Description: Rock is sent to the Kyokugenryuu Dojo to 'train' with the master of Kyokugenryuu, Takuma Sakazaki. Both Takuma and Rock surprise the other--but only one can wind up victorious. (Winner: Takuma)
It's been AGES since Takuma Sakazaki has been aware of an SNF hosted at his dojo. Must be over a year or two. On this fine November weekend, the sacred edifice certainly shows this long-waited enthusiasm. Its cement training ground has been cleared off, students sent home (for the first time in weeks, doubtlessly) for the day, and news vans, audience members, and camera crews allowed to take up their positions on the training arena's outskirts, like vultures. One man addresses a clutch of these onlookers, voice booming.
"...ung, we didn't HAVE to deal with this Saturday Night Fight garbage, we would call each other up on the weekends, arrange fights, and by God people would show up to watch! The television, the Internet, it's all ruining where fighting's going, and I can't say I stand for it. In fact, I'm going to devote all of my winnings today to the Amish Pugilism League, bless their hearts, and see if we can't bring back the old ways." Sakazaki is working himself up into a froth. One canny reporter stops him, cold.
"Sir, do you have any idea who this Takoma person might be? A lot of people are drawing some parallels between Iron Chef Kara--"
Suddenly, Sakazaki: "For the thousandth time, I don't know who that Iron Chef fool is!! I don't care how handsome he is, or how mysterious! Are you dimwits here to watch a fight, or hypothesize over mystery-men??"
Rock's been dubious about this from the beginning. Wisdom? Training? He's had -plenty- of training. Some of it quite painful. But he does have to admit that Takuma Sakazaki does have a rather legendary amount of experience to draw upon. However, youth will win out in the end, and that's what he firmly believes. Still...
While everyone is waiting and talking with the owner of the Kyokugen Dojo, and Sakazaki is claiming he doesn't know -who- Iron Chef Karate is, Rock is nowhere to be seen. Or heard. But then...
...the deep throbbing sound of a motorcycle engine can be heard outside the dojo, at a low RPM that drops down to a true idle. Two minutes later it stops, and maybe three minutes after that...
In walks Rock Howard. Having already hung up his helmet, he's pulling on the fighting gloves he got from Terry, well-worn but still more than serviceable.
"Mister Sakazaki. I understand that the organizers seem to think you have some wisdom to impart to me." His voice is mellow, polite, but still with challenge in it, as he, without removing his shoes, walks up onto the dojo floor. Yeah, it's rude to do that, but he's -not- a karateka, and he's used to fighting with his shoes on. He's not wearing a karate dogi either, after all.
he walks up and stops maybe five yards away from Takuma, and raises his hands, inclining his head in a bow.
"So let's hear it."
COMBATSYS: Takuma has started a fight here.
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Takuma 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Rock has joined the fight here.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Takuma
It's an arrival that gets the crowd pumping, the younger women shrieking, and the newscasters to stop paying attention to Sakazaki, who is more and more becoming a bitter curmudgeon. The resulting swarm of bodies towards Howard is -- well, it's cut short, considering Howard's attitude. Still, this is why they love him, and adoring eyes regard the newcomer.
One pair is significantly less adoring. Weary brown eyes lose their indignant glimmer, and briefly hint at some other emotion rumbling deep within the elder's psyche. God, but Rock looked almost -exactly- like Geese. Even now, it takes Takuma back. Southtown under attack, his daughter...
Sakazaki organizes himself with an explosive COUGH, and rolls one brawny shoulder counter-clockwise. Explosive crackles mark the motion, and when he's finished, he's offering a curt inclination of his head, settling into an ages-old Kyokugen bull stance.
"I get the feeling you're not going to listen quite yet, son. Why don't I pound a few more holes into that head, so we make sure it gets through?" It's cliched, it's tired, it's old, but Takuma still loves it --
He unclenches that forward fist, to egg Howard on. "Walk slow if you have to, wouldn't want you to wreck those fancy shoes."
His attitude? Aside from disregarding the well-known rule about taking ones' shoes off when entering a dojo, he's been perfectly polite--but really, could Takuma expect him not to be at least a little challenging? That isn't going to happen. Rock is a high-spirited young man, else he wouldn't be a fighter. "Oh, I'm perfectly happy to listen. But you understand, of course," he says, as he begins bouncing lightly, shifting his weight on the balls of his feet, "that I already -have- a master..."
Rock's lips curve upwards into a grin. "And while he doesn't have his own dojo, he's just as skilled as you are. So it'd be disrespectful of me to just toss his teachings out the window." Obviously he means Terry, though he hasn't, curiously, tossed any of Geese's martial teachings out the window--Rock starts moving forward, with cautious respect. The man is a master, after all, and Kyokugenryuu Karate is heralded as one of the most hardcore of martial arts around, certainly within Japan.
But caution doesn't have to imply fear, and Rock certainly isn't -afraid-. Not yet, anyways, as he contemplates the situation for a moment, then opens the match with a lunging strike, letting his bootsoles grip the floor as he transfers momentum forward, fair flying across the surface, his feet not touching until just before he reaches Takuma's position, thrusting his left elbow forward for Sakazaki's sternum.
COMBATSYS: Takuma blocks Rock's Aggressive Strike.
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Rock 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Takuma
Takuma's having trouble getting past it. The similarities are staggering, and when Rock fades into his stance, they're even more significant. Takuma and Terry go way back - this much is certain - and it's easy to see where the Hakyokusaken Hobo has influenced Howard's posture. Still, it's impossible to miss the subtle, cloying reminders here and there. It's in the step forward, the movement of the fingers. It's -distracting-.
Takuma almost doesn't get that first block in - his forearm juts across his chest, barely in time to stop Howard dead in his tracks. "Pfaugh!! Christ, you're fast. You said you've already got a master, then??" Terry hadn't -mentioned- a pupil. Then again, Terry doesn't mention much when he's over. Still, the impact causes Takuma's elbow to burn, and brings a certain determination to his face.
He's not going to get caught up in the past anymore - this is now, and Rock is a challenging foe. Stormy consternation turns to a broad grin, even as audience members gasp at Howard's ability.
"The best do it their own way, son. If you're going toe-to-toe with ME..." Takuma's LUNGING forwards, hopping into Rock's personal space with a short, high-impact take on a standard scissors-kick. First one calf will slam into Howard's face, and then the second will impact his back as he presumably recoils, sending him on his way.
Sakazaki, gloating: "You're going to have to start thinking about walking your own path!! Learn wherever you can!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Rock with Hien Shippu Kyaku.
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Rock 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Takuma
His consciousness stutters, swiftly, as the first kick impacts his forehead, spinning him around for the second kick to crack right between the shoulder blades. Rock's world tumbles as he fights to control his landing, only managing it after three artless tumbles, coming up on one knee. "Might be merit in that," he admits, his voice laced with pain, the young man twisting violently as he rises, to relocate some minor joints and make sure that he -can- stand.
"But I'm not looking to stay in -anyone's- shadow!" he proclaims, boldly. "Not Terry's, and not my father's!" Well, there's your confirmation, Takuma; Rock trained under both Terry and Geese, at varying times, though he doesn't consider Geese his 'master' in any way shape or form. The resemblance in their fighting style is just coincidence. Surely, it is just coincidence, as Rock's hands--both of them--suddenly fill with purple windfire chi, the hissing energy looking like a gale-whipped bonfire in his hands.
His right hand lashes out first, "I'm going to go to the limit! What I've always done!! Push until I break through!! TAKE THIS!!! DOUBLE...!!" and that purple fire is laid down, for his left hand to sweep up and through, more than doubling the size of it, to a waist-high surging wave, "REPPUKEN!!" he calls, as he unleashes it, hissing across the dojo floor, for Takuma.
COMBATSYS: Takuma endures Rock's Double Reppuken.
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Rock 0/-------/---====|=======\====---\1 Takuma
Takuma's -about- to rebuke Rock - his eyes narrow at the way the boy's suggesting Takuma instructed him to REMAIN in somebody's shadow - but then Rock's wreathing his hands in purple evil (windfire is not in Takuma's vocabulary). Eyebrows spike, and Sakazaki's on the defensive, arms raised, expression severe.
He's old, but nobody suggested, even for a second, that he's out of tricks. When Rock PUSHES that energy towards him, Takuma's BATTERING through it, arms lifted, mouth opened wide, eyes -blazing-. The enery SLAPS into him, rending across his shoulders and sternum in an explosion that well and should send a fighter of his stature flailing - but Sakazaki doesn't. There's something considerably more occuring here.
"Chessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssstahhhhhhhh!" Takuma -is- spinning when he reaches Rock, around and around, and seeking to strike the blonde youth in the face with one whirling elbow. If it connects, Rock can be certain to enjoy the assembly of light kicks, gut punches, headbutts, elbows, hammer blows, and elbows Sakazaki has for him to sample. He'll certainly love the spinning, spiralling uppercut that sends him sky-high.
"Haoh Sho KO k-*PHGOOOOOOOOM*"
He'll absolutely love the brutal, man-sized fireball that catches him before he hits the ground.
COMBATSYS: Rock counters Ryuuko Ranbu from Takuma with Gedan Crack Counter.
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Rock 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Takuma
Tricks? Or tactics? One word implies the sort of play that is thought up on the spot. The other implies a play that is built upon experience and knowledge. Rock has no doubt that Takuma has a wealth of tricks, -and- tactics. He wouldn't denigrate the man by calling what he did a trick--it takes balls to attempt to bust a wall of energy like that.
That doesn't, however, mean that, whatever appreciation Rock has for Takuma's boldness, even at his advanced age, that he's going to -lie still- for whatever the man wants to do to him. He hasn't fought Takuma in quite some time--or any other Kyokugenryuu fighter--but he is well-acquainted with that rushing dance of moves known as the Ryuuko Ranbu.
But a storm of moves like that has a weakness--and it's that very first attack, that elbow. Rock's response requires panache, timing, dedication, and gutsiness. Because it's far easier to try and withstand that storm, or even to think of trying to dodge it--than trying to -stop- it. But Rock knows a thing or two about raging storms.
Takuma's spinning elbow smacks into Rock's upthrown arms--not a block--a *trap*. He doesn't have the mojo to just stop Takuma's momentum completely, but he can -use- it against him; as Takuma's lunging, Rock is pushing off with his legs, using the brief contact as a pivot point before releasing it, letting Takuma move forward after the almost imperceptible stoppage.
But as he's going over, he's giving Takuma his own exclamation point--a driving heel kick, right into the back of the man's head, driving him forward further as Rock completes a rather nifty little overflip and landing, nearly stretched out full on the dojo floor, before turning and rising.
Well, it's eye opening. That much is certain. Sakazaki winds up Aikido'd into the ground, gasping, and then there's a -foot- SLAMMING into his chest. It's enough to force Takuma into a sort of mini-spasm, but he recovers his consciousness quickly - his expression finds his face, and he calms. Well, 'calms'. 'Holy Shit' is still written all over his face.
"...Alright, alright. First lesson:" Takuma has -certainly- read the fight billing. "Don't underestimate your foe. Don't -ever- do that." He leaves the rest of the sentence unspoken: certainly, Takuma is teaching by example. So he's content to sit where he is, recentering himself, clambering to a kneel in the middle of the Dojo mats.
Play up the old man angle, it's yours, keep it, you've got it. Take them mid-fight breathers. Flash a concerned expression to the older audience members. The most important thing, though - the absolute most important thing - is "don't underestimate the opponent".
Takuma's about done with that.
COMBATSYS: Takuma gains composure.
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Rock 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Takuma
To put it the way young people would, 'Shit just got real'. How does Rock know? He just does. He definitely doesn't have the age of Takuma to draw on, but some things just come natural to the young Howard prodigy. Sensing the flow of a fight... of a fighter... isn't an exact science, and there are some who are far better at understanding what their opponent is about to do... but on an instinctive level, Rock can feel that Takuma is 'serious' now.
How does he feel about that? The young scion grins, a wolfish grin, something he definitely learned from Terry. He can't help a -little- trash talk. "So we're being serious now?" he asks, though he wonders--if a Ryuuko Ranbu isn't 'serious', then what -would- be? Takuma's sitting down, having a rest, is he? Rock wonders about that.
"Right. Don't underestimate your opponent, well..." Rock takes two steps forward, and uses his foot again, swinging it in an upward arcing 'soccer'-style kick, aimed to put the toe of his riding boot right into Takuma's chin. It draws a gasp from the crowd, because it looks so... so dishonorable.
But Rock knows, as Takuma knows, that you don't -get- breathers in a real fight. And this fight is real, underneath all the SNF trappings and showmanship. This is true combat, man to man, and Rock will look back on it, no matter how it goes, with appreciation.
When he's older.
COMBATSYS: Takuma counters Medium Kick from Rock with Mouko Burai Gan.
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Rock 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Takuma
True combat, man to man, real. Absolutely. Takuma makes a note to congratulate Terry on his monster of a pupil, next time Terry comes to visit. For now, however, Takuma's content to rest on a knee, to catch his breath in an overdramatic, wheezy fashion. Inhale, exhale. Look pained. That's the right of it.
"Hn!" He looks down and out, but moves like a -viper-. Rock's riding boot catches against the crook of Sakazaki's trunklike forearm and bicep, while the old man explodes to a standing position, to *SLAM* his fist into Rock's midsection and send him packing. Brown eyes widen, incited, and Takuma finds his way into discussing one of his absolute favorite topics.
"...Youth!! A man says, "Don't underestimate your foe", and all you kids have to say for it is fie! A time-out is the easiest time to underestimate a man, to think that he might be taking a break to catch his breath, or adjust his arthritic knee, or try to remember where he is! We're not all alzheimer's-riddled mummies, I'll have you know! Chin up, get your ass off of the ground, and try that again!"
It isn't, you see, that Rock was taking advantage of a surmised weakness. Or even that he was underestimating his opponent. No, he understands that letting Takuma get his breath back--letting up on him--would be the worst mistake to make. Just coming at him constantly... if he gives Takuma even the slightest moment, the old man is crafty and skilled and powerful enough to make that the moment Rock loses.
But getting the drop on him isn't as easy as it might seem; Rock grunts, explosively, unwillingly, as the breath is slammed from suddenly-numb lungs; he staggers back, looking briefly like a red-faced fish as he gasps for breath. How many times has Terry dropped him, with a punch just like that?
Finally, he tears a breath from the grasp of the world, a wheezing one, and his left arm wraps around his abused ribcage.
God, a hit like that... driving all the air from his body in a single intense shot... it proves mastery. He did it without breaking any ribs, either. Much as Rock wants to drop to -his- knees and focus on breathing, he can't afford to. He'll have to trust in youth and resiliency as he tries to take this monster down. And to that end, he drives forward, forcing his legs to work, feinting left, then unleashing a power right hook--which might impact more like a cross, with that headfake left juke.
COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Takuma with Medium Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Rock 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Takuma
Youth and resiliency are a staggering combo when wielded in talented hands. Truthfully, Takuma's developing a healthy respect for Rock Howard. It's something the old man isn't quite used to doing. He quickly gets to his feet, stumbling to a semblance of a stand. Respect does -not- mean that Takuma's going to stop talking - in fact, he continues on, heedless of what Howard's doing. He's entered into his own world.
An older world, a happier world. A world where fighters would fight without the sass, the irritation. Without a-
"-ll of this new-fangled, sassy garbage. Did you know that honorary bows have gotten shorter and shorter over the last fifty years? It's barely the nod of a head nowadays, hardly any eye-contact. You can't tell who's the inferior and who's the superior! It translates into your fighting, R-rock? Rock. Rock. You're the kind of chump that runs at people, beats many of them, but doesn't understand the value of keeping a mind for defense, for solid, hard-working awareness of your environment and the people around you. It's what I teach my kids - teach them to never take their eyes off of a foe, to always be aware of their environment, and to never -ever-, not even -once-, ge-"
-t distracted.
*BLAOW* goes Rock's fist into Takuma's face. Sakazaki stumbles backwards again, but does NOT tumble to the ground - again he's falling into that stance, expression shocked. It's a pain he won't be forgetting for the next two weeks, that's for sure, but right now...
Takuma's laughing.
COMBATSYS: Takuma takes no action.
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Rock 0/-------/=======|=======\======-\1 Takuma
Laughter is not what one expects after socking a man straight in the mouth. Admittedly, that touch of laughter brings... not fear, but a worry, to Rock's crimson eyes. He'd heard that the elder Sakazaki wasn't 'healthy', but the stories he'd heard could've been attributed to extreme training methods. Rock's no stranger to those. And it's true, what Takuma is saying. The youngest Howard -does- have that bulldog, rush-or-die mentality. It is how he wins these fights, purely just rushing down; his defensive skills are not as developed, his favorite defensive manuever really a way to just keep the pressure on.
But, as insightful as Takuma's words are, Rock simply can't--won't--adjust his fighting style after a few words. It just isn't possible; Rock is long past the formative stage where just a few words were all that was needed to effect change.
He shakes his head. "Maybe you're right, old man," and the sobriquet is colored with genuine respect, "But... I gotta be who I gotta be!" And with that, Rock gathers that purple chi again, but only in his right hand, and he hurls it forward, into a hissing wave on the ground.
"REPPUKEN!!"
COMBATSYS: Takuma overcomes Reppuken from Rock with Haoh Sho Ko Ken.
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Rock 0/-------/=======|=======\======-\1 Takuma
'Healthy' is a subjective thing. To some people, it's a lot about whether or not you see the flaws in your logical thinking, or the simplest answers to complex questions. To others, it's something to be measured in breathing tests, sprint times, the number of pushups you can do. To a doctor, it's got a lot to do with numbers and test results.
To Takuma Sakazaki, health is all about whether or not you're still able to show the younger fighters a thing or two. Staring down that reppuken, feeling his force coalesce into his hands, Takuma's convinced of his health. It's a -fact-. He thrusts his arms forward, willing one of those trademarked Haoh Sho Ko Kens into existence -- and utterly obliterates the Reppuken heading his way.
"--Haah!" Rock Howard's words ring through to Takuma once he's finished avoiding his death - he reflects on them, thoughtful. "I suppose," remarks the Kyokugen master. "...I suppose. Don't stop learning, however. Everything you do, everybody you fight -- there are lessons there. I'm teaching you right now, even if it's not with what I'm saying."
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Rock with Haoh Sho Ko Ken.
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Rock 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Takuma
Indeed, Rock -is- learning. Takuma's words ring true to the young Howard, and he nods at them... even as he's staring down the wall of orange-yellow chi headed his way. Foolishly, he tries to resist it. He lasts perhaps half a second before there's an explosion and he is sent hurtling back, flipping ass over teakettle and landing badly. "UNGH!" is his most intelligent commentary, and from there he rises, manfully disguising the twisted ankle from that bad landing.
"Thanks for the lesson," he says, without irony or sarcasm, and then he stamps down, hissing more loudly as he feels that spike of pain, silvery-bright, that lets him know that the ankle will hold, for now. Feeling that it will hold... he begins to run. Not a full out dash, but the quick, shuffling steps that keep him centered, but also keep him moving--and then he closes in and and attempts... well, there's little to say about it, really, that isn't covered by the simple descriptor of: left body blow to stun the older man, and then an attempt to grab Takuma by the back of the neck and introduce him to the floor, face-first.
Hardly elegant, but elegance isn't Rock's aim right now--he's out to prove that he can stand with the masters, though he isn't one himself. Some might say that this fight in itself is proof--but Rock doesn't accept that. Never stop looking forward and looking up.
It's an odd thing; there's currently a fight going on amidst the Kyokugen Dojo. One of the scheduled events for Saturday Night Fight, with all the necessary accoutrements to provide a video and audio feed to all the people that might be watching. With everything going on, there's hardly any attention paid to the fight itself as Terry Bogard just... sort of lets himself in. Shuffling his way through the crowd and all the media equipment, he just slides his way towards the back of all the people that've found their places to watch the goings-on. He mumbles a quiet greeting to some of the stage crew, and makes a quiet 'shush' sort of motion towards someone that notices the Lonely Wolf. After there's quiet, he just just walks to the back of the A/V area, opens up their cooler, and fishes out a bottle of water and takes a drink. Once his thirst has been quenched, the blonde turns to the fight. He sets the bottle down atop the now-closed cooler, tucks his hands into his pockets, and watches.
COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Takuma with Combo Grapple.
- Power hit! -
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Rock 1/-======/=======|=======\=------\1 Takuma
There is something - something! - in the way Howard's moving. Takuma hasn't been able to put his finger on it the entire fight, and Lord knows the audience can't, either. They're raving, hooting, and hollering for the young Howard, amazed to see somebody taking Sakazaki down on his home turf. It doesn't happen very often. The Haoh Sho Ko Ken is a temporary setback, something Rock goes on to prove by lunging towards Sakazaki, *GRIPPING* his neck, and *SLAMMING* him to the ground, face-first. A healthy blossom of blood explodes from the ground around the impact site, and Takuma's rolling to his side, groaning, very much a picture of one of his own victims.
He's pretty sure his nose is broken.
"Mmmhgn. I think, son..." One gnarled hand touches to the ground, to pull Takuma to his feet. If he's noticed Terry, he's not showing it - this fight is at its last moments, and far too intense. "I think it's about time we ended this, then. You've done a damn good job, and I'm gonna need to congratulate your tutor - " There's the wink to the Wolf - "But for right now..."
And the blossom of chi, spiraling, explosive. There is no -measuring- this shit: to the attuned, Sakazaki is suddenly awhirl with his energies, eyes blazing, muscles tensed. His arms become conduits for the Earth, and between outstretched hands, chi is given force, faster and faster. The Haoh Sho Ko Ken from before had -nothing- to do with this new incarnation.
"HAOH SHI KO KEEEEEEEN!"
Sakazaki extends his arms - he is not enforcing his will at this point. The Earth is speaking through him, and the planet's force doing him a favor. Three favors. Look out.
COMBATSYS: Takuma successfully hits Rock with Triple Haohshokoken+.
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Rock 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|==-----\-------\0 Takuma
The Earth speaks... and when the Earth speaks, Rock is forced, against his will, to listen. The three shots impact like the fist of an angry God, and rather comically, Rock is splattered against the back wall of the dojo, spread-eagled. He falls from the wall, but lands in a fighting stance--bent over, crabbed to hell... and the light in his eyes is not a conscious light. He's already out, but such is his warrior spirit that even now, -even now-, his body is attempting to finish the fight out.
Naturally, he doesn't shout anything--in fact, he seems to move with a robotic lack of consciousness, but that's forgivable, because he doesn't -have- any. His body is working on autopilot, but that might be cold comfort for Takuma, if he can't withstand this--Rock's right hand flaring with chi, but a pure gold-white chi this time, burned away of that evil impurity, gathered in that hand as he suddenly attempts to cross the gap and slam that glowing fist right into Takuma's chest.
It isn't because he wouldn't normally aim for the chest, but just that it's the target that's on level with his punching hand. No matter what happens, after that, Rock is spent, falling to his knees and then, as the light in his eyes goes out completely, to his face.
COMBATSYS: Rock can no longer fight.
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Takuma 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Takuma dodges Rock's Shine Knuckle.
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Takuma 0/-------/-----==|
To an old bat like Takuma - and likely to Terry - that alteration in Rock's self-expression is certainly causing attentions to spike. It's nothing short of incredible that Rock's still moving, autopilot or not, and that alone is worth Sakazaki's further appreciation.
But then Howard's bringing his own energy - and it is *HIS* energy - to bear in that fist. The light is pure, bright, and one that causes all who witness it to wince in some modicum of pain - it's not something you see often, chi like that. Takuma, exhausted, in pain, and annoyed at his own performance, is almost caught off guard.
As it is, Rock'd feel his fist brush the cloth of a furiously diving Takuma's gi, feel the wind whistle through his hair and between his knuckles before the soft matting on the ground rushes upwards to meet his knees. Takuma stands behind him, panting, eyes narrowed in consideration. Sakazaki -has- won, but Rock's performance certainly stole the show.
In fact, the last things Howard might hear before drifting out, borne over the constant chatter of cheering fans, is a simple, profound:
"...My God, if that boy isn't going to be the greatest thing this world has ever seen, he'll certainly be the worst."
COMBATSYS: Takuma has ended the fight here.
Log created on 19:58:58 11/14/2010 by Rock, and last modified on 14:16:28 11/15/2010.