Chun-Li
Backstory:
At the age of five, Chun-Li saw her first classical Chinese play, Peking Opera, and her first Bruce Lee movie, which fascinated her and also became part of the reasons why she started practicing martial arts.
She began by learning Tai Chi. However, Tai Chi was much different from the gorgeous movements she remembered from Peking Opera. Soon afterwards, her father taught her Hongquan as well as various basic exercises from then on. With that, Chun-Li's skills in Chinese martial arts improved rapidly. Chun-Li used mostly kicks when fighting. This was something she picked up from her father, who was also said to have "legendary legs." Chun-Li continued to develop her kick attacks, embracing techniques from a variety of fighting styles, such as Chinese martial arts, capoeira, battle karate, and taekwondo, thus eventually creating her own style.
Chun-Li would later become a detective at the age of eighteen in hopes of finding her missing father. She later followed in her father's footsteps and become a narcotics investigator at the I.C.P.O (International Criminal Police Organization), also known as Interpol, working as the organization's anti-Shadaloo investigator. Chun-Li was known as the "black sheep of the I.C.P.O.", as she was investigating Shadaloo for the illegal sales of narcotics and weapons when said evil organization got their hold of the high-ups of Interpol.
Chun-Li was then an Interpol investigator who had been searching for clues to the recent disappearance of her father. Getting into a friendly spar with an old teacher of hers and friend of her father, Gen, he gives her a lead into who may have killed her father—the mysterious crime syndicate Shadaloo. Finding its leader, M. Bison, she demands he tell her what happened to her father. To her surprise, Bison attacks and basically makes quick work of her, then retreats to his jet in the sky. Before he leaves, he reveals that he was responsible for her father's death, and if Chun-Li were to come after him, he'll kill her like he did with her father. Finally, the horrible truth that Chun-Li had been searching for has been revealed.
Later, at the China Branch Interpol Headquarters, Chun-Li is appointed Special Investigator of Shadaloo. With tears in her eyes (the last she swore to ever shed), Chun-Li swore vengeance.
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Martial Arts (Expert in Kung-Fu, Kempo, Tai Chi, Hungquan, Hung Ga Kuen, Changquan, Sanda, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Combat Karate and Capoeira, eventually creating her own fighting style),
Acrobatics,
Chi Manipulation and Projection,
Stealth Mastery (Is a professional detective and managed to infiltrate an S.I.N. laboratory),
Extrasensory Perception (Can sense chi),
Enhanced Senses (Her senses never dulled over time and she could still be aware that Juri was following her),
Forcefield Creation (Via Kikosho),
Statistics Amplification (Via Renkiko),
minor Power Nullification (Via Hakkei, which cancels out normal projectiles),
Damage Boost (Can perform enhanced versions of her Special Attacks),
Status Effect Inducement (By hitting the opponent repeteadly, without them being able to recover, she can cause them to enter the "Stun" status, which leaves them unable to react. Her Focus Attack causes the opponent to enter a "crumpling" status),
Awakened Power (Her determination and emotions allowed her to defeat Vega, who could overcome her not much time before),
limited Resistance to Precognition (Reading the future of fighters such as her is difficult, because they always fight against it)
Weaknesses: None notable
Mai Shiranui
Backstory:
Mai Shiranui is the granddaughter of Hanzo Shiranui, master of Ninjitsu and Koppoken. Mai learned from her grandfather the secrets of Ninjitsu. Mai then had to take alternate courses from her grandfather's friend, Jubei Yamada, in Ninjitsu. While initially uninterested in her grandfather and his teachings, upon defending her grandfather from Jubei in a fight, she grew interested in martial arts and would take them and Hanzo seriously. She would later go on to fight in various King of Fighters tournaments for the next ten years and over.
Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Master of Shiranui-ryu Ninjutsu,
Fan Mastery,
Stealth Mastery (Expert ninja),
Fire Manipulation,
Duplication (Via Kagero no Mai),
Explosion Manipulation (Via Leotard Shinobi Bachi),
Chi Projection (Via Cho Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi),
Damage Boost (Can perform attacks that deal much more damage than normal),
Acrobatics (Can do several types of somersault jumps, flying attacks, acrobatic techniques, handstand kicks, evasive cartwheels, aerial backflips and more. She is also able to alter her direction in mid-air, leap off of walls and backflip on her feet after being hit),
Clothes and Hair Manipulation (Can change her dress and the color of her hair at will)
Weaknesses: None notable
Song: Kick Chicks
The bustling neighborhood was a testament to the rich culture and diverse ethnic identities of Metro City, with the area's Hong Hu Lu Chinatown bustling with activity. As people from various parts of the city gathered and traveled in the market place and central square, the lively atmosphere was alive with the sounds of people conversing, business negotiations, and the sounds of daily transactions as a whole.
Chun-Li, a legendary martial artist at the height of her fame and renown, was teaching her adoptive daughter, Li-Fen, the basics of kung fu in the central square of Chinatown. Chun-Li's teachings and instructions were carefully executed, her expert knowledge and mastery of the art of kung fu evident in her guidance and instruction as she taught Li-Fen several fundamental techniques of the fighting style, ensuring her daughter's form remained flawless and precise.
Despite Chun-Li's masterful instruction and teaching, Li-Fen was far from flawless and precise though, as the young girl lacked the necessary speed and agility to strike her instructor with her attacks. Chun-Li's evasive skills proved too much for the student, who continued to miss strike after strike, despite her best efforts to strike the martial artist, who remained an elusive target. Chun-Li's patience was evident, as she consistently praised and encouraged her apprentice's efforts despite the difficulties she was facing.
After numerous failed attempts to land a strike on Chun-Li, Li-Fen eventually tires out, as the young girl tries for a flying kick before getting countered and tapped on the back of her head by her adoptive mother. With a heavy sigh, the young girl plops onto the ground, being exhausted and tired from the long session. Chun-Li's patience and positivity remained evident, as she knelt down next to her apprentice with a warm smile on her face.
"Li-Fen, I'm disappointed in you."
Chun-Li told her adoptive daughter, not out of harsh criticism, but out of stern love when she's being a teacher.
"It's all that fooling around on that PC."
The young girl was clearly disappointed with her own performance, having failed to even land a single strike on her mother, no matter how hard she tried. However, Chun-Li's words of disappointment brought forth a bit of sadness, as her adoptive daughter was quickly chided for her time spent on her PC.
"I'm not fooling around. You're just way too good."
"Using me to downplay your skills is no excuse. If you practiced half as much as you played around, you might've actually got a hit in."
Chun-Li mischievously remarked as she ruffled Li-Fen's hair affectionately. Li-Fen's disappointment and annoyance gradually gave way to more of an embarrassed smile, as Chun-Li managed to get a chuckle out of her apprentice with her playful comment. The young girl was aware that her adoptive mother was right, and realized she could be working harder to improve her martial arts skills if she prioritized her training over her time spent on her PC.
Chun-Li smiled, before her senses were suddenly alerted by a strong presence of Chi, her expert martial arts training allowing her to pick up on the source of energy. The martial artist stood up straight, her head turned as she glanced around the square, clearly searching for the person she sensed. Her alertness and senses were sharp and tuned, Chun-Li quickly assessing the situation.
"Come on out. You can't hide from me."
Chun-Li called out to the source, her senses trying to pinpoint it.
Chun-Li's summons proved to be effective, as one particular person stepped forward out of the shadows, revealing their location to the martial artist. The presence of Chi grew stronger, as Chun-Li was able to accurately pinpoint where the energy was coming from, the martial artist now aware of her opponent's location. Jumping from the shadows, was the famous Shiranui kunoichi, Mai. Approaching the kung fu artist, the ninja smiled.
"I'm impressed. And here I thought I was going to be able to sneak up on you."
Chun-Li remained unfazed by Mai's sudden jump out of the shadows, her martial arts reflexes and senses keeping her alert and aware of the kunoichi's movements. The martial artist acknowledged Mai's compliment, though she appeared to be focused on their potential conflict rather than the pleasantries.
"You're skilled at hiding your presence, but your chi gave you away before you even tried to sneak up on me. Now, I could only assume you want to fight, unless your intention is purely to compliment me."
Chun-Li's assumption would prove correct, as Mai smiled and nodded in confirmation.
"Quite astute of you. Yes, I came here to battle, but it's nothing too serious. I just came to see if I'd win your self-proclaimed title of "World's strongest woman" for myself."
The Shiranui kunoichi gave a respectful bow to Chun-Li, her smile now turning into a cocky grin.
Chun-Li grinned back at Mai, her confident expression showing that she was not bothered in the least by the kunoichi's boastful approach to the potential fight. The martial artist's reputation was indeed renowned enough to draw out competitors with aspirations of defeating her and claiming the title of strongest woman, which always made for good matchups.
"Ah, so you want to see if you can defeat me and stake your claim as the world's strongest woman? Well, I can appreciate a challenger with ambition and confidence. Bring it on."
The people in the square quickly gathered with excitement as they saw the two famous combatants take their respective stances, the potential fight being one that has piqued the interest of many throughout Metro City. The two rivals stood on opposite ends of the square, Chun-Li's Kung Fu stance opposed by Mai's signature Shiranui stance, the people onlooking eagerly anticipating the start of the duel.
Mai's initial strike came in swiftly with the use of Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi, the ninja quickly cartwheeling her way close to Chun-Li. However, the martial artist's reflexes and agility were more than enough to allow Chun-Li to catch the elbow strike with her hand, followed up by her counterattack with two kicks in response. The two rivals started off strong, both demonstrating great skill and technique in their initial moves as the spectators watched eagerly.
Mai successfully manages to land a Hishou Ryuuenjin, a back-flip kick imbued with spiritual fire, her attack successfully knocking Chun-Li back as she grunted. However, the experienced martial artist was able to gracefully land back onto her feet in a standing position, managing to avoid any real damage from the fire attack. Chun-Li remains unfazed and unbothered by the attack, as she resumes her kung-fu stance and begins to circle the kunoichi for another counterattack.
Chun-Li's athleticism and proficiency in martial arts allow her to easily leap over Mai's Kokaku no Mai slide kick and high kick, only to launch the kunoichi down to the ground with her Tenshin Shushu kick. The spectators could hear the sound of the Shiranui's back hitting the ground with a resounding THUD and grunt, the crowd of onlookers cheering for Chun-Li's counterattack.
Chun-Li attempts to land a kick with her heel after her cartwheel, only to be thwarted by Mai pulling out her fan to block the attack. Though the fan took the blow of the kick, it was still a skillful counter to the Kung Fu Master's onslaught, the crowd impressed by the agility and quick thinking of both fighters.
Mai uses her ninja agility to circle around Chun-Li, pulling off a low kick into a high kick, then into a hook punch, the kunoichi's attacks coming in quick succession one after the other. Chun-Li manages to dodge the low kick and hook punch, though the sweep kick is what she fails to avoid, and the martial artist's feet lose their footing as she falls down to the ground from the unexpected maneuver with a grunt.
Mai performs an impressive maneuver, running up the wall and diving for a kick, only to run into Chun-Li's stationary high kick, the two fighters meeting each other's attack head-on. The combined force of both attacks resulted in a strong collision, with the fighters ending the clash of force in a stalemate. The onlookers watching the fight could see the incredible power of both combatants, as Chun-Li and Mai appeared to be equally matched by each other.
Chun-Li tries to jump over Mai once she was grounded, attempting to execute a flying spin kick from above. However, the martial artist is caught unawares as Mai quickly ducks under the attack, spinning with her fans out, and manages to strike Chun-Li a succession of four times by spinning with her fans before the former Interpol agent can react or respond.
Mai surprises Chun-Li by jumping onto her shoulders and using her legs to hold the martial artist's head in position, then proceeding to perform a powerful wrestling slam which slams the martial artist down onto the ground with force, eliciting a large "Oof" from the Kung Fu Master.
Chun-Li manages to break free from Mai's grip, backflipping over the kunoichi as she tries to stand up. The martial artist unleashes a barrage of kicks, utilizing incredible speed and power, not giving her opponent a chance to properly defend or react. The kicks rain towards Mai, hitting her body, arms, and face in a continuous stream of relentless blows. Mai cried out from each hit.
After all the kicks, Mai lands onto her feet, taking out three fans and setting them on fire, using her signature Suichou no Mai technique to send them flying towards Chun-Li. The former Interpol agent manages to intercept and block all the projectiles using Hakkei, the flames of the fans being doused as soon as they came in contact with the Hakkei blast, the air around the two combatants growing heavy with the residual heat of the blast.
Chun-Li charges up some blue Chi in her hands, preparing her signature technique, the Kikoken energy blast. However, Mai swiftly counters the attack using her Ryuuenbu spin, dispelling the energy blast with her spin, the flames from the Shiranui's fan sweeping the energy harmlessly apart.
Mai performs an axe kick spin attack, spinning through the air like she is surrounded by flames. However, Chun-Li is ready for this and counters with her "Kikusho" technique, issuing a chi-fueled concussive blast that creates a small wind tunnel between them. The blast from the former Interpol agent's technique knocks Mai back a bit, the strength of the blast seemingly matching the fire around the kunoichi in terms of intensity.
Chun-Li decided to end the fight using her trademark Spinning Bird Kick, the martial artist's spinning kick technique spinning her upside down through the air like a living helicopter. Mai attempts to defend against the unorthodox move, though the sheer speed of the spinning kick is too much to handle, the fighter on the receiving end of the attack crying out painfully, taking the full impact of each hit, the strikes coming in much faster than before, the kunoichi being struck harder than she ever felt in the entire fight.
Despite the multiple broken bones she sustained from the attack, Mai refused to yield, the kunoichi putting her hands together to activate her "Kageru no Mai" technique, an attack that would create a flaming pillar of fire to send Chun-Li soaring into the air, the master yelling in pain from the counter.
"You have been dealt the flame of the Shiranui! Now you will fall! Shiranui-ryu ultimate art; Flowering Bell!"
Mai proclaims her victory, shouting out the name of her ultimate attack, the kunoichi proceeding to become a wheel of fire once more after launching her final blow towards Chun-Li. However, the martial artist is helpless as her opponent proceeds to execute her final attack, the two falling back onto the ground close to one another, the flames of Mai's attack soon engulfing Chun-Li in a fiery explosion, the former Interpol agent forced to concede defeat.
"Jiejie!"
Li-Fen cried out with worry as she ran over to her adoptive mother, who was still alive but heavily burnt from Mai's devastating attack. The crowds of spectators watching the fight were all surprised by the result of the bout, as everyone expected Chun-Li to win the match. However, Mai's skill, grit, and power allowed her to defeat the Kung Fu master, the kunoichi now the holder of the title of World's strongest woman.
Mai leans down to be close to Li-Fen, reassuring the young girl with her words. Though the fighter's injuries were catching up to her, her application of traditional shikon would help to treat the burns that Chun-Li sustained during the fight.
"Don't worry, kiddo. With the traditional shikon I have on me, the burns will heal quickly. Your "Jiejie" will be back to full strength in no time."
Chun-Li smiled back in response to Mai, though she was visibly in pain from the wounds she sustained during the fight. However, the former Interpol agent was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the strength and skill of the new world's strongest woman.
"You deserve to carry the title of strongest woman with pride, and defend it from those who would dare try to take it from you. I'll train harder, and hopefully, the next time we meet, I can be the one to take it back from you."
Chun-Li's words would earn the respect of Mai, who offered a genuine smile in response to her competitor's words. The kunoichi would now carry the title of World's strongest woman with pride, and be prepared to defend it when challenges would inevitably come for her to defend her new title.
"I look forward to it."
Strength: In terms of power, Mai had the advantage, but only marginally. When Chun-Li one time stopped a car, it came to a complete halt thanks to her Kikosho. The impact force of a car going at 60 miles per hour can reach as high as 18.34 tons. Mai meanwhile scales to Cheng Shizan, who could lift and toss a statue at high speed. The statue was mostly sphere shaped and was likely made of basalt. The force required would need to be as high as 32 tons, about twice as strong as Chun-Li's car feat. About 1.77X stronger.
Speed: Now, on a personal level, Chun-Li is faster. She's capable of dodging gunfire which would require a reaction speed at minimum of 500 mph. Mai's never shown reactive speed like that. However, when scaling to their overall worlds, Mai is faster. Mai can be scaled to Geese Howard, whose greatest speed feat measures to 2% light speed, or Mach 17,480. When scaled to her greatest foe, M. Bison, Chun Li can move at similar speeds of Mach 5633. That's 3.1X faster, based on Death Battle's calculations.
Skill: Now, in terms of martial training, Chun-Li is the more better trained, knowing over 10 martial arts, including Interpol training. Mai may be a master of the Shiranui-ryu ninjutsu fighting style, but Chun-Li's more diverse styles kept her from falling behind Mai's superior speed.
Experience: Not counting the amount of fighters each of the women faced, Mai has participated in much more fighting. Both women have trained since early childhood, but only Mai has been to around 15 martial arts tournaments. One could say that Chun-Li has more experience fighting outside the ring where the threat of death is real, but Mai is no stranger to that circumstance.
Powers: Mai is the better practitioner of ki control. While Chun-Li may be able to fire energy projectiles and stop incoming attacks, Mai is able to do the same with much more of her moves both offensively and defensively.
The winner is Mai Shiranui.
Next time:
"You're still gonna stand up? Well, it's your choice... but if you stand up, that means you're ready to die."
"I am the white void. I am the cold steel. I am the just sword. With blade in hand shall I reap the sins of the world and cleanse it in the fires of destruction! The end has come!"