Mike stood back up, Minh's breathing seeming to be heavier. Minh reeled, putting a hand over his mouth as blood dripped from through the mask.
Minh's thoughts: I pushed this body too far. If I started this fight, I'd be in perfect condition. This guy's strikes are no joke.
Minh raised his fists, Mike watching as crimson seeped from Minh's clenched fists. Minh ran forward, throwing a right jab, Mike jumping to the side before throwing a right knee at Minh's gut. Minh elbowed the knee away, bouncing his left arm upward as he landed a direct punch to Mike's face. Mike reeled back, blood dripping from his nose as he stared at Minh.
Minh: Your shitty attacks are useless against me. I'll be the only one to make it out of here alive.
Mike: So you plan on killing me?
Minh: If you remain persistent, yeah, but if you're a good boy you'll stay down and I'll only have to kill those two over there.
Mike: You've changed, seems like I'll have to beat some sense into you.
Minh: I'd like to see you try!
Mike ran at Minh at full speed, Minh moving his hands in front of himself fluidly. Throwing out a quick left jab, Minh's attack missed its mark. He whipped around, seeing Mike jump into the air behind him before slamming his right foot into Minh's back. Minh crashed to the floor, Mike landing securely on his feet as he stared down at Minh.
Mike's thoughts: Just stay down. I don't need to beat you while you're down, right?
One of Minh's hands reached forward, his eyes darting around.
Minh: What's happening? Mike? Where are you?
His tone had changed, Mike biting his lip as he walked around to face him.
Mike: Thong…?
Minh smiled, grabbing onto Mike's leg, attempting to pull it from under him. Mike immediately landed a kick to Minh's face, sending him flying back. Minh landed on his feet, his stance wide as he looked up at Mike. Mike watched as the face of his friend stared back at him, bloodied and crazed.
Mike's thoughts: You aren't the same person I knew. But just because you've lost yourself doesn't mean I'll stop helping you. So come back, Thong.
Minh and Mike charged forward, both pulling their fists back before punching each other across the face.
Mike's thoughts: I wish I could've had this punch out with you… The real you. But this just shows I need to win even more now.
Mike shot his left leg around, aiming for Minh's liver, only for Minh to push it down with his forearm, having the kick strike his leg. Mike moved in, slamming a right hook across Minh's face. Minh looked back fiercely at Mike, throwing out a series of rapid extended knuckle punches as Mike stood his ground. Minh's onslaught came in hard, strikes littering Mike's body, but Mike stares intensely at Minh. Reaching both hands out, he grabbed onto Minh's wrists before pulling him in and slamming with a headbutt. Minh recoiled, Mike stepped back as he prepared his left foot. His leg moved like a blur, aiming directly at Minh's head. The audience looked on in shock as Minh securely caught Mike's kick.
Zenzo: He's got him in a hold!
Zachary: Could this decide the match?!
Minh pulled Mike in close, their faces staring directly at one another. Mike shot out a right straight punch, Minh pushing it away before throwing a punch at Mike's chest with his free hand. His punch stopped just short of Mike's chest, Mike looking up to see the malice filling Minh's eyes.
Minh: This is where we say our goodbyes, friend.
Mike: You're not my friend. You're just a bastard. Thong is different from you. He'd never kill. I just know it!
Minh stared at Mike before letting out a laugh.
Minh: You're a hopeless fool, Mike. Die for your friend, why don't you.
Li looked on in shock as Hugo stared at him.
Hugo: What's it this time?
Li: He's preparing for one of the strongest techniques for that close of a range. The strike known as the One Inch Punch!
Mason: It's… the most powerful type of punch in extreme close quarters. And a native attack… in Wing Chun.
Minh smiled wildly as Mike stared deep into his eyes.
…
Thong was kicked on the floor, his face covered in bruises and cuts as he looked up. Three dudes stared down at him, two holding knives as the one in front crouched down. He pulled Thong up by the hair, staring at him right in the eyes.
Thug: You know, I've never liked your kind. You stroll into this college thinking you're going to make it in this country? And you don't even have any money to warrant our protection. Maybe your death will do some good. Your parents are probably struggling, right? So how about you die for 'em?
Thong bit his lip, closing his eyes as he saw the thug pull his fist back. He heard two hard thuds before the thud let his grip go. He opened his eyes, seeing a man with blonde hair picking the thug up by his collar.
???: Picking on those less privileged than yourself, huh? I hate bastards like you the most. How about you get out of here?!
The man punched the thug across the face, the thug scrambling back as his allies ran away. The man watched as the three left the alley before turning back to Thong. He reached his hand out before meeting Thong with a smile.
???: Hey, the name's Michael. Michael Taylor. Feel free to call me Mike.
Thong: Mike…? Thank you.
Mike: Don't thank me, idiot. You look like a mess.
Thong grabbed Mike's hand, Mike pulling him up before turning around.
Mike: We have the same Math classes, don't we? See ya around, buddy.
Thong: My name…
Mike turned around, looking at the injured Thong.
Thong: My name is Thong Tran. Thank you for helping me!
Mike let out a smile before turning away from Thong.
Mike: Maybe you'll get strong enough to help yourself one day. If you do, let's enjoy helping each other, alright?
…
Minh built tension up in his left arm, the world feeling slow to him. Mike seemed as still as a statue, Minh's smile only getting wider.
Minh: Goodbye, Mike!
A loud thud filled the ring, the audience looking at the match in awe. Zenzo and Zachary leaned forward as they watched the two figures stand extremely close to one another. Jason turned around and entered the hall as he smiled under his mask. Theodore and Ziyad stared intensely at the monitor. Gonzalez let out a sigh as Remy bit his nails. Li and Hugo moved closer to the screen as they waited for some movement. Mike's foot hit the ground as a large amount of blood came from his mouth. Mike stumbled back, the audience getting a closer look at the hit. The hand holding out the fist was being held back by the fighter's right hand. Thong let out a breath as he felt his body shake. He looked at Mike, who stared at him in the eyes. Mike put on one smile before falling back. His back hit the ground, the audience staring on in disbelief. Thong pulled his right hand away, what seemed like burn marks laid on his right palm and as a print on his left forearm.
Zachary: Is he going to get back up?
Thong fell onto his knees, staring at Mike's collapsed body. The referee ran over to Mike, looking closely before waving his arms to Zachary.
Zachary: W-WE HAVE A WINNER!! THAT WINNER IS "THE SILENT POINT" THONG TRAN!!!
The audience stared on in shock, Remy slumping back in his seat as Gonzalez took a sip of the soda next to him. Theodore closed his eyes as Ziyad took off his hat, placing it on his chest.
Thong closed his own eyes, the sounds of the audience drowning out. The paramedics ran into the ring, taking Mike away before picking up Thong and assisting him to the infirmary. Zachary sat back in his seat, looking up at the ceiling of the arena.
Zachary: Mike lost? To someone who's that new?
Zenzo: It seems there might be a dark horse amongst the new fighters.
Zachary: I thought this match was clear cut…
Zenzo: I think most people thought so as well. But it seems that Tran boy is more fearsome than we had assumed.
A smile came over Daymond's face as a glass of water was placed on the stand next to him. Bodin walked up next to him.
Bodin: You seem quite pleased.
Daymond: Of course. It seems this tournament will be just the excitement I desired.