Description: Two men both seeking someone and not having much luck just happen across one another in a small town in India near the border of Pakistan. A short exchange of words leads to Frei challenging the former emporer to a spar. Do the men perhaps get too carried away?
"Well," Frei says to himself, looking at his surroundings with a heavy sigh, "what did you expect? You're not going to find a reclusive yogi from his Foursquare postings or something."
A heavy backpack and a cloth-wrapped bundle slip from his hands and onto the ground, landing with a muffled *WHUMP* and the kicking up of some dust. As for Frei's surroundings, right now he is in the unpaved, dusty town center of one of the more remote little towns and villages that dot the Indian countryside. His search started in the more verdant eastern edges of the country, but since then Frei has been steadily travelling north and west until now, he's in the rather arid edges of the country, almost into Pakistan. A story, you see, had surfaced about why the renowned and enlightened yogi Dhalsim emerged from his village to travel and fight: his home town was in need of fresh water. But despite having moved from village to village for more than a few days, nobody has heard anything that might help him find this Dhalsim. For now, he's decided to pack up shop and head back to Japan.
Eventually, a rickety bus will roll into this out of the way place, one that travels down the lonely highways south toward larger cities... ones like Ahmedabad with international airports that can get him back home. However, there's not exactly a thriving intercity public transit system on what sometimes feels like the edge of civilization, and so Frei waits and watches. Around him, men and women go about their business, moving between local-run market stalls and the occasional small chain store, talking with each other as they pass. Frei himself stopped by a local baker and is currently standing next to his belongings, patiently waiting for the bus and snacking on large, flat pieces of bread wrapped in brown paper.
It goes without saying that, compared to his surroundings, he kinda stands out.
It is odd sometimes how such small towns seem to attract people of renown at odd times and even have them cross paths. In this case it wouldn't be Dhalsim that happens to to be in this small village. That would just be much too convienent for Frei. Fate is often too fickle to be nice like that and instead loves to throw curveballs or even the occasional slider instead of something straight at a person. Instead it is the large Thai fighter Sagat that is traveling through for his own personal reasons. He has been busy with the war against NESTS, but things have seemed to be a bit quiet for now at least. That has allowed the former emporer to take time on his own to do things.
In this case he is just passing through India making some visits among the various villages. Partially to seek out Ryu, but also scary as it may sound he stops by to visit acquaintences he has made over his many years of walking this earth. In the distance he can be seen walking forward down the road coming from the direction that the old bus would usually come from. His bare feet seem unbothered by the rough ground he walks on and he wears only a simple pair of running shorts and a sweater with a hood to help protect him from the sun somewhat. It is hard not to recognize him, though. When you are the size of a small building and have only one eye you sort of stand out even in a crowd. Even as he nears he notices the rather out of place Frei, though he says nothing and actually will stalk right past unless stopped.
Now that... is a thing you don't see every day.
Physically speaking the two people who 'stand out' in this little Indian village couldn't be more different. Sagat is massive, physically imposing, heavy muscled, scarred. Frei is relatively short, not particularly muscular, and probably wouldn't know how to 'physically impose' without some sort of training video. They draw a stark contrast indeed, and the fact that some of the people out and about for market day are starting to point and mutter comments (a few more at Sagat than at Frei because, let's face it, he's more famous) to each other. It's almost as if they're townfolk in a western watching the big gunfight of the movie about to take place. If there were a horse trough, somebody would drop to the ground and yank it over him for protection.
As it is, Frei keeps eating his bread. He doesn't even notice the brief shadow that moves over a sun he's not looking at, since he assumed it was just a cloud or something like that. Then he looks up and discovers the 'cloud' is like a million feet tall and wearing a hoodie.
And seems... oddly familiar.
"Morning," he says in Sagat's general direction, slowly taking a step toward and, if necessary, keeping pace.
It isn't the first time that Sagat has passed through this place so the people know him and usually just let him pass through. Back in his days when he was more consumed by his rage it was more healthy to just pretend that they didn't see him walking down that road in search for Ryu. They mostly just prayed he didn't have business with anyone here. Sometimes it is good to be somewhat poor. That usually means Shadaloo has no use for you. Of course as of late he would stop by to perhaps have some food and go on his way. He has shown no aggression towards them and the people have grown more passive when seeing him even if some of the younger teens and such get excited and start pointing.
Of course more people are staring in disbelief when Frei just up and greets the goliath without a care. Sagat turns his attention towards Frei and that single eye looks him over, though he keeps stalking forward. "Morning." he replies and then he realizes as he keeps walking that Frei is just keeping up with him. That causes the former emporer to stop and he turns to face the much smaller man. "Can I help you?" he asks as he folds his arms over his chest and his single eye narrows a bit.
It's really hard to intimidate Frei. It has something to do with just his base personality, but ever since he first came to Southtown he's been through a lot. There's something about killing your own clone that tends to even out the edges on a person. But really, Sagat manages it anyway, and the sage realizes it isn't even due to the man's imposing physical bearing, but more to a sense of great presence. The redhead actually stops and blinks once Sagat actually turns around, never mind asks him a question, and then seems to have to grapple with a moment of existential confusion over the entire process.
"Uh... I'll be honest with you," Frei says somewhat slowly, reaching up and rubbing the back of his head, which he turns to the side somewhat. "I'm not even sure why I stopped you." He seems surprised to hear himself say it, but no less than how surprised he seems to be at it being *true*. He doesn't actually know why he would greet and/or chase Sagat. The two don't even know each other... and if Frei were entirely aware of Sagat's connections to Shadaloo, he probably wouldn't WANT to know.
Yet to his credit, despite all the doubt, he forges onward, turning back (and then up) to Sagat. "But you're obviously a fighter. That or you just... really like those shorts. Anyhow. It occurs to me you might be here looking for the same man I am. I thought I could save you some time and tell you he's not here, unfortunately." Does he mean Dhalsim or Ryu? Who can say.
It is pure luck Frei has managed to go this long without running into Sagat. A meeting just even a few years ago might have instead started out with a foot to the face instead of a simple question. The rage has been slowly quelled, but being brought back into Shadaloo's grasp as well as having Adon join the ranks of the group have gotten a bit of a rise in him. The true comfort is there is one person more miserable in Shadaloo than he is right now and that is his boisterous former student. Knowing that fragile ego of Adon is getting crushed on an almost daily basis offers a good amount of comfort.
What Frei tells him does pique the curiousity of Sagat somewhat. "Is that so?" he asks wondering how Frei might know who he is seeking. Of course he knew that fighter wouldn't be here. Ryu hasn't been seen in this town in a long time and Sagat has honestly gotten used to just sticking to the road and just passing by. He is also not used to dealing with someone not knowing who he is. It amused him when that young man Antoine challenged him without knowing and he is even slightly amused now that Frei just treats the former emporer as if he is just another fighter. "Is it that obvious that I am a fighter?" he asks and there is actually a bit of a disturbing grin that forms even if he is actually being friendly. "You are not too familiar with this area I take it." he says while reaching up to pull the hood back. "And who might you be looking for?"
"Is it that obvious?" Frei says back to Sagat, smiling a little himself. For the most part the farthest west Frei got was the western border of China, considering he lived there for so many years; this close to the Middle East is out of his zone, as it were. He does blink a little at Sagat once the face becomes clear, though... that inner feeling of 'hey, aren't you that guy?' starts to run a little stronger now that he's connecting bald + eyepatch + giant. Still, out of either politeness or accidental stupidity, he forges onward. "And, uh... well, is it obvious? Normally I'd say you could just be into physical training, but you've got..."
Here, Frei waves his hand in a circle in the air, in the universal gesture for 'on the tip of my tongue,' before he finally settles on "...presence? Something. Fighters stand out. Plus I can't help feeling like I've seen your face before, somewhere."
For a second, Frei turns around to glance at his backpack and that cloth-wrapped, long, thin bundle lying on top of it, before looking back to Sagat. "A yogi named Dhalsim. He's said to have mastered himself through enlightenment, and I..." Here, he falters. Would Frei consider himself enlightened? In some ways, maybe. But if his reason for seeking out more training -- the events of Taizhou -- taught him anything, it's that there are some things that are still way, way beyond his grasp. Looking a little uncomfortable, Frei glances to the side. "Let's just say, I could use exposure to a worldview like his for a while. I was hoping he might train me."
The larger fighter just nods slowly, that grin has faded for the most part, but he at least is showing no signs of being annoyed or angered by Frei as he talks. "Dhalsim is often hard to find when he wishes to travel." He would consider the yogi to be every bit as slippery as Ryu if he traveled as large of an area as Sagat's nemesis does. Unlike Antoine it seems that at least Frei does recognize him, but seems to not know his name. "I sometimes wonder if finding him is part of the training one has to have before finally meeting him."
He then falls silent for a few moments and debates if he should even really bother telling the man who he is. In this case he isn't even sure if it would incite any sort of real reaction so he supposes it doesn't hurt to do so. "You may recognize me from several years ago. I am a former Emporer of Muay Thai." he explains. Of course he doesn't going into more detail than that. Honestly for most people he rarely has to explain such a thing. "And my name is Sagat."
Emperor of Muay Thai. Where has he hea...
'And you are in the presence of a LIVING GOD of the ULTIMATE MARTIAL ART!' echoes Adon's voice in his head. Of course, the only outward indicator that this thought is suddenly surging through Frei's awareness is that his green eyes momentarily widen, while appearing to be staring at a point just to the right of Sagat's face, for a fraction of a second. Eventually he seems to regain his composure, bringing his hand up to his chin and glancing down and away as if trying to puzzle something out in his head. Which he is. Frei knew, he KNEW, that Adon's bluster and obsessive need to prove his strength, were an attempt to erase some element of his past.
And it would take a LOT of erasing to wipe out a past like Sagat, that much is clear.
Only one way to find out.
"I know this is sudden," Frei says, looking up (and up). "But would you... favor me with a spar? I..." Does he want to bring up Adon? Probably not, after what the current(?) Emperor of Muay Thai decided to bring to bear when he got even the HINT that Frei was mentioning someone from his past. And there's no real guarantee that Sagat's the one, after all. Taking that all into consideration, he simply finishes by saying, "I'd like to test a theory."
The nonverbal reaction that is given makes Sagat raise his brow just a bit. He is not sure what is going through the other man's head, but he wish he had a penny for those thoughts. When Frei finally decides to speak it isn't what Sagat expected to hear. "A spar?" he echos and he seems to consider. His gaze looks around the open expanse. He is not usually one to refuse a request and he wonders for some reason if Frei and Antoine know one another the way both seemed to ask him for a fight out of the blue after not really knowing who he is. Though Frei's reasoning is a bit more odd and less straight forward than that of Antoine.
"We can spar." he agrees and he starts to pull off his shirt and he just tosses it aside onto the dirt. Could displaying that massive scar on his chest just be something of an intimidation factor? Maybe, but at the same time he is just too used to fighting without most sorts of clothing hindering his movement, even if something like a sweatshirt truely doesn't hinder that much. "But I wish to know what this theory is you are testing." It seems like a fair question. Of course he may not like the answer.
COMBATSYS: Sagat has started a fight here.
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Sagat 0/-------/-------|
When Sagat gives his assent, Frei actually turns and walks back towards his things, then picks up the cloth-wrapped bundle. Unwinding the bandage-like wrapping, which he sets on top of his duffle bag, it's revealed that the object it was concealing is nothing more than a wooden practice sword, which he actually twirls once before slipping it through his back belt loops as a sort of makeshift scabbard. That little ritual complete, Frei turns back to Sagat and lowers his head for a moment out of respect -- perhaps in place of a bow? -- before raising it again and taking a deep breath. Sagat's question is pretty reasonable, so not answering it makes little sense. "I fought another person, recently. He called himself the Emperor of Muay Thai..."
For a moment, Frei's eyes rest on the scar that seems to be Sagat's second-most distinctive feature. He doesn't know the story of the first Street Fighter tournament, not really, and so he doesn't know who put it there. It certainly seems possible that Adon might have, displacing Sagat as Emperor, but...
"He was strong. Stronger than me, I'll admit. And he was very self-confident. But it wasn't the sort of self-confidence you get from actually liking and being at ease with yourself... does that make sense?" Frei asks at last, looking up at Sagat's face for clarification. He lets a moment go by, then finishes his explanation. "And he seems to have a grudge that fuels him..." The sentence is left hanging, but the *meaning* is clear: is it you? Are you the reason?
"Regardless," Frei says, dropping into stance, fingers briefly flexing, "don't take it easy on me. And... thank you." With that, he doesn't wait around; he rushes forward, taking the initative, trying to hook Sagat's torso with his outstretched arm and fling the massive man into the dirt, a wave of invisible, concussive force accompanying the otherwise very rote grappling technique.
COMBATSYS: Frei has joined the fight here.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sagat
COMBATSYS: Sagat blocks Frei's Strong Throw.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sagat
Sagat remains silent and just intently watches as Frei retrieves that practice sword and sheathes it. Yes it may just be made of wood, but Sagat has been around enough to know fighters can make even the most simple of weapons of dangerous. He has no doubt in his mind this would be the case as well. He slips into his own fighting stance as he raises his arms up and he cocks a leg forward to put most of his weight on the other leg.
Of course Frei soon gives his explanation and the eye of Sagat narrows quite a bit. So this man has run into Adon it would seem. "Adon...." is all he says with a bit of a venomous tone in his voice. "The one who hides behind bravado to mask his fear." No, it does not sound like Sagat has any love for the former pupil. The same one that took his title and he subsequently left in a coma for several months. "I apologize for his rudeness. I wasn't good at teaching manners at the time." Not like he can say much else because Frei is soon upon the larger fighter. For Frei it is like slamming his arm into a brick wall. Sagat just lets out a very small grunt from the initial impact and he looks downwards.
"But if your theory is to see who you think is stronger....." he trails off for a few moments and just being in such close proximity Frei can feel the power growing in Sagat as the dust around his feet kicks about and forms into small wisps. Even the air around the two seems to be getting a bit thicker just by the sheer amount of energy being gathered by the large fighter. "I will just have to oblige."
COMBATSYS: Sagat gathers his will.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Sagat
Stepping back (and trying to shake some feeling back into his arm; geez!) Frei shakes his head at Sagat. In point of fact, he's rather impressed at the one-eyed fighter's read of Adon, which very much runs parallel to Frei's own evaluation. The real question -- the one Frei is trying not to articulate fully -- is whether or not it's Sagat's power that is, in Adon's mind, constantly chasing behind him, forcing that feeling of bravado up as a coping mechanism. Considering Sagat's bearing, and obvious physical power, Frei considers it entirely believable. But Frei had challenged Adon to fight him again when he had mastered some of that fear...
Is something like Sagat what would result? Or is the former Emperor something truly unique and nearly superhuman?
"Don't be sorry," Frei says with a faint smile. "I might have lost, but every fight is valuable. And as far as teaching manners, well..." He doesn't finish that sentence, except to shrug. Some things can't be taught. They've got to have a spark inside you, or they'll never get off the ground.
Atunned as he is, it's easy for Frei to tell that Sagat is centering himself, getting ready for the long haul. Deciding to take the opportunity, he steps in again to make a second attack; this time, he attempts to hook his leg around Sagat's and pull forward, throwing the fighter off-balance... but his hand also drops back to the carved hilt of that wooden sword, which Frei draws just like an iai-style fighter might quick-draw from a sheath, looking to slam it downward onto Sagat, whether he's falling from the trip or not... and swirling tongues of scarlet flame surround the blade, as well.
COMBATSYS: Sagat blocks Frei's Close-Quarters Draw.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Sagat
It is something he could explain for a long time. Sagat often can come off as a simpleton to many because of his size and strength, but there is a sharp mind that was just clouded over with anger and rage for all too long. He doesn't speak often because he only speaks when he feels it is relevant. He was often loud and boisterous himself in the past. He just isn't sure Adon truely has the capability of ever getting over himself to where he could become a true emporer like Sagat was. In retrospect now Sagat probably deserves the title more than he ever did, but he has not cared for such a title for many years.
He remains silent, though he does nod to Frei's response. He is more intent on keeping an eye on what the other fighter is attempting to do. He feels the powerful strike slam into his leg, but once again he refrains from budging and he brings his arm around to intercept the sword strike. The energy that this younger fighter posseses is impressive to say the least. He can see Dhalsim perhaps taking interest in training such a man.
It seems the time for him to strike has come around now as well. He has taken his time to observe enough to see just what Frei can do. He reaches to grasp Frei with his large hands and just heft the fighter upwards. He lifts him over his head with ease and he turns about to just toss Frei away to land onto the hard ground.
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Sagat's Tiger Carry.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Sagat
Even for someone without Sagat's titanic strength, Frei is surprisingly easy to pick up and throw around; he doesn't really weigh all that much. On the other hand, this actually works to his advantage in this scenario. The force required to throw a normal fighter would actually send Frei a little farther and faster, so that by the time the hard ground looms, Frei has time to tuck into a ball and turn his freefall into a sort of ungainly somersault; instead of landing painfully on his back, he lands on his feet instead, dropping into a crouch. All that being said, he still hisses with pain at that landing; he might have saved himself from the full brunt of the toss, but you just can't land like that without paying the price in some way or another.
Slowly, he stands up, squaring off with Sagat again. "I confess, I don't know much about Muay Thai," Frei says conversationally, giving himself a little bit of time to recover from that. Hitting Sagat is like hitting a brick wall, and Frei is not exactly the type to headbutt cinderblocks as training. "But you and Adon seem like night and day. He was all about leaping around and swift, violent movements... you're more reserved." He moves only when he needs to, is Frei's thought process, and with enough force so that only a little movement is necessary.
Taking a deep breath, he doesn't attack, for the moment; instead, Frei carefully watches his opponent's movements. The last two times, it was Frei on the offensive. He's seen what Sagat does to attackers... but what happens if the former Emperor decides to take the initiative instead?
COMBATSYS: Frei focuses on his next action.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Sagat
Sagat shifts his stance to be facing Frei and he remains ready to strike. "Each fighter developes their own style. That style is often based on how they can best use their body." Of course age may also be playing a factor for Sagat at this point too. Not that Adon is exactly young himself, but he is certainly more spry than the former emporer. "More so it tends to be influenced in a subtle manner by personality. He brags and feels talk will make him more imposing as he flails about more carelessly than I." Obviously the Muay Thai fighter in front of Frei is much different. He seems to let his actions speak for him more than anything and he takes his time.
"Of course, don't get me wrong. I can be vicious too." That is no lie. Someone like Frei might not have to worry about feeling the true wrath of Sagat, but people such as Krizalid and a few other agents of NESTS know what it is like when the intentions of the large fighter are to injure and maim his opponents. Taking a deep breath Sagat steps forward, though he does not charge Frei. There is no distance really closed in that manner. He does thrust both of his hands forward as he grits his teeth and his hands glow. The result is a powerful blast erupting from those fists that quickly sails in the direction of Frei a gruff bark of the word "Tiger!" erupting out of him the same time as the energy.
COMBATSYS: Frei overcomes Tiger Shot from Sagat with Hatsuyuki.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Sagat
"I believe it," is all Frei says in response. Careless... maybe. It's hard to tell if Adon is careless, or simply *heedless*, which Frei doesn't process as being entirely the same thing, but is willing to take Sagat's word on. And he can easily believe that the man in front of him is capable of great and terrible violence when called for. Hopefully... it won't be called for, in this instance.
Physical power might not be his thing, but dealing with chi is where Frei truly shines; when he feels the telltale buildup of power that usually portends an attack like this, he shifts immediately into the proper mode to deal with it. Breathing out slowly, he brings both hands up, palms out, glowing with pale blue-white light. Bringing his hands together, he pushes them outward toward Sagat's attack, and the air around the Tiger Shot suddenly becomes alive with frost, the two energies clashing with a rather visually impressive swirl of opposite colors. The strain and concentration show on Frei's face, but eventually he is able to push through. After such a clash, there is certain to be little of Frei's outpouring of force left to strike Sagat seriously, but the former Emperor still must deal with the wave of frost that continues on toward him.
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Sagat with Hatsuyuki.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Sagat
It makes one wonder if Sagat is fully holding back. Then again the amount of energy filtered into the blast he just fired is probably sends a good message to Frei that he is indeed being serious. He has no intention to insult a fighter and hold back. That eye does narrow slightly again when Frei manages to stop his burst of energy and even send something back. It seems finally though that is enough to get the former emporer moving. He barrels forward in what is a small jog really, his advance only staggered a moment when that frosty blast hits him and he still continues forward to close the distance between him and Frei.
Of course given his size there isn't much of a distance to close. Especially given the reach the much larger Sagat has. He doesn't have to get right up on Frei to be able to get a good opening for a strike. One long, powerful leg extends as the Muay Thai fighter balances on his other foot. The heel is brought about to bury into the shoulder of Frei fimrly before it snaps back and he cocks the leg at the knee, his stance remaining ready in case that strike is easily handled by the other fighter.
COMBATSYS: Frei endures Sagat's Light Kick.
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Frei 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Sagat
That Sagat is the more experienced and skilled fighter, Frei has no doubts about. In those sorts of situations, lacking in long-term speed and agility, he usually has to rely on his ability to take a punch to give him the advantage he needs to close the gap. Thus when Sagat charges him, Frei braces himself to, ideally, power through whatever strike the Muay Thai master makes and strike back before he can get away. When that heel slams into his shoulder, however, the redhead is very much wishing he'd tought of a better plan. On the upside, Frei manages against all odds to hold his ground, not being knocked halfway across the market like some sort of chi-powered kickball.
On the other hand, a quick snap kick from Sagat felt like a full-force punch to the stomach from a lesser fighter, which bodes very ill indeed.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, however, Frei's hands come up even as Sagat's extended kicking leg at his shoulder means the two fighters are locked together. With a sudden swirl of kicked-up dust from the unpaved road below, a swirling ball of wind begins to form at the edge of Frei's outstretched palms, compressed inward tightly before he simply lets go of his hold on it. The result is a controlled microburst, the force of it looking to rather violently separate Frei and Sagat.
COMBATSYS: Sagat fails to interrupt Reiki from Frei with Tiger Uppercut EX.
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Frei 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Sagat
Unlike Frei there is no deception on just how much power Sagat truely wields when delivering a strike. Years of training and the immense size of the fighter have turned him into a man that could kick and punch people so hard that trainwrecks thought their father came home. Sagat has seen many a fighter, some bigger in stature than Frei even, get sent flying by even the most simple of his kicks. In this case there is a nod of appreciation that Sagat gives that Frei took the hit and managed to hold his ground.
Of course soon that might be a different matter. When Sagat notices the energy starting to gather he actually slams his foot firmly in the ground and he hunkers down as he draws a fist back. That large body coils up and he starts to unleash a furious punch upwards when the blast hits him harder than he had expected. It certainly is enough that the big man is actually knocked back from it and Sagat just manages to retain his balance while landing on both feet and almost goes into a crouch before returning to his fighting stance with a soft 'tch' coming from him.
Making it look easy is the real secret.
Frei is unexpectedly tough; in truth it's more a combination of bloody-minded willpower and lots and lots and lots of, well, savage beatings in the professional arena that have made that happen. But Sagat is on another level entirely, and Frei seems to have an appreciation of just how terrible a fate he narrowly escaped, as Sagat lands a small distance away. A quick kick is one thing; a massive uppercut with momentum behind it is another, and the redhead would like to continue having a head at all, thank you. The differences between Sagat and Adon are relatively clear, and as far as Frei's concerned, his theory is more than proven.
It has to be Sagat that looms on Adon's horizon. The threat of Sagat always there, always present. Calm and unyielding, like a mountain, and like the mountain, capable of great and terrible avalanches of destruction when called for.
Frei's hands come up in front of him, in the flat-palmed, somewhat circular pattern that is often found in tai chi forms. He doesn't attack, and it's clear why if you look; sweat beads on his forehead, and his breathing isn't labored, but it certainly does suggest exertion. He's had to expend significant effort keeping up with Sagat, here. And having come to his conclusion, Frei shares it with the man who helped him reach it. "I had thought it was some loss of his, maybe, or a past he was trying to escape. But I don't think it is. Adon's afraid of you. Or maybe it's better to say, he's afraid of what you represent."
Muay Thai honed to an unsettlingly sharp edge. A true Emperor.
COMBATSYS: Frei gathers his will.
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Frei 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Sagat
There is a bit of a chuckle that comes from Sagat. He couldn't honestly have said it better himself. "Adon is an easy read to anyone that can read emotion even in the slightest." he responds. That somewhat disturbing grin returns. "He knows he caught me in a moment of weakness. He knows I can take back the title at any time and personally I enjoy letting him think I might do so when he least expects it." For a guy that seems so calm and reserved that seems a bit sadistic, but it also seems like a suitable punishment for a man like Adon. That man will crumble and a new emporer will rise one day and Sagat hopes he lives long enough to see that happen.
He does stay back for now. It seems like Frei has what answers he seeks so he is not sure if he wishes to continue. Instead Sagat just remains ready in case Frei does wish to continue and even leave the man to strike again. "So tell me. Is your curiousity satiated fully or shall we continue?" he asks and the dust about his feet lightly swirling about gives Frei a hint the former emporer is prepared to continue on a moment's notice and is just taking a small moment to regather his energy that has been spent.
COMBATSYS: Sagat gathers his will.
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Frei 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Sagat
That gets a laugh from Frei, somewhat. He's not a particularly vindictive person, but for whatever reason, moments where the violent or the cruel are tripped up by their own fears and insecurities strike him as being the closest thing to proof that cosmic justice or karma exists, and so while he doesn't particularly 'relish' them, he does savor them a little bit. Plus, the question about whether or not he's satisfied is a good one. "Maybe? I just wanted to understand a little better what drove him to be that way," Frei says at last, on whether or not he's fine with what's gone down so far and why he might have done this in the first place. "Understand the man, understand the style, I guess..."
But for some reason, he doesn't seem to drop out of stance, or to want to stop fighting.
"If it's all the same to you," Frei comments idly, tilting his head, "I'd like to see this through. I mean... there probably aren't many people who get the chance to have a fight with someone of your level of experience and strength. I'd like to take advantage of the opportunity to better myself." With that, he heads back on the offensive, charging in, right hand clenched into a fist and held low toward the ground. When he gets close, Frei doesn't try anything fancy; he swings that fist around attempts to drive it upwards into Sagat's stomach, a flickering nimbus of purple lightning arcing around the blow.
COMBATSYS: Sagat interrupts Fierce Punch from Frei with Tiger Crush.
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Frei 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\1 Sagat
It seems only fair to offer Frei an out in this sort of case. While he is fine with a spar he views it as just that. It is something that can be stopped at any time, but it only seems right if the person that started it asks for it to be stopped. If Frei wishes to continue to test his skills then so be it. Sagat will not argue and will only reciprocate in the proper manner that is to be had. This this case the reciprocation is a rather painful one Frei comes to find out. Not like he would be expecting anything less more than likely. "I am unsure there is really a true way to understand him. He needs to find himself first I believe."
Sagat then goes into motion. Even as Frei charges him he likewise does the same. He then leaps upwards as he sails right into Frei. That punch slams into him, but perhaps not as solidly as Frei would have wanted. It's impact was reduced by the fact Sagat was slamming into Frei at the same time and driving his knee hard into the smaller man in an attempt to knock him back so there is some distance between the two fighters when both of Sagat's feet touh the ground. "Just say when you wish to stop. I will oblige."
This time there's nothing stopping Sagat's retaliatory strike from hitting home, nor any chance for Frei to break his fall on the way down; the Muay Thai fighter's knee strike slams into Frei's stomach and sends him spiralling through the air away from Sagat to land on his side a decent distance away. Grimacing as he pulls himself to his feet, Frei dusts himself off and turns back to his opponent, trying to get his bearings. Again, he comes to understand the subtlety of Sagat's fighting style. 'No wasted movement' is this sort of dreamland Shangri-la for fighters; in particular he recalls the movements of his mother Isis, and the principles of iaijutsu and battoujutsu, which are the same. Make one decisive movement at exactly the right time, and it's worth a thousand smaller, wasted gestures.
"Maybe," is all he says to Sagat's statement, gingerly pressing a hand to his stomach as he gets back into stance. He is about to ask if the two trained together, when he recalls Sagat's earlier statements. No, it was more likely that Sagat trained Adon, at least in part... he did say he should have 'made him' more polite. "But every little bit helps."
He'd like to take a moment to reassess the situation, but in his heart, Frei knows that's not the smart choice. Instead he hops right back on the offensive, looking to seemingly spin a quick kick at Sagat's shoulders... but in fact, the kick is just a red herring. The real danger is that he uses the spin of the kick to power another drawing slash with the flame-coated wooden sword.
COMBATSYS: Sagat blocks Frei's Feinting Draw.
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Frei 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\1 Sagat
It is a great contrast and it is hard to think of one teaching the other when they are so different. Then again if Frei had met Sagat at the time he would come to realize Sagat was at fault for how Adon turned out to an extent. He is not the teacher he would be nowadays. All the boasting came from Sagat's own boastful nature when he was spending all those years as the Emporer of Muay Thai. Who knows, when Adon perhaps reaches the age of Sagat he too may mellow out. That all remains to be seen.
Frei is also showing a good amount of endurance. He has taken some heavy hits and still manages to stand. Not only that he has the energy to keep attacking. This is turning out to be a good workout for Sagat as well. It isn't often he gets to fight like this without a care and without an intent to seriously injure someone. Times like this he feels a bit younger. He also doesn't seem fooled by taht kick, his arms are already in motion to come up and block that sword strike again and even as he does that his motion shifts to where he is bringing around a meaty fist to slam right into the gut of Frei and knock him away once again before the man can react too quickly.
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Sagat's Medium Punch.
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Frei 1/-======/=======|=======\=------\1 Sagat
Normally, nobody would think of blocking a punch from Sagat with so basic a tool as a wooden sword. The enduring strength of the former Emperor would shatter something like that as if it were a toothpick. Yet as Sagat attempts to drive Frei back, that's exactly what the smaller fighter does; held horizontally, he attempts to brace himself against the blow to the stomach with it. Amazingly, it doesn't shatter; Sagat may notice that in fact, Frei is reinforcing it with chi, giving sufficient power to the simple weapon just long enough to protect himself and keep it from shattering under tremendous force.
Now, however, the battle is beyond conversation; Frei might be enduring well under Sagat's blows, but the sword-sage himself has yet to land a decisive hit on Sagat. Perhaps now is his time, because rather than losing ground after that punch, Frei doesn't waste any time; that wooden sword slices through the air between them, trailing an aura of silver-gold light with a metallic sheen to it that sings like a struck tuning fork if it hits. In fact, the swing itself goes massively wide, but the shimmering aura extends outwards into a slashing wave... not far enough so that it's a ranged attack, but wide enough so that the wooden sword doesn't even need to connect for the metallic chi to strike home...
COMBATSYS: Sagat endures Frei's Shinra Banshou.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1 Sagat
When the blow strikes home, Frei says in an even tone, "Metal carries Water." And then spins and slashes again... but this time, with a wave of blistering frost and ice. Then a third spin, but with crackling bolts of violet lightning. Then a bloom of crimson flame. Then, finally, a flat horizontal slice surrounded by an invisible shockwave of sheer crushing force. And all the while, with each spin and change in the elements, Frei continues to sound them out: "Water nourishes Wood... Wood generates Fire... and Fire cleanses the Earth!"
All such strikes said and done, he twirls the bokken and then slips it back into place, saying, "All things under heaven and earth."
The other fighter does well to manage and absort the blow that Sagat delivers and in all honesty despite his reserved movements and his rather calm demeanor at the moment he is starting to breath a bit more heavily as time goes on. That may be why he cares not to even try and get out of the way of Frei's next series of strike. It is almost scary as he just grits his teeth and lets each powerful blow land and batter his large body. He wonders if that is the true power that Frei possesses as he slumps a bit and ends up one knee afterwards. "Very impressive....."
He then slowly gets back to his feet and his movements are actually a bit slowed from the punishment he just took. "This has been a pretty good day. You have an interesting style." he comments and then very suddenly the tiger decides to pounce. He launches himself as he turns about in the air and aims for Frei with a knee extended to slam into him with a rather determined look on his face.
COMBATSYS: Sagat knocks away Frei with Tiger Destruction+.
+ Epic Hit! +
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Frei 1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0 Sagat
"Let me show why I am no longer the Emporer of Muay Thai, but something else...." he calmly says as he barrels in full force against Frei. He then lands low and this time a fist comes upwards in the form of an uppercut that does not miss as it hits Frei square in the jaw and knocks the other fighter skyward as Sagat goes up in the air as well. He gives a small twirl and lands in a crouch and this time he launches upwards again. As if the first uppercut wasn't bad enough the second ignites with energy as Sagat drives it right into the midsection of the falling fight as he goes up into the air again. "I am the God of Muay Thai now." He states upon landing and breathing heavily. It is said with confidence unlike Adon's boasts and while it may be a bit egotistical to say such a thing he certainly seems like he can back it up.
"I..."
The rest is a blur. While Sagat's blows to now have been powerful, they have been tolerably so; strong, but not so strong that there is nothing to be done. This technique of his -- clearly among his strongest -- makes all of that a distant memory. In one succession of blows, he is able to batter Frei in a way that all of the previous strikes combined could not accomplish. That final, fiery uppercut sends Frei flying; he lands a prodigious distance away and slams into the ground with a heavy, definitive-sounding *WHAM* noise that startles the nearby villagers. None of them are particularly *shocked* -- it's not as if Sagat just punched off a limb and, really, they recognize the God of Muay Thai and what he can do -- but they didn't expect that technique to make an appearance.
When Frei finally gets to his feet, wiping a bit of blood from the side of his face and corner of his mouth, he's grinning but in a sort of sheepish or embarassed way; he asked for it, and Sagat delivered. His steps falter a bit as he sort of shambles back toward where the fight went down, but he doesn't charge in at Sagat; if anything, Frei walks past him until he's finally near his duffle bag, and then all but collapses onto it. He'd considered making one last bid to even the score, but in the end he chooses not to. Adon's former teacher has made his point.
"Heh... I'm non-denominational, but if you're the God, I might consider converting to Muay Thai," the redhead jokes, all but lying on the dusty ground with his head against the pack full of clothes, tilted to look at Sagat. There's a moment of silence, before he shakes his head. "Thanks for honoring a foolish stranger's request," Frei says at last. "I think Adon's right to be scared of you, though... maybe not for the reasons he thinks."
COMBATSYS: Frei takes no action.
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Sagat 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Frei can no longer fight.
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Sagat 0/-------/------=|
It is a technigue that Sagat is very proud of. One he developed over the past few years that he truely feels that could down even his eternal opponent, Ryu. The fact he used it may just go to show Frei was deserving enough to see such a thing. Sometimes it isn't always good to earn the full respect of some people. Sagat was actually on his way to help Frei up, but the man actually manages to energy to stand and move on his own so that hand is never extended. "Also a good thing you are since this God isn't accepting followers." He doesn't convey humor well in his tone, but it is pretty easy to discern he is trying to joke as well.
He looks about as he spots where the wind carried his sweater to and he starts to go and pick it up. "I cannot tell you the exact reasons he fears me, but only that fearing me is one of the few smart things Adon does." he admits as he starts brushing off the dirt and starts to pull the hoodie back on. "I am glad I could provide you with some answers that you were seeking. I am no sage afterall." He then gives a nod. "Grow stronger. I would like to fight you again one day." And if he is lucky he will be fighting for himself once again. Not for Vega or Shadaloo. With that being said he turns and starts walking down the road once again. He is pained, but it will go away soon enough. He can't be slowed by it.
Log created on 10:51:08 11/20/2010 by Sagat, and last modified on 16:44:38 11/20/2010.