Better keep up: Hinoka Taiyo vs Tifa Lockhart

[Aqua]

Either Tifa had underestimated Hinoka or something because it felt like at every turn where Tifa does anything. Hinoka responds with either more or just enough energy to get by. Case and point here, Tifa was more than ready to batter Hinoka. Because one Tifa did not want to disrespect her, two Hinoka wasn't out just yet and three which is more likely, the officials would stop the match before Hinoka herself would let it end.

All of that didn't matter because Hinoka got Tifa of all people with an uppercut that gave her some time to get herself together. Knowing damn well that Hinoka was going to go for something big, Tifa knew she had to get her head on straight and quickly. Luckily Hinoka herself had a tough time moving.

Getting herself straight now, Tifa would see Hinoka charge to her. Getting ready for whatever was coming, Tifa had a counter with Hinoka's name on it. That is when she saw the less than perfect bicycle kick. Almost like it was scripted Tifa caught the kicking leg. With a small grin forming on her face, Tifa was ready to knock Hinoka into next week. WHAM Just as Tifa was moving in, she failed to see the Enzuigiri coming her way. Immediately causing Tifa to let go of Hinoka's leg. Dropping to one knee to hold her neck in pain

[SwordSavior1]

It seemed almost too convenient that Hinoka came back up at 1% and not half or a third. She was far from ordinary in terms of mentality, thus extending what usually would be a standard squash. They were going to throw each other around until arms and legs would fall off. Only a bell of all things actually stopping the redhead's charge.

While Tifa was stunned by the uppercut, Hinoka prepared for another follow up attack, very disorganised compared to the previous attack. Perhaps she could have just wailed on Tifa with repeated punches, unless there was some extended plan in the mix, although she might have botched a significantly more reliable means of getting an attack string.

Her bicycle kick was easily intercepted, but thanks to instincts she was able to bring the brawler down to a knee. The crowd assumed this was all part of the plan and that Hinoka was a master of deception. With how the Enzuigiri works, Hinoka span in the air briefly and landed onto her knees. Gritting her teeth and grunting like the move expended more than the benefits it netted. There was no time to rest so she grasped the mat and elevated herself up again.

Like a fan, she needed a strong gust to keep her running. Dashing across the ring but turning around in time, Hinoka rebounded from the ropes once again like a pinball. She headed to where Tifa kneeled but was already crouching halfway. Jumping like a leapfrog, she hoped to land atop of Tifa's shoulders. Hoping that Tifa didn't dodge or had the energy to power out, the redhead threw her muscular thighs trying to toss 'Premium Heart' around with a headscissors takedown.

[Aqua]

(Darn it) Tifa would tell herself, cursing herself also. Hating the position she was in, only because Tifa's ego got slightly bigger. Thinking Hinoka was done like three times over, and now she had to reap the consequences by taking a enzuigiri to the neck. Regardless of her mistakes Tifa needed to get herself together. Otherwise Hinoka would take the match away, even though Tifa was looking so good.

Now Hinoka was looking for guess what, another big move. One that required her to get a big running start, thankfully the damage Hinoka had was showing, giving Tifa some time to get herself ready. But now was the time to act, if not well it is safe to say Tifa would be under Hinoka. As Hinoka jumped up into the air, Tifa would rise herself and move forward, hopefully messing up Hinoka's spacing. Though really all she could do was shove Hinoka back with all she had at the time. Hoping it could create some space between them and knocking Hinoka down.

[SwordSavior1]

If Hinoka knew about Tifa's slight ego and had the stamina to boot, she probably would have gone on the wrong conclusion and be unnecessarily forceful. Considering all these unexpected comebacks becoming expected, the more openminded believed that a comeback was in the midst. If she landed this headscissors takedown, she might just only need to land one more aerial move to seal this victory.

Even with a little tailwind, Hinoka wasn't advancing at a rate that would make the average person flee, but it was just sufficient enough for her to get into position. Just as she soared through the open space, Hinoka failed to realise Tifa's own movements, since from her perspective the raven haired wrestler was still beneath. By the time she finally noticed that her legs wouldn't lock perfectly against Tifa's shoulders, the brawler countered with a medium heart. "Nonono...NO!" Stammering while her momentum was easily countered, causing Hinoka to fall yet again. "Aughhhhhh!" Crashing once again and legs elevating as an after effect. "Is..that...that it!" Confirming that she was still conscious despite landing on her spine, being no condition to stand up herself immediately. Yet she still provoked her opponent to approach.

[Aqua]

(Okay current crisis averted, now I have to figure how to keep Hinoka down) Tifa thought to herself after taking a sigh of relief, afterall that last exchange could've went horribly for her. But that was in the past, Tifa needed to focus on this persistent redhead. Tifa knew what she did at least some damage be it mental or physical. Considering how Hinoka was after it, with her down on the mat again. But of course in classic Hinoka fashion she wasn't done. Not at all she was even challenging Tifa for more.

Tifa wanting to make sure this was it simply cracked her knuckles, No theres more of that, if you want Afterall Hinoka was literally asking for it. So some part of Tifa feeling bad started to fade away. Taking a few steps to Hinoka, Tifa would once again grab Hinoka's air. Forcing Hinoka to stand up, not matter how damaged she was. Releasing Hinoka's hair, Tifa would prep a heavy right uppercut to Hinoka's stomach. Trying to drill her fist in Hinoka. If Hinoka had guessed Tifa was holding back, she surely wasn't now

Spoiler

[SwordSavior1]

On the other side of the spectrum, Hinoka was also anticipating for the future. "(Can I do anything...AT ALL?)" Her thoughts becoming louder and aggravated with every passing moment. She was THAT close to taking control...again. Almost every attempt at offence had a drawback attached to it. Apparently being faster didn't seem to be that rewarding. She was mentally frustrated but the body looked to be in worse change. Hinoka just couldn't feel her legs thus remaining in this spread position. Considering the challenge, did she expect to heal immediately or resort to fighting with just hands and head?

Tifa at least accepted the offer and decided to 'help' Hinoka by helping the redhead to another stand. A different pitched growl flew through her teeth as a result of the hairpull while she stood around crouched. She tried raising her arms up but couldn't react to the sudden uppercut in time. "GAWW..." Coughing up saliva and body arching back upon being penetrated by a blunt object, the equivalent of being nailed with a sledgehammer. She never witnessed such strength from Tifa until now. Yet someway and somehow, Hinoka's legs were tethered to the ground keeping her in the same position. Was this even human? Could Hinoka be considered an immovable object?

The end result was her looking at the mat, hair in a scruffier mess than usual. "My...turn..." Apparently all of her strength were concentrate in just the arms as she reared back for barely a second only to throw a straight cross towards Tifa's neck.

[Aqua]

Tifa was now comfortably in the lead, the match was going where she wanted it to. Case and point when Tifa raised Hinoka up herself, not like Hinoka could stand on her own. While many in the audience would pay an exuberant amount of money to be in the ring with Tifa. Some of those thoughts vanished as she drilled her fist into Hinoka. Tifa was surely looking to make sure Hinoka was going down. But one issue with that. Hinoka wouldn’t go down.

Hinoka, despite taking that sledgehammer of a punch. Was planted like a tree, resolute in not falling. Honestly taking shocking Tifa a bit.

You sure are a tough one, I’ll give you that Tifa said complimenting her opponent’s durability, or whatever she had. As Tifa gave her compliment Hinoka said something herself, as she geared up her own retaliation. Hinoka would shoot a straight cross to Tifa’s neck. Though Tifa was unfazed.

Your turn huh? I’ll give you some tips then. Just don’t hate me for this Tifa told Hinoka, brushing off her fist. Only to give Hinoka what she wanted after all. First firing a right straight to Hinoka’s face, if she were to buckle or fall back Tifa regardless would follow with a hook in the same area. Just to give Hinoka a taste of Tifa’s right hook coming right at her temple.

Spoiler

[SwordSavior1]

Hinoka might be on a path of no return due to no longer guiding the train. She needed assistance to stand, the ropes were so Hinoka's attacks weren't just a fly tap and the implication that her opponent was holding back for a bit. Perhaps she could just cut her losses and throw in the towel, if she wasn't Hinoka Taiyo that is. That lone sledgehammer punch was just barely not enough to send Hinoka hurling. The crowd expected at least a delayed reaction but no, there was the bruised redhead ready to retaliate.

"(Don't mention it)" Not even saying you are welcome to all these compliments given, better that than a slugging. Either way she threw a punch in return, but much to her disdain it was meaningful as a wind's breeze. "No..." Eyes widening out in fear for a brief stint. Even worse was her being in front of the shark's jaw with no room to run.

Punches worked so well before, how did she mess up badly now. There was no takebacks here as Hinoka would experience Tifa's strength in full force. Unable to block in time, the tomboy's entire face contorted from mere contact. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A scream and thump loud enough for everyone to hear. If one punch felt like a sledgehammer then this hit was like getting by two simultaneously. The most surprising thing was midst all this pain, Hinoka only buckled back by few inches, arms pivoting to the side of her face while screaming as if posing for a painting. Unlike last time Tifa wouldn't wait for a counter, leading to another punch being added.

Fist met temple, resulting in a crunch that only Hinoka could hear. This strike shut her up for the time being at the cost of even greater agony. A feeling only she can notice midst her scarlet hair, a busted forehead that leaking. The same hit caused her legs to slide back towards the edge. Complete lack of stability forced Hinoka to sway like a zombie hunched over. "No give....no give...no give..." She was only responding like a robot relegated to programming, only stopping to huff with widened eyes. Despite offence and chances of winning were non-existent, she STILL didn't surrender but Tifa had the power to finish the job.

[Aqua]

Tifa wasn't one to trash talk often, but mostly conduct in playful banter with her opponent. But in this rare case of Hinoka not staying down despite how everything was looking. I do have to say, honestly a future as a punching bag might be good Tifa said rolling her neck, taking off some of the strain. This was after Tifa just unloaded on Hinoka.

During her combo, for every hit she landed, it was to take down Hinoka for good. Even if that didn't work, Tifa noticed that when her crashed her fist on Hinoka's face. She didn't feel any resistance from Hinoka, it was as if the only thing keeping her standing was her sheer will power.

Tifa now looking rather serious was resolute now in her next hit finishing Hinoka off. For better or worse. Tifa would push the groggy Hinoka to the ropes so that her she could use them to stand. Taking a moment to walk to Hinoka, Tifa would take a moment to focus. Why focus? Because Tifa was looking to put everything she had into this punch and then some more.

Getting into a boxers stance Tifa would position her right hand further back. Likely for a bigger wind up, and in one swift motion she swung her arm downwards then upwards for an uppercut. More accurately FINAL HEAVEN now in slow motion her fist collide with Hinoka's face with such force that it was contorting her face. Though that wasn't all, the power of the punch was being delivered by Tifa's entire body. Leading to Hinoka's head getting blasted back, and to the shock of everyone Hinoka's body was being raised up. With the way things were looking Hinoka was literally going to get knocked out of the ring.

Spoiler

[SwordSavior1]

Hinoka might taken her opponent's patience and playfulness for granted, as by being so stubborn she was really testing Tifa's limit break . The tomboy was now just a punching bag and her last blow being mostly shrugged off. With this taken to account, a new observer might have mistaken Hinoka for a jobber. She certainly had merit as evident by her win streak, but weaknesses were on full display here.

Their dance of exchanging attacks came to an end due to Hinoka being stuck in her zombie like trance, unable to flee or defend while her upper body was on fire almost crumbling into dust. It seemed inhuman for somebody to take such devastating hits from a specialist and power by sheer will, but that barrier has finally been surpassed and Tifa has yet to show HER true strength.

The scene becoming rather reminiscent of a gladiatorial execution with how one fighter being unable to respond while the dominator is deciding what is best interest. They even had a special shaped arena where hundreds watched on for entertainment. Hinoka was effortlessly thrown towards the ropes, where the rebound propped her up instead of the redhead's own action. No longer swaying but mildly shaking, all decorated by a blank share. Her own psyche begging for a leg to move as Tifa prepared an arm, but Hinoka was completely immobilised.

Final Heaven struck and it couldn't be a more fitting name. Upon impact, the sound of bones snapping across the face and neck accompanied by a resounding thud, rattling even the most deafened of ears. Unmatchable power that forced Hinoka to ascend to a higher plane and shun her into silence. Her eyes popped out for a split-second before shutting indefinitely. Tifa finally accomplished her goal of breaking the redhead's resolve and body, resulting in Hinoka's body soaring over the ropes. An observant watcher noticed subtle movements from Hinoka's arm mid-flight only to freeze as if she even gave up.

Eventually Hinoka collided backfirst into the metal floor, an experience considered unbearable to watch for some. Her body jumped upon impact only to flatten in even less time. A frozen form and no vision. The match came to an unusual end for Hinoka was knocked unconscious.