurling a wild swing of a punch in Ryu's direction before toppling forth and crashing to the Earth one last time in a mighty heap. Utterly spent.
COMBATSYS: Alex can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
Poison gains most of her distance vision back as Alex falls. She thinks about this for a moment.
The pros and cons of going up against Ryu one-on-one are weighed, and weighed carefully. Poison looks down at her blooded body, and feels the sting of her broken nose. She's barefoot, too. And those were nice (if whorish) shoes.
Poison does what any reasonable person would do in this situation.
That is to say, Poison shoves an old lady out of the stands at Ryu and runs for it.
COMBATSYS: Ryu parries Alex's Medium Punch!
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Poison's Large Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
Alex's hearty enjoyment is returned... the appreciation for the other warrior's fighting prowess, mirrored. The harried nomad grins slightly as the contact is made, as Alex lurches away... the fist whips around, and the nomad's left hand shoots upward, catching the strike underneath it, weaving into a crouch, and quite literally stepping directly underneath it. The Titan's haymaker grazes hair during the motion, a smooth, even step bringing Ryu around to Alex's reverse, letting the mighty brawler heave his way off into the welcoming embrace of the soft grass.
... and Poison runs! Damn. It's not like he's Geese Howard - Ryu would have given her that chance freely! Dark eyes widen, and he rushes for the stands even as the elderly woman falls, throwing himself across the last stretch of distance, arms outstretched before him. He hits the ground hard... but the Wanderer's goals are achieved. The Scottish noblewoman is spared a harsh reunion with the ground, supported on powerful arms, and then subsequently set gently to the ground...
While a frown is the only immediate pursuit Poison receives. Besides, he could use a moment to catch his breath.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Poison
Poison runs long, and runs fast. Unfortunately, she does not run while looking where she is going, and as such, while looking behind her to see if Ryu's pursuing her into the bowels of the fighting grounds, she gets clocked by a low-hanging pipe.
It even makes a KLONG sound off her skull.
COMBATSYS: Poison successfully hits Poison with Absolute Beatdown.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|=======\=====--\1 Poison
Log created on 19:55:45 07/27/2009 by Ryu, and last modified on 17:50:17 08/08/2009.