-Start of the Tournament, A Friendship Grows

The tournament was ready to start as the eight contestants were waiting in the back. Pierce even got to talk with Cassandra a little more. "So, you've been practicing martial arts since you were four? Man, I must say that's impressive." Pierce said.

"Yeah, it kind of runs in the family, both my mom and dad were martial artists back in the day, which is also how they first met." Cassandra said. "Years ago, my dad was training some students in a small local gym, which would also be the same place my mom would visit regularly to work out."

"One day, she chose to work on some technique training, and she asked my dad for a spar. My dad was also very cocky and accepted the fight, confident to win." Cassandra said. "Though in the end, she beat him, putting him on his back in one throw. After that they sparred with each other every day and soon fell in love."

"Wow, that's interesting, I've never heard of someone's life story like that." Pierce said. "So, which one of them convinced you to fight?"

"... I convinced myself." Cassandra said, frowning. "My mom has been in the hospital for the last few months. She's been struggling with her health, she's tired, she struggles to eat, and she suffers numerous pains. Some doctors are even thinking it's cancer." She said, crying a little. "My dad doesn't even go to see her anymore, it's usually just me because I'm the only one who cares anymore. All he does is train and teach like nothing has happened."

"I can only think that maybe the reason he does that is his way of coping. I know my dad felt the same way." Pierce said as Cassandra focused. "Years ago, my uncle was suffering from a terrible sickness and my dad couldn't help him in any way, so he considered fighting was the only answer... which was also how he met my mom." he said, starting to tell his story.

"They both entered the tournament, my mom had the same intentions as me back in those days, testing her own abilities to become stronger, while my dad did it to get the prize money for his brother. In the finals, my mother promised him whichever one won the tournament, she would help his brother no matter what. In the end, my mother helped out and cured him. I'm thinking that maybe at the end of this tournament, maybe she can help you."

"Heh, thanks Pierce, I would appreciate that," Cassandra said, wiping away her tears, "but don't think I'm going to hold back on you or fall in love with you."

"Heh, no problem, I don't seem like your type anyway." Pierce said as they shared a laugh.

The announcer came out onto the arena as the people were in suspense. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment you've been waiting for," the announcer said. "The tournament will officially start! We will move from the quarter finals to the semifinals, and finally the last round of the tournament". "Now, for our roster," he said as he pushed a button, and a giant screen came up. "For the 1st round, we have Levin vs Bombarda, 2nd we have Cassandra vs Pierce, 3rd is Orca vs Chappa, and 4th is Veronica vs Arkan."

"We'll be back in a few minutes, and the battle will soon begin!" the announcer said.

The first round would soon begin as Levin and Bombarda stepped onto the arena. Levin appeared to be a regular boxer, having dark skin, blonde scruffy hair, black eyes, wearing a white shirt and red pants. As for Bombarda, he was a tall muscular man, he had black hair tied in a braid, sharp brown eyes, wearing a fur open vest and gray pants.

"So, what do you know about these guys?" Pierce asked Cassandra.

"Well, what I've heard, Bombarda ran in two tournaments," Cassandra said.

"Hmph, then the kid will go down easy." Chappa said.

"Don't be too sure of that," Pierce said, "I caught glimpses of his fighting style in the preliminaries, he's stronger than you think."

The battle soon began as Bombarda made the first move. Levin easily evaded his strikes with swift leg movements. What he didn't have in strength, he made up for in speed and he knew well that there was more than one way to beat an opponent.

Levin moved behind Bombarda, kicking him in the back knee and shoved him over as Bombarda was on the edge. With one final charge, Levin jumped in the air and punched Bombarda in the face, sending him off the edge. With that Levin won the fight, a little exhausted, even though he didn't get hit once. That was the difference in this warrior, he wasn't complete with his style.

The next fight would soon start with Cassandra and Pierce taking to the stage, smiling as they stood face to face against each other. "Heh, I was really hoping we wouldn't have to fight so soon Pierce, but now I'm going to have to kick your butt." Cassandra said.

"Heh, I look forward to this battle," Pierce said as they stood in their fighting stances. Cassandra appeared to keep her hands up to protect herself well, she even shifted her legs so she would move faster when countering, but Pierce was in a stance that neither Cassandra nor anyone else had seen before, all except for his family.

The battle began as they both attacked each other. Pierce was holding back his true power, but the techniques Cassandra was showing were more impressive than anything he's seen before. She was fast on her feet as her fists flew by like bullets. Pierce grabbed her wrist and went for a punch. Though Cassandra ducked under it and gave him a devastating circular ax kick.

Pierce let go of her wrist to guard the kick. Cassandra sprung off his arms and jumped back with a few flips.

Cassandra kept up the pressure and fought the best she could, seeing how agile and quick she was, gods would think she's using Ultra Instinct.

"Wow, even though she has a power level of around 200, Cassandra is still able to keep up with me with speed, and surprisingly, strength." Pierce thought in his head as he fought. "Not just that, but her instincts and reflexes are amazing to counter my strikes. I can tell she's a gifted warrior."

As Cassandra went for a punch to Pierce's face, he quickly deflected her fist with his leg. "Alright, let's see what else she's made of!" Pierce thought.

Pierce started fighting with every part of his body, showing a bit of his agile nature. Pierce went for a kick that Cassandra quickly bent over and flipped back.

Cassandra took this time to breath. "I can't believe it; he blocked and countered all that!" Cassandra thought. "Whatever fighting style that is, it's pretty good. Looks like I'll have to step it up!"

Cassandra rushed in again as Pierce stayed on the defensive. Their power scaling may have been different but their usage in form and technique was almost exact. They matched each other to the very tip of a blade, proving to be an epic battle.

"Heh, interesting," Pierce said, "a study of Muay Thai and Kung Fu?"

"Huh, so you noticed," Cassandra said, "I learned kung fu from my dad, but I taught myself Muay Thai. Though I'm surprised by your style, I've never seen it before."

"Hehe, it's kind of a style of my own, combining the Wing Chun style and boxing style with a style I like to call the fox style, you'll see it in action soon enough".

They continued fighting as the fight got more intense with each blow, even Pierce was having fun with this battle. That was until Cassandra noticed something. As she threw a kick, she noticed Pierce smirking, it was revealed that he was holding back. "Wait a minute, are you not taking this fight seriously?" she asked.

"Trust me, I am, I'm just not using my full power," Pierce said, "if I were to use my full power, I'd probably do more than just knock you out of the ring or knock you unconscious." he said, chuckling.

"Oh, cut the crap, if you're really as powerful, why haven't you beaten me?" Cassandra asked.

"Hehe, I told you before, I joined this tournament to gain experience from different fighters," Pierce said. "And I will say, the experience battling you is amazing, your technique combines your knowledge of fighting and your instincts in the face of danger. Honestly, if you learned the same things I did, you would probably become a great warrior," he said, getting a blush out of Cassandra.

"Enough of your stupid crap!" Cassandra said, rushing in, "SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!" she said.

Pierce dodged out of the way of her punch and before Cassandra could respond, Pierce gave her a light jab in the back. Sending her to the edge of the ring. Though before she hit the ground, Pierce grabbed her hand as she saw him flying above her. "Hehe, I hope we get to fight again Cassandra." Pierce said with a smile.

He gently let her down on the grass with the announcer saying, "r-ring out!"

"Wait a minute, Pierce! You're... You're flying!" Cassandra said, freaked out.

"Hehehe, well, you were right Cassandra. I'm just full of surprises." Pierce said.

"W-What? HOW?!"

"Well, when you're from a family like mine, you pick up a few things fast." Pierce said.

Suddenly, Cassandra figured out, she realized where she'd seen Pierce's face before. It wasn't exact, but it was similar to a female warrior that was spoken about on T.V. once. The story showed the face of the female warrior, Zoei Alba, smiling. This smile was similar to Pierce's smile so much.

"I really meant what I said Cassandra, battling you was amazing. I would like to spar with you some more after the tournament. I could probably even teach you a few things." Pierce said.

Cassandra gave a smile, "well, you better prepare yourself," she said, letting out her fist, "because once I learn that stuff, I'm setting myself a new goal... to kick your ass". Pierce smiled back and gave her a fist bump.