Description: During Gato's continued presence in Sunshine City following Adon's mentally destructive encounter, he senses that the World Warrior himself, Ryu, is also present due to Sakura's involvement with the tournament. Tracking down the man, the unbalanced Gato demands a challenge. Ryu accepts, although quickly discovers that those fists of rage can fell even him if not avoided. Ryu senses the familiar darkness within him, but can he offer any advice to one falling down the destructive path of martial arts?
How long has it been since Sakura and Athena battled in the Trial of the Dragon tournament? Some time, now, but despite the pop star triumphing over Ryu's kinda-protege, the Wanderer finds it hard to leave the city. The tournament is the easy reason; he'd like to see the rest of the matches and how they play out. Observing fights, after all, is one part of becoming a stronger fighter. But deep inside, he knows that's only part of the answer, and the convenient one at that. Something is in the air in this city that is putting him on edge, and while he's got no desire to leap into the fray and fix things, Ryu has been in enough worldwide tournaments to know that where mysterious benefactor-funded fighting tourneys go, some sort of criminal or supernatural threat is sure to follow. At the moment, he's hanging around just... in case.
Certainly, the World Warrior's appearance has had an immediate and powerful Darwinian effect on thugs, muggers, and other street criminals with no access to Google Image Search. As is his usual wont, Ryu is staying outside the city, in whatever wild space is convenient (and away from civilization). This means regular trips through the war zone that is Outer Sunshine, and let's face it, an obvious foreigner in funny pajamas seems like an easy mark until you pull a knife and then find yourself flying into a brick wall at a fraction of the speed of sound.
This means two things. One, the criminal element have now given ANYBODY of Japanese descent in a gi walking the streets a wide berth. Two, it means that those hoodlums that AREN'T morons are circulating the knowledge that Ryu is in town... or if they don't know who he is, 'a strong fighter in karate clothes,' unquote.
It is in this context that we find Ryu currently returning to his camp, walking through the darkened streets of Outer Sunshine while shafts of amber-purple light from sunset creep through the cracks between the tall apartment and office buildings of the city. It's as if the mix of day and night colors is like a border zone, a time when the innocent people of Outer Sunshine are finishing up anything that requires leaving the house, while the more sinister elements wake like vampires, ready to rule the night. As it is, Ryu simply walks, unconcerned with the movements of the city around him, striding through the period between night and day with little a car indeed.
Gato is one of those foreigners who tends to be hassled by people of more predjudiced and imminently hospitalized upbringing. Having no interest in such hoodlums beyond immediate and required self defense, it was not until someone compared him to 'that Japanese karate guy' that he managed a very persuasive request for more information. Ryu is within Sunshine City. Such makes sense; the famous fighter's affiliation with the panty flashing tomboy is well known, especially given her participation -- and winning blow -- against Gill seven years ago when Sakura was well into ten years old. Or whatever ambiguous time field that took place in. Growing up, Gato had admired powerful fighters... Krauser, Sagat, that man with the peculiar pointy hair. But Ryu spoke strongest to him. A wanderer who lives for nothing but martial arts of his own age, respected by the entire world community. It was a dream of Gato to one day measure himself against a man who walked the same path for just as long, and see where he stood in the eyes of the world.
Although he had not anticipated his mindset being so twisted when such an opportunity presented itself. For Ryu would distinctly pick up on a violent intent, one that is far from neutral or benevolent. This unshackled chi floods out from a man visible sitting upon the edge of a squat two story concrete building; legs crossed, leaning forward with hands resting upon his knees. Eyes tinged with a deep anger are leveraged down at the bandana'd Asian, harsh and judgemental. Yet perhaps most unsettling to Ryu is that it would have a familiarity. It is like the Satsu no Hadou; a lurking killing intent, from a fighter on the brink of choice into a dark, violent path of self destruction. The 'Satsujinken', a fighter who will not hold back against any opponent, regardless of damage, crippling, or even death.
"You are Ryu." This is not a question, but more an acknowledgement. He can see the immersed soul of a prodigal martial artist with only a glance. "A man I have long wished to meet...!"
'Murderous intent.' Certainly, in a world where psychic powers are a reality, such a thing must be believable, but in fact, even those fighters who don't possess Psycho Power have, on some instinctive level, an ability to sense danger, particularly the presence of people who wish to do harm. Swordsmen call it 'kenki', the spirit of the swordsman, an aura around them that describes a space that others might not wish to step into. More practical people simply call it 'presence.' Scientifically, it's probably the subconscious mind taking scraps of sensory information and speedily processing them into an immediate, vivid image of what might happen next, a modern outgrowth of the survival instinct.
Either way, well before Gato introduces himself, Ryu feels it, face suddenly turning toward the sky, brown eyes darting back and forth like a radar gun, attempting to home in on that feeling. That same gaze tracks Gato's descent from his building perch, watches him approach, takes in the confident stride, the deliberate and powerful movements of his body.
For a moment, he is reminded of others who share this aura. Men like Gen, and... a certain other.
Is it any surprise, then, that the Japanese man's body is tense as he speaks, just shy of slipping into a defensive stance, instead appearing to stand with curious detachment. His voice, when he speaks, betrays nothing. "Well, you've met me," Ryu says evenly. "Now what?"
No move has yet been made to jump down from the ascended seat. He merely remains seated, although the tension of a fighter upon the edge had been present since before he had even come into view. The wind blows against him, open top of his cheongsam pattering against broad muscles sculpt purely for martial combat. A flick of his head deposits his braid behind once more, shoulders slowly rolling in something of a shrug. No response is directly forthcoming. He is instead keenly analyzing, measuring, comparing... and does not like what he sees. Individually, the myriad advantages and masteries are not a significant edge. But when hundreds of them interweave perfectly into a soul born for combat, he can see the leagues away he remains. And within his pride filled heart, that anger grows hotter. "You accept duels, do you not?" There's a snap to his voice now, impatient and disrespectful. "Then fight me!!" In a whisk of motion he leaps from the top of the building. Landing in a crouch, a combination of raw power and perfectly flowing motions transfer the kinetic motion into an explosion of cracks upon the sidewalk. Given the already poor quality, it's not very noticeable. Slowly he rises, flexing muscles and then forcing them to relax, an unconscious warmup before a fist has even been raised...
"Duels?"
'Then we shall duel!' speaks a dark, gritty voice, its tone accusatory, disdainful. 'The winner will train this pup in the TRUE purpose of our arts. The loser will do nothing, ever again.'
Beneath thick, dark eyebrows, Ryu's eyes narrow ever so slightly, watching this obviously dangerous individual as he leaps down without any regard for the distance; a casual but entirely effective display of his power and fortitude. Already, to the Wanderer's keen eye for battle, such a simple thing tells him much about this man. He is strong, resilient; his style is likely fierce, relying on single powerful blows delivered with crushing force. He isn't slow by any means, but nimbleness does not become him; the type of individual who will turn and strike back furiously rather than give an inch of ground. And, of course, his choice of words -- a 'duel' -- and that persistent feeling of danger. The radiating hunger of a predator.
An interesting opponent.
"You've been misinformed," Ryu says guardedly, and now he *does* get into stance, legs slightly apart, fists up at torso height; it is a loose stance, flexible, ready to adapt to anything. An unremarkable stance... which should say something all its own. "I don't fight duels. But I do accept challenges. If you'd like to test yourself in battle... be my guest."
COMBATSYS: Ryu has wandered into a fight here.
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Ryu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Gato has joined the fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
"Challenges... tch. Do you mean to say you merely humor those who come before you?" Gato snaps back, tone not any less disrespectful. The young boy who would marvel at every exploit of Ryu with shining eyes is long since dead. "So be it. Were I to be flocked by insects, I would be no different... but I have no intention of being one." He turns to his side, lifting up to one leg. One palm faces the Legendary Hobo, while the other is facing behind, arms perfectly level. In a single fluid movement he assumes a proper fighting stance of his own. Breath exhales, balance centering, one arm extend with the other held close to guard. Chinese Kenpo. An amalgamation of a few styles based on aggressive, explosive damage. Although he seems heavily distracted, like a thin veil of smog or oil blocking his potential. His soul unbalanced, seething through to the unique fingerprint of his martial arts. No courtesy or ritual flows forward, only a sudden stamp before he advances forward. Running on the tips of his toes, angled forward to lend the maximum strength to any ensuing attack, he leaps upwards in a compact arc. And then pivots, using the inertia of his fall to strike out with an open palm, leveraged at Ryu's midsection!
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Gato's Aggressive Strike.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
The sound of cloth rustling in the air, the dull thud of feet on concrete, and the almost wet smack of an open fist slamming into Ryu's handguard-covered forearm. The blow sends a bone-jarring impact up his arm, but the Wanderer maintains his ground for the moment. "I take every challenge seriously," Ryu says calmly, looking into the eye of his opponent, sight line above the meeting of strike and defense going on at midriff height. "But I don't fight to the death." There is a brief pause, before a certain degree of natural honesty forces him to add, "At least, not for the sport of it." And then they're pushed away, Ryu putting some distance between the two fighters even as he pivots back to where he was standing before, assessing his opponent.
Even without seeing his style, Gato's clothes would have been a good tip-off that he practices a Chinese style of some form. Watching his opponent over his own upraised fists, Ryu narrows his eyes a little more. "Kung fu? No... something else." Something familiar, that he can't quite place right now. The rest of the factors seem to sink in, though. His opponent went for the full gusto right off the bat; he seems unlikely to back off at any point. This is going to be a long battle, and a potentially interesting one... and one with a surprising capacity to go Wrong in All The Worst Ways. It's that sense that something is Wrong with this man isn't helping.
His reprisal is swift; Ryu's fist comes forward in a twisting sidewards arc, looking to curl around and said through the air toward's the mysterious man's face in a simple right cross. He, too, is testing the waters.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Gato with Medium Punch.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Ryu
"...I said nothing about death." Gato snaps out, although there is certainly something lurking behind there. "What I find a disgrace... is only holding back!" That punch would at least reveal that Gato is no joke in the striking department; few in the world can leverage that much might, although that is the only aspect of him that could be considered world class. Unsurprised that Ryu deflected the opening palm strike, the following snap of Ryu's fist is almost imperceptable. He bothers no defense; doing such would only leave him vulnerable to more serious attacks. A solid blow, knocking Gato off-balance and twisting his entire body around. "...Hnngh!!" But still, he manages to kick off the sidewalk in an explosion of dust and debris, leaving a footprint in the concrete. Whipping his body in a savage motion, the heel of his foot then whirls out towards the Wanderer's chest.
COMBATSYS: Gato successfully hits Ryu with Fuu-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Ryu
His expectation proves true; this man takes a blow to the head and is back and coming toward the Wanderer again in practically no time at all. Yet even that fact is not as helpful to Ryu as it should be; the knowledge that someone will attack you can often be as much a detriment as it can be an advantage in this sort of scenario. Case in point; the Ansatsuken fighter lets worry creep into his otherwise stoic battle persona, unsure if Gato will strike from the left, the right, or somewhere less unorthodox. When the kick comes, the split second he could have used to finish his weaving evasion is instead spend in recognition of the line of the kick. Now it's Ryu's turn to stumble backwards, struck as he was, but soon he too flows back into stance without trouble.
"Kenpo... that's it." And he knows where he's seen such maneuvers before, actually: oddly enough, tiny echoes of them exist in the style of the Psycho Soldiers, Athena and Kensou. It's been a while since he's seen the latter in combat, and there are few similarities indeed between Athena's flashy psychic attacks and the focused, powerful movements of Gato... but just enough so that the outline of the style can be identified. Traces remain; where Athena relies on her mystical powers, Gato has sheer strength, but the end result is often the same; a focused strike in a vulnerable spot.
"As for holding back, I will let words speak rather than actions!" It seems that everyone believes that Ryu will hold back facing them, from inexperienced neophytes all the way up to clear professionals like Gato. But in every case, unless asked, the Wanderer gives it his best. Even now he sweeps through the air in a circular pattern, a corkscrew of physical force with one leg extended, wind whipping into circular vortices along his path. "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!"
COMBATSYS: Gato blocks Ryu's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
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Gato 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
There is no sense that Gato believes Ryu is holding back. Of course, he is giving it his all quite obviously... there would be little reason to humor the Japanese warrior, given the destructive force he has proven able to leverage! But the report from hitting Ryu's chest says something more to Gato. 'I hit him...' His heart stirs, lust for battle growing stronger. 'In an exchange with the world warrior, I hit him!' Of course, the whirlwind of destructive motion coming his way is nothing short of destructive. One forearm raises vertically, body hunkering slightly as the repeated blows impact him with incredible force. Each skids him back a few inches, and when Ryu would land once more, it is a good meter further along then when Gato started defending. Yet despite the sharp scuffs on the already scarred muscle beneath his long sleeves, again he snaps forward. A sharp downwards kick is aimed towards the shins, followed by two jabs with a knife-like approach. Such is merely the appetizer, for his body to pivot and snap forward, a circular motion boosting the ferocity of the open palm hurtling at Ryu's chest, precisely where the kick had hit. "HNGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Gato's Medium Punch.
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Gato 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Something about the complexity of Gato's offensive pulls a lever in Ryu's head, as it were; as he sidesteps the kick that begins the combination, there is a demonstrable change in the World Warrior's movements, which become one of the true expressions of the warrior's art: no wasted movement. He weaves his torso and his steps around the jabs and the following palm strike with only the minimum amount of energy and movement required in each situation, no more and no less. This means each blow shears by as a near miss, Gato's fists slicing the air mere inches -- maybe less -- from the white-clad fighter's body. The entire affair means that Ryu has lost very little ground for having entirely avoided Gato's strikes, leaving him free to keep the advantage of space and movement.
For someone who has battled so many, Ryu is not a talkative fighter during combat, preferring to let himself fall into the rhythm of the fight and the movement his intuition demands, like the rolling of waves upon a shore. But if Ryu's style is the tides, Gato's is a thunderstorm: a portentious darkness, punctuated only by the blinding flash of lightning and the deafening crash of thunder, each present for an instant and then gone the next, leaving one wondering what's coming next. To Ryu, it is a bizarre picture. "You talk of holding back, but... perhaps it's you that's doing so?"
From almost anyone else, that might sound like a taunt, intended to provoke, but Ryu drops the question into the relative silence of the fight like a stone into a calm pond, even as he advances on his opponent, reaching out for an arm. If he gets his grip, the result is nothing fancy; a judo-style front flip so that Gato ends up on the ground on his back. After all... it'd be nice if he could answer.
COMBATSYS: Gato counters Medium Throw from Ryu with Ou-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Ryu
Those inches might seem close to the eyes of another, but Gato can see them for what they are. Dodging even the distance of a thin sheet of paper more then is required is nothing but wasteful. It ruins your balance, disrupts your flow, and wastes your energy. This is one of the facets that was always hammered into the eldest Futaba. 'Economy of motion! Fighting is as much Go as it is Chess.' However, he is still very wasteful. Gato leverages more force then is neccesary in his blows. Much like dodging too much is a waste, so is hitting too hard, moving too fast... it is as if he wishes to finish matters in as few hits as possible. "...!" Hardness rushes over those features, already steeled, and when the arm is grasped Gato wrenches downwards. 'And also like Go... it is a battle of territory!!' Exhaling sharply, his entire body goes relaxed in the split second Ryu would be off balance. Before in a sharp, violent, and incredibly compact motion Gato throws his back into Ryu, striking him true against the torso. Arms thrust up and down in the opposite direction, cracking the ground yet again with a windcrack of expended internal chi. "Do not deride me... I will climb to the top of this world. No matter the path I must choose!! To hold back... hurts most the pride of the fighter doing such. Suppressing one's own strength as a fighter spits in the face of every minute spent in training!"
He hadn't meant to provoke Gato, but he did all the same, and now Ryu is paying the price for it. The kenpo master might find some pleasure in the look of genuine surprise that crosses Ryu's face as the counter maneuver hits home, sending him stumbling back a step or two... or three or four. However, it isn't the physical impact of such a thing -- though it did indeed sting mightily -- but rather the violent words that follow it. That analytical brown-eyed stare centers itself on Gato again, and somewhat surprisingly, the corner of Ryu's lips turn down into the tiniest, briefest frown for just a moment.
Hands come together at his sides, their cupped palms describing the arc of a sphere in his grip. Even as blue-white light flickers into being, swirling into existence like a miniature hurricane, Ryu talks over the sudden kicking up of wind on the mostly-abandoned city street. "You say you are reaching for the 'top'... but your fists tell a different story." And that much is true. In the singleminded strength of Gato's strikes, there is a hunger for violence. Not necessarily directed at Ryu, personally... but it's there. No... whatever is in Gato's heart, it's not the same desire for self-improvement that burns in Ryu's soul. Before the dark-haired man before him could strive for that enlightment, there is something he must unburden himself of first.
But what?
In his hands, Ryu's gathered chi blazes brightly, and the Ansatsuken Wanderer forms it, shapes it, taking the gathered force and turning its turbulent power into a bright blue-white bullet of force. If the appearance of this most iconic attack does not assure Gato that Ryu means business, it's likely nothing will. "Hadoooooukennnnnn!"
COMBATSYS: Gato endures Ryu's Hadouken.
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Gato 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
It takes a moment to gather the chi neccesary for that maneuver. And in that split second opening, Gato is hurtling himself forward. When palms thrust outwards, there is barely a couple feet for the projectile to go. It impacts Gato's upper torso, in a bright flash of exploding chi. Yet a moment later, tearing through the licking frames, upper body tattered and charred by the signature strike of the other warrior, he attacks unimpeded. Planting a foot heavily, he roars while twisting into another, sharper motion that turns his entire body in a whip. Whistling out, he aims to plant the side of his foot directly into Ryu's ribs, trying to snake beneath the followthrough lag of the hadouken in time to take advantage. "No... I will reach the top... and surpass a certain man!!" Blackened fabric sloughs away like snow, the top of his cheongsam falling down to ripple around his legs. His body shows a sea of impact scars, clearly from martial arts. Yet all of them seem to be a decade old... perhaps even twice that. Someone struck with violent intent as a mere child, and countless times.
COMBATSYS: Ryu instinctively blocks Gato's Medium Kick.
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Gato 1/----===/=======|=======\===----\1 Ryu
And there, in the span of that exchange, is his purpose revealed. Gato does not fight for the sake only of his own improvement; he strives to perfect his art so 'that man' -- whoever he may be -- can be overcome. And if Gato doesn't find himself ready yet, then that person must be a formidable fighter indeed. The Wanderer lets his body move on its own, preparing himself as his opponent hurtles forward into that attack, looking to negate whatever advantage of space it might provide. Even as the last of the energy burns off around his body, Ryu swings one arm forward so that Gato's kick slams into his arm rather than his torso.
In that moment, the World Warrior's memory assaults him with thoughts. Doesn't Ryu himself fight so that he can avenge his master's death, in some way? Certainly, Ryu trains to defeat his own 'that man', the fighter with the 'Ten' mark, someday. And in that fraction of a second, he realizes that had he not found a higher calling, this man in front of him could have been Ryu, once. Without the advantages Ryu had -- people who cared about him, morals to steer him on the right path -- he could easily be the other man in this equation.
Somehow, that makes him want to work all the harder to end this bout. Perhaps there is still time for Gato to turn things around.
There's a scraping sound as Ryu spins back, away from Gato for a moment, but then turns forward again, having made a quick spiral, one knee raised. Leaning his torso back, Ryu suddenly extends that leg, producing a fiercely powerful pistoning forward kick that strikes at shoulder height and intends to send the kenpo master flying.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Gato with Joudan Sokutou Geri.
- Power hit! -
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Gato 1/=======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Ryu
Much more is communicated in this split second then is clearly visible. Gato attempts to leap backwards and away from the brutal assault, but he is struck dead in the chest despite his greatest efforts. Eyes wide, spittle and blood leaving him as he's launched backwards at a considerable speed. Finally, the immobile rock of the Kenpo fighter is uprooted and hurled, striking the side of a car. The entire door is caved in, glass exploding outwards across his bare shoulders. It actually skids an inch away, the alarm inside going crazy as headlights flash on and off in a wild frenzy. "...!!"
In two blows, he has been shattered. It took all his focus simply to plow through the pulse of chi, only to then be sent away like a petulant child in a single blow. The first attempt to stand fails, Gato dropping to a knee and catching himself with the top of a parking meter. Then he rises, grasping the red, heavily bruised spot where that kick hit his torso.
"Why...!" Gato hisses out, leaning slightly forward. Breath leaves him in heaving gasps, black bangs whisking in front of his rugged features, disheveled from the two hits. "I was born into martial arts... I walked the same path for you... just as long...!! THEN WHY DO YOU STAND ABOVE ME WITH SUCH EASE?!"
Leaping forward, Gato pulls his knees in close, before dropping down with a leading kick. The blow is crisp and strong, but it could be blocked without much difficulty. It is followed by a sharp palm strike, and then a brutal shoulder... all power and no force, trying to knock Ryu off his feet.
And then, dark rage wells up deep inside.
Killing intent.
"Ten-ryuu..." Skidding a foot in Ryu's direction, every ounce of him flows like water. It is beautiful, to one who can understand the thousands of hours of practice, willpower, and dedication devoted to every tension, shift, pivot, breath, weight. Like a snowball, all of Gato's already significant power begins to roll up, building further and further, until it drives forward towards Ryu's chest with explosive force. Another invisible explosion of chi, blowing out for meters around and shattering the windows of an adjacent store. A visible warble in the air, as his palm attempts to bury itself into the World Warrior's chest, right over his heart.
"RETSU-KIBA!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Gato's Ten-Ryuu Retsu-Kiba!
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Gato 0/-------/---====|=======\=====--\1 Ryu
While he is humble, Ryu is a master martial artist. Beyond that, he is a fighter with incredible intuition, able to read moves and people with deceptive ease. He stares down the assault Gato is about to unleash, and there is one thing he knows about it for certain:
If he doesn't do something, this fight's going to end right here and now... and not to the Wanderer's benefit.
If there's an epitome to the single-strike, powerful stroke style that Gato has exhibited, it MUST be the blow to the heart. It's said that duellists and fencers strive for that single clean blow to the heart because it is the 'cleanest kill,' for example. But the dark man before him, overflowering with murderous intent, has perhaps made a fatal error in striking with all of his fury. As he nears the World Warrior, something flashes behind Ryu's eyes, some awareness that gushes up from deep inside, and suddenly the man before him, executing this technique with such deadly grace, isn't a man anymore; he is physics. He is energy. He is lines of force, read and calculated and mapped out in a span of time infintessimally small, so that even as Ryu is sidestepping the leadup kicks on a sort of auto-pilot, the final heart strike is reduced to a pinpoint of light in his mind.
The world slows to a stop, and Gato finds his striking point caught in Ryu's grip, as if the man had simply seen a piece of paper floating in the air and snatched it. It is as if Ryu found the single point in that avalanche of power to force it to disperse, and then pressed it as simply as turning off a lightswitch.
When he lets go, he speaks in a quiet tone that, thanks to the small distance between the two men, still rings with terrible clarity: "Your answer lies in the heart of battle."
And then it is Ryu's turn to become the avalanche, the crashing wave. Flashing forward with blinding speed, he attempts to drive a quick, punishing blow into the pit of Gato's stomach...
COMBATSYS: Gato Toughs Out Ryu's Shin Shoryuken+!
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Gato 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Ryu
The blow may not buy him much time, but a moment or two is all Ryu needs. "Shin!" The stomach blow is followed by a vicious uppercut to the chin, and then finally the Wanderer becomes the ascending dragon, rising skyward, the spiralling rising punch intending to send Gato to the mat even as Ryu himself heads upward. "Shoryukennnnnnn!"
Gato's eyes are wide. Only once in his life has he seen this move nullified in such a manner. One other person who dismissed it, negating the very heart of the technique. The dismissive, laughing shadow of his father, who then proceeded to give him the scars on his back. In so many years... so long of torturous, endless practice, he has only advanced this far? Is that his limit. No. It will not be! If the path he has chosen is not enough, then there must be another road. Of that, Gato is certain. The blurring speed of Ryu's advance is noticed, but what he does rather suicidal. With a roar, he suddenly thrusts his chest outwards. Every muscle explodes at once. He is hit, but he is not moved. Ryu will immediately know what this means. It is not an act of strategy; it is an act of defiance. If he follows through with the motion, he might scar another warrior as he did Sagat... or perhaps, flat out kill him. Yet such matters mean nothing at this point. A burning line razes up and past a shoulder, but still, he does not fall.
And then suddenly Gato is hurling through the air, trailing blood from his wound. More tatters of his damaged clothing raining in his wake, before he twists, thrusting out both legs while Ryu remains in the apex of his assault, full defense not possible. Trying to wrap those legs around his throat, and then twist to settle himself on his shoulders. "KIBA..."
Assuming contact is made, what would follow is a wrenching, full-body twist, impossible core of raw power maneuvering in concert. He is trying to break Ryu's neck. And he has proven, from the titanic blow earlier, he is someone who has that level of power. "ZERO...!"
Yet it is not to be. Regardless of the outcome, he slowly falls back towards the ground, twisting and landing upon his hands and knees. Even as a torrent of blood spatters beneath, sweatened body shuddering, he refuses to go unconscious in the face of one of the world's strongest fighters. And given his bared torso, Ryu would see clearly the three brutal lines gouged permanently in Gato's back, the mark of some years old battle he clearly lost. "...!!"
COMBATSYS: Gato can no longer fight.
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Gato's Zero Kiba.
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Ryu 0/-------/---====|
The last thing anyone wants to see, after feeling as if they've made a decisive final strike, is to see their bloodied and furious opponent attempting to drop on them from out of the sky.
It takes Herculean effort to avoid the situation becoming rapidly worse, not the least reason of which being that Ryu is still in the wind-down from the Shin Shoryuken, a technique that typically speaking does not require a period of counterattack preparedness afterwards. But there is something of madness in Gato's strikes, now; a fury that proves Ryu's assessment of the man to be true but which, if not checked, will do the World Warrior significant harm. Left with no choice, the white-clad fighter all but HEAVES his body out of the way in midair. The effect is almost as if he'd done a somersault from the ground, meaning that Gato falls past him, missing by mere inches. It also means that rather than a perfect three-point landing, Ryu slams into the pavement on his back, *hard*. That pain is significant, lancing through his body like fire, but compared to a broken neck, it's tolerable indeed.
Long moments pass before the gi-clad man gets to his feet, glancing down at the scarred man lying before him. The criss-cross network of old wounds that laces Gato's torso bring a look of concern to the Wanderer's face, his mouth set in a taut, pensive line. He sees much of himself in this person... and some of Sagat, as well. The latter managed, in his own way, to become a man of honor and great skill. Gato... he might reach that path too, someday.
Ryu's not even sure the man can hear him at this point, yet he feels compelled to speak regardless. "Imagine you've become strong enough to defeat him. What good is your strength, then? What will you do? What is there beyond the hope of revenge?" He pauses, eyes closed for a moment, before opening them again. "I know all too well that until you find that answer, you struggle in vain."
"...it is not what he destroyed in me. I was already crushed, long before that day...!" Gato manages to hiss out, blood dripping from his mouth. He tries to stand and fails, falling limply to the sidewalk. Once more he struggles, clawing for an adjacent newspaper vending machine, starting to get upright. His fighting spirit is still strong, but with his body the way it is he will not be able to even stand for a few hours. "What he did..." A vision of Hotaru's broken, crying face haunts his mind like a ghost, before he represses it with even more violence. "IS UNFORGIVEABLE." In that moment, Ryu would likely see clearly. Were his vengeance simply for himself, it is something that could be reasoned. Yet for another... well. There may be only one person in this world who could shift Gato from the path he is fallen. "I am not done... with you yet...!!" Blood slickened hands slip from the newspaper machine, and he thumps upon his knees, His head bows, slowly teetering forward until his forehead thumps against the cool glass. Now and then he trembles... yet he would move no further, and offer nothing else.
What to do, with this battered individual before him? Fighters are resilient; he is probably in no mortal danger, and more to the point, the likelihood that Gato would accept the help of medical assistance is slim to none. In fact, by the time EMTs arrived in this godforsaken Sunshine slum, he might be recovered enough to do *them* harm. Although he finds such pride to be... wasteful... Ryu has learned better than to argue with it, over the years. There is indeed much of Sagat in him.
Tightening his belt, Ryu assesses Gato for a moment. Indeed, there it was: a flicker in that hateful intent, a burst of static in the angry song. Momentary, and deeply buried. This may be why, as he prepares to leave, Ryu phrases a sort of odd benediction to Gato: "I hope you find what you need, rather than what you're looking for."
And then, barring further comment, he turns to go. It isn't the last time they'll meet, but ideally, the next time will be different.
Log created on 20:33:42 06/27/2012 by Gato, and last modified on 11:19:52 06/28/2012.