Heihatchi stepped out onto his barren field. "You enjoyed your treat, Kuma?" "No. I don't like eating the innocent. You know that." Kuma replied. Kuma was a large, awakened grizzly. He was an excellent fighter, not as strong as his master, but strong non-the-less. "Oh Kuma, I was just having some fun." Heihatchi frowned. He thought nothing of taking a life. "Well, the real reason I came down here was to ask you who you wanted to face on your first match." "How long have you known me again? My hatred for Paul should answer that." Paul was a fierce bear-hunter. He was loved by the drunken hicks of his village, but hated by the two bears in the competition. Panda was the other bear in the tournament. He was towering at over 10 feet tall with black and white splashes all over his body. The female-phoenix clan- fighter named Xiaoyu was his master. Both Panda and Kuma would give anything to see to Paul's death. "Oh, so then Paul it shall be. But how about me? Half of me is saying; 'Dispose of Jin. Defeat him in the first round.' But I fear Jin. I don't know why. It is just an instinct." "Odd. You have never felt that way before, correct?" "Never. I could beat him. Maybe it is just a side effect of my old age. I don't know. Do you have any thoughts?" "Forget your fears. You taught him everything." Heihatchi turned and started to walk back into the golden sunset. "I'm going off to think things over, Kuma. Your match request has been granted." He walked around the side of the building. He saw his personal river and stopped, peering down at the tropical fish. To the right of him, there was a harpoon shack. He opened one of its wooden doors and selected one of the sharpest spears on the rack. It was hard to fish in the ever- dimming light, but Heihatchi was an excellent fisher. Whenever something troubled him, he fished. And he was troubled very often. So it only took him about 15 minutes to catch enough fish for him to have a satisfying dinner.

Xiaoyu was training outside of her cabin. She practiced her 'Art of the Phoenix positions', her high kicks, her fury punches, and just about every challenging attack she knew. Panda stepped out of the cabin and peered at her attacks. His eyes narrowed in envy. He was very proud to have such a strong owner. He was developing some strength as well. He could possibly take on Kuma, the 'best bear in the business'. As the training was taking place, Yoshimitsu came by draped in phoenix clan clothing. "Yoshimitsu. What can I do for you?" Xiaoyu asked kindly. "I'm not Yoshimitsu. Don't you recognize me?" "You're not fooling anyone." Panda stated as he came forward from the beautiful palm trees. "You used to be good with pranks. Now take of those clan clothes. We all know you're in a minor clan." "No! It's me! I got an upgrade from Doctor B. I'm Kilik!" "Prove it." Xiaoyu said. Kilik unsheathed his staff. He swung it slowly around his head, than began an ancient phoenix routine. "Kilik! It's you!" The two old time friends embraced as Panda looked on, clearly jealous that he wasn't getting all the attention. Xiaoyu and Kilik are both from the phoenix clan, and they grew up in the same village. It was a great surprise to see each other. "Maxi will come join us soon. I called him with my cell. But he must find a way to get a star chip. I told him to come when I get a star chip, which is why I was randomly booked in the second match. With another chip, I will have one to spare." Kilik told her. "If you lose?" "I haven't thought about that. But hey, I feel 10 times stronger with my upgrade." "Well, let us hope you win, for Maxi's sake." "Yes. Well, I must be off. I wish to train and check on who my opponent is." "Farewell." Kilik turned and jogged from the beach in which he had his encounter with Xiaoyu. "Who is he?" Panda demanded. "Just a friend from home." "Is he strong?" "Yes. He could defeat me." "If he can beat you, than you must train. Let us spar."

Paul frowned. This isn't fair! He thought. If Kuma kills me, what would Heihatchi do? Nothing! I could use a real assassin. Someone like. Nina. Maybe Anna. They could fight in round three to settle this. Yeah, I think I will request that. Kuma can't kill me in the first round. I have two star chips.

Paul went to see Nina about the whole thing. "I am better than Anna, why don't you believe that? I will show you. It will be unofficial. But I will kick her ass. You will witness it." Nina yelled. "I thought of you first. But Anna has humiliated you before. Whoever can assassinate Kuma gets a star chip." Paul replied. "Then why do I need to even need to prove myself. I will attempt. I get a star chip if successful. I won't fail. I try tonight." "And you can't rat me out. Understood?" "I'm a pro. Of course I understand. Well, tomorrow, I will be dead, or I will have one more star chip than necessary. Goodbye, Paul" Nina ran away stealthily. Paul admired her, but was more nervous than ever.

SCOREBOARD: ROUND 1: PAUL VS. KUMA

ROUND 2: KILIK VS. JIN

ROUND 3: XIAOYU VS. YOSHIMITSU

ROUND 4: LAW VS. KING

AUTHORS NOTES: Is it just me, or did I use Lei instead of Jin in Chapter 1? My sincerest apologies. Well, any way, thank you for reading, I am coming up with material as fast as possible. See you later!

NEXT CHAPTER: Paul VS. Kuma. Or is it?

UNTIL NEXT TIME.