BREAKING NEWS: "We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a live news update."
"Three new deaths have been reported, in a string of gnarly murders onset by one madman's killing spree. We now go live to the scene for more on the story. Be advised... the footage you are about to see are disturbing."
"I'm standing here in the aftermath of another rampage, by a man that seems to have no remorse, no motive, and no end in sight. Police are on the scene now, searching for evidence on even the smallest lead that can bring them to this psycho, to finally end this nightmarish day in the life of Munich, Germany. There are multiple lacerations and puncture wounds on the victims, suggesting he may be using a knife or some bladed object, but no murder weapons have been recovered as of yet. So far, there have been no witnesses, and reports of his sightings have been vague at best. I'll keep you posted, as new developments come in. Back to you."
"There are still no new developments on the pursuit, but I just want to remind you all: this man is about six feet, pale white skin, slender, with long red hair. He's wearing a dark, cut-off top, and white slacks. If you see anyone resembling this man, DO NOT APPROACH HIM. Call law enforcement immediately, and do not panic. And most importantly... stay in groups, stay in heavily crowded areas, and do not venture off alone. Please, stay safe, until we can catch this madman."
WE NOW RETURN TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BROADCAST.
Back in the combat zone, the fight had reached a more level playing field. Kensou had gone from putting an ass-whooping on Yamazaki, to being forced on his heels. Yamazaki seemed faster, more aggressive, more motivated than he originally exuded at the start. He was also fighting smarter... he kept trying to go for that leg.
Yamazaki threw a stomping kick to the leg in question; Kensou caught the foot, but Yamazaki yanked it free and tried to come upside Kensou's chin with a chi-fueled uppercut. Kensou swayed to dodge it, and fired back with swift, cobra-like hand strikes. He managed to catch Ryuji under the eye with one, but the madman dodged the next two, and finally absorbed the last one with his bicep. Yamazaki tried to fire a knee at close range, but Kensou was able to bring his knee up at the same time, and their legs pressed together and cancelled each other out. They both pushed away, and separated.
As Kensou reset... he winced in pain as a sharp stab nearly buckled his leg; damn, he was feeling it again!
"Agh. Cmon Dragon Spirit... urrrrghhhhhhhh!"
Kensou closed his eyes and he glowed gold again... he could feel his energy return, his pain subside... he could keep going.
"Kensou's devoting all his chi to keeping his body stable." Momoko analyzed.
"Yes." Athena nodded. "Well done, Momo-chan. But that's a massive use of resources, and if he gets winded and loses his chi... that'll spell trouble."
"Oh yeah!" Momoko worried. "Kensou does tend to uh... ummm..."
"Blow his wad?" Mignon chimed in.
"M-Mignon! I wasn't gonna.. s-say that." Momoko blushed. "But he winded himself badly against Krauser last year. It seems his chi is just not meant to last for an extended fight."
"Correct..." Athena seemed to once again tune out the conversation, as her eyes sharply observed Kensou's movements. She was either studying him carefully, or pondering something heavy...
Kensou pressed forward with enhanced energy; Yamazaki unleashed his Snake Edge and tried to catch him coming in, but Kensou rolled foward and dodged it, closing incredible distance. He peppered Yamazaki's midsection with a short palm, then tried to go to the head with a follow up strike, but Yamazaki brought his forearm high and absorbed the shot. As Kensou was suspended there for a brief second, Yamazaki took the chance to fire a quick knee into his stomach. It wasn't a critical hit, but it did but Kensou backwards... and Yamazaki followed up with a cackle and a headbutt.
"HEE HEE HAHAAA!" his skull slammed into Kensou's eyebrow, sending the Chinese kid into retreat. Kensou had to stop and check for blood: thankfully, no cut had opened.
Kensou started panting... he tried to breathe in through his nose, but his mouth was fighting to open as well. Yamazaki saw it, and grinned; the madman wasn't even flustered.
"What's it gonna take to bring this son of a bitch down..." Kensou groaned.
The fight continued. Kensou came in low, throwing a wide sweep; Yamazaki brought his foot up to dodge it, and Kensou spun around with a back elbow. Yamazaki caught it...
A stomp to the leg.
"CRAP!" Kensou cursed in pain as he staggered backwards. He DEFINITELY felt that one. He managed to stay standing for now... but that last hit made all the painful memories come flooding back.
"I hope you got more than dumplings in those pockets, kid." Yamazaki sneered. "You're gonna need it to make it out of this ring. I never get tired. I like the sight of my own blood. Pain is pleasure, whether its my own, or that of others. The only way you're gonna stop me is to knock me out."
"DON'T TELL HIM HOW TO WIN, ASSHOLE!' Big berated from the sidelines.
Kensou's fists clenched; he was right! There was no way to just make Yamazaki surrender... he had to make him incapable of fighting. Facts had to be faced, Kensou was getting tired: fueling his body with the golden Dragon Spirit, strengthening every blow... it had been taxing. Now he understood why he and Bao had to share it; it was too much of a weight for one man to carry.
He had to unleash it, before he got too tired... he had to take Yamazaki out in a single blow.
"Alright, Chuckles!" Kensou yelled, firing up. "You said it yourself, so whatever happens next... NO HARD FEELINGS! HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Kensou charged forward, going airborne... he came in with a flying kick, nailing Yamazaki in the cheek. Yamazaki stumbled around like a drunken zombie... but he just laughed.
"Heehehe! HEEEHEEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's it baby, GIMME MOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!" Yamazaki licked his lips as he all but asked for another hit.
Kensou tried to go airborne again; this time, Yamazaki had a trap ready. As Kensou got up high, Yamazaki's snake-like arm shot upwards and snatched his ankle, slamming him to the ground like a model airplane with its wings clipped.
"Urgh!" Kensou was shocked by the uncanny strength and speed of Yamazaki... but the Dragon Spirit powered him back up. Springing with his hands, his feet spun like a propeller and clobbered Yamazaki in the chin, and Kensou returned to his feet... and was in close range! THIS WAS HIS CHANCE!
"YOU'RE MINE! HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kensou roared his lungs out as he presented his palms; all at once, a MASSIVE ball of blue Psycho Power manifested and sizzled with close-range fury. The sphere's radius was so immense, anything within at least three yards of Kensou would be vaporized.
He couldn't hear. He couldn't think. He couldn't even open his eyes. He just kept them shut, and felt the influx of energy leave him, all at once, like all the weight of his body floating up to heaven, leaving him like a feather. It went on for seconds and seconds, the energy POURING out of him... no... it was his entire soul. Would he be naught but a husk when the attack was over?!
He felt the attack die down... and his body became heavy again. Muscles like iron, bones like cinder blocks... he felt like a tide had crashed into him, drenching his clothes, dragging him down... but he stayed strong, remained on his feet... he had to see Yamazaki's body, confirm the kill.
"Gasp! Oh nooo!" Mignon squealed.
"Kensou..." Athena shook her head.
"Kensou-nii..." Momoko sympathized.
Kensou opened his eyes and looked foward; Yamazaki was exactly six yards away, waving with a shit-eating grin.
"YA MISSED!"
INSTANT REPLAY
Hey, it's me, Hyena. Former capo of the Mephistopheles gang in Southtown. I'm the instant replay commentator now, cuz I refuse to be ringside announcer after some freako serial killer nearly chopped my head off last night! So let's take a look here at our hungry friend's blunder.
So, as we can see HERE... there's Kensou. So Yamazaki slams him down, like so... and Kensou's at his feet there... you see there? Okay, so Kensou pulls a slick move, this kinda... spring kick... helicopter thing... and he clips Yamazaki pretty hard with it. Dude is staggering backwards. Kensou's back up, and he unleashes his Desperation Move.
Now see, THIS here is the problem! Kensou was in ideal range to starch Yamazaki right where he stood. But once he did that attack on wakeup, he accidentally knocked Yamazaki too far backwards, OUT of range of his Desperation Move. WAAH WAHH WAHH WAAAHHHHHH, am I right? What a dolt he is! Hate to say it, but he probably just cost himself the match. That's just the way the cracker crumbles- I mean, cookie. I bet Kensou's gonna want some cookies after this. And snack cakes, and such. Well, that's all from me. Hyena OUT!
As if he wasn't exhausted enough, now Kensou just wanted to flop to the ground in embarrassment; how could be be such an idiot? Why did these moments of stupidity always come around when he least needed it? In front of 75,000 people and... Athena... gah, she must be shaking her head in shame right now...
"Damn it... I screwed up..." Kensou groaned.
Understandably, most everyone in the Stadium was disappointed... especially the ones who had put serious money on the underdog, and were thanking whatever god they prayed to when he seemed on the cusp of victory. But the way Kensou looked now; heaving, mouth wide open, just barely maintaining his stance... the dream looked over.
"Kensou-nii was so close... if only he hadn't missed that attack!" Momoko expressed, her face saddened with disappointment. "Athena-nee? You okay?"
Athena was starting to worry both Momoko and Mignon alike; she hadn't said a word for several minutes, even after this "climax". Her eyes just remained intensely narrowed... her face seemed like it was... straining...
"Athena? Helloooooo! Earth to Psycho!" Mignon waved a hand in her face, complete with comical sound effects, but got nothing.
Athena closed her eyes, took a breath... and released.
"KENSOU! Can you hear me?"
"Wh-wha...?!" Kensou spoke aloud when he heard the voice: HER voice. He looked around, but Athena was nowhere in sight. He looked back over at the stands; he could see the faint pink hue of her hair among the fighters, so she was still there!
"Athena, what are you-"
"Just shut up and listen to me! You're not losing this fight, dammit! Now go at him!"
"Athena! G-get out of my head! I..."
"This is happening whether you like it or not. You cheated for me, and now I'm doing it for you! DEAL WITH IT!"
"I-I don't want your help!" Kensou yelled aloud. "This is my chance to rise above you, Athena! I..."
"Nobody has to know. You can still win, one-up me, still get all the glory. Now... take several deep breaths, in through the nose, out the mouth. Do it five times, then loosen up."
No... this was wrong. Unnatural. He wanted to focus and try to shut her out, but he was... too tired...
Besides, how could he deny her? After what he did to her... he'd be a hypocrite. At this moment, he had to consider, not necessarily what was most important... but most viable. He could still win. He could still earn the money, and a newfound reputation. He could pay Malin back. He could put Athena at ease, about everything.
...Screw it. Let her have her fun.
"Circle left! His weak spot!"
Kensou obeyed. He took a breath, and rushed in from an angle; Yamazaki saw him coming. With a weary sigh, he extended his foot and nailed Kensou in the stomach, dropping him on his butt.
"No, YOUR left you dummy! The side with his hand in his pocket!"
Kensou had to cough it out a bit, but he leaped back to his feet and rushed in on the correct side this time. He fired a high kick; Yamazaki had to sway considerably to avoid it, and Kensou was able to follow up with a calf kick that seemed to seriously buckle the madman... but Yamazaki merely smiled as he took a step back, shaking his leg out a bit to absolve the pain.
"I think your hits are losing a bit of pop!" he taunted. "Better eat your greens, kid!"
Kensou clenched his fist as he fired back. "I only eat meat!"
Yamazaki chuckled. "Yeah I bet you do. Getting rejected by Athena your whole life'll do that to ya."
To complete the image of his horrible dirty joke, Yamazaki performed the crudest of gestures: balling his hand into a fist, bringing it to his mouth... and pressing his tongue on the inside of his cheek, to make it bulge out.
Kensou got nice and heated after that; he rushed in blindly, looking to clock Yamazaki in his cheek for his disrespect. Yamazaki laughed, as Kensou gave him exactly what he wanted; Kensou stepped in and threw a wild left, and Yamazaki's snake arm snatched him by the face, and the madman smoothly sidestepped as he flung him aside. Kensou stumbled wildly, before falling flat on his face.
"Don't let him rile you up, Kensou! Calm and cool!"
She was right. He'd seen enough of Yamazaki's fights; the man loved his mind games. He wasn't going to win fighting so heated.
He returned to his feet: Yamazaki was actually coming in this time! He had his hand drawn back, ready to swing.
"Dodge left and counter right!"
Yamazaki flung a haymaker: he missed, as Kensou juked left and fired an impressive palm into his stomach. He heard Yamazaki grunt; it had to damage him. Kensou followed up with a kick to the body, nailing him in the ribs, and Yamazaki went down to his knees!
"YEAH KENSOU!" Momoko cheered.
"Nail him again!"
Kensou was all-too pleased to deliver a knifehand chop to the back of his neck. Yamazaki went flat, facedown in the dirt.
"JUMP FAST!"
Kensou looked at the feet; Yamazaki attempted a tricky little kick from his prone position, but Kensou leaped back to avoid it. Unfortunately, it gave Yamazaki time to get back to his feet, and he turned around... he was all smiles, despite being covered in dirt.
A Snake Edge flew out; Kensou took it in the stomach, and he nearly went down.
"Don't be intimidated by the speed! Feint low, then go airborne with a kick."
...Kensou couldn't believe how well Athena's advice was working! He was hitting Yamazaki with all his shots, and his stamina was holding up to boot! He could definitely sense he had an advantage... but WHY WAS HE STILL SMILING?! Everytime those cheeks widened, Kensou just got so... so angry. He kept hitting him, with everything he had, and Yamazaki just... just... ARRRGH!
"Kensou, your heart rate's elevating again. Calm down!"
"I-I can't Athena... I'm just so tired... he won't go down!"
"Just keep hitting him!"
"Where?!"
"BLOCK LEFT, FAST!"
Kensou focused just quick enough to see Yamazaki charging in. Even with one hand pocketed, Yamazaki could generate huge power with a roundhouse, and his foot slammed into Kensou's shoulder. Kensou tanked it... but his leg flared up hard from the force he had to exert to keep standing. A second kick, from Yamazaki's other leg, plowed into his pelvis and finally made his leg give out.
"Urggh...cough cough... agh..."
The third hit came: Yamazaki took great joy in doing a dramatic step back, before he rushed in with a punting kick to Kensou's face, splitting his lip wide open and putting the boy on his back. Kensou spat immediately, attempting to expel the blood... but as his face was north, the spit had nowhere to go but down on his face, and he painted himself with his own fluids.
"Gh...ghkk... A...the...na..." Kensou panted out the words, in between spits of blood. "What do I do now?"
"I... he... he's backing up! I don't know why!"
Kensou got his wits about him and crawled back to his feet. After spitting red a few times, he looked up: Yamazaki had backed up several yards, and was just... standing there. His arms were completely down. His shoulders slumped. His face presented. He was making no effort to defend himself.
"I... what's he doing?"
"I... I can't read him! I'm sorry, Kensou... I can't... I can't read him..."
Kensou was afforded all the time in the world, to get back into fighting stance. He kept his eyes forward: Yamazaki stood dormant. Kensou was tired, bloody, exhausted breaths, heaving, just barely staying up... and Yamazaki didn't finish him. Why?
...And then he saw Yamazaki's hand slowly emerge from the pocket... with it, carrying a wooden handle, connected to a shimmering steel...
Kensou's heart paused. Why was he... why did he bring out the knife? No... he couldn't do this. Somebody was going to stop this, right? They wouldn't just let Yamazaki... c-cut him, or worse...!
"Athena..."
Yamazaki's lips slowly crept into a smile, as the blade emerged further and further...
"Athena...!"
Yamazaki was holding it out now, tilting the blade until its tip was glaring between Kensou's eyes...
"ATHENA!"
"I... he appears docile! I don't know what he's doing!"
"HE'S HOLDING A DAMNED KNIFE! THAT'S THE OPPOSITE OF DOC-"
...That's when it happened. An act so abrupt, so baffling, so mind-twistingly unexpected, that even the strongest psychic couldn't predict...
...He threw the knife down, blade-first, into the dirt. The blade sank all the way deep, until only the wooden handle could be seen poking out of the ground. Having admired his work, Yamazaki simply looked back at Kensou, standing completely still, undefended.
Kensou couldn't take it anymore. The confusion, the nerves, the FEAR that every action from Yamazaki presented... he wanted this damn fight over already. He knew he was baiting him... that had to be what it was! A trap!
...But wait? Maybe he was just lightening his load? Maybe he was slowing down, and needed to get rid of that extra weight! Maybe he's tired. Maybe he's actually feeling the effects of all the hits Kensou put on him!
...No... that couldn't be it. He was going to pick the knife up again! That's what it was! As soon as Kensou was close, he'd snatch it out of the dirt and turn him into a red canvas!
Kensou had to act fast; he couldn't allow it! He WOULDN'T allow it! THIS WAS HIS CHANCE, NOW!
"HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Kensou cried as he charged in, closing distance on the defenseless Yamazaki, prepared to clobber him for good. One clean punch, while the man was standing there, wide open... one crack to the jaw, and he'd go to sleep! Almost... there...!
...A grin. Kensou saw it, and hesitated... but his feet were moving too fast. He was second guessing himself! But it was too late...!
...Yamazaki sidestepped him easily, and threw a perfectly timed kick, right to his leg, where the wound from the Choi fight was most sensitive. Kensou felt a sting as fresh as when the leg was first cut, and he cried out in pain as the limb gave out, and he tumbled down...
...His face landed on the wooden handle of the knife, knocking him out instantly.
WINNER: RYUJI YAMAZAKI
Athena and Momoko were out there like bullets from a gun. "KENSOU!"
Chin and a recovering Bao were slightly slower out there. By the time they arrived, Athena had already scooped Kensou into her lap and flipped him over; her mouth dropped in horror when she saw a humongous knot on his forehead, bulging out like some disgusting growth trying to claw its way past his flesh...
"Oh my god, he's swelling up!" Momoko squealed.
"He could have a hematoma." Athena noted, as she gently applied a hand to the swollen spot, checking its intensity. "We gotta get Kula to ice it down..."
"Kensou!" Chin snapped his fingers in his face. "Answer me, boy!"
"Kensou-nii!" Bao shook him.
Kensou was out cold, snoring loudly... maybe he was dreaming about meat buns. Maybe he was dreaming about he and Athena, naked in a flower field. Whatever it was, he hopefully had no concussion symptoms, so he could enjoy said slumber.
In the stands, everyone was pretty bummed to see Kensou lose... particularly Malin, who failed to keep her seat and went charging out there, passionately screaming:
"YOU SON OF A BITCH! MY MILLION DOLLARS GONE! ALL GONE! I SHOULD CHOP OFF YOUR LOUSY NUTS AND SERVE EM IN SPAGHETTIOS!"
Momoko and Bao had to forcefully hold Malin back, as the ill-tempered girl had gone so far as to draw her dagger and start flailing it wildly in Kensou's direction. The temper tantrum lasted nearly a minute... until Athena finally got fed up and threw her facefirst into the grass via telekinesis.
Meanwhile, Yamazaki took his leave. Despite the insane number of hits he took, the man held up well: almost... INHUMANELY well...
As Yamazaki rejoined Big, who threw a brotherly arm around his shoulder, two of the three Heavenly Kings watched from afar, and formed their own opinions on proceedings...
"So he won..." Shermie grunted. "Not sure if that helps us or hurts us."
"Our power is growing with each second." Chris declared. "How else could Yamazaki have taken such damage and kept standing? Our God's blessing shines upon us. Pretty soon, we'll be as strong as our mortal selves..."
"I can barely contain my excitement~" Shermie moaned, as she traced the curves of her body. "To be my old self again... no more hunger, no more cold, no more emptiness... and our gracious Lord Orochi will grant us eternal life!"
Chris's smile widened, and his eyes dimmed. "Yesss... we, the chosen ones who carry His will... not them."
Shermie put a hand to her chin. "It's important that we win this round, Chris. We can't afford to let them get ahead. If they really CAN'T be trusted..."
"They'll make their choice." Chris responded coldly. "If they won't stand with us, and support our cause... I'll punish them with my own hand."
WHEW. What a fight. I think this fight holds the distinction of being the longest in Kumite history. It was absolutely bonkers to sit down and do this. But it's over... and yes, my boy won lol. Call me a disgusting biased asshole showing favoritism. Go ahead, I deserve it. At least my blue-haired bae isn't in this story... yet ; )
NEXT CHAPTER: It's a story as old as pro wrestling itself...Face Heel Turn. Join our lucha hero as he takes a decisive step forward: one he can never return from. THE RETURN OF TIZOC...? FIND OUT NEXT TIME!