Description: Katt's quest leads him to Southtown Village for another beating. Will the dreadlocked wanderer have what it takes to hold his own, or will the might of Todoh prove too much for him to handle? Find out inside!
Southshore. Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu Dojo. 2 PM.
Todoh-Ryuu was an old martial art. Drawn from Aikido, it has been handed down generation to generation though the Todoh family. It is neither the strongest art, nor the most popular art, even within the scope of Southshore. Its reputation, in fact, had long been tempered against the success of its primary rival, the Kyokugen Dojo. Success had long eluded the dojo, leaving the school in financial ruin and physical disrepair.
But success had come.
Where there was once a weed-ridden lawn, there was now rich Kentucky bluegrass. Where crab grass once choked, was now beautiful flowers encircling the grounds. Where rotted, mildewy wood paneling was, there was now the finest in pagoda design. Two lion statues mark the steps that lead to the paper panel that made the doorway for the dojo, wide open. And standing at that open doorway, a gi-clad man stands, hands gripped on a broom.
Silently sweeping.
The African-American man sweeps grimly, cleaning the floors to prepare for his students. Daniel Jack was not a member of the Todoh-Ryuu family. Not in the immediate family, in any sense. He had joined the dojo years ago, but unlike many others, he had remained with the dojo, studying the art of Todoh, and using it to perfect himself and his career. It was his own zealous promotion of the martial art that had helped rescue the dojo from financial ruin, and in turn, secured himself as the third-strongest practitioner of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu, behind the father-sister team of Master Ryuhaku Todoh and Kasumi Todoh. Now, he was cleaning the grounds for the after-school rush of students.
Grimly, he sweeps out a cloud of dust off the wooden boards of the dojo grounds.
A battered bare foot steps quietly onto the end of the Dojo's garden path. The owner of said foot is a small, travel worn man in a loose brown robe. Long black dreadlocks sweep dramatically out behind the man...or, they would sweep out dramatically if he were doing anything interesting. Instead they hang limp down his back, holding great potential for grand billowing at a later date.
Katthalla's dappled hands move to clasp before his middle as he waits at the end of the Dojo's path to be noticed. His right hand is currently wrapped in stiff white bandages, but little things like fractured bones don't really bother him these days. In fact, if Katt feels any pain at all it doesn't show on his face.
Wearing an expression of quiet contentment Katt drifts his attention over the grounds, walls, and finally the caretaker of the Dojo. Taking in the larger man's dark skin and Gi, the smaller martial artist eventually lifts his chin slightly and tries to catch the man's eye.
There were two types of strangers that approached the Dojo.
The first was that there was a potential new student. There are always new students. There never wouldn't be new students of Todoh, it was the nature of the beast. As long as there was a spark for the martial art, people would look upon that fire, and seek to join with that fire to bring about the bonfire that is Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. And then there was second type of stranger.
They wanted to snuff out that flame.
The sweeping stops. The intense brown eyes of the student of Todoh-Ryuu rise up from the ground, and lock upon the waiting stranger. Silence remains as Daniel stares upon the man, that cold glower not breaking. The lock breaks as he looks over the stranger's hair, the dreadlocks hanging. Looking down on the bandages, he could sense in his heart that this may be more of the second type of stranger, instead of the first. Despite the small size, he could sense this man was a fighter. The silence breaks as Daniel Jack speaks tersely and tensely, his tone demanding that the stranger answers.
"What's the noise on the floor, scuzzy? How can I help you?"
Katthalla pauses for a moment to let the tension build. Though he is peaceful by nature, the creator of Katt's Pa does have a rather refined sense of humor. So he lets the moment build while gazing back at Daniel with his nearly black eyes.
"My name is Kamazaki Iwoi," Katt says in flawless Japanese, his voice quiet and mildly hoarse, "and I have come for your kitchen."
The level stare remains locked on Daniel's face for a moment longer before Katt starts to grin. The flash of brilliantly white teeth cause the wandering fighter's face to light up, banishing most of the natural intensity from his features. As he smiles he unfolds his hands and lifts them in a gesture of piece, shoulders shrugging helplessly.
The stony face of the sempai of Todoh-Ryuu does not crack.
As the Japanese is spoken, the eyes of the American narrow. He parse each of the words. It takes a few seconds after the last words for Daniel to understand. And with that, the broom is tossed aside with a clatter. The student of Todoh tightens his hands into fists, a fire beginning to surge behind his eyes. Arms crossed, his stare beams into the stranger. No man would dare desecrate Mrs. Todoh's kitchen. The righteous fury only a true warrior of Todoh was at the brink, ready to pour forth into this intruder that would dare violate the Kitchen of Todoh.
And then the laughter comes.
It takes a moment for Daniel to understand what is going on. But when that understanding comes, the stone softens, the fire dies down. "Okay scuzzy, seriously, you better watch it." He bites, uncrossing his arms as his body relaxes. "What do you want. I got a dojo to clean up here, and a bunch of students to teach." Daniel looks over the man's appearance once again, before rubbing his smooth chin, brown eyes narrowed skeptically. "Are you looking for a handout? Master Todoh has a strict polic-" The sempai pauses a moment, before correcting himself. "Master Todoh has a policy about the homeless. I am not certain what that policy is at the moment, but it is definitely a policy." Daniel pauses.
"Are you still after our kitchen?"
"No." Comes Katt's quiet reply to Daniel's final question. The smaller warrior has switched effortlessly to the English language. He can apparently speak English just as easily as Japanese.
Still grinning faintly, Katt sweeps his bandaged right hand through the air before him in a grand gesture that encompasses all of the Todoh-Ryuu Dojo. He appears utterly relaxed in the way some fighters tend to be. It probably has something to do with maintaining his center, who knows. Regardless, he does not step any further onto the grounds than he already has.
"I am Katthalla," Katt continues hoarsely, "but it is easiest to call me Katt. I have come in search of knowledge. I wish to learn of Todoh-ryuu Kobojutsu. May I approach?"
It seems that the smaller fighter does not intend to play any further jokes on the Todoh-Ryuu practitioner. Not yet, anyway.
Daniel Jack was not much a prankster himself.
He didn't even like pranks that much. Except business pranks, like stealing the Kyokugen sign. But that wasn't for fun. That was business. Daniel Jack's exterior was all for serious, even when relaxed. He didn't know if he could trust this stranger. As he sweeps his hand, he mulls about whether or not he should shoo him off, so he can return back to his chores.
And then he states his reason to be here.
The cold eyes suddenly go wide. The stern face melds into a smile. "YES! I mean, of course!" The student of Todoh hurries down the stairs, elated at the new offer. Extending a hand out for greeting, he steps aside, inviting with the other hand. "Welcome to the Dojo of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu, Katt! It is wonderful that you are interested in learning this rich and sacred art! Please! Come! Come!" Nodding heavily, he adds briskly.
"How did you hear about us, anyways?"
Katthalla pads forward to clasp Daniel's hand lightly in his own. He seems not to care that he uses the hand wrapped in bandages. Most people shake with their right, no use making the greeting weird just to avoid a little pain.
"Most of the Dojos in South Town are known to me." Katt admits calmly. Withdrawing his hand he lifts it to chest height and flexes the fingers, glancing down toward it briefly before stepping past Daniel to wander toward the Dojo proper.
"I feel it best to explain further before you become too friendly to me." Katt continues, stepping up onto the wooden planks of the porch. "I am not hear to learn your art, but to learn of it. I have taken it upon myself to build a style of my own. it must be a style of balance, both body and spirit. Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. it is more than punches or kicks. It is an Art. I wish to learn why. Why you choose this art. Why it is different from so many others."
Falling into silence the dreadlocked fighter half turns to put his left shoulder toward Daniel. Folding both hands back before his stomach he glances about at the flowers, grass, and Gi-wearing caretaker.
"I understand not all is up for discussion." Katt continues in his quiet, hoarse voice. "Some wish only to fight me and show their might. Others to talk of the philosophy behind there teachings. Some invite me to stay and learn. You will choose the path we take. if you wish me to leave without further words, this is also an option."
Apparently having finished his little speech the brown-robed fighter falls quiet. He maintains his pose of quiet stoicism, hands at his stomach, bare feet shoulder-width apart, and expression one of quiet contentment. The grinning of earlier has faded.
Daniel doesn't grip tight.
As he feels the bandages, he restrains himself. He did not want to crush the stranger's hand. As he lets the man walk past, the sempai inspects him further. He was shorter, yes, but strong. Taut would be the word. Efficient. As Katt walks forward, Daniel follows, arms behind his back. He listens, face still bright. And finally, Katt lets his intent out in the open.
Daniel's joy doesn't not fade.
He had, time and time, loved nothing more than explain the utter fountain of strength of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. The strength it gave him, the strength it gave others. How it transformed him. And here was Katt, begging for it. As a hand fall upon his shoulder, Daniel Jack could feel the spirit of Todoh surge up; the opportunity of physical demonstration right before him. The student of Todoh's body tightens, ready for battle.
But.
The man's form relaxes as quickly as it tensed up. Daniel Jack takes a deep breath in, and exhales. "Katt, I can not tell you the joy that you have given me, the joy you have given me by you asking for me to show you Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. I could have you sit through a class, and watch a dozen students get thrown about and chop the air for an hour. I could blather on about the philosophy of Todoh-Ryuu. But there is no better demonstration of Todoh-Ryuu than structured combat, a duel between two warriors."
"But."
Daniel Jack motions at Katt. His hand, bandaged. Broken. "You are already pretty broken up, scuzzy. I don't know if you've been going around picking fights with the dojos, or something. But I don't know if you want to push yourself any further on that hand. I've been on the bad side of fights; when you get trashed, I mean, when you get badly beaten up, you don't want to immediately throw yourself into a fight until at least the insurance check clears." Daniel pauses.
"You do have insurance, right?"
Katthalla rolls his shoulders and takes a single step back, bare feet planting themselves on the wooden flooring just a bit further than shoulder width apart. Listening to Daniel explain that he would need to fight to learn doesn't phase the shorter fighter in the slightest. His hands unfold, lifting into a defensive posture with his palms facing Daniel, elbows angled toward the ground.
At the mention of insurance one corner of Katt's mouth quirks up. Wiggling the fingers of his right hand, he gives a slight shake of his head that sets his long dreads to swishing.
"I have no insurance." Katt states calmly, "Do not worry, however. I trust in our abilities as fighters to avoid damaging anything internal. Consider it a lesson in your control. it is one I have long since mastered. Do not fear to hurt me. I have had many injuries. I will have many more. Fighting with hairline fractures is not a new experience."
Of course, Katt conveniently leaves out the fact that his left shoulder was recently dislocated and has not fully healed. Oh, and his recent concussion. He's pretty sure that's healed. The world has really solidified these last couple of days. No more spinning sidewalks.
Daniel was skeptical.
He didn't know how well this man was held together. He was driven, that was certain. And he -liked- driven. But he didn't want to be an assisted suicide. As he insists, Daniel mulls. He thinks, and chews, and wavers. It really did seem that the stranger was confident that he will be alright. And after all, Daniel didn't know about that dislocated shoulder. And it is that, where Daniel Jack gives in.
"Alright, Katt, I'll believe you."
Daniel Jack rubs the back of his neck. He felt like this was going to be either something he regrets, or Katt regrets. Though he gets the vibe that Katt isn't the kind of man who has regrets. So pretty much, that meant Daniel would be the one with regrets. Motioning to the Dojo, he walks inside. "Come on inside. Lets do on the mats; I'll treat it like a private lesson." Walking within the dojo, he walks to the center of the room, where several cream-colored mats were placed evenly around. Positioning himself amongst them, the sempai takes a deep breath, and motions right in front of himself. "Stand across from me, scuzzy."
As he waits, Daniel begins to recite the lesson he has given to neophytes before; the introduction of the martial art. "Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu has it's roots in both Aikido and, via Aikido, Aikijutsu. We also cover a specific offensive chi technique, the Kasane Ate. You can expect grapples, throws, some hand and foot strikes, and our legendary Kasane Ate. Now, Katt." Daniel Jack spreads his stance open, one foot before the other, the defensive stance of Aikido, as he brings one hand before the other.
"Are you ready to experience the true might of Todoh?"
Katthalla drops his stance and turns to trail Daniel into the dojo. Noticing the safety mats on the floor, Katt manages to radiate satisfaction without any visible change in expression. Maybe he does that with a subtle shift in posture.
Listening to the basic run down before the fight, Katt steps into position across from his opponent and falls back into his original defensive stance. He is calm and collected as ever.
No counter explanation is given about his own ability's. Katt simply nods his readiness for the fighting to start, then commences to watch and wait. Damn those defensive types.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla has started a fight here.
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Katthalla 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Katthalla focuses on his next action.
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Katthalla 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Daniel has joined the fight here.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Katthalla
There were three public styles of Todoh Ryuu.
The first was Ryuhaku Todoh himself. His emphasis was on the single, powerful techniques of the art, and the Kasane Ates. He reflected the spirit of Todoh. Kasumi, the younger, more delicate master of the art, was stronger in the throws and grapples, able to move with incredible speed and power, but primarily defensive in her style. And Daniel?
Daniel was an offensive approach to the art.
As Katt acknowledges, the sempai returns the nod. Daniel takes the first step, speaking as he moves. "I am opening with a demonstration with two core hand strikes of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. As stated, Todoh-Ryuu is a blend of strikes, throws, and chi strikes. Our hand strikes are simplistic though; you should be able to defend this easily." As the student of Todoh steps into Katt, the man's right hand winds back, flattening to a chop. And in tandem, to set the trigger, Daniel's left hand thrusts forward into a solid palm strike, aiming straight for Katt's chest. Whether it lands or not was not important; the right hand would fall down into a single hand chop, attempting to cut right into the shoulder of his opponent.
But that would not be the end of the combo, if Daniel had his way.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Katthalla with Quick Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Katthalla
Katthalla flexes his toes into the mat and braces himself for the oncoming strikes.
The palm strike is deflected easily enough, Katt's bandaged right hand darting forward to smack against Daniel's as if they were playing patty cake.
Sadly for Katt, the knife hand offers more of a challenge. His left arm lifts in an attempt to meet the attack head on, but the limb seems to be moving a bit slower than he is accustomed to. As a result, the attack lances down into his shoulder before Katt even comes close to blocking it.
There is a sickening pop as the limb comes loose from it's socket, the arm immediately dropping to dangle limp at his side. This must obviously hurt like hell, but Katt makes not a sound. Instead he pushes forward through the pain, teeth clenching, and lashes out with his left foot.
Katt's left foot sweeps in from the outside in an attempt to tangle with Daniel's right. Bending his right knee he pivots, jerks At Daniel's right foot with his left, and lunges forward to try and plant his good right shoulder into his larger opponent's stomach and toss him to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Katthalla's Quicksand.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Katthalla
Oh god he just hit the shoulder.
The initial palm strike is easily deflected, that was no surprise. But when the hand chop comes, he can feel it cracking through Katt's shoulder in a clean dislocate. As the limb goes dead, a quiver of pity comes from the fighter's heart. He was worried about this very thing. But any worry is hidden behind that intense stare, that visage of focus and resolve that kept his offense moving. Besides, he wasn't making a sound. It was if the stranger wasn't even hurt. As Daniel recovers from the hand chop, Katt makes his move.
Going for the legs.
Daniel Jack balance strengthens as Katt sweeps in, and the Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu warrior steps back, free of the tangle. As Katt pivots, lunging in further, he allows Katt to put his shoulder in his gut, responding by latching his right hand on his opponent's wrist on the dislocated arm. Grunting, Daniel keeps steady as Katt makes his throw attempt. Daniel rolls with the throw, flipped right on the ground…
And pulls himself right back upright in the same motion.
Daniel was not free of Katt. He would not let him be free. As his hand keeps on Katt, he focuses on his opponent, stomach sour from the opening. "If you need to stop, please tell me!" The student of Todoh says bluntly as he already is stepping back into Katthalla. Trying to keep that grip on his wrist, he brings his left hand to Katt's elbow, attempting to force leverage on him. If successful, he will try and force Katthalla to the ground...
And force the arm back into its socket.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla fails to counter Strong Throw from Daniel with Sand Wall.
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Daniel 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Katthalla
"I will yield when necessary." Katt promisses hoarsely, breath catching in his throat as Daniel steps in and starts to twist his bad arm.
Rather than rolling with the throw Katt turns against it, perhaps an odd move for a throwing expert to make, but one that he has learned to capitalize on in the past. Planting his feet, the smaller martial artist flexes, then grunts quietly and throws his left shoulder forward and down.
With yet another sickening pop his arm is forced back into the socket, just before Katt is flung flapping dreads over bare heals by that same arm and slammed back-first into the training mat. The brown-robed fighter manages to break his fall somewhat by lashing out at the ground with his right hand, but the landing is clearly a bad one. Despite that he does not pause to rest. Jerking both feet up toward his head he forces his body into a back tuck that breaks his left arm free from Daniel's grip and flips him from flat on his back to standing in a defensive crouch. He is still well-within striking distance, however, and has gained no momentum in this rather one-sided beat down.
Well within striking distance indeed.
As Daniel Jack 'helps' Katt by forcing his arm back in socket, he observes. The man knew what he was doing. Despite the two missteps, Daniel could see that technique. That bitter quiver in his soul murmured again; that maybe it was those injuries that were slowing him down. But when he states that he will yield when needed, it still doesn't sit well with him. As the robed fighter recovers though, the detective's stance continues to remain steady, remain even. He was not yielding himself. And as Katt rights himself out...
Daniel was already moving.
Taking a step forward, he brings both his arms up. "This is the signature technique of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu! The Kasane Ate! By channeling your chi energy, you focus it into a point, and unleash it if was a sword! Observe!" Orange fire begins to surge across Daniel's limbs as he takes a second step. Whirling around him, he decides to risk the point blank shot. Slashing his arms downward, he roars out the name of the attack as a shout. "KASANE ATE!" And with it, an arc of energy lashes forward, aiming straight for the center of Katt.
And Daniel was still moving forward.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla fails to reflect Kasane Ate from Daniel with Circle the Earth.
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Daniel 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Katthalla
Katthalla slides his left foot back as a glowing Daniel comes lunging forward with that flashy bolt of chi.
In one fluid movement his left shoulder starts to swing away while his right hand arcs up, bandaged palm cupped as if he planned on sweeping the chi aside.
That is exactly what he does...Almost.
Katt's Palm contacts the bolt of chi before it reaches his body and starts to push it off to his left while urging it closer. Unfortunately, the movement of his hand is faster than that of his turn. Unable to turn his left shoulder out of the way quick enough to complete whatever maneuver he was about to demonstrate, Katt instead takes the bolt in almost the exact spot Daniel chopped him earlier.
Fortunately the limb is not dislocated a second time. Katt takes the hit with a soft exhalation through his nose and glides back two steps to keep his balance. Even as he stumbles his hands are moving back into a defensive posture, unable to gain any breathing room.
For all its fame, Kasane Ate was not a strong attack.
Compared to the Kasane Ate was not strong. It was not flashy. It didn't even have the range comparable to most other projectiles. But the reason why it was useful was that it was fast, accurate, and efficient. As the chi is unleashed into Katt, it isn't a single contact point. It's a wave. As it cascades right into Katt's shoulder, it is another strike from the fighter. Todoh-Ryuu was a defensive martial art.
But Daniel had turned it into a relentless offense.
As Katt is already moving to his defensive stance, Daniel was still advancing. "The three pillars of Todoh Ryuu! Strikes! Grapples! And Chi! Now! To combine them together!" He bellows. And with that, he repeats again. The sempai leads with that same palm strike into hand chop combination as before. But instead of stopping after the knife hand strike, his left palm rises up, and cascades down into a small Kasane Ate lashing out. Whether it hits or not do not matter, for Daniel will close the offense by stepping into Katt after the small Kasane Ate to grab him by shoulder and hip, and with a swift pivot, finish the combo by hurling him to the ground again.
Or at least, the mats.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla counters Bring Down the House EX from Daniel with Last Clap.
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Daniel 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Katthalla
Katthalla slides his left foot back and snaps his bandaged right hand forward to counter Daniel's palm strike, once again engaging the larger fighter in a quick bout of patty cake.
Sliding his right foot back a step Katt continues by swinging his left forearm up to thwack against Daniel's descending wrist, diverting the chop that gave him so much trouble at the start of the fight.
It is when Daniel attempts to launch another Kasane Ate that Katt reveals something very important about himself.
He is a ninja.
Stepping toward that descending palm Katt lets out a guttural 'HUH' from deep in his stomach and brings both hands rocketing up to meet the blow. His palms impact Daniel's wrist with a loud 'crack' of flesh on flesh. The palm strike is stopped dead, and the chi that had been building reflects off of the smaller man's palms and is forced back inside the PI's body.
Stepping quickly forward Katt gives a sharp downward Jerk on Daniel's captured wrist to pull him in close. Releasing the captured limb, Katt grabs the bigger fighter in a quick embrace and falls backward toward the mat, throwing his opponent up and over his head in a tight suplex.
Oh, that would be a problem with a repeat.
As Daniel Jack repeats his assault, both the palm strike and the hand chop are deflected. As the Kasane Ate is unleashed, however, the energy is suddenly stopped cold. The student of Todoh's eyes go wide as he feels his 10 pounds of chi shoved back into his 5 pounds of aura. Stunned by the backlash, he feebly reaches out to grab Katt, moving on autopilot. But Katt takes the wrist. And there, his balance is destroyed. The stability is destroyed.
And Daniel Jack hits the floor.
"Ack! Very nice!" He grunts as he slams heads first into the mats. Struggling, he breaks from the hold, falling backwards across the mats. "Very, very nice! Okay! Back up! I'm gonna mix it up for you now!" Standing back up, he shifts back into his stance, reverting back to stability. "Enough of the Todoh-Ryuu traditional techniques. It is time to experience the true spirit of Todoh!"
And his body courses with chi again.
Drawing in a deep breath, the energy continues to burn as he drives himself towards Katt. Once again, the one-two combo is unleashed: left hand palm strike, right hand chop. After the chop, however, comes another left handed palm strike, the detective pivoting on the same simple strikes. After the palm strike, however, comes a sharp jab of the left elbow, body wound up for the next attack.
The relentless assault doesn't slow down.
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Katthalla with Zoot Suit Riot.
- Power hit! -
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Daniel 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Katthalla
Katthalla rolls smoothly to his feet after the successful suplex, sliding into his familiar defensive stance as he turns to face Daniel's oncoming rush.
The first palm strike is deflected, as is the chop, his forearms easily shunting aside the blows. He is a bit slow in defending against the next palm strike, however, and it slips through his guard and impacts against his right pectoral, staggering him.
With his timing thrown off Katt remains a tad too slow to stop the barrage of blows that follows, most of them impacting heavily with his chest and neck. He is forced to stagger back beneath the assault until he manages to slip beneath an elbow aimed for his jaw and throw his shoulder against Daniel's middle, attempting to fling the man up and over his back in a classic shoulder toss. The brown-robed fighter doesn't even use his hands for the maneuver.
COMBATSYS: Daniel fails to interrupt Rising Dune from Katthalla with Jumping Jack Flash.
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Daniel 0/-------/-======|=======\==-----\1 Katthalla
He went low.
Going low was the wrong way for Daniel. If he went high, he would have caught him. But he went low. As the last elbow jab comes, the detective has to adjust when Katt ducks down. The student of Todoh was reaching down on the brown robed fighter, and as he got a grip on his back… he realized what was happening. Energy surges up anyways, the chi roaring forth. But it is too fast. Katt moves in, and rolls him down.
And once again, Daniel hits that mat with a grunt.
Rising like a specter again, Daniel doesn't even have time to writhe. "I hope you don't make the mistake of being disappointed in Todoh-Ryuu!" The sempai growls, teeth gritted from his sheer stubbornness. Those last two throws did a serious number on him, even with the maps. But where a lesser fighter might be slowing down, Daniel Jack was only speeding up. He was not tired, not slow. Only steady, only stable. Regaining his footing, he is open.
But not slowing down.
Katthalla says nothing. It is very likely that the smaller of the two fighters is in a great deal of pain right now, but his expression remains calm and focused. His breaths are becoming somewhat ragged, however, which might be the first sign he is about to collapse.
Snapping back upright Katt turns to face Daniel, right foot sliding across the mat in a short arc before planting with a slight stomp.
Katt's dreads whip out in a spray behind him as he explodes into motion. taking two steps at a dead sprint he throws himself forward in an attempt to plant both hands on Daniel's shoulders. Pushing down hard with his palms he curls his impressive abs and jerks his right knee forward, putting the momentum of his entire body behind a flying knee aimed for the PI's chin.
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Katthalla's Reverse Gravity.
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Daniel 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Katthalla
Daniel might have a few broken ribs himself.
But Katthalla was the one who came in with more abuse. The throws were staggering from him, with one two clean hits needed to nearly floor him. But Daniel Jack was not slowing down. And he was keeping steady. The endurance of Todoh-Ryuu was in full force now; Daniel Jack had been keeping even with his skilled opponent, but as Katthalla was slowing down, Daniel was only just beginning to get beads of sweat on his forehead. He has just enough time to react as Katt surges in.
And he makes good use of that time, indeed.
As the man explodes in, the detective knocks aside both of the hands that plant on his shoulder, reducing the force of the next blow. As that knee blazes in, the detective thrusts his palms up, twisting his body as he takes a step back. The blow is deflected, the blow is slowed. A pained grunt comes from the student of Todoh as his cheek and forearm take the brunt of the hit, followed by a sharp intake of air.
"Nice, scuzzy, very nice!"
Daniel Jack face was terse, but his body language was impassioned. He adored this fight now. As Katt was burning up, Daniel was on fire. Chi spreads across his body, bursting his gi open from the surge of power. And then, a bellow builds in that heart.
".... Fantastic....."
A slash of chi lashes down from the detective's hand, cutting down to build space between him at Katt... and to catch Katt off guard. Either he would catch that energy again, and throw it back into him, or he would get spooked. Both were important, as he continues to build himself up.
".... TODOH......"
Body building in power, his left palm, having been drawn back, reaches the peak of power. With a surge of force, he explodes right back into Katthala with skeleton-shattering power, the detective overflowing with burning spirit as his cry runs through the Dojo grounds.
"... PAAAAAAUNCH!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Katthalla fails to reflect Fantastic Todoh Punch EX from Daniel with The Earth Abides.
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Daniel 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Katthalla
Katthalla rebounds from Daniel's block with a thrusting of his knee, landing in a crouch a couple of feet away from the detective.
As Daniel starts to gather up the chi for his punch, Katt slowly centers himself and flexes both hands, spreading them out to either side. Though he is breathing heavy a slight smile touches his dappled features at the anticipation of what is about to happen.
Watching the chi-charged super strike with intense eyes, Katt continues to hold his ground. Slowly his hands start to draw together, forcing the incoming chi to compress into a much narrower, more concentrated blast aimed right for his stomach. As the chi blazes between his hands The sleeves of his brown robe are shredded to ribbons, along with the bandages that had been covering his right hand. When the chi slams into his stomach it immediately shreds the robe there as well, but stops just short of lacerating the wanderer's skin.
For a moment the two fighters reach a balance. The chi streams out of Daniel's hand and into the cradle formed by Katt's arms and stomach, pooling into a roiling sphere of energy. it seems as if Katt might actually be able to redirect the attack.
He can't.
The balance shatters abruptly and the Chi explodes outward, forcing Katt's arms apart and blasting him off of his feet. He manages to skid a good 7 feet across the mats on his back before coming to a halt, his chest, abdomen, and arms covered in lightly bleeding lacerations.
Letting out a long, slow breath, the smaller fighter plants a dappled hand on the mat and slowly starts to climb to his feet. What remains of his brown robe hangs from his neck and shoulders like a bloody cape. Hopefully he has a replacement.
And there was the Fantastic Todoh Punch.
The move was one of Daniel's signature moves. Many fighters had a signature move, but Daniel, through his narrow range of techniques, held himself with powerful signature moves. As he explodes Katt away, the detective was not even breaking a sweat. He was full offense now, and absolutely stable. His opponent was bleeding. He was becoming naked.
But Daniel wasn't done.
"Now you can see the full might of Todoh-Ryuu." Daniel Jack begins, approaching Katt with a steady pace. The chi energy unleashed from his punch had not died down, but only burned across his naked, sculpted chest with orange flame. "I hope you are learning, stranger. Many of the world class fighters of the world borrow from our school. Perhaps you have heard of Zach Glen, the fiercesome psychic boxer. He has borrow, or stolen, several of our techniques. Feel free to take what you are learning here as your own. For now I will show you the another ultimate technique of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. Honed from months and months of training, I will present you..."
"The World's Greatest Hand Chop."
Daniel Jack exhales, before drawing in a deep breath. Tensing his arms, he takes one step into Katt, drawing back his right hand overhead. Blazing with chi energy, his arm trembles as his body falls into place. His form is perfect. Drawing another breath in, his body tightens, trembling with the restrained power. And with a flash, it is released. Unleashing the full force, he cuts through the air with a flawless hand chop veiled in chi energy. Moving like a blur, Daniel Jack aims the now aptly named knife hand straight for Katt's collarbone with the impossible strength of Todoh-Ryuu. The power of such a hand chop was legend, possibly able to cleave a battleship in twain, and if unchecked, could very well shatter Katt's entire skeleton, and possibly the world itself.
Or it might break his collarbone, or something.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla just-defends Daniel's World's Greatest Hand Chop!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Daniel 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Katthalla
Katthalla manages to regains his feet just as Daniel decides to step in and bring the mega chop blazing down toward his injured shoulder.
letting out a tired breath through his teeth, the smaller martial artist snaps his left hand up and catches Daniel by the wrist just as the attack starts to descend. Bare arm flexing and feet digging into the mat, Katt gradually increases the upward pressure of his hand. The effect is Daniel's mega chop being slowed at a gradual rate until it is finally halted just beside Katt's left ear, then flung aside with a violent jerk of the bare-chested man's hand.
With Daniel so close, Katt simply swings his right hand up and plants it on the left side of his opponent's head, giving a quick, hard shove in an attempt to send him stumbling to the mat in the same direction he deflected his chop.
COMBATSYS: Daniel endures Katthalla's Fast Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Daniel 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Katthalla
The chi flames spread across the dojo grounds.
The riproaring power of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu flows from the detective hand into Katt, and through him to the ground. The power turns into strength, until finally, Daniel's hand is tossed aside. And soon, with it, Daniel is shoved backwards. But he does not stumble. He is too steady to stumble. Taking three steps back, he endures the defensive push.
And he surges back.
Palm strike, hand chop, palm strike, upwards palm strike, hand chop. The chain of attacks pours into Katt, attempting one last unstoppable assault to overwhelm him. Palm, chop, palm, chop, chop, elbow, chop. The assault breaks itself as Daniel attempts to seize his opponent by shoulder and hip, to hurl him belly up on the remains of the matts, and finish the rampage with a single, coup de grace.
A final palm strike right into the man's chest.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla blocks Daniel's Harlem Sunset.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/------=|=======\=====--\1 Katthalla
Katthalla snaps his forearms up into a blocking position after shoving Daniel away. His dark eyes remain fixed on the man, intense. In fact, everything about the smaller fighter seems suddenly more focused and determined.
Something is different.
When the hail of strikes come rushing in Katt starts his step blocking, right foot back, left forearm deflect, left foot back, right forearm deflect. The motions are focused and calm, flesh hitting flesh with solid 'thwacks'.
When Daniel steps in for the throw, Katt makes his move. Stepping forward to meet him, Katt reaches up to grab the larger man by the back of the neck and jerk him forward, forehead rushing in toward his nose. If he manage to land this blow and buy himself a moment with the detective stunned, things might get painful for the student of Todoh.
COMBATSYS: Daniel dodges Katthalla's Mountain Drop.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Katthalla
Counter-attacks.
Daniel's assault of blows is deftly blocked and deflected, against all odds. The furious rampage was rarely stood up against. But between this and the catching of the World's Greatest Hand Chop, one thing was clear: Katthalla's defense was already well developed. As the detective attempts the close with his finishing throw, however, he senses the defense shift subtly into offense. Keeping his grip on Katt's side, he weaves his head to the side. Letting Katt nest himself on his shoulder, he pats his opponent on the back, and pushes back. Distancing himself from his opponent, he brings his hands up.
"Excellent."
he arms drop, falling to his side. And there, he bows his head to Katt. "The demonstration is over, Katt. I don't need to mess you up. You have come to seek out the strength. And you have experienced it in full. Thank you for allowing me a chance to show you the true power." Daniel rises up, and crosses his arms. His brow furrows, his face intensifies. And with the stoic glare of the same statue that greeted Katt, he continues.
"The true power of Todoh."
COMBATSYS: Daniel is waiting for something...
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Katthalla
Katthalla relaxes his guard after being pushed out of the clinch with Daniel, a brief look of guilt flashing in his dark eyes for what he almost did to the detective. Sure they had been fighting furiously, but the PI did have the integrity to stop the fight before one or the other of them became unable to continue. A man with that amount of restraint doesn't deserve to cough out his lungs, does he?
Shoving the problem aside for later contemplation, Katt glances down to check the various wounds covering his dappled form. His left shoulder is dark with bruises but hasn't started swelling, mostly because Katt is forcing it not to. Lacerations cover his chest, stomach, arms and hands. They are oozing drops of blood all over the place but don't seem very deep, so he can ignore them for now. He might have some bone-deep bruises on his forearms from all those blocks, but only time will tell. His right hand also seems darker than the other. He'll be having more problems from those hairline fractures.
"This was my only robe." Katt admits hoarsely as his attention falls on the tattered shred of cloth hanging off of his right shoulder.
Reaching down Katt unties what is left of the brown belt from around his waist. Shrugging the destroyed garment off into his hands he folds it in half and uses it to start wiping sweat and blood from his face and shoulders.
"I am impressed. It will take time and contemplation, but I feel I now know enough to realize the true heart of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu. I thank you for the opportunity." The bare-chested man starts to wipe blood from his cut-up arms as he speaks, flashing Daniel a slightly tired grin. he seems very drained. Keeping up with fighters who use Chi without doing so yourself can be a difficult thing to manage.
COMBATSYS: Katthalla takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Katthalla
Daniel Jack does not respond.
As Katt wipes himself down, the sempai of the Todoh Dojo walks away from the matts. He slips to one of the back closets, sliding the door aside. As his opponent speaks of his feelings of Todoh Ryuu, Daniel remains silent, still focused on whatever he is searching for in that back room. Finally, he emerges again, approaching Katt. Sweat was finally on his brow, bruises covering his chest (with a nice red one right on the lower ribs). But in his hands he was clutching something white.
He tosses Katt the gi of Todoh-Ryuu.
"I don't know it is a right fit," The detective begins, "But it should keep you covered. You've earned a uniform from the Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu Dojo. Not worth it to be out there without the close on your back, am I right scuzzy?" And the stoic fades, replaces with a cheeky smile. "You need any medical attention, before you head out on the road? I can patch you up real quick, if you promise to help me set up for my class tonight."
And the detective gives him a wink.
Log created on 16:34:17 04/09/2014 by Katthalla, and last modified on 01:38:41 04/11/2014.