21/11/05
Characters: Karin, Chun-Li, Saishu, Ryu, Xiangfei, Shingo, Sakura
Red Arena
While the ground-level White Arena is used more often than the upper-level
Red Arena, the Red Arena is where the really spectacular fights are held.
Seating sprawls in all directions around this circular arena, the high-price
box seats providing shade for the lower seats. Shade is important, as the
arena ceiling is retracted almost all the time, even during bad weather (nets
are stretched over the seating at these times). Twenty-foot high glass
separates the spectators from the arena, the glass polished and protected to
reduce glare and other visibility impairments.
The arena itself is a work of art. Fifty yards in diameter, the arena
manages to represent three different landscapes; light forest at one end, a
strip of sandy beach in the middle, and shallow water with stepping stones
strategically placed at the opposite end. All is quite real; this arena is
obviously intended for veteran fighters and those who think they can step up
to the challenge this offers versus a flat arena floor. The open air and wide
space allows for fighting masters to really exercise their talents without
worrying about limited space. The Red Arena is the centerpiece of Masters
Stadium, and it shows.
[Exits : Out to Lobby ]
This is what the world is watching!
That's right. Flown in style by private jet here to Metro City, four lucky
contestants are here to battle it out in the Kanzuki Corporation Southtown Medal
Tournament finals. With the promise of the winner's "dream prize" at stake (and
no small amount of cash for the runners up), the thronging crowds -- some having
paid quite some money to be here in person -- are cheering insanely loudly. The
stage, as it were, is set: the 'real life' of the two Masters Stadium arenas,
one offering an 'authentic' landscape. Truly, an epic battle for the ages.
The lights go dark. The crowd murmurs, but the intensity is still thick in the
air before the start of the finals. And then, suddenly... BAM. In an explosion
of light and sound, the arena comes to life, the four fighters having already
been directed into positions at four corners of the arena. Spotlights now shine
on all, giving them an opportunity to play to the fans.
And where is the tournament organizer? Rising out of a trapdoor in the center of
the arena, Karin Kanzuki emerges, resplendent in a slender dress of black and
red, mic in hand. "Welcome to the finals of the Medal Tournament! I know you're
all itching to get started, so I won't hold you up with any further ado. Details
on the rules are available in the programs being sold all over the stadium. So
without further ado, let me introduce our challengers!"
A hand sweeps over to Xiangfei. "The legendary 'Hip-Hop Honey of Southtown'! Her
hobbies are eating, having fun, and eating! Her style? Kung Fu! Let's hear it
for... XIANG FEI!" The crowd, appropriately, bursts into applause. "Serving as
her striker, a fighter we all know very well... Sakura Kasugano!" More roars.
WOOO!
With a quick turn, Karin faces another corner. "He has the face of an angel, but
don't let his looks deceive you! Practicing a garage kit variant of Kusanagi
kobojutsu, it's Shingo Yabuki!" Clapping! A fan favorite, apparently. "His
striker, also of the Kusanagi school, everyone's favorite old man, Saishu
Kusanagi!" There's some cheering... and an empty spotlight. "...who will be
making a special appearance soon!" Cheering resumes.
Turning around, Karin throws both arms wide, encompsassing the other two
corners. "And their fellow opponents, both seasoned veterans with many years
experience under their belts. You know them, you love them. Give it up, for
Chun-li and RYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" The crowd goes NUTS. "Rock You Like A
Hurricane" begins to play. Laser lights everywhere. It's a party.
Almost spinning around like a top as she does so, Karin looks at all corners.
"Let's see a clean, fair fight. Show us your fighting spirit! The last person
standing wins their dream made true by the Kanzuki corporation!"
Withdrawing a red scarf from her dress, Karin holds it over her head
dramatically, and the crowd just loses it, drinking in the pre-fight excitement
(and the beer), until finally the blonde raises her other hand without the
scarf, and the lasers and the music die down. And then she grins at all the
fighters. "You can't give it up..."
he scarf flies into the air. "Triumph or die! FIGHT!"
Smokebomb! And when it clears, Karin is gone.
COMBATSYS: Shingo has started a fight here.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
COMBATSYS: Sakura has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Saishu has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shingo
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
Crowds, lights, and rock music. Hardly the native environment for a warrior like
Chun-Li, but one that she reacts to admirably well considering her usual quiet
demeanour - already standing in a dramatic stance when the light hits her form.
Raised upon one leg, the other raised and bent at the knee, her arms held tense
around her, the world's strongest woman gives just the hint of a smile before
she whips out her hovering foot into three businesslike kicks. "YA! YA! YAAAAA!"
Setting her foot back to the ground and taking in a deep breath, the beauty
swivels upon her heels to look out toward the crowd, hands coming together at
her chest with palms pressed together as she executes a formal bow. While she
goes through these motions, internally she focuses deeply, easing herself into
the concentration that such showboating threatens to render difficult. Exactly
the concentration she will be needing to overcome this battle. On straightening
her eyes flicker out to each side... Shingo Yabuki, a boy she barely knows but
one whose master is well known both on and off the field of victory. Ryu, who
brings about another small smile - there is enough history there, and more than
enough future.
The final challenger? Li Xiangfei. To her, Chun-Li makes special dispensation,
actually lifting a hand to wave toward the Hip Hop Honey, spiked bracelet
clinking lightly with the motion. This lapse into friendly manner does not last
long though, the woman stepping forward as she lowers her hand and falling into
her familiar stance; torso raised upon legs supported primarly at the toes,
heels lifted and arms covering her upper half. Stoic expression dominating her
visage, the Tai Chi mistress watches with a keen eye, and awaits the first
motions of battle.
Almost anyone outside of the arena is struggling to get inside. The seats are
packed and still there are those who struggle to make their way inside, hoping
for nonexistent standing room. The halls are choked full of people; progress has
stopped, but jostling is at a premium. Basically, if someone's late, there's no
way in heck they're ever going to make it in there.
Not by standard tactics, at any rate...
One man collapses after a sandal-clad foot kicks off his face, preparing its
person into the air. A little girl's balloons both pop as the same person,
somehow, incredibly, is able to use them as jumping-off points. The figure sails
over the heads of the writhing masses, green kimono fluttering, until he finally
lands in front of the main entrance, the final door -- which is, of course, even
more packed than anything before. People are squished up against the walls and
trying to sidle along. This doesn't look good for anyone who wants to go
forward. In fact, this looks *awful* for anyone who wants to go *anywhere*.
If they only use conventional tactics.
A single finger pokes out of the crowd, accompanied by a single shout that rings
out despite the incredible noise: "OH NO! IT'S ON FIRE!" At which point the
finger unleashes a huge sheet of flame into the air, causing people to scream
and panic and try to run in all directions. Seeing an opening, the green-clad
figure continues to run in his awkward staggering gait, continuing to unleash
flame the entire way until he bursts through the doors, not letting up the
stream of flame even in the slightest until he's made his way to the spotlight--
--and grins, turning to Shingo.
"Shingo-kun! Ha ha! I came to ask... what am I doing here, again?"
His dreams made true?!?! Oh! Kanzuki corporation is going to stop Akuma /and/
help Ryu perfect Gouken's idealistic arts! Alright, so... maybe that's expecting
a bit much out of a tournament free for all. But at the least, it should be one
crazy fight. Not just for the lightshow and loooud noises, either. Sure, the
chaotic spectacle of tonight's fight isn't exactly Ryu's native environment
either, but well, the World Warrior seems to be dealing with it well enough. Not
that he's actually indulging in the almost pleading setup for showboating... the
nomad's attention remains firmly on the others within the arena, scanning the
surroundings thoughtfully. The crowd is more or less a quiet hum in the
background, for all that Ryu is concerned. The fighters within the battlefield
are the priority, and the reason he's here.
So centering himself and considering is the nomad's pursuit during the lead-up
to the battle, his breathing steady as he considers each of his opponents in
turn. Every one of them is known to Ryu, striker or combatant, both in
conversation and on the battlefield, to varying degrees. But with the setup of
this particular free for all, well... the mixture promises to be even more
unpredictable than it might be otherwise, something Saishu seems to want to
demonstrate right out of the starting gate. The elder Kusanagi's entrance draws
the World Warrior's eyes away from the other fighters, and the nomad can't
suppress a bit of a chuckle, a momentary break to his stoic demeanor. Ryu's own
reactions to the other fighters are subdued, though... it's hard to miss the
wave thrown to Xiangfei. After the obsessive waitress' rather violent noseyness
over the past few months, well... it looks like the stalker got more cagey!
Tightening the clasps on his deep red sparring gloves, a deep breath finalizes
the World Warrior's pre-fight considerations, and he simply watches, and
prepares himself.
"..*Breep breep* ... This is Snack. Colonel, can you hear me?" Li Xiangfei is
already getting a kick out of the headset, a hand to her ear, crouching low
within the forest-y area of the arena. But despite her poor imitation of Solid
Snake, Xiangfei is actually dressed in a dark-red ensamble, a silken high-collar
and sleeveless chinese blouse and matching pants, with black slippers. Her hair
is done in two ponytails, her trademark bells tied at the waistline on a string.
Her moment of goofing off is cut short when her name is called though, and she
scrambles out into the open, "PRESENT!!" she yells, a slender chinese sword in
hand, "Behold, Li Xiangfei, Kung-Fu Red, hailing from the mean streets of
Chinatown! My fists are feared world-wide, no doubt!" she goes into a couple of
rediculous sentai-ish poses with her blade, finalizing with a crouch and a big
grin. There's no doubt that this girl is confident she will do well!
Once she stands again, she tosses her blade upside down to her striker, "With
tears in my eyes, I will be the vict- IEEEEEEE!!" she sort of flips out when
Chun-Li waves to her, and officially declares, "Oh that's it, I am -PUMPED-
now!"
And it's true, she's totally fired up, the pillar of golden chi that's suddenly
swirling and spinning about her form says so. And she's not a stalker. Meanie.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei gathers her will.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shingo
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
To Shingo this feeling is like being in the King of Fighters tournament all over
again. The boy imagining how this must've been like the same as the finals for
that tourney as well. But he's not at the finals for KoF. No, he's here standing
in the spotlight with three other fighters with ranging skills in martial arts
for the conclusion of the Kanzuki Corp ran Medals Tournament.
When the lights shine upon him he smiles wider and brighter than he has ever had
before, threatening to put even the spotlights to shame. He's so pumped up to be
here today. Moreso given his opponents. Ryu, Chun-li, and Xiangfei. This is
going to be great. He's so excited that the lack of his own striker, Saishu
Kusanagi, from the spot where he should be standing doesn't even cause his smile
to slip even once. The man gave his word that he would help out the only
individual not of the bloodline to get as far as he did with the family style of
martial arts. And of course Shingo was inclined to believe him. Even still. The
sudden appearance of the elder Kusanagi-ryuu master is something out of left
field.
"EYAAAAAH! Otou-san!" Shingo falls over at the man's question. "Eheheheh. I
guess I forgot to explain, huh Otou-san? We're here for the finals of the Medal
Tournament! You're going to help me out by being my striker!" Shingo continues
to grin widely at the bearded man and gives him a thumbs-up. "You made it just
in time too!" Then, he turns to face the crowd and the other fighters. His gaze
falling on the striker for Li Xiangfei and waving at her frantically!
"Sakuraaaaa-chan!" Suppose he should feel a little sheepish for not asking his
-girlfriend- to be his striker. But comee on. This is Shingo. The day he chooses
someone else over a Kusanagi for a fight is the day he shoots flame.
The Taiyo schoolboy then really looks to the others and poses a suggestion to
them all, "Mister Ryu! Miss Chun-li! Xiangfei!" He waits till he has all of
their attention. "I was thinking. Since I know fighting Xiangfei and myself
would be like a warm-up for you, Mister Ryu and Miss Chun-li. What if we paired
off and then the last two standing fight it out to make it more interesting?
Like Xiangfei and myself and you two?" It is just a suggestion. But who can
resist such a harmless question from such a friendly and nice guy with such a
wide warm smile as Shingo Yabuki? He pays no mind to the chi around LiX...for
the time being.
And Sakura's right at Xiangfei's side in the forest -- it's pretty obvious
they've coordinated outfits, what with Sakura wearing the same style of
sleeveless blouse and baggy pants as Xiangfei. There's three key differences
though -- her hair's too short for pigtails, her blouse is blue rather than red,
and her forehead's covered by the expected white headband.
And it's pretty obvious they've coordinated routines, at least for a few minutes
before their arrival in the arena. While Xiangfei dashes out, Sakura's close
behind -- when Xiangfei is gesturing with a sword, Sakura's making complementary
gestures with her own sword in the background.
And it all works together great right up until Xiangfei tips her hand on that
slightly distracted sword toss. Eyes widening, Sakura steps forward, but she
somehow manages to clutch the sword without too much trouble, crossing her arms
and holding them to either side. She'd say 'Kung Fu Blue', but it should go
without saying.
She'd desperately wanted to be one of the four feature fighters, but considering
all the possible outcomes, she couldn't hope for anything more than for four of
her closest friends to be in the ring: the boyfriend; the inspiration; the idol
and master, and of course the Hip Hop Honey herself. She'd only met Saishu in
passing, but four out of five ain't bad! Especially when that fifth is bounding
in and all. Smiles and waves are given to each of them as the spotlight's turned
upon her. And another, brighter smile to Karin, the grandmaster of this event.
This is =her= day as much as any of the fighters here, and she's glad to be a
part of it all.
Chun-Li may well be drawing herself into a mindset dedicated only to the
martial, but that does not mean she fails to oversee the introductions of each
other fighter, gaze flickering between them all as they make their entrances.
Nothing goes too unexpectedly - even Xiangfei's ezaggerated posing fails to
surprise now she has become well acquainted with her greatest fan. Belatedly her
attention also turns to Sakura, and a nod of recognition goes from the woman to
the girl who has proven herself so well adjusted to duelling with her. Perhaps
she may even contest Xiangfei for being the next Strongest Woman in the World.
However... while the entrances do not take her aback, a certain request does.
Shingo is graced with a curled eyebrow, and what seems almost a smirk from the
Chinese beauty, something in her gaze flickering in amusement. "I heard /you/
were the pupil of Kyo Kusanagi. Surely if Sakura can face me, and Xiangfei can
challenge me, the chosen protege of the ex-King of Fighters would be insulted to
be treated like a mere child?" There's a teasing note to her voice beneath the
hard stoicism she is forcing herself to assume, but in many ways Chun-Li means
it. The very idea seems somehow abhorrent, recalling the difficult battles she
fought as a youth and the many defeats the encountered, as do all... though
certainly, in the now? A rematch with Ryu, on common ground, would be
interesting.
"I'll leave it to Fei-Fei." She concludes after a moment, flashing a grin at the
Hip Hop Honey and then smoothing her expression back over, gaze lashing between
competitors as a light rhythm begins to shift her body. She is prepared, and now
simply needs to choose where to first focus her considerable energies...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li focuses on her next action.
Pair off? Well, there's always a risk in diverting one's attention in multiple
directions.. or trying to capitalize on someone else's success... but while Ryu
has a certain tendency towards honorable single-combat himself... he just sort
of looks at Shingo at the inquiry, not responding much at all, visibly. It just
doesn't seem like his place to start re-writing the rules, nor does he expect
the five combatants in the arena to really reach a consensus in the instants
left before it's too late to talk about it. Besides, Chun-Li has a point, and
with Saishu Kusanagi on his side, well... Ryu doesn't see much room for Shingo
to worry about being outclassed!
Despite his lack of formal agreement, the theatrics of the prelude are finally
broken by Ryu, who doesn't take any more time reconciling the battle to come,
but rather takes the announcer's go-word, and the sudden rampant fluctuations of
chi around him as a starting gun. Whipping his hands around from his sides, the
World Warrior's chi comes forth in a far more focused manner, surging blue-white
cascading together lightning-quick into a swirling mass of energy, the bluish
burst blasting free of the nomad's palms, projected in at Chun-Li with a
fervent, "Hadooouken!!!" ... Shingo may not get any formal agreement from either
fighter, but apparently, the World Warrior knows who's set up to kick him in the
head the worst.
"What!?" cries Saishu, stuffing his hands into the sleeves of his green kimono.
"A striker!? That reminds me of the time I told Takuma to be my striker for my
duel against the Popebot in Neo-Vatican City, and he hit me with a table
instead!" The Kusanagi elder pauses for a moment, and his outrageous grin fades
as he begins to look thoughtful. "No, no, wait. He hit me with the table because
I insulted his mother after he said no. Scratch that." Uncharacteristically
calm-looking, when Saishu surveys the other fighters, he actually seems to do so
with real acumen. He rarely reveals his analytical eye so openly... but he is in
the presense of real warriors, and there is no need for pretense.
Even so, the grin returns almost immediately with full-force at Shingo's
suggestion to the other fighters! "Ha ha! That's my boy!" the Kusanagi elder
shouts, and then leans over and stage-whispers to Shingo, "Good strategy, kid.
You wouldn't last a minute against those two. I've fought Ryu myself, why, he's
practically a menace. Best steer clear of him--"
And Saishu slaps Shingo upside the back of the head.
"--or maybe you can FIND THE FLAMES WITHIN!" he cries, eyes widening
dramatically. "Shingo-kun! Remember your training! You cannot be defeated! You
cannot be denied! The Way of the Kusanagi-ryuu is beyond tactics! Remember
that!" He's already walking away even before he's finished, scratching his
armpit vigorously and making his way around the arena, ignoring the fighters for
now... until, fully circling around at his own pace, he sidles up next to Sakura
Kusanago, grinning huger than ever.
"Ha ha! Nice day for it, huh!?"
Xiangfei gives a thumbs up to Sakura, once her little sparkle-show dies down..
Oh yeah, they were definatly in the zone already! No words are exchanged with
her and Sakura just yet though, the two were already on the same level, even if
there was a little rivalry in the mix.
A light squeal is given to Chun-Li, her cheeks even reddenning a little in
embarassment.. She glances to Shingo, but before she can say anything, she is in
complete AWE over Saishus boisterousness. It.. It nearly matches her own! No
time for admiration though, she decides that now would be a good idea to 'soften
up' Shingo anyway, "Suprise!" she cartwheels toward the boy, and once close
enough attempts to strike his shoulder. Should the strike connect, it'd leave
his back open for a good strong elbow to the spine, "KYAH!"
COMBATSYS: Shingo dodges Xiangfei's Ryokuchi Kou'en.
Shingo's a smart kid. Intelligent, bright, what have you. He knows that facing
off against Ryu or Chun-li immediately at the onset of the match would result in
his premature elimination from the fight. And he just wants to savour this
moment as long as he can. There's always the risk of the other fighters not
agreeing to the suggestion that he put forth but he had nothing to lose by
asking, right? The thing about him being the way he he is means that any
negative response would be shrugged off and any positive response would be a
thumbs-up.
And then Saishu just TWACKS him, snapping his head forward slightly and
comically. Rubbing where he was hit with surprise he nods to Saishu sheepishly
and watches the old man wander off to take a spot up next to Sakura. No problems
there. Shingo's main concerns are on the fight floor before him. More
specifically the petite Chinese woman without the killer legs looking to smack
him around some with her 'gung-fu'. And if Shingo were one to talk smack as much
as some other fighters he would be inclined to tell her to look elsewhere.
A surprise it may be but not much of an ambush. Shingo leans to the side and
ducks under the first strike to his shoulder and continues with the motion to
roll past Xiangfei now that the elbow is nowhere to be found with him evading
her like he did. "Close one!" He shouts out as he springs to his feet behind the
waitress and suddenly lunging forward at her with swift hook punch to her body.
"But you're wide open!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Ryu's Hadouken.
Well. It's also hard to exchange words when your striker's standing behind you.
Mind, Sakura could hit Xiangfei much like Saishu did Shingo... but she's still
holding two rather sharp swords in her hands. That might not be the best good
luck charm. So instead, she cheers for Xiangfei, cutting a wide, showy swath
with her sword. "Sock it to him, Li-X!" Is there something missing here, or is
she just cheering for her friend?
And then Saishu walks up, earning a broad grin from Sakura as she transfers both
swords to one hand, holding them both behind her back as she takes a bow. "Hi
there! Sorry we didn't talk much before..."
Xiangfei takes the lead then, and all attention leaves the pair for a moment,
Chun-Li instead turning toward Ryu and tensing herself for his assault. "It's
been a while since we fought properly, Ryu. Give me your best shot!" It's said
with a genuine enthusiasm, and there is no hiding the excitement glittering in
her eyes as she watches that familiar blaze of blue-white surge forth. However,
there's no concealing her skill either and just before the Hadouken would impact
she cuts into a pirouette around it, snapping back into her stance with an
intent gaze upon Ryu. Her counter? "Excuse me a moment."
With a soft expulsion of breath, the powerful Chinese woman launches herself
upward into a backflip, the force behind this motion taking her easily a dozen
feet above the arena's surface, skirts and ribbons whipping about as they catch
the bright lights. Coming around at the zenith of the jump, Chun-Li already has
her hands drawing back to her hip and flickering with gentle fronds of blue chi.
Glancing down toward the younger two combatants below, she pauses for an instant
before launching her hands forward, "Show me your flames, Yabuki... ki-" There's
a flash of gold and a blaze of bright energy flares out from her extended palms,
soon rocketing forth enshrouded in a blue sheath, "KOUKEN!"
The grace and speed with which Chun-Li's trademark projectile flies does bely a
power that will show itself upon Shingo, should he not manage to evade or summon
a counter in time. Meanwhile, the world's strongest woman can come back to earth
in a tight crouch; to honour her promise to her gi-clad soulmate...
Well, that was... unexpected. Not Chun-Li's speed, but certainly the readiness
with which she turns away from the fight. Not that he expects it to last, but
then, Shingo does have a way of askign for it... and then asking for it again,
and again, and again. Please sir, may I have another? The World Warrior doesn't
immediately pick another target, however, instead focusing his chi once more,
this time within and in his immediate surroundings, a sharp wind picking up in
the previously still stadium, a swirling force of blue-tinged blades of air
sweeping around the nomad fast enough to be visible, their energy tangible, the
upsurge of the Ansatsuken master's own inner strength remarkable, and immediate,
a quick upwards climb that culminates in a shockwave... not focused outwards,
but one that seems to travel through the World Warrior, centering out into the
ground, which shudders momentarily as the winds blast outwards in all
directions.
COMBATSYS: Ryu gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Sakura
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei endures Shingo's Aragami Mikansei.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Sakura
Xiangfei's bias toward Chun-Li at this point probably isn't a shock to the
fighters here.. So when the Strongest Woman evades Ryus attack, she claps her
hands lightly between the time her attack whiffs, and Shingo goes on the
offensive. The hook punch to her small frame is taken in a most unorthodox way,
Xiangfei slipping into a crouch so the blow smacks her dead on the forehead.
"NNGH!" she grunts, having only a moment to react to Chun-Li's cry, she drops
flat on her back, claps her hands and thows her palms upward, releases a short
blast of her own blue chi at the boy, "HAH!"
"Hmm." Saishu Kusanagi crosses his arms and stands tall, watching the fight with
a genuinely serious expression this time around. Watching Shingo's performance
is no grinning matter. At least not *all* the time. Several quiet moments pass
between him and Kung Fu Blue, until finally, without any warning, he barks
"Yes!" and turns to Sakura, grinning again. Only now, his grin is not so much
enthusiastic as good-humored, and his eyes are twinkling with gentle merriment.
"It's always a pleasure to find lovely young ladies such as yourself at
tournaments. Brightens an old man's day. Ha ha!"
He reaches up to scratch at his short, semi-pointed beard for a moment, looking
quite thoughtful, before the grin brightens again, and he crosses his arms,
saying loudly, "So! What are *you* doing after the tournament? Eh? Want to get
some ice cream?"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Shingo with Nanpa.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Shingo with Kikou Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Sakura
Woooooo. Nothing like getting nailed by not one but two, count 'em, two
energy-based projectiles in succession. Something that wasn't entirely
unexpected. It is a free-for-all after all. He would have to be some sort of
naive fool to actually think he would escape without some sort of blast of chi
hitting him. But that's just part of the fun. He did his best to step out of the
way of Xiangfei's blast but that didn't work out too well and only set him up
for the incoming blast from the other Chinese fighter. "Unnnnng!" Shingo grunts.
However his lack of evasiveness this round had nothing to do with Saishu macking
on his girlfriend. He is obviously too engaged in battle to even notice much
less hear the words of the elder Kusanagi. Lucky for him.
Meanwhile back in the fight after taking the dual chi-blast, Shingo winces and
sucks it up like a man. Before focusing back on Xiangfei. Obviously Chun-li is
out to distract and divert his attention. He's got to stay focus. He saw what
happened when someone got distracted by another in his SNF match where Rugal
broke off and went after Kain instead of helping Shingo eliminate HeavyD first.
To prove that he's not one to be so easily swayed he leaps into the air at LiX
with that famous call of, "SHINGO KIIIIIIIICKU!"
Sakura can't help but feel the rush of her heartbeat accelerating as she senses
Ryu's energy welling up. Chun-Li's Kikouken is fun, too, but ... it's an
entirely different sensation when she finds herself as a spectator here, and can
give full attention to the man without having to, y'know, =dodge=.
Well. Safe to say, whatever concentration Sakura had is =broken=. It's one thing
to be hit on by an old man. It's quite something else to be hit on by an old man
who's a father figure to two of your best friends. Cheeks flushing red, Sakura
offers a nervous grin. "Er... sure, if that's what everyone else is gonna do,
y'know?"
And then two fireballs slam into her boyfriend from two different directions.
She doesn't feel so bad about -throwing- them, but right now, she visibly
winces. At least she's not so nervous turning back to Saishu now. "Eh-heh. I
hope he =does= shoot flame, though, y'know?" Clearly, she's more 'into the
fight' than on any, er, attempts at dating.
Chun-Li's attentions do indeed return to Ryu once she is landed, only the
briefest of glances going sidelong to affirm the true course of her attack
before she is dashing forward toward the World Warrior. Her gaze remains intent
and focused as she moves, arms remaining defensively positioned around her body
and mind set - for the moment - only upon carrying the man into what she now
attempts. Dropping down low for the last portion of distance, at the very final
insant the world's strongest woman drops down to a crouch, careful application
of one hand seeing her turn sidelong to Ryu before she throws herself up at a
sharp angle, right leg snapping out for a kick to his jaw.
"TENSHOU KYAKU!" Should that first blow strike true, it is followed by a
sequence of two more - each coming from alternate legs and delivered with a
perfect twist of the Tai Chi mistress' hips. With the last she hangs in the air
briefly after contact, highlighted for the crowd's attentions until she throws
her legs over backward, tucking into a graceful flip that carries her back to
the ground safe and prepared, flowing seamlessly from a half-crouch back into
her stance.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Chun-Li's Tenshou Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Sakura
Saishu appears not to notice Sakura's flush; indeed, for a moment it seems as
though he's forgotten all about her. He's scratching his beard again and
watching the fight with surprising care and focus. There's a bit of silence
before he finally responds out of the blue, casually, "Oh, no, Shingo doesn't
shoot flame. Not a chance. It's a bloodline thing. Impossible." Wow. Ouch.
Yeesh. He takes some time to let this awkwardly matter-of-fact comment settle,
before slowly turning his head to Sakura, and, though his expression still seems
serious, his eyes are clearly twinkling with inner mirth. And just as he starts
to smile slightly, he adds, quietly:
"Or so I'm told."
He returns his gaze back to the fight. He's been sweeping the arena with his
gaze for a while, but now? He's definitely focusing on Shingo's movements. Then
suddenly, without any warning, he lunges forward a step, cups his hands to his
mouth (as if he needs the help), and shouts, "SHINGO-KUN! GO FOR THE THROAT! GO
FOR THE *THROAT*!"
Whack! Chun-Li's powerful kick cracks true only into the World Warrior's
hardened forearm, a vertical limb intercepting the strike before it reaches his
jaw, and deflecting it with a tensing of muscle and a backstep that's just
enough to carry him at the appropriate distance to alternate arms as the
Strongest Woman in the World alternates legs, Ryu catching each of the trio on
his guard, his attention focused on Chun-Li as he paces the attack patiently, at
least until the final strike lands hard on his defenses. At that point, the
World Warrior shoves off more fiercely, looking to unbalance her rather soundly,
and quickly pop a left to the underside of her chin, his arm snapping up, elbow
bent, to align the triphammer uppercut, a quick and simple response to the
rather fervent assault, but then.... patience. Unrelenting efficiency well known
here, Chun-Li would likely also be aware that Ryu's looking to seize the
momentum right here, even if it's not as forceful as what she came out with...
not everything has to flash like whoa to sting, "Haaaah!!!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei blocks Shingo's Shingo Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Sakura
.. The dreaded Shingo Kick. Though luckily Xiangfei is able to handle the attack
this time around, tightening her form up, then spins around, more or less
deflecting the kick with an axe-handle sort of blow, "G'nnn.." she winces,
shaking out her hands, and... Calls for sort of a strategic redirection! She
raises a hand to her ear, murmuring something, gives a small nod, then winks to
Shingo, "Holla' o/~"
Xiangfei goes into a series of backflips, as if hesitating a moment for Sakura
to do her thing, and once she does, crouches low, and bursts upward, a ring of
dust blowing beneath her feet as she attempts to shoulder rush Ryu straight and
true, "HaaaAAH!"
Blink. Say what? He goes from being the target of two attacks to standing and
watching Xiangfei rush off to assist Chun-li against the Ansatsuken master. Now
see Shingo was perfectly fine with letting Chun-li have her rematch with Ryu
while he gave a rematch to Xiangfei. But it seems this isn't to be the case! So
what does Shingo do in a situation like this? Stand and scratch his head
thinking of what to do now and decides to take a huge risk by doing something he
probably shouldn't do. Catch his breath and regain his bearings. Hopefully
Saishu won't smack him again for doing so.
COMBATSYS: Shingo takes a breather.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Sakura
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Ryu's Medium Punch.
Raising an eyebrow at Saishu, Kasugano smirks faintly. "Eh... anyone can do it
if they set their mind to it. I mean, it's not like =my= dad can toss fire out
of his pa-- what?" Sakura taps her earpiece, turning on the mic. "Gotcha!"
Bowing only for a split-second to Saishu, the Ansatsuken schoolgirl dashes off
towards her master, upon command. "Sorry, Mr. Kusanagi! Gotta run!" she
apologizes in mid-sprint.
Of course, there's one thing a lot of the participants have been neglecting to
take advantage of -- the scenery! Sakura uses the springiness of one of the
trees to her best advantage, leaping up and then springing off it, a diving
board turned on its side! The end goal here -- lashing her arm about Ryu's neck
in a flying clothesline, aiming to outpace Xiangfei and keep him distracted long
enough for =her= attack to land, as the scrawny girl hangs onto his back and
attempts a chokehold! Tight one, at that!
Chun-Li's eyes widen, but not on feeling her tri-kick assault blocked. Rather,
she expresses sudden realisation of the fist coming her way immediatelty
afterward, and on executing her backflip she is already making compensation. By
the time Ryu's fist hammers forward, it is met only with the flicker of ribbons
as the Chinese beauty spreads her legs to either side... executing a perfect
example of gymnastic splits, upon the idyllic floor of the arena. "Come on,
Ryu," she chimes from down below, looking up at him with a perked eyebrow, "You
know I'm more flexible than you are." Well, serious or not, she's allowed a
tease.
That's all there is to it and she rolls herself to the side, legs spiralling
around to set booted feet back to the floor as the woman rights herself with
nearly impossible grace. Hopping back and reassuming her stance, she seems about
to rush back in toward the World Warrior when she notices an incoming Hip Hop
Honey. Hesitating noticeably, she finally gives a slight nod to the distracted
man and turns on her heel to set off toward Xiangfei's previous partner. "Good
luck," she sends back to the girl, an honest well-wishing before she enters
focus completely once more.
"I hope Kusanagi trained you well." Chun-Li aims this at her next target,
closing on him in a measured dash and swinging around with the extension of one
arm. The intent? To catch him at the scruff of his uniform, and then bend over
to the right, taking a step in this direction and then hauling Shingo over
backward - and over her shoulder. If he fails to defend adequately, he'll be
sent sailing toward the shallow waters of the arena.
COMBATSYS: Ryu endures Sakura's Sakura Strangle.
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to interrupt Tenpou Zan from Xiangfei with Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
More flexible? Sure. It's not the tease that distracts Ryu, and at first, it
seems like the landing of Sakura on his back, choking him back, isn't going to
slow him down either.... but the strangling acceleration isn't quite enough, and
when he drops low, he's a bit overbalanced, taking Xiangfei's shoulder clean in
his face, instead of his chest, blasted backwards to the ground, and likely
sending Sakura flying off to the side. He was likely not intending it to go
quite like that, but... it looks comical anyway, particularly with the
unexpected flail of limbs and the extra pain of having one's nose crushed while
one's air is cut off.
After that... it's a moment before even Ryu starts to pick himself up. It's not
often he gets nailed like that, but it's fairly traditional any time he steps
into the ring with this kind of setup... the best he can do is steel his nerves,
and prepare a defense once more, stabilizing his footing and he picks himself
off the ground and climbs back to a ready stance.
"Oh -yeah-, baby!!" Xiangfei cries excitedly- She has no idea what it was that
Ryu was going for, but it would appear that it was no match for her and Sakuras
teamwork! She flips backward in the air and lands in a graceful crouch, pointing
a finger to the World Warrior, "Not bad, eh? Lets dance!" she straightens her
stature a bit, slapping her hands togeather and with a powerful, "HAH!!" the
golden pillar flares up again, spinning and twirling about her frame.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei gathers her will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-----==|=======\======-\1 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Shingo with Medium Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/----===|=======\======-\1 Xiangfei
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
Which Kusanagi does she mean? There's two that he gets the occasional learning
from. Most of his own skills coming from lots and lots of practice after
repeatedly taking notes on the proper way to do the techniques. Sans flame of
course. Which would probably serve him well in this match. Much like being just
a bit faster would. Something he is definitely not compared to Chun-li. Thusly
the Tai Chi practitioner's hold succeeds and off Shingo goes flying through the
air and splashes into the water. The boy bouncing once and up on his feet. So
this is not his day. Or is it? Every day is his day! This is Shingo! Nothing
brings him down! He beams brightly as he drips water and gives Chun-li a
thumbs-up, "Good one!" And while he does this hopefully she didn't notice when
he double-tapped his earpiece right before she reached him to signal his own
striker into the fray. Since you know no one is about the whole even ground
rematch anymore.
And while Saishu comes in from one angle with his attack, Shingo darts in from
the other moving as fast as he can from side to side to evade the other fighters
in his way if any to come in and hit Chun with a hard shoulder-slam to assist
Saishu with the kickass Kusanagi team-up attack. "KUSANAGI-RYUUUUUUUUU!"
Hahahaha. What a doofus.
Oops. Sakura forgot to cut the mic on her speaker, so Xiangfei got to hear Ryu
getting doubleteamed in =stereo!= Even the part where Sakura gets tossed to the
side -- but at least she's quick about snapping out of her flight, flipping
about and landing in a low crouch. Grinning, she rises back to her feet,
preparing herself for her next intervention.
Oh, man, Shingo. What an embarrassment. Kyo is probably trying to facepalm
himself through his own hands right now. And Saishu, well, he's--
"KUSANAGI-RYUUUUUUU!" cries Saishu in response, eyes wide and pose dramatic, as
he hurls himself into the fray, igniting both hands as he rushes toward Chun-Li
to aid his student. Lunging in, staggering around to nimbly -- almost
accidentally it sometimes seems -- pick his way back any obstacles, he manages
to get there just in time to strike at the same time as Shingo. Pivoting, he
twists and swings his arms, and emits two fierce waves of Kusanagi flame. One
for him and one for you, Shingo!
"Hou! HYA!"
Grinning the entire time, even as he attacks Saishu finds time to catch Shingo's
eye and wink encouragingly. Meet your fellow doofus.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Saishu's Homura Gasane.
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Chun-Li with Ge Shiki - Kake Hourin.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|=======\======-\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
Well, that was always likely to succeed - she could see the boy was offguard.
Chun-Li may very well have gone for something more punishing, but sportsmanship
must be maintained with the lack of life-or-death here. She actually nods
pleasantly in return to Shingo's congratulation as she straightens back into her
stance, then as the boy begins to charge in her eyes widen a little. This hardly
resembles the most dignified of attacks.. or anything Kusanagi might use, which
causes pause for thought; a pause that costs the woman even as she moves forward
aiming to skirt around Shingo and use his momentum against him once more.
"Oof!" She staggers back with a pained wince, his shoulder connecting hard into
her torso and sending a jar of pain all the way up her back as she buckles over.
"You too," the comment comes breathless in response to his own earlier, though
her words have not even left her mouth before the Tai Chi mistress realises she
is being set up for quite the double whammy. Gasping shortly, her legs tense
before propelling her back into a tight flip, her gaze finding Saishu as she
travels overhead. Time to think quickly, and she does, calling out to the elder
Kusanagi as she turns in the air.
"Mr. Kusanagi! Quite the pleasure." The last word comes with the setting of
Chun-Li's feet to the old gent's back, and she looks down at his hopefully
upturned face with a smile and a wink, "We must meet again sometime. Hup!"
Hopping down off his back, she lands behind the striker and quickly propels him
forward with a double palm-thrust to the back - placed so as not to damage the
man himself, but simply send him staggering headlong into Shingo.
Incoming!
Alright, so... Xiangfei wants to cut in on the dance, and so far, she's
certainly leading it. That's not a trend Ryu wants to continue, particularly,
and as the waitress summons up yet more flaring chi, the World Warrior offers
her a little bit to go with it, his hands shoving forward, palms surging with a
flare of reddish energy, the swirling flames quickly conjured into a densely
packed, searing ball of napalmy fury, the wildly flaming red sphere shooting
forth with ground-blackening intensity as the nomad focuses his power outwards,
sending the flame-orbitted mass straight in on Xiangfei, echoed by a fierce,
"Hadoooouken!!!!" Time to pull out all the stops, right? He certainly doesn't
look like he's going to stand down, that's for sure!
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
Pull out the stops what? Given the situation, Xiangfei's feeling pretty uber,
pretty confident. Oh -yeah-. Well that is until Ryu starts busting out with
blazing, firey death, and her eyes widen a bit, her chi power-up cutting off
short. She was just looking at him as Sakura.. But now he's looking like Ryu,
"H.. Hey, I was just playin'," she squeaks, backing away slowly, "WAAAAAAH!!"
Fireball blazing her way, what choice does she have besides blocking it! Arms
crossing the powerful chi SLAMS into her form, forcing her back a little- And
then she realizes she's still alive after that, "........"
Ryu must be raging right now, and that's her sign to get the crap out of there,
just.. Turning tail and running, "ijustrememberedIhavesomethingelsetodo- BYE!!"
BOOM, a large cloud of dust burst behind her, sending Xiangfei rocketing forward
and hovering over the ground, zipping like a bullet toward the young Yabuki
shoulder first, whether or not Chun gets her lick in, "Hi, I'm back!"
Yeah, she totally chickened out.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Shingo with Large Thrown Object.
COMBATSYS: Shingo blocks Xiangfei's Chou Pai-Long.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
Saishu looks up to Chun-Li... and grins, waggling his eyebrows even as he's
being shoved. "Miss Chun-Li, the pleasure is all mine!" he says, quite
magnanimously, before immediately collapsing in Shingo's arms.
"Shingo-kun!" he cries. "Ha ha! Give me a hug!"
This is either getting rid of the bigger threat first or taking out the weakest
link. Either way really Shingo is getting his behind handed to him on a silver
platter. And now he's hugging an old man that falls into his arms! This day
can't get any better than this! Except if it was all in a giant tub of dessert.
Mmm, dessert. Err. "Oof!" Shingo cries out when the other Kusanagi-ryuu fighter
falls on him momentarily. The effect of which has him falling backward into
Xiangfei's attack and somehow stunting it by decreasing the distance between the
two faster than the waitress had probably planned so maybe her reaction time
isn't fast enough to get the full attack out or something. Whatever. He
survives!
"All right, Otou-san! You take that one and I'll take this one!" He gets up and
out from under the man and faces his chosen target, who is none other than
Xiangfei. If the two male fighters were really cool, they'd be standing back to
back at this moment. Just like if they were about to face off against an army of
robot ninjas! "For Kusanagi-ryuu!" Shingo grabs a hold of Xiangfei to pull her
in and give her a hug! Except without the hugging part. In it's place is a hard
shoulder tackle to floor her.
That's a big if, there. Kusanagi-ryuu is =nowhere= near as cool as Ansatsuken,
as far as Sakura's concerned -- and it shows in her smirk, and the eyebrow
raised at Shingo. She's amused, but... well. She's here to back Xiangfei at the
moment, though, which is why she stays close to the treeline, keeping an eye out
for an opening if Xiangfei should need another assist.
Apparently the Kusanagi may have bred a rather irritable brat in Kyo, but they
have an impeccably refined projectile weapon in the patriarch himself. A family
could go far with hugs like that! Regardless, Chun-Li has no intention of
remaining upon Shingo, not least now that Ryu seems to have taken his toll upon
Xiangfei and sent the girl speeding back across to join the fray. Watching her
in the corner of one eye, the world's strongest woman is quick to follow suit,
turning and dashing back toward Ryu.
Or halfway back. After a few cycles of her booted feet upon the natural floor of
the arena, she leaps into an arc, soaring upward and coming down smoothly toward
the World Warrior, at the last moment spinning around and aiming a powerful
roundhouse kick across the man's chest as she drops. "HYAAAH!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu parries Chun-Li's Medium Kick!
Okay, now... Ryu is going to get a serious case of fighting blueballs at this
rate. In they pop, he whiffs a few times, gets smacked around, and then he's
without an opponent! Did somebody start a game of musical chairs and not tell
him?!?!? Xiangfei rushing away doesn't leave the World Warrior with any less
focused chi, and he's damn well ready to use it! A fluid, lightning-fast step
carries him just out of the path of Chun-Li's sailing kick, her heel all but
grazing his chest as he leans away from the strike in perfect synchronicity,
flaming chi still trailing from his hands due to the sheer amount of energy he's
gathered to little effect this fight....
Something he looks to change as he shoves his palms out point-blank as Chun-Li
lands, all but touching them to her torso as a tremendous surge of flaming
energy blooms forth with... quite a bit more speed and intensity than the last,
the conjured burst showing little fatigue on the part of the World Warrior,
despite the rigors of the fight to this point. The immediate, important
thing.... is blasting Chun-Li back across the arena, "Hadooooouken!!!"
What do you mean, "if" the two male fighters were really cool? Of *course*
they're really cool! Saishu is totally back to back with Shingo now -- as to how
he got here from a hugging position, let's just say however he did it, it didn't
make a lot of sense -- and glances around, bushy eyebrows raised and eyes
blazing with the fury of a warrior fighting against all odds. "All right,
Shingo-kun! I'll hold up my end; it's up to you!" And then he's rushing back
toward Chun-Li, right hand igniting as he does so, and grinning huger than ever,
he roars boisterously, "For Kusanagi-ryuu!!"
Closing in quickly on the young Chinese woman from behind, Saishu slips in, eyes
twinkling. "We meet again!" he says cheerfully. "I so enjoyed our last
encounter--"
And then comes the Hadouken. At Chun-Li... theoretically. But he *is* right
behind her. To any normal human being, this would be A Big Problem. To Saishu...
this is an opportunity! She's distracted! "ONIYAKI!" cries the elder Kusanagi,
and attempts to get his revenge (?) by leaping up into the air and hitting the
woman with a fierce flaming rising uppercut, the Kusanagi flames surging around
him in a pillar of heat.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei dodges Shingo's Hatsugane.
Xiangfei grunts lightly once her attack slams into Shingo, her lips pursed for a
moment- That's impressive, she didn't think he would guard that easily! When
Shingo grabs for her, she doesn't want any part of it, her hands raise a bit in
the air and she just twirls to the side, letting him stumble by or what have
you. That.. Was a close call indeed. She's paying somewhat attention to what's
happening in the background, clapping her hands togeather and with a, "HA!"
releases another burst of chi at her opponent, while muttering something into
her headset. Watch your back, Ryu!
COMBATSYS: Shingo dodges Xiangfei's Nanpa.
What's wrong, Xiangfei? Don't you want any love from Shingo? It won't hurt a
bit. Ok, maybe a little. That's beside the point. The point is that your chi is
no good here! It may have been teh first time but not this time! For the fires
of Kusanagi-ryuu burn brightly within the heart of Shingo Yabuki! "Almost,
Xiangfei! But I'm not out of this one yet!" The boy disappears from the path of
the Nanpa with an evasive roll to come up alongside off at a diagonal angle away
from her. There he opts to stay crouched on the ground and swing out with a good
ol' fashioned sweeping out of her legs. "I'm burning bright!" He swings out a
heavy leg at her feet to knock the waitress to the floor and hard.
Hrm. Another crackle comes out over Sakura's headset! Quick, to the pwn-mobile!
... Though there's really not much pwnage to be done here. "I'm on it..."
replies Sakura, before dashing out into the sandy shoals. Her Chinese garb goes
all a-flutter as she spreads her feet shoulder-width apart, cupping her hands to
her right side. Brilliant blue petals of energy whirl about in a spherical
flurry before resolving into a white-hot sphere. She smiles back at her master
-- it's not much compared to his own, buut maybe, just maybe, the tide can be
turned! Thrusting her hands towards Ryu, she lets out a cry of "HADOOOOOUKEN!"
as the concussive blast rockets towards him.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Saishu's Oniyaki.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Chun-Li with Shakunetsu Hadouken EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Chun-Li 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Sakura
It almost defies belief how greatly her old sparring partner and soulmate has
improved in the last half year, and as Chun-Li flies in she expects maybe a
solid guard or possibly even a surprise connection. She barely expects to be
deflected entirely, thrown wide open... but this is how it goes, the woman
staggering as she springs off from the parried blow, almost hurled directly into
the incoming Saishu. However - wits are with her and with a grunt of exertion
she spins around the gout of flame, feeling it singe at her skirts as they flap
outward. Spinning back around toward Ryu, she finds herself hammered by the
speedy Hadouken, staggering and almost falling entirely...
Down in a crouch, the woman forces back the pain through sheer willpower,
starting to curl her torso around as one hand goes to the floor. Running into
this brief pressure, she takes two steps toward the World Warrior before
spinning herself into an aerial handstand, releasing the ground to curl both
arms around her body and whipping her legs out to one side - the cue for a
cyclonic series of kicks that may only be too familiar. "SPINNING BIRD KICK!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Ryu with Spinning Bird Kick.
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Ryu with Medium Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Chun-Li 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 1/----===/=======|====---\-------\0 Sakura
Okay, well... the speed with which Chun-Li recovers from being blasted back was
/not/ part of the plan... or maybe it just seems faster thanks to the rocketing
Hadouken that slams into Ryu's flank before he can fully sidestep it, the blast
cleaving hard into his shoulder and spinning him half around. Dark eyes shoot to
the side as Chun-Li deftly twists away from Saishu and hurtles right back in on
him....
And the World Warrior is caught up in that spinning blender of kicky pain,
without even the time to fully appreciate the searing chi before he's bashed
back, and driven to his knees, one palm saving him from sliding away from
Chun-Li on his face... Lifting his eyes, it's Ryu's turn to all but explode out
of the hit he just took, his left fist snapping up and in at Chun-Li's ribs as
she lands out of her brutal kicks.... it's no open-palm surge this time, though
there's no missing the sudden spike in chi at that focused point of contact, an
upsurge that continues as the nomad twists to bring his right fist in and
around, launching it straight upwards with enough force to carry him right up
behind it... aligning a rising uppercut with the powerful woman's chest and jaw,
and it's not being pulled this time either, by the looks of it....
"Shooooryuuuuuken!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei interrupts Strong Kick from Shingo with Ryokuchi Kou'en.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Chun-Li 1/-======/=======|=======\===----\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Shingo
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Sakura
Xiangfei grins a little back to Shingo as she nods her head, "That's true, but
if I'm lucky..." the set up would have been a lot nicer if her blast had hit,
but.. Well, there was no turning back now, she would just have to rely on the
power of Kung-fu! When Shingo snaps his kick toward her feet, she slams flat on
her back- But it's almost like she did it on purpose taking into account how
fast she hand-springs and kicks out her legs at the boys chest, "YAH!" she then
hops up and gives one more stomp for good measure once she's upright, "HAH!"
Ohohoho. Does Xiangfei think she has gotten away just because she smacked the
wind out of Shingo's sails with that tactic of hers? Because then she would be
incorrect! Sure her kicks are apparently more superior than his at this given
moment and sure he's probably going to be out of the fight after this last umph
of his. But the fact remains that while Shingo may have been seriously wounded,
except not really, his soul still burns!
"That was a good one, Xiangfei! But can you escape the flames of Burning..." He
recovers slower than usual from the attack, which is expected given how much
damage he has taken, but still manages to push his body to the limit to surge
forward at LiX with his fists held high and ready to pummel the small body of
the Chinese woman with fabulous fury. "SHINGOOOOOOO!" The boy swings and swings
and swings and swings and then shoulder tackles the young adult hopefully into
oblivion. Or KO. Whichever comes first. Then he hops out of the battlefield to
take up a spot next to the strikers, "Hey Otou-san! Sakura-chan!" Grin.
COMBATSYS: Shingo can no longer fight.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Chun-Li with Shin Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Chun-Li 2/<<<<<< /////////////////////////// ]
Saishu 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/---====|
Sakura watches the battle between Xiangfei and Shingo intently! But she keeps
her distance at this point, clenching and unclenching her fists in anticipation.
A quick wink over to Xiangfei, and she whispers. "C'mon, girl, you can do it!"
COMBATSYS: Saishu has left the fight here.
Chun-Li has barely unfolded from her rotating storm of booted strikes when she
feels Ryu coming in fast at her flank, an alarm going off a moment too soon to
save her from the devastation surging toward her. "Hah!" With a desperation born
of familiarity she hurls herself aside, tucking a shoulder in to hit the floor
in a roll but instead she's scooped up on the end of one magnificent fist, the
blow and the mounted chi around it all but ripping her apart as she flies
heavenward with Ryu... somehow turning herself around once she is launched away
and landing upon her feet, albeit with a definite shake to those two limbs.
"Not over yet," she breathes, as if reassuring herself, and with an incoherent
martial cry she surges forth to meet the descending Ryu. "Ryu!" The scream
should direct his attention, but it won't be necessary as a burst of chi
/explodes/ around the woman, all her inner reserve bubbling outward and ripping
the very energy from the earth. Leaping forward to meet the man the instant he
lands, she rocks back onto one leg - other raising to make the first kick
against her opponent.
"HOUYOKU SEN!" When that strikes, it is followed by a cascade of others, up and
down the full length of the World Warrior's form in a blurred machine-gun round
of pain. But still it doesn't finish. As he falls staggering back from that
assault, he is met only with a graceful rotation of Chun-Li's body, the deadly
beauty taking a step forward with the motion and hurling up her other leg for a
near-identical round from this limb. Breath exploding from her lungs, she then
undergoes one final monumental twist, emerging right underneath Ryu's guard and
hammering upward with the mother of all thrust kicks - direct to the chin.
It's all she has.. and the best she has...
COMBATSYS: Ryu just-defends Chun-Li's Houyoku Sen!
[ \\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Sakura
The upwards momentum of the Shin Shoryuken culminates in an almost languid,
graceful rotation, the nomad's right fist still thrown straight skyward, muscles
tensed with the force of the impact. He had expected to put Chun-Li down with
that one, but her resilience isn't exactly shocking. Luckily for Ryu, because as
he lands on lithely bending legs, the Strongest Woman in the World is rushing
right in at him again, and /damn/ fast. It's a blur. There's no way the audience
could follow it, and even some of the other fighters may have trouble keeping up
with every motion, especially with the flashes of bright blue chi that
announcing each staccato impact, the World Warrior steadily pacing half-steps
backwards, as his dark eyes track those flashing lightning kicks with uncanny
precision, aligning his guard with each with a precision that belies the speed
with which it's executed.
Back of his gauntlet meets side of boot again, and again, and again, as kick
after kick breezes by his body, his face, knocked aside with scant millimeters
to spare each time, though the Ansatsuken master doesn't look too concerned
about the close calls.... his breathing steadies, his inner chi stabilizes,
centers... strengthens, even this late in the fight. Any hesitation or injury is
pushed aside, and way, way too calmly, the nomad matches the warrior so like him
in spirit step for step, "We'll see." He answers steadily. The finale isn't
nearly as dramatic as the show to that point, as the Ansatsuken master drops
low, seeking to sweep Chun-Li's ankles right out from under her, forcefully.
It's not the biggest finisher in his repotoire... but she doesn't look like
she'd hold up too well to that one.
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Xiangfei with Hatsugane.
[ \\\\\ < > / ]
Chun-Li 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Xiangfei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Sakura
Xiangfei stands and smirks to Shingo, running a finger along the bridge of her
nose.. This definatly was not a time to be intimidated, all she would have to do
is just put a lot more than usual into her defense and she should be all right!
An upwind tosses her braids upward and she prepares for mad kung-fu blocking!
But to no avail, Shingo beats her up and he beats her up but good. It's
unfortunate, she may be out of it now, but she at least will try to help Chun,
even if it is a weak attempt. She reaches into her pant pocket, dropping to one
knee and then whips out her hand, flinging a coin with near expert precision at
Ryu, hoping to bean him right between the eyes. (I.. I can't give up.. I gotta
keep going, this isn't the end, is it? Come on, gotta get to my feet!!!)
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei can no longer fight.
Dashing over to kneel at Xiangfei's side, Sakura holds her arms out for
Xiangfei. Not that she can actually -catch- her, due to the rules, but she knows
the Chinese girl has tried her best! "You did great, Xiangfei, totally!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura has left the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li interrupts Light Kick from Ryu with Tenshou Kyaku.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Ryu 0/-------/-======|
No, indeed... no crowd wants a finale consisting of a measly sweep kick. Luckily
for the audience tonight in the Masters Stadium, they get something far more
dramatic. Perhaps the light technician should have been forewarned, though on
this occasion the fighter provides her own lighting...
"Give me your best shot, Ryu!" Chun-Li responds quickly as the World Warrior
moves in, eyes flashing with the excited adrenaline that informs her more than
anything else that she is upon her very last legs. Preparing herself as she sets
her feet down, aware only too well that the man has totally deflected her most
powerful, and newest, attack... she is ready for something astounding,
compelling, something to knock her off her feet and into oblivion with a flash
of vibrant fighting spirit. She gets no such thing.
"Ngh!" Shoulders hitting the ground first, and not absorbing the full impact,
the Chinese woman's eyes widen up at her proclaimed soulmate. "That.. wasn't
your best..." she murmurs, a slight smirk spreading itself over her lips. Then
she seems to fall completely, until her right foot lefts, lancing upward to pull
the rest of her body with it, up after Ryu as he moves away. "TENSHOU KYAKU!"
The crowd gasps as white leather smashes hard into the chin of the champion
fighter, the woman surging after it glowing for a moment with trailing fronds of
blue-white, that rip up her opposite leg as she spins about, carrying Ryu high
into the air with a second kick. There's a delay then, before with one last
gracefully violent turn of her hips she slams the final of three blows up into
the chin of the gi-clad man. Hanging there above the arena, framed in the
lights, Chun-Li keeps her leg extended for a moment, hangtime running for the
space of three heartbeats before she turns upon her back and... falls back to
the ground, bouncing twice before coming to a rest beside the shallow pool of
water.
"...that was mine..." Her eyes flutter shut.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Xiangfei's Thrown Object.
Snapping low carries Ryu underneath the flipping coin.... but staying in that
crouch does little for his health when Chun-Li snaps back up, and that white
boot cracks into his jaw. Carried up, up, and away, Ryu goes down hard as he
falls away from the apex without much more grace than the battered Chun-Li,
crashing back to the arena on the edge of the beach, sand getting well and
thoroughly in his hair as he sprawls there. For a moment, it looks like that's
all she wrote for all the non-strikers in this battle, but then, after the
passage of a couple, hanging seconds, the World Warrior presses an arm to his
side and rolls to his stomach, pushing back to a crouch, and then to his feet,
"Yea..." He comments, quietly... it's unlikely Chun-Li is really in a happy
place to be listening, but he does make it audible anyway, "You got back up from
that, already." Only fair to return the favor, right?
The Ansatsuken master smiles slightly and lifts a hand to his jaw, rubbing
lightly a moment and cracking his neck to the side, ignoring the announcer to
walk over to Chun-Li's side, "Only fair to return the favor, right?" There's a
mild wryness to the tone that belies the pain and fervor of the battle, but
then... this is what the World Warrior enjoys, more than anything, right? Of
course, the unconscious aren't the best of conversation partners, but she'll get
a hand up if she stirs. Even Xiangfei, if she's having troubles yet. So long as
she doesn't ask any stupid questions! Shingo, on the other hand... Shingo looks
fine, and really, really eager for Saishu's icecream.
COMBATSYS: Ryu takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has ended the fight here.
Xiangfei gives a weak smile to Sakura, giving the girl a thumbs up as she
continues to take a moment to rest. Even with the schoolgirl cheering her up,
she's a bit disappointed, if she just go a little longer who knows what would
have happened! She raises a hand to Ryu, waving it a bit, "N.. No, I'm good.
Thanks."
Though she actually realizes she should be super ultra happy to have been in a
match with Chun-Li in the first place, it took a lot of hard work to do it! LiX
can only wince when she sees the other chinese fighter attempt to put Ryu out
but to no avail.. Ah, but still, she was so distracted, she didn't get to see
many of her moves, so it's beautiful! Her eyes sparkle in admiration, and she
realizes that she truly only has one regret this fight.
.. She missed and never got Spinning Bird Kicked by Chun-Li. That has to be the
most exhillerating thing EVER. Seriously!!
For a while, the arena is actually as close to still or silent as a place filled
with so many people can be. And then... in a heartbeat, no more than an instant,
Chun-li and Ryu clash for the title. The sound of the Strongest Woman in the
World's kick against the World Warrior's body reverberates for just a moment, a
terrible stasis that seems to go on forever... and then Chun-li falls, spent.
Ryu, on the other hand... is still up.
The crowd's roar is deafening, the assemblage going wild at all four (possibly
six, depending on your perspective) displays of martial prowess. In fact, their
distraction is enough to give Karin time to slip back on stage with her PR team
in tow, sidling up to Ryu and beckoning Shingo and Xiangfei over (and presumably
Chun-li if she can get up). One of the men hands Karin a mic, which she takes,
grinning out at the audience.
"Was that not a spectacular example of the martial spirit?!" she asks, and the
crowd responds with great enthusiasm, clapping all the harder as Karin indicates
the fighters one by one, and then the off-stage strikers as well. "I want a big
hand not only for these four, but for all the fighters who entertained and
thrilled you these past few weeks. Without them this tournament could not have
been such a great success."
And then... come the novelty checks. C'mon, you knew. Aides in black suits
gingerly present the things to Shingo and Xiangfei. "Sharing third place are
Shingo Yabuki and Li Xiangfei, with a $125,000 prize going to each!" The
clapping is short as Karin moves toward Chun-li, be she awake or not. "In second
place, receiving a $250,000 prize, Chun-li!"
The blonde then walks over to Ryu and, taking one of his hands, holds it up in
the air. It's traditional! But no oversize novelty check for him. "And please
give a huge round of applause for your Medal Tournament champion, who has won
whatever his heart desires... Ryuuuuuuu!" And then the crowd just loses it,
probably embarrassing the World Warrior in the process.
Taking down Ryu's arm, Karin throws back her curls and holds the mic with two
hands. "Thank you all for coming. I'm Karin Kanzuki, saying good fight... good
night!"
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