QUICK AUTHOR'S NOTE!
This story was written as a love letter towards a fellow artist on DeviantArt: Madcatmk6. As such, permission was gained to feature his character, Rosa, in an epic battle between martial artists. If you enjoy this story, please visit his DeviantArt and show him some love.
That's all! Enjoy the action! ^w^
The morning ushered a salty yet gentle breeze through the ocean. Rigorous ocean waves took the day off and allowed the sea to shine with a peaceful temperament. It was the ideal day to be out in the open water. Southbound winds blow past, carrying with them a special piece of cargo. With a grip on a wide, white sail, the ocean's waves grow in intensity in a certain section, the section where a small, brown sailboat glides by. The vessel was a modest one yet carried plenty of room for one passenger: a young, pink Inkling girl. An adventurous squid kid casually sits back on the boat's rear and lets the wind lead her through the sea with a smile on her face.
The girl had her hair grown long on both sides, with a little star that was a deeper shade of pink on each side tentacle. Short bangs rest along the forehead, tied down by a white headband that fluttered in the breeze behind her. She had vibrant blue eyes and pale yellow skin, donning a turquoise crop top, blue sweatpants, and green sneakers. Enter Roselia Shaolin, Rosie for short, a cheerful girl that lived on a remote island away from Inkopolis. She has been dubbed the nickname 'Drifting Inkling' for the fact that she's an enigma amongst her kin. She often sits by while everyone engages in Turf Wars and hardly knows anything about the latest splatfests and musical culture. More than anything, her true interests lie in martial arts. Rosie was a warrior, preferring to train with her bare hands rather than with a weapon, although she does keep an Inkbrush with her in case of an emergency. Due to this passion, the girl spends more time training on her island than visiting the bustling city. In fact, this was her first time heading there in two weeks.
In the span of ten minutes, cue the call for land ho. Rosie was approaching the shore of a stretch of land, not too far from Inkopolis. The inkling girl smiles, knowing she reached her destination: Skipper's Pavillion. This oriental-themed yard was the front of a high canopy building that served as a Japanese theater house. Only thing was it was under construction so it was more often used as a popular Turf War spot. It wasn't in the rotation today so, instead, Rosie was using this space to train. Her sailboat gently rests against the sandy shore and Rosie hops out, folding up the sail and tying it to a nearby post. With that taken care of, she gleefully pulls a blue duffel bag out of the boat, keeping a sheath that held her Inkbrush on her back, and makes her way towards the pavilion.
Rosie jogs up the ramp, leading to the theater house canopy. That was her preferred spot to practice her moves as it was almost like a makeshift, outdoor dojo. She couldn't wait to get started! The girl enters the small hallway into the vast, square space, only to find a surprise waiting for her. Somebody was already here! Near the southwest corner of the pavilion area was another inkling girl with deep, red ink and the same hairstyle as Rosie, minus the stars. She wore a squid hairpin, a red t-shirt with a white and black anchor emblem, black shorts, and fluffy, white Squid Girl shoes. Little did she know Rosie standing in the face of an Inkopolis legend: Rosa, one of the well-known Splat Fighters, and she had picked the pavilion as a place to meditate. The latter rose had no idea who this girl was, but she was pleasantly surprised to see someone else share her secondary training spot. Without hesitation, she walks up to investigate.
"Hiya there!" Rosie jubilantly calls out. "I didn't expect anyone else to be here."
Rosa opens her eyes and looks up at Rosie. Her eyes soften into a rather shy glance as if she was nervous by the new arrival. "Oh, h-hello…"
The sakura girl quickly notices the uneasiness in Rosa's tone and answers with a glance of concern. Did she spook the fellow inkling? As much as Rosie wanted to press further, she decides to honor Rosa's space and gently backs off. She steps to the right and goes to the other side of the room, slipping her blue duffel bag onto the floor as well as her sheath.
"You picked an ideal spot to meditate, friend," Rosie calls out to her while giving her body a vertical stretch. Even though the red squid seemed nervous, she wanted to lift the mood with a little small talk. "The weather's always nice around here, in the morning."
"I g-guess so…" As the nervous tone lingers, Rosa closes her eyes and tries to resume mediation.
After briefly stretching her arms, Rosie makes a few short hops to warm up her legs. "This the first time I've had company here. I just hope you don't mind if do a bit of training!"
Something about those last few words quickly makes Rosa flash open her eyes. Did Rosie mention some magic words? By the time Rosa turns back in Rosie's direction, the pink squid was already hopping into a wider stance. Rosie pivoted her body sideways with her left foot in front, it and the right foot spread an even two shoulder-lengths apart, her left arm hovered near her torso, and the right raised near the face. Her fists clenched and her fighting stance with complete. The posture seemed to click with Rosa again as now she looked even more surprised! Rosie's focus remains straight ahead while she hops on the balls of her feet, visualizing an invisible opponent in front of her. Her left fist lashes out with two quick jabs and the right follows to swipe the air with a hook. The momentum impulses her right leg over, letting it swing into a pair of roundhouse kicks. Rosie snaps the said leg back after each kick, chambering it to execute precise accuracy when aiming her foot mid then high. The second roundhouse prompts another recoil then the girl shoots the blade of her foot straight up for a high side kick!
Rosa was watching her workout the whole time, seeming to recognize Rosie's technique. As the pink inkling keeps going with several more kicks, the crimson one stands up. "U-um, excuse me!"
"Hmm?" Rosa had caught Rosie at the end of a side kick when she lured her attention over. Rosie casually recoils and chambers her leg, staying perfectly balanced while looking at the shy one. "Something wrong?"
"N-no… I…" Rosa stammers. She looks down in slight frustration, not getting her words all the way through. Then, she stops, takes a deep breath, and looks back up. "...Um, you w-wouldn't happen to be an m-martial artist t-too, would you?"
Rosie pauses for a moment, but it wasn't too long before she sets her foot down and beams at Rosa. "Actually, yeah! I love martial arts! I come here, every now and then, to practice my moves."
"Really? I-I'm actually a fighter, too!" Rosa quickly answers, finally cracking a small smile.
Now, this was excellent news! Rosie's smile widens and she walks closer to her. To think she'd happen to meet up with a fellow warrior now, out all of the possible random days. This was the kind of thing she dreamed of happening for months now! Excitement surges through her ink, her eyes enlarging and gleaming passionately.
"I had a feeling! Why didn't you say so earlier?" Rosie quickly asks.
"I-I'm sorry…" Rosa apologizes, a red blush forming on her cheeks as she looks down. "I'm just kinda shy… I'm not used to s-social situations."
Rosie finds the red ink's blush rather adorable and giggles. Stepping over to Rosa's left, she gently wraps an arm around her shoulders and aims a soft, compassionate glance in her direction. "Hey, don't worry about it. I won't judge. Now I totally understand why you were so nervous earlier."
Rosa bashfully looks away, though still showing a vibrant smile. The shy inkling felt a little better, now that she knew the stranger was a fellow warrior. The very mention of martial arts gradually lifted her mood as the comfort zone they both could share. Not to mention, she just made Rosie's day. Her attitude was brighter than a rainmaker blast!
"Hey, you know what?" Rosie moves her arm off Rosa and moves back in front of her. "Words aren't always necessary. I know a way better for us to get to know each other!"
Rosa looks back up at her. "...Y-you mean, you'd like to fight me?"
"If you want!" Rosie answers with a cute wink. "I come from a place where people bond better through sparring than talking. It speaks a stronger language than just words alone. Plus, I'd love the chance to spar with a warrior cutie!"
There goes that blush again. Rosa couldn't help but act bashful to such a mild flirt.
"...Heh, I-I feel the exact same way," the crimson ink chuckles. A moment to catch one's bearings passed before the girl shoots an unwavering, pleasant gaze back at her acquaintance. "I'd love to spar with you!"
"Haha, awesome!" Rosie cheers with a big grin. "It's been ages since had a good spar! I can't wait!"
Rosie turns to stroll back over towards her belongings. However, she wasn't picking something up, but making another deposit. Right next to her duffel bag, she slips off her green sneakers and rests her smooth bare feet against the mat floor. Besides being a normal sparring courtesy for her, this was so she wouldn't hurt her friend too badly with her kicks. Rosa notices the gesture and decides to do the same, carefully taking off her white shoes. Afterward, both warriors approach each other once more, joining at the southern-center portion of the square pavilion room. The very air around them intensifies as they take a moment to stare each other down. Though one was more extrovertive than the other, there was one thing they could come to a consensus about. Both were eager to throw down!
"Ready?" Rosie questions, a playful smirk on her face.
"Mmhmm," The shy squid nods with a pleasant smile. She steps forward with her bare left foot, but instead of prepping to fight, she casually extends a fist towards her opponent. "I'm R-Rosa, by the way."
The sakura inkling chuckles and reciprocates. "Rosie."
They share a nice, hard 'tap of the gloves.' This was a simple sign of warrior language that was easily translated to 'No hard feelings,' and "Good luck!' This was going to be a clean fight between honorable warriors. Then, in an instant, both of them hop away and simultaneously shift into their fighting stances. Rosie assumed the same stance as before and, to her surprise, Rosa mirrored her. Their postures were nearly identical to one another. This prompted a slight chuckle from the sakura inkling. They already had another thing in common!
"Ikuzo!" Rosa calls out.
"Let's do this!" Rosie follows suit.
The girls were locked in an intense standoff now! Both of them eye each other carefully, watching their mirrored stances for any sudden movements. It was all down to who was going to move first. Rosie felt the urge to step forward…only to be surprised again! Rosa suddenly charges forward with an opening assault! The defending inkling stops in her tracks and eagerly braces herself for impact. The fight was on!
Rosa lunges in with a quick jab to Rosie's face, chaining into a low hook to the abdomen and a quick side kick. Rosie acts fast and leans away from the jab then performs two, precise open palm parries against the hook and kick. After swatting Rosa's leg outward, Rosie steps in with a backfist to the face, which promptly misses when the former leans her head back. Rosa gets forced to step back and cross her arms, guarding her body against a rapid series of jabs. The sakura squid tries to bypass this with an uppercut but her opponent thinks fast, abandoning the tight guard and spinning out of the way.
"Ki-yah!" Rosa uses the momentum to come back with a spinning heel kick, aiming for Rosie's face!
Rosie gasps, having just barely enough time to duck under her opponent's foot! Rosa's expression remains soft and calm but her strikes were powerful! Such an adorable flower wasn't as delicate as she seems. Rosie's smile widens, loving the pressure put on her! Now she had to push back, just as hard.
"Hyah!" Rosie kiais, using her low position to spin into a sweep kick and clips against Rosa's foot with her own.
Rosa's eyes widen and her legs get yanked up through sheer scooping force. She manages to recover in time to land onto her palms and spring away from her opponent. Rosie gives chase, letting out another kiai as she leaps into a double front snap kick. Rosa puts out her palms to block both and stands her ground to meet her foe with another roundhouse, which promptly meets a brick wall. The two meet each other blow for blow, trading a series of fast punches with a few kicks thrown in. Neither side was letting up. It was a mental tug-of-war as they try to nail any potential openings. After a while, Rosa's defense slips, and an uppercut infiltrates into her chin.
"Guh!" Rosa yelps, her whole body getting jerked up. Before she would recover, her face was smacked to the left by an inward crescent kick then she felt a push on her chest from a fast side kick! "Ahh!"
The shy red stumbles back, giving Rosie the cue to jump in after her with a flying back kick with her other foot. However, Rosa regains her focus, jumps, and deflects her foe's attack with an aerial roundhouse!
"Tatsumaki Senpukyaku!" Rosa cries fearlessly. Her whole body defies gravity but keeps the momentum of her last kick so the other leg can lash out into a powerful series of spinning kicks.
Though Rosie was in midair, she tries to cross her arms into a tight guard against Rosa's technique but she underestimated its sheer power. Her arms were brushed aside, leaving her to face the might of two more kicks to the face! "Mmph! Argh!"
Rosie spins to the floor and lands on her tummy but quickly pushes herself back up. The pink inkling tries to retaliate with a roundhouse into spinning hook kick, but Rosa backs away and ducks under them, slipping in to slam Rosie's chest with a right cross. The left fist curves and bashes the check with a smooth hook and then Rosa roars with a kiai, bringing with it a strong side thrust kick to the abdomen. A Jodan Sukutogeri!
"Seiyah!"
Rosie felt the air being pushed out of her and the power in Rosa's bare foot sends her flying against the wall, bouncing off from the impact! Rosa runs in to capitalize on her golden opportunity, a fist primed to jump up and deliver a vicious uppercut!
"Shoryuken!"
Rosie still looked shaken up from her opponent's kick and the extra attack was closing in. She was wide open…or was she? Moments before Rosa was within collision range, Rosie opens her once strained eyes and grins. Her hands shoot and catch Rosa's fist, using the impact as solid ground to push her legs up into a handstand! Rosa gasps but it was too late to correct herself. Rosie twirls around and flips around her opponent, quickly wrapping her arms around Rosa's torso on the way down.
"Oh, no you don't!" With her opponent in tow, Rosie falls back and pulls Rosa upside-down with her, spinning into a spontaneous counter. A spinning Izuna drop! "Hiiii-yah!"
"Ahh!" Rosa howls in pain, her head getting slammed against the floor! She plops down like a sack of potatoes after Rosie springs off her like a pogo stick and flips back to her feet.
The crimson girl eventually pushes herself back up. She wasn't giving in just yet, and neither was her opponent. She runs at Rosie with several more punches, all in vain due to the pink warrior's speed. Then, a front kick to Rosie's abdomen but the target telegraphs this and uses her left hand to latch onto Rosa's foot.
"Hyah!" One quick spin fuels a hook kick counter to the face, then the leg chambers and preps for a return trip in the form of a side kick to the solar plexus! Rosie recoils again and chains into a roundhouse kick, whipping the foot back to smack the other cheek with her sole via another hook kick. This was a combination Rosie liked to call the Dizzy Kick!
Rosa didn't respond in time and ate a big hit, and then another! While she was pushed back, the Dizzy Kick painfully caresses her face, to and fro. The back-to-back foot slap pummels her silly. By the time Rosie was done, Rosa felt her sights waver, now completely dizzy! "Ugh…"
Rosie smirks. Now it was her turn to dish out the punishment! She closes in and slams Rosa's chin with a high side kick before letting her leg loose with a flurry of side kicks at blurring speed! This was Rosie's Pummel Kick technique. Rosa feels her upper body getting pounded senseless, but if that wasn't bad enough, Rosie steps forward with her other leg and unleashes another frenzy of kicks! Finally, the warrior kiais and unleashes another high side kick, this time hitting the face hard enough to send Rosa into the air. Rosie's ink adrenaline kicks in and she acts on impulse to leap after her prey. Rosa is bewildered from all those kicks but manages to wake up just enough to see her opponent close in, legs tucked for one more kick. She forces herself into an upright position and moves her hands to block, but her opponent suddenly accelerates and cuts through the air with a flying side kick. Rosa's eyes widen. Rosie's foot had beat her hands to the kick and now plunged into her belly!
"Shooting…STAR!"
"Gah!" Rosa screams before she is blown back with immense force, just like what she did to Rosie earlier!
The blow is so powerful that it sends her flying out of the pavilion room and into the connecting hallway where she tumbles onto her stomach. Meanwhile, Rosie lands on the floor, unharmed. A big smirk of satisfaction was printed on her face, but then she got a good look at her opponent. Rosa wasn't getting up. The pink squid's beam was quickly overcast and replaced with concern.
"...I might've overdid it. Are you okay?" Rosie sincerely asks.
After a few suspenseful seconds, Rosa rises back to her feet with a mild wince. Strangely enough, she looks back at Rosie with that same smile as before. Rosie mirrors her expression, relieved. Looks like Rosa just needed a moment to catch her breath. She may have looked frail before but, gosh, she was tough!
"Whoa-ho-ho! You had me worried for a moment! What a trooper!" Rosie compliments her opponent's endurance.
Rosa blushes, but just for a moment this time while she snaps back to her stance. "And you're very strong, Rosie."
"Likewise! You pack a vicious kick, yourself!" Rosie chuckles. Right afterward, she was back in position too. "Ready for more?"
Rosa nods, and, just like that, the state of the battle was reset. The girls now had a taste of what the other was capable of and that jacked up their appetites! They carefully circle each other, craving the chance for the next move. This time, Rosie does the honors and rushes in with a burst of speed. Rosa instinctively tenses and forms a wall against the jabs that knock on her door then leans away from a low right cross. The girls proceed to trade punches for a while, the arms moving in precise flurries and the smacking of their bodies colliding fill the air. Rosie's speed forces the red squid to remain on the defensive most of the time as she tries to match her momentum. Finally, Rosa sees her chance and ducks under a hook to deliver a punch to Rosie's abdomen. The sakura warrior doubles over just a bit, but it isn't long enough for Rosa to capitalize with an uppercut. The target recovers just in time to swing a left palm and parry the swing away. Then she does something crafty. Rosie switches her leading side, however making sure her left foot was cozily positioned behind Rosa's right foot beforehand. The swift slide to southpaw doubled as a quick foot sweep and knocked Rosa off balance! Rosa stumbles forward and Rosie makes an immediate opening for two alternating jabs to the chest and a backfist to the face!
"Ugh…" Rosa staggers back. Though the quick blows dazed her, the warrior forces her focus back on in time to shift away from a front snap kick and thrust herself in with another Jodan Sukutogeri. "Hyah!"
This time, Rosie saw it coming! Recoiling the same foot she kicked with, she spins along with an inside crescent kick and parries Rosa's attack! She makes a one-eighty turn and leaps back towards her opponent, a backflip driving both of her legs to be swung down, one at a time. This was a stylish move Rosie called the Double Hammer! "Aiiii-yah!"
With her leg shoved aside, Rosa met the hard impact of bare feet on her noggin. She musters her strength to keep herself from being forced onto the ground. Strain is visible in her eyes, but she fights through the pain, just as she sees her opponent already leaping at her again.
"Cyclone Kick!" As if mirroring Rosa's earlier move, Rosie spins herself into a gravity-defying kicking hurricane of her own! Albeit, it flows as natural as a move she perfected herself, rather than being an imitation on a whim. Plus, it was faster than her opponent's.
Rosa gasps but manages to leap away just in time. It shocked her how her opponent shared a move that was similar to that of her Ansatsuken style! However, this also meant she has experience dealing with it. Waiting right for when Rosie lands, Rosa swoops in and drives a hard knee into her gut. The pink foe felt a direct hit greeting her once more, just as she was forced away with a circle throw! Rosie is sent crashing onto her back, and by the time she gets up, there is a gap between them again. Rather than give chase, Rosa uses the breathing move to ready a new move. Her stance was widened and her hands were building up a strange, yellow light.
"Hadouken!" Rosa kiais, thrusting her palms forward and unleashing a powerful energy sphere!
Now Rosie was the one surprised! Her eyes widen and her body reacts on sheer instinct, sparking a big jump over the blast! This blew her mind. Never before has she seen an inkling harness the power of chi before. Though, rather than be intimidated, Rosie grins.
'...Awesome! Now I don't have to hold back!' Rosie thinks. This couldn't mean… The pink inkling was ready to answer that, for while she was in midair, her arms were being shrouded with a pink glow, and her palms aimed down at her opponent. "Hey! Is this what you were trying to do?!"
Her taunt calls down at her friend, right before a surge of energy floods her hands and rockets down a pink blob, like a meteor! While Rosie didn't exactly have chi, she could wield a very similar energy called aura, which was adaptable with her ink. Once again, the field was even and Rosa was taken aback by what was coming. She just barely overcomes her shock and backflips away, letting Rosie's aura blast harmlessly bash against the floor. How was it that her opponent shared so many moves with her?! It was almost as if she found a distant cousin. Rosa had to squat down for a moment to catch her breath, but afterward…she was smiling! She couldn't explain it but having this kind of opponent pushing her was starting to exact her! This high overcomes her body, lifting her and pushing her into a blitz at Rosie, without hesitation.
Rosie notices her foe's mood perk up and chuckles, such exhilaration being contagious. Both girls rush each other and the fight is on again. Fists and feet clash with even greater speed and power, like an even duel of swords. Rosa was becoming more accustomed to Rosie's speed now and her defense was sharper for it. The latter joyously kiais and leads in with another Pummel Kick. Rosa's eyes narrow, watching her opponent's foot inch close before abruptly bashing it away with the back of her hand. A perfect parry! She does this again, and again, again! Rosa's precision overcomes the storm of kicks and she has plenty of energy left over to foresee the incoming high side kick that soon follows. The red inkling jumps and catches Rosie's sole, using it as a grounding point for a counter kick of her own!
"Mmph!" Rosie gets a face full of foot and falls, albeit into a recovery roll. However, as soon as she gets up, Rosa is already speeding towards her. A roundhouse comes to intercept, but it is futile. Her opponent brushes it aside and focuses her energy into a hard straight punch, slamming the air right out of her! "Gah!"
Rosa made a big opening for herself! She raises her left foot up high, rearing it back in prep for a big kick! "I-I hope you're ready for this!"
A quick leap and the red squid spins into an aerial side kick that slams Rosie's chest. The target is pushed back and Rosa gives chase, jumping again with another kick to the body, springing off Rosie afterward. Rosa flips back to her feet and runs at Rosie one more. A graceful spin powers a strong kick to the face, knocking Rosa's prey into the air, and she follows suit with a Tatsumaki that pummels Rosie upwards. With one more twirl, Rosa lets loose one more kick and slams the sole of her foot against Rosie's face! Payback from earlier.
"Guren…Ejin Kyaku!" Rosa's body pivots and the full force of her final kick explodes into a full roundhouse!
"Ahh!" Rosie bellows as she flies back from the beautiful technique. She soars right out of the pavilion hallway and onto its doorstep, tumbling onto the sloped path. It took one moment for her opponent to see through her speed to surge her body with so much damage. However, like the trooper she is, Rosie pushes herself back up. Though hurt, she was beaming! "Wooooow! How long have you been holding that move back?! That was awesome!"
Rosa, who had run after her opponent to check if she was okay, was left taken aback by the compliment. She pauses but then that bashful blush reappears, and with it an adorable smile.
"Th-thank you…" she modestly responds. However, that shy demeanor starts to melt away more. "I'm surprised how similar our styles are to each other. Do you practice Karate too, by any chance?"
Rosie shakes her head. "Not really. My style's self-taught. We just happen to share some of the same moves. That just means we already have so much in common!"
"Yeah… I guess so!" Rosa reciprocates.
The girls giggle with glee. From their intense fight alone, the connection between them grew closer than ever. The best part was that it was in a comfort zone they both shared. The fighting brought Rosa out of her bubble and their bodies were their medium of conversation. It was the best way for them to get to know each other, and have fun doing so!
"...You know, this was meant to be just a spar, but I'm already having so much fun! It'd be a shame to let our rush die off so," Rosie hints, right before her eyes flare up again. "Wanna finish this?"
Rosa takes a moment to think, but, surprisingly enough, a fiery blaze of confidence takes over. Her eyes grow fierce and her smile widens. "I'd…actually like that, a lot. Let's end this!"
Rosie grins. "Oh, it's on now!"
In that precise moment, Rosie leaps back onto flat ground and they snap back into their stances at the same time!
"HYAH!"
Their kiais charge the battlefield with their positive energy. Both of them were amp to kick their spar up to a full-on fight! Yet, an honorable one. This wasn't about breaking the ice anymore. They knew full well what the other was capable of. Now they just wanted to have their fill of fun! This was their final round! Engage!
The warriors charge forward with eager battle cries, rearing their fists back and meeting each other with a fierce punch! Their attacks clash with a mighty boom, echoing with the stalemate their roused strength. They weren't messing around now! Their fists blur into another trade between blows and their defenses were there to meet them. With how comfortable they were, the martial artists were throwing everything on the table. Some of Rosie's kicks were even infused with the same pink aura as before to enhance her strikes. Though caught off guard with the first few, Rosa adapts and pushes back just as hard. Rosa approaches with a sweep kick, prompting Rosie to jump up high to retreat. The assailant wasn't going to let her get away though! Rosa morphs into a red squid form and super jumps after her with a propulsion of ink. Before long, she meets Rosie in midair and switches back, a smirk on both warriors' faces.
"Tatsumaki!"
"Cyclone Kick!"
Their feet clash with even, powerful kicks! A playful yet ferocious dance of squid tornados soars through the air, keeping the other at bay without losing an inch. Both Rosie and Rosa land towards the lower section of the stage, near the coast where a zen garden field is laid. Their bare feet land against the soft sand and they instantly stalemate into several more kicks. Rosie clips Rosa in the face with a roundhouse kick, chaining into a smooth axe kick to the top of the head. Rosa uses the push down low to drive momentum into an uppercut, knocking Rosie's body upwards for another Jodan Suktogeri. Rosie flies back and tumbles back to her feet, ready to run back at Rosa, who does the same. Their fists were primed and, in one synched movement.
"Shoryuken!"
"Dragon Punch!"
They attempt to come at each other with a jumping uppercut each! They had, yet, another technique to share, making them evenly matched between fists, feet, and energy. Instead of clashing, though, both of them clock each other upside the chin and get sent airborne due to their sheer power. Hence, they collapse at the same time as well! Rosie sits herself up and shakes her head while Rosa pushes up as well. The red squid was about to get up, just as she heard laughter coming from Rosie's direction. The girl was cracking up! Rosa was confused her first, but then she started to giggle as well. The fact that they hit each other with the same move, like that, was hilarious! The fact that they were able to share a sweet moment in the middle of a heated match was heartwarming…but they soon leap back up and the air flares up again. Their bodies were starting to feel the burden of the abuse they've sustained up until now. They were starting to get tired. One look and they both knew. They needed to end this!
The warriors merge and dance around each other's moves, once more. Ink rushed through their bodies and their excitement was building. If inklings could sweat, this would be the perfect moment. Punches and kicks weave past their guards more often, their fatigue hindering their reactions. Yet, Rosie and Rosa continue to push through, not wanting to ease up on each other. At the same time, their smiles never faded. They were having the time of their lives!
Rosa eats a spinning back kick to the gut and doubles over. Rosie rushes in to finish with a high side kick, and that's when adrenaline kicks in. In a burst of energy, Rosa dashes out of the way and counters with a right hook to the face! Rosie's eyes widen and she's knocked off balance while Rosa rides this high and rears her left fist back.
"This is it!" Rosa cries out, right before slugging another uppercut into Rosie's gut! Her eyes narrow as she focuses energy into her next strike, another uppercut to the chin. Power explodes from the impact and her fist lingers on her target. It was almost as if time was suspended around them. Then, with one final kiai, she exerts even more force into her fists for a monstrous, jumping uppercut. "Shin…SHORYUKEN!"
"GAH!" Rosie screams, her body getting rocketed up high from the massive punch. Her back crashes onto the sand, long after Rosa already landed.
Rosa shifts back to her stance, panting heavily. Seconds went by and Rosie didn't move. It could be over… However, just then, Rosie groans and musters her strength to slowly push herself back up to her feet. The sakura warrior rests on her knees, gasping for breath, but gradually stands back up. Her whole being was in pain, but she couldn't find herself to give in, much to the surprise of her opponent.
"Hah… Not yet!" Rosie rebels, smirking through all the strain. Gaining her second wind, she snaps back to her stance.
Rosa was in awe. That had to be her strongest chain of punches and her opponent still was up for more. After a moment, she didn't seem to mind. The shock subsides and the red squid smiles. As tired as she was, she couldn't help but admire Rosie's tenacity. This just meant she needed to hit her hard, one more time! Rosa brings her hands to her sides and channels her energy into her palms. Before long, a big orb of chi grows.
"Shinkuu…" The power in her hands grows visibly bigger and bright with each passing second. Rosa was putting all her power into this last blast to wrap this battle up with one shot!
Rosie had to think fast. She was on her last leg, so another hard hit would knock her out for sure! If Rosa's attack lands, the match would be over. Even amid such danger, Rosie puts one bare foot forward and pushes off into a brave sprint. The distance between the formidable fighters was closing and Rosa's energy ball was nearly at its peak.
"...HADOUKEN!"
Rosa's palms thrust and a powerful chi flies out towards Rosie at high speed! Rosie doesn't slow her pace, meaning she was recklessly rushing right at it! Was this it? Was Rosie throwing the match in Rosa's favor? The Hadouken was a split-second away from slamming into her. Just before the moment of collision, her body gives off a bright, pink flash.
"And BLITZ!"
A pink, lightning-bolt stream beams right past the point of the blast and Rosa's position. In an instant, Rosie appears right behind her opponent, unscathed! But how?! Aura Blitz! An aura-enhanced version of a technique that allows her to dash at an extremely-high speed across a short distance, almost as if she was teleporting. With her aura powering her move, Rosie had the means of piercing through projectiles, even one as powerful as the Shinkuu Hadouken! In her wake, Rosa's blast suddenly splits into two and dissipates! Before Rosa could contemplate what just happened, her body seizes with strain.
"Agh!" Rosa clutches her chest, struggling to stay on her feet. Rosie's Aura Blitz did more than just evade her attack. Though it didn't actually pierce through her in a literal sense, it sent a sharp jolt of pain throughout Rosa's body, doubling as an attack!
Rosie smirks, proud of her last-ditch technique. She wasn't even sure if her move would work against Rosa's but it did anyway! High risk, high reward. Now, "Time to finish this!"
Rosie's body flashes again, and she pairs her attack with another Aura Blitz, and then another. She dashed through her opponent, to and fro, with bewildering speed. Rosa was too exhausted to act on her attack, leaving her wide open to the shocks that went in. Now behind her again, Rosie rushes in with an elbow strike to the back, and then an aura-infused roundhouse that spins Rosa around. With energy flaring her legs, Rosie chains into two more side kicks to the chest then, a quick Dizzy Kick into another graceful axe kick!
"Ora, ora, ora, ora, ora!" Rosie kiais as she spins into a storm of roundhouse and wheel kicks. She pummels Rosa senselessly and pushes her back, her aura flaring and sparkling like star-lit flames. Finally, a sharp high side kick sends Rosa into the air with a satisfying slam! Rosie wasn't done though! She jumps up after her foe and closes in with a Shooting Star kick to the abdomen, straightens out for one more front kick to the face, then, with as much power as she could muster, flips into a masterful somersault kick! "Nebula…FURY!"
Rosa was rendered helpless to all of Rosie's attacks. In the end, the final kick strikes her chin with a glittering boom! "AHH!"
The red squid plummets down and crashes onto her back, bouncing up from the impact until she falls onto her tummy. Meanwhile, Rosie makes a perfect landing but soon falls on one knee. She was completely tuckered out, breathing hard and all. She anxiously waits for Rosa to rise. Shockingly, the strong, red squid comes to her senses and pushes against the ground, wanting another go. However, her body exhausted the rest of its strength and she plummets back down. She was conscious, panting, but she couldn't get back up. K.O.
'It's over…' Rosie sighs, and then smiles. 'Man, oh man! What a fight!'
It takes Rosie a little while to catch her breath, but she soon stands back up. She casually walks over to Rosa and kneels down, pulling the fallen warrior's arm onto her shoulder and letting her use her body as support.
"On your feet, warrior," Rosie calmly cues, deep admiration in her voice.
Though struggling at first, Rosa groans and pushes herself up with Rosie's help. Rosa keeps her hold on her friend, the other not protesting a bit. Once she caught her breath again, she lets go.
"Good gosh! That was an amazing fight!" Rosie cheers, her mood quickly perking up. "Wasn't that fun?"
Though not as ecstatic as Rosie was, Rosa looks at her fellow squid and beams with a sweet smile. "Yeah… That was the best fight I ever had! You're a great fighter, Rosie!"
Rosie quickly ropes her friend back in with a side hug. "So are you, you powerhouse, you! You had me on edge the whole time! It took everything I had not to stay down after that Shin Shoryuken you did!"
There's that blush again, and Rosa shyly looks away. Though, a clear giggle made it clear that she definitely appreciated the compliment.
"Seriously…thank you, Rosie. I don't get that many chances to fight new people," Rosa graciously says. "Maybe…w-we could do it, again soon?"
Rosie looks back at Rosa with a cheeky grin. "Name the time and place, and I'll gladly take you on, Rosa!"
The sakura warrior gently pats on her friend on the back and the two walk back up the slope where the pavilion was. Though pained and bruised, both warriors were happy with their battle, and with it, a beautiful friendship.
"Come on. Let's go get patched up. We earned a break after that big match!"