Welp... these last two rounds have been... underwhelming. But at least round three was fun for their gym.
Evan got ahead of himself though he thought back to the last week where they had the last two rounds completed and qualified for the state level competition. Though it wasn't without its challenges. At least on round three.
Round two was woefully underwhelming. They fought a hobby dojo where some men and women just casually practiced without too much effort. Their level average was 12 and their stat average was between 25-40. It wasn't that hard to win against them.
Though they were good sports about the losses and shook hands saying they hope that their gym would go onto nationals. Evan was filled with pride at how well Zoey defeated three of their fighters without too much of a sweat before she went off to allow the rest of their members to get some actual combat experience. They also had Zara at the police station to fill up her needed hours before she had to go to vacation mode full time in a month or two.
The third round that would allow them into the city wide or regional tournament, was also a bit underwhelming. But in the way that wasn't too disappointing. They fought old man Zong's dojo. Hyo was happy to see everyone doing well, and while they knew they would lose. They wanted to help give everyone a good practice match to allow all gym members to grow stronger than before by using their dojo members as realistic sparring opponents for the higher tiered rounds to come.
Everyone was happy to hear this and went to pair up for this round. The dojo members who weren't competing started sparring with the new and improved reserve bench members to make sure the would be up for the task of replacements should anything happen to the main line up.
Everything went well between the fighters. Zoey had a judo and Jujitsu expert as her opponent helping her improve the skills she has just recently learned with Evan's help. And this further solidified her skills in both styles. The other members fought the 3 martial artists that Evan fought in the park that day during the date and managed to win each match. Allowing them all to gain a level or two based on Evan's appraisal.
Evan then faced Hyo again, and they decided to put their all into this match to make sure they at least pushed each other to the limits to allow for proper growth.
Evan had a plan as well to help Hyo improve not only his skills, but also his race. He was still a regular human and Evan knew he had higher limits to pierce through. He wanted to see if the same way he influence Zoey to evolve into an enhanced human, maybe he could evolve into an enhanced human as well.
Evan smirked at the possibility of another rival to help him grow further in the future as well. Then shook his head at the thought, 'Man I need to be careful of that thinking, it makes me sound too much like Vegeta or Goku when they only thought of using others to grow stronger without considering their feelings. Gotta keep on eye on my thinking as I evolve into higher levels of Saiyan ranks.'
He readied himself as Hyo also got into stance and their rematch started.
First they exchanged some blows at low speed along with kicks and blocks to test each other and make sure their skills had not diminished in the near month they hadn't seen each other. Once they both made sure of their skills being satisfactory, they then began to speed up.
The audience all began to strain their eyes as the speed went from slow, to normal, to skilled, to professional speeds in only 2 minutes.
Both men were having a blast pushing their (current) limits. But Evan knew he would surpass Hyo in speed mush sooner than anticipated if this kept up. So he had a plan.
Right as they reached the limits of Hyo's speed, Evan went only a few points beyond it and kept Hyo pressured. Using his superior strength, agility, endurance, and senses Evan was making it to where Hyo was barely able to get a counter attack in or a small three move combo to fight back. Hyo was panting hard and had sweat dripping off every part of his body from the strain Evan was putting him through.
Then a deciding move was used by Evan that had Hyo be struck back so hard he actually flipped mid air. Hyo landed hard after the tiger palm strike to his chest that sent him flying. Hyo struggled to get back up while trying to recover air and he hears Evan, "Wow, I guess I got stronger than I thought. You have done well Hyo but I thought when I made you my rival you would push me harder? I am only a litle tired and have some sweat coming off me."
Everyone watching was concerned at Evan's current attitude, it felt very similar to Naoki when he was beating down a weaker fighter. Evan in his mind was cringing at himself, 'Ugh, I sound like a type cast bully stereotype who knows how to hurt others and has strength to do so, but I really don't want to do it. But if I don't find that trigger for Hyo to evolve, he will forever be stuck as a regular human. I need him to grow! He has the skill, now he just need the evolution to grow further!'
He bends down to a low squat and asks Hyo point blank, "So you giving up? Or do you have any remaining moves or strategies to actually deserve me calling you my rival?"
Hyo strains his body and stands up shakily while also trying to draw on any remaining strength in his body. He sees Evan also stand and gets into a Dragon stance, "That's more like it! Show me how much you got left!"
Evan then rushes him with his arms going out to do a whirlwind strike combo on poor Hyo.
Seeing this coming Hyo tries to prepare his defenses but he has very little left in the tank, he thinks through everything he know and begins to despair as anything he knows would require just that little bit extra of stamina and strength that he currently does not have.
As he prepares to give in he suddenly sees his father Mr. Zong who mouths to him, "Use it son!"
Hyo remembers the secret technique that was only reserved for those who had mastered at least 10 years of any martial art in their school, and at least 5 years of any other to support this move. He grits his teeth as he prepares to use this technique reserved for masters of a style. He gets into a cat stance, then tenses every muscle he can as Evan closes in.
Then he unleashes the stored energy he condensed into his core and joints. Unknowingly unlocking the ki hidden within his soul, he yells out, "MUBYOSHI!"
And nails Evan right in the chest. Evan wasn't expecting a real Mubyoshi to ever be used in real life, let alone on himself and goes flying. He crashes into the fence around the ring and actually leaves a good sized dent in the chain link. It was so bad that the chain link almost broke from the abuse. Hyo falls to the ground absolutely spent as he hears the referee call out, "Double K.O.! It is a draw for this round."
He looks up to see a smiling Evan who is slumped against the damaged chain link and giving him a shaky thumbs up as he can't muster and strength in his body to stand.
Zong and the Dojo all run to Hyo to congratulate him for defeating Evan and unlocking their Dojo's secret technique that has eluded even his father in being able to use properly. Hyo smiles gently as he and Evan are both brought to the infirmary for the injuries and exhaustion.
While lying there Zara, Miu, and Zoey were standing by Evan as he laid there recovering from the powerful hit and asking him, why he acted that way and said those things to Hyo.
Evan smirked and turned to see Hyo paying attention to him along with Zong who was also curious. Evan smiled and said, "I saw a deep power within you Hyo, something told me you could reach greater heights than you are currently. And that you could become the one to reach the realm of champions with us! So do you feel that new well of power?"
Hyo sensed inside himself and while it was barely more than a few embers of energy, he felt his ki flowing through his entire body. With a smile of gratitude he turns to Evan and says, "Yes... I do! Thanks friend! I appreciate this and will do anything to help you in return."
Evan grins at this and thinks for a minute while looking at the breakthrough notification Hyo went through.
*Congratulations! Hyo Zong has unlocked Enhanced human race and evolved successfully!
Congratulations! Hyo Zong has unlocked Super Human race and evolved successfully!
Hyo Zong has unlocked Ki practitioner and can now use the basics of Ki!*
Evan smiled at these notices an then thought over what favor Hyo can do for them.
He turns to Zara as an idea hits him, "Hey Zara... You think we can do a temporary merger to Hyo can join our main team line up since he managed to make a draw with me to make sure our team is filled with ace fighters?"
Zara and Zong go to refute him but then both of them stop, look to each other, then smile. Zara talks first, "Well... it is possible, we already have a friendly sharing contract for exchanging fighters and training techniques. I don't see why we can't and have Hyo aid us in reaching nationals."
Zong speaks up next, "Yes! And with you helping my son unlock the secret technique that not even I could learn from my father, we would be more than happy to aid you all in reaching the championships!"
Hyo agrees as well with a bright smile, while Zoey cheers at gaining a new powerful fighter to their line up. Miu simply smiles with a small shake of her head at their thought processes before giving them a thumbs up for this plan.
Both Zong and Zara shake hands and promise to make an official contract later so that they can share the prize money and the accolades from winning each higher round of the tournament.
Evan smiles as he asks, "So how long do we have before the regional section happens?"
Zara smiles and says, "We have about 1 month. So I will be getting as many hours as I can at the station while keeping up my training as possible. And Hyo! You are going to be training with Zoey and Evan here to match them in skill and strength! Understood?"
Hyo salutes despite his trembling arm, "Yes ma'am!"
Everyone chuckles together and make plans.
Unknown to them though a dark plot was coming for Evan that would make things hard for the group to deal with once they come to fruition.
-- In a warehouse by the docks --
Naoki, Devon, Alicia had all gathered here. The eternal reserved group had been in training with a new group ever since they left the gym. They all turned to the final two members of their little pow wow and waited to hear from them. The first is revealed to be the Russian punk girl that Evan faced off with back then when he first gained his powers. She looked slightly leaner and more deadly than back then. And the one next to her was revealed to be a large man who could rival Fuji from the bodybuilders gym/dojo. He was her older brother and the final member of the eternal reserves that quietly quit after the plan with Alicia and the Zong dojo fell through.
He smiled as he had gathered everyone here today to get at Evan for putting his sister in jail. "So... now that we are gathered. Shall we discuss how to take down that bastard Evan?"
Soon evil smiles are seen all around the table from everyone at the mention of why this meeting took place. And was mirrored by all the grunts who were sitting among the boxes in the warehouse who were members of the Russian gang that Punk girl and her brother ran with their father.