Another two weeks had passed since Thong's headache. Thong gets up from his bed, letting out a sigh as he puts on his clothes. He looked in the mirror, the red bruises building upon his skin.
Thong's thoughts: I've been getting a bit too careless in training. I don't really have anything to cover these bruises, so I'll just have to hope my family doesn't ask too many questions…
Thong walked out of his room, and into the kitchen he noticed his father slowly sipping his coffee.
Thong's thoughts: I haven't seen him calmly drink a coffee at home in a while. I guess things are slowly starting to come back to normal.
Anh: Going out again?
Thong: Yeah, just hanging out with friends.
Anh stared at Thong, glaring at him. Thong felt a shiver going down his spine as he walked out the door. As he walked out the door, he immediately felt someone waiting beside the door. Thong jumped to the side as he narrowly avoided a flick to the side of the head.
Tiana: Hiya Thong!
Thong: Tiana? What are you doing here?
Tiana: Well, you and Mike have both been standing me up. I can't find Mike anywhere, so I came looking for you, duh.
Thong's thoughts: That's right, Tiana doesn't know anything about the Eclipse. That's probably for the best.
Thong: Well, I'd love to, but I'm pretty busy today.
Tiana: Nope nope! I won't take no for an answer. You're taking me along for the ride.
Thong's thoughts: She really doesn't let up…
Thong walked ahead, Tiana following behind as Thong tried to zone her out. Reaching the old building, Thong heard Tiana let out a strange noise as she looked at the building.
Tiana: This place looks like the opposite of safe.
Thong: Trust me, I thought the exact same thing when I first came here.
Tiana: Did you not choose this place?
Thong: No, that would be…
Hugo: Tony! Are you here already?!
Thong: Him…
Tiana: Quite a buddy you have. Once Mike left, I guess anyone would do, huh?
Thong: Shut up, will you?
Hugo walked out of the building, scratching his head as he looked at Thong and Tiana.
Hugo: Who's this chick?
Tiana leaned over to Thong, a slightly concerned look on her face.
Tiana: You hang out with a hobo?
Thong: He's my training buddy.
Tiana: Training with a hobo? Why not train with your dad?
Thong stayed quiet, Tiana looking at him.
Tiana: It's okay if you don't want to tell me, this is just something I won't get, right?
Hugo: Are you two just going to act like I'm not here. Not cool, Toby.
Tiana: You just called him two different names…
Thong: This is normal with this guy.
…
After watching Hugo and Thong train for a while, Tiana walked back with Thong to his home.
Tiana: He isn't very good at fighting.
Thong: Well, he keeps saying he doesn't want to show off everything. I think he's dead set on whatever secret style he's working on.
Tiana: Why does he need to hide something like that anyway? Are you two going to train again?
Thong: Maybe…
Tiana: What's with all this training away from home for anyway? I know you train in Wing Chun, but your dad could train you, right?
Thong: It's… a bit more complicated than that.
Tiana: Is he a coworker? I just can't see how you end up training with him normally.
As Thong and Tiana walked down the street, Thong immediately felt a pressure staring down at him.
Thong's thoughts: This is far too similar…
Anh stood across the street from the two. Tiana waved with a smile on her face.
Tiana: Mr. Tran, it's so nice to see you again!
Anh: Hello, Tiana.
Anh shifted his attention to Thong.
Anh: Thong, we're going to the dojo, immediately.
Thong: What?
Anh: I'll wait for you there. If you don't come, I won't accept you as my son.
Thong: What are you on about?! What do you mean you won't accept me?!
Anh walked away without another word. Tiana looked in confusion at Thong.
Tiana: What was that about?
Thong: I… I don't know…
Thong and Tiana walked towards the dojo, slowly following behind Anh. They stopped right in front of the doors. Thong looked through the glass doors, seeing his father kneeling in the center of the wooden platform.
Tiana: He's already wearing his gi.
Thong: He sure is…
Thong and Tiana entered the building, taking off their shoes as they entered the ring.
Thong: Dad, explain yourself! I don't understand a single thing you said!
Anh stood up, taking off the top part of the gi before entering his stance. Tiana stepped forward, opening her mouth to say something as Thong raised his arm to stop her.
Thong: I can tell he's serious, so step back. I don't know if he's willing to hurt you too.
Tiana's thoughts: Hurt me too? I'm just a bystander!
Thong raised his hands, staring down at his dad who wore a determined look on his face. Anh charged forward, throwing a vertical punch directly at Thong. Thong immediately pushed the punch away, stepping back as Anh grabbed onto his blocking arm. Pulling Thong's arm up, Anh went low, shooting his hand upward, knocking Thong's chin upwards with an uppercut. Thong stumbled back as Anh followed up with a side kick. Thong fell to one knee, his breath becoming heavier.
Anh: With the damage to your arms, I can tell you aren't fighting me properly. How are you using my training Thong? What are you doing that you won't tell me or your mother?
Thong stayed quiet, pushing himself up. Anh watched as Thong raised his arms once again, clenching his fists. Thong charged forward, throwing a rapid punch aimed at his dad's face. Anh moved into a Fook Sau, pushing Thong's punch downward before landing a palm strike. Thong fell to the floor with a thud, Tiana looking in worry.
Tiana's thoughts: Thong isn't fighting anywhere near as good as against Hugo. Is he holding back or is his father just that strong?
Thong pushed himself up, only to be met with an upward knee. Thong rolled back as Anh stomped one foot onto the floor, letting out a sigh.
Thong's thoughts: I can't hit him… Even just standing is showing to be an issue… Wing Chun kicks aim low, so once he has me on the ground, I'm defenseless.
Thong pushed himself up, immediately jumping to the side as he avoided a front kick from Anh. Anh moved quickly, Thong immediately raising his arms in defense. Anh moved around Thong's defense quickly, landing an L-hook across Thong's face. Thong stumbled back, his breathing becoming irregular.
Anh: Stop holding back! I know you can fight better than this! Show me what you're capable of!
Thong regained his balance before throwing rapid punches at his father. Anh pushed through his son's flurry of punches before landing a direct punch to the gut. Thong's eyes flared before he began to fall to the floor.
Minh: Weak…
Thong's head dropped as Anh stood over him.
Anh: If this is all you have to offer, you're no son of mine.
Thong: Then let's get serious.
Anh noticed that Thong's eyes were now bright red, so he stepped back as Thong stood up. Thong clenched his fists before charging forward. Thong moved in for a right hook, Anh immediately raising an arm to block. Anh's eyes opened wide as he felt a punch from below his chin.
Anh's thoughts: An uppercut?
Anh stumbled back as Thong placed one foot forward.
Anh's thoughts: He tried to move my defenses, so I would fail to block this kick, but I won't fail to catch it.
As Anh moved his arms low, Thong landed a roundhouse kick to the top of Anh's head. Anh collapsed to the floor, one of his eyes shutting instinctively.
Anh's thoughts: That wasn't like any Wing Chun kick I know… He's expanded his skills beyond just Wing Chun!
Tiana's thoughts: What's with this level of brutality? Thong would never act like this. What's gotten into him?
Thong: C'mon, dad. Get up, or can you not follow up your streak earlier.
Tiana noticed as Thong's expression had entirely changed. Despite wearing a mask, she could tell that he wore a smile on his face. Thong grabbed onto Anh's shoulder, pulling him up. Anh was bruised from the two blows his son had landed.
Thong: How do you like it when your son finally gets serious?
Anh stared into his son's piercing red eyes as Thong pulled back a fist.
Tiana: Thong, stop!
The punch landed, blood flying out of Anh's mouth. Anh could tell his body wanted to collapse, but Thong held him up.
Thong: Not so fast!
Anh's thoughts: His yellow eyes are now this piercing red. It feels like all those years ago…
Thong pulled back his fist once more, Tiana running into the floor as the fist flew at Anh once more. Anh shut his eyes, hearing the loud thud of the fist landing. Anh fell to the ground but didn't feel the pain of the punch. He opened his eyes to notice Thong falling as well, his fist moving away from his face.
Anh's thoughts: He punched himself?
Tiana fell onto her knees as Thong slowly pushed himself back up. Anh noticed his son's eyes had returned to their natural yellow color.
Thong: Do I win?
Anh: With flying colors…
Anh couldn't see it, but he could feel his son smile. Anh let out a sigh as Thong allowed himself to lay on the floor of the dojo.
Anh's thoughts: He's gotten stronger than I could have ever hoped… He's moved beyond what I could hope to offer, so I hope he can find a place that will fit his talents.
Tiana's thoughts: Something's wrong with Thong. He went from beating his father to punching himself… What's been going on with you, Thong? What are you and Mike hiding?