Narrated by Alex
Well, I didn't know what to say.
At one hand, I was pissed at my failure, but on the other, I was impressed at myself that I'd progressed so much in just a week. But then again, I knew that Benji was still playing it easy with us.
I looked at Gordon, and could bet that he felt the same too.
John smiled at me,"Your strategy was great! It's just that Mr. Benji is just..... better. For now, at least."
I smiled back,"For now, yeah. Anyway, I'm looking forward to see how you lovebirds survive against him."
John rolled his eyes, and went to Anne. They both talked strategy, I think, and stepped into the ring.
Benji asked,"Ready?"
John took his stance,"Anytime."
"Begin!"
Both of them didn't move. They opted for defense, and I didn't approve of it. Against someone like Benji, defense was definitely not an option. He was too fast and too strong. Keeping him suppressed with offense seemed like the best option.
Even Benji was slightly surprised,"Defending? That's going to be very hard!"
John just smirked,"I'll deal with it. Now, begin!"
Was he out of his mind?
Benji said,"Suit yourself," and lunged. His fist just grazed past John, who'd moved away quickly. How did he see it coming? Then I realised, John's speed was way better than mine, and his reflexes were better too.
Benji continued his offense, and John somehow managed to block every single hit. Everytime Benji went for a punch, John blocked it, and at the same time, Anne landed offense at his blind spots, leaving him vulnerable, as his hand was occupied. A good strategy, indeed. But if Benji went for Anne.......
Apparently, Benji was thinking of the same thing, and turned to Anne. As he raised his hand for a punch, John caught it, and tried to apply an armbar. However, he wasn't strong enough, and Benji easily shook his arm free.
That much time was enough for Anne to land more offense, and as Benji focused on letting his arm free, Anne hit quick pinches and kicks to his abdomen. If it weren't for her strength weakness, Benji would have probably doubled over, and opened a good window for them. But he didn't do that.
He quickly recovered, and his fist connected with Anne's face, sending her flying across the ring. She got up though, and joined back into the defense.
John changed his pace, now began to counterattack a bit. Every time he blocked a punch, he did some damage to the arm which was close to him.
Benji began driving John and Anne to the edge of the ring. Soon enough, the y fought at the very edge, and one strike from Benji was enough to eliminate one of them.
Benji went for a punch, but this time, John didn't block. Instead, he took the attack head on. As he went outside the ring, he grabbed Benji's arm! Benji could either save him, or eliminate himself too. Great thinking.
Benji went for the former, and pulled his arm back, along with John. John let go, and hit a kick to his face as he used the momentum. Benji stumbled, but it wasn't enough to take him down.
Anne saw that, and went for another kick to Benji. However, Benji grabbed her leg, and judo-threw her. She was still inside the ring.
John and Benj began to exchange strikes, and I was amazed that he could keep up with Benji, even though Benji was going easy on us.
Anne recovered from the throw, and joined the offense. Both of them now worked together, with John attacking Benji's upper half, and Anne targeting his legs.
In the midst of this, I noticed that John's body began to tint red. He was beginning to use his energy. But for what?
Anne suddenly quickened that offense, and landed even quicker strikes than before. Benji moved even faster, but had to focus on John too, who was still on a slow pace. His body was clearly radiating an aura now, and even Benji was beginning to notice it.
He focused on John, and directed a lot of offense at his abdomen. John, though, expected it, and moved back. His body was covered in red aura now.
As Benji went for another punch, John moved further back, opened his palms, brought his wrists together, and jerked his arms in a quick motion.
Suddenly, Benji froze on the spot, as if time had stopped. His arm vibrated, and he slowly began to move again.
John grunted, and looked at Anne. She grabbed Benji's head, and pulled it down with her. I was pretty sure that Benji was gonna fall down, and they'd win.
Then again, what we expected, never really happened. Benji didn't go down. In fact, even Anne hadn't touched the ground! She hel on to Benji's head, and was so close to the ground, but Benji's strength was unreal. He was arched back, but managed to get to a standing position, despite John's freezing technique. His head came back up, and Anne let go.
John started shaking, and pulled his wrists away. He gasped for air, as Benji moved back. He was back to normal.
"You caught me," he smiled,"but I knew how to get out of the bind. Anne, good try, but I proved too strong!"
The bind? What was that move John just pulled off? I had to learn it. It was very cool.
All three of them stood at the edge of the ring. Anne lunged at Benji, but Benji saw it coming, and used her own momentum against her, to change her direction and send her out of the ring.
That when John struck.
As soon as Anne went out, John jumped and climbed on top of Benji. He'd caught him off guard, and their combined weight caused both of them to fall out of the ring.
It was over. A double ring out. A draw.
Benji got up, and looked rather happy.
He grinned,"Amazing! Even though you didn't win, you didn't let me win too! You both have amazing teamwork! I'm very impressed! And John, the bind you just pulled off, that was great!"
"The bind?" I asked.
"Yes. This technique allows you to bind the molecules and atoms of an object or person together, freezing them on the spot for sometime."
"THAT'S SO COOL! COULD YOU TEACH IT?!"
"Why not? I surely will, but you still need to control your energy better."
"I will!"
He nodded,"Great. Now, get some rest. In the evening, both teams will square of in an elimination match!"