The next day it was quite overcast and very humid as the students whom were going to fight in the next round were preparing for the Round Robin round battles as Alcazar and Carreidas found out from Raven and Lei Wu Long that the 48 fighters would be randomly sorted into 16 groups of three with the three fighters fighting each other in the group.
“Well, that’s all you have found?”
“There’s more, Ramon.”
“Thanks, Raven...I think I will need to brief on the students.”
“Very well.”
“We will see you later.”
“Thanks.”
“And um...Give my regards to Jun.”
“I will, Lei.”
“Thanks...Shall we?”
“After you, Lei.”
As both Raven and Lei Wu Long headed off Alcazar and Carreidas reads the information of the Round Robin round as Raven send it to Alcazar’s iPhone. He reads it and found it to be very interesting.
“Well, this is interesting.”
“What is?”
“Have a look, amigo.”
Alcazar shows Carreidas that the structure of the round is either one of the three fighters will fight another in the group as the possibility is that fighter A will either fight fighter B or C and there will be three rounds and whoever wins the most points will advance forward to the next stage and fight the other remaining fighter. Afterwards, whoever has the most points win and if by chance the scores are even then there’s a ‘sudden death round’ as there will be a fight and whoever falls loses.
“It’s like a boxing match, Ramon.”
“Yeah. It certainly does, amigo.”
“I wonder how would it fare out?”
“We will soon find out this very afternoon then.”
“Indeed.”
“So, let us inform the students.”
“I will go and inform our fellow staff first.”
“Of course, amigo.”
Eventually, Carreidas informs Heihachi, Steve, Jun, Julia and Zafina of the procedures as they were all thrilled and were too wondering how would it fare out.
“I wonder...How would it go?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“Indeed.”
“I hope we don’t face our friends.”
“I think it is inevitable, Julia.”
“I suppose you are right.”
“There’s a bigger picture here...We shall triumph over the evil.”
“Of course, Zafina.”
“We shall do our best out there.”
“And no hard feelings, right?”
“Right.”
“Jun?”
“Of course.”
Alcazar first gathers all the students and then brief them on those who have passed to the next round as they were all eager to get through it and hopefully get to the victory tournament round as Alcazar wishes them all the best.
“I wish you well out there, students...As representing our school show just how strong, noble and powerful you are.”
“Understood!”
“Now we have a few more hours before it begins so best prepare...And we will be watching. Mr. Carreidas and myself...Make us proud.”
“Yes, sir!”
“For the students who didn’t make it stay behind as I will like to have a word with them.”
All the students whom were moving onto the next round heads off as those who didn’t remain behind as Alcazar has a word with them.
“Do not feel bad about it...You all make me and yourselves proud.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Of course, sir.”
“We however have another big thing in mind...And you are going to part of it.”
“Is it to take down G Corp, sir?”
“Yes, Ken...We have authorization from the people above us. Let us bring the tyranny of Kazuya to an end and expose his crimes to the world.”
“How can we do that?”
“Do not worry...We have ways of doing it.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Okay, that is all...Remember to wear your battle suits.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Uh, general.”
“Yes, Patrick?”
“What about me and Xiba? We don’t have those dance cost...I mean battle suits.”
“Well, you can wear whatever you wish.”
“You sure, sir?”
“I am sure, Patrick.”
“Okay...Thank you, general.”
“Yes, thanks.”
Kazuya meanwhile was in his recreation room as he was playing snooker with Bruce Irvin himself with Lee observing both of them.
“You perform well, Bruce.”
“Thank you, Kazuya...You know I would not let you down.”
“Of course.”
“Excellent to hear, gentlemen...Looks like very soon the Round Robin rounds will soon began.”
“Indeed, Lee...The next round will be most interesting.”
“Yes.”
“So, I was just curious...”
“Curious about what, Bruce?” asked Kazuya as he sinks a red ball followed by a brown one.
“How would the Victory tournament go?”
“You mean how many rounds, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Well, to keep it simple...One round only with no time limit.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it, my friend.”
“I see...It would be interesting to say the least.”
“Indeed.”
“And there’s two extra final stages.”
“Extra, Kazuya?”
“Yes, the winner will advance to the special finals where he or she will fight a tag team and the rules remain the same however in order to advance you must knock out both opponents.”
“That would be quite challenging.”
“Of course...If only they could.”
“And let me guess...The tag team would consist of Anna and...”
“Me.”
“You, Lee?”
“Of course. I love to show off my ‘excellent’ skills to the people.”
“Indeed...And I will the last man standing in the sponsor finale.”
“Of course.”
“And the opponent which I will be expecting is my daughter.”
“You sure of this, brother?”
“Without a doubt, Lee...Without a single doubt.”
“And suppose she won’t be your opponent then...”
“If she doesn’t make it to the sponsor finale then she is no good and a disgrace to the Mishima clan.”
“Indeed, Kazuya...Indeed.”
Kazuya then accidentally knocks the white ball into the hole as it gave Bruce the chance for him to sink some balls and score some points.
“Oh, bad luck, Kazuya.”
“Sure, sure.”
Bruce then takes aim with his snooker stick and scores a red ball right into the hole as he was then allow to sink any coloured ball on the table. Bruce chose the black ball as it would give me more points than the others. With a little patience and skill he manages to score 7 points as the shot was indeed challenging to make. Kazuya gave Bruce his fullest compliments as did Lee himself.
“Outstanding, Bruce...Great shot.”
“Excellent.”
“You flatter me, Kazuya...Lee.”
Lee then looks at his digital watch as they have only a few hours before the Round Robin rounds begin.
“Well, a few more hours to go before the next round begins.”
“Indeed...Bruce, I trust you will do your best out there.”
“Of course, Kazuya.”
Bruce sinks another red ball followed by the green ball earning him another few points inspiring Kazuya.
“Very well done, Bruce.”
“Thank you, Kazuya.”
“Well, I shall take my leave...See you all later.”
“Later, Lee.”
“Catch you later.”
“And you shall.”
Lee heads off as Kazuya and Bruce continues to play and whoever would win remains to be unseen.
A few hours later, the small stadium was once again packed with people as Kazuya sat in his usual V.I.P spot as Lee was in the announcing box and gets ready to make his announcement using the same microphone as before in the ‘Athlete Screening Rounds’, which was linked to the whole P.A system in the stadium. He first checks the microphone to see if it was working.
“Testing, 1,2...Testing 1,2.”
Lee then clears his throat and makes his announcement and like last time he uses his charming tone of voice.
“Welcome back again...Now here we have before us are the excellent 48 Iron Fist fighters that will be fighting in the next round known as the ‘Round Robin!”
On cue, all the 48 fighters march into the middle of the stadium and stood in a circle and just like before, the crowd cheered loud and clap their hands as Lee Chaolan’s was talking on live through the large television screens that were placed around the two points of the circular stadium. He like before explains the rules of the Round Robin round to the crowd. Lars eventually was rather skeptical and prefer to get straight into the fighting.
“Why does he like to show off and explain the rules?”
“Well, Lars...He likes publicity.” replied Nina casually with Lars as he looks at her with a curious look. Nina was wearing her black coloured combat suit.
“Yeah, I suppose you are right.”
Lee explains the rules in detail as Kazuya didn’t seem to mind it at all with Anna sitting down in a chair right next to him.
“He likes to show off, doesn’t he?”
“Indeed he does, Anna.”
“Well, the 48 fighters who pass the previous stage will then be sorted into groups of three for a series of three round battles. Each fighter will fight the other fighters in their group once and only the fighter with the most points can advance. A win earns you 3 points. A draw when time runs out will earn each fighter one point and a loss is zero points. Eventually, if by chance the scores are even then there’s a ‘sudden death round’ as there will be a fight and whoever falls loses.”
The crowd cheers loudly as Lee then casually asks the fighters to head to the assembly area as the 48 fighters will then be sorted into 16 groups.
“Now would the 48 fighters head to the assembly area while you would be sorted into 16 groups of three? Thank you.”
All the fighters proceed to the assembly area as Lee shuffles the 48 fighters and sorts them into 16 groups of three. Shirley wonders if she would be sorted into the group where she will have no choice but to fight her friends. Patricia, Kathy, Veronica, Anna and others all have some worries not to mention the boys and Sophie overall kept her head cool.
“Well, I guess we may have to fight each other in this round, Xiaoyu.”
“I guess so, Miharu.”
“No hard feelings, right?”
“That’s right, Alisa.”
“Indeed.”
Panda growls happily as she spots Kuma have a friendly chat with Heihachi.
(“Pops.”)
“You are worried, Kuma...Well, so am I but no matter what happens prove you are strong and dignified.”
(“That I can do, pops.”)
“Good...Let’s do this, Kuma.”
(“Aye.”)
Sure enough, the first fighting group has been sorted with the three fighters, John Lee, Hwoarang and Kathy Taylor as Lee announces their names and asks them to head to the fighting stage. Hwoarang smirks as he gets the chance to beat up the students with a few partially responsible for him eating stinking manure. Although he knows the two student fighters he was about to face were not enough but he couldn’t care less because as far as he is concerned they are all to blame. Hwoarang mumbles to himself as he and the other two fighters prepare to head to the stage as he goes first while both John and Kathy were given a pat on the back by their fellow classmates and at the same time, wishing them all the best.
“Do your best out there, John.”
“Thanks, Colin.”
“You can do it.”
“I know I will, Chris.”
“Kathy, good luck.”
“Thanks, Joey.”
“Best of luck.”
“Yes, do not feel bad if John or that Hwoarang beats you.”
“I will bear that in mind, Sam.”
Sophie approaches Kathy as she too wishes her all the best.
“Be careful, Kathy.”
“Thanks, Sophie...I will do my best.”
“Hey, Kathy...Shall we?”
“Of course, John...By the way, no hard feelings, right?”
“Right!”
Kathy was in her casual attire with a blue T-shirt top, black tracksuit pants and white running shoes while John dons his red coloured Taekwondo Gi as Hwoarang was in his usual and prefer fighting attire.
The three make it to the middle of the fighting arena with the spotlights directed right on them as Lee announces their names.
“Ladies and gentlemen...I present the three fighters of the first group. Let us welcome...” began Lee as Hwoarang being impatient and wants to get started shouts loudly at Lee to cut the formalities and skip to the actual battle itself.
“COME ON! LET’S JUST GET ON WITH IT!”
Lee pauses and rather finds Hwoarang’s impatience to be most amusing.
“What an excellent display of anger, Hwoarang...I am sure you will be not disappoint the crowd in the stadium.”
“HARDLY!”
“Then let us begin with the shuffle procedure!”
The large television screens switch to the fighting procedure screens with the three fighters names appear on the left with a 3 by 3 table indicating there will be three rounds and show how many points would the fighters score. John and Kathy both observed the screens as wondering how well would they do.
“I have a funny feeling about this.”
“Tell me about it, Kathy...We have to face that Hwoarang dude eventually or at least one of us.”
“I know, John...Let’s just do our best out there.”
“Of course.”
Hwoarang then strolls beside them and taunts them both in a way that made John angry and furious.
“You kids don’t stand a chance against me. Go home and study. Especially you, John Lee.”
“What about me?” asked John sounding very stern in his tone of voice.
“You...Well, your taekwondo sucks compare to mine.”
“Say what?!”
John loses his cool and prepares to move to attack Hwoarang before the actual fight even started when Kathy holds him back. Suddenly, one pair of security guards came to see what the problem was.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Remember, there’s no fighting in the assembly area or outside the fighting arena itself.”
“We know.”
“This is a warning...The next would lead to disqualification.”
“Uh, understood.”
“Good.”
“Watch it, John...Control your rage and temper or you will be disqualified.”
“Thanks, Kathy...I owe you.”
It was only thanks to her that John was prevented from being disqualified and Lee from his announcer booth taunted his actions as well.
“Look at this, folks...We have a chip off the old block here! John Lee who is equally impatient to get started just like the big bad wolf, Hwoarang!”
“HEY! Eat shit, Lee!”
“How dare you!”
Both Hwoarang and John were belittle and jealous of the way Lee Chaolan mocked them both as afterwards both Hwoarang and John looked at each other and just smirks.
“I am going to kick your sorry ass.”
“Not unless I kick you first.”
“Ho ho...You will regret those words.”
“I could say the same for you.”
Eventually, Lee announces the shuffle has completed and it was sorted that John will be the first to fight against Hwoarang.
“Ladies and gentlemen...We introduce the first match of the Round Robin. John Koegue Lee and Hwoarang...Fighters please come to the stage!”
The two fighters then head to the fighting stage that had changed into a solid ground environment with just one of the large television screens switching to a large 60 second timer clock.
“Now...Let the match begin! ROUND 1...FIGHT!”
John and Hwoarang first circles around each other with the timer slowly counts down from 60 seconds with their fists held up and after five seconds, John and Hwoarang struck their first blows with each other but was not enough as both then engage in fierce combat with Kazuya and Anna watching as well.
“So, how does this round go, Kazuya?”
“Oh, it’s three rounds and a round ends with either the opponent being knocked down to the ground and stays on the ground for two seconds.”
“Two seconds?”
“Yes...Or when time runs out.”
“Right.”
“I see.”
The whole crowd watched as John and Hwoarang exchange kicks with one another and then they trade blows with each other. Kathy watches nearby as did all the students and the teachers. Colin watches his good friend fight well but Hwoarang eventually was getting the best of him.
“Oh no.”
“It looks like John is being pushed back.”
“You have a good eye, Sean.”
After thirty seconds or so, Hwoarang knocks John down to the ground with a fast swift kick and John tries to get up but couldn’t and the two second count down has been put into the effect the moment he went down with one of the television screens showing the two second countdown and as a result Hwoarang was crowded the victor of the first round.
“There we are, folks...Hwoarang has won the first match!”
John manages to get back on his feet but was slightly out of breath as his friends were showing signs of worry.
“This doesn’t look good...John is kind of out of breath, isn’t he, Sean?”
“He is, Anna.”
“I am worried.”
John gets back on his feet as the beginning of round two commences with the timer reset to 60 seconds and counting down once more.
“Round two...FIGHT!”
Hwoarang taunts John and tells him to give up and let him win as it would make things a lot easier but John vow never to give up.
“Come off it, kid...You don’t stand a chance against me.”
“I am...I am not beaten yet.”
“Give it up already and make it easy on yourself.”
“Never!”
John in a fit of rage lunges a series of fast and speedy attacks at Hwoarang as he blocks them with relative ease.
“Ha! Your pitiful little kicks are nothing against me.”
Suddenly, John delivers fast lightning speed kick right into Hwoarang’s face and as a result his nose started to bleed. He rubs it and finds a bit of blood on his hand making him more angrier and cranky.
“You dare ruin my face, kid?!”
“Oh, now look who’s angry?”
“Here I come!”
The second round starts off with a big bang as John goes on the offensive and delivers several fast kicks that drive Hwoarang back and back until he lost his footing and falls to the ground. John takes a moment as Hwoarang gets back on his feet to continuing fighting.
“Is that all you have got?!”
“No! Eat this!”
John leaps high up into the air and smacks right down at Hwoarang with a strong aerial kick that knocks him flat on his back making all of John’s fellow classmates and friends to be up in arms.
“He’s done it!”
“Yes, he sure did.”
“So, Sam...One more round to go to determine who will win.”
“Yes, it is, Joey.”
With both Hwoarang and John earning three points each, the next match will determine who will face Kathy. She was watching and wonders how would this match go?
“Well, here goes nothing...Would John win or that big bad wolf Hwoarang dude?”
The third one was an intense one with both fighters engaging each other with their strongest blows with the audience themselves unable to predict whom will win and after forty-five seconds of hard fighting there was a victor it was Hwoarang as he evades John’s fierce attack and quickly counters and knocks him straight down to the ground hard knocking him out for the count. Lee announces the victor of the match as Hwoarang hold his hand high in the air with the crowd throwing in a high cheer especially his men whom were sitting at the top of the stadium seats.
“We have a winner! It is...Hwoarang!”
“YEAH!”
Kathy and the others were quite disappointed as medic officers rush to the scene and use a stretcher to carry John out and straight to the infirmary. Hwoarang gloats loudly that no one could defeat him. Absolutely no one.
“I am Hwoarang...No one can beat me! Absolutely no one!”
Kathy clutches her fists tightly as Lee announces there would be a fifteen minute break for Hwoarang to rest up and Kathy to get ready. She practices her moves and does some exercise stretches.
Fifteen minutes later, Kathy was pumped to fight as was Hwoarang despite still bearing a bit of bruising on his face and chest. Both fighters stood within a few feet of each other and stare at each other like two fierce animals ready to fight to the death.
“Come at me with all you got, little girl.”
“I am no little girl...I would make you regret what you did.”
“We will see about that.”
“Now...” began Lee as he pauses for a moment on speaking through the microphone. “Who will come out on top? FIGHT!”
Kathy engages hard at Hwoarang the moment the clock started and bruises Hwoarang in the chest making his ribs hurt more. She presses on the attack as Hwoarang quickly blocks her blows and she was able to move quickly with a counterattack that knocks Hwoarang down to the ground and after five seconds of staying on the ground with Kathy stomping on him she has the first win.
“Whoa, folks...Looks like the pretty babe is on top of Hwoarang! What a predicament!”
The first round goes to Kathy as her friends and classmates were all quite pleased with the outcome but they all knew that Hwoarang would not allow himself to be beaten so easily.
“Well, good old Kathy has won the first round.”
“So far, Shirley...She has to win two more rounds.”
“Of course, Chris.”
“If she wins the next round that she and Hwoarang will have a tie.”
“A tie, Sean...What would happen next?”
“Well, Shirley...The following round after that would decide the victor.”
“I see.”
Shirley does the calculation of points in her head as if Kathy does win the next round she would tie with Hwoarang but if she by chance loses the third round then both fighters will have to fight a ‘sudden death’ match to determine the win.
“Well, if Kathy wins one she would tie with Hwoarang and if she loses then...”
“Let’s cross our fingers, Shirley.”
“Of course, Sean.”
“Kathy will do fine, Shirley.”
“I hope so, Chris...I certainly hope so.”
“Me too.”
However, things didn’t go as her friends and classmates had hoped with Hwoarang gaining the upper hand and defeats Kathy in the second round leaving her with a few bruises but she hangs in there. The girls that were close friends with her cheer for her as this lifted her ability to fight but it was still not enough when in the third and final round, Hwoarang knocks her down to the ground just when the timer hit zero. Lee announces to the whole audience that Hwoarang is the winner and will advance to the victory tournament.
“We have a winner! Hwoarang, ladies and gentlemen! A big round of applause!”
The audience clapped and cheered for him as his gang members rooted loudly for their boss.
“Way the go, boss!”
“You show those young punks!”
At that moment, Paul and his buddies did just the opposite as they disgrace Hwoarang in any way they could possibly think of.
“BOO! You suck, Hwoarang! You suck ass!”
“Yeah, we could do better!”
Paul and Bryan vilify their comments at Hwoarang as he didn’t take much notice of them not until Craig, King and even Miguel speak ill of him as well.
“Go suck a dick, Hwoarang!”
“Grrr!” (Hear, hear.)
“You fight like shit!”
Hwoarang heard them loud and clear as he turns his attention to them while Paul and his buddies gave him the finger as Hwoarang gradually does it as well. Lee comments sarcastically that the rivalry between Hwoarang and the so-called: ‘G.F.H’ is showing more intense as time passes by.
“Look at this, folks...Tensions are always high between Hwoarang and the so-called: ‘G.F.H’ gang. This couldn’t get any better!”
The audience chuckled and laughed as Hwoarang in frustration heads off the battlefield and straight to the rest area located inside the stadium as Lee then announces the ‘Round Robin’ second group match.
“Ladies and gentlemen...We now proceed with the second group of the ‘Round Robin’ match.
The second fighting group has been sorted with the three fighters, Vivian Rosenthal, Craig Marduk and King with Lee first announcing their names and asks them to head to the fighting stage.
“Well, looks like we have what it would seem to be a...Wrestler contest! Ladies and gentlemen! A big cheer for veterans, Craig Marduk and King!”
Craig and King held their arms high up together with the crowd cheering loudly as Lee also announces Vivian’s name.
“And a pleasing welcome to newcomer, Vivian Rosenthal!”
The crowd clapped their hands as her fellow friends and classmates cheered loudly for her and wish her all the best.
“Good luck, Vivian!”
“Yeah, kick their asses!”
“Show them what you are made of!”
“Then let us begin with the shuffle procedure!”
The large television screens switch to the fighting procedure screens as Vivian will face King against each other in the first match. Craig wishes his best friend all the best and takes a seat in a bench nearby. King and Vivian stood in front of each other with their fists held up as King admires her looks and the way she dressed as Vivian was dressing in her orange dance costume.
“Grrr. Grrr!” (You look good. You look very good in that sexy dress.)
“Take that as a compliment. Shall we?”
“Grrr.” (My pleasure.)
The timer starts as Vivian and King circles around one another as King was the first to deliver a blow so fast that it hits Vivian square in the face but fortunately she didn’t even flinched, which surprised King himself.
“Grrr?” (But how?)
Vivian then grabs King by the torso and holds him up with only one hand, which surprise the whole audience even Craig, Paul, Lee and even Kazuya as he was most inspired to see a mere teenage girl so strong.
“Hmm...Most impressive, Vivian Rosenthal. Now, let’s see how you play.”
“Grrr...” (What the...)
Vivian then throws him down to the ground hard as King quickly gets back on his feet. He cannot believe that the teenage girl in front of him has the strong muscle power that was near perhaps excel his own.
“Grrr. Grrr.” (Okay, time to get serious!)
“COME ON, KING! TAKE HER DOWN!”
With Craig’s encouragement, he advances forward and the two combatants fight like strong pro wrestlers. King gets some moves on her just as she returns the favour and Vivian knows she cannot win by simply throws and tosses so she decide to use some sort of strategy to give her the edge.
“Hey, ugly...Come and get some.”
“GRRR!” (YOU DARE MOCK ME!”)
King aggressively charges at Vivian as Craig from the sidelines knew that it was a trick and tries to warn him.
“King, stop...It’s a...”
It was too late as Vivian dodges to the side and grabs a hold of King’s left arm and pulls it downwards forcing him to the ground with a loud thud as Craig mumbles of what he was going to say to King.
“Trap.”
Vivian then slams his elbow right down in King’s head so immense it knocked him flat on the ground unable to move. The crowd was in awe as the five second count begins as Craig tries to root his friend to get up before time ran out but it was too late for him again as time ran out and Lee announces that the winner for the first round is none other than the newcomer, Vivian Rosenthal.
“Remarkable, folks...The newcomer manages to win the first round match against him.”
Vivian’s fellow classmates and friends cheered as Paul and his buddies sulk and look very disappointed but Marshall casually remind them that the battle is not over yet as he and Paul shows a confident grin on their faces.
“Oh, what a disappointment.”
“Yeah, totally crap.”
“Calm down, my friends...The battle is far from over.”
“Indeed, Marshall...You are indeed right.” replied Paul as he and Marshall shows an evil confident grin on their faces.
At that moment, Alcazar was in the ‘MPGA’ name stand as he finishes clapping his hands for Vivian for doing so well as the defeated John and Kathy joins him as their injuries were not so severe with just a few bandages and all.
“Sir.”
“General.”
“John, Kathy...I am glad to see you both are all right.”
“We are, sir...Just a bit soreness on the chest. Nothing big.”
“I see...Kathy.”
“Sir?”
“You feeling all right?”
“Yes, general...I am fine.”
“Don’t worry...There will be a big battle coming up soon.”
“That I am glad to know.”
“So am I, sir.”
“Good that is good.”
“When do we make our move?”
“Soon...During the finals is when we make our move. Head to the front of the casino itself and wear the costume that shows your true colours.”
“Uh, sure, sir.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, I will be there but for now...Let’s watch and see how you fellow classmates would do during these matches.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Right you are, general.”
Vivian and King continues to fight as the match was going one sided with King being hammered by Vivian’s agile and strong attacks with Craig both furious and upset that his friend and buddy was getting clobbered by a young mere teenage girl.
“Damn you, girl...I swear you won’t be able to walk when I am going to fight you.”
Vivian defeats King in the second round as despite all that he was still strong and capable to fight on as Craig keeps his fighting spirit up.
“Don’t give up, buddy...Don’t give up!”
During the third round, King gets filed up and manages to score several throws on Vivian and attempt to scratch her dress but much to his surprise, there was no damage at all.
“Grrr?” (What?)
“Surprised?”
King then makes a bold move and manages to restrain Vivian in a full nelson by holding her arms in a up position so that she can’t use them to fight back. King gloats as Craig, Paul and his buddies were starting to see that the tide seems to have turn in their favour.
“All right...Go for it!”
“Crush her, King! Crush her!”
King complies as Vivian struggles and tries to think of a way out of this suddenly someone calls out to her from the ‘MPGA’ stand and it was none other than Adrian Cortez as he was with Ernest, Jenny, Ken, Susan and Kevin, her fellow classmates whom wasn’t able to advance forward and got eliminated in the ‘Athlete Screening Rounds’. However, they still came to cheer their fellow classmates on as a sign of showing true friendship and spirit.
“Vivian! You can do this!”
Vivian catches sight of Adrian as she was stunned to see that he has feelings for her.
“Adrian?”
“Don’t give up, girl...I love you!”
Vivian was speechless as Ernest standing next to Adrian hit him on the shoulder.
“Ow! What was that for...”
“I love you? Why in the hell would you say that?”
“I don’t know, buddy...A slip of the tongue, I guess.”
Samuel, Joey, Sophie and the others were stunned as well but find it amusing and it was effective as Vivian’s fighting spirit boosts up and she starts off by elbowing King right in the face stunning him.
“Got you!”
“NO!” shouted Craig as he was once again flabbergasted on the outside but furious on the inside.
The crowd was cheering for Vivian as well and surprisingly they didn’t hear Adrian’s confession telling he loves Vivian. Vivian then throws King down using a flying mare move render him senseless before she leaps high up and finishes off with a body slam right on his chest and torso knocking him senseless and down for the count.
“YES!”
Lee was too speechless as he congratulate Vivian on her win while Paul and the others sulk and grunted in misery.
“Vivian Rosenthal is the winner! She will soon face her next opponent in a little while or so!”
The crowd cheers as did her fellow classmates as she heads back to the assembly area to cool off for a bit with Joey, Patricia, Shirley and even Sophie tends to her needs.
“You did good out there, Vivian.”
“Thanks, Joey.”
“Here, Vivian...Have a bottle of spring water.”
“Thanks you very much, Shirley.”
Patricia compliments Vivian on the way she defeated the pro wrestler without sustaining much injury to herself.
“Those were some good moves, Vivian.”
“Yeah, thanks for the compliment, Pat.”
“Remember, Vivian...You can do this. Size matters not in a battle.”
“Thanks, Sophie...I will keep that in mind.”
The boys of their class also gather around offering her their best wishes and one in particular steps forward looking quite timid and a little nervous.
“Uh, Vivian.”
Vivian looks up and sees Adrian Cortez himself as Vivian was quite annoyed and irritated of what Adrian just said to her during the conclusion of her match with King.
“Adrian.”
“Vivian, I just what to say...”
Suddenly, Vivian stands up and gives Adrian a smack in the face as this made everyone who was present to be most stunned and bewildered. Adrian was dismayed as he asks Vivian what was the reason for slapping him in the face like that and so hard.
“What was that for, Vivian?”
“That was for uttering something that you shouldn’t have.”
“What? What did I say?”
“You know what I am talking about...Adrian.” replied Vivian sounding most stern, which made Adrian feel quite in a state of trouble.
“Oh no.”
“You know what I am talking about, yes?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Good...Be sure you don’t say something like ‘that’ again during my next match.”
Eventually, Lee announces through the P.A. that the next match between Vivian and Craig Marduk is about to commence.
“Ladies and gentlemen...Now for the upcoming ‘Round Robin’ match of group two would commence. Vivian Rosenthal versus Craig Marduk!”
The crowd throws in a loud cheer as Samuel and Joey gives Vivian their best wishes to her.
“Good luck, Vivian.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
“Go and kick his ass.”
“I sure will, Joey.”
Sophie puts her hand on Vivian’s shoulder.
“Best of luck.”
“Thank you, Vivian...Same to you when your match comes.”
“Thanks.”
Vivian begins to head out there as Adrian confesses to Vivian that he truly does like her.
“Vivian, wait!”
“What now, Adrian?”
“I um...I just wanted to say that I am...I am truly sorry.”
“Oh...Glad to hear it.”
“It’s just that...I don’t know.”
“Well, I understand.”
Vivian then heads back to the fighting stage as she was ready to face her next opponent, Craig Marduk who was downright furious and would do anything to get his revenge for his defeated friend.
“All right, little girl...I promise you that you won’t be able to walk after this!”
“We will see about that, Craig Marduk.”
“I am going to enjoy this! YAAAAAH!”
Craig beats his chest like an angry gorilla as Lee announces the match itself.
“Our next and possibly match would be Vivian Rosenthal against Craig Marduk...So, folks. Who would win this battle?”
The crowd cheers as Lee announces the first round of the second match would begin.
“This is got to be a match to be remember, folks...FIGHT!”
The timer starts as Vivian and Craig Marduk charges straight at each other by tackling as Craig was able to gain the upper hand and grab her by the waist and throws high into the air where he then leaps up, grabs her and drops back down on the ground with a thud. Vivian was hurt but her orange dance costume outfit remains completely intact as Craig doesn’t seem to notice because he’s too eager to avenge King’s defeat.
“I will make you pay for this!”
Vivian dodges Craig’s tackles and blows as from the looks of things the match seems to be one sided as Vivian could not find an opening of Craig’s aggressive assault and in the end she was knock flat to the ground from a strong and powerful head butt and the round was over with Craig being the winner.
“Craig Marduk has won the first round, folks!”
Craig holds his hands high into the air as Paul, Bryan, Miguel, and Marshall were quite pleased to see their friend not letting them down.
“Good going, Craig.”
“YEAH! I AM THE BEST!” boosted Craig out loud as Vivian gets back on her feet as her fellow classmates cheer for her to remain strong.
“Hang in there, Vivian!”
“Don’t give up!”
Adrian eventually said something that made Vivian start to have a hint that he truly does have feelings for her.
“Vivian...You can do this! Come on!”
Vivian looks at Adrian’s eyes and although from a distance she could tell he was telling the truth and quickly gets back on her feet as her classmates cheer loudly.
“YEAH!”
“Go for it, Vivian!”
Vivian checks her shoulders and cracks her knuckles as she was not going to go down not without a fight.
“Hey, big guy...Ready to Rambo again?”
“My pleasure, little girl.”
Lee then announces the match for round two as both opponents held up their knuckles and looks right at each other in the eye.
“I will smite you right where you stand!”
“We shall see.”
“Round two...FIGHT!”
“Here I come!”
Craig lunges forward with powerful swings as Vivian dodges them and quickly gets a certain distance away from him.
“I have to find an opening if I am going to win this.”
Vivian knew that Craig is strong and powerful but she process stronger agility, which just might give her the edge she needs.
“If I could outmaneuver him and strike a blow to his critical point...That would give me the chance I need.”
Craig then has Vivian back to a corner and seemingly no way out but she was not intimidate by this one bit.
“Well, little girl...Looks like you are being cornered.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t concern me, you big meanie.”
“Oh, yeah...We will see about that.”
“Fine.”
“Go on, Craig...Go on! Crush her!”
“Smash her into pieces!”
With Paul and Bryan’s encouragement, Craig charges forward with his arms held out ready to grab a hold of Vivian whom remains where she was until the very last minute. It was a gamble but it paid off when she leaps high up into the air and this causes Craig to miss her and falls down flat on his stomach. Vivian seizes the opportunity and lands right on his back.
“OW! Why you little...”
Vivian then grabs Craig by the back of his wrestler shorts and neck and throws him from one area to the other with amazing strength stunning Paul, Bryan and many others.
“No...No way.”
“Stunning.”
“Go for it, Vivian...Go for it!”
“Show him who’s tough!”
Vivian then body slams Craig so hard it temporary stuns him as she then uses her Hercules-like strength and holds the heavy wrestler up high into the air as Lee was stunned and Kazuya was quite impressed.
“That is...Excellent, all right.”
“Hmm...Simply amazing.”
Craig was speechless as he asks how is she that strong and she replies with a simple answer that amuses him.
“Tell me, girl...Why are you so strong?”
“Oh, I lift weights...Heavy weights.”
“Of?”
“Concrete.”
“You are kidding.”
“Nope...Three hours a day.”
“You have got to be joking.”
“I do not joke...Sayonara.”
Vivian spins Craig like a human-made basketball and throws him flat to the ground on his back so hard it made the stage floor crack and she quickly leaps high up and slams her shoulder right down on his face knocking him spark out. Vivian’s fellow classmates were overjoyed as Lee announces that the match was over because Craig would have no chance of beating Vivian’s current score now and he declares Vivian the victor of group two.
“We have a winner, folks...A big round of applause to Vivian Rosenthal!”
The crowd and her friends cheered with her standing next to the knocked out Craig Marduk with Paul grumping like mad and scowl him.
“You bring shame to the wrestler community, Craig Marduk! A total embarrassment, you hear me?!”
Bryan, Miguel and even Marshall does their best to calm the raging Paul down as Marshall reminds Paul that the fun was not over yet.
“Calm down, Paul...Calm down, man!”
“Yeah, amigo...Don’t lose your cool here.”
“There’s no need to worry, Paul.”
“No need to worry, Marshall?” asked Paul sounding most surprised and curious.
“Yes, besides...There’s still a long way to go. If they can’t make it maybe we could or at least some of us.”
Paul instantly was feeling much better knowing what Marshall said perfect sense.
“Hmm...You have a point, Marshall. You have a point.”
“Well, let’s hope that Craig pulls through.”
“Indeed, Bryan...Indeed.”
The medics carry the knocked out Craig Marduk on a stretcher as it took four not two medics to carry him out as two people sitting in the stands were quite inspired of Vivian’s victory over Craig Marduk.
“That girl is good. She sure show both Craig and King.”
“Yes, she is.”
It was Armor King and Baek Doo San as they were dressed in civilian clothing and were watching the match as spectators rather than participate in the fight. Vivian herself was very proud of herself and knows she will advance into the ‘Victory Tournament’ itself. She heads to the ‘MPGA’ area and Alcazar gives her a pat on the back.
“Well done, Vivian.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You did awesome, Vivian.”
“Thanks, Kathy.”
“Well done.”
“John, thanks.”
“Go and get some rest, Vivian...You’ve earned it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Vivian then heads off as Sophie and the others were pleased with the outcome and eventually Lee announces the third group of fighters randomly shuffled to step forward into the fighting arena.
“Ladies and gentlemen...That was an awesome wrestling fight and now let me announce the upstanding and strong fighters of the third group that will fight in the ‘Round Robin’ rounds. Pay attention to the screens if you please!”
The large televisions then shows the next three fighters of group three and Andy sees that he was going to be next.
“All right...I get to fight at last.”
“Yeah, good luck, Andy.”
“Thanks, Michael...I feel bad that Alex is not here.”
“Well, we will rescue him...There’s no doubt about that.”
“No doubt.”
“And you know what, Michael?”
“What?”
“I just hope I don’t have to fight you or worse...”
“What could be worse, Andy?”
“You know who.”
“You mean, you know who, yes?”
“Yes...Either one, you know.”
“Of course.”
Eventually, the remaining two fighters were then revealed and when Andy saw them his jaw dropped and eyes open wide as he was completely flabbergasted. Michael as well as many other boys that were close friends with Andy found it rather amusing.
“Nice.” muttered Michael folding his arms.
“Well, it is fate then. Don’t you agree, Ross?” said Chris with a smile on his face.
“Yep.”
“Sam?”
“Indeed.”
“Perfect...The two out of everyone that I do not wish to face.” sighed Andy as he was going to face both Michelle and Ivy as the two girls make their way to the fighting stage.
“You ready for this, Ivy?”
“Ready as I will ever be, sis.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“So, we are going to face the man of our dreams, yes?”
“It would appear so.”
Michelle and Ivy were on the fighting stage together and both wore the same outfit, white Aikido shirt with black Hakama and Japanese sandals. Andy joins them as he was wearing his red dancing costume as he stood right beside the twins with the crowd cheering them on.
“Psst...Hey, girls.”
“What?”
“Why not take a dive? I would feel much better.”
“That’s no way to talk, Andrew Zhang.” snapped Ivy angrily, which in turn made him jump.
“Man, you are scaring me, Ivy.”
“Andy, at least for our sake and master’s...Fight like true warriors.”
“Well, all right...I can do just that, Michelle.”
Andy mumbles quietly to himself while staring at the twin girls.
“Gee...Michelle is all right as she sounds mature and I think she and I get along just fine while Ivy is another story.”
Andy is okay with Michelle as they have a steady relationship but for Michelle’s younger twin sister, Ivy...Andy found her to be most uncomfortable as ‘girls’ was one of the many things Andy dislikes save for some whom he respects. Andy then thinks back to the time when both Michelle and Ivy challenged him in combat where he bested the pair of them and was slightly overconfident that if he could beat them before then this time it would be a walk in the park.
“Well, I guess I will just show them what kind of a ‘man’ I am.”
Eventually, before the match begins, Anna Williams steps forward and onto the stage wearing her red Chinese dress with long silk stocking. She was no doubt accompanied by a pair of Jack 4 combat robots with them both holding some fighting weapons.
“Well, young man and gorgeous looking girls...On behalf of the sponsor, you would have the option to fight in unarmed combat or weapon combat.”
“How do you know we like to fight weapons may I ask?” asked Andy sounding stern and strict and Anna herself replies in a sweet alluring tone.
“Oh, we have our sources...Andy Zhang.”
“Right, whatever.”
“So, your choice...Weapons or no weapons?”
“Well...”
Andy thought about this for a moment as Michelle quickly answers for him in his place.
“Yes...With weapons.”
“Good.”
“Me too.” replied Ivy with a smile.
“Excellent...Andy Zhang. What about you?”
“Well, of course...Weapons it is.”
“Good...The rules remain the same but with only some changes.”
“Some changes?”
“Yes...Whoever is disarmed loses the round.”
“Okay...What happens if one of us is injured?”
“No need to worry...We have medics to take care of it.”
“Good.”
“Well, ciao.”
Anna then heads off the fighting area as the two Jack 4s step forward and spoke to Andy and the girl twins in their robotic tone of voice.
“Please choose your weapon.”
“Well, I think um...”
“Andy.”
“Yes, Michelle?”
“I think ladies go first.”
“Oh, yes...You are absolutely right. My bad.”
“Good...Ivy?”
“Thanks, sis.”
Ivy makes her choice and chooses a Chinese style sword that dates back to the ones used in the Boxer Rebellion.
“I like this sword.”
Michelle was next to choose as she picks a katana, a weapon she feels most comfortable with. She unsheathes her weapon to see if it was up to his satisfaction.
“This blade is all right.”
Finally, Andy gets to choose something he likes to wield, a spear made of solid steel and the pointed blade itself could puncture through brick walls and such.
“Now this is what I am talking about!”
Andy wield his weapon like it was part of him as Lee announces the third match of the ‘Round Robin’ round to commence.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen...Let the third match of the ‘Round Robin’ round begin as we shuffle our three gracious upstanding fighters!”
The shuffle for Andy, Michelle and Ivy begins with the three of them nervously watching as Ivy feels very concern that either one is bad news for her. Michelle glances down at her twin sister’s hand as it was shaking slightly and instantly she knew she was feeling quite anxious not to mention all tense up on the inside.
“Hey, Ivy.”
“Yes, sis?”
“You nervous?”
“Of course...Aren’t you?”
“Certainly.”
“But you are not...”
“I am better at hiding it.”
“I see.”
Suddenly, the shuffling stops and Andy, Michelle and Ivy glances up to see that the first match would be Andy versus Ivy as Andy was pumped up for some hot action.
“Okay, I am feeling on fire!”
Andy was feeling overjoyed while Ivy was feeling just the opposite as her feet were shaking.
“Oh, man...This is not coming true.”
“You can do it, Ivy.”
“You sure, sis?”
“I am sure....Go.”
Ivy along with Andy gets to opposite sides of the fighting stage as it was changed slightly filled with a few blossom trees while Michelle takes a seat down nearby. She kind of likes the stage has changed as it reminds her of Japan and where her mistress resides.
“I wonder...How did they change the stage so quickly?”
Andy and Ivy look at each other right in the eyes as Andy glares at Ivy with his confident eyes against her timid and rather doubtful ones.
“You ready, Ivy?”
“No...You?”
“Hardly.”
“Well, prepare yourself then.”
“Same to you.”
Eventually, the timer underneath where Kazuya was sitting begins to count down from 60 seconds with Andy and Ivy holding their weapons at the ready and in the next split second, both combatants lunge at each other with the first blow with the crowd cheering loudly. Michelle observes as her twin sister, Ivy was moving on the defensive blocking every block made by the fierce Andy as Michelle could sense fear in her.
“Come on, Ivy...Do not let your fear control you.”
Ivy somehow could hear and feel what Michelle was saying to her as twins sometimes could telepathically communicate with each other. Ivy understood of what Michelle was trying to tell her that she cannot let her own fear control her.
“Thanks, sis...I cannot let my fear control me.”
Andy drives Ivy to the edge with the crowd all watching in astonishment that the match looks like would soon be over. Samuel, Joey and the others were too astonished as knowing how Andy loves a good fight and the way he still dislike girls but not all of them.
“Andy’s really pushing Ivy to the limit.”
“Well, he is like that, Joey.”
Sophie watches in silence as she knows Ivy can hang in there and that Andy would know that doubting girls who are supposedly strong is a bad idea. The other students and those from class B rooted loudly for Ivy.
“Come on, Ivy...You can do it!”
“Show what you are made of!”
“You have potential!”
With Xiaoyu, Miharu and Natsu’s encouragement a flaming spark ignites from Ivy’s soul and she then leaps up high into the air right over Andy as he attempts to lunge his spear forward hoping to disarm her.
“What the...”
Caught by a moment of surprise, Ivy moves on the offensive striking several fast speedy blows, which Andy had to block with some surprising skill. The crowd cheers as in the assembly area both Raven and Yoshimitsu observe the watch carefully.
“That young girl has potential.”
“It would appear so, my friend Raven.”
“I take it you help trained her up?”
“You guess correctly.” replied Yoshimitsu in his mystic voice.
“Well, let’s find out who will win.”
The clock was counting down as both opponents spar with each other quite well and in the end it was a draw with everyone astonished of the outcome.
“A draw?”
“Yes, it would appear so.”
Lee was pleased as he announces the match a draw and both fighters have earned one point each.
“What a good match, ladies and gentlemen...One point to each!”
Both Andy and Ivy took a small breather as Kazuya knew this match would soon get better as it progresses.
“Well, I always like a good sword fight.”
Ivy and Andy both rests up as Ivy sat in the seat next to Michelle as she was quite proud of her.
“You did well, Ivy.”
“Thanks, sis...I guess I feel fired up all of a sudden.”
“I know.”
“So, I think I could win this.”
“Good.”
Andy sat at the opposite end as Michael, Chris and Ross tend to him by giving him some water and a towel to wipe off his sweat from his forehead.
“You did good, Andy.”
“Thanks, Mike...Boy, that was quite a workout.”
“Yes...Word of advice, Andy. Never let your guard down.”
“I will bear that in mind, Chris...Trust me.”
“Very well.”
“Always keep a calm mind, Andy...Recklessness can lead to faults.”
“Thanks, Ross.”
Sure enough, the second round of the match between Andy Zhang and Ivy Lau commences as both fighters armed with their weapons prepare to fight again. Samuel, Joey and those of both class A and B watch with tension in their minds.
“Well, here we go again.”
“Let’s see who will win this.”
“I wager it would be Andy.”
“You are deciding out of pure instinct or something else, Sam?”
“Pure instinct, Joey.”
“Right.”
Sean along with Chris and Patricia were talking to each other about who might win the second round and quite possibly the whole match itself.
“Chris, Pat.”
“Yes, Sean?” asked both Chris and Patricia looking at Sean.
“Tell me in your humble and honest opinions...Who might win this round?”
“And the match, Sean?”
“Yes, Chris.”
“Well, I think Andy would win.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, he has exceptionally stamina, skill and strength and as for Ivy...She too possess most of it and however she attacks aggressively when she gets desperate often tiring her out.”
“Yes, Chris...I observe it as well during the first round myself too.”
“Indeed, Pat.”
“Well, let us that both would come out all right.”
“Me too.”
“Me three.”
Andy and Ivy looks at each other and this time both were looking quite confident.
“You look better than before, Ivy.”
“Yeah, I am pumped.”
“Good...I am pumped too.”
“May the best man win.”
The timer once again counts down from 60 seconds and the second round match begins with Andy and Ivy sparring each other with their weapons. The crowd cheers loudly as both combatants went toe to toe with each other. Andy focuses on his heavy and aggressive attacks hoping to disarm Ivy and defeat her but Ivy pushes back Andy with her own aggressive attacks, which makes the match more even. Samuel and the others watched with tension as they don’t know whom might win. Michelle was watching too as she tells Ivy telepathically to not let her anger and aggression get the better of her.
“Ivy, don’t let your anger get to you.”
Ivy hears Michelle and does exactly what she said.
“I hear you, sis.”
Ivy does her best to combat Andy without letting the anger get to her and it was effectively but it was temporary as Andy pushes with his aggressive attacks and forcing Ivy back to the edge once more.
“Now I have got you.”
Ivy was not in despair as she is not about to give up just yet and lunges back at Andy with her weapon as this force him back allowing Ivy to continue moving on the offensive. The battle continues with only thirty seconds and less left on the clock and while Ivy was distracted by how much time left Andy use that to his advantage and got the better of her by disarming her with a swift and fast maneuver. This of course signals the end of the second round and Andy’s victory as he raises his weapon and looked quite pleased with himself.
“All right!”
“Well, ladies and gentlemen...” began Lee speaking in his charming voice through the P.A. “Andy Zhang has won the second round...He is on fire and on a winning streak! For Ivy Lau if she wants to keep going she will have to win the next round to tie with Andy Zhang’s score...Can she do it, people?!”
Andy heads back to his corner for rest as Michael, Chris and Ross help to tend to him once more.
“Nice going, Andy.”
“You did well.”
“Thanks, Mike...Chris.”
“Well, feel confident now, Andy?”
“Sure I am, Ross...I can do this.”
“That’s good...Just keep a steady head.”
“Of course.”
“And try not to hurt Ivy...If you know what I mean.”
“Of course, Mike...I won’t.”
“Good...I hate to see her and the girls upset.”
“Come on, Chris...It is only a tournament.”
“I know.”
Ivy was starting to feel she cannot win but Michelle reassures her that she would be okay and reminds her to not let the clock distract her.
“I don’t think I could win this, sis.”
“You can, Ivy...Just be confident in yourself.”
“Well...All right. I will try again.”
“And this time...Do not let the clock distract you, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Just focus on the battle.”
“Of course...Andrew Zhang. You are going to get it.”
Sure enough, Andy and Ivy get back into the fighting stage and prepare to fight again as both warriors stand ready face to face and then move to attack once the clock starts ticking. Michelle watches as Ivy getting more confident and manages to catch Andy off guard nearly disarming him. However, Andy in a desperate and cunning attempt to not allow himself to be beaten swiftly punches Ivy in the stomach as it stop her dead in her tracks and Andy quickly disarms her weapon as he sends it flying out of the stage and lands right in a corner next to some G Corp security soldiers.
“That’s it, folks...Andy Zhang is the winner!”
Ivy sobs with falling to her knees as Andy raises his arms and praising the audience for cheering him. He eventually forgot all about Ivy who was crying as Michael, Chris and Ross were not too comfortable with it.
“He’s done it now.”
“Yes, Mike...Ivy is upset and...”
“And I think Michelle is going to be...”
“Pissed?”
“In a way, Mike.”
The girls of both classes were not happy as this made Xiaoyu scowl at Andy for being a bully.
“Andy Zhang, you are a bully! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!”
Miharu scowls at him too as she and Ivy were good friends.
“You will regret what you have done!”
Andy sits back in his seat while his friends tend to him like before and Andy expecting them to congratulate him for his victory was quite astonished when Michael, Chris and Ross warned him of the upcoming match with Michelle.
“You see that, guys...I sure show Ivy that I am not a man to be taken lightly!”
“Yes, you did well, Andy. However...”
“However what, Mike?”
“However, you are really paying for it now.”
“Paying for what?”
“Michelle has a score to settle.”
“A score to settle, Chris? You really think she could take me?”
“I don’t know...Something tells me that she just might.”
“Oh, you worry too much, Chris...The only woman to have beaten in swordplay is my master and nobody else.”
“Yes, but do not get too confident with yourself.”
“Trust me, Chris...I will be fine.”
“Don’t get cocky, Andy...Remember this, overconfidence is the most dangerous form of carelessness.”
“Well, all right...Thanks for the pep talk.”
At that moment, Ivy was weeping in Michelle’s arms as Michelle does her best to comfort her twin sister as Xiaoyu and Miharu also gave their full support of comfort.
“I cannot believe he beat me!”
Ivy sobs as Michelle pats her gently on her head.
“You did well, Ivy. You did really well and I am proud of you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Xiaoyu and Miharu also compliment of Ivy’s skill in battle.
“You fought like a warrior, Ivy...Maybe someday you could teach me a thing or two about swordplay.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Yes, me too.”
“Sure, Miharu.”
“And perhaps I could help with your training.”
“You would, Michelle?”
“Yes...Maybe you both could meet my master.”
“Your master?”
“Yes...You will learn a lot from her provided that you have the desire to learn and walk the path of the warrior.”
“Uh, that sounds very interesting.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I guess it is time.”
Lee Chaolan then announces via the microphone that the next match of group three of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds will begin immediately.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen...The next match of group three of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds will begin. Andy Zhang versus Michelle Lau...Just who will win, folks? The young man or the young girl?!”
Andy was pumped and ready to fight again as he grabs his weapon with Michael giving him the last of the bottled water.
“Here’s the last of the water.”
“Thanks, Mike...Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Andy.”
Andy steps back to the fighting stage with his weapon in hand. The crowd cheers loudly for him as Kazuya too takes an interest in Andy himself.
“This kid’s got some good skill.”
Alex from where he was praised Andy for doing quite well.
“Nice going, Andy.”
Andy comes face to face with Michelle who was wielding her weapon, a katana in hand as she stares at Andy with determined eyes. Mike, Chris and Ross all wonder whom might win the match.
“Well, it’s Andy against Michelle.”
“I have a feeling this match would be interesting, Mike.”
“Yes, Chris...I agree.”
“In your opinion, Ross...Would Andy be able to beat Michelle?”
“We will soon find out.”
Andy and Michelle were ready as the timer starts ticking with Andy making his first move as he lunges at Michelle with his spear whom parries his blows with little difficulty. Andy then uses quick speed attacks at Michelle and she calmly defends herself with her katana. Mike, Chris and Ross notice that Michelle’s style of swordplay is quite different to that of Ivy’s.
“Hmm...The way Michelle fights is different than Ivy.”
“She is more cautious.”
“Yes, Chris...She focuses on the defensive and something tells me she has a trick up her sleeve.”
“A gut feeling, Ross?”
“That’s right, Chris.”
The fight continues with Andy unable to find an opening to penetrate through Michelle’s careful defense. This frustrates Andy as Michelle taunts him of being too overconfident.
“Are you being too confident, Andy?”
“Never, Michelle...If I could beat the likes of Ivy then I could easily beat you as well.”
“Don’t get cocky.”
Michelle deliberately wears Andy down bit by bit as time goes by with her and Andy scoring a tie in the first two rounds and the final match will determine the victor. The boys, girls and teachers of the school watches closely at the final round between Michelle and Andy. Andy was hardly sweating as he still have a lot of energy and stamina in him to fight whereas Michelle was hardly breathing hard at all, which astounds Andy.
“You don’t look tired, Michelle?”
“Hardly...You?”
“Never.”
Xiaoyu, Miharu, Alisa, Natsu and Ivy watches with some tension on their minds as they all have faith that Michelle will win but still have a bit of doubt.
“I reckon Michelle will win this.”
“You think so, Xiaoyu?”
“Yes, Miharu...You have doubts?”
“Um...Kind of.”
“What do you think, Alisa?”
“I for one know Michelle will win.”
“Natsu?
“So do I.”
“Miharu?”
“Well...I know Michelle will pull this off.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Lee Chaolan announces the final round of the match between Andy Zhang and Michelle Lau as he in his charming voice wonders who would win the match.
“Here it is, ladies and gentlemen...The final round match between Andy Zhang and Michelle Lau. Who will win this and go on to the ‘Victory Tournament’? Stay tuned!”
“Ready to fight, Michelle?”
“I am ready...Are you?”
“Ready as I will ever be.”
“Good.”
“Final round...FIGHT!”
The timer then starts ticking after Lee announce the fight to begin as Andy lunges forward with his strong speed attacks as Michelle parries them blow after blow with relative ease. Andy frustrated that he couldn’t penetrate through Michelle’s careful defense and his attempt to assault her turns more urgently by the minute.
“Grrr...I will win this.”
The match continues with only thirty seconds left and Lee announces that if it is a draw again then both fighters will have to fight a ‘sudden death’ match to advance forward.
“Well, folks...It would appear that both fighters are still going toe to toe with each other. However, if both of them score a draw again then they will have to fight the ‘sudden death’ rounds!”
The crowd cheers loudly as Michelle decide to end this as she then leaps back to the edge of the fighting arena and holds her katana in a ready position with her and Andy taking some deep breaths.
“Let’s end this, Andy.”
“My thoughts exactly, Michelle.”
“Come then!”
Andy shows a confident smirk on his face as the crowd and all the fighters in the assembly area get a slight tension as knowing one would come out as the victor. Would it be Andy or Michelle? Shirley tells Sophie that she wonders whom would win the match.
“Sophie.”
“Yes, Shirley?”
“Who do you think it’s going to win?”
“Honestly?”
“Yes, honestly.”
“Well, it would be Michelle.”
“Hmm...I reckon so too.”
“Indeed.”
“Say, you don’t look the least bit worried.”
“About?”
“About Alex?”
“Well, yes...I am worried about him.”
“Funny though...You are not showing it.”
“Well, I am just better at hiding it.”
“Tell me about it...You are always this calm and collected. Sometimes I can’t tell what your mind is thinking.”
“I envy you, Shirley.”
“Yeah.”
Andy then with a loud battle cry lunges forward with his spear at top speed straight towards Michelle who remains calm and collected much like the way Sophie was talking with Shirley earlier.
“It is the end, Michelle! Take this!”
Andy makes a fast and deadly lightning speed strike as Michelle waited until the last moment and she in the blink of an eye makes a swift counter attack and disarms Andy sending his spear flying out of his hand and lands just a few yards on the ground away from him with Michelle pointing her katana at Andy’s throat. Andy was in shock as he cannot believe that for someone like Michelle could beat him in a one-on-one duel.
“Im...Impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible, Andy.”
“I cannot believe that I lost.”
Lee announces the victor of the match as everyone was quite pleased with the outcome of the match itself.
“Michelle Lau is the winner and will advance onward to the ‘Victory Tournament’!”
The boys of the class were quite bewildered of the outcome big time as they cannot believe someone like Andy could lose.
“It is remarkable if you ask me.” replied Sean who was inspired by Michelle’s ability to defeat Andy as were Chris, Michael, Ross and few others.
“She came through well.”
“Indeed.”
“Most impressive.”
Additionally, the girls were pleased with Michelle’s performance as were Xiaoyu, Miharu and others of class B.
“She did well.”
“She kicked ass.”
“Yeah!”
“Way the go, Michelle.”
At that moment, in the area of ‘MPGA’ where General Alcazar was along with Ernest, Adrian, John, Kathy and other students whom didn’t pass the first ‘Athlete Screening Rounds’ were astonished of the outcome with most pleased with Michelle’s skill while some like Ernest, Adrian and John were most disappointed of the outcome itself as they cannot believe Andy would lose to someone like Michelle.
“How could....Damn!”
“It’s intolerable!”
“Outrageous! How could someone like Michelle defeat Andy?! Grrr...How could he let a girl like her win?!”
Kathy puts them in their place by scowling them sternly to show respect to Michelle as she fought well and defeated Andy fair and square.
“You three ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Michelle defeated him in fair combat!”
All three fell silent as Kathy also reminds them to watch what they say.
“Remember to show us girl fighters respect just as we do the same for you.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Sorry.”
“My bad.”
Alcazar nods in agreement as he too agrees that it is not a good idea to look down upon other people especially if they are your fellow classmates.
“Kathy is right...Don’t look down on other people especially if you know them well.”
“Sorry, general.”
“Sorry, sir.”
“My bad, sir.”
“Good...Now shall we watch the rest of the matches?”
“AYE!” replied all three together as do Kathy and the others like Susan, Ken, Jenny, Kevin, Patroklos and Xiba all nodded in agreement. Kazuya applaud his hands for Michelle’s victory as he takes a certain liking to her.
“Hmm...You possess remarkable skill with a sword, Michelle Lau. Well done.”
Michelle proudly makes her way off the arena where she meets with Ivy, Xiaoyu, Miharu and Alisa as they all jumped with joy and excitement.
“You did great, sis.”
“Yes, totally wonderful.”
“Amazing.”
“Spectacular.”
“Thanks everyone.”
“Hey, Michelle.”
Michelle glances back and sees Andy heading towards him as Ivy of course stares at him with a fierce look.
“What do you want?”
“Well, I just want to say...It was wonderful to fight such a worthy opponent like you, Michelle.”
“Is that right?”
Michelle still holds her weapon in hand and points it at Andy’s throat as Ivy smirks at him.
“You know it is not nice to mock us girl swordsmen.”
“I am sorry...I should not have doubted your abilities.”
“That’s good to know, Andy.”
Michelle lowers her weapon and eventually walks up to Andy and out of the blue she gives him a kiss on his left cheek as the crowd and everyone else were literally stunned and speechless. Lee Chaolan amusing announces that Michelle and Andy have fallen in love as Ivy literally scowls at him for muttering such nonsense.
“Look at this, everyone...Michelle Lau is giving a sweet kiss to Andy Zhang as a sign of confession of love!”
“Hey, you! Mind your own business!”
Lee fell silent as the crowd laughs out loud as Andy asks Michelle curiously of why did she just do that.
“Why did you just do that?”
“That was for apologizing.”
“Oh...I see.”
Ivy strolls up straight to Andy and kisses him on the right cheek and he too curiously asks what Ivy did that.
“And that’s for...”
“Cutting us some slack, Andrew Zhang.”
“Uh, right.”
“Well, hopefully you would consider us joining in your club.”
“Yeah, you heard my sister, Andy Zhang...Hopefully this time you would consider us.”
“I will have a think about it.”
“Glad to know.”
Michelle and Ivy walks off to the ‘MPGA’ area as Alcazar and others compliment on Michelle’s win.
“Well done, Michelle.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Yeah, you did great.”
“Thanks, Kathy.”
“Go and get some rest.”
“Yes, general.”
“Let’s go, sis.”
Michelle and Ivy head off together as Andy meets with Alcazar and the others.
“General, guys.”
“Andy, you fought well out there.”
“I did, general...I never expect I would lose.”
“Losing is not a total loss...It just gives you perspective that to train better and have learnt never to underestimate your opponent.”
“I understand perfectly, sir.”
“I sure you will, Andy...Go and get some rest.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Andy hands his weapon back to the Jack 4 robots at the entrance to the change rooms just as Michelle and Ivy did.
Meanwhile, Lee announces that the 4th group match of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds will soon commence in five minutes as the stage changes slightly to a standard fighting arena. After five minutes, he announces the 4th group of fighters to step out onto the stage by announcing their names.
“Ladies and gentlemen...These fights just keep getting better and now let me announce the upstanding and strong fighters of the third group that will fight in the ‘Round Robin’ rounds. Pay attention to the screens if you please!”
The large televisions then shows the next three fighters of group three and first up was Michael Mendez as Michael himself was pleased that he finally gets to opportunity to fight.
“Well, here’s the moment that I have been waiting for.”
Michael was pumped for action with him doing some exercise stretches while he was in his blue dancing costume. Afterwards, all the remaining fighters see that the next person up was Patricia Wong as Patricia was quite stunned herself that she would have to fight the one person she cares about.
“Oh, well...That’s just the way things are.”
“No need to worry, Pat...We will do our best out there.”
“Of course, Mike.”
“And no hard feelings then...I will buy you a round if you beat me.”
“Sure...That would mean I would do the same for you, yes?”
“Precisely.”
Samuel, Joey, Sophie and others all wish them all the best and then things started to look interesting as the third fighter of the group has be revealed to be none other than Sergei Dragunov. Michael and Patricia sees the silent and deadly fighter knowing he would be tough to face but what they don’t know was that he was the person who help with kidnapping Alex.
“That’s the guy, Pat.”
“I see him too, Mike...He just has a cold heart and one of those recognizable faces.”
“Well, he will be tough I am sure...So, let’s be careful out there if one of us is going to face him.”
“Of course.”
Lee kindly tells the three selected to step forward into the fighting arena and Dragunov was the first one to head out there and when both Michael and Patricia prepare to head out as well someone puts his hands on each of their shoulders as both Michael and Patricia quickly glances back to see whom it was.
“What the...”
“Hey, what...”
“There’s nothing to worry about...It’s me.”
“And you are?”
“I am Raven...You must be Michael and Patricia.”
“Uh, yes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, just a tip of advice...Dragunov is a deadly fighter and he specializes in the technique known as ‘Combot Sambo’.”
“Combot Sambo?”
“Yes, it’s a very dangerous fighting technique...Word of advice do your best to avoid his attacks.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Yes, thanks.”
“Anytime...But please there’s no need to be so formal. You can just call me ‘Raven’.”
“Sure...Thanks again, Raven.”
“Good luck.”
“Ready, Pat?”
“Ready as I will ever be, Mike.”
“Right...Let’s do this.”
Michael and Patricia heads to the stage and line up next to Dragunov himself who just glares at them with a cold look, which makes Patricia feel most comfortable.
“That look in his eyes...”
“What are you saying, Pat?”
“That look in his eyes...They are so cold and merciless from the looks of it.”
“Hmm...I think you are right...It creeps me out too.”
“Indeed.”
Lee then announces the shuffling of the fighters has completed and it was sorted that Michael will be the first to fight against Patricia making them both feel most staggered.
“Looks like it is fate.”
“So, it would seem, Pat.”
“Ladies and gentlemen...We introduce the fourth match of the Round Robin. Michael Mendez and Patricia Wong...Fighters please come to the stage!”
The two fighters then head to the fighting stage together as all the students of class A and B rooted for both of them as this made them both feel much more comfortable.
“Well, look on the bright side...Our classmates and friends are cheering for both of us.”
“Indeed, Mike. Shall we?”
“Of course.”
Both of them get to one side of the fighting stage as Dragunov takes a seat nearby and the timer resets to 60 seconds as Lee then announces the match to begin.
“Let’s rock and roll...FIGHT!”
Both Michael and Patricia paid their respects to each other and afterwards they both quickly launch their ‘Hadouken’ attack at one other and the result was a tie with both energy balls dissolved as Michael moves in with his normal kick attacks as Patricia promptly dodges them with the crowd cheering for both of them as Sophie and Shirley watches that Pat is faster in terms of speed.
“She is fast, isn’t she, Sophie?”
“She is, Shirley.”
“Yeah, I just know Pat could do it.”
Patricia then promptly returns the attack using her ‘Rolling Hurricane Kick’ as Michael quickly defends himself from the blow. Both Michael and Patricia were using the art of ‘Ansatuken’ as they were taught by their respective masters, Ryu and Ken Masters with Ryu teaching Michael the aspects of strength and power whilst Ken taught Patricia the aspects of agility and speed but overall they taught their apprentices their fighting style, which was relatively the same with some minor differences. The match continues with both using the same techniques and although Michael was hit twice by Patricia’s ‘Shoryuken’ he was unfazed and counters with his own.
“Watch my one, Pat...Shoryuken!”
Michael’s blow was strong as it hurt Patricia’s chin and she quickly back flips and lands back on her two feet safe and sound but still winces at her chin as there was a slight bruise on it.
“Well, not bad at all, Mike.”
“Sorry...Shall we continue?”
“My pleasure.”
Michael and Patricia continues to go head to head with the crowd watching every move they make and even Kazuya was most taken in by their ability to fight so well.
“Hmm...These two surely possess remarkable skill in combat.”
For the first two rounds, both Michael and Patricia have won a round each and now the final round will determine the victor as both wish the each other all the best.
“Best of luck.”
“Same to you.”
“Okay, folks...This round will determine who will move on...FIGHT!”
Once Lee made his announcement both Michael and Patricia lunge at each other with normal punches and kicks as both were going totally head to head with one another. The fight continues with only thirty seconds left to go as Michael prepares to end the match with one of his desperation moves.
“Time to finish this, Patricia!”
Patricia quickly puts up her guard as she had a hunch of what Michael was going to use against her.
“Well, I have a feeling I know what Michael is going to use against me.”
Michael then takes his arms back and in his hands he conjures up very powerful levels of chi energy as they were in blue colour and this made Patricia realize of just what Michael was going to use against her.
“Oh no...He’s going to use the ‘Shinkuu Hadouken’ against me.”
“Here it comes...SHINKUU HADOUKEN!”
Michael then unleashes a much more powerful ‘Hadouken’ attack and was heading right for Patricia who remains very still and at the very last moment she does a ‘Shundo’ maneuver and surprisingly get right in front of Michael himself standing less than half a feet away. This quick maneuver captures Michael off guard as Patricia shows a small smile on her face and announces that it was her turn to show off.
“Nice one, Mickey-boy...However, it’s my turn!”
Patricia with all the strength she could muster strikes a powerful blow at Michael’s chin as the fist she used to strike Michael with was surrounded by yellow chi power.
“Watch my desperation attack...SHIN RYU KEN!”
Patricia strikes a desperation version of ‘Shoryuken’ attack that sends Michael high into the air of about ten feet before he falls back to the ground and temporary out cold. Patricia then goes to see Michael to check if he was still okay.
“Michael, you okay?”
Michael wakes up and was all right much to her relief.
“That was an awesome fight, Pat.”
“You did well, too.”
“Yes...That ‘Shundo’ move...”
“What about it?”
“When did you learn that?”
“Oh, from Shirley.”
“Perhaps you could teach it to me one time.”
“Count on it.”
“Anyway, Pat...Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
Patricia extends out her hand and helps Michael to his feet as the crowd and their fellow friends, classmates and teachers gave them a big cheer. Lee even praises for Patricia’s victory and even Kazuya clapped his hands together.
“Well done, Patricia Wong...You will be advancing to the next match to fight with Sergei Dragunov!”
“Most impressive skills you possess, Patricia...Most impressive.”
Patricia sits down in the sitting area with Anna and Veronica as well as both Shirley and Sophie tending to her and compliment on her win.
“Well done, Patricia...Here, have some water.”
“Thanks, Anna.”
“You fight well.”
“Thanks, Veronica.”
“Hey, that’s the spirit, Pat...Nice move there. That ‘Shundo’ maneuver.”
“Well, you taught me that, Shirley.”
“Well, I learnt it from Sophie.”
“You did?”
Patricia glances from Shirley to Sophie who nods her head indicating Shirley was telling the truth.
“I see.”
“Keep your wits about you, Pat...Your next opponent would be quite challenging.”
“I will bear that in mind.”
Patricia cools off as she could see Dragunov has done nothing but stare at her, which eventually makes her feel most uncomfortable. Sophie knows that something is bothering her.
“Something is bothering you, yes?”
“Yes, Sophie...That Dragunov guy. I can sense his heart is as cold as his personality.”
“Well, I feel it too...Be extra careful.”
“I will.”
After fifteen minutes of good rest, the announcer, Lee Chaolan then announces the fight match between Patricia and Dragunov to commence.
“Ladies and gentlemen...Let us commence with the next match of the 4th group. Patricia Wong against Sergei Dragunov!”
The crowd cheered as Dragunov heads to the fighting stage wearing his full brown Russian Soviet military uniform as he likes to wear it at all times even during a fight. Patricia takes a deep breath and heads out to the stage as well with her friends cheering for her and wishing her best of luck.
“Good luck, Pat!”
“Good luck!”
“Thanks, girls.”
Sure enough, Patricia found herself face to face with the silent and cold Sergei Dragunov as he glares at her like a predator stalking his prey. Patricia however decides to get her act together and keep her wits about her like Sophie had said.
“I am not afraid of you...Prepare yourself.”
“...”
“Are you ready to fight me?”
Dragunov eventually replies but keeps it short as he often likes to let his deadly actions do the talking.
“I am ready.”
“Good.”
“Okay, folks...Let this daring match begin!”
Once Lee announces the start of the match, Dragunov strikes first as Patricia barely manages to block the blow but then he grabs her by the wrist and throws her down to the ground in a Judo and Aikido kind of way. With Patricia on the ground, Dragunov attempts to stomp her down but Patricia manages to get back up and manages to evade the attack with the crowd cheering loudly for Patricia as they know she could do it.
“That was some move, Sophie.”
“Yes...Combat Sambo, Shirley. Very deadly.”
“I read about it...It’s a technique that makes your bones crack and muscles sore.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I just hope Pat could handle him.”
“She will...I know.”
Patricia lunges at Dragunov with several quick blows as she manage to score some hits on him but not before he returns the favour by grabbing her at a close range and does a combo punch to the face twice follow by a knee attack striking her stomach and finishes off with a blow to the head knocking her to the ground.
“Oh no.”
“She’s going to okay, Mike?”
“I think so...That Dragunov guy sure is tough.”
“Yeah...A tough nut to crack if you ask me.”
Patricia struggles to get back on her feet and when she does Dragunov does the favour of using another deadly technique of his and causes Patricia’s bones to crack at where her legs were located as she grunted in pain but did not scream out loud as she endures it. The fight was looking grim for Patricia as Dragunov with a decisive and fast blow knocks Patricia down and at the same time the blow caused her top to tear apart showing her black bra and belly button. The crowd grasped and were bewildered of what just transpired. Sophie and the other girls with her (Those have not yet fight) helps Patricia and sees her down to make sure she is okay.
“Pat, you okay?”
“I am fine, Sophie.”
“Boy, that was some beating you took.”
“I’ve had worse, Shirley.”
Anna and Veronica both offer their condolences to her trying their best to cheer her up.
“I just hope you will be all right. I mean, I know you can do it, Pat...I know you can.”
“Thanks, Anna.”
“Me too.”
“Veronica.”
“So, you sure you don’t need to change?”
“No...I am fine...I am going to teach that guy a lesson in manners of what it means not to mess with a girl’s combat outfit.”
“That’s the spirit. Go get him, Pat.”
“Thanks, Shirley.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks, Sophie.”
Patricia was pumped up for some more fighting as Lee Chaolan announces round two of the match between her and Sergei Dragunov and despite losing her top part of the outfit and exposing her black bra she was all fired up and ready to fight Dragunov as he smirks as he likes to fight a worthy challenger.
“All right, folks...” began Lee speaking in his charming voice with the crowd all drawn into the beginning of more action. “Who will win this round? Would it be Patricia Wong or Sergei Dragunov?!”
Patricia gets in her fighting stance as Dragunov does the same and Lee announces the match to begin.
“Now let the match begin!”
Patricia lunges at Dragunov who responds by leaping backwards as the two fight each other out with all the strength and skill they have. The crowd cheers loudly with Shirley and the other girls and boys even teachers rooting for her giving her a boost of confidence and determination. Patricia eventually gains the upper hand in this round by striking numerous kicks into Dragunov at a close range and she finishes with a strong ‘Shoryuken’ punch sending him down to the ground.
“Got you.”
The crowd cheers as Patricia has won the second round meaning the final round will determine who will advance to the ‘Victory Tournament’ itself as the final 16 fighters. Patricia was getting pumped up and knows that her opponent would make it as difficult as possible for her to fight but she is confident she can overcome him.
“Okay, Dragunov...Nothing would stop me from advancing to the final matches.”
Dragunov just smirks and quite coolly too with him remaining as calm and collected as ever.
“...”
“I will beat you.”
“We will see.” he replied calmly as the match for the final round begins.
“This match is bound to be spectacular...FIGHT!”
Once Lee announces the round to commence both fighters square off at each other with their finest blows as it was a titanic battle and Patricia manages to gain the upper hand but barely since Dragunov manages to score several critical blows on her including several lethal ‘Combat Sambo’ maneuvers. Patricia was hurting quite bad but she hangs in there and prepares to end the match with one powerful desperation attack that will make Dragunov think twice to take her on.
“It is time to put an end to this.”
Dragunov also plans to end the match too as he then charges in and prepares to make sure Patricia feels the full wrath of his technique.
“Time to finish this.”
Dragunov leaps straight towards Patricia with both legs held out and ready to grab a hold of Patricia’s legs but Patricia once again uses the same ‘Shundo’ maneuver and manages to get right behind him catching Dragunov completely off guard.
“...”
“I will not hold back...” began Patricia as she then do several fast spin kicks at Dragunov and she then follows up with numerous ‘Shoryuken’ attacks as each time she struck Dragunov flower petals came out. Dragunov himself could not fight back as the amount of blows have stunned him and Patricia has no difficulty in delivering the final blow.
“KUZURU REPPA!”
Patricia once again strikes a desperation version of ‘Shoryuken’ attack that sends Dragunov high into the air but this time she does not let go and strikes him higher and higher into the air with the crowd and everyone glancing from down to up watching them go sky high. The television screens then show the abbreviations of knockout: ‘K.O’ as it was clear that Patricia had won the match and in the next split second, Patricia charges back down with Dragunov in toll and slams him right back on the ground hard.
“It’s over!”
Patricia’s outfit toll a bit more as Dragunov lies out cold on the solid ground with medics quickly loading him onto a stretcher and takes him to the infirmary as fast as they can. Patricia takes several deep breaths and cannot believe she won and feels quite proud of herself.
“I cannot believe it...I did it.”
Lee announces charmingly that Patricia is the winner and will join the others who have previously won in the ‘Victory tournament’ itself.
“Patricia Wong is the winner and will advance to the ‘Victory tournament’! Give her a big round of applause, folks!”
The crowd cheers as Patricia strolls off stage and meets up with Michael and Andy who compliment on her win out there.
“You did great, Pat.”
“Thanks, Mike.”
“Hey, you kicked ass.”
“Appreciate it, Andy...Now if you both excuse me I think I might change into something more decent.”
“Of course...By all means.”
“Go right ahead.”
Patricia then heads off to change as Lee then announces the fifth group of fighters with Anna O’Connor being one of them as she was most anxious herself knowing it was finally her turn to fight.
“Well, here goes nothing.”
Anna does some arm and leg stretches as the next fighter of the group was then announced and it was Bryan Fury himself as he cackles that he can finally get the chance to fight.
“It’s about time.”
“Hey, good luck out there, Bryan.”
“Thanks, Paul.”
“Good luck, amigo.”
“Thanks, Miguel.”
Eventually, the third fighter was announced and Bryan was quite pleased with himself that it was none other than the person he greatly despises, Yoshimitsu himself.
“Well, well...Looks like the fates are smiling upon me after all...HA HA HA!”
Bryan cackles loudly again as he gets to fight a beautiful Irish girl and one of the people he hates the most.
“Go and kick their asses, Bryan.”
“I sure will, Paul.”
“Yeah, show them no mercy.”
“No mercy is my middle name, Marshall.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Okay, would the three selected fighters come to the fighting stage...It is time for another ‘excellent’ entertainment to begin!” announced Lee.
Eventually Anna along with Bryan Fury and Yoshimitsu heads to the fighting stage as Anna was in her dashing blue dance costume as Bryan was in pretty much the same fighting attire he wore in the last tournament and Yoshimitsu was nevertheless wearing the same and proud samurai armour with his trusty katana strap to the side of the battle belt.
“Now, folks...Which of the two will go first?”
The shuffling part begins as all three fighters wonder who among them will go first as Bryan glares at Anna with a sly wicked look.
“I am going to have a lot of fun with you.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.”
“Hmm...You are bold, girl. I’ll give you that but do you really think you could best me?”
“Perhaps.”
Bryan grunts as the first match was then decided and it would be Bryan himself against his hated rival, Yoshimitsu.
“Well, consider yourself lucky, girl...You get to watch me do what I do best.”
Bryan and Yoshimitsu heads to the stage as a Jack 4 robot was also present and gives Bryan a choice of melee weapons.
“Please choose a weapon.”
“Hmm...”
Bryan thinks about it and picks a great axe that he sees fit and knowing the great pleasure of destruction it will do for him.
“Yep...This weapon has my name written all over it.”
“Just reminding you, sir...You are to only to disarm the opponent and...”
“I know, I know...I will do it for Kazuya, your boss.”
“Understood.”
The Jack 4 robot walks off the stage with the other weapon that Bryan didn’t selected as he glares at Yoshimitsu with an evil look.
“Time for me to settle the score with you.”
“We will see...I, Yoshimitsu, will begin a new quest of purging the evil of this world!”
“I wouldn’t bet on it!”
“Now, folks...Let the match begin!”
Bryan and Yoshimitsu begins direct assault at each other for the first few seconds as Anna watches closely that Bryan Fury maybe brutal but she knows how to fight.
“That Bryan maybe crazy but he is a tough fighter.”
She also notices that Yoshimitsu was no pushover either as she knew that he was a true samurai warrior whose skills are without equal but she wonders would Bryan Fury be able to beat him.
“Yoshimitsu is strong too and a true samurai but I wonder if he could best that Bryan Fury?”
Literally, after three rounds of brutal fighting, Bryan Fury takes the victory as in the first round he narrowly lost to Yoshimitsu but Bryan then made a comeback and shows his ugly side by pounding Yoshimitsu into submission and thus getting his desirable revenge.
“Ha ha! Looks like you are now beneath my feet...LOSER!”
Bryan cackles and laughs with Paul, Miguel and Marshall throwing a big cheer for him for his victory.
“YEAH! YOU ARE THE MAN, BRYAN!”
“Way the go, amigo!”
“You sure show him, Bryan!”
Anna feels a little tense and nervous now that she would go up against the powerful and brutal Bryan Fury.
“Well, I guess I will have to fight him after all.”
After fifteen minutes of rest for Bryan, Lee Chaolan announces the next match to begin as he announces the next fighter to fight against Bryan Fury himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen...Let us welcome to the fighting ring, newcomer Anna O’Connor! Would she have what it takes to face the almighty Bryan Fury?! Let’s find out!”
Anna stood face to face with her opponent as she sees Bryan was staring at her right in the eyes.
“I am going to have a lot of fun with you, babe!”
“Don’t count on it...Scumbag.”
“Grrr...You will regret those words of yours.”
“Now...FIGHT!”
Bryan charges at Anna as she dodges out of the way and puts up her fists to fight. Bryan grunts and decides to use a fast grapple maneuver and he succeeded in grabbing her by the neck and holding her aloft.
“Ha ha...I am going to have a lot of fun with you!”
Anna struggles at first but Veronica tells her not to give up.
“Don’t give up, Anna...Don’t give up!”
Anna gets a grip and head butts Bryan right in head stunning him and drops her down where she resumes her attack on him by kicking his right knee, which in turn angers him.
“Shall we continue?”
“Of course...I am going to crush you into little pieces!”
Anna and Bryan charges at one another with the crowd watching intensely. Veronica has a word with Sophie about whether Anna could win the match.
“Hey, Sophie.”
“What is it, Veronica?”
“I was just wondering whether Anna can hold her own?”
“She can...I know it.”
“Of course.”
“To be frank with you, Veronica...I feel a little worried for Anna as well.”
“I know...You are a good kind friend, Sophie.”
“Much appreciated it.”
The second round match between Anna and Bryan Fury went on with both fighters going head to head with each other as Anna takes the win and finally, in the last round, Bryan narrowly loses to Anna when she jumps right up and lands on the back of his shoulders where she squeezes him tightly with her powerful and agile legs. Bryan feels the pressure and pain from her legs as he tries to use his cybernetic arms to pull them away but all in vain as it didn’t do him much good.
“Curse you, Anna O’Connor...I won’t forget this.”
“Don’t worry...you won’t.”
Anna finishes off by a Judo and wrestler-like throw that knocks Bryan down to the ground hard and she then promptly gets on top of him and finishes off with numerous punches to the face. Paul, Miguel and Marshall pleads for their friend to get up but it was too late as Anna herself becomes the victor when Bryan was knocked silly.
“Well, well...Here is our winner, folks. Anna O’Connor! Well done on making it to the next stage of the tournament!”
Paul and his two friends were not happy by this one bit as Paul cannot believe that he just saw with his own two eyes.
“How could that beautiful babe get the best of Bryan?”
“You got me, amigo.”
“And you know what was the strangest thing, guys?”
“What, Marshall? What strangest thing?”
“Her outfit didn’t get a single torn nor scratch.”
“Now that you mention it...Yes, it is most strange.”
“I wonder why?”
All three put this into deep thought as Anna herself heads to meet with her fellow classmates and friends in the MPGA stand where they all congratulate on her win. Eventually, Lee then quickly makes the announcement of the 6th match of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds as he was getting most excited himself and quite anxiously waiting for his turn to fight as Kazuya had promised him all in due time.
“Let’s keep the flow going, folks...Allow me to announce the 6th match of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds.”
The crowd throws in a loud cheer with Shirley, Sophie and the remaining boys and girls all paying their utmost attention to the fighter selection television screen.
“Wonder who would be next?”
“We will see find out, won’t we?”
“I guess you are right, Sophie.”
“Hey, Sophie.”
“Yes, Xiaoyu?”
“I just wanted to say um...I think it would be a privilege to face you if we both get selected.”
“Me too, Xiaoyu...The honour is mine.”
Samuel, Ross and Chris have a friendly talk with each other wondering if any of them would be selected next.
“Maybe it’s our turn next...Or maybe one of us.”
“Or all of us.”
“We will soon find out, won’t we, guys?”
“Indeed, Chris.”
“Indeed so.”
Lee then announces the next three fighters sorted on the computer as he announces their names via looking at the computer monitor of the all the sorted groups.
“Here we have the next group of fighters, ladies and gentlemen...Shirley Nguyen!”
“Oh well...I guess it’s my turn.”
“Good luck, Shirley.”
“Thanks, Sophie.”
“Best of luck.”
“Thanks, Veronica.”
Shirley begins making her way to the stage wearing her orange dancing costume as Paul, Miguel and Marshall all gave her a wolf whistle as they both have a taste of sexy women.
“She’s hot, Miguel.”
“I have to agree on that one, amigo.”
“My thoughts exactly, gents.”
“Next fighter is...Bruce Irvin! The famed military commander of G Corporation itself!”
Bruce proudly makes his way to the fighting stage as Kazuya and Anna Williams all clapped their hands together for him.
“Go and make us proud, Bruce.”
“I know he can do it...Don’t you reckon so, Kazuya?”
“Oh, he will, Anna...He will.”
Julia Chang who didn’t make it to the ‘Round Robin’ rounds was now sitting with Alcazar himself.
“Hey, Ramon.”
“Julia, how are you? Glad to see you could join us.”
“Yes, I just cannot believe I didn’t make to the next round.”
“Oh, these kind of things happen, my friend.”
“I would imagine so.”
“Anyway, you ready for the big mission?”
“Of course I am...At least I could settle a score with Kazuya and his evil G Corporation.”
“Glad to hear it...I just discussed a short while ago on the phone with Laszlo.”
“Okay, what about it?”
“That you and Steve will lead the attack together when the time comes.”
“Understood.”
“He will brief you on it as well so no need to worry.”
“Good. I think I will just sit here and enjoy the show.”
“That makes two of us.”
“And finally our last fighter of the group...Lars Alexandersson!”
Lars steps forward wearing his Tekken force battle armour as Kazuya smirks with an evil smile hinting he is quite surprise to see his illegitimate brother making it to the ‘Round Robin’ rounds.
“Well, well...I never thought my illegitimate brother can get this far.”
“Your brother, huh? Seriously, Kazuya...He doesn’t stand a chance against Bruce here.”
“Perhaps...Let’s just see how well he can play.”
“Indeed...If he loses then it would be so disappointing.”
“And amusing too, Anna.”
The shuffling of the three fighters begin and eventually the first pair to fight each other is Shirley herself against Lars and Lee announces it with great charisma in his tone of voice.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen...The first match of the 6th group of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds begins with Shirley Nguyen facing Lars Alexandersson! Who will win this one, folks?!”
Anna curiously asks Kazuya that was it a planned scheme of his to have someone else beat down Lars instead of Bruce.
“Hmm...Kazuya.”
“Yes, Anna, my dear?”
“Is this a part of a...” began Anna as Kazuya winks at her with his right eye indicating it was indeed all part of a scheme and Anna shows an evil grin on her face. “Ah, of course.”
“Exactly...It doesn’t matter who wins.”
“True...Too true.”
Shirley and Lars greeted each other in an orderly fashion.
“Hope you fight well.”
“Same to you.”
“Let the match...Begin!”
The match begins the moment the timer starts ticking and it was really quite a fight as both Shirley and Lars were equally to terms of skill and strength all except that Shirley possess stronger speed abilities and were capable of evading quite a number of Lars’s strong Mishima clan attacks. For the first round, Shirley takes the win and in the second it was a draw between the two meaning the deciding match is set and if Shirley wins she will fight Bruce. However, if Lars wins the match then it would be a tie and both will fight another ‘sudden death’ match to determine the victor. Kazuya observes carefully as he had a hunch on who might be the victor of the match.
“Well, it all comes down to this...Let’s see if you can live up to the family name...Brother.”
Lars was panting as was Shirley but she still has lots of energy left to spare and reminds Lars that she will not go down easy.
“Just remember, Mister Lars...I will not go down that easy.”
Lars actually smiles as this was something that he rarely does and wishes Shirley all the best.
“Glad to hear it...Good luck.”
The final match went like a real rollercoaster ride as Lars decide to end the match with his famous lightning punch as Kazuya had see it before.
“I will show...NO MERCY!”
Lars charges up his attack as his right fist sparks with huge amounts of electricity as he then lunges it at Shirley who quickly evades the attack and strikes back with her strong desperation attack.
“I will give you a lesson in humility.”
Shirley first delivers a three hit-combo right into Lars’s face stunning him and while he was immobilize Shirley then uses her ninja splitting technique and divides herself into three including her ‘real’ self. At best, Shirley could divide herself into a hundred and she is still working on perfecting it completely but knows it would take time. She quickly assaults Lars from three sides with a strong attack and finishes off with an overhead strike so powerful it knocks Lars spark out and in the end, Shirley’s shadows disappear leaving the genuine one standing over the unconscious Lars.
“Well, looks like I win.”
Lee Chaolan then praises Shirley by announcing her win and eventually disgrace Lars for his incompetence, something that would always trouble him.
“Ladies and gentlemen...Our victor for the first match of group six. Congratulations, Shirley Nguyen as you will be moving onto the next round and too bad that the so-called commander of the Tekken force could lose to the likes of an alluring girl.”
The crowd chuckles as this shames Lars as he wakes up and gets back on his feet. Lars still bears a grudge with Lee for betraying him when he did not fulfill his promise to repair Alisa. Shirley compliments him for trying his hardest as this calms Lars down a bit and wishes her all the best and even warn her that Bruce Irvin is a man not to take lightly.
“Uh, Mister...Lars?”
“Yes, Shirley?”
“You did well. I just wanted to say it was an honour to fight you.”
“Well...Same here.”
“Thanks.”
“Good luck to you...And be warned. Bruce Irvin is a man not to be underestimated.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Shirley then sits down and have a bit of rest with her friends complimenting her performance out there.
“You did well out there, Shirley.”
“Thanks, Joey.”
“Remember...This Bruce Irvin is not a foe to be taken lightly.”
“Of course, Veronica...I know.”
Time passes as Shirley was ready to fight against her next opponent with Lee making the announcement of the match.
“Ladies and gentlemen...In this battle it will be Shirley Nguyen against the famed Bruce Irvin...Now who will take the win and advance to the next stage of the tournament?!”
Shirley takes a few short deep breaths as she remains calm and tries not to get her anxiety get the best of her.
“I can do this.”
Bruce meanwhile, was all pumped up for some action as he dons his green G Corp military combat attire and gets into his Muai Thai kick-boxing stance.
“I’m your worst nightmare, Shirley Nguyen.”
“We will see about that, Bruce Irvin.”
“Now let the battle...BEGIN!”
The two fighters charged at each other with their light punch attacks and both manage to hit each other squarely in the face. It was hardly a decisive blow to determine the victor but Shirley then uses her fast and deadly speedy kick attacks. Although they were fast, Bruce was more than able to hold his own as he uses his arms to protect himself from harm. Anna Williams was a little distraught that Bruce is holding back against a newcomer but Kazuya knew Bruce have some sort of battle plan up his sleeve.
“Bruce is holding back...I cannot believe he is beaten back by a newcomer.”
“I don’t think so, Anna.”
“Really?”
“He is just warming up.” replied Kazuya showing a confident smile on his face as Anna too begin to knew that Bruce does have a plan in mind.
“I see.”
Bruce was defending hard against Shirley’s attacks as Sophie and the others observe the match as most thought Bruce couldn’t find an opening but Sophie suspect that Bruce must have a plan up his sleeve.
“Something is not right.”
“Why is that, Sophie?”
“Well, Joey...Can you see the way Shirley makes her attack on Bruce?”
“Yes, I most certainly do.”
“She is fast but Bruce does have the timing to evade her attacks.”
“Yes...It would appear he is chosen to take the damage instead.”
“That’s what worries me...Maybe Bruce is waiting for the right moment to counter.”
“If that is true then Shirley would never see it coming.”
“That’s right.”
Xiaoyu and Miharu overheard what Sophie and Joey were saying to each other as they warned Shirley to be careful.
“Watch yourself, Shirley! Your opponent maybe planning something!”
“Yeah, keep your wits about you!”
Shirley takes into what they say but she knows what she is doing and does not suspect Bruce’s deception yet.
“What’s the matter, Bruce Irvin...Can’t you fight?”
“No...I can fight but just better.”
“Really?”
Shirley then prepares to finish off the round with a powerful blow and at the same time, Bruce evades the attack and counters by slamming his right knee into Shirley’s stomach knocking all the air out of her and finished off with a knuckle blow to the head. Literally, Bruce was the victor of the first round as Kazuya and Anna were both extremely pleased with the outcome.
“He came through, Kazuya.”
“He sure did, Anna.”
Lee announces Bruce’s win as Shirley manages to get back on her feet and slowly hustles to where her friends were.
“You okay, Shirley?”
“Yeah, I am fine, Joey.”
“You look terrible.”
“I know, Cat...I know.”
Xiaoyu and Miharu both show their remorse for Shirley’s defeat.
“It’s too bad for you, Shirley...That you lost.”
“Yeah, we try to warn you but...”
“It’s okay...It’s not your fault it’s just my desire to beat him that had clouded my judgment.”
“We learn from our mistakes, Shirley...During which you will know how to do better.”
“Thanks, Sophie.”
While Shirley feels much more better in her corner, Bruce was tended to by Paul, Miguel and Marshall with all three giving him all their best.
“Not bad for the first round, buddy...Keep it up.”
“Yeah, show them what you are made of, amigo.”
“Not to mention...Putting those ‘kids’ in their place. Honestly, do they really think it would be a walk in the park to beat us?”
“No.” replied both Paul and Miguel with their arms folded.
“Well, what about Bryan, Craig and King’s losses? Those teenagers manage to make them see the stars.”
Bruce has a mutual respect for Sophie and her classmates seeing that their unity and determination can make their worthy opponents.
“Do not be deceive by their looks...I will face my opponent again in the next round and I will fight with her like honourable fighters should.”
“You sure are an honourable man, Bruce.”
“Take that as a compliment from you, Paul.”
“You should.”
Bruce then hears Lee’s announcement of the second round and first he does some stretch exercises before heading back out to the fighting stage.
“Well, round two.”
“Go and get that bitch’s ass, Bruce.”
“You can do it, amigo!”
“Show her who’s the man!”
“I will.”
Bruce heads back to the stage as Shirley also does the same with her friends rooting for her.
“Be careful, Shirley.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
Shirley and Bruce look at each other right in the eyes as both paid their mutual respects to each other once more.
“Please.”
“After you.”
Once again, Shirley and Bruce fight each other out like honourable fighters should and surprisingly Shirley manage to defeat Bruce in the second round although just barely. And into the final round, Shirley and Bruce both were eager to advance onward to the next round of the tournament. However, Bruce sense something was not right but decide to not to let it worry him for now and concentrate on the match itself. The two fight hard for the last round and in the last ten seconds, Shirley literally stood still and allowed herself to be defeated by Bruce as he used a quick and swift blow to the chin knocking her down to the ground. Lee quickly announces the victor as he was quite pleased with the outcome especially Bruce’s victory.
“There you have it, ladies and gentlemen...Bruce Irvin is the winner and will advance onto the next round!”
The crowd put their applause together for Bruce as he was literally quite proud of his achievement. Kazuya and Anna were both most pleased with his victory as Shirley heads to the MPGA area with aid from Kathy and Ivy. Bruce himself manages to catch a glimpse that Shirley smirked despite being defeated and it gave Bruce an idea that Shirley intended to lose on purpose.
“So, Shirley...You in the last few seconds of the final round took a dive and allow me to win. I sense you and your friends have a plan up your sleeve. Well, it doesn’t matter neither way.”
Bruce walks off stage as he compliments the way Shirley had fought and to make the dive very legit indeed.
“You fought well, Shirley Nguyen...You even took a dive in fine style. Perhaps, one day...We will get that chance to fight again.”
Shirley was feeling quite tense and suffered a number of bruises on her face and arms. Susan and Jenny tends to her and see if she was all right.
“You feeling any pain, Shirley?”
“No, Susan...Not really.”
“You sure? Because I have studied first-aid and I can tell you have suffer some bruises or two.”
“Well...I guess there’s no point trying to hide it.”
“We will take care of it. Jenny, would you mind giving me a hand with this?”
“No sweat.”
“Thanks, girls...Much appreciated.”
“Hey...That’s what good friends are for, right?”
“RIGHT!”
Alcazar and Julia observed that despite Shirley had lost she was still upright happy.
“Well, I am glad that things worked out well.”
“Yes, taking a dive like that in the last ten seconds of the final round...You think that Bruce Irvin suspected anything, Ramon?”
“He may have...Bruce is a smart man.”
“I might have known.”
“Anyway, Julia...It doesn’t matter. Let’s just keep our wits about us and enjoy the rest of the tournament.”
“Of course, Ramon...Of course.”
“Now, ladies and gentlemen...” began Lee speaking at first in a high level tone voice and then goes back down to his normal charming tone. “The seventh match of the Round Robin rounds will now commence and let us see who our next three fighters would be?”
As the shuffling begins, Sophie wonders if she was going to be next as Veronica, Joey and many others remaining of the class and those of class B wonder if their time has come. Sophie cannot shake the fact that Alex was still held prisoner by her own evil father. She believes in Alex and her friends that they will rescue him, defeat Kazuya and ultimately, G Corporation itself.
“Hang in there, Alex...We will find you.”
Sure enough, the shuffling ends with three fighters selected and their faces appear on the television screens. Sophie realizes she was up next alongside Marshall Law and Bob Richards. Sophie deep down knew her time would have come eventually.
“Well, here goes nothing.”
“Good luck, Sophie.”
“Thanks, Veronica.”
Marshall Law was more than eager to fight and get even with Sophie for what she did back at his restaurant in Chinatown, Sydney. Sophie herself decided to help Michelle for what he did to her back then. Bob Richards feels the honour of fighting Sophie and too was eager to show that Marshall Law should know the consequences of his bad and evil actions.
“Well, this could be fun.” said Bob to himself looking and admiring Sophie’s beauty and quite muscular body. “She looks truly dashing.”
“Well, would the three fighters step onto the stage?”
On Lee’s charming request, the three step onto the stage with the ground giving them a big cheer as the shuffling of whom is fighting whom begins.
“Sophie Barkman and Marshall Law will fight in the first round! Let’s give them a big hand, folks!”
Bob takes a seat nearby as Sophie and Marshall gets to one side of the fighting stage and promptly put up their fighting stances as Marshall being as cheeky as he often was taunts Sophie that he will get her back for what she did to him in his own restaurant.
“I will get you back for what you did to me back then at my restaurant, Sophie.”
“Same here...This fight is for Michelle and for me.”
“Now...Let this match begin!”
Once the timer starts ticking, Marshall lunges a fast blow strike at Sophie hitting her back Sophie first goes onto the defensive as she first decided to tire Marshall out and when the time comes she would strike back. Marshall continues to strike some powerful blows and kicks with Paul and Miguel cheering for him and to show Sophie who’s the boss.
“Show her who’s boss, Marshall!”
“Kick her ass, amigo!”
Marshall taunts Sophie that Michelle was weak and was literally begging for her when she was captured. This obviously was not the truth but Marshall manipulates the whole situation and hopefully makes Sophie lose her confidence.
“You want to know what happen at the restaurant when I caught your good friend, Michelle? When my guys caught her she begged for her life...Begged like a dog.”
Marshall’s attempt of manipulation fails as it backfires and Sophie moves to attack him with fast and powerful blows and in the next few seconds Marshall was knocked out.
Kazuya was most impressed of Sophie winning the first round as afterwards, Marshall decide to fight against Sophie with physical strength in the next round as Bob remarks that Sophie was indeed strong and could be the one to topple Kazuya and end his long reign of terror.
“Well, Sophie...I know you are fighting not for yourself but for all of us. I know you can bring down Kazuya’s reign of tyranny.”
In the next round, Marshall assumes a careful defense when fighting Sophie after learning the hard way of psychological warfare proves little use against her. He was able to defend her attacks for a short amount of time but in the end, Sophie uses clever tactics and at the right moment, she manages to throw him down to the ground and followed by a double kick attack that resembles like that of Kazuya and Jin. Kazuya in a way was impressed yet again that Sophie lives up to the Mishima family name.
“Well done, my daughter.”
Sophie then wraps the match up with a powerful lightning strike punch that resembles her father’s that sends Marshall out of the stage and crashes into a pile of green and yellow rubbish bins. Lee quickly announces that the winner for the first match is Sophie herself and that her classmates and friends were all most pleased with the outcome.
“Sophie Barkman is the victor of the first match...Now let us take a break and see if she can face the ‘fat’ and agile fighting expert, Bob Richards?!”
Sophie heads back to the fighter seating bench as her friends tend to her needs. Heihachi was most proud of Sophie and encourages her to keep it up.
“Hey, Sophie.”
“Grandpa.”
“Keep up the good effort.”
“I will.”
Veronica gives Sophie a bottle of natural spring water with Catalina handing her a towel for her to wipe the sweat off her forehead.
“Thanks, Cat.”
“Well, that Marshall Law didn’t stand a chance.”
“I know, Cat...I know.”
Marshall was carried off stage by medics as they load him onto a stretcher. Paul and Miguel were now standing in front of the restrooms located at the back area of the fighter assembly area. He was downright furious of Sophie’s easy victory and remarks that he will get her back for she did to his good friend.
“Damn you, Sophie Barkman...I swear if I get to the ‘Victory tournament’. I will crush you into little pieces.” uttered Paul as Sophie and the others heard his scowling but don’t seem to be paying attention to him, which frustrates him further. “She didn’t even heard me...I will make sure she will be seeing stars.”
“I am with you, amigo. I am with you...”
“Miguel, my friend...” began Paul putting his hand onto Miguel’s left shoulder. “If I cannot do it would you do it for me?”
“Si.”
“Good...Now let’s just sit back and watch.”
Sure enough, Lee announces the upcoming match of Sophie and Bob Richards as both fighters prepare to head to the fighting stage as Sophie hands her bottle of water and towel back to her good friends.
“Thanks.”
“Good luck, Sophie.”
“Yeah, all the best.”
Sophie feels confident and heads to the fighting stage and meets with Bob Richards who first paid his respects to her.
“Greetings, Sophie Barkman...It shall be an honour to fight you.”
“No, the honour is mine.”
“Very well...Shall we begin?”
“My pleasure.”
“Now...BEGIN!”
The match between Sophie and Bob was pretty much one-sided as Sophie overwhelms Bob with her fast and powerful attacks knocking him down in the first ten seconds and in the second. Despite Bob putting up a much more tougher fight and even managing to score a hit on Sophie, it was only temporary as Sophie ends the round and match with an attack that was very much the same the final blow by Lars. The slight difference was that she just holds back her fist as it fills up with lightning energy and then she strikes Bob with it, which sends him flying and lands on the back flat on his back. Sophie takes a few breaths as Lee announces the victor of the match.
“My, my...What an excellent fighter! Sophie Barkman is the victor and will advance onward to the next round!”
Immediately, all of Sophie’s friends and the teachers were all extremely pleased wither victory as Sophie helps the defeated Bob Richards to his feet.
“Well, you are truly a strong warrior, Sophie...It was an honour to fight you.”
“Indeed...The honour is truly mine, Bob Richards.”
“Just call me Bob...I hope we can spar again another time.”
“Indeed.”
Sophie heads off stage and joins her fellow classmates at the MPGA stand as they were all congratulate on her win as everyone was very proud of her.
“Well done, Sophie.”
“Thank you, general.”
“Yes, nice work out there.”
“You were amazing.”
“Thanks, Anna, Andy...Where’s Patricia by the way? Mike?”
“She’s gone to get change into something good for the next fight.”
“I see.”
“Hey, everyone.”
Everyone turns and sees Patricia wearing her yellow dancing costume as they all praised the way she looks in it.
“So, do I look good?”
“Very much indeed, Pat.”
“So, Sophie...I guess you made it as well, right?”
“That is correct.”
“Well, I hope we get to fight each other in the next round.”
“So do I...Looking forward to it.”
Lee then meanwhile announces the next group match, as he also humbly announces that this would the final match of the night as the rest of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds will continue same time, tomorrow as do give the remaining fighters a chance to rest up and probably train themselves.
“Ladies and gentlemen...It’s time to announce the 8th group of fighters for the next matches. However, this would be the end match for the night as the remaining ‘Round Robin’ rounds will commence again same time tomorrow. Now let us see who would be the next lucky three?!”
The shuffling begins as all the remaining fighters watched and some look downright nervous and eventually Xiaoyu discovers that it was her turn to fight.
“Oh well...Guess it’s my turn to fight.”
“You feel nervous, Xiaoyu?”
“Not really, Alisa...I just hate the fact that I will have to fight you or someone like...”
“Oh no!”
“What is it, Miharu?”
“I guess I would be fighting you, Xiaoyu.”
“What?”
Xiaoyu looks up at the television screens and sees that Miharu was right as the two of them would literally have to face each other in combat.
“Talk about bad luck.”
“Yeah...Bad luck indeed.”
“Wonder who would the third one?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, Xiaoyu.”
“Yes, I just hope it isn’t Alisa.”
“Me too.”
Eventually, the third fighter of the group was selected and it was Colin Stnoham, their fellow classmate from class A.
“Well, well...This would be interesting.”
“So, it would seem.”
“Now...Would the three selected fighters please come to the fighting stage?”
“Well, I guess that’s us.”
“After you, Xiaoyu.”
“No, after you, Miharu.”
“But...”
“I insist.”
Xiaoyu and Miharu head up to the fighting stage with Colin following close behind.
“Gee...That Colin sure looks cool.”
“Yes...Very dashing.”
Xiaoyu stands in the middle of the stage alongside Miharu and Colin. Xiaoyu herself was wearing her orange coloured kung fu attire while Miharu was wearing a green coloured Chinese kung fu costume that like pretty much the same as Xiaoyu was wearing except with some minor differences. Colin was no doubt in his yellow dancing costume attire as he wore a military vest over his torso and put on fighting gloves.
“Now...Let’s see whom gets to fight whom?” announced Lee as in the next split second, the shuffling of the fighters begin with all three watching the whole procedure unfold via the television screens.
“Well, I wonder which two out of the three would be fighting each other?”
“We can only hope.”
“Right.”
Eventually, the shuffling ends and it would appear that Xiaoyu fighting against Colin.
“Well, I guess I am up.”
“Xiaoyu.”
“Yes, Colin?”
“Shall we?”
“Sure...Miharu, yeah?”
“I will be fine.”
“Somehow...I just don’t feel fine.”
Sure enough, Xiaoyu and Colin stand ready to fight while Miharu takes a seat nearby as the spotlights shine more brighter than it did before but both of them don’t seem to be bother by the bright light.
“Well, l am going to go onto the finals, Colin...No hard feelings.”
“Same here, Xiaoyu...I admire your determination but don’t think that I will take it easy on you.”
“I know, I know.”
“Good.”
“Okay, folks...Let this daring match begin. FIGHT!”
As soon as the clock started counting down, Xiaoyu lunges forward with her strong agile kicks as Colin manages to counter with a firm defense. Xiaoyu then switches to fast punch attacks as she and Colin exchange a number of blows together. Miharu could barely take her eyes off them both as she was most inspired by the way the two of them were fighting.
“They both are...Are truly amazing.”
“You fight most impressive, Xiaoyu.”
“Thanks, Colin...You weren’t bad either.”
“Good...Now, let’s give it all we’ve got.”
“Aye!”
Xiaoyu and Colin fought with each other until the in the last ten seconds and counting, Colin gains a slight upper hand and tackles Xiaoyu to the ground just as the clock timer hits zero.
“Well, folks...It would appear that Colin Stnoham has won the first round! A big round of applause for this strong youngster!”
The crowd throws a big cheer for Colin as he was quite proud of himself and kind enough to help Xiaoyu to her feet.
“Whew...Thanks.”
“You are welcome...You okay, Xiaoyu?”
“I am...I’ve been worse.”
“Well, let’s give the audience a good fight, okay?”
“No problem.”
Xiaoyu heads over to where Miharu sat as she was quite amazed with the way Xiaoyu fought out there.
“You were amazing, Xiao.”
“No kidding...Colin was not bad either.”
“I hope you can win the next round.”
“I certainly hope so.” replied Xiaoyu as she senses a hint that Miharu was eager to fight her if she wins against Colin. “Do I sense a bit of eagerness?”
“You what?”
“That you are determined to face me in battle?”
“Well, more or less.”
“Right...To be frank with you. I will be glad to have you as my next opponent.”
“Good.”
Sure enough, Lee announces the second round is about to commence as Xiaoyu rubs her hands and takes a long deep breath and then lets it out.
“Well, round two.”
“Good luck, Xiaoyu.”
“Thanks.”
Eventually, during round two, Xiaoyu use a different tactic to fight Colin as she was able to gain the upper hand and defeated him without much trouble. However, during the final round, both combatants fight with their full strength and literally Xiaoyu was able to defeat Colin but just barely with Xiaoyu panting very hard as Colin accepts his defeat and lies flat on his back.
“Well done, Xiaoyu.”
“Thanks...You were great, Colin.”
Miharu heads to the stage and helps Xiaoyu to the bench as Alisa also tends to her good friend.
“You did great out there, Xiaoyu.”
“Thanks, Alisa...Wow, could I get some water? My mouth feels like it’s on fire.”
“Sure...I will be right back.”
“Okay.”
Alisa finds Xiaoyu a bottle of natural spring water as Miharu gives Xiaoyu a nice backrub.
“Does that feel good?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I guess we only have a little while before the two of us face each other.”
“Yes, let’s rest up while we can.”
“Hear, hear.”
Colin joins Alcazar and the others as they all praise him for his efforts and his performances.
“Well done, Colin...Nice fight.”
“Thanks, Andy.”
“You did great.”
“Yeah, nice indeed.”
“Thanks, Michael...John.”
“Well, why don’t you freshen up, Colin? You have fought hard just then.”
“Yes, general.”
Colin heads off as Alcazar and Julia were eager to watch the upcoming match between Ling Xiaoyu and Miharu Hirano.
“Well, this is going to be quite a fight.”
“Indeed so...Uh, Ramon?”
“Yeah? What’s on your mind?”
Julia eventually express her concern to Alcazar of the way the ‘Round Robin’ fights are structured.
“Oh, it’s just the way these fights are structured out.”
“Hmm...I see.”
“It’s like this...There’s three fighters and two out of three are selected to fight and the winner of the two would then commence to fight the third to claim victory.”
“I suppose there’s a point in what you said.”
“Yes...It’s the winner of the first match. What if the person won just barely and nearly worn out?”
“I suppose that would leave that person at a great disadvantage.”
“Exactly...That’s what worries me, Ramon. The third can just claim a victory easily after he or she observe the first two fight their hardest and when the victor among them wins then it would be a walk in the park for him.”
“Of course...That much I understand.”
“You do?”
“Who wouldn’t...This is probably Kazuya’s plan all along. Or something.”
“I have that feeling too.”
“In the meantime, let’s watch this upcoming match.”
“Of course.”
Therefore, Xiaoyu and Miharu stand ready to fight each other as both promptly get into their fighting stances.
“Let’s rock and roll, Miharu.”
“Yeah, let’s show what we girls can do.”
Once the timer starts, both fighters lunge a kick at each other but it was a tie and definitely nowhere enough to determine who was the victor and so Miharu strikes first as she quickly strikes at Xiaoyu with fast speedy kicks but it was blocked easily by her. Miharu changes her attack strategy and moves to punches as she and Xiaoyu exchange many punches one after another. They were doing it quite fast as the audience watching the television screens find it quite hard to watch as the speed of their attacks make it nearly impossible to see their hands. Eventually, time ran out and it was a tie for the two of them. Kazuya was quite impressed with the way they both fought but Anna still bears some hatred for Xiaoyu as the incident back at Kyoto still burns on her mind.
“That girl...Someday or soon I will have my revenge.”
“Patience, Anna...We will get that chance soon enough.”
“If you say so, Kazuya.”
“So, for now, Anna...Let’s just sit back and enjoy the rest of the show, my dear.”
“Okay, if you insist...My darling.” replied Anna as she sounded most alluring.
Sure enough, Xiaoyu and Miharu continues with round two as both of them fought hard and long and eventually both once again their fight ended in a draw with the audience growing most interested in their match and Lee speaks to Kazuya via their cell phones.
“Hey, brother.”
“What is it, Lee?”
“I have just looked at the ratings of the matches so far.”
“You mean the ‘Round Robin’ ones?”
“Yeah...And guess which one is the highest?”
“Enlighten me.”
“The match right now...Ling Xiaoyu and Miharu Hirano. And I can see from where I am that it’s got the audience hanging at the edge of their seats.”
“Excellent...Let’s hope the remaining matches are just as spectacular as this one is.”
“Indeed.”
In the end, it was once again a draw as both girls fought hard and apparently use the same fighting style, which of course makes it a little hard for them to beat each other knowing and anticipating what move would be used and how to counter it. The next round went very much like the first two and eventually the match once again ended up in a draw.
“My, my...These two firecrackers sure know how to put up a good fight!” announced Lee as his voice was filled with charisma. “Now, it would appear that there’s only one way to decide who would be the winner...The ‘Sudden Death’ match, ladies and gentlemen!”
Xiaoyu and Miharu breath hard and panting with them both quite exhausted.
“You have gotten better.”
“I practiced...You were not bad either, Miharu.”
“Thanks, Xiao...I was just curious to know why our fights ended in a draw?”
“Oh, call it intuition.” replied Xiaoyu casually slightly shrugging her shoulders.
“Right.”
Both fighters took a ten minute break as time was now close to midnight and all the people in the audience are thrilled to know whom might win this ‘Sudden Death’ match. Eventually, the ‘Sudden Death’ begins to commence with both Xiaoyu and Miharu standing face to face with each other as Lee explains the rules of the ‘Sudden Death’ match.
“Now, girls...Just a guideline on the ‘Sudden Death’ match. There’s no time limit and in order to win you must knock out your opponent or knock them off the ring. May the best girl win!”
Lee announces the ‘Sudden Death’ match to begin as both girls lunge at each other with their strongest blows and for some time, both were evenly matched. Literally, both move closer as the two interlock each other with their hands, they did this so that they could whisper to each other without being heard by the audience.
“Xiao.”
“What?”
“We cannot go on like this.”
“I know.”
“One of us has to win.”
“Okay...What’s your point?”
Suddenly, without warning, Miharu pounds on Xiaoyu and forces her to the ground and grabs her throat but literally she did not put much force into it but her face shows an expression that she is putting all her muscle into it as a way to fool the audience and of course Lee and Kazuya themselves.
“I think you should win.”
“What?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“I am sure.”
“Well...Okay.”
“Good...Remember, you owe me a favour, okay?”
“Sure...Just tell me when.”
“Right.”
Xiaoyu without hesitation kicks Miharu off her and she lands flat on her back behind Xiaoyu who then quickly leaps on her and pounds her several times with her fists and eventually Miharu was knocked out as she pretend to be and eventually Xiaoyu was crowd the victor of the match.
“There we have it, folks...Ling Xiaoyu is the winner and will advance onto the next round!”
The crowd throws a big cheer as Xiaoyu pants in relief that the fight was over as she whispers to her friend to see if she was all right.
“Hey, Miharu...You okay? If you are then give me a slight nod.”
Miharu gives Xiaoyu a slight nod indicating she was all right much to her relief.
“Oh, that’s good.”
Medics with stretchers came in and help Miharu out of the stage with Xiaoyu following her. Lee then officially announces the end of the first part of the ‘Round Robin’ rounds and he once again reminds the whole audience that the second part of the ‘Round Robin’ matches will commence tomorrow night at the exact same place and time.
“That is all for now, ladies and gentlemen...This would be the end match for the night as the remaining ‘Round Robin’ rounds will commence again same time tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you there!”
While the audience begins to leave the stadium, a pair of G Corp soldiers inform the remaining fighters that they can go back to the rooms at the hotel.
“Would all fighters please accompany us back to the hotel?”
“You best to return to your rooms and get ready for the matches tomorrow.”
At the same time, Anna Williams who has come down from the V.I.P box and first congratulates on their win.
“Ah, the eight lucky fighters who have won...Congratulations. You may wish to sit out and rest up until the ‘Victory Tournament’ or you may feel free to watch the remaining matches at the special spectator stand located next to the idol of Kazuya Mishima himself.”
All the eight winning fighters understood as Anna informs Bruce to keep an eye on them all.
“Bruce.”
“Anna.”
“Keep an eye on them...Especially Hwoarang. There’s something about him that I do not trust.”
“Never fear, Anna...I will keep an eye out on all of them.”
“Excellent...Thanks.”
“You are welcome.”
Anna Williams heads off as she then looks back at Anna O’Connor and gives her an unfriendly smirk before heading off as Vivian could tell that Anna Williams doesn’t like her.
“I don’t think that woman likes you, Anna.”
“I reckon you are right.”
“Well, why don’t we head back to our rooms and rest up?”
“I think you are right.”
Sure enough, all the fighters who have won heads off with Hwoarang making his exit first followed by Anna and Vivian accompanied by Michelle. Bruce himself follows and finally Sophie, Patricia and Xiaoyu were the last ones.
“Well, we have made it.”
“Yes...But there’s still a long way to go.”
“Indeed...I am just wondering. Would we succeed?”
“We will, Pat...We will.”
“Ahem.”
Sophie and Patricia glances back as Xiaoyu has something to say to them with her asking quite an amusing question.
“I am wondering...Do you think I would get any taller that the two of you?”
“Well...” began Patricia as she was quite speechless and find it hard to answer her question.
“Sophie?”
“It’s difficult to say.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, it’s all a bit technical...Perhaps maybe that’s the maximum limit for you.”
“Really? Oh, I am so...Astounded right now.”
“Don’t be...Being short doesn’t mean you are at a disadvantage.”
“True.”
“Anyway, just concentrate on the tournament for now.”
“Uh, of course...Thanks, Sophie.”
“You are welcome.”
“I am tired and I need a good night’s rest.”
“Me too, Pat.”
“So, you want to sit and watch the rest of the matches tomorrow evening?”
“I don’t see why not...Maybe Shirley likes to come as well.”
“Perhaps...You sure she would come? I mean she still feels a bit down.”
“I know...Maybe the two of us could cheer her up.”
“Okay, Sophie...Let’s give it a shot. Now let us get some rest.”
“Indeed.”
Sophie, Patricia and Xiaoyu heads off back to the hotel as Sophie wonders how Alex was doing and also what plans does her father have planned for her and her friends and allies.
“Father, soon...Very soon we will face each other and settle this conflict once and for all.”
