The crowd's excitement was palpable, buzzing with anticipation as Victor and Gordon stepped onto the platform, both emanating fierce energy that crackled in the air around them. Although they were teammates, the rivalry between them ran deep, and every spectator could sense the tension simmering beneath their stony glares.Jimmy's voice echoed across the arena. "Get ready, folks! This isn't just any match—two powerhouse benders from Stronghold are about to go head-to-head! It's Victor versus Gordon!"Victor gave Gordon a cocky grin, his fiery aura flaring in anticipation. "You ready, Gordon? Don't think I'll hold back just because we're on the same team."Gordon clenched his fists, his aura flickering erratically. "Don't worry, Victor," he replied, forcing confidence into his tone. "You'll be the one holding back when I'm done with you."They faced off in silence as the bell sounded, both charging forward in a burst of energy. Gordon led with a flurry of punches, his strikes imbued with the raw, untamed energy he had honed through years of training. But Victor matched him blow for blow, his flames weaving through each strike with calculated precision, parrying and countering with practiced skill.The impact of each clash reverberated through the arena, sparks flying as Victor's flames collided with Gordon's energy. Despite the intense back-and-forth, Victor's confidence never wavered. He moved with a fluidity that seemed almost effortless, and his taunts were relentless."Come on, Gordon! Is that really all you've got?" Victor sneered, dodging a punch and delivering a powerful kick that sent Gordon stumbling back.Gordon felt his frustration mounting. Every strike he landed seemed to be answered by Victor's swift counters, and the audience's cheers for both fighters blurred into a cacophony that only heightened his irritation. He couldn't shake the weight of his doubts, couldn't ignore the gnawing thought that maybe, just maybe, he was outmatched.As he recovered, he looked out toward his team, catching sight of John. The memory of John's earlier win flickered in his mind—a hard-fought victory, resilient and precise. Gordon grit his teeth, a pang of bitterness surging through him. He wanted to win this fight and prove himself, not just to the crowd, but to himself.Victor took advantage of Gordon's hesitation, flames spiraling around his fists as he advanced. He delivered a rapid series of punches, forcing Gordon to backpedal, each hit landing with increasing force."Losing your edge, Gordon?" Victor taunted, his voice laced with mockery. "Guess there's a reason you're not the team leader."The comment stung, cutting deeper than Gordon expected. He tried to channel the frustration into focus, pushing forward with a surge of his own energy, but Victor's assault was unrelenting. Flames lashed out, forming a fiery wall around Gordon, forcing him into a defensive stance.He grit his teeth, feeling the heat pressing in on him, the doubt creeping back as Victor's flames whirled around him like a storm. Why was he struggling? Why couldn't he push Victor back the way he'd imagined?"Pathetic," Victor muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I thought you'd at least give me a challenge."Gordon's heart raced as he struggled to steady his breathing, the pressure mounting. He'd trained for this moment, dreamed of this moment, but with every misstep, his insecurities gnawed at him, making his movements slower, more desperate.But as he faced Victor's relentless barrage, a small voice cut through the haze of doubt. Focus. Control. He forced himself to remember his training, the hours he'd spent refining his technique, his strength. This was his match, and he would fight for every inch.In a surge of determination, Gordon clenched his fists, channeling his energy into a single, explosive strike. He dodged Victor's next punch and countered with a powerful blow to Victor's chest, pushing him back for the first time. The crowd gasped as Gordon surged forward, his energy flaring around him like lightning, pushing back against Victor's flames."Not bad, Gordon," Victor smirked, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "Finally decided to show up, huh?"The battle intensified, their powers clashing with a force that shook the arena. Gordon's punches landed with raw force, and Victor responded with bursts of flames, the heat searing the air around them. The fight became a war of attrition, each bender testing the limits of the other's strength and resilience.But even as he fought, Gordon felt the doubt creeping back, the memory of John's calm, controlled power flickering in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how hard he tried, he was still just a step behind.Victor seized the moment, catching Gordon in a temporary lapse. He sidestepped Gordon's attack and landed a fierce kick to his side, sending him skidding across the platform. Gordon struggled to rise, every muscle screaming in protest, his breath coming in labored gasps.From the stands, John watched intently, his expression unreadable. Gordon met his gaze, seeing no hint of emotion, no reaction. Just an unwavering focus that only added to the weight pressing down on him. If he couldn't beat Victor here, how could he ever hope to face John in the semifinals?But he forced himself to his feet, wiping the sweat from his brow. He couldn't give up—not when he was this close.Victor laughed, his flames swirling as he prepared for a final strike. "It's over, Gordon. Face it—you're just not cut out for this."The words struck like a knife, but this time, Gordon channeled the pain into determination. He steadied himself, focusing on every ounce of energy within him, feeling it coalesce into one powerful surge. This was his chance.As Victor charged, flames blazing around him, Gordon sprang forward, channeling all his energy into a single, explosive punch. The impact collided with Victor's fiery aura, creating a shockwave that reverberated through the arena, sending them both flying back.Victor stumbled, struggling to regain his footing, but Gordon remained steady, his resolve unshaken. He took a breath, his energy flickering weakly but determinedly around him. And in that moment, Victor faltered, his flames dimming as he recognized that Gordon still had some fight left.With one final push, Gordon unleashed his last reserve of strength, delivering a punch that sent Victor teetering over the edge of the platform. Victor barely managed to catch himself, but it was too late—the bell sounded, signaling Gordon's victory.The crowd erupted, a mixture of shock and excitement at the fierce battle they had just witnessed. But as the cheers washed over him, Gordon felt no satisfaction. The win felt hollow, his doubts lingering like shadows in his mind. Even with the victory, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still just chasing John's shadow.He glanced toward his friends in the stands, catching John's gaze. And though John gave him a small nod of respect, Gordon could feel the gap between them widening, the weight of his own insecurities pressing heavier than ever.For the first time, he wondered if he would ever be able to close it.