Jonathan Michaels vs. Kyukaku

[Dain Gavyns]

You know the drill.

Crowd for a ring, in front of a dilapidated old building.

Have fun.

[Jonathan Michaels]

Jonathan had done nothing but prepare for this match, he was making leaps and bounds and ever since his loss against Odin he had tried his best to find whatever philosophical reason it was that prevented him from winning his fights. Lack of skill? Probably not. Lack of experience? He was more inclined to say that was the reason as he only had experience in fighting other boxers, what he had noticed -at least with his fights against Odin and Hyung- was that his size and lack of thinking things through played a large role as to why he had only won one of the four fights he had fought in during his highschool career.

I think Glass Joe from Punch Out has a better record than me...

So he admitted that he felt a sense of dejavu when he read the text declaring to him the adress and opponent for his next Fighter's League match, a small smile crept upon his face as it was only a few weeks ago that he had been fighting a former tournament champ and ironically it was in the second match of said tournament. As he pulled up to the building and noted the large crowd and once again began running ideas for how to approach the fight, Kyukaku was a tough person to fight against. He was renowned as a balanced fighter, but even more so he had the confidence of the people behind him. Jonathan recalled the meeting with Kai (which had caused rumors to fly across the school) and how Kyu could stand up against what would seem to be the despotic and brutal Watchers. Regardless of whether it was right or wrong it was something that Jonathan and mostly everyone else in the school respected.

Jonathan opted for the same loose clothing he always did, a dark baggy hooded sweatshirt, basketball shorts, and black converse. It would allow comfort and a fluid movement. He went in the middle and started shadow boxing in anticipation for Kyu’s arrival. For the moment he would wait until the former champion arrived before forming a strategy.

[Kyukaku]

Kyukaku had been steadily training, though he couldn't say it was for this fight. Kyukaku always kept his training at the same pace, not spiking it up and down like most fighters. It has always worked well for him so far. He had always had the talent, but that didn't mean he had always won. His first several fights he had been stomped into the ground. Lately, there hadn't been much stomping on him at all.

Nirvana began to rock out of his pocket, Kyukaku responding as he pulled his phone out. Reading the text message, he took a double take. He expected another match at club Legion, but I guess tradition wasn't to be followed. After map questing the directions, Kyukaku opened his closet. He reached out for his karate gi that hung up, hesitating as he didn't see his headband hanging up alon with it. No, he didn't have it anymore. That headband was at the grave of Zerreth, where it would remain.

Closing his closet door, Kyukaku decided against putting on his gi. Rather than possible cause more distractions thinking about his fellow former Legionaire, he'd wear what he'd already had on. Dressed in simple faded blue jeans, black longsleeved sweater shirt and moccasins, Kyukaku was good enough. His clothing wouldn't put any damper on his flexibility, as he never worse close he wasn't comfortable in. If he didn't have free mobility, he wasn't comfortable.

Parking his mercedes outside the warehouse, he knew he was in the right place thanks to the already forming circle of people. Kyukaku locked the doors, placing the keys in his backpocket where he figured they'd be least likely to get in the way. He quickly moved through the people, as they hadn't formed a tight ring yet since the fight hadn't started. He saw who he figured his opponent was, a kid smaller than he. He was a boxer, like his last opponent. Only, this one was leaner than the last one, who was leaner than Kyu. For his sake, Kyukaku hoped his good technique would be able to make up for his lack of mass. The bigger fighter isn't always the better of course, but when it came to a style like boxing it sure as hell helped.

"Hey," Kyukaku started, approaching as he extended his right hand for a handshake. "Good luck."

[Jonathan Michaels]

It had been awhile since sportsmanship was shown to him in his fights, it was refreshing, only Kai Schanburg had showed him such courtesy and it was undeniable that the fight between him and Kai had spurred the changes that had occured in him in recent weeks, still Jonathan stopped shadow boxing and quickly went and shook Kyukaku's hand quickly, a smile plastered on his face.

"To you as well," he said nodding before backing up a few feet and getting into a stance that few people had seen him in before. Facing forward he bent his knees slightly as he kept his head erect and leaned forward slightly, his feet where placed shoulder width a part with his heels kept even as to avoid being knocked off balance, all the while his arms where kept at his side and Jon stood as tall as he could muster while awaiting Kyu's movement.

"I'd like a little change of pace, do you mind if you start this thing up?", Jon said with a smile, but quickly tensed up as he prepared for what would be obvious. From what he had seen of him, Kyukaku was a smart man and being a smart man you never waste the opportunity to attack first.

Jonathan sincerely hoped that giving Kyu such an opportunity wouldn't make him dead before the ship even sank.

[Kyukaku]

Jonathon returned Kyukaku's show of sportsmanship, which instantly gained him some respect. In Kyu's eyes, humility was much more impressive than fighting skill. Anyone could train their bodies to be weapons, but it took a certain kind of man to not boast about it. It was only a first impression of course, but Kyukaku was rarely wrong on a person's true colors.

"Sure thing."

Kyukaku replied turning his neck from side to side in a last minute effort to loosen up. Kyukaku slowly paced around Jonathon. His arms hung at his side, refusing to give away any hints to his intentions. Kyukaku would fully walk around Jonathon twice, unless the boy suddenly felt an urge to attack.

Most would be thinking through a strategy, but Kyu wasn't. He only wasted time, merely giving off the appearance of strategizing. Unbeknowest to the ring of people, it was the first attack of the fight. Psychological warfare--before throwing a punch, he'd test Jonathon's nerve. He had a feeling it wouldn't make him twitch nervously, but at the least it would be likely he would be anxious, especially if Kyu was aware of Jon knowing his reputation already.

As Kyukaku almost approached the beginning of a third circling of Jonathon, he burst into motion. In front of Jonathon once again, though a bit off to Jon's left, Kyukaku slid his left foot forward. His left arm snapped up, causing a whip like motion as his elbow ratcheted his fist straight up. It was an impressively quick backfist, aimed for the left cheekbone of Jon. Despite being an attack based on speed, if it landed on target the bone on bone between the knuckles and cheek would likely cause it to bruise and cut open.

[Jonathan Michaels]

This was the first step, Jonathan thought has Kyu circled him and "sized him up", even if that wasn't Kyu's intention Jon was immediately tensed -at least even more- and became an almost explosive force, waiting anxiously for the first blow and almost shaking in anticipation for this fight to begin. By the time Kyu completed the second circle Jonathan was about ready to explode and his eyes once again studied Kyu, looking the man in the eye waiting for any indication that the fight would actually begin.

The step forward.

That was the first sign of release and with Kyu slightly towards his left Jonathan prepared his hands, for the next blow, his boxing instincts getting the better of him as he brought them up and just in time it would seem as Kyu let out a snapping backfist heading straight for his cheek, Jonathan had trained his entire life to avoid punches and leaned backward with ease only to feel the wind pass by, honestly if he had time to think the first thought that would've gone through his mind was that Kyukaku was fast.

But, he didn't have time to think and instead ducked down and stepped forward while Kyu's arm was extended for the backfist. Kyu's move itself had several weaknesses, the most prominent one being the hand Kyu chose to execute it with: the left. If Kyu had attacked from Jonathan's right cheek with his left than it would've been proper for the backfist, but because Kyu chose to attack him with the left that meant a cross had to be attempted and a crossing backfist allowed for quite the amount of over extension. This overextension would allow Jon to enter Kyu's guard on the left side (which was now open and absent of a hand to protect it) and send out a brutal straight punch to Kyu's gut with his right hand. Said blow was a quick punch, but was also not lacking in power as if it connected with Kyu's gut Kyu would most likely find the air knocked clear out of him.

[Kyukaku]

Bingo.

It was by no accident Kyukaku chose which limb to attack with, and which side to commence it. Jonathon reacted almost exactly as Kyukaku predicted, his boxing instincts taking over and ducking back the initial strike. As Kyukaku's left fist passed in front of Jonathon's face, he continued his leftward torque since there was no head to stop his fist and its momentum.

Right as Jonathon would begin moving back in, Kyu's momentum would continue to build like a snowball in an avalanche. With his relaxed right arm, he would swing in an even faster and far more powerful haymaker punch. Kyukaku had chosen to attack from the left side, for his right side would be hidden from Jonathon's eyesight. If Kyukaku had hestitated, Jonathon's punch may have connected to Kyu's gut. However, since their positioning was as good as Kyukaku could have hoped, there would be no need. Jon already began moving forward, and it would be too late to stop it now, even if he could see the punch coming in the blink of an eye.

Kyukaku had left no margin for error, and once connected it was a knockout punch. However, when faced with this exact attack back in Varron, he had found a way from being knocked unconcious. From experience, he knew there would be no time before it connected. If Jonathon was like most fighters, he would be knocked out, or dazed enough to be considered so. If Jonathon held more promise than that, perhaps he'd be able to hold on to conciousness by reacting after the connection, like Kyukaku had done a year ago.

Perhaps.

[Jonathan Michaels]

It all became shockingly obvious shockingly quickly and Jonathan felt his eyes widened as the right hand came in at a shocking speed towards his cheek bone, his arms already in motion and his face already too close for comfort the only thing that could conceivably happen now was him being sprawled out on the concrete floor and just as he thought that he could do something the blow connected and Jonathan Michaels was sent stumbling to the left. Staggering and in shock at the sheer power contained in the blow he found himself almost in a fetal position as he heard the crowds screaming.

1

It was almost surreal that he could've been beaten like this, it didn't make sense. Even in the fight against Odin he had managed to struggle for longer than the first too moves. He had endured blow after blow and still he managed to fight against him. How could Kyu do this? How could he be down in the first few moments of the fight? How could he have been so stupid? He placed his arms on the ground and pushed himself slightly up, his cheek was already swelling and a small amount of blood was visible coming from it.

2

Now with one knee on the floor and the other keeping him up Jonathan stood as he heard the crowd laughing and cheering for Kyukaku. They had counted him out from the beginning, he was assured to lose, so why even try winning? In a fight that's what mattered most: winning. The rewards for winning where obvious, you beat the other fighter and got to do nasty things to him, what where the rewards for losing? Avoiding getting beat up so much to require hospital time while good was not an inherent reward and so he just managed to stare at Kyukaku through his mismatched eyes as he finally managed to work his way up.

3

Brushing himself off he smiled a bit as he worked himself into a new fighting stance, he placed his left foot forward and raised his hands so that they could protect his chin, bending his knees slightly and then finally he clenched his fists together, the crowd grew silent as the boy stared down his opponent and just managed to smile through this entire thing. To them it wasn't apparent, but what had caused Jonathan not to be knocked out cold was apparent to a trained fighter. It was something the common street brawler, the self-trained fighter, and even the fighter who had never been in a tournament lacked. It was something that him and Kyu shared and that thing was simple.

Conditioning.

Jonathan was conditioned to take blows and get up after "haymakers", he had the stamina to endure these things for the twenty four minute matches that made up his career, but also if Jonathan lacked any skill whatsoever then he still had the ability to take a punch like a wife that talks to much. The smile on his face he chuckled a bit as he called out to Kyu.

"Why don't we try that again?"

This time I won't be baited into anything stupid...

[Kyukaku]

The haymaker connected, no surprise to Kyukaku, and it sent Jonathon sprawling across the ground. As his opponent fell, Kyukaku merely took a step back, allowing his arms to drop back to his side. The fighter's league had little rules, and there certainly wasn't anything against striking a downed opponent. It was fair play in the rules, but it wasn't to Kyukaku. There were certain battles that would require such actions, but this wasn't one of them.

To Kyukaku's surprise, Jonathon laid still for only a handful of seconds. The kid sure could take a punch, maybe better than Kyu himself if he remained as static as Jonathon did while being struck. As Jonathon began to push himself up, Kyukaku paced two steps in each direction slowly, keeping the blood flowing. There were cheers, which Kyukaku paid no mind to. He didn't fight for their entertainment, but enthusiasm didn't hurt.

There were a handful that were laughing and mocking Jon, however. As his opponent recovered, Kyukaku's head shifted to the right, staring down the few teenage boys responsible. It took a few moments to notice, but once the first one did his grin instantly faded. Kyukaku's eyes stared straight through his own, the look on his own face showing no amusement. The boy quickly patted the other two with him, and in another few moments they seemed to forget their humor.

Kyukaku's eyes drifted back to his opponent, who now looked back through dazed eyes. He was recovering quicker than he had expected, and soon enough he was even able to stand relatively stable again. He smiled, even proceding to speak. Kyukaku knew from experience that doing those things would hurt like a bitch after such a hit, but Jon was doing a swell job not letting the crowd see it.

"If you're up to it."

He finally responded after looking at him with an arched eyebrow. Kyukaku briefly waved his left hand from his hip level, motioning for Jonathon to attack him this time. Kyu had the impression that Jon wanted him to strike again, though he had no intention of obliging. He'd already rocked Jon's face hard, and his body might not be as willing as his mind. If Jonathon was well enough to fight, then he could come to him. Kyukaku had no intention of attacking someone who might not be able to defend himself.

[Jonathan Michaels]

Jonathan almost wanted to sigh, but instead simply nodded in acknowledgement. Kyukaku was messing with him, testing him. He should've expected this, he should've known that no one handed out victories for the best looking after taking a haymaker to the face and he would have to be on top of Kyu like shit on a public toilet seat if he wanted to win this fight. The key would be overwhelming Kyu with combos that don't leave a lot of options, strong solid combinations would be the downfall of the former tournament champion and Jonathan had no problems in trying to deliver those combinations.

Dashing in at a speed that most fighters at Hircine could only wish to emulate and dashed towards his more experienced opponent in perfect boxing form, reaching Kyukaku Jonathan would then attempt a very standard and traditional boxing combination, though it'd be wrong of one to assume that just because a combination was orthodox that it was easy to avoid. Sending out a very quick, powerful jab towards Kyu's face Jonathan would immediately follow up with a cross, eventually going in with an uppercut and following it up with another cross. This combo was designed so that if even if Kyu managed to dodge any of the punches there would be another punch to follow up and hit said fighter.

What made this technique dangerous was the uppercut, which is normally considered a finisher and thusly following up an uppercut with another punch would usually surprise an opponent, Jon was perfectly in his element with this move and thusly the punches where in near perfect form along with extremely fast and powerful.

OoC- Sorry for length, just wanted to get the post done.

[Kyukaku]

Jonathon's speed was impressive, especially after taking a knockout punch the way he had. His punching speed was probably faster than Kyu's own and rather than trying to match it, he'd take a different approach. He tucked both elbows in, raising his fists just below his eyes on each side of his face.

As the first jab came in, Kyukaku took a short step back with his right, torquing in the same directing to absorb and deflect the jab outwards. As the cross came, Kyukaku stepped back with his left, torquing and deflecting in the same way. By keeping his arms still and relying on small movements, he didn't have to be faster than Jonathon. By stepping back he'd create a small gap that would make the deflecting easier. Kyukaku could have kept it up all day, but as the third punch in the combination went on its way, he'd cause his defense to become his offense.

The shoulders were the key to what attack the boxer would use, and by watching the drop of the shoulder it was easy to perceive the incoming uppercut. Keeping his arms in place, Kyukaku dipped slightly forward and to the left, flicking his elbow to the inside. As Jonathon's fist would rise, it would connect with the pointed bone of the elbow, Jonathon's own impressive speed and power biting him in the ass and causing him to break his own hand.

Originally planning on stepping back with his right foot and letting Jonathon surrender or recover from the fist injury, Kyukaku was almost caught off guard by the second cross--despite it being Kyu's own favorite hand combination from his kickboxing days. Dipping back and to the right now, reversing his last motion, Kyukaku's right hand would deflect Jon's punch to the inside this time. Instead of letting the arm go free, however, Kyu grabbed the wrist with his right hand, continuing to the pull the limb forward. Kyukaku took a small stutter step forward with his left, gaining extra momentum as his left hand shot in underneath the outstretched arm in a chop to the exposed ribs.

[Jonathan Michaels]

As expected Kyu managed to come up with a very strong defense for Jonathan's combinations, but while the defense protected Kyu from the force of Jonathan's offense Jonathan also had taken into consideration a few things that would protect him from the counters Kyukaku was attempting to do. The first would be the attempted hand break, while stopping the blow with the pointed weapon known as the elbow was a good counter, Jonathan ended up instead only suffering the emotional wound of the reddening of his knuckles and a technique failed. Jonathan's punching technique was rather simple and taken from Muay Thai, which of course was better suited for fights involving bare knuckle boxing and the incorporation of the elbows and knees. The punching technique instead of the standard boxing clenched fist placed the thumb on the outside of the fist, in a move that attempted to break the wrist and fist the thumb would've been the center of the damage and with the thumb on the outside combined with Jonathan's trained and conditioned knuckles the punch that was designed to hurt Kyu hurt him, but anything more severe than pain was prevented.

And that's when he felt the wrist being grabbed, it seemed that it was a standard move around fighters at Hircine and it had become a staple in his fights so he wasn't so surprised when Kyu grabbed his arm and went in close for the chop to the stomach, but like a good fighter Jonathan had already set his plan into motion and simply slipped one of his legs behind Kyu's (who was remarkably close due to the fact that their limbs where entangled and he was in Jonathan's guard), while he tensed up to take the blow to the ribs Jonathan also sent out his head towards Kyu's and crossed a line that hadn't been crossed in this fight. Dirty fighting, the head butt was powerful to be sure but instead it was only meant to stun as the true attack would be the push that would immediately follow it up and if things went to plan Kyukaku would find himself to be victim of the ever versatile back trip. That however was not what made the move powerful, what made the move powerful was the fact that Kyu had grabbed Jon's wrist in the first place.

This grab combined with the fact that Kyu was falling back first would cause Jonathan to be pulled downward and thusly land on top of the fallen Varronite. Even if Kyu where to let go Jonathan had full intention of landing on top of the boy and would be falling forward just as quickly as the boy.

[Kyukaku]

(OOC: Yeah, like I said its my fault for not being specific enough on body positioning, so I'll go with it.)

Jonathon had spirit, but there was only so much the body could take. With Kyukaku's superior strength in addition to the almost perfectly placed strikes, he didn't think Jonathon's body would listen to his mind much longer.

The headbutt came in, but with Kyukaku control of the arm he had control of Jonathon's entire upperbody. He pulled the arm down to his right side, causing Jon's shoulders to turn to his own left. The head could dip forward, but it was much more limited in mobility to the side. Jonathon had thrown his momentum forward, and Kyukaku had just redirected it to the ground.

Kyukaku slid his left forward one more in yet another stutter step. Just as the step would land, milliseconds after the arm tug, Kyu's hand would let go of the arm. Immediately letting go of the wrist, Kyu's right hand would form a fist as his arm extended and slid up the shoulder. Kyukaku's inner forearm would slam into the right side of Jonathon's neck in what was often referred to as a closeline or forearm smash in the western world.

Thanks to Jonathon's plan to trip up Kyukaku, Jon's leg would be behind Kyu's own. With the forearm strike, Kyu would inadvertently reverse the trip, causing Jonathon to literally fall head over heels backwards. This move would ususally cause said person to land on the back, but since Kyukaku had turned Jon's body, he would land more on his left side.

[Jonathan Michaels]

Jonathan was surprised, as he felt himself being dipped downwards by Kyukaku's ever brutal and ever strong grasp, the fact that Kyukaku had reversed this move. The fact that Kyukaku had managed to go and counter him again, was an amazing feet indeed, but then Kyukaku came in with the clothesline and things looked like it would be all over for Jon and that, that's when Jon noticed something critical to both his and Kyukaku's plans.

His leg.

Jonathan decided to do something that was illogical in a fight, something that people don't do normally, but it was going with a theory that had been employed by many fighters -even Kyukaku- in the past: Jonathan was going to use the force of Kyukaku's moves against him. Before the clothesline hit Jonathan had his leg in between Kyu's, a testament to Kyukaku's own skill was the fact that the clothesline literally had enough force to make Jon fall and thusly as Jon's upper body went to the floor (rapidly mind you) Jonathan raised his legs -more specifically his knee-, the end result? As Jonathan fell his knee would come into contact with Kyukaku's testicles at the same speed Jonathan fell at, which was a lot partly due to Kyu's own power.

Jonathan would of course land on the floor regardless, but when he did he would force himself up rather quickly, shrugging off the pain and getting into the stance he had assumed when he had first been knocked down. This was exhilarating, the adrenaline kicking in and his body becoming numb to the amount of blows he had taken...the fight had only just begun.

[Kyukaku]

Despite Jonathon's ability to rapidly evaluate their body positioning, it seemed he hadn't had quite enough time this time around. Kyukaku would knock Jonathon off his feet, and if he lifted straight up his knee would strike the intended target. Sadly for Jon, most of the momentum would knock him back. In addition to Kyu's stutter step forward, Jonathon's knee would pull out just below its intended target, swiping against Kyu's inner thigh.

Jonathon would be knocked to the ground, leaving Kyukaku to step back and allow him to stand up once more. Fortunately this time for Jon, Kyukaku had been unaware of Jon's underhanded tactics. If he had known, he would have shown much less grace to his opponent than he was now. Jon wouldn't have had the chance to get to his feet again.

However, since Kyukaku let him get back to his feet, he also allowed him to settle back into stance. Jonathon didn't seem to be listening to his body, as the hits he had endured would take their toll on him sooner or later. He was only rushing himself to ignore them, and that meant it was only a matter of time til he felt them all. Taking him apart piece by piece, Kyukaku would move to a different part of the body.

Snapping out his right leg in a low roundkick, his shin would smash into Jonathon's outer left thigh, snapping back at the knee to avoid a possible grasp on the limb. After all, it was a quick kick more so than a powerful. Jonathon sure would feel it, but nothing overall that painful for the first time. His right foot would land in front after the kick, hit or not, and the moment it did, his right fist would jab straight out towards Jon's nose.

[Nathan Branigan]

OOC: I have to give this one to Kyukaku. He was able to hit Jon with a good number of powerful attacks while avoiding pretty much all of Jon's. Some pretty creative moves on Jon's part though.