Post by Emperor Ticoga on Apr 9, 2024 18:22:01 GMT -5
Ticoga grins lightly as Yakito began gushing over the gift. Well, it WAS necessary for Yakito to be able to keep up with those in the armies that could fly. His condition wasn't terribly common, but it was common enough to have warranted such battle jacket developments. Ticoga watches, worried at first, as Yakito slipped into the jacket and made the necessary connections. To his surprise, Yakito actually adjusted rather quickly, and before long was rocketing towards the sky!
Hands clasped behind his back, Ticoga took off from the ground, following after Yakito as the young Zoan broke through the thick storm clouds. He continues to watch, seeing the joy of discovery and new experience alighting the Zoan's eyes. He chuckles, and floats closer.
"It is good to see that you are a rather quick learner. You will find that we have invented many a useful things. An Empire comprised of a thousand cultures, a thousand forms of thought, tends to make excellent forward progress." Ticoga says, floating around to Yakito's front. "I believe we were about to hold a small test. Are you prepared for that, Yakito, or do you require a bit more time to get used to the Floater?"
Yakito's mirth did very little to detract Ticoga from the facts at hand: In spite of his inexperience at manning propulsion technology, Yakito showed great promise and adaptability. Once the Emperor finally reconvened with Yakito, the Zoan was frolicking in and out of the clouds with a few acrobatic feats. It left his fur with a superficial frosting that the Arcosian sun melted in no time.
Ticoga's chuckle is what brought Yakito back to a focused state. Both to show proper respect to a man of his lofty station and getting used to the military drills of his foster home, Yakito stood upright at attention with a salute added for extra flair. "Yes, my Emperor! A myriad of differing thoughts converging toward the same harmonious nexus is conducive to innovation." He said with a beam, clearly enjoying the idealized version of the Imperial Realm. "I'll make sure to protect all of this knowledge and discoveries, as well as the people benefitting from them, Emperor Ticoga. Just like how a library burning down can set a civilization hundreds of years back, I imagine that the many worlds constituting the realm under your responsibility each have something precious to offer that is worth protecting..." If a soul living on one of these umpteenth jewels studding the Imperial crown could be responsible for the invention saving his mom, then the whole headwear was worth safeguarding from harm. According to Yakito, the value of a life -especially of one lived fully- was amongst one of the most inestimable resources available in the cosmos, for a single sentient being's potential could be worth more than any amount of gold.
The Arcosian reminded the foxling about their bout. He nodded and took a stance, slightly inflecting his knees forward out of habit and keeping his guard high. "You're way stronger than me, my Emperor, so I won't pull back my punches. I expect the same from you, even if it means I end up wounded. You got the technology to fix up roughed up soldiers, ya?" Not waiting for an answer, Yakito took a dive into the clouds below, using his scouter as a radar to pinpoint Ticoga's exact location in an attempt to resurface right beneath him. What would have ensued was a barrage of threefold strikes aimed at the solar plexus, throat, and bridge of the nose. It was very much a relentless flurry, but it was one intended to be efficient.
PL: 70,000 (Yakito is in his Base form.)
Savage Assault = 50% - 2 KP - N/A = 35,000 aimed at Ticoga!
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Apr 16, 2024 18:29:54 GMT -5
"I will hold you to that promise, Yakito." Ticoga says, nodding in approval of the Zoan's words. Making promises like this was extremely valuable in Ticoga's eyes, and one not so easily broken. Yakito's final words were those of confidence, which Ticoga could appreciate.
The Zoan swiftly vanishes below the cloud cover, but Ticoga's scouter was already tracking them! Ticoga smiles, and his eyes glow with a soft red, and a bubble-like shield, nearly transparent were it not for the dim crimson glow, forms around him. Yakito's blows come in strong, hammering against the thin barrier - but to no avail.
"We do indeed have the necessary facilities - but I wish to see what you can do under pressure." Ticoga says as Yakito's palm heel strike presses against the shield. Ticoga's eyes snap wider, and a wave of unseen energy would wash over Yakito! It was a Kiai, a basic blast of energy utilizing the air pressure to slam back against the opponent! In the instant that the blast of Kiai would rush at Yakito, the shield surrounding Ticoga would expand and vanish like a popping bubble.
Ticoga stays still, observing how Yakito may respond to the counter - would his temper flare? Would he rethink his strategy? Fast paced consideration was necessary for the field, after all.
Ticoga defends himself with Light Defensive Technique || Rebound Strike Description: Ticoga raises a hand and forms a protective bubble of translucent crimson energy to protect himself from an enemy attack! Power: 20% -> 30% Restrained Might Cost: 2KP Variant: Reflective: Your technique will unleash any remaining PL at an opponent in the event of a successful defensive clash. This will function as an Attack Technique, and will gain a +20% bonus to its offensive power.
Rebound Strike (44,354) vs Savage Assault (35,000) --- Defense Wins! Remaining difference in power (9,354) is bolstered by 20% of Ticoga's PL (29,570) and Reflected back at Yakito! Rebound Strike Reflection Damage heading towards Yakito is 38,924!! PL: 147,848 KP: 4/6 -2 MP: 2/6 +2 HP: 0/270% WC: 216
Yakito's strategy was sound; utilizing the environment for cover came naturally to him. It was a rudimentary manhunting tactic that often paid off. This time, however, his opponent was no mere mook; Ticoga was the Emperor and Shield of Arcose, a man of tremendous resources and battlefield experience. Yakito was more than made aware of it when his aggressive flurry that oft ended the fight in an instant was intercepted by a translucent barrier.
POINK POINK POINK!
His hard, callused joints felt the invisible surface weather and disperse his blows. It didn't hurt at first, but the aegis soon expanded with a gust of air heralding its sudden swelling that knocked Yakito in the distance. Since he had already committed to an all-out attack, he was left with little in the way to defend against this unseen counterattack. Winded and slightly bruised but very far from being defeated, the vulpine warrior regained his composure before taking the core stance of his fighting style. "This was brilliant, Ticoga!" Yakito said with mirth, his guard remaining steady despite the excitement in his voice.
"I recall some freelance work I once did for East City's government. There was some fugitive that the local authorities wanted to apprehend. I actually had an altercation with the man! I was so very close to catching him and cashing in on the bounty, but he used a flashbang device and eluded me by lowering his energy signature." At the time, Yakito was still using a radar -an outdated, cumbersome piece of technology- but it was functionally filling the same role as his scouter. "While I can't lower my energy signature, I should have learned from this situation instead of brazenly going for the kill. You have a scouter; my cover was effectively null and void. I foolishly overextended..." While sometimes smug, Yakito wasn't overly arrogant. Owning up to his mistakes was part of how he became such an efficient warrior in the first place.
"New system: Fight smarter, not harder!" With his new resolution stated out loud, Yakito closed the distance between himself and Ticoga. This time around, the androgynous foxling opted for a straight path, stopping just a few short feet away from Ticoga to dispense a roundhouse kick at the air that came out as a blur ringing out with a loud crack. A diagonal blade of wind was propelled at quasi-point-blank toward the superior Arcosian fighter.
PL: 70,000 (Yakito is in his Base form.)
38,924 vs 70,000 = 56% (55.60%) damage taken by Yakito!
Notes: Non-KP attack aimed at Ticoga! UT used: N/A KP: 6/6 (+2) - MP: 4/6 (+2) - HP: 056/250 (+56%)
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Apr 22, 2024 18:31:32 GMT -5
Ticoga nods approvingly as Yakito brought his fall to a halt, and corrected themselves midair - the Zoan was adjusting to three dimensional movement rather well. Many took months to accomplish that.
"I am glad that you approve." Ticoga calls back at Yakito's first comment. He listens to the following things that the Zoan excitedly had to say, and offer another, less stiff nod. "Yes - when entering a battle, it is extremely necessary to possess a situational awareness. Until the first exchange, you do not truly know how powerful your target may be; nor how they may compensate for a lack of power. Yours is a good assessment."
When Yakito bursts through the air towards Ticoga, the Arcosian Emperor readies himself - he leans back as Yakito's leg comes sweeping up and across; and sees that the swipe had been short of hitting him even if he'd stayed still! Ticoga's brow barely had time to contort in reproval when a sudden, concentrated blast of air hammers against his head! Ticoga reels to the side. Ticoga catches himself, and corrects his posture.
He knew exactly what happened - Yakito had said that he compressed air to allow him to effectively walk through the sky. What had happened just now was Yakito weaponizing that burst of controlled air. Good - very good.
"I see." he says knowingly. "Very good adjustment, Yakito. Let us see how you do with a little more pressure."
Ticoga's eyes begin to glow, and suddenly twin thin beams of crimson Ki race forth from his eyes! Not once - but a barrage of them!!
Ticoga uses Arm Blaster flavored as an Eye Beams!
Arm Blaster will potentially deal 29,570 damage to Yakito! PL: 147,848 KP: 6/6 +2 MP: 3/6 +1 HP: 0/270% WC: 261 Items: Passive: Scouter, Capsule Carry Kit (+2 Active Items), Dyno Capsule (1) Active: Battle Armor (1), Arm Blaster (0), Sno Ruby (1), Destron Flask (1)
Yakito found a certain security in Ticoga's words. Knowing that the Emperor approved of his way of thinking was a great motivator. This being said, he needed to temper his excitement and analyze what the Emperor told him in the split second he was allowed to.
"You do not know the true strength of an opponent nor how they can compensate for their shortcomings." He told himself as he rushed toward Ticoga. It reminded him of those illicit fights in the underground arenas of East City; having an opponent whip out a secret switchblade or target your vitals with sucker punches was all-too-common in such a setting. The same could be said for the battlefield. Indeed, it is when one's life was on the line that true creativity spontaneously manifested itself.
Such wariness for his opponent's resourcefulness is exactly why Yakito opted to surprise him with a point-blank ranged attack. A contradictory maneuver that paid immediate dividends, for he was somehow able to nail Ticoga's head with the blast of air. The actual damage sustained by his Emperor was nigh imperceptible, but the vulpine Zoan didn't allow this fact to discourage him. After all, the amount of energy he actually committed to this attack was negligible since he was still testing the waters with a new approach.
Even if Ticoga warned him that he was going to up the ante, nothing could have prepared Yakito for this utterly bizarre counterattack: Instead of using his palms as an outlet for his energy -as it was conventionally done by Earth's martial artists- the Emperor allowed his eyes to unleash a series of energy beams toward the fox. All that Yakito had to prepare himself was a glow given by the orbits heralding the twin payloads. "WOAH!" Acting with sheer reflexes, Yakito wove his forearms in a circular flurry, using the back of his wrists to deflect the eye rays.
Once this was said and done, the Earthling wiped his brow. "Impressive! I never saw someone shoot lasers from their eyes... Does this means you can just grab someone's wrists with your arms and blast their head off? Heh, guess imma avoid grappling with you." Naturally, Yakito proved to be quite observant by thinking about the immediate application of the technique he just witnessed. "Gosh, you're quite the resourceful one Ticoga, aren't you, uh? Eye beams, reflective shields..." Yakito had none of that. His handicap forced him to rely exclusively on the kinetic strength of his limbs.
His body began to move on its own, to quiver. "Heh... I don't think I can win that one." The huge smirk under his rebreather was made obvious by the jubilant gleam of his eyes. "How exciting! I can't stop myself from fidgeting~" Yakito assumed a defensive stance with one of his clenched fists drawn way back, poised to strike. "You're an enemy and I am a soldier of the Empire. You are twice the asset I am, if not more. Yet, if you attack first, I can figure out how to best foil your offensive. If you use everything to get rid of a small fry like me, you leave yourself wide open to my allies." Yakito calmly explained.
PL: 70,000 (Yakito is in his Base form.)
Bear The Strain = 35% - 1 KP - N/A = 24,500 vs 29,570 = Both techniques fizzle since they are within 80% of each other! UT used: N/A KP: 5/6 (-1) - MP: 6/6 (+2) - HP: 056/250
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Apr 26, 2024 18:31:53 GMT -5
Ticoga smiles as Yakito manages to handle his sudden attack - and the following elation the Zoan was expressing was quite an amusing sight.
"I suppose I could do that, yes - though it would be rather messy to deal with I should think." Ticoga chuckles. Yakito continues, showing a great deal of promising tactical understanding. At that point, Ticoga had what he needed to know. Smiling, Ticoga gestures to Yakito in a soothing motion with his right hand. "That will do for now - I have a good idea of your on the field thought process works. You won't often have that time to process, but that you have it is very good."
Ticoga floats closer to Yakito, regarding the youth.
"There is something that I think you should learn now rather than later." Ticoga says. His tail swishes up behind him, and Ticoga points the tip of his tail away from Yakito. Suddenly, a thin beam of ki flashes from the tip of his tail, sailing harmlessly into the sky! "Ki, when mastered, can be weaponized from virtually any part of the body - or even expelled from the entire body all at once. I can fire Ki from my palms, fingertips, tail, feet, toes, eyes, mouth, or even from my body in all directions at once. The limit of such a thing is only your imagination, and training discipline."
There is a sudden WHOOSH of air, and a shadow casts over Yakito and Ticoga both! Bits of dirt fall towards Yakito, revealing that a massive boulder was hovering above them, glowing faintly red - just as Ticoga's eyes had been not too long ago.
"Some attacks come from places we do not expect when facing a single enemy. I am also well versed in telekinesis, so I can move objects many times my own size rather suddenly." Ticoga's brow raises, and the stone rockets upwards, disappearing beyond the planet's atmosphere, and from Arcose's orbit. "Never believe that you can fully anticipate your opponent in battle - you cannot, and it will cause you to make mistakes."
Ticoga gestures for Yakito to follow him, and the Emperor begins to fall through the clouds.
"Tell me, Yakito - besides the prosperity of your mother, what do you wish to achieve? And how does the Empire help you to do it?" he inquires, descending with a posture that looked comically like he was already standing on the ground.
In retrospect, Ticoga and Yakito's bout was quite the ephemeral one - all that the Emperor needed to be convinced of the Earthling's skills were a few exchanges of blows. Under normal circumstances, the androgynous warrior would have manifested his objection against the premature end to what was essentially a thrilling experience. Knowing that he passed the "interview" -or at least it seemed like he did- was enough of a reason to find contentment in the situation, though. "Agreed. Fights are often decided in very finite time frames." Not that Yakito wasn't used to operating in hectic settings requiring split-second decisions; he made sure to hint at it with a playful quip directed at his approaching liege. "Not like those eye beams of yours were especially sluggish or anything! Yet, I deflected them all the same~"
The smug grin under his rebreather returned to a neutral, more focused expression as Ticoga demonstrated how the tip of his tail, too, could be used as a channel from which ki exited his body. Heck, if Ticoga's words were to be trusted, then even his freaking toes could be used to that effect. "So sky truly is the limit when it comes to ki, uh? I guess that makes sense: I once saw a practitioner conjure a ki saucer from a palm. That thing screeched like a saw and cut like one too! Almost lost my head to that one, heh." The intimidating shade heralded by an aerial noise solicited Yakito's attention who gawked at the large boulder whose shape was wreathed by the crimson characterizing Ticoga's energy.
"DAMN! TELEKINESIS! Is that even related to ki?!?" The demonstration was meant to impart a lesson to Yakito. With a frown, the fox acquiesced. "Yeah, I mean, of course! I know I am cocky, but I am no fool either: A flexible, adaptable fighter bends and takes his shape back when faced with adversity while a rigid one snaps instead." Reading too much into his opponent's movements could indeed cause him to become reactive instead of fighting proactively, which invited longers fights propitious to mistakes. "Thanks for the lesson and fisticuffs, Emperor Ticoga! I'll make sure not to get sidetracked and listen to my instincts and fundamentals in the future." Yakito's reflexes were sharp, especially when he entered that state of his - all he had to do was to capitalize on them instead of playing soothsaying.
With this said and done, their conversation could now continue in a more appropriate forum. Yakito followed closely behind Ticoga, looking down at his bare clawed toes as he made his descent. "What do I wish to achieve?" The youthful combatant already knew the answer. "Before dropping out from college to focus on a more... immediate source of income to answer my ma's needs, I was actually pursuing a bachelor in education. My knowledge is very surface-level and won't be very useful on Arcose, I suspect, so maybe teaching to these less civilized societies integrating the Empire could be a good avenue, yes? Oh, I could also get the certifications to teach mixed martial arts if an additional instructor is ever needed for your military forces." These were quite humble goals and were centered toward helping others instead of his own personal benefits. It was probably a breath of fresh air for Ticoga, but for Yakito this desire of teaching was nothing more than a childhood aspiration who sadly took the way of the back-burner. The Empire was the solution to get his life out of the mire.
PL: 70,000 (Yakito is in his Base form.) UT used: N/A KP: 6/6 (+1) - MP: 0/6 (Reset!) - HP: 056/250
Apr 6, 2024 1:21:15 GMT -5
Lottus: Friendly reminder for new folks to check the rules regarding art claims - AI Art is not accepted on Sparking for character sheets.
Apr 17, 2024 14:43:28 GMT -5
Lottus: Hey folks, got a new phone, but verification is preventing me from downloading Discord for now
Apr 17, 2024 14:43:57 GMT -5
Lottus: I won't be available until I get home from work!
Apr 17, 2024 14:44:58 GMT -5
Lottus: Feel free to dm me if needed!
Apr 17, 2024 21:13:47 GMT -5
Dingo: I'll post what you've said here up in the discord so it doesn't get missed!
Apr 18, 2024 19:19:20 GMT -5
Yakito: I am the #1 Tenrec hater (Striker will be struck)