Tournament of The Toughest
"He passed," Bow informed the others when they emerged from the woods.
"Hmmph." Nina scoffed. "Well done. I expected you'd pass such a simple test, anyway."
Bow glared at her. "I put my all into this, Nina. Don't call it simple!"
Nina waved him off. "Next, it's time for Rand's test!"
Rand emerged from the house, and he gave Ryu a never-felt-before chill, seeing the big man lumber out, all his muscles rippling, obviously ten times stronger than he was.
"And what do you have in store for me?" Ryu asked, trying to sound casual despite his fear.
Rand said nothing, but cracked his knuckles and smiled. Ryu gulped.
"You mean…?" Ryu asked. Rand smiled and nodded.
"Let's fight." He said.
Rand and Ryu stood in the clearing in the center of Township, with the rest of the group gathered around. It was time for a royal rumble!
"Go!" Nina cried.
Rand rushed at Ryu and threw a punch at his head. Ryu ducked, but missed the other fist, which took him in the stomach. Wincing in pain, he jumped aside and kicked Rand in the stomach. Despite the strength he put into the kick, it seemed to do little to faze Rand. Rand grabbed Ryu and threw him to the ground, preparing to body slam him. Ryu rolled aside before the impact, and while Rand was down, he gave him the People's Elbow a couple of times.
"How rude!" Rand growled, and whacked Ryu aside as he got up. Ryu, by now, was in quite a bit of pain, but when he saw Katt standing on the side, that hopeful look in her eyes, he gained new strength. He stood up and walloped Rand right in the nose. Blood started to squirt from Rand's nostrils, and this only made him angrier. He slammed Ryu hard in the gut, causing him to collapse. He jumped on top of him, pinning him down.
"Don't spar with the R," he whispered. "It's over, dude."
Ryu felt his will leaving him. But then, he remembered something his father had taught him long ago.
"Ryu… if you ever get into a fist fight, there is one place where you can always stun a man. Use this to your advantage."
Ryu smiled, and brought his knee right up into Rand's, er, uh… "weak spot." (I think we all know where that is, right guys? I don't have to tell you. ~M.J.)
"Scheissa!" Rand cried, rolling on his side. Ryu jumped up and pounded there again, twice actually. Rand was in tears.
"Let up, already! Please, let up!"
Ryu obediently stood up, but not after pounding Rand's weak point once more for good measure.
"Come on, Rand, you've still got fight left in you!" Sten called.
"I… can't…" Rand wheezed, limping aside. "It… hurts too much. Ryu… passes."
Ryu grinned. "That's two!"
Nina simply crossed her arms and glowered.
