Mike and Thong stood across from one another, Zachary walking back to the announcer table as Zenzo looked at him.
Zachary: Fighters these days. Thinking they can do as they please.
Zenzo: But this does make me question what's happening between those two. I've never seen Mike act like that before. No records describing that behavior before either.
Zachary: I heard a rumor that two fighters got into an argument by the pool. I have a feeling it was these two.
Zenzo: Maybe that'll spice this match up.
The referee walked up between Mike and Thong, holding a water bottle in his hand.
Referee: Since tensions seem to be high here, remember that this is a tournament match. There aren't many rules, but some of the most influential people in the world are here. Don't do something idiotic to disrupt our jobs or the sanctity of this organization.
Mike: Just shut up and start the match. I have a deal to uphold.
Thong: And I have a goal I need to reach.
Beads of sweat began to form on Thong's forehead as he stared at Mike's angry face. The referee let out a sigh before widening his stance and putting one arm in front of him.
Referee: If that's how we'll do this… FIGHTERS! GET IN YOUR STANCES!
Mike entered a traditional Taekwondo Long Stance as Thong simply raised his fists. The referee's eyes bounced off of both fighters before he brought his arm up. With one fell swoop, his arm came down.
Referee: BEGIIIIIIN!!!
Thong's eyes shot open as Mike's foot hovered just in front of his face. His breathing changed from the suddenness of the foot.
Thong's thoughts: What…? I couldn't even see that. What was that?
Mike: You're outclassed, so just go down.
As quickly as his first kick came, another kick swung around from Thong's right. Thong's arm shot up, taking the full brunt of Mike's kick, sliding him across the floor. A bruise was immediately visible on Thong's forearm.
Remy: Mike's got this in the bag!
Gonzalez: Is that so?
Remy: Well, yeah. Mike knocked him out with a single kick last time, remember? He was just ready for it this time, but once one connects, it's over.
Gonzalez: We don't know much about Thong's fighting style however. That kick connecting might be a lot tougher than you may think.
Remy: You're right… But I got faith in Mike!
Thong's head popped back up, only to take a punch straight to the face. Mike followed up with a few low kicks to Thong's leg before pushing him away with a palm strike.
Zenzo: What's this? Mike is using his fists? In nearly all of his matches, he's only ever relied on his kicks!
Zachary: He must be taking this match seriously from the get-go!
Gonzalez: It seems he's intending to use all of Taekwondo's strikes to beat Thong. This fight might be unfair.
Remy: Told ya!
Thong staggered as Mike charged back in, launching a front snap kick at Thong's stomach. Thong let out a gasp, breaking his guard as Mike hopped on one foot before landing a roundhouse kick on Thong's head. Thong went sliding a few meters before buckling down to his knees. The audience cheered as Mike stood up straight, looking at Thong.
Mike's thoughts: Stay down. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.
Mike's eyes filled with concern as Thong stood back up, pain clearly visible in his eyes. Despite that, Thong raised his fists once more before running in. Thong's right hand shot out, Mike sidestepping before slamming an elbow into Thong's face. Thong's head leaned back, but his hands reached out and grabbed onto Mike's arm. Mike tried to pull away, only to notice Thong's strong grip. He looked up, noticing Thong's eyes filled with determination. Mike gritted his teeth before landing a knee to Thong's gut. With Thong's grasp released, Mike unleashed a sidekick onto Thong's right, sending him tumbling back to the ground.
Mike's thoughts: Those kicks had strength behind them, don't get back up.
Despite Mike's wishes, Thong pushed himself back up, shaking his head before bringing his fists back up. Mike's face welled with anger as he charged back in, throwing another front snap kick aimed at Thong's face. Thong reached out, taking hold of Mike's leg, wrapping both of his arms around it before pulling Mike in. The sudden pull put hesitation into Mike, Thong releasing one of his arms and moving in with a left hook. Mike's senses snapped back to him, pulling his upper half back before bringing his grounded foot into the air and kicking Thong once again in the gut. An audible gasp escaped Thong's mask as his hold was released, sending both fighters to the ground. Mike hopped back to his feet, only to see Thong raising to his as well. Silvia raised a hand over her mouth as she watched the match.
Silvia's thoughts: Thong was able to dodge my whips, but he's not able to do so against Mike's kicks and punches. How fast is this guy?
Mike: Why won't you just stay down?
Thong: I… Need to win…
Mike: You don't need to!
Mike ran in, throwing a straight right punch, only for Thong to push it down with his forearm. Mike followed up with a left hook, Thong's forearm pushing it away as well. Their hands moved faster, each strike being blocked only to be followed by another strike. Gonzalez put a hand on his chin as he watched.
Gonzalez: From what I can tell, Thong uses Wing Chun.
Remy: Really? I didn't think that style would work very well here.
Gonzalez: It seems his style is a bit personalized. But there's one thing that's bothering me. His blocks give him an ample opportunity to strike. But it's like he's refusing to.
Remy: Refusing to strike?
Mike's knee shot up, aiming for a close range kick, only to be cut off by Thong raising his own leg as well. Mike pulled his head back only to slam his forehead into Thong's. Thong stumbled back as Mike charged in, unleashing a series of quick punches onto his face. Blood began to run from under Thong's mask as Mike unleashed one last right hook. Mike's head suddenly flew back, Thong's fist sitting firmly under it.
Zenzo: He landed an uppercut!
Thong let out a heavy breath before landing a clean right hook across Mike's face. Mike stepped back, putting a hand over his mouth. Hugo and Li cheered from within the infirmary as they stared closely at the monitor.
Hugo: Beat his ass, Thong!
Li: Don't slow down!
Thong charged forward, only for his own head to fly back. Mike's foot hovered below his chin before slamming it to the ground, Mike leaning in with a heavy elbow across Thong's face. Blood came out from the mask as Thong fell to one knee, his breathing became heavy. Daymond watched the match from the monitor in Bodin's infirmary, staring intently at the match.
Daymond: I sensed something about you. But could I have been mistaken?
Thong stared down at the ground as he felt pain rattling his head. His brain was pounding as he tried to find the strength to stand again.
Minh: You're losing.
Thong: Shut up…
Mike: What was that?
Thong stood up, staring Mike in the eyes. Mike wiped his chin before charging at Thong once more. Thong stared intently at Mike, watching as his hand moved directly at his face. The memory of the man that tried to shoot him back in his first mission flash in his mind, Thong ducking around the punch before moving in and slamming Mike in the face with one of his own. Mike stumbled back, blood oozing from his nose.
Mike: Bastard…
Zachary: Could our rising star be having issues?! Who is this dark horse that he's up against?!
Thong jumped back as he held his fists out in front of him.
Thong: I… Will win!