Description: Antoine wanders the world in search of self-betterment, knowing full well that his time with his sifu has come to a close through tragic and angering circumstances and that he must improve without him. Yet, by chance when touring the state of Oregon in the United States, he comes across an unlikely character who is capable of shedding a bit of light on the sort of people Antoine's late sifu met and fought with. With it comes the mending of an old promise no longer able to be fulfilled within the current circumstances.
It's some middle of nowhere city in Oregon, tucked away in the northwest corner of the United States of America. Any sort of description of this place should begin and end with that statement. It only bears any sort of further delving if only because it is the home town of the Japanese branch of Pacific's international school system's one and only shop teacher: Howard Rust.
It's a trip down memory lane for him, the first time in a good long while... if not entirely on happy news. His father's in the hospital fighting a serious infection. His girlfriend who didn't want to come with him to Japan? Cheating on him. One of his old favorite bars? Shut down. People remember him, all the same, asking him how his overseas job is going. Others wonder if he's just back because he got laid off. Yet even more wonder if he's going steady with someone yet, given he's... forty now?
It's a cool overcast day that promises rain. If you're from these parts, you don't mind the rain... or the cold, all that much. As one of the few people who seem to make sport of the threat of tetanus, the overseas high school teacher's sitting on a long rusted piece of pipe by himself. In his left hand, a half-full cup of local coffee that doesn't even taste good but is more or less the cheapest one can find.
He has a lot of memories of this particular lot of land. He's thankful nobody's gone out of their way to claim this part of town for development yet, if only because it lets him recapture bits and pieces of his youth one sight at a time.
It is just another path that is worth traveling. The young man had recalled his trip through France and the other parts of the world. Needless to say, it is actually interesting upon realization that he is returning back to his home country. It is funny, reflecting back how he ended up in China. It bemused Antoine when he set sail back to the world through the boat. It is reminiscent on how he left the world.
The young African-American man had journeyed through California. Then, he decided to make his trip through the next part of interest. Oregon. There are quite a few things that caught the young man's entrance. Particularly, the Oregon Trail. As such, Antoine set off for the place.
Traveling through the overcast day, Antoine carries the lug of a duffelbag with him while he makes his way across the land. The young fighter sports the Nike Shox, one of the personal gifts from a friend. The young man muses, realizing that he should check out his friend's twitter or facebook soon. But for now? Exploring the Oregon Trail is attractive.
While passing through, he comes across a man within his fourties, it seems. "Hey, any good stops ahead?"
"Any good stops?" The older man parrots the younger one's with his gravelly voice, flexing his right arm a bit to relieve some of the pain from the front about to come through. It's going to be raining in the near future, all right. There's a loud popping noise as he works the elbow a bit.
"Ahhh... let's see. They got a motel a couple a' miles down... eh, that a way." He gestures with his coffee off to a street... food, uh, just... keep goin' straight that-a-way." He gestures with the coffee again. "Most of the good places to eat're... 'round there. They got chinese... a burger joint. There was a bar, but, they closed it down."
"Uh, guess if you're lookin' for gas... dunno why you would, there's a station 'bout a mile behind me." Since this young man seems happy enough on foot he's not even sure why he's bothering to mention. "That place gets a li'l scary at night though."
The aging man looks the part of a handyman. Gloved, wearing an old reflective orange vest that's so dirty and dinged up that it's nothing more than a useless accessory, a toolbelt... and a long rusted length of pipe that is, for whatever reason, thrust through one of those perfectly fine pockets by his left hip. It's very curious.
"I grew up 'round these parts, so, you got anything else, uh, I could probably help you." He has another sip of the coffee. It's gotten a bit cold by now.
"Uh..." Antoine eyes the older man, a look of confusion draws on his face, but his demeanor is still otherwise friendly. When he mentions about the motels nearby, Antoine blinks before he takes consideration over at the suggestions: Food, bar, burger joint, chinese joint. Bar is closed. Antoine offers a smile towards the aged man. "Thank you." The young man makes his way towards the older man. He lifts his head up, shaking his head, "For those that come in the night... we'll see how that goes."
The young fighter tilts his head at the older man, then he blinks. "How long have you been here exactly? Admittedly, it has been quite a long time since I've been around these parts. ...Let along this country."
Mr. Rust nods at the thanks. Not even really a problem on his part, he's just sitting here trying to at least get in some peaceful reminiscence in-between scares and disappointments concerning the homefront. People change, times change... sometimes that's hard to come to grips with, especially as you get older and more set in your ways.
"Makes... uh, the both of us." He concurs with some amusement. "I teach overseas in Japan, city by the name of Southtown." He's sure this kid's heard of it. Southtown was in the news some time back during the big invasion. "Swung by home because of a family emergency, and... well, just takin' in the sights. Whole lot memories, out here."
Ain't that the truth. Like, right where Antoine is standing, that's about where he was when he played tee ball. Good times. Mostly.
"...Southtown?" He pauses for a moment. "...Actually, my best friend is there." Antoine laughs a bit, "He's attending college there." He rubs the back of his head, "He's trying to be a movie star." He shakes his head a bit, then he laughs for a moment. Antoine is walking by the older man, drifting his gaze up. "...I see." He looks over towards the ground, "...Family is an important thing..." His eyes narrow towards the ground. As he reminiscencs, "Haung Lau... he was a great man.." He offers a smile. "...He always taught me that family is important. No matter how few."
His eyes lift up in the air, "...Almost wish I was back in China, but..." He laughs. "It is best that I move forward, after all."
A guy looking to be a famous movie star in Southtown? Hell, he just met one of the biggest stars of cinema recently... and got his ass kicked by one of the biggest stars of cinema recently, recently. If there's anywhere a fighter can get a big break - at least according to what people say - it's in Southtown.
Mr. Rust thoughtfully drinks what's left of the coffee as Antoine reminisces over family. The name elicits a raised eyebrow and, almost nearly, him choking on what's left of the coffee. There's a bit of coughing just as Antoine laughs about moving forward.
"'Scuse me." Cough, cough, cough. He pats his chest with his left hand, balling it up into a fist as he slips down from that large rusted pipe that nobody in their right mind should even consider sitting on. "Uh, you just said a name... Huang Lau, right?" He points at Antoine, shaking a finger every so often.
"Martial artist guy... uh... if we're talkin' about the same person here, I mean, uh, he came by here some time back... years back! Like, uh, back when I was in my twenties." Holy shit, is that one of his students? You don't forget about a guy like Huang Lau. It may just be the caffeine talking, but the older man with the really bad hair is a little bit more lively at the subject.
"Did ya, uh, did ya move out or something? How is he?" He scratches the back of his head with his one free hand, his right - missing the meaning of the use of past tense in Antoine's previous statements.
As soon as he hears the man's gag reflex come up, Antoine stops from his reminiscing and quickly faces the older man, "H-hey, yo! Are you okay?!" He looks a bit of concern. He halts for a moment, then he watches to see if anything else happens to him. When he finaly settles. When he mentions about his 'father', Antoine offers a nod. "Yeah." He shuts his eyes, "..He picked me up eight years ago from a situation where I was nearly killed." He rubs the back of his shoulder, looking a bit sadden. Then, his eyes lift up towards the older man.
"...He died recently." Then, the eyes narrow, "Or rather, he was murdered." His head drops low. His fists tighten as he can feel a bit of the rage come up. "It looked like he was fighting someone. But... We don't know who the murderer is." He lifts his head up, "After he did, many of the students have went on their separate ways. We felt it was best to honor his memory, after all. We left the temple as is and buried his ashes near the temple."
The older man nods along as it's mentioned that he was 'picked up.' Adopted by him? Lucky kid, that one, that man was one hell of a guy from that one time he encountered him. It's a fairly distant memory now, but one that's still vivid in spite of the passage of time.
He gets even quieter when Antoine makes it clear that the old master is gone. He blinks a few times and considers what to say about it next, as his ultimate fate and the choice of his students is being related.
"Ahh, I'm sorry to hear that." Anybody who could've murdered that man outright must be one scary man. "Y'know, back in the day... back in the day when he and I met 'round here, we had a fight. Friendly!" He raises a finger to emphasize the point. "He, uh... he kicked my ass." A nod. "First thing I told him was... in 'bout ten years, I'd be one of the best."
It's been... anywhere from fifteen to eighteen since. Can this really be said of him now? "Uh... are ya old enough to drink? If you're gonna be stayin' here the night, we could toss one back in his memory."
Antoine sure isn't old enough to drink, but the way he comes off sure belies his real age. That, or this man is just not that good at gauging such things. (To be fair, Marisol talks like she's forty and it's become harder and harder to distinguish the young from the old by mere dialogue.)
"...Yeah." Antoine, however, is not sure what he will do if he meets the killer of his father. His eyes cast low, the fists tightening as he thinks it over. When he looks up towards the older man, Antoine offers him a smile, ".... You fought him?" He laughs, "He is tough... He was hard of a trainer as well." He rubs the back of his head. When he lifts his eyes to look the older man over, he offers a smile. "Sadly, no." He lowers his head a bit, the he blinks. "...Though, a drink to his memory almost sounds like a good idea."
Then, he pauses, "However. I have a better idea." There is a youthful twinkle in his eye, "...Do you still fight?" His smile becomes more serene, "He tends to value the spirit of those... who express themselves better. My best friend and I expressed ourselves in his memory."
"Not old enough? Ahh... yeah, that'd... that'd stop that one cold." Mr. Rust doesn't feel like promoting the idea of underage drinking! That wouldn't only see him in jail, he'd lose his job. Maybe in reverse order, but still. Maybe in a couple years or some such.
Antoine asks an all-important question that gets the teacher to lift his head up. "Actually, uh... yeah." He nods again. "Yeah, I do." He thought he was pretty much done, but then one day... a King of Fighters invite. Age is a definite factor in him picking up the pieces and going again. The only reluctance left in him is more of a practical matter - if this kid is just as good as the old man, he's probably going to be further up his neck in hospital bills.
But for the sake of an old guy he never got to fight again... Mr. Rust tugs a bit at the old rusted length of pipe with his right hand by its makeshift hilt (defined as 'whichever end is sticking up top at the moment').
Dramatically, it foregoes the usual resistance in trying to avoid being drawn, but this time the unsheathing goes smoothly. It's hardly a weapon of beauty. It is what it is, a rusty length of pipe.
"Ol' Rusty and I're ready to honor him." He adds, clearing his throat at the end. Maybe he should've gotten a second coffee, or water. The empty cup of coffee is disposed over his shoulder to places largely irrelevant.
Well, irrelevant only if a cop doesn't show up. If they do, that's gonna be a small fine for littering right there.
"That is true..." Antoine laughs in a more good-natured one. Antoin doesn't mind the fact that he isn't going to have a drinking buddy. It is a pity, as well. Nevertheless, Antoine is pretty calm despite the news delivered. He remains in good spirits, keeping the mantra of his sifu in front of him. When he finally starts to make some sort of movement, Antoine is noticing that rusted length of a pipe.
Blink.
"Hrm..."
While taking several steps back, Antoine is noting the weapon in mind. As such, Antoine releases the hold on the string, letting the duffelbag land with a whomp. Antoine takes the moment to step away from the bag, now bringing both of his hands in front of him. The palms open up, revealing no weapons and the stance tightens, becoming a signification of his strength.
"In honor of my father... I'll give you everything I have."
COMBATSYS: Antoine has started a fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Antoine 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Antoine focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Antoine 0/-------/-------|
That's a stance that is immediately familiar to one Howard Rust. Every little movement right there, all but identical to the man from so many years back. It's uncanny how the two seem alike even through the superficial differences like race and age.
It's been over ten years. Fighting this young man in stead of the master will, unfortunately, have to do in his stead. Hopefully this one will be a fight worthy of that guy. The man with the bad hair (or near lack thereof) can really only hope he'll be making good on his belated promise.
"Gimme the refresher course." He says as he relaxes to his ready stance, pointing his right hand and the pipe out and away, leaning in forward with his left arm horizontally in front of him. Knuckles crack loudly. His right knee, even louder as he stretches it a bit. His face, all business, all even, even when on the inside there is a certain anticipation and excitement that is hard to deny - even for a guy as old as him who should be devoid of anything resembling youth.
The intensity that starts between the two is more than a match for any high-profile broadcast match even out in, literally, the middle of nowhere in a field with patches of grass, an empty cup of coffee, and a large rusted bit of pipe under an overcast sky.
COMBATSYS: Rust has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Rust 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Antoine
COMBATSYS: Rust focuses on his next action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Rust 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Antoine
The fight is on...
Antoine takes a deep breath, looking over towards Rust. He grows a smile for a brief moment, showing his faint glimmer of excitement of seeing the man who knew his sifu. "...Alright." The eyes flutter shut, taking in the moment to channel his chi and finally focus himself. After both eyes snap open, he look at the older man.
He takes off in a sprint, seeking to make his motion towards Rusty. As the speed helps him close the distance, it also helps him gain the momentum to take off of the ground as he springs towards Rust with a mid-air crescent kick. Upon landing, he extends his fist out towards the man's gut, then he pushes both arms down to swing the back leg towards the man's head.
COMBATSYS: Rust blocks Antoine's Combo Attack.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Rust 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Antoine
That technique is unmistakable to Howard, just the way the kid moves. What skill and confidence Antoine has to bring to the forefront, his opponent decides to match - if not surpass - with sheer experience.
He lacks the fluidity of Antoine's movement, leaning into the midair blow as he raises his left forearm up to ward off the mid-air kick, lowering it to meet the punch with his elbow with a cracking noise that comes more from his joint rather than any sort of force Antoine has to bear. If there's any fear of early on-set injury, the quick raise to stop the last kick is met with his upper arm. It's such a close call that his arm is pushed against his head.
His stance holds. His body doesn't give an inch, not even the slightest skid as he brings his left hand - the respective arm only a little sore after meeting that series of strikes - against the leg and tries to shove it aside in an attempt to spin Antoine off balance. Whether or not he can get Antoine's side or back exposed, he grips the makeshift hilt of Ol' Rusty (always defined as 'whatever side he's holding at the time) and tries to slam the butt end into what he would anticipate is an opening.
The grip on his right hand isn't what it used to be, but it's still enough to hold and swing Ol' Rusty around and leave a mark - a mark meant for Antoine's master some years back, certainly, but one Antoine may have to bear in his place if he hits the sweet spot.
COMBATSYS: Rust successfully hits Antoine with Armed Combo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Rust 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Antoine
Sometimes, it is quite important to stick and move. Move when you see the enemy come. Move when the opposition comes. Move with vigor. The style is to be direct and unfanciful. Yet, there is beauty that the style bears. Unfortunately, as Antoine attempts to bring his leg back, it is instead knocked out of course, giving him a push to another leaning edge. His head sways back, in attempts to get away from the incoming swing. Unfortunately, he is caught right in the face by the swing of Ol' Rusty. Caught underneath the chin, his head reels back from the impact. He winces while rolling backwards, then he lands to his back with a thud. "Eghnnn..." He winces to himself, then he offers a smile. "I see... that's quite a swing..."
Antoine gets back up to his feet, then he bounces himself up. He moves towards Rust once more, this time aiming to swing his right leg up in a crescent kick motion, before shifting it to slam the foot right towards the chest of the older man.
As he moves it towards the chest, he immediately springs off of the ground, rolling into an aerial sault of a kick as both legs seek to slam down at the man's head.
COMBATSYS: Rust endures Antoine's Splitting the Earth.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Rust 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Antoine
The look on Howard Rust's face is not that of a man taking a single success as the whole fight. He got in a few clean hits on Antoine's master back in his younger years, too - if only just a few. That kid's got more than enough fight left in him, he can tell.
So does he.
The slam to the chest is legitimate, earning Antoine a grunt and a tightly pressed set of lips as he stomachs the initial shot. Kid's got a good le-- no, make that two legs, as before he knows it he's got two heels of fury pounding on his head.
To Antoine's further credit, it's enough that his knees have to bend a bit. It's not so much that it brings him to the dirt like it would so many other lesser men - this is another dangerous time for Antoine. He is a little too close for a straight-up pipe strike with any sort of painful momentum behind it. That requires some more personal space.
It may prove awkward, but it's enough to try and point Ol' Rusty into whatever possible loose piece of clothing he can find purchase in. With a grit of his teeth as he brings both hands onto the pipe for this purpose, it's a simple thing from here. If he finds purchase getting Ol' Rusty hooked somewhere in Antoine's clothing, it's a simple sideways toss from there like a wrecking ball on a chain.
If the chain were ready to break at a moment's notice, as it is an overly elaborate way of simply tossing Antoine if he allows it to happen.
COMBATSYS: Antoine blocks Rust's Wrecking Ball Swing.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Rust 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Antoine
When Antoine brings both legs down to slam against Rust's entire form, Antoine makes purchase in the successful connection. When he lands onto the ground, he realizes that Rust isn't taken down. He is a sturdy man. As such, Antoine will have to act on drawing against that sturdiness. When Antoine moves forward, he is caught by the pipe catching him by the clothing. His eyes widen, the young man finds himself tossed off over towards the side.
Instead of landing roughly, Antoine manages to roll himself along the ground, quickly recovering into a full stance. A smile draws up, then the young man springs forward. He brings the right hand out as he steps into the frontal assault. He swings the palm out towards Rust's chest.
COMBATSYS: Rust dodges Antoine's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Rust 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Antoine
He is a sturdy man - maybe even a mountain, for a guy who is just shy of six feet tall. Though he still has some extra weight he can afford to shave off, he is a thick and powerful man who almost certainly weighs more than his official fighting stats may mention. (Everyone likely does.)
The man nods at Antoine's quick recovery and beckons him a bit closer as he draws back a foot against the ground. Topsoil loosens underneath where he draws back his foot as Antoine comes forward and goes to palm him in the chest.
Antoine's lightning-fast palm misses the mark if only due to the way the shop teacher leans back, drawing up the pipe and Ol' Rusty in both hands - both on opposite ends - clenching the front of the pipe tightly enough it squeals before he thrusts it forth like one would a shovel against the very dirt. Curiously, he leads it with his left hand.
Just as curious but much more dangerous, the very air around the tip of Ol' Rusty being thrust towards Antoine is displaced under the sheer force of the incoming blow that threatens a significantly more powerful hit than the palm might have done.
COMBATSYS: Antoine interrupts Deep Strike from Rust with Moving the Mountain.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Rust 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Antoine
The lightning palm actually misses its mark as he leans back. However, don't count Antoine out. As that palm is coming back, he actually brings his left leg up to the right while the body lowers enough to be in a near horse stance. While Rusty brings the tip of the pipe towards him with the shee impact straight towards Antoine. That deep thrust is met with purchase as Antoine has the tip of the pipe impact towards his gut. His wind is knocked out, exhaling out everything. However, he takes a quick breath...
The right leg slides forward. Then, he slaps the palm out towards Rust's stomach, seeking to slam it right into the man's gut with the intent to send him sprawling back this time.
"Gkh!" The man's teeth grit, his eyes bulging as Antoine matches crushing blow with crushing blow, heels collecting dirt and a few blades of grass as the mountain before Antoine is found moving back, back, and back some more until he is stopped from further knockback by that large rusted length of pipe he apparently considers a worthy enough place to sit down and have a coffee upon.
"Yeah... that's, that's him all right." He compliments with a pained groan as he pushes himself up off the large pipe. It, too, squeals and threatens to at long last shatter with how hard he pushes off of it. The smaller one he wields, Ol' Rusty, is still plenty good for more whacking.
As is the rest of him, this momentary delay aside.
Taking Ol' Rusty in both hands, he holds it horizontally in front of him in a manner as though he's... driving? He crouches in a way it seems as though he's sitting in mid-air. With an intense focus, he starts to shake in place before inexplicably gliding forward against the dirt at a respectable pace.
'Driving' towards Antoine, Rust intends to ram into him and send him tumbling along for the ride until some unspecified point of termination (or maybe a cramp). If he gets that far, he falls backwards to scoop Antoine up by his legs and toss him away.
All in all, not exactly the sort of maneuver people would see every day.
COMBATSYS: Rust successfully hits Antoine with Bulldozer.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Rust 0/-------/-======|=======\=====--\1 Antoine
The young fighter finally keeps his stance as strong as he can. After the maneuver of his technique, Antoine brings his leading leg back and shits his stance. He extends the left hand out as the leading hand, now keeping himself focused towards Rusty. It is, however, a surprise when Rusttakes the pipe and acts like that he is driving...
But then he dashes towards him with the intent to ram him down. Antoine is attempting to spring over the man, however, he is caught in the dive with a heavy thud. He grimaces to himself, now intent on falling towards the ground with a thud. Then, he is scooped up by the legs and tossed towards the ground. He lands with a hefty thud, causing his body to twitch. His eyes widen and he exhales a cough, "Aghhh!!" He rolls back up to his feet, if a bit slow. "Damnit..." He staggers a bit, running his hand over towards his face. "Alright...."
Antoine springs towards Rust, now moving to get just a bit closer.
When he does make the motion of getting close enough, he swings his right leg out towards Rust.
...The wind strangely picks up.
That wind becomes that similar to a hurricane as the force of chi explodes out from his form. It releases a rending force to blast against Rust.
COMBATSYS: Rust endures Antoine's Gale Rises to Heaven.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Rust 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Antoine
Antoine gets a few seconds head start in working up his next assault as the older fighter has to work out significant stiffness going through him after that particular technique. The way he can lock himself up, the way he can hold himself rigid against almost anything someone can throw his way... that in itself is a weakness of such a skill, joints protesting sudden movement as he attempts to swing himself up to a sitting motion. In the earliest moments, it's like an upside-down turtle trying to right themselves up.
When he is somewhere near a respectable 'on feet' position, more like a low crouch, Antoine's coming right at him. Neither fighter is giving any quarter in a battle dedicated to a man both hold respect for - one from a single meeting, one for a lifetime.
Antoine ups the ante with a blast of wind from a power only people like themselves can reach out and utilize. The wind is fierce, harsh enough to send debris - such as the discarded coffee cup - on a lovely cross-country trip across the countryside.
Mr. Rust remembers this technique all too well. The last time so long ago, it tossed him right on his ass so many years back. Here, he makes a stand as he thrusts Ol' Rusty into the dirt for lack of anything else to hold onto. The dirt may be soft, but the resolve itself proves firm as his horrible combover threatens to be blown clean off - a last-minute save with his free hand preventing the truth of his hair loss from being made any more obvious than it already is, teeth bared from the wind against his lips.
The aftermath of this force doesn't even pass all the way when he's moving forward again, a quick singular spin of Ol' Rusty in his right hand as it is withdrawn from the dirt before trying to meet Antoine head-on with a single advancing uppercut swing - the Cement Upper.
It is unknown what it actually has to do with cement. Perhaps it merely just hits like a whole block of it.
COMBATSYS: Rust successfully hits Antoine with Cement Upper.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Rust 1/-----==/=======|=======\=------\1 Antoine
After delivering what is a powerful gust of chi towards the strong warrior, Antoine finally shifts back into his fighting stance, adopting the defensive mode. This time, he expected Rust to actually move forward to launch the next strike. However, he sought to actually stop it in its place so that he can press forward with his attack.
However...
When the pipe is launched out towards the chin, both guards drop low to lessen the impact. Sadly, that pipe manages to break through his defenses just as easily. His arms break away from the hold, then his eyes widen in shock. While the pipe is launched ut towards the chin of the young man, he stares with a worried look.
~ Damn... that's stro---.. ~
His thoughts are interrupted as the pipe lands against the chin, making a cracking noise across his face. His body is launched off of the ground and he twists around until he lands with a violent thud towards the ground, rolling along the side. He coughs up a bit of blood, wincing to himself. He coughs up a bit of blood, grimacing to himself. "...Alright..."
Antoine staggers up, then shifts his stance again, trying to keep his focus. However, he soon presses into the attack, now seeking to step forward with the back leg, utilizing it as a leading leg. At the same time, the arm is becoming to leading one to press a palm strike at Rust's abdomen, seeking to break through his defenses. "Shaa---..."
His eyes narrow, then he shifts his stance to launch himself off of the ground with a twisting uppercut. That uppercut is seeking to impact against Rust's chin. Behind that uppercut is a lot of power, rending through the air with a bone-shattering force. "KAAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Antoine successfully hits Rust with Heaven Descends to Earth EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Rust 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Antoine
Howard can feel how hard that hit through his right hand. It's such a solid hit that it nearly shakes the pipe out of his grip, re-catching it with his left hand and transposing it over to his right in the time Antoine corkscrews into the ground.
Worry falls upon the older fighter's face as blood starts getting coughed up. Am I seriously hurting this guy? He wonders to himself for a moment. This moment passes with Antoine simply saying, 'alright.'
The heat of the moment starts to get to him, he's fine. Rust himself is worn, numbness running across his body after taking the full brunt of that first blast of wind. He's not sure how he could take a second of that nature.
It's a great thing Antoine there is able to educate him on this theoretical matter turned practical problem.
Antoine comes at him again, as is the norm for the pace of their battle. He thinks it's going to be another kick. His left forearm is ready for this kick he thinks is coming, leaving his abdomen entirely defenseless. His abdomen, arguably, may be a defense itself.
There is no argument here as to whether or not it is. It really isn't, as the man doubles over and starts to slump over, air having rushed out of his lungs with just that single strike alone.
From there, he's all Antoine's, blood freely flowing out the side of his mouth along with a gratuitous amount of spittle when Antoine invites Heaven's descent onto this dirt ball with a mighty uppercut. So much, Antoine launches him a good... ten? Twenty? Nope. Thirty whole feet into the air. It's a sight to see in itself.
It's as much a sight to watch the wielder of Ol' Rusty come to in mid-air, choosing to lead with his left side as he comes down on the ground hard enough to bounce against it a few times over with dirt and grass flying everywhere as though someone shot a live round into it.
"Hoo." Howard spits out a few blades of grass, groaning as he pulls himself up. No, he's not pulling himself up. It's more like his body, so stiff from advancing age and having overworked himself in his youth to make ends meet, just remembers what it's like to get into stuff like this. That desire to keep going even when he knows better. Especially when he's not entirely sure if his father's insurance policy is going to cover their stay and treatment at the hospital - and may or may not have to deal with /himself/ in the process if Antoine still has another hit like that left in him.
Dirty and battered, Howard Rust stands - not just shakingly, but convincingly as he enters his stance again and leans into it, pointing Ol' Rusty behind him for a brief moment. Last time - the only time they met and fought - Antoine's master took him out of this strike right in the middle of it.
Time to see how his apparent successor handles the same thing years down the road, eyes narrowing for that moment of calm as the wind kicks in around them. The rain is coming soon. It may very well come moments after Ol' Rusty is thrust forward - and very likely past (if not through) Antoine as though he were mimicking an old samurai film trope.
It basically /is/, the moment of impact - if any - resounding like a wrecking ball against a building scheduled for demolition, and Ol' Rusty being resheathed into the toolbelt... if he is not halted.
Is Antoine up for this task?
COMBATSYS: Rust successfully hits Antoine with Condemned EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Rust 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Antoine
It reaches the climax, where getting into the motion of showing the power is important. However, it is more important to honor the memory of a passing man. An old friend of the master and a father. Giving him everything you have is the way to show that proper honor. With that said, Antoine does make that connection. When he sends Rust launched off of the ground, the young man is now descending to his feet. After the soft landing, Antoine looks at Rust, who is now battered as he is. As the taller and older man gets ready...
Antoine can feel the wind pick up. Like the samurai flick...
He is met with the painful sound of Ol' Rusty cracking against the body. His eyes widen and he grunts before he collapses onto his feet. "Damn!" He falls flat. Both eyes fall shut, looking over towards Rusty. He offers a faint smile, turning to face that older man. "...S-so.. you fought sifu.." He smiles, "...I am glad to have met an old friend of his.." He gets the will, however, to stand up. His body is hurt beyond belief, but he has a lot of resolve. He has to have it. After all, he needs to surpass himself.
...And he faces Rust.
He staggers forward....
Until his form dashes out with everything that it has. Building himself into exhaustion, his chi flourishes as a lightning wave surrounding him. He steps his left foot forward, extending the left arm out to plant it towards the man's chest. The burst accompanied with a stomp will release a powerful discharge.
....At least, until the man can no longer maintain the stance. Either way, he is bucking to his knees from exhaustion.
COMBATSYS: Antoine can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Rust 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Rust interrupts Perfect Storm from Antoine with Quick Throw.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Rust 0/-------/----===|
It's textbook. Adrenaline sees him holding his posture as he sheathes away Ol' Rusty with that one last dramatic flourish. It's just a habit. Why this All American working man styles himself after a samurai in some sort of eccentric fashion is going to prove a mystery to the ages, should he leave enough of a mark for the ages to preserve after his time.
"Yeah... yeah, I did." He answers to Antoine without facing him in confirmation of fighting his 'sifu.' Hell of a man, that guy. It's a damned shame they never saw one another again after that one meeting. But, fate has a weird way of working sometimes, doesn't it... meeting one of his pupils so many years later.
He turns to face him at last maybe a moment too late when he starts hearing footsteps. He starts to reach out with his hand and say something...
Antoine has plenty to say when he throws his very best in one last burst of energy and power. For this last moment, the fight is still on, and Howard Rust meets this head-on even with, effectively, his bare hands, buckling down and sucking in oxygen to ready himself for that blinding arrow of a man that is Antoine, whose hand is aligned perfectly to chest level.
As palm meets chest, Howard reaches forward and grabs him into a hug. This halts the completion of Antoine's finest - but does little to stop him from tumbling over as a sharp pain runs through his chest and through his back where the chi all but pierces him, tumbling back a ways with Antoine in tow until the eventual stop just a little bit closer to civilization.
Mr. Rust, for his part, feels the exhaustion start to creep in after that. Blinking a couple of times and grunting as he flexes his left leg, he stares up into the gray sky as the first few raindrops come down upon the both of them. Aggravatingly, one of them gets in his eye. He winces for a moment as he looks over to Antoine.
"Y'know, uh... you wanna call that a draw?" He asks as he breaks into wheezing laughter. "That... that kinda, kinda feels like a draw."
When Antoine brings the palm to strike forth...
He is unexpectedly brought into a hug. This catches him by surprise, which keeps him from completing the technique. He tumbled over and he colalpses onto the ground as he gazes back towards the sky.
He laughs a bit, then he lifts is head up. "...Yeah... Let's call it a draw."
~ I met one of your friends, sifu. I hope this fight brought satisfaction. Even though he won't be able to fight you again... I hope that I was able to provide that second chance for him. I will continue to improve and carry our tradition onward. ~
"Yeah... 's a draw." The older of the two echoes the sentiment he himself starts as he pulls himself up, allowing himself to be support for Antoine and to even carry his travel bag if he needs him to. "Uh... y'know, if you're... t-too young to drink, maybe you'd like... coffee." He waves his left hand around erratically. "Stuff here tastes like /shit/, but... y'know, good pick me up. And... and hey, there's this, uh, thing they're... they're inviting people to, fighters, called... King of Fighters 2011, right, and... and..."
He shrugs. "Ahh, I'll save it for, for later. When we aren't so, y'know, banged up I oughtta, oughtta show you 'round town before we both got to go. Show you some of the, some of the buildings I built when I worked in, in construction, y'know?"
The rain starts to pick up. Now's probably a great time to head inside. The rain doesn't bother Mr. Rust terribly much.
COMBATSYS: Rust has ended the fight here.
Log created on 20:43:39 10/17/2010 by Rust, and last modified on 03:21:25 10/18/2010.