Quintin had just moved into his own home. He had a stable job and was no longer under the earshot of his family. He had reached personal freedom, but to him, it was all boring. Life had become mundane and everything seemed the same. Quintin opened up his college yearbook, flipping through the pages until he found a number on the back.
Quintin: Who wrote this in here?
With nothing else to do, he dialed the number, hearing a lady answer on the other side. She sounded monotone, likely a secretary. Without thinking, he signed up for an appointment. He had the spare cash and was on vacation from work. Quintin left his home, hoping that this appointment would liven up his world. When he entered the shady warehouse, a lady flipped through a magazine before looking up at him.
Secretary: So you're finally here. You're one of the only ones to make an appointment. She's waiting in the back.
Quintin: Who exactly am I meeting?
Secretary: The legendary Doctor A. I don't know how you got her number, but you were lucky enough to be chosen by her. Just head to the back.
Quintin moved along the empty warehouse before coming across a woman wearing a welding helmet. She lifted it up, looking at Quintin with an uninterested face.
Doctor A: Of all the people that could've called, it was the short one. I guess I need to calibrate the size already.
Quintin: Hey! What's that supposed to mean?
Doctor A: You're going to be my subject. I plan to bring you to the next step of humanity, and there's only one way I can do that. Have you ever heard of cybernetics?
Quintin: Doesn't that only exist in comic books and novels? I doubt that's very practical.
Doctor A: It very much is. I along with an assortment of my peers worked together with the goal of advancing technology and humanity as a species. We are known as 26 Doctrines, with each of us having a letter of designation to make us more distinct. We each specialize in many fields, mine obviously being cybernetics. You will be my test subject, and together we will take the first steps to further advancing humanity. Do you consent?
Quintin looked down at his feet, thinking of the life he had lived up until now. He had moved as far away as he could from his family to never hear them again. Now he has a chance to further himself from them. He looked up at Doctor A, a smile growing on his face.
Quintin: Then I'll gladly become the next step of humanity. Just show me what I need to do.
…
Quintin and Li jumped back from one another, staring the other down, blood dripping from Li's body. Quintin had some noticeable damage on him as well, with a portion of his glasses cracked. They both charged at each other once more, Quintin aiming for Li's side again. Moving further into Quintin's range, with only the robotic shin hitting his side, Li unleashed a chop to the side of Quintin's neck, Quintin letting out a gasp from the blow. With a blur, Quintin switched legs, hitting Li in the stomach with a knee. Both fighters pushed themselves away from the other, their breathing becoming more baited.
Thong: Don't give up, Li!
Li put on a weak smile as he heard Thong's words.
Li's thoughts: He says that, but I've taken several blows to the stomach and one to the head. It's a miracle I'm even standing right now.
Quintin kept his eyes on Li, catching his breath as he looked his opponent up and down.
Quintin's thoughts: His karate is extremely impressive. But my legs have hit him heavily. His movements will weaken, and he definitely won't be defending as easily now. It's over.
Li charged in once more, throwing a spear hand at Quintin's face. Quintin quickly responded with a high kick, knocking the attack away. Quintin looked in shock as Li moved in closer before a smile grew on his own face. Li raised his fists to his face, intending to beat Quintin in an extreme close quarters fight where kicks are nowhere as useful, but before Li could get any closer, he felt a shadow loom over him. Unable to react in time, Quintin delivered a quick downward kick to his shoulder, Li letting out a gasp as he felt his shoulder begin to fracture. He wrapped his arms around Quintin's neck as Quintin's leg dropped to the ground. Li breathed heavily, Quintin letting out a small laugh.
Quintin: You were so focused on that charge that you left yourself wide open. This is where it ends.
Mike's eyes opened wide as he watched Li's expression turn blank, his own eyes wide open. Li's fingers tightened closely as he lifted his hand behind Quintin's neck. All Mike could tell from Li's expression was that that attack had enough strength to kill. As quickly as the hand rose, Li placed it back down, his eyes closing. Mike gritted his teeth before another loud thud filled the arena. Quintin slammed his knee into Li's stomach once more, Li slumping back before hitting the ring ground. He wore a smile on his face, his world slowly turning dark. The last thing he could hear was…
Thong: Li! Get back up! You promised!
Li's thoughts: Sorry, Thong. I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm just not cut out for that world.
Zachary: W-WE HAVE A WINNER!!! AND THAT WINNER IS QUINTIN PLANCK!!!
The audience erupted in a roar as Quintin let out a sigh. Paramedics quickly rushed into the ring, Quintin staring as they put Li on a stretcher before hauling him away. He turned to his entrance, a paramedic running up to him. Quintin put a hand up before looking at the man with annoyance.
Quintin: I have my own doctor. I don't need you guys.
Quintin walked away, the paramedic following the others that took Li away. They walked past Thong, who could only clench his fists. Thong's eyes stung as he felt tears start to build up.
Thong: Hugo… Li… Will neither of you be here to support me?
Daymond watched the match from one of the observation decks. He turned around, seeing members of his Arachna standing before him.
Shun: Looks like that was a total bust.
Yussuf: You gotta admit, Li was a lot better than we expected.
Nupan: Probably better than you expected, Li looked promising from the start.
Dianshi: Do you always have to sound so high and mighty? Not like we're a very invincible group, ya know.
Nupan: Just cause Arthur lost doesn't mean we will too.
Shizu: Can all of you just shut up. Did you all forget about this upcoming match?
Magnus: Yeah, the match against Kuro Kageyama. Of all the fighters that applied, he was the most excited to fight the boss right away.
Shun: So? Boss will be able to take him on no problem. Sucks that Abo, Nile, and some of the others couldn't be here to witness it.
Yussuf: I don't get how they can see missions as being more important than this tournament.
Dianshi: Cause we still have a business to run, you know. I swear you're more brainless than Arthur.
Daymond: That's enough badmouthing one another. We had four matches to gauge the skills of all the fighters so far. Shizu.
Shizu: Yes. From the looks of it, the most promising have clearly been the victors we've seen so far. The Masked Man, Moll Sonata, Ser Lorisian, and now Quintin Planck. But Mason Chordata and Li have shown high potential as well.
Yussuf: Are you really going to leave Arthur out like that? He did push that masked guy to use his martial arts.
Nupan: I don't think we're going to gauge ourselves. We've spent enough time with each other to get a feel for how we'll work in this tournament. It's those outside of our group that we need to focus on.
The door to the room opened, Simon walked in as he rubbed the back of his head.
Simon: So this is where you all decided to meet up. I just came back from watching Kuro. Looks like he's in his peak condition.
Magnus: Peak condition? Most of his matches told us to be wary of him at his best. Are you sure you're ready for it, boss?
Daymond stared out the window before heading to the door, putting on his trench coat as he stopped.
Daymond: I don't intend to lose. I truly hope these new generation fighters will give me what I've searched for.
Shun: Planning on stealing something else?
Daymond: You know that's not what I'm looking for. But definitely something to look out for. The secret the Kageyama's hold might be worth looking into.
Nupan: He's even wearing his coat, you know he's ready to win this match.
Shizu: I wish you luck. I assume you already know that Kuro will be a troublesome one.
Daymond: I am more than prepared.
Daymond left the room, the rest beginning to look at one another.
Dianshi: This might be a tricky one.