Description: Geese Howard returns from the dead(?!?) to cordially no-sell Terry Bogard, while fighting a pitched battle with.. Billy Kane??! ... is this real life? (Winner: Billy)
Saturday Night Fight.
Big business brings in large crowds, though for this week's collection of matches, the great and small of the fighting world have been pitted against one another in one of the arguable homes of competitive combat. Greece is hardly a renowned locale for budding warriors, not any more, but as the motherland of some of the most deadly soldiers in history - and styles that now shine through in a thousand other, newer techniques - this has been a history lesson in several senses. That's not why audiences tune in every week, however...
They're here for violence. They're here to see explosive action between men who are nigh-superhuman.
Nowhere do they receive their wishes more than in the main event.
The Parthenon is world-famous, a testament to man's ambition and endeavour, the crumbling columns holding against the high winds through thousands of years. Majestic. Unbroken in spite of the many scars. Death should have taken this place many times over, and yet it sustains, losing nothing in the passing of time-- the surface may become more fractured, but the spirit isn't broken. The same could be said for one of tonight's combatants. A name the crowds haven't seen for some time, a legend in the making, a returning hero...
Arguably, it could describe them all. What is a hero, anyway? A hero is made by other men. Adulation and respect, wild rumour and circulating myth driving them from mere man to mighty legend indeed. Geese Howard. Terry Bogard. Billy Kane. For all their differences, in and out of the ring, these are three names that will be remembered; like the Parthenon, come what may, their place in the fickle paths of history is assured.
It's been a long time since Billy stepped out under some of the brighter lights on the professional circuit; and the lights tonight are bright indeed, floodlamps casting almost blinding white against the edges of the ancient structure, stunning fingers of light crossing through the centre - where it naturally dims to create a perfect environment. The crowds can look in, but the three men cannot easily look without. They're focused on one another. As it should be. As each already is, in their own way. A triangle of loyalty and hatred.
For his part, Kane seems only excited as he steps out into the impromptu arena, quickening his stride as he reaches open space, breaking into a brief sprint that carries him into a spinning, daredevil flip. Somewhere in the middle of the crazy blur, his denim jacket and bandanna streaming in the momentum, he withdraws his three-section staff, snapping it out as he lands in a low crouch. His landing is dynamic, his grin exhilarated.
And then he speaks-- yells, the words so many are waiting to hear.
"HEY, HEY, HEY!!"
Recent history may have proven him the lesser of the three warriors here tonight...
But as Billy leaps to his feet, spinning that iconic rod, he looks like a man ready to change that fact.
COMBATSYS: Billy has started a fight here.
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Billy 0/-------/------=|
Unbroken. Mighty despite many scars. Death should have taken this man many times over, and yet he persists, doggedly, determined and stalwart... in his nefariously enigmatic way. Once upon a time, this spectre owned the rights to 'Saturday Night Fight'. Once upon a time, his people made the bookings. Once upon a time, people he wanted to play a hilarious in-joke on were at his mercy, his very bemused /whim/! ... now, those whims, they belong to Ken. Ken Masters. He happens to be Geese Howard's newest friend, though one can't blame the many who are as-yet unaware of that.
Nor the many as-yet unaware that Geese Howard /yet lives/! There's a rumble among those in the know about this fight. Would Geese really show? Was it really Geese? Were the stories of his murderous corruption told before his apparent assassination true?!? Few know, but perhaps both of those men are here. It's not the first time Howard has walked out of Hell, and back into Terry's life. It's not the first time the Syndicate overlord has worn that knowing, invincible smirk.
It's there in force as Geese joins Billy, dressed in his simple yet elegant red and black hakama, and white cloth dogi. The bracers covering his wrists are more intricate, crimson leather etched with golden dragons. He's the same Geese that Bogard would remember, striding out too gracefully, too strongly, for a man killed and maimed thrice or quatrice(?!?!) over, to join Billy Kane.
He waves to the crowd, they go /wild/. Everyone stunned it's true. Everyone amazed the man who was, for a long time, the ungodly anti-hero of this very televised serial, is indeed alive... and well. Geese has known it for ages, how they love this face, and the anger and denial screamed by the naysayers instead, well. ... that sells merchandise, and a message, as well. Likely the latter is the purpose of the heavily chromed mic that descends seemingly out of the sky, to be cradled in his bare hand.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, FIGHT FANS OF ALL AGES!!!" The mic is already pre-balanced for the fact that Geese can /shout/, projecting sheer strength and vigour into the tones, "Rumours of my death..." They can all almost feel it coming, as his voice drops low, "HAVE been greatly exaggerated!" Applause, incomprehensible screams of support and denial, it fills the ruined stage. For a moment, it's all anyone could possibly hear. Geese gestures to bring it down, bring it down now, waving a hand smoothly. "While I have been painted a villain, forced into exile, the /evils/ responsible for the attempt on my life have set the world aflame - but no more! While there is much to say, tonight, I share in action the law by which I live my life!"
Geese smiles, broadly, white teeth shining. Icy blue eyes are dangerous, fervent, lit with intensity - "Tonight - I /FIGHT!/" Howard declares, /pointing/ to Billy Kane. "Tonight, we fight - for each of you!" ... where the /world/ can see it happen.
COMBATSYS: Geese has joined the fight here on the right meter side. You cannot escape wrong death.
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Billy 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Geese
Billy's upstaged at the first innings, that explosive thrum from the attending throng drawing a chagrined smirk - though one that hardly begrudges the reception, as he gives his weapon an almost idle spin. He may lack the raw, unrefined swagger that the Londoner interjects, but Geese always knows how to play the crowd with the slightest gesture, his personage carrying a presence that perhaps nobody can match. If it wouldn't be so woefully misconstrued, Kane might later acknowledge even he feels goose-bumps.
Of course, to praise Howard's minute details is not to forsake the more direct qualities he possesses. That speech is made as the punk remains in place, occasionally jolting into his heels, keeping his energy levels high but otherwise watching with wild eyes keen as the audience is made to dance on puppet strings. Only he and Geese know what's following-- there are rumours, of course, by those who know intimately their connection to one another, and especially to Terry. Geese gives nothing away, really, but he does set the stage...
As fire hangs in the air, as legends of great evil surface, as new life is found...
A lashing digit singles out the master of the three-section staff. His response is a searing, predatory grin.
If there's fire in the air, let there also be /flame/.
"If you're so alive," he barks out suddenly, over the roars that follow Geese's pronouncement, "Then show me! Show the world how much life you have, Geese! Show them how you BURN!!" A gnash of his teeth delivers that, rising almost to a howl before it's cut off both by that-- and a violent rotation of Kane's muscular form, his opened jacket snapping as he launches into a sidelong spin and thrusts his weapon forward. It extends across the space between he and Geese, practically rippling with the Brit's distinctive aura even before it visibly emerges, the tip of his rod seeking to impact the sternum of his friend, and his boss...
Before it explodes, throwing a gout of virulent, fiery chi to consume Geese's torso and drive him back; unless he proves equal to it, or better. It's a challenge in every sense, and a chance for both of them to shine. That's what this is all about, isn't it?
"HEY, HEY, HEY!!" He repeats in the wake of the napalm burst, adrenaline pounding already.
Wait, shouldn't there be a third party in the mix?
COMBATSYS: Geese slows Blazing Cane Thrust from Billy with Reppuken.
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Billy 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Geese
Had they scripted it, it couldn't be any better. No sooner is Geese done setting the stage, than Billy sets the promised action alight. Burn? Geese still smirks. One foot drifts back, a languidly smooth arc traced to anchor him, facing Billy sidelong as the extending staff whips through air. The velocity brings it to Geese in the same instant, clipping off his chest. He steps back on the other foot, dramatically giving ground to his assailant even as his opposite arm rips upwards, fingers clenched in a rising crescent that projects roiling purple and blue chi forth.
"REPPUKEN!!" It clings to his fingertips, through the sudden, deceptively simple motion. It surges at his feet, as if the ground of these ancient ruins birthed it in tandem with Geese's whim. The surge of cleaving windshear blasts with alarming icy force into the column of flame, summoned in the moment between breaths. Energy clashes against energy, bright on dark, one burning hot, one shearing cold. Fire licks off in all directions, a column of chill air blasts out the back of the mighty gout of fire, even as superheated air scorches over Geese's skin, the shockwave setting tied-back hair fluttering wildly behind him as he shields his eyes with the bracer of the Reppuken-firing arm.
"Hah!" He muses, clearly entertained. It takes a certain kind of man to be 'entertained' by one of the most formidable techniques of one of the world's premiere champions, especially when it kind of stings. Geese Howard is that man. Where, then, is the Legendary Wolf? The predator simply not showing up was not an outcome the Syndicate overlord particularly anticipated - but turnabout is, as they say, fair play. For the moment, Geese simply keeps his own guard up, his own power at hand - still smirks, easily, his stance too relaxed in the ring with his formidable Dragon.
To say that Terry is... ambivalent... about this... is wrong. He's not ambivalent. He's fucking angry. He knows. /He/ knows. He /knows/ who Geese and Billy are. Who they -really- are. What they've done. But the world embraces them... and Terry is not equipped to fight that kind of war. He's not a media-savvy political type. He responds with his fists.
So when he's invited in on this--invited to be a 'Chaos Agent'... he accepts, unwillingly. This is not going to be easy for him. He's strong, fast, skilled... but Billy nearly as much so, and Geese just as much so, if not moreso. The only thing working in his favor is that the two can't turn on him and kill him on international TV. But... there's a chance. A chance to take one or the other down. To let them know...
That the Wolf is watching them. Waiting for them to misstep. And when they do, he'll be there to bust them. Not like a cop--not arrest. But to -bust- them. To take them down. That's the only reason he agreed to this. Terry makes his entrance to the Parthenon... then goes up a little bit, only to start running from midway in the crowd, down one of the aisle.
"HRRRAGH!" shouts the Wolf, as he leaps into the air, vaulting the protective barriers that mark the arena--and he hasn't even touched down before he's lunging for... Geese. It's only natural, isn't it?
That trucker-hatted blonde grins as he drives himself forward, taking two long, loping steps before hopping forward, using the momentum to help him in his quest to cave Geese's chest in with a smashing, downward stroke of a punch.
COMBATSYS: Terry has wandered into the fight here in the center.
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Billy 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-------
The crowd - and Ken Masters - couldn't have asked for a better opening display, two of the most potent techniques in the world of martial arts coming together in a devastating impact. The Parthenon is forced to endure the brunt, the centre line vibrating with the joint dissipation of fire and ice. Geese's bark of laughter is mirrored by a high, sneering whine of likewise pleasure from his erstwhile bodyguard. There's always a thrill in this motion-- on any other day, he'd be the one feeling that faint flare of pain.
There's nothing more to really be said, at that point, at least until Terry's shout resonates across the arena.
As though the two men standing within couldn't /feel/ his approach just before-- but it's testament to his incredible skill that they didn't pick him up a mile off. Billy had been starting to wonder too, somewhere in the back of his mind... would his former foe, the man who so brutally felled him to steal the King of Fighters title, be bypassing this illustrious invitation? A mix of emotions flares as the answer is received.
But there's a plan. And Kane /is/ a professional. The fight's on.
Rather than fully retract his striking staff, Kane opts to lean into it; over-extending his torso as he plants the crimson butt against the ancient stone floor. A few flecks of masonry rise in a cloud once pressure is applied - but this place will endure, as it always has - and then the punk's springing into the air, a powerful flexion of energized leg muscles leading into a display of his agility. One foot goes high, launching him with relatively little effort from the balanced weapon, and propelling him toward Geese.
As he flies, one hand trails behind to haul the staff back in and across his shoulders, the other looping up over its opposite end to keep it in place as he simultaneously twists from the hip, left foot launched up with a casual and powerfully rough grace for another impact to the chest. Whether by irony or design, his strike falls juuust to the left of Terry's, and the Wolf receives a grin as Billy drops to a deft landing.
"The power of teamwork, eh? 'ow you been, Bogard?"
COMBATSYS: Geese blocks Terry's Strong Punch.
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Billy 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Geese counters Light Kick from Billy with Chuudan Atemi Nage.
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Billy 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-------
Billy and Terry, together again. It's like a buddy cop movie, if instead of learning to love his partner's eccentric and diametrically opposed style, the other cop just gets angrier and angrier about being paired up with a tremendous bag of tards. Really, the analogy could slice either way. As it is, though? It remains a good day to be Geese. The crowd's interest reaching a fever pitch, the battle opening on a reverberating note - and his would-be killer, the hero of the masses, roaring like a rabid dog and charging full bore.
Geese doesn't even /try/ to avoid it. Crossed arms meet Terry's stroke and drives his limb high, an unarmed weapons lock of lethal proportion as the crimelord's ice blue gaze bores into Bogard's. He could say hey Terry, glad to see you made it. All cheerful, it might pissy Terry off. This time, however? Howard pipes up all the more boisterously, hamming for the crowd almost gleefully, "Aha! It seems we have an interloper, after all." The powerful third joining the fray, the man with a powerful urge to murder him, inspires Geese to dramatically showboat the entire affair like it's part of his grand show.
... even as he pivots to meet Billy's leap, left hand arriving almost gently just below the extended knee of the consigliere's striking leg. It's pretty much that same instant where that clockwise rotation accelerates, and Howard's other hand snaps onto Billy's heel from the opposing direction. He has about a third of a second to spin, rapidly approaching the ground, before Geese heaves outwards, launching the bodyguard in a brilliant blue-white swell of blinding energy. It's not explosive, so much as kinetic, a sudden and brutal acceleration, as ripping cold tears through air and space and flesh alike.
"Why they scheduled you as a simple chaos agent... well." Geese just shakes his head, as Billy Kane goes hurtling clear, feet shifting wide to anchor his stance and huff a deep sigh. Never would've happened on /HIS/ watch.
Man, the idea that he is -teaming up- with Billy Kane is probably the second most repulsive thing he can think of. Hell, even seeing Joe's ass doesn't quite top that. The Legendary Wolf grimaces, a pursing of the lips that speaks eloquently without breaking the flow of the fight--for the cameras. Billy's a professional, and so is Terry...
The feeling of his fist crashing into Geese's guard isn't as satisfying as it would've been to feel it crashing into Geese's -face-, but he can't complain. Chaos Agent... Terry's never played this kind of wild card particularly well, but he'll do his best. It helps that he loathes both men just about equally. It just doesn't show--except to the two men who can see his eyes--as icy blue as Howard's.
"Well, maybe you should try and take it back from Masters," is his only comment, as he jumps to his left, putting both Billy and Geese in 'range'. Just as quickly, he takes another step back--more of a hop, really--and he's focusing his chi before he even lands. His feet touch ground, then his knees, and then he's slamming his right fist into the ground.
"POWER WAVE!!" he shouts, and at his command, a blazing, yellow-white wave of energy flares along the ground, hissing towards the staff-wielding Brit. To Terry, both Billy -and- Geese are targets of opportunity.
COMBATSYS: Terry successfully hits Billy with Power Wave.
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Billy 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-----==
Saturday Night's packed and eager audience is treated to another of Geese's signatures, and Billy is given a gift he's already received a hundred thousand times. Turnabout may be fair play - he's caught his own share of assaults from the older man - but in this instance, it's the Londoner who is taken for a ride. It's an ever-present danger when attacking Geese with anything that requires proximity, and thereby it's part of the thrill. Excitement can be painful, and in several different ways, to boot! The spin is disorientating...
But the blast of chi carries the real brunt, plowing into Kane's aloft flank.
At the end of his flight, the punk crashes down hard into the stone, his weapon still across his shoulders as he begins his descent, swept suddenly off as his honed body is brutally bounced. He's used to being struck by the crimelord, but adjustment doesn't reduce the damage done-- it just makes him recover more fluidly, sweeping to his feet off the impulse of the second rebound, using his rod as a counterweight, on his feet in an instant.
"Heh!" His elated, enthused slash of a grin is short-lived, because in that same instant he's assaulted by a quite literal wave of power; Terry's energy comes on fast, and hard. Billy is less well-disposed toward this than Geese's omnipresent counter-shots, and less experienced to boot. Has he ever evaded it, even? Probably not. This time it finds a mark again, crashing into his front, forcing the three sections of his staff to unfold as he fails to time a deflection soundly enough to accompany the leap he intended.
Instinct carries him through the latter anyway, a spinning backstep taken even as his body is alight with pain, an outbreath releasing the shock and driving a spring toward one of the nearby columns. It's used for traction, much like his staff was earlier, the weapon held in both hands and straightened with a snap as he thrusts off from the ancient stone. A beat later, Billy is arcing overhead, before dropping with a resounding rush of winds and an empassioned, tight cry as he descends into the attack proper. "SYAAAAH!!"
Again the staff snaps out, this time toward the cranium, aiming to stagger and stun his skilled employer... opening the way for Billy's foot to crack once again to the top of Geese's chest as he completes his freefall. This time, as he lands, no glance goes to Terry-- that split attention already cost him, but he doesn't bite his tongue. That's not his style.
"Have to admit, Geese, the boy's full of bright ideas!"
COMBATSYS: Geese fails to counter Flying Assault Cane from Billy with Joudan Atemi Nage.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-----==
Oh, the look on Terry's face, it does speak volumes. It's entirely possible that look is the entire reason why Geese is here, tonight, fighting Billy. Of course, it's always risky to leap to conclusions with Geese Howard - especially near sharp drops. The Athenian skyline in panoramic relief beyond them has no doubt already been the scene of epic and ancient deeds of defenestration, a legacy welcoming both Geese and Terry! What happened a moment before, displays clearly to everyone that Geese still has it - a flash of power, a singular act of strength, a demonstration to those present and those spectating via their idiot boxes.
What happens now? Oh, that's a testament to the skill and evolution of Billy's style. While that was certainly part of the point of tonight's spectacle, Geese might have chosen a less painful moment. The staff descends, laquered wood cleaving off the bracer of Geese's rising limb, past the swift reprisal, and into the Syndicate overlord's skull. He's staggered, indeed, the wind threatening to leave him as Billy kicks him back. Geese drops to his knees, huffing a deep, gutteral grunt, and sliding into a three-point crouch that still impacts the pillar behind him with audible force several slowing, scraping yards later.
Power Wave or no - Billy Kane didn't miss a beat, and the sheer force in his strike has Howard bleeding from a gash on his head, the blood framing the outside of one eye as he rises, and draws refreshing breath. He seems almost -more- smug now, his blood drawn, his superiority over Billy cast in clear doubt in the eyes of the audience, his adversary professionally riding the wave. Geese spares no words for his opponent(s) in this moment, attention split all-too-coolly between the two men.
Now that? _That_ make Terry smile. Not really, perhaps, the best thing to smile about but it's something, at least. He can only wish that it was his strike to draw that blood. Next best thing? Trying again. Hell, he's all too happy to give the people of Greece a show to lift their spirits. He's a good guy like that. That 'lifting spirits' involves punching dudes he doesn't like in the face, well, that's just a bonus.
Terry's next move is an original, for sure--now that he's in his groove, he doesn't hesitate one second to, as the kids say, 'bring it'. Billy's a right asshole, but for Terry's money, it's Geese who needs to go, really. Billy without Geese is just a sad man doing laundry every day. Geese... "/Geese/..." mutters Terry, unable to quite quash that mutter--fortunately not quite picked up by the directional mikes.
Terry rears back, and his chi surges as he surges forward--not only wreathing his right fist in that yellow-white energy, but aiding the horizontal boost he needs to pull this off properly, his feet merely two or three inches over the ground as he blazes a golden trail... his destination? Geese's face. He doesn't even have to shout it--the crowd does it for him, thousands strong: BURN KNUCKLE!!
Much like any heavily weaponized style, Billy's is one that shows very immediate physical results. Blood, bruises, and broken bones are a frequent feature in his bouts-- to say nothing of the particular breed of chi that he calls his own. It's satisfying, and looks great in the ring, or on television, an extension of his earlier tendency to simply punch people really hard until they showed a similar set of effects. That's what being a low-level street tough was - and is - all about; the displaying of results. Results mean money.
Unfortunately for Kane, results in this arena can be obtained in other ways. His ripped torso is stinging from the pair of heavy shots he's taken, a fact hidden well enough by the spring in his step, and the rhythmic bouncing ever inherent in his stance. But he knows how close this is. How close it was always going to be. He meets Geese's gaze with an upward cant of his own chin, lips pulled into a smile. Where Geese has that dominant air, Billy actually looks almost the plucky underdog in this light. It's another good image to sell.
The crowd though, the crowd right now is on Terry as he throws himself into the spotlight.
Chanting along, buoying him up, every inch the champion and every inch their favourite.
For an instant, Billy's temper flares. But that's fine-- he can use it, and he does...
"That's 'is name, Bogard, don't wear it out!"
With his cocky grin flaring at Terry's back as it retreats from him and closes rapidly upon Howard, the Londoner gives a wild toss of his head and lunges forward, one foot leading him with a single huge stride. His torso bends forward, the staff sweeping to one side as he uses the massive step to launch off into a half-tumble, half-roll, his shoulder barely rebounding from the ground to drive him past Terry and Geese both; to the rear side of the latter, just a few feet out from the place he'd fall-- if he was going to.
Whether or not the famed Knuckle strikes, Billy is aiming to capitalize, the sections of his rod coming free with a resounding *snap* as he swings the weapon like a flail, wide and heavy, to catch Geese across the back whether he stands or falls. He's an opportunist.
That's what's taken him this far already.
COMBATSYS: Geese dodges Terry's Burn Knuckle.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-----==
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Geese with Power Strike.
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Billy 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-----==
"Yes." Geese monosyllabicly confirms Terry's observation. Perhaps the cameras can't hear - but Howard can. It brings a smile to the Syndicate overlord's stern face, legitimately pleased. It's a sentiment that doesn't change despite Billy's unrelenting and formidable assault. The 'famed' Burn Knuckle broadens Geese's smile, and in an instant, the crimelord all but vanishes out of Terry's path. He moves like the chill winds he summons, a flash of dark and light as his colorful attire is shadowed by afterimages of blurred dark chi.
The flames coursing from Terry's own spirit may be enough to blast through the chill... but Geese is a step ahead. Right into Kane's strike, the whipping flail ripping into Howard's flank, jarring ribs and arm and muscle as he is staggered once more. He drops to one knee, and grits his teeth, hissing through the pain and whipping on hand up from his waist, lashing out at Billy directly from his position as he recovers his stance.
"DOUBLE.... !!" The chi pools at his feet, surging in a roiling column of cruel-edged energy, doubled and redoubled before the rising sweep of his other arm accompanies a heaving shift of his entire body, sending a towering tidal wave of purple-touched cerulean power crashing over itself in a rush to devour Billy outright! "REPPUKEN!!!" He doesn't resent Billy his strike of opportunity. No really. Geese is a kind man. With very sore ribs.... but an alarming readiness to fight even harder. The show, after all, must go on.
COMBATSYS: Geese successfully hits Billy with Double Reppuken.
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Billy 1/--=====/=======|=======\===----\1 Geese
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Terry 0|-------|-----==
Terry isn't dismayed at the miss. He knows Geese is a strong fighter... that was never in doubt. Not for a second. He touches down about ten yards behind Geese, wheeling about--part of him is surprised that neither has tried to even lay a hand on him, but... he figures they're posturing. In any case, with Geese launching that intense, wind-chi attack at Billy, Terry manuevers quickly, getting about a quarter-circle around to come in at Geese's side.
He has little reason to hold back, and so he charges in--literally. His all-out run sees him suddenly put the brakes on, just as he reaches Geese, looking to drive a hard left shoulder into Geese's abdomen. From there, he flows into a right hook, then a left, three serious, powerful body blows. If he gets there, that is. It's not that he's playing -fair-, per se, but he doesn't want to abuse the fans' trust in Terry as a good guy.
Attacking Geese from behind would definitely do that. So he gives the man a sporting chance, and anyways, hitting him head-on is more Terry's style. Backstabbing is something Geese does, not Terry. It would be out of character to start now.
Nobody's holding back - but were they ever going to? Billy's got no reason to pull a single blow against Geese, and vice versa; how many times have they danced this deadly dance, pushing each other further with each brutal strike? They've both ended up bleeding, or unconscious, or both, at another's hands too many times to ever bother counting. And while each of them no doubt harbours some internal desire to turn that controlled fury instead upon the man placed to dish out punishment as he sees fit...
Well. They're professionals. They can just harness that will to maim and turn it upon themselves.
That's what being a professional means, right?
"You scratch my back, I scratch yours!" Quips Kane, reminiscent of the past as he sweeps his striking weapon back around, catching the unleashed end in his free hand. He doesn't pause for long, knows that he can't, but there's a beat where Geese's recovery comes that bit faster-- gives him an edge, as his palm hammers heavenward, drawing from the very earth beneath the Parthenon a virulent wave of energy that shudders the ground in a broad radius, the columns themselves quivering, unleashing more ancient dust to the air. At range, it's a slow and tremulous thing, the Double Reppuken, but this close...
It's down almost to luck who can keep their advantage, Billy with his speed or Geese with his wits. It comes down to the master, in the end, that crushing pillar of chi consuming the punk with a dying hiss of focused tension as he's cast asunder. His everything screams inwardly, organs seeming to coil about one another, his outward retreating inside as every muscle constricts and presses down upon the others. It's like nothing else-- like being punched everywhere at once by an unyielding colossus. Kane isn't flung so much as crushed, spiked into the stone underfoot like a basketball with none of the bounce. It's all he can do not to /shatter/.
"Ngh!" When he thrusts himself upright, Terry is already charging. The Londoner can feel blood bubbling up from his lungs, burbling between his lips as he springs to shaking legs. He's slowed, but that can't be reason enough to hold back-- and his own energies are screaming in response to those of Geese. This is where spirit comes to the fore, this is where the fire really tells; and tell it does, the staff already consumed in a swathe of whooshing flame as it's brought up before Billy. Mindless of the Wolf's presence, at least consciously, he begins to channel the blaze as he rotates his staff, end-over-end, faster and faster.
He doesn't unleash it until the Wolf's charge is made, defended or no, and the fire is spitting white-hot.
"GO--!!"
Kane's shout comes from the very core of his being, as with a bold upward swipe of the three-section rod he unleashes hell's fullest furies unto the air, the flame scorching ancient stone and sending waves of heat back against the outlying crowd as the burning corona rushes forth to consume Geese Howard in staggered response to his own devastating blast. Billy remains hunkered after he throws it, lips still parted, "TO HEEEEEELL!!!"
Go to hell, or be reborn. It's certain to be one or the other--
And what a gamble, against a man like him.
COMBATSYS: Geese dodges Terry's Power Charge.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Billy 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Geese
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
COMBATSYS: Billy successfully hits Geese with Blazing Whirlwind Cane.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Billy 0/-------/--=====|=======\=======\1 Geese
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
The 'Chaos Agent' thing is aptly enough named. It's fair to say that a fair amount of Geese's attention is -absolutely required- to do half as well as he's done against Terry's attacks, tonight. It's also fair to say that facing down Billy Kane with any hint of distraction is just ridiculous. Billy, it seems, leaned the other direction - sparing the lion's share of attention for his formidable boss. It's interesting, to watch as those chips go flying, and scatter where they may.
Once again, Howard is a step ahead of Bogard. Terry heaves himself wholly into the flanking maneuver, a punishing technique that the Syndicate overlord knows all too well. He has a similar technique of his own, on a lesser man one can easily fear for their life... Geese's ribs also choose to abstain. Still fast, alarmingly fast, almost faster than he /should/ be, to Terry's trained eye, the shadow tyrant's weaving motions are like the rushing rapids. In this case, Howard rushes into a rock. One can almost see the moment he changes course, the half-second of surprise as Billy comes out with that flaring fireball, the simple sight of which threatens to outright flash fry Geese's eyeballs.
It doesn't happen often, but the Syndicate leader is forced to renegotiate his course, he falls from his full frontal assault and throws up his hands.... as the fire /bursts/ all around him. His dogi is torn from his chest, skin charred beneath it. It's an image at once alarming and impressive, contrasted against the preexisting scars, several of which are massive, and undoubtedly life threatening; or life ending. Geese tries to laugh, or breathe, but he just hacks, drily, coughing out spittle that won't come. He does this leaning hard against the pillar where he ended his backwards tumble, barely recalled in this moment of impending blackness.
Then, something besides blackness does come. "Hah. Hah hah. Unpredictable, Billy Kane." Geese seems impressed, and happy for a bird who happens to be charbroiled bloodily and bruised badly. Then there's the sharp glint in his eye, /still/ not sparing all his attention for Kane. ".. and almost... enough." One more cough, then he heaves a hearty chuckle for an instant. Hopefully Terry is enjoying himself, too!
COMBATSYS: Geese calculates his next move.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Billy 0/-------/--=====|=======\=======\1 Geese
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
COMBATSYS: Geese keeps on fighting!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Billy 0/-------/--=====|=======\=======\1 Geese
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
Now, normally, Terry might be conflicted about continuing to involve himself in the fight. It's clear that both fighters are pretty well beat up--Geese moreso than Billy--and Terry normally would step back at this point. Let the fighters handle it. But... special case. He quirks his lips, just a touch, and decides... hell with it. He'll try and help Billy out.
Sort of.
The Crack Shoot is a variant on the famous 'axe kick' found in Tae Kwon Do, amongst other disciplines; though it has roughly the same purpose, which is to drop one's heel onto another person's head, the method of execution is very different. Terry actually manages a low-altitude half-flip during the turning and bringing of his right foot up and around, and he leaves the ground to allow himself to bring greater force down on his target.
In this case... that's Billy. But, hey, if Terry does it right, he'll knock Billy right towards Geese! See?
Helping. That's Terry. A likeable, helpful guy to everyone, even crime bosses and their patsies.
COMBATSYS: Billy blocks Terry's Crack Shoot.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Billy 0/-------/-======|=======\=======\1 Geese
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
Billy's philosophy, going into any fight, isn't a million miles from Geese's own - they've trained together extensively, after all. Many members of the Syndicate call themselves 'made men', but in his case it's true several times over. Fashioned as a criminal, forged into a warrior of the highest calibre, and ultimately turned into something other than the worthless if wilfull creature he once was. It lends him that same confidence, that same knowledge that he won't lose; whether it ends up being true or not.
But there's one place where that attitude falters, because there's one man he's never been able to surpass. If Kane can beat Geese tonight it will be a resounding victory, for certain - and an upset in the eyes of just about anyone - but he's done it before, away from prying eyes. But Terry's the one. Keeping his attention from Wolf has been a necessity. He knows his own temper, knows how easily it could wander...
No lie. If he could have chosen one of these two men to fight, it would be the Wolf every time.
He wants to fight him. Needs it, even.
Geese's good humour and praise are some small consolation at the least. That chuckle is met by a broad smirk from Billy as he retracts his wildly swung weapon and spins it about before catching it neatly, spreading down into a wide stance as Geese remains standing - bloodied, bruised, but risen once more like the phoenix. A legend like that can ONLY grow. Kane has no such mythology surrounding him, and as he dips his chin in a slyly friendly bow to his employer, he's reaching deep for something else. Tenacity. Resolve. Sheer grit. This is far from over, and as he sees Terry launch himself, there's only one thing he can reliably do.
What he's always done. Tough it out. A curling inward sweep of the staff sends his elbow high, catching the kick against a bracing forearm - aided further by the weighted end of the rod's final section. Billy's knees tremble with the force he transfers in that moment, grounding it all with a hiss of sustained effort, then twisting to push Terry away-- using /that/ momentum rather than what was intended, casting a playful glance toward the Wolf as he breaks into a rapid forward dash. Unpredictable, Geese said... well.
It looks like the most predictable thing possible, Kane savagely grinning as he sprints forward, but then--
He drops and rolls at the last possible instant before closing to striking range, tucking around his staff, a clatter sounding from the stone floor as he actually springs off it, landing in a lunge to Geese's left flank. Placed almost between the outer columns of the Parthenon, he's looking inward still as he twists from the hip, the staff brought up from the ground into a wide, long and darting thrust toward the shoulder. It's not quite the finishing blow Geese, or the crowd, may be expecting, but Kane doesn't really expect him to go down...
He's biting back his every instinct to finish it, seizing his own fate.
"About time you surprised /me/, Geese!"
...and maybe tempting it just a little.
COMBATSYS: Geese fails to counter Sparrow Drop from Billy with Gedan Atemi Nage.
~ Cruel hit! ~
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Billy 1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Geese
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
COMBATSYS: Geese can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Billy 1/-------/=======|
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Terry 0|-------|------=
If there's one person on the planet who -really- knows all the tricks in Geese's arsenal, it's Billy Kane. The conflict is titanic, and the twists and turns shocking, if one is to judge by the reaction of the fight-frenzied crowds outside the Parthenon. It's a rare soul who really knows who to root for in these final instants, and while Geese himself appears confident, ready... Billy's attack is no less so. Shaking off the jarring impact that Bogard offers, averting unconsciousness himself, Kane fields a formidable feint against his boss.
One of the few indeed who can slip Howard's guard with any reliability, but this time it comes down to the blink of an eye. Geese's hands come around, palm meeting Billy's staff... an instant after it crashes into the base of his neck, and topples the resurrected crimelord. Needless to say, the counterattack lacks a bit of oomph at this point, as Howard's legs give out beneath him, and he falls to the ruined ground, holding out a hand to forestall Billy's further attack. There's always next time. Geese's only regret in losing to Kane... is not being able to focus his remaining strength and fury into an eleventh hour crescendo with his lupine nemesis.
Instead, Geese Howard taps out, so to speak; with a subtle, smirking smile on his face as he kneels crouched amidst the deafening cries that fill the ancient theater.
It's testament to the hours of training that Billy has undergone, that even what's considered a 'feint' can topple a titan such as Geese-- but that's the level these men are at, all three of them. Only ever the tiniest slip, the smallest hole in their defenses away from being brought to a knee, and it's where the literal and figurative fire of Kane serves him so well; when he should throw an all-out assault, he may fall instead into a relative swat from that crimson weapon, and - where he should hold back and bide his time - he opens proceedings to a blaze. Versatile, well-versed in everything, he's a tricky opponent for any man...
Even the one who taught him how to play such tricks.
There's no hiding the relief in the outbreath that follows the fierce crunch of rod to shoulder, Kane's entire frame suddenly released from the most high-tensile poise as Geese takes that aforementioned knee. Pulling the staff back, he almost wants to lay it down and take deeper, gathering breaths of his own; that last strike may have been geared for swiftness and strategy more than outright devastating force, but it was hardly lightweight, and the setup alone... after eating shots from Howard and Bogard both, it was enough.
Two things convince Billy to bound to his feet, spinning the staff under one arm as the other shoots aloft.
The first is the crowd, the crowd he wants to play, the crowd whose adoration he planned to receive...
And the other is Terry. Wild eyes seek him out as Billy keeps his fist on high, losing him as the Londoner turns but snapping instantly back once he's done presenting to both sides of those gathered about the Parthenon. See, the scheduled fight may be over - and the Brit feels an almost visceral thrill at that, as he always does and always will - but the regretful sentiment of Geese is shared. There's no way he can take the Hungry Wolf from this position, not without the fates conspiring to drop the temple on his ballcapped head...
But part of Billy still wants it. So he lashes out for the next best thing.
"I felled a great man tonight! Some might say the best," His voice rings out, that thick cockney accent lost somewhat as he raises it to shout - but giving an edge that makes it all the easier for the cameras to pick up without a microphone. "They might be right, at that. But I've proved why I was the bloody King of Fighters, why I /deserved/ that title-- and why I deserve another shot at the top of this sport!" Kane bares his teeth suddenly, in half a grin and half a snarl, taking a lunging step toward Terry to thrust out a calloused finger.
"I WANT /YOU/, TERRY BOGARD!!"
That's practically a howl, and it needs to be to keep carrying over the roaring of the crowd. They've been treated enough to even see these three men - most of all the return of the former management, and let alone sharing a space with his greatest rival. But this is the drama they crave, and the drama that's been missing for months; challenges issued and accepted, further rivalries developed. And this... this?
"'Ere on Saturday Night Fight, you an' me. Whaddya say, Wolf?"
It's a grudge match. How could he possibly refuse?
... well. That was... satisfactory. Terry was going to stocl around just long enough to see Geese fall--but then came Billy. The Legendary Wolf eyes Billy, his lip quirking upwards. "Not sure you've earned it yet, Billy Kane... if you want it, though, you got it." And then, he turns to leave. His walk is not fast, but it isn't easy, either--clearly he's still tense, although he might've expected Geese to show his face again sometime. The man is like a goddamned cockroach.
On his way out of the stadium, he takes his hat off, and drops it on the head of a cheering kid, the kid having raised his spirits some just by being there. It'll be a treasured (probably washed) keepsake--and who knows, maybe it'll inspire the kid to learn the martial arts. It's too bad Rock isn't around. Terry would love to see his reaction to his old man being right there on TV, live and direct.
Just outside the Parthenon, a SNF official intercepts him, and Terry gives the man a single look, ice cold. "Don't -ever- put me in that kind of fight again. With him. Oh, and," he says, as he walks off, "Donate all that money I'd get to Southtown and Metro City orphanages. Thanks."
Log created on 21:17:18 05/17/2012 by Geese, and last modified on 19:45:32 05/19/2012.