They were finally at the tournament. They were five minuets late, but could still get in luckily. After getting themselves in, they were sitting in a room full of other competitors. They saw a lot of men all different ages, most ranging from their late teens to middle edges. Most were getting ready by doing their kata, stretching, or doing some small workouts. Some were just sitting around, waiting for their turn. Raphael could see that outside in the ring area, two people were already fighting. Raphael wanted to get a good look, to see what he was up against.
"You stay here," he said, as he walked towards the ring to see who was fighting.
He walked out towards the ring area to watch. He saw two people in the heat of the battle. It was two people from the east. One looked to be about in his late twenties and had black long hair. The other one barely looked older than twenty and had outrageous looking spiky red hair. He quickly got Raphael's attention. The boy was a fantastic fighter for a kid. His technique was so fast and sharp. His energy was so high. Lee walked up behind Raphael to see what he was looking at. He could see the young adolescent fighting another man. He jumped up and kicked the man, knocking him over.
"The kid has skill," Lee said.
"Yes, he shows great potential," Raphael said back.
He seemed like quite the confident kid too; he was taunting the opponent and kicking him. It wasn't long until his opponent finally fell, K.O.'d.
"The winner: Yungsung!" The announcer yelled as the crowd went wild.
'So that's the boy's name,' Raphael thought. Yungsung walked back to the competitor's area. Sweat was glistening off of his face. Raphael went to greet him.
"So your name is Yungsung," Raphael said.
"Yes," He said back, smiling confidently.
"You were amazing out there. You have exceptional skill," Raphael said.
"Thanks," Yungsung said.
"I was hoping to really see how well you can wield your weapon," Raphael said competitively. Yungsung smirk mischievously.
"Make it to the finalists. Then we can arrange that," Yungsung asked.
"You can count on it," Raphael answered. Yungsung walked off to rest up a little.
"Challenging people?" Lee asked.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt. I need to see what I am against," Raphael said, "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Well, Mr. Warrior. I hope you are aware that there are more people with weapons here. Can you handle that?"
"Of course. I'd have to adjust my style," Lee said confidently. Raphael raised his eyebrow. This man was really on the verge of making a full of himself he thought.
More and more competitors were going out there. Though a few of them were impressive, none of them could really add up to the skill he had seen earlier with Yungsung. Soon it was Raphael's turn. He went up into the ring. He could see his other opponent come up. It was a man in a black martial arts uniform. He looked about his age. Raphael smirked. He could sense that this was going to be all too easy. He walked up and bowed down
"Well then, let us dance!" With that, the fight began.
He quickly swung at Raphael. He jumped to the side, getting out of the way of his vertical strike. "Slow!" He yelled, coming back with two slashes. He heard him grunt with pain. He got into his preparation stance. "En garde!" He said. The man swung his sword again, only to get blocked by Raphael's rapier. He quickly struck him again. The man grunted with pain again. Blood was beginning to seep through his clothes. Raphael quickly moved forward, slashing at the man. The man could barley block the moves.
"Dammit!" He heard the man say. The man grabbed his arm for a brief second. Obviously, he wasn't ready for real competition. Raphael pushed the tip of his sword under his chin. He then turned and punching him in the face.
"How sad," He said. The man got back up, his sword in a defensive position. Raphael twirled his sword. The man prepared for another hit. At that moment, Raphael grabbed him and began to stab him quickly and continuously. The final stab sent the man flying out of the ring. The fight was over. Raphael smirked and laughed, twirling his sword.
"As expected," Raphael said cockily. The announcer came to the floor.
"The Winner: Raphael!" He said. The crowd cheered wildly. Raphael never felt better.
He walked back to the competitor area. "I'm impressed," Lee said, "I didn't think a man like you was that fast,"
Raphael smirked. "It's a gift," he replied. At that moment, Lee could hear his name being called.
"Well, well, well. It looks like it's MY turn," Lee said confidently, walking towards the ring. Raphael turned to watch, expecting him to loose anyway. He wanted to at least be the one to walk up when he looses to say, "I told you that you would make a fool of yourself.
Lee walked into the ring. He looked and saw his opponent. It was a man with twin swords. Lee stepped back with his right leg, getting into his hitman stance.
"Come on," He said. The man stabbed forward at Lee. Lee flipped over the guy. The man turned around earning a backfist to the face. Frustrated the other man spun and tried to slash once again. Lee quickly ducked. He came back up lifting his foot straight up in the air, then slamming it over the opponents head. The man grunted and fell. Lee was in his normal stance, waiting for the man. He was bouncing up and down with one hand going down his body, and the other one near his chest. The man finally got back up. Lee quickly did 3 hit combo of backfists. The man stumbled. Lee got into his hitman stance again. The man came forward. Lee tried to trip him, but the man jumped over it. Right when the man landed, he got two powerful kicks from Lee's tsunami kick. The man was knocked back once again. Lee was waiting once more. He got up slowly, then got back into his stance. Lee suddenly did a Silver Stinger, hitting the guy in the face. The man was knocked back one more time. He didn't get back up.
"You need to fight with more class," Lee said.
"Winner: Lee!"
Back at the competitor's area, Raphael couldn't be more shocked. He was completely wrong about this man. He could fight well...exceptionally well. He stood there with a dumbfounded look on his face. Lee came back smiling.
"Well, what do you think about that? Not even a scratch on me," he said. Raphael couldn't even answer.
"Well, I ought to rest up for the next fight," Lee said. Raphael suddenly realized what this meant. If Lee and him go to the finalists, then that would mean they would have to fight each other. Raphael was prepared for that, no matter how exceptionally well he fought. He wouldn't mind beating some sense into him anyhow.
Soon was the finals, and sure enough it was Lee, Yungsung, Raphael. Raphael didn't know whether they were going to put him up against Yungsung or Lee. He was hoping it would be Lee first. No longer did he care so much about Yungsung since seeing Lee fight. He wanted to see how well his skills matched up against the silver haired man's. It would be an interesting fight he would love to do.
"Next up: Raphael versus..." The announcer started. Raphael and Lee looked at each other. Raphael wasn't the only one who wanted to see who could fight better out of the two.
"Yungsung!"
Raphael felt slightly disappointed, but not for long. That would mean that he had the best for last. Yungsung would probably be a warm up.
"I'll be able to deal with you next," Raphael said, walking off.
Raphael walked into the ring. He saw the young boy with his hands on his hips, waiting for him.
"So," he said, "Here we are," he said smiling. Raphael smirked and twirled his sword. Yungsung did the same.
"All right, let's do this!" Yungsung said.
"Watch quietly and learn," Raphael said as if tutoring a child. Yungsung's countenance changed. Would that mean he was saying he was inexperienced? It didn't matter at this point. He let go of that and went onward to fight.
Yungsung swung his sword horizontally. Raphael jumped back, then stepped forward to stab. Yungsung fell back. Raphael retreated enough for him to stand up.
"Thrust!" Raphael said. Yungsung got back up. He tried to swing again, only this time Raphael jumped to the side, then quickly struck him with the sword. Yungsung stumbled, giving Raphael a chance to strike him again, making him fall. He rose back up again, nursing his jaw, then struck towards Raphael's head. Raphael nimbly dodged under it, and came back up.
"Too much offense, not enough defense," Raphael said, blocking a strike from Yungsung.
"I don't need you're advice old man!" Yungsung said. That struck a nerve. Raphael blocked another one of Yungsungs strikes so hard, it almost knocked the sword out of his hand. Yungsung was thrown off from the block. Raphael did a vertical strike, hitting Yungsung across his back. Blood was present.
"Don't call me old!" Raphael said angrily. Yungsung got back into his stance. His look was a little angrier. He came with a combo of kicks. Raphael moved out of the way again, then did a number of slashes. Yungsung blocked them.
"Good," Raphael said. Yungsung stepped back.
"Die!" He screamed, jumping up and swinging his sword. Raphael moved out of the way, making Yungsung miss and land next to him. Raphael twirled his sword and began to thrust quickly. Yungsung blocked, but Raphael penetrated his defense. Yungsung looked down and saw stab wounds on his stomach. Raphael looked at Yungsung and could tell he was scared. Honestly, he didn't want Yungsung to give up from the fight just yet; he was just getting started.
"Don't tell me you're scared, Yungsung," Raphael taunted. That angered him. Yungsung came at Raphael with a series of strikes. Raphael blocked them, then came back with his series of strikes. Yungsung blocked them again.
"Just fall, old man!" Yungsung said. Raphael warned him earlier to not call him old. He had enough. He was just going to finish him and move on to the final round just to teach him a lesson.
"Do not anger me any further," He said just as he blocked the last move. Yungsung struck again, but Raphael guard impacted the last move. Once again, it threw the young man off. Raphael took that moment to grab him and knock him on the floor. Just then, Raphael stood on top of him and stomped on him. When he got off, he saw an unconscious Yungsung lying on the ground. He finally defeated. Him
"The Winner that is going to the final round: Raphael!"
Now he was going to finally see who was better between him and Lee.
The announcer called Lee and Raphael to the ring. The two men stepped into the ring to an even louder applause. This was the last fight, and the crowd was eager for a good fight.
"Whoever wins this one will win our first prize," he said. Lee was stretching his leg. Raphael didn't get why Lee would take such things as this so lightly. Raphael was dead serious, and Lee hadn't done much to get ready for this match. Raphael finally spoke his last words before they fought.
"Are you ready?" Raphael asked. Lee smirked.
"I should be asking you," Lee said. Raphael glowered. He obviously had too much confidence. He had to knock down a little of his ego. The fight began.
Lee did a combo of kicks. Raphael quickly swayed back. He came back with a quick stab forward. Lee flipped over him. Raphael turned and tried to strike at him vertically. Lee ducked and came back up with a split kick, which Raphael quickly jumped to the side to move out of the way. Raphael came to slash Lee, but Lee ducked again. They came back up to meet each other.
"Good," Raphael said. Lee chuckled.
"I should say that for you," he said back. Raphael jumped up and did a Dark Abyss. Lee moved to the side and spun, swinging his leg at Raphael. He swayed back again, then came forward to kick Lee. Lee moved once more, this time spinning and punching Raphael over the head. Raphael grunted and turned to Lee. Lee spun and lifted his leg over his head. Raphael moved to the side. He quickly stabbed at his feet. Lee yelped and grabbed his foot.
"You cheater!" Lee yelled. Raphael twirled his sword.
"Just playing the game," He responded. Lee quickly punched at Raphael. Raphael quickly moved back from them. Lee did a flip, but Raphael moved back from that just barley. He had to admit, Lee was pretty agile. Raphael came back slashing again, but Lee started quickly dodging them. Once slash was too fast for him. The tip of the blade slashed across his stomach. Lee grunted. He could feel the sting from the cut. It was just a flesh wound. Lee came back with another kick combo. Raphael had seen that combo before, so he simply blocked them. Unknowing to Raphael, Lee spun and added one more kick to the combo, knocking Raphael across the face. Raphael nearly fell, but caught himself. He stood back in his stance. Lee jumped to do a silver stinger. Raphael ducked, making Lee fly over him. Lee landed just at the edge of the ring. He knew the rules; if he went out the ring, he was disqualified. Lee turned around to be met by Raphael's kick. Lee parried right at the last second. Raphael then did another kick. Lee parried that one. At this moment, Lee knew what Raphael was trying to do at this point. Raphael knew it would be hard to defeat him, so he was going to try to disqualify him instead. Lee wasn't about to let that happen. Raphael tried to kick one last time, but Lee parried. Raphael suddenly did a hilt strike over Lee's head. It got him, knocking him back and making him thus fall out of the ring.
"Disqualified!" The announcer yelled. The audience cheered.
"The Winner: Raphael!" Raphael looked over towards Lee. He sat up and was rubbing his head. He looked up at Raphael.
"Not a bad dance," Raphael said, walking over to pull him up.
"I'd have to say that for you," Lee said as he grabbed Raphael's hand. Just then, the announcer tabbed Raphael's shoulder. Raphael turned around.
"I have to say, THAT was a pretty impressive performance," he said.
"Why thank you," Raphael said.
"Where did you two come from?" The man asked.
"I am Raphael Sorel from France. I'm not all too sure about him," he said.
"I'm Lee Chaolan. I come from the future!" Lee said, putting his hands on his hips. The announcer stared at him with a blank stare.
"You idiot," Raphael said.
"...Anyway. Raphael you get first prize," The announcer said, holding up what looked like a hefty bag, "Gold!"
Raphael happily took it from him, then gave the bag to Lee.
"I don't have room for this," He said.
"Good luck!" The announcer said.
The two men were walking down the street. "I told you I would win us the money," Raphael said.
"I would've done it if you let me win," Lee said.
"I know, but I wanted to at least have some competition with you too," Raphael said. Lee glared.
"Stop limping, would you? You look like a weirdo," Raphael said, as if he didn't already look like one to him without the limping.
"I can't. YOU stabbed my foot," Lee said. Raphael finally remembered.
"I'm sorry...but it was in the heat of competition," Raphael said, smiling, "You do what you have to do,"
"You stabbed my fucking foot!" Lee said.
"You'll live," Raphael responded, pulling the shard out. He moved around again to make it light up. It finally did, and it was pointed out into the woods.
"Well, we need to get going," Raphael said.
"Can't I first get help with my damn foot!"
"Oh yeah. That little problem," Raphael said, earning a glare from Lee, "Look, I'll just find someone who can treat that,"
After asking someone, they found the nearest medical doctor. Lee was lying down on a bed with gauze tied around his ankle and across his stomach.
"Let him recover for a day. The pain might go away by then," she said.
"Thank you," Raphael said, then walking into the room with Lee. He sat down next to Lee. He was lying there, staring forward at a wall. He turned his head.
"It's going to take me a day," Lee said. Raphael nodded.
"I know," he said. Lee continued to stare at the wall, thinking of nothing. It was silent in the room for a while. Finally Raphael spoke.
"I didn't think you could fight in the beginning. At first I thought you were just some helpless man who was going to bug me,"
Lee laughed slightly. "I told you not to underestimate me," he said. Raphael laughed a little too. He was thinking of the end of the tournament. That's when he realized something.
"You know, you never answered where you were from," Raphael said. Lee turned his head over to the blonde man.
"I didn't? I thought I did," Lee answered. Raphael shook his head.
"No, I don't recall," he replied.
"Well...I live in the Bahamas," Lee said. Raphael raised his eyebrow in utter confusion.
"And what is that?" Raphael asked. Lee's eyes shot wide.
"You mean to tell me that you don't know what that is!" He asked. Raphael shook his head. Lee hit his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Oh! I forgot! You olden people were too stupid to venture that far in the west," Lee said.
"WHAT!" Raphael yelled, catching the word "stupid" in the sentence. How dare he call him stupid!
"Nothing! Nothing!" Lee said, trying to brush it of. Raphael groaned and crossed his arms. As interesting as the man was becoming, he still was a little irritating.
"You don't think I'll get an infection from this, do you?" Lee suddenly asked.
"Why do you ask?" Raphael asked.
"Well, she didn't put anything on it to prevent from a bacterial infection," Lee said, looking down at his foot and wiggling his toes. Raphael was once again confused.
"A what?" He asked. Lee sighed and dropped his head.
"There REALLY is no hope for you..." Lee said. Raphael sighed. He would never understand the future, for it was far too ahead for him to comprehend. Raphael gave up and smiled.
"Well, if you just rest up for a day, we'll be able to continue on our travels," Raphael said, walking out of the room. He turned to look at Lee one last time. He had to admit, Lee had attractive aura to him.
"Rest up," Raphael said in a surprisingly soft tone. Lee smiled and waved at him. Raphael walked out.
Whew! That took a lot. Plz review!