Description: Entrapped by his copious business concerns, Ken Masters yearns once more for his days of freedom and challenge. Having returned to his home, Alma Towazu sets about restoring partial glory and prominence to the YFCC, re-establishing it as a protector of the city after Kagero's assault before he takes a further leave of absence. The two men's paths cross, and in challenging one another, both are inspired to greater heights. In Alma's case, this height involves being uppercutted into the air, and lit on fire.
Business as usual is something that has been a bit of a motto for Ken Masters, especially since he's not running his own corporation, but now two seperate ones, and the headache involved has at least tripled over the past few months. A large crowd is situated outside of Geese Tower, as if they were wanting to catch sight of the man who took over the vast empire that Geese left behind with his seemingly untimely demise. Of course, the crowd seems to be losing patience as Ken doesn't exit out of the main entrance of the tower, but through one of the side exits in a small alleyway.
"Yeah, I understand." Ken seems to be speaking into a cellphone as he's making his way down the alley away from the crowd, seemingly looking forward to wandering Southtown without anyone trying to get him to make some final decision on wether this subsidary gets closed, or wether they want to buy out an up and coming company. "No, look. For the rest of the day I'm going to be unavailable." He pulls the phone away from his ear as the voice on the other end starts to get very vocal with their thoughts on that matter. "What was that? I'm sorry. SSSSSSHHHH--You're breaking up--SSSSSSSSHHHHHHH--I'll have to call you back!" With a quick move of his hand, he quickly disconnects the call, and turns off the phone, sliding it into his pocket. "All right. Now let's see what Southtown REALLY has to offer..."
"Mr. Towazu, Mr. Towazu, over here, sir! Will you continue to play a leadership role in the YFCC?"
As apparent as the grotesque burn scars upon a once truly beautiful face is the youth of the one the reporters call 'sir'. Smiling with mild manner and sincere grace, the tall and poised half-Portuguese, dressed as ever in tailored and stylish garb, addresses the small crowd of interviews atop a raised dais, around which a different crowd has gathered. The Business District is busy today in this metropolis, as ever, and all more so now that activity within the fighting world appears to be rejuvenating. For the city of Southtown has endured much -- and so too has its Scarred Angel, Alma Towazu.
"Though I will retain my nominal position," the scion of Hiten-Ryu responds in his rich voice, "I will continue to take a small leave of absence. As our efforts during the recent cowardly attack by the agents of Seishirou Ryouhara's 'Kagero' organization demonstrate, however, the Young Fighter's Community Center will continue to take an active role in promoting justice and safety within our city, and offering succor to our troubled youth."
"Is this leave of absence in preparation for the upcoming King of Fighters tournament?" shouts one reporter. "Do you believe that Seishirou Ryouhara, instigator of the Jinchuu terrorist acts, is still alive!?" cries another.
Alma, seemingly composed and unflappable as though all too used to attention like this, raises his hand. The will that a psychic requires to practice their arts -- in Alma's case, that of Rose's Soul Power -- would hardly be fazed by such tension as this. And besides-- "While I would like to answer your questions, I must make myself available for whichever challengers arise to face me today. If you'll please stand aside..."
Ah, yes, there is that banner above the dais.
'YFCC CHARITY CHALLENGE'
It appears that Alma Towazu, reputable fighter in his own right, has at last returned from his wanderings after a disaster in China which caused him to be presumed dead -- and, in fact, took the life of his dearest friend -- is all too ready to fight again upon returning home. Some people never get enough. But will an interesting opponent surface today?
and ?"
Exiting the alley-way, and noticing the 'interview' going on not far ahead of him, Ken stops off at a street vendor and gets a bottle of water, only to make his way closer. It doesn't take long for the 'Great American Hero' to actually get spotted by some of the crowd, causing some murmers to slowly start to spread throughout them. He manages to get through the crowd, to where he's standing close enough to actually get a good look at the person being interviewed, and really taking his time to mull the words over."
Of course, one of the reporters gets a quick whisper in their ear from the camera man, and immediatly turns to rush towards Ken, immediatly blindsiding him. "Mister Masters! Mister Masters! What does the Masters Group have to say regarding the current terrorist attacks in Southtown? Do they plan on offering any assistance towards the YFCC?"
This of course causes Ken to actually blink in confusion, craning his head to look around the rest of the reporters rushing towards him, trying to focus his attention on Alma. "Actually. The Masters Group is going to see to it that the Young Fighter's Community Center is going to receive a considerable contribution, and we are looking into trying to find a way to help better equip the Police Force with newer gear and vehicles, as safety has always been a priority for the Masters Group."
A slight grin appears on Ken's face as he tries to move past the reporters, only to get hounded with even more questions. "Well. It seems to me that Mr. Towazu has mentioned that he's looking for a challange, and I'm looking for one myself. Well, what do you say Mr. Towazu? Up for a match with me?"
The reporters have begun to further press at the Risen Phoenix, yet after his last pronouncement, the scarred beauty seems to begin to drift off, his eyes unfocusing as his brow furrows faintly. What is this presence? More than just a fighting spirit, some powerful persona is mingling with the surrounding people. A personality so vibrant and a warrior so mighty that they stand out like a bright blemish upon the cloth of the crowd. He doesn't recognize that pattern, though. His second sight is not so adept as to recognize immediately anyone other than an enemy or a friend. But that fire, that raw fire, it reminds him of someone like--
By the time he hears the name, he has stirred into awareness only to realize that the reporters have, quite reasonably, abandoned him in favor of access to an altogether different individual: a highly recognizable fellow.
"Mr... Mr. Masters."
A household name, even.
A psychic is difficult to surprise, but the easy amiability with which Ken promises a charitable contribution to Alma's organization and then proceeds to challenge him visibly takes the ex-model aback. Though Alma's mild manner tends to restrain the passion that dwells within him and mitigates whatever emotions show upon his face, the slight widening of his eyes and parting of his lips is more than evidence enough that he is impressed and even inspired, more than a tinge of awe appearing. So this is Ken Masters. Seeing his ease in dealing with his people, and his sheer confidence as a fighter--
"S.. Sir... it would be an honor."
Alma is humbled. It's obvious how much he could learn from this man.
"Thank you so much... for both your offers."
He bows low, but when he raises his head, that moment of uncertainty has been supplanted by the light of an intensity he can no longer obscure. Surely Ken will recognize it: that yearning for battle that seems to underlie the conviction of even the most virtuous of fighters. To clash spirits with such a formidable opponent--
"I gladly accept them both!"
How could he resist?
The tall psion steps back, a slow and sincere smile spreading across the dusky skin of his marred features as he eases and shifts into a poised and flexible stance, his limbs relaxed and his body moving to a faint but persistent rhythm, an infinitely more subtle interpretation and reappropriation of Feilong's famous fighting style. Once, long ago, Alma learned it as a child. Only after the discovery and development of his psychic powers did he truly make it his own.
"Please, come at me with everything you have!"
That light in his eyes grows, becoming far more than figurative as his hazel eyes begin to shine with flecks of cherry-blossom pink and royal indigo. His will rising in proportion to the magnitude of his opponent's strength, he prepares for whatever mighty onslaught will be vented against him.
COMBATSYS: Alma has started a fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Alma 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ken has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Alma 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ken
COMBATSYS: Alma gathers his will.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Alma 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Ken
A slight grin appears on Ken's face as he starts to feel Alma 'gear up' for the challange. He rolls up the sleeves on his shirt, only to glance around. "Hey, give me one moment." He quickly moves through the crowd, quickly whispering something to a teenaged boy in his ear. The kid is wearing a pair of sparring gloves, only to have his eyes grow in amazement, and quickly remove them to offer them to the man. "Thanks!" He pulls the gloves on, tightening the strings as if this were something he's done millions of times, which its quite possible he has. It doesn't take long for him to be out of his shoes, and making his way back towards the dais, nodding towards Alma as he leaps onto it.
A deep breath is taken as he focuses his attention towards the opponent infront of him, drowning out the now rapidly cheering crowd. His body slowly starts to sway slightly, only to let himself move towards Alma. "Don't hold back on me either!"
Ken quickly moves towards Alma, watching the mans body closely, trying to find a visable opening, and deciding that a light kick towards his midsection is the best thing to do. It seems he's testing the waters so to speak.
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Alma with Light Kick.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Alma 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Ken
Simply put, it's overwhelming.
Though fully focused and though his spirit burns with anticipation, though his movements are natural and practiced, Alma's technique is inadequate to the task of parrying Ken's swift strike. The kick arcs directly through the Scarred Angel's defenses and sends him skidding several feet back, eliciting a roar from the crowd at the heavy first blow, which seems to have doubled Alma over; for a moment it might seem, with his head lowered, as though he is extremely vulnerable. Yet--
"Nrghh..."
He has not lost his footing.
And though the strike has hammered home, Alma remains prepared to spring back immediately, without hesitation, his legs not having been weakened despite what he's suffered. While he will not be able to match Ken's technique, the sheer determination and will he demonstrates in the immediacy of his counter-attack evidence that his passion is matched by a resilience brought from great experience. Though he is not as renowned as the true greats of the fighting world, Alma is a tremendous warrior in his own right, and he is all the stronger through the mysterious power he brings to bear -- one which he invokes now.
"Very well!"
Not holding anyway back, what emerges from his extended hand is a swirling lance of sparkling flame, glimmering white and ethereal but pulsing with a life all its own. It is soulfire, the manifestation of Alma's psychic ability, which burns nothing but cuts through to the very will of the opponent, debilitating the body by overwhelming the mind. With the raw force that is Alma's very identity, he bludgeons his adversaries into submission, sabotaging their fighting spirit. Yet this will not be so simple in the face of Ken Masters. Even so, even if this lance does not penetrate, Alma will have felt his mind impact against Ken's own, will have an intimate sense of the make-up of Ken's own spirit.
"Hrraahh!"
This is an exciting enough prospect in itself.
COMBATSYS: Ken parries Alma's Self Expression!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Alma 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Ken
never once taking his eyes off of Alma, Ken watches in amazement as the man skids backwards, only to catch himself without at the last moment. "All right!" He once more returns to his slight swaying motion, preparing for his opponent's counter attack. The sparkling flame lance causes Ken to ready himself, only to roll backwards at the last moment causing Alma to end up slightly short on putting Mister Masters on a stick, so to speak. Of course, this causes Ken to grin slightly as his right fist slowly starts to look as if it were ablaze with fire. He clenches his jaw tightly, as he forces himself upwards towards Alma, his fist aimed square for the man's jaw. "SHORYUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Alma blocks Ken's Shoryuken EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Alma 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Ken
Even in the face of true skill--
"Hrngh!"
Alma Towazu can manage to look a little cool.
Though his once notorious good looks have been permanently transformed by Seishirou Ryouhara's terrible weapons, the skin on his face mottled and discolored, his fine features remain, and his blond hair, once burned away and now streaked through all the more with ruby red, shifts about them with a practiced and intuitive sense of style. He does not lose his composure at Ken's exceptional evasion; if anything, he is excited by it. But even this excitement does not show except in the inner flame that burns within his eyes. Tilting aside, avoiding being driven back, Alma twists away and brings up his arms to block.
The force of the blow itself pivots him, allowing him to redirect the explosive power of that legendary technique; rather than take it all into his arms, Alma's whole body absorbs that motion, and he spins around with a dancer's flare. As Ken rises, immediately Alma will reach up, as though to grasp at the heavens. Already the man is out of reach. But from Alma's fingertips emerges a glowing dart of that scintillating power, aiming to shoot straight up and into Ken's back, quite possibly to knock him out of the air. If he can catch Ken at just the right moment, mid-air, surely there'll be no escape.
COMBATSYS: Alma successfully hits Ken with Sacred Wave.
>> Decisive Hit!! <<
~~ Alluring Hit! ~~
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Alma 1/--=====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ken
And that right moment comes for Alma at the moment Ken is at the height of his technique. He cries out slightly as the dart of energy strikes into his back, causing him to fall back down to the ground. It takes him a moment to regain his composure, but regain it he does. Quickly leaping back up to his feet, he stares at Alma, a wide grin starting to appear on his face. "Whoo. That hurt."
His head rocks slightly to the side, as a slight popping noise can be heard. "Okay. Now I'm /really/ warmed up." He suddenly rushes forward towards Alma, quickly leaping into the air, his body pivoting violently as his right leg flies outwards, causing a gust of wind to appear beneath him. "TATSUMAKI SENPUU KYAKU!"
COMBATSYS: Alma interrupts Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku from Ken with Divine Intervention EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Alma 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\0 Ken
Gritting his teeth, Alma prepares for impact.
"Yeah..."
His timing will have to be perfect.
"So am I!"
In the face of that rushing onslaught of kicks, the psychic steadies his stance and braces himself, bringing up his guard. He parries the first kick, deflecting the majority of it, and takes the second harder, being driven back. For a moment, it seems as though his guard will be shattered. Yet defense is not his intention.
"Hrraahh!"
As he parries the third, he finds the moment of opportunity he has been awaiting. At once his right hand is aglow with a sudden surge of energy, and that soulfire finds form once again as he drives his palm forward, impacting with Ken's mid-section in the middle of performing his technique. A beam of light erupts forth and seems to pierce Ken through, and while the fire is illusory, the force that pushes Masters away and cuts through to his will hardly is. Alma manages to cut short the worst of Ken's attack, weather the storm, and create some space between the two of them.
This is a feeling that Ken has honestly missed. The feeling of a true street fight, where anything can really happen. The feeling of an opposing power as it forces its way through your body, is something only another martial artist can truly understand, and its at this moment, Ken knows that Alma is someone whose giving him a fight he can really truly enjoy. He cries out once more as the beam of energy forces its way through his body, causing him to wince as he lands down back upon the ground. Of course, as he's standing there infront of Alma, his hands immediatly go to his side causing a ball of blue energy to form. Point blank range, he's going for broke with this one. "HADOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Alma with Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Alma 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Ken
The space Alma created was not enough.
"Gughh--!"
The scion of Hiten-ryu attempts to leap to the side, in what might have been a rather graceful and impressive dodge; that his speed has a chance of matching Ken's own is only thanks to the space he did create between the two of them. But he is hardly swift enough. The blue fireball that emerges from Ken's hands slams into Alma's side, only half-avoided, and the force of the impact spins Alma bodily through the air, as he made the mistake of leaving the ground in his effort to dodge. Spiraling wildly, the psychic is dramatically hurled across the dais, eliciting a round of shouts and applause from the excited crowd, which has only continued to grow as those who had been awaiting Ken hear he is, in fact, fighting in person mere blocks away from them.
Grunting as he rises to his feet, Alma shakes the cobwebs from his mind and attempts to shed the pain and fatigue that have set in, and despite his opponent's power seems able to do so. Though lopsided, the grin he flashes at Ken is sincere; though one eye is squinted shut, the other is bright with passion for the fight. He nods once, in silent acknowledgement.
And then at once he is blurring forward, a flash of power the only warning as he unleashes the spirit he has been gathering since the beginning. In a mere second he is before Ken, his very form having flickered across the stage, as though hardly slowed by the distance between them, as though skipping through space itself. His fists multiply as he punches, wave upon wave of powerful soulfire-imbued jabs and strikes that finish with a series of two kicks and a final fierce blow to Ken's midsection.
At last, he will show Ken what he's truly capable of.
He will test even this man's limits!
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Alma's Trial by Fire.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Alma 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Ken
Barely bringing his arms up to block, Ken catches a good deal of the onslaught that Alma starts to dish out to him. His body starts to feel the sting after a while, but he manages to keep his guard up, only catching a bit of damage, knowing that he too is really going to have to start to cut loose, not only if he wants to win this fight, but to truly give Alma a fight the man deserves.
He takes a step backwards, only to suddenly throw a heavy punch towards Alma's midsection, glancing alongside it to bring the fist up towards the mans jaw, only to start throwing a series of heavy kicks towards the poor man, waiting for the perfect moment to crouch down while his opponent is dazed, quickly gathering his energy once again around his fist, causing it to suddenly look as if it were once again blazing with fire. He clenches his jaw tightly as faint beads of persperation start to form upon his brow, launching himself upwards with a spectacular trail of flames following him as he starts to arc through the air. "SHINRYUU KEN!!"
COMBATSYS: Alma blocks Ken's Shinryuu Ken+.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Alma 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Ken
It takes everything he's got.
"Uurraah!"
Spontaneously and unconsciously responding with a battle cry of his own, Alma's soul rebels against the pressure it senses rises before him. Body shuddering in anticipation, mind screaming a warning at the incredible force arrayed against him, Alma steels his resolve and courageously steps into the assault, knowing his guard will be rent asunder if he attempts only to passively defend. Actively parrying each kick, enduring the pain of that scorching fire, at the last moment deflecting the last. The collective breath of the audience is held. Because at last comes that raging uppercut--
An explosion, and Alma is lifted into the sky.
Wreathed in flame, the aftermath cannot be seen--
Until the light fades, and it is revealed that at the very last second, the phoenix was able to guard with one trembling hand, just barely enduring the brunt of that epic assault. He has been hurled into the air along with Ken; in fact, though none could see -- though Ken could perhaps tell -- he jumped with as much force as he could muster, knowing he could only endure that final blow if he were moving away from it at the same time. The result is that he is level with Ken, both in mid-air, which may take the Crimson Inferno by surprise.
At last, Alma hopes so.
"Now--!"
For with a surge of energy to match Ken's own, at once Alma's hand is a blaze of light, his fingertips miniature suns that he seeks to drive directly into Ken's skull, unleashing a raw blast of Soul Power directly into the man's body, to tear through his mind and spirit and hurl him back to the ground -- the only attack in Alma's arsenal worthy of responding to Ken's own.
COMBATSYS: Alma successfully hits Ken with Absolution.
>> Decisive Hit!! <<
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Alma 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ken
Either he's been focusing on the company or his dojo far to much, but Ken is managed to be caught completely by surprise due to Alma suddenly being level with him in the air. He doesn't even have time to mount a defense, especially as Alma suddenly grabs his head and sends him flying back down to the ground with the soul power tearing through his body. There is a decisive impact as the blonde man slams down into the dais, causing it to splinter violently due to the force he slammed into it. Of course, one would expect for a person to be realing in pain from something like that, but not Ken, who only starts laughing loudly. "Wow. I mean... Wow." He slowly sits up, staring at Alma with a wide grin on his face. "I haven't felt like this in ages!"
COMBATSYS: Ken takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Alma 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ken
Alma settles to one knee as he descends.
"Mr. Masters..."
Looking up, the graceful young man's fatigue evident in his eyes and in the sweat about his brow, he grins widely, though one eye soon squints shut again, as he clearly remains in pain. His arms remain relaxed by his sides; he attempts not to reveal that, in fact, he currently cannot move them, now that exhaustion has begun to set in. The force of Ken's blows were simply too much.
"The fighting world has missed you, sir."
Alma struggles to stand for a moment, then seems to think better of it, the resolute warrior -- in a rare moment -- giving into the demands of his body and allowing himself to rest just a bit. Just until his legs work properly again.
"If it is not too presumptuous to say," he begins, "having some understanding of what it means to both yearn to fight and express myself freely, and shouldering the obligations of leadership and administration... I know it can be very difficult to reconcile the two. But... if moments such as this encounter prove anything... it's that the effort to live both lives, though a single person, is altogether worthwhile."
Swallowing, with great effort, he forces himself to his feet.
"I can still fight!" he announces, and though his body trembles, his tone is convincing -- and his eyes shine with purpose and conviction.
COMBATSYS: Alma takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Alma 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ken
"Spoken like a true fighter!" Ken slowly climbs to his feet, dusting himself off. He moves towards Alma, holding his hand out towards him as a gesture of understanding and comradery. "Please, call me Ken. You've made me remember just what it is to be a fighter. Its not about winning or losing, its about finding yourself lost to the heat and fever of it all." His shirt is stained with sweat, as he nods towards Alma. "I guess its time for me to say to the world one thing."
Ken turns and faces the crowd, bowing towards them as they start to go wild with applause and cheers. "I'm back." He flexes his muscles slightly for the cameras, only to nod towards Alma. "Mr. Towazu, it's been an honor. Thank you for this fight. You really made me realize that I am truly am a fighter, and for that, I owe you a lot of thanks." He bows towards Alma, only to have a reporter rush up to the stage. "Mr. Masters! Mr. Masters! It seems that the Red Cyclone, Zangief has personally issued a challange? How do you intend on responding to it?"
Ken grins at the reporter as he rises up, giving a thumbs-up towards the camera. "I accept. December 24th, Masters Arena. Christmas Eve, I'm going to teach Zangief another lesson."
COMBATSYS: Ken takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Alma 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ken
Alma, startled, takes the offered hand.
"Th... thank you... Ken."
The younger man, recovering his composure, grins again; he visibly, and unashamedly, relieved.
"Please... call me Alma."
The clash of souls has been achieved -- and Alma has been inspired.
The young man is content to wait in the background, smiling in silence, as the crowd shouts and applauds, seemingly distracted as he glances down at the hand which just shook Ken Master's. To have been of service to a man such as that is even greater an honor, even more meaningful, than to have been able to challenge him in combat. He surely hopes to challenge him again, and even more -- perhaps strangely, for one who has always seen combat as the ultimate existential activity, so to speak -- he wants to observe Ken's way with people, the ease with which he is at the center of attention. While this is a talent Alma too has, in his own way, for the first time he truly understands he still has much more he can learn.
The world is still so vast.
Smile widening, Alma looks up to the sky.
Even now, after all that's happened, his fight is only beginning.
COMBATSYS: Alma has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ken 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Ken has ended the fight here.
Log created on 17:36:46 12/20/2010 by Alma, and last modified on 03:17:38 12/21/2010.