Description: Terry and Ryu are on the chance to rematch like a hobo on a ham sandwich. (Winner: Ryu)
Really, Terry Bogard joined the Neo League almost half by accident. It's not like he necessarily goes out looking for fights... but he caught the end of a Neo League fight and wondered what the deal was and when the opportunity was presented to him, well, how could he possibly resist? But... it's Terry. He's a little lazy and, honestly, he isn't just looking for points. He's not interested in fighting beginners, not for this. But when word came down that Ryu, of all people, was interested, then Terry's fighting senses perked up. Ryu... now there's a challenge. Terry got the word and he came to the lion's den, so to speak... and now he's in the White Arena. It reminds him, very much, of many other places he's fought; his duffel bag is tossed off to one side, Terry tugging his fighting gloves into place, settling his cap on firmly... and waiting.
Doesn't go out of his way looking for fights?!?! Well, Ryu usually doesn't have to, the way trouble loves to follow him around. He's a well known fixture around notable tournaments and fighting events. Just the other night, he arrived back in Seattle. Right around the time that Ken's people got Terry's name in the hat. They say a producer nearly choked when it first hit him.
Now: A viral marketing campaign builds hype promoted this night, a duel of titans. The lights are dramatic, the crowd capacity, and the announcer plays up the accomplishments of Terry Bogard and Ryu Ryu as if they were veritable GODS AMONG MEN. ... which, disturbingly, some folks of their strength tend to buy into. The legendary nomad... doesn't look particularly convinced. He just tightens the dark blue headband around his head and considers his opponent, offering the Wolf a nod, and even a slight smile. He hasn't fought his World Warrior Finalist opponent in awhile. But he's always liked the other warrior.
Ryu's feelings towards the fight mirror Terry's. He could care less for the spectacle, care less for the DVD and video game tie-in. But a chance to fight Bogard? Yea, sign him up for that. The Ansatsuken Dragon tightens his sparring gloves and bows his head to Terry, before shifting into a ready stance as the countdown times down. "Don't hold anything back, Bogard." It's spoken dryly, but more as a challenge than in any sort of sincere doubt or jibe. Probably.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has wandered into a fight here.
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Ryu 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Terry has wandered into the fight here.
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Terry 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
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Terry 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Ryu
Despite the fact these two are, essentially, -goddamn hobos-, it's also a clash of titans, and so there's actually quite the crowd here--mostly serious fight fans, though there are the usual complement of girls/young women who are here because they find Terry handsome, or enjoy Ryu's rugged Japanese hobo looks... but mostly, serious fight fans. That doesn't mean they're not wearing their replica hats or headbands and waving signs, they are. But they're also expecting a great display.
Terry intends to give 'em one. As Ryu wanders up, Terry measures the man with his eyes--not that he hasn't seen him before, but sometimes there are the most minute changes that can indicate what lies behind the eyes... what there is to see beyond the fist. Already, Terry's blocked out the crowd.
Drawing his feet together, his left leg bent slightly, Terry tips his had. "I wouldn't think of it, Ryu." And he's going to need it, against the Nomad... Terry's blue eyes focus on his opponent... a little longer... and then, as if there were some invisible signal...
He shoots forward, long legs pumping as he drives himself forward--then drops into a low slide kick, leading with his right leg--but the slide isn't all of it. Moments after any contact with Ryu's ankles, Terry will gather himself up and push up to a standing position, throwing his right leg out in a high thrusting kick as well!
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Terry's Fire Kick.
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Terry 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond, perhaps also hobo. The globetrotter called Ryu has certainly been off the grid for awhile, but there's a clear sign tonight that it's going to be a dramatic return. If not the pre-fight hype, certainly the moment when Terry's eyes glint, and he shoots off with the starting gun. Ryu's in motion the same moment, sliding forward. A descending elbow meets Terry's shin early, jarring shockwaves rushing up Ryu's arm, absorbed into tense muscle.
The next instant the Ansatsuken master twists to face Terry sidelong, presenting a narrower target to the elder Bogard. The kick is diverted before him on another flexed forearm, deflected skillfully. Blink, and you'd miss where Ryu goes next. Straight up in a flash, twisting about an axis drawn by his left leg, perpendicular to the ground, as the right rotors outwards. The aim is to clobber the Legendary Wolf until he's launched out of the zone of the whirling dervish of kicks. "TATSUMAKISENPUUUUKYAKU!!!"
COMBATSYS: Terry blocks Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
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Terry 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Forunately, Terry had his eyes replaced with cybernetic cameras--he never needs to blink. Or, at least, he has a feel for what Ryu is going to do next. The spinning, whirling 'hurricane kick' is defended adroitly, the Hungry Wolf keeping his forearms up, absorbing the impacts and swaying with them to help lessen the impacts further. With the last revolution, Terry hops, taking him off to his right--and then he lands.
He's already tensing, rocking backwards, throwing his hands open and then driving forward, throwing his right hand out in an extended straight punch, an aura of orange energy sheathing the fist and forearm as he rockets forward at an unnatural pace, his feet not touching the ground as he drives through the air, his voice echoing slightly as he shouts. "BURN KNUCKLE!!" Hey, he wants to treat the audience to a show--he's going to have to match Ryu move for move, isn't he?
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Terry's Burn Knuckle.
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Terry 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Match step, for step. Move for move. Pace for pace. It's a requirement from Ryu's perspective, as well. Up against the Hakyokusaken expert, he can't spare a motion, can't miss a beat. So far - neither of them really have. It brings a smile to the nomad's face. Brief, but warm. There's a small sound, somewhere between focusing breath and affirmation.
Then, he's slamming those gloved fists out in blurring succession. Quick, stabbing strokes of mercifully padded knuckles strike out for Terry's face. High, low, high - it's a classic flurry, but executed perfectly. If Terry doesn't keep up the same breakneck pace, he'll be sporting some fresh bruises. "Hyaaaah!" The warrior in the white gi seems invigorated by the initial, fervent exchange, the surge of chi within him tangible as he gathers his strength, reaches out through his surroundings. The crowd's shouts may fall on deaf ears with Ryu - but he can certainly feel the thrum of adrenaline mirroring his own.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Terry with Medium Punch.
Glancing Blow
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Terry 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Ryu
The moment Terry realizes that he's missed with the Burn Knuckle, he stops himself, that energy pulling back into his body as he drops his feet and comes to a skidding halt, twisting around to face Ryu, a cloud of dust raising from his sneakered feet as he comes to a halt--only, he doesn't -really-, because as he's in motion, Ryu is, slamming that quick combination out. The first two punches are intercepted and deflected but the third tags Terry in the jaw, rocking his head back a bit, and Terry...
... well, he grins, in turn. The sharp punch hurt a bit, but in a good way. This man is an equal on the field of battle, and there's no greater joy for the Hungry Wolf than to face an equal.
Terry takes a step and a half towards his left--then plants his feet and fires off a quick two-kick combination, a low, shuttling kick similar to a Muay Thai kick, more of a feint or a tease--and he keeps that leg chambered for a longer, more punishing side kick, using his long legs to their advantage as he seeks to plant one in Ryu's breadbasket.
COMBATSYS: Terry successfully hits Ryu with Medium Kick.
Glancing Blow
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Terry 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Ryu
His fists meet a Bogard a hair's breadth ahead - at least, at first. The glancing tags arent' enough to slow the Hungry Wolf down, and Ryu knows it well. Eyes take in his surroundings in a quick panorama and he moves, rolling over that drawing strike to his legs. It still stings, as does the necessity to hit shoulder first and roll up and out of it, but the Ansatsuken Dragon doesn't make a sound. Not until he answers in kind.
No matter how hard he trains, against Terry he finds a first rate battle. A test of the lessons and battles before it. Not the least because of the spirit shared by the two wanderers. Even without an abundance of words, the kindred warriors show their spirit. Ryu's surges to the fore in other ways, now, his palms thrust forward, heels of his hands together as he projects a sudden eruption of swirling, explosively forceful blue-white chi. It stings, burns with a fire that finds its heat from a deep, deep furnace indeed. "HADOOOOUKEN!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Terry with Hadouken.
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Terry 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
The sephere of blue-white chi explodes against Terry's chest, having broken through his guard--already abused by kicks and punches. Terry reels backwards, stumbling through a couple of steps, and then he regains his balance and his feet. Reaching up with his left hand, he smiles, and adjusts his hat... and then he starts running. He's got some distance to make up, but he can do it, and he isn't afraid of what Ryu might try as he races in towards the nomad... and then crouches, and hops.
The jump isn't high--but it brings him to about head-height on Ryu, as he hammers out with his right knee, that leg bent, his left extended, the impact not incredible but, hopefully, serving to get Terry back into melee range, where he and Ryu can trade blows. He just feels like an up-close fight, tonight, apparently. "You're just as good as I remember, Ryu," he remarks, between breaths, on his run up to the Ansatsuken fighter.
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Terry's Light Kick!
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Terry 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
The aftermath of the Hadouken is tracked by narrowed, dark eyes. That intense gaze then focuses in on Terry as he's revealed passed the dissolution of that firework of blue and white. Ryu's stance shifts, bare feet sliding over smooth dojo arena floor. He breathes in, instinct and experience as much as preparation combine to meet that leaping strike. Gloved hand /claps/ hard into Terry's knee, intercepting the kick prematurely and deftly redirecting Bogard's momentum around, the World Warrior spinning about as well as he watches his opponent land beyond his intended target, rather than through Ryu's skull.
"No. We're both better." Ryu observes without hubris, but with the utmost confidence in his assertion. It's offered as he comes about, nullifying the force of Terry's skillful kneestrike, as he shakes out that gloved hand, nearly tangible energy coursing up his corded arm. After that? He's airborne, spinning about a single rotation, and sending his heel straight on for the Hungry Wolf's jaw. "HAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Terry fails to interrupt Senpuu Kyaku from Ryu with Rising Tackle.
-* CRITICAL FAIL! *-
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Terry 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Terry's response is instinctive. No one can fault him for that. But in this case, instinct fails him--a misjudgment of the speed of Ryu's kick means that, instead of taking a minor hit to deliver a greater one, Ryu's heel crushes Terry right in the temple--and the Lone Wolf goes down, skidding across the mat.
He rolls, bounces... and that bounce is enough to let him get up to his feet. His expression isn't more serious--it isn't as if he was taking the fight lightly in any case--but there's definitely something more intense to it. As if he were telling himself that he needs to step his game up. And, undoubtedly, he does--and he's not nearly done yet.
He offers no excuses, no pithy words... he just beckons, his wolflike grin never leaving his face.
It's the thing about battles on this level. One mis-step, and one can be sure one's opponent is prepared to punish it. To follow it up, if they so desire. A single moment can shift a fight among experts perhaps /more/ easily. In this moment, Ryu doesn't press Terry's roll and recovery. He recovers his stance, follows Bogard's movement, studies every shift. When the Hungry Wolf beckons, however?
Ryu crosses the distance in a high, swift arc, leaping in a powerful bound and flexing both legs into a classic flying kick, left heel thrusting out for Terry's skull once more. Should he find his mark, the legendary nomad would land in a swift, spinning twist, throwing his weight into Bogard's ankles by way of a sweeping right foot. It's efficient, direct, and seeking to abruptly stagger Terry.. and take his feet /right/ out from under him entirely. That's what he wanted, right?
COMBATSYS: Terry blocks Ryu's Medium Kick.
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Terry 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Phew. He needed just a moment to clear his head--and now he's gotten it. But a moment is all he gets--Ryu is a relentless fighter, a style Terry knows well, and when Ryu comes flying in, Terry is ready, repelling that kick with a sweep of his right forearm, deflecting the kick off balance--and letting him hop over the sweeping right foot. He's not -that- easy a mark. The Hakyokusaken master has options, plenty of them--all he has to do is choose.
And choose he does, snapping his gloved hands out for Ryu, aiming to grab the Nomad by his right shoulder and, with a quick twist and lever, hurl him into the mat, with enough residual energy to make Terry kick his rear foot up.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Terry's Buster Throw.
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Terry 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Ryu
Nope, no felling the tower that is Terry with such rote, if effective methodology. Ryu's satisfied by the result, the force of his kicks deflected or no he lands with a focusing breath, and a nod of respect. It's not fully articulated - there's not time for that. After all, Bogard is looking to regain the advantage, and Ryu has to move fast. As he's heaved up and over, Ryu kicks with the momentum.
His feet come around faster than Terry might like, his motion more forceful than even the slam Bogard would intent. He comes down in a hard, dojo wall rattling crashlanding. A hand pressed to the floor, legs bent, eyes snap back up to Terry a moment before the legendary nomad surges to his feet, hands launching in for the front of Terry's jacket, twisting and heaving with his own arms and shoulder in an effort to return the favor, and bring the Hungry Wolf up, over... and harshly /down/ directly into the dojo floor on Ryu's opposite side with a final heave.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Terry with Seoi Nage.
- Power hit! -
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Terry 1/---====/=======|=======\=------\1 Ryu
There won't be any advantage regaining here--not for Terry. His experience tells him that Ryu's practically won the fight--has just been better than him at every turn. It happens. He's not particularly worried about it as such... but that doesn't mean he's -giving up-. That is just not in his makeup. Even after he bounces off the dojo floor, he manages to wrench his battered body into a flip, landing on his feet.
He knows--and he knows that Ryu can tell--that he's at the end of his rope, so to speak... and he still has to give a show, doesn't he? But... he'll leave off the usual taunt he gives when he uses this, his 'finisher'... instead forcing his body to work for him still, driving forward and throwing his right fist again, ablaze with power--a far greater amount than previously--and his voice is still strong as he shouts, "BUSTER... WOLF!!!" And if he makes contact, all that built-up power will lash out at Ryu in a focused, wavelike explosion. If nothing else, it'll be spectacular.
COMBATSYS: Terry successfully hits Ryu with Buster Wolf+.
> Determined Hit! <
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Terry 0/-------/------=|=======\======-\1 Ryu
Tonight, letting go, going all out? It's just the right moment. Just the right call, for Terry. Ryu turns to follow Bogard's course as he crashes down, as he rushes back in. He clenches his jaw, steels his stance, sets himself to meet that charge. The bad part for Ryu? There's just /too/ much raw power, focus, strength in that applied technique. The explosive contact disrupts his planned guard, launches Ryu lurching backwards.
It's that staggered posture, ears ringing, that Ryu finds himself caught in, footing uncertain, for the instants it takes the shockwave to reach him. The Buster Wolf surrounds him, rips holes in his BRAND NEW gi (first time that's happened), tattering the edges as he's bounced harshly off the wall, twisting about as he crashes to the floor. It takes a moment for him to draw himself up into a crouch, gasping for air, hands cradling one another at his side. Perhaps he's more injured than one might think?
Terry would not be fooled. There's a tremendous surge of his inner chi, and the breath is at first a hiss, "SSSSHIIIIIIIIINKUUUUUUUUUU...." It swallows light itself from the arena, for a moment, that dark coalescence of raw energy. It crackles as it expands exponentially in instants, more and more of Ryu's might poured into it. There's no other proper answer to the display Terry just put on, in Ryu's book. The massive sphere of cerulean, darkly crackling chi is shoved forward, Ryu's headband whipping violently after it. Rather than expanding outwards, the void-ball consumes, draws inward, a blackhole of pure energy.
"HADOOOOOOUUUUUKEEEEEN!"
COMBATSYS: Terry dodges Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
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Terry 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Were Terry a lesser fighter, the words that might run through his head at the buildup of that energy--at the hissing of the first syllable of that famous phrase--would be 'Oh shi*'. But he remains calm and, he finds, somehow, that landing that one hit... erased some of his pain. Well, perhaps success, even a little, is a salve of sorts. In any case, he finds his body moving a little easier, and he makes an odd sort of reaction. He waits. Just a fraction of a second.
And then, he runs. Not away... forward. One, two, three... and *JUMP*. Terry crouches, pushes off, tugs his legs underneath, and flips once, the sizzling ball of energy flying underneath him--missing Terry by mere inches. The Wolf extends his legs and lands, just after passing the Wave Motion Fist by--and then immediately pushes off again, cranking his right leg up and around in a modified axe kick aimed for Ryu's shoulder.
The kick is accompanied by nothing other than the harsh breathing of Terry's exhalations.
COMBATSYS: Ryu interrupts Crack Shoot from Terry with Shin Shoryuken+.
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Terry 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Were Ryu a lesser fighter, the words that might run through his head at the evasion of his tremendous ultra fireball of doom might be 'oh shit!' also. As it is, he simply snaps his gaze to the skybound Terry's new assault, and works to recover his stance before the Hungry Wolf arrives. He is, after all, likely to arrive hungry. Ryu /lunges/ into Terry's charge, rather than any sort of evasion it's his elbow that answers the axe-kick. He hits into it early, cleaving off his skull even as he weaves in to plant that elbowstrike in Bogard's face.
The leadup blow is followed by a fluid crouch, right arm flexing as all his gathered strength and power suddenly redouble, and center through that limb. A limb that collides, warhead style, with Terry's jaw on Ryu's way up, up, up some more. He twists a graceful spin through the air, one singular three-hundred sixty degree turn, as if carried solely by the force behind that one, infamous strike. "SHOOOOOOORYUKEN!!!"
There's no shame in admitting this--it feels like absorbing the force of a ten-kiloton bomb. It is only with gritted teeth that Terry remains conscious enough to even consider that the figth isn't over. In fact, his actions are almost automatic--and, really, aided by reflex and instinct--the conscious part of his brain already shutting down, closing up shop, but the reflexive, autonomic part pushing through one last order.
The power buildup is silent; as Terry lands, he actually lands on his feet--and immediately goes to one knee. His left hand stretched out to steady himself... and his right slams the ground, unleashing a wave of orange-yellow chi to streak across the floor... even as his left arm buckles and he collapses over it.
COMBATSYS: Terry can no longer fight.
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Ryu 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Terry's Power Wave EX.
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Ryu 0/-------/----===|
Terry actually makes his rough landing before Ryu comes down, on account of the far kinder ascent and longer hangtime afforded the Ansatsuken disciple. He feels it in his blood, that fiery burn of power. He sees it flare to life, as he lands in its path. He mirrors Bogard's crouch, coming low. An elbow is brought evenly in line with the assailing chi, the impact of energy erupting to either side as it crashes against the bulwark that is Ryu's defense.
The nomad is pushed back, even in his stable and anchoring crouch, sliding several feet along the dojo arena floor, teeth gritting as muscles strain to push aside the last of Bogard's power wave. With a heave of effort vocalized, Ryu surges back to his feet... still prepared to fight. /Somehow/. He's scraped and bruised all over, haggard and breathing heavily, not to mention the ample sweat. But fists come up, ready to continue, as the announcers count the fight down.
Ryu looks almost disappointed when Terry is counted out, but hardly for any aspect of the Legendary Wolf's performance. The other nomad wanders to his friend and offers a sparring glove hand to help him rise. "I thought Buster Wolf might have cost me my hearing." He notes calmly, with a focus of its own despite his condition.
COMBATSYS: Ryu wanders on to find the next challenge.
Log created on 20:05:24 11/14/2011 by Ryu, and last modified on 09:45:50 11/15/2011.